Neighbourhood Guide: Where to Stay in Cardiff (and Why It Matters) | Nia's Local Guide | Guesture

Choosing the right neighbourhood changes the whole trip

Cardiff is a compact city, but the feel changes completely depending on where you stay. Pick the right neighbourhood and everything becomes easier — the cafés you’ll walk to in the morning, the parks you’ll end up in, how late the city feels at night, and how quickly you can get to the Bay or the Stadium.

This guide is written from a local perspective and is designed to help you choose based on the kind of trip you actually want. If you’re here for a first visit and want to walk everywhere, the City Centre makes life simple. If you want quieter streets, brilliant brunch spots and a more “live like a local” vibe, Pontcanna and Canton are hard to beat. Cardiff Bay gives you waterfront living and modern apartments, Roath brings parks and a village feel, Cathays is great value (with student energy), and Penarth is the coastal, Victorian-style escape just outside the city.

Below, I’ve broken down each area by vibe, walkability and who it suits best — so you can book the right base and make the most of Cardiff.

— Nia, Guesture