Girls Weekend in Cardiff

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Our girls weekend in Cardiff from London was the perfect getaway for our friend group! On a somewhat hung over Saturday morning, the 6 of us 6 girls jumped on a Megabus Gold bus (the gold makes all the difference) and in 3 hours, we jumped off that bus in the centre of Cardiff, Wales. Cue a new country checked off the list.

What To Do On A Girls Weekend In Cardiff

Cardiff Castle

A short walk from our hostel got us to the main pedestrian mall which leads directly to the castle, being able to glimpse it in the distance!  From the outside its quite exciting to see a castle with its high walls & the anticipation of going into a real life castle.. So much so that we even ate lunch sitting in the now grass-filled moat!

After a photo shoot featuring the six of us gals on the Cardiff trip at the front gate of the castle, we ventured inside to check it all out.

Cardiff Castle was built in the 11th century, so…it’s pretty old! Upon entering the castle, we were first greeted by the opportunity to dress up. Of course we obliged.

We were then greeted by the most ridiculous propaganda film I’ve ever seen – about some absurd story as to why or how the castle existed.

I couldn’t see much of the film through the tears that were streaming down my face – I found the whole thing too hysterical and couldn’t keep my laughter in…so I’m not sure how much of an education I got from that.

After the film, we were then let go to run free around the grounds. We walked through the castle walls which were eery and so old it was dripping wet from the walls and echoed. I was a little freaked out the whole time.

Then it was on to the main castle! We climbed to the top and checked out the views. The castle isn’t very high so the views aren’t that grand. But in any case, we were in an 11th century castle… that itself is impressive.

After the castle exploration, it was time to make friendship bracelets on the lawns of the castle and nap time. Sometimes the life of a touring expat is exhausting!

It just so happened that there was a beer and cider festival happening at a pub by the if sporting stadium. This was perfect, all that castle history made me thirsty!

From here, our group of six became two groups of three. Our group of 3 decided to go and find more drinks to quench our thirst!

Cardiff is clearly a Hen and Stag Do city, with groups of men all over town in crazy outfits, and groups of women all over town wearing matching hot pink and diamanté tank tops!

We weren’t a hen party, but if anyone asked we’d say we were celebrating a birthday – and with that the free shots and cheap drinks ensued.

Going out in London and going out in Cardiff are completely different. In Cardiff you can get 3 drinks for the price of 1 drink in London, at least!

So once we realised HOW CHEAP Cardiff was, we were acting like ballers, buying ALL THE DRINKS! We danced until 5am, made a trip to Burger King and then meandered back to our hostel. Solid evening.

Another Day of Sightseeing?

As our other 3 girls had an early night, they were then up early to see more of Cardiff. Us? We stayed in bed until check-out.

We stepped out into the sun, feeling like vampires. Vampires with a whole day to kill in a city that had nothing to see.

As Cardiff is on the water, we chose to go down that way for a brunch on the harbour. There was surprisingly very little choice down there and doesn’t seem to be being used to its potential.

However we had a yummy Welsh Breaky and continued on to the Cardiff Millennium Centre. This was the one thing I really did want to see when in Cardiff.

Inside was an impromptu string band playing a concert, for free. The gals and I had little energy after having aaaalll the fun the night before so we found seats and watched for way longer than expected.

Welsh Rarebit

Welsh Rarebit is basically just a piece of toast with melted cheese on top. But if you are in Wales, you kinda have to have it.

I found online the ‘best Welsh rarebit’ in Cardiff, got the map out and we went for it.

Once we sat down at our table, we realised we were in a fancy restaurant when we saw the Welsh Rarebit came with truffle oil..! It was BLOODY GOOD. At the end of the day it’s just cheese on toast, melted. A good old comfort food for our hangovers.

Cardiff Video

I put together a video of our gals weekend away to Cardiff, watch it here: Cardiff Video

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About Lesley

Australian expat, married to a Dutch guy, living in Amsterdam. Previously lived in London for 3 years, too! Lover of travel, coffee, brunch, beaches, fresh flowers, and family. Now a new mum, navigating life with a baby!