10 Iconic Buildings and Places in Cardiff

The Pierhead is a 19th-century Grade I listed building that used to serve as the administrative headquarters of the busy coal harbour in Cardiff. Nowadays, it is a locale for the Welsh Assembly, a Welsh history museum, and a place where you will find many free galleries and rotating exhibitions.

The Pierhead is one of the most recognizable buildings in the city. Its French Gothic-Renaissance architecture theme includes hexagonal chimneys, gargoyles, and carved friezes. The main attraction is the 316-ft-high clock on the eye-catching red building. Nicknamed the ‘Big Ben of Wales’, it was designed by prominent architect William Frame.

Cardiff Castle is a medieval castle that consists of 3 fortresses. The complex sits on a site once occupied by a Roman fort which was established around 55 AD. The Norman Castle was added in the 11th century, while the Victorian palace was built in the 19th century.

Today, you can tour the castle and admire its lavish collection of Victorian staterooms, each featuring murals, stained glass, wood carvings, and marble and gold gilding. For panoramic views of the city, climb the main tower (Norman Keep). Head outside to see the famous Animal Wall, which displays a row of animal sculptures along the south side of the castle.

The Llandaff Cathedral is widely known as one of Britain’s oldest Christian sites. The structure was first built in the 12th century but was severely damaged on numerous occasions (English Civil War, Great Storm of 1702, and WWII). The only item that actually remains of the original church is a Celtic cross, which you can see near the door of the Chapter House.

The Llandaff Cathedral has been restored multiple times and houses many beautiful features. Join a tour of the Llandaff Cathedral run by a member of their community and discover a statue of Christ in Glory, the tomb of Sir David Matthew, and the burial site of Oudoceus.

Opened in 1886, the Coal Exchange used to serve as a place for shipping out coal mined in the Welsh Valleys. This beautiful building in Cardiff was designed by an architect, Mr Edwin Seward. Its trading hall was a gathering place for ship owners and trading agents who would make business deals.

During the 1970s, the Coal Exchange was a hotel and a music venue where some of the most popular Welsh acts held their performances. The building was closed in 2013 and started to deteriorate. Fortunately, the Coal Exchange building was taken over and refurbished by Signature Living in 2016. Today, it’s a working hotel and museum just south of the Mermaid Quay shopping mall.

Cardiff City Hall is one of the finest examples of Edwardian Baroque architecture in the region. Built in English Renaissance style in 1906, this charming building with glorious interiors is actually the Welsh capital’s very first city hall. It stands in the heart of Cardiff’s civic centre, an area packed with tree-lined avenues, picturesque gardens, and beautiful buildings.

Cardiff City Hall has many amazing attractions. From an extensive art collection and the appropriately named Marble Hall, there is plenty to look forward to when visiting this Cardiff landmark. Don’t forget to visit the Council Chamber, a spacious venue for press conferences, exhibitions, televised debates, and wedding ceremonies.

The Wales Millennium Centre is a hub of live music entertainment and performing arts in Cardiff. Its calendar is often with world-class events ranging from musicals and concerts to opera and theatre performances.

The Wales Millennium Centre’s unique shape makes it one of the city’s most iconic landmarks. Built from slate, metal, wood and glass, the building is known for its cobber-clad roof and the steel façade with the poetic line “Creu Gwirr Gwydr Offwrnais Awen”, which means “Truth is as clear as glass forged in the flames of inspiration”.

The Cardiff Central Library is an award-winning cultural venue in central Cardiff It is one of the most sustainable and iconic buildings in the city, making it a must-visit destination to include on your list of places to visit in the Welsh capital.

You can find study spaces on every well-lit open-plan floor, as well as free Wi-Fi available throughout the building. One of the main attractions at the Cardiff Central Library is the exciting Digital Floor. It hosts nearly 100 computers, 10 tablets, and a cool plasma wall with library content and news.

The National Museum Cardiff is located in the heart of Cathays Park, Cardiff’s civic centre. Founded back in 1905, it houses collections of art, natural history, archaeology, and botany. You can check out the Evolution of Wales exhibit, which features everything from dinosaur and woolly mammoth replicas to Bronze Age weapons.

The first floor of the National Museum Cardiff is dedicated to national art collections with paintings by Picasso, Rodin, and Monet, plus drawings, sculptures, and ceramics. With its grand staircases, dragons and lion statues, the building itself looks spectacular. It was designed by architects Arnold Dunbar Smith and Cecil Brewer.

The Principality Stadium was built on the site of the ex-Principality Stadium in 1999. This major sporting venue hosts national and international rugby and soccer games each year. It seats up to 75,000 people, making it one of the largest event venues in Wales. Besides sports events, the stadium also hosts live music performances by top-notch acts from around the world.

You don’t have to be a rugby fan to visit the Principality Stadium. The building has an unmistakable structure with mosaics representing different countries and various interesting decorations.

The 18th-century Cardiff Market is a must-visit for foodies in Wales. Housed in an impressive Victorian building, this lovely indoor market is a great place to mingle with locals and have a unique shopping experience.

Under a glass roof, you will find everything from traditional Welsh cuisine to international street food. This market is actually one of the best places in the city to enjoy local cuisine without breaking the bank. Along with tasty foods, there are many stalls selling souvenirs flowers, vintage clothing, and vinyl records.