Ad | Are you ready to discover Cardiff on foot? Join one of Fogo’s Free Walking Tours and see the city’s most beautiful places and iconic landmarks. Put on your walking shoes, ditch the GPS, and start exploring.
This blog post may contain affiliate links. If you purchase or sign up for anything from this website, I will earn a small commission at no extra cost to you.
Cardiff Free Walking Tours
Who needs a car when you can take a free walking tour around Cardiff in the Welsh capital and see the stunning sights? There’s no better way to get to know the city, its people and its fascinating history.
Fogo’s Free Tours has been established for some time; even locals like myself love them, as there’s always a new nugget of information or something you are yet to notice. Covering Bute Park, Cardiff Castle, the Principality Stadium and St John’s Church. It occurs every Tuesday, Thursday, Saturday and Sunday at 11am.
Tour guide Eugene from Fogo’s Tours also offers private tours, a Cardiff Bay walking tour meeting outside the Wales Millennium Centre, Dr Who Tour, Cardiff Dark Side Tour and a Swansea Free Tour.
Brand New Walking Tour Cardiff
Cardiff has a brand new historical walking tour! In conjunction with FOR Cardiff, there’s the City of Arcades Tour. If you didn’t know, Cardiff has more shopping galleries than any other city in the United Kingdom. The tour covers all seven iconic arcades in the city centre, some of the more prominent shops and a visit to Cardiff Market.
City of Arcades Walking Tour Review
I’ve always lived in Cardiff and thought I knew the city well until I went on this experience! The tour starts at the John Batchelor Statue on The Hayes. The meeting point is easy to find, and Eugene wears a bright green t-shirt so he can be easily spotted. Once everyone is assembled, the guided tour begins.
Don’t worry; even though my review has a few minor spoilers, it’s only the tip of what I learnt on the day!
Arcade One – Wyndham Arcade
After a short introduction, you’ll head to Wyndham Arcade, built in 1887. It runs from St Mary Street to Mill Lane. The arcade is named after Windham Thomas and Wyndham Quinn, the 4th Earl of Dunraven. The arcade initially had 35 shops, with cellars and living rooms. It is here that you’ll find The Bear Shop. Known as Bruno, he has resided in the store since 1870, but it is believed that he is over 200 years old.
Arcade Two – The Royal Arcade
It may be hard to believe today, but the Royal Arcade replaced slum housing when it was created in 1858. This was the first full-scale shopping arcade in Cardiff. In this arcade, you’ll find Wally’s Delicatessen. The Polish-born Mr Salamon arrived in Britain in 1939, one of the Jews fleeing European persecution. He set up the first shop on Bridge Street (which no longer exists) selling European foods. His son, Wally, took over in 1963 and was forced to relocate in 1981. He moved to the arcade and worked in the store until he died in 2008. It is still in the family today!
Arcade Three – Morgan Arcade
Originally known as the New Central Arcade, it was built in 1896 by the Cardiff Arcade Company. It was renamed Morgan Arcade, as it was connected to David Morgan’s department store next door. Today, you will find Spiller’s Records here – the oldest record shop in the world. Don’t forget to look up; the roof has an impressive curvy design.
Cardiff Market
Ok, Cardiff Indoor Market is not an arcade, but it is filled with local traders and foodie stalls. It has been a farmers market and was the original site of Cardiff gaol. The gallows were located on the St Mary Street side, where public hangings would occur – drawing large crowds. It has been a market since 1891.
After a refreshment break, where I highly recommend you get a Welsh cake from Bakestones Wales, you exit the market opposite St John’s Garden. Eugene from Fogo’s Tour will guide you around the corner to The Old Arcade pub (previously The Birdcage). Named because there used to be six shops here. Remember to get a picture of the red dragon or Red Wall.
Arcade Four – The Castle Arcade
What’s unique about The Castle Arcade is that it is the only one across two floors. The stores even have stock rooms in the basement underneath. The balcony on the first floor is one of the Instagrammable locations in Cardiff. It is one of the most popular arcades because it is home to cocktail bars and French restaurant Maison de Boeuf.
Some Lost Arcades
On the next part of the tour, you’ll discover some arcades that no longer exist. The Revolution bar opposite Cardiff Castle used to be Dickens Arcade. Further along on Queen Street is the Kingdom of Sweets shop. This was the original Queens Arcade (not the redesign we know today). Take in the facade; it looks Venician because canals used to pass right by.
The Oxford Arcade Cardiff has also been lost. It was my favourite growing up in Cardiff. The library was here, along with a toy shop, Primark and MVC. It was demolished at the same time as Toys R Us and Cardiff Ice Rink. It is now the site of St David’s 2 on The Hayes.
Arcade Five – Dominions Arcade Cardiff
Dominions on Queen Street is the newest and smallest of the arcades, constructed in 1921. It has been revamped over the last few years and now houses Hotel Indigo, Marco Pierre White and Bute & Co Coffee House.
Arcade Six – Duke Street Arcade
Duke Street Arcade was finished in 1902 and is the only one with an intersection that meets another arcade. Take note of the stunning painted floor and look for the stained glass plaques. They are from Dunn & Co, a hat merchant who had stores all over the UK. Each of them was used to say where other stores could be found.
Arcade Seven – High Street
The tour ends at High Street Arcade. It was built in 1885, initially having 34 shops. Today there are 23 retail units on the ground floor, with offices and businesses on the first floor. It was once home to apothecaries and fortune tellers; now, there are cafes, including the iconic Barker’s Tea House. The exterior is the most striking of all of the arcades.
Who Is This Tour For?
Ideally, the tour is for adults, history lovers, locals and tourists. Children are welcome, but it is a two-hour tour, and you cover much of the city centre. So, it depends on their attention span and how active they are. The tour is accessible if you are in a wheelchair.
Take Your Dog!
The tour is dog-friendly too! I didn’t take my four-legged best pal, Ivan, on this occasion, but Cooper was welcomed. There are so many dog-friendly shops in Cardiff, most of them in the arcades and on The Hayes.
Cardiff is incredibly dog-friendly. Dogs are welcome in hotels, restaurants, pubs and tourist attractions. Unlike most major cities, Cardiff has plenty of fantastic parks and gardens. It also has local nature reserves and country parks. These open spaces are perfect for exploring Cardiff with your dog.
How Much Does It Cost?
The Cardiff walking tour is “pay as you feel”. Think of it as a tip for your guide. I could improve at guessing what this should be; I get flustered in taxis and restaurants. However, the suggested fee is £15. Of course, you can pay more if you want. I never have cash on me, but that’s no issue, as he accepts cards too.
How Do You Book
It’s straightforward to book a Fogo’s Free Tour. Select the tour you’d like to go on and pick a date and time. Complete the booking form and the confirmation will be emailed to you with your tour details and where to meet.
Don’t Miss Out!
The City of Arcades Tour is only running throughout the summer (July and August 2023), so book your spot now before it fills up!
Book the City of Arcades Walking Tour. There are also discounts on select hotels for those booked on a tour.
How to Get There
Transport for Wales now offers Multiflex, which gives you 12 journeys for the same price as 5 returns. Who doesn’t want to save money? With stops in Taffs Well, Radyr, Whitchurch, Llandaff North, Cathays, Cardiff Bay, plus two in the city centre. Queen Street is a 9-minute walk to John Batchelor Statue (the walking tour meeting point), and Central Cardiff is also about a 9-minute walk.
Pre-book your parking and save!
There are plenty of NCP car parks in the city centre, including on Westgate Street, Adam Street and Pellett Street. NCP Park Pass is an easy way to save money on parking. Not only do you access special parking deals, but you also don’t need to remember where you put the ticket collected at the barrier – mine always gets lost in the handbag. As payment is contact-free and cashless, you do it on your phone.
You can always pre-book your parking online and save money if that’s not your thing. Find a car park, choose your date and time, enter your details and make your payment. Once you’ve booked your parking online, you will receive a booking confirmation email detailing your booking and how to enter and exit the car park.
Refuel After the Cardiff History Tour
Cardiff is a foodie’s delight, with a vibrant food scene. From the quality of the produce available to the level of cooking, at both the casual and cheap eats, Cardiff is staking a serious claim to being one of the most exciting places to eat in the UK.
- Afternoon tea in Cardiff
- Bottomless brunch in Cardiff
- Steak restaurants in Cardiff
- Vegan restaurants in Cardiff
- Thai restaurants in Cardiff
- Japanese restaurants in Cardiff
- Caribbean restaurants in Cardiff
- Chinese restaurants in Cardiff
- Burger restaurants in Cardiff
- Street food in Cardiff
- Welsh food in Cardiff
Get 50% off food in Cardiff
We all need to refuel and rehydrate. If you love food and drink, do you have a Tastecard? You get 50% off the food bill or two meals for the price of one. There are over six thousand participating restaurants across the UK. Get a 60-day free trial here:
Thirsty After the Cardiff Sightseeing Tours?
You’re always close to the best bars in Cardiff city centre. If you’d like to have a drink before or after the show, there are plenty of places nearby to choose from.
- NQ64 Cardiff
- Flight Club Cardiff
- Golf Fang Cardiff
- Tonight Josephine Cardiff
- Rooftop Bars in Cardiff
- Cocktail Bars in Cardiff
- Best Bars in Cardiff
- Wetherspoons in Cardiff
- Quiz Nights in Cardiff
- Dog friendly pubs in Cardiff
Stay the night
If you know when you’d like to travel for your free walking tour Cardiff, try to book in advance and as soon as possible. Prices tend to rise the closer you get to the travel date. However, there is a vast array to accommodate all budgets.
easyHotel Cardiff
The easyHotel Cardiff is a 10-minute walk from the theatre. It has double rooms (with or without a window), accessible bedrooms and twin rooms. Found a short walk behind Cardiff Queen Street train station, the budget hotel has en-suite bathrooms, heated rooms in the winter and air conditioning in the summer. WiFi is free; pay and display and multi-storey car parks are nearby.
Radisson Cardiff
The Radisson Blue Hotel Cardiff is in the city centre. The 4-star hotel has smart TVs in the bedrooms, private bathrooms with complimentary toiletries, laptop-compatible safes, and limited onsite parking.
Radisson Hotel Discount Code
Get 15% off 3 or 4-night stays, 20% off 5 or 6-night stays, or 25% off for 7 or more nights in luxury rooms and suites. When you use the Radisson Hotel Promo Code LONGER, you’ll also receive complimentary high-speed WiFi on unlimited devices. More information
Dog friendly hotels in Cardiff
Your perfect dog-friendly escape in Cardiff awaits! Before I had my rescue dog, Ivan, I didn’t think Cardiff was very dog friendly. How wrong was I? The dog friendly hotels in Cardiff include national chain hotels, budget brands, pubs and country houses.
The Copthorne
The Copthorne, part of Millennium Hotels and Resorts, is a traditional 4-star hotel in Cardiff that is ideally located between the city centre and the coast of Barry Island. Ideal for business travellers, couples or families, it is a perfect base. You can expect free Wi-Fi, an indoor pool and modern in-room amenities. Book early and save up to 20% off:
Plan a Trip with Expedia
Booking a hotel via Expedia is a seamless experience that offers convenience and choice at your fingertips. With just a few clicks, you can browse through a wide array of cosy boutique hotels to luxurious resorts, tailored to your preferences and budget. Compare prices, read reviews from fellow travellers, and explore amenities, ensuring you find the perfect place to stay for your trip.
Create your Itinerary
Using TripAdvisor when booking a hotel allows you to access a wealth of reviews and ratings from fellow travellers, helping you make an informed decision on where to stay, while also providing recommendations and insights on planning things to do during your trip.
The surrounding areas
Don’t be afraid of staying out of central Cardiff, either. Penarth, Barry, Caerphilly, Pontypridd, and Merthyr Tydfil are the surrounding areas connected by regular buses and trains. You can also plan with LastMinute.com. Stay at great hotels at a fraction of the price.
Cottages and Houses
The award-winning business, Sykes Cottages, has properties across the UK, and the ones near Cardiff are beautiful. From cosy lodges with traditional woodburning stoves to contemporary accommodation with a hot tub. With all the amenities you could need, including parking, WiFi and many dog-friendly places, check out Sykes Holiday Cottages.
FREE Visit Cardiff Checklist & Guide
Get your FREE Visting Cardiff Checklist and Guide with over 25 pages full of travel tips, how to get around, places to visit, food and drink, shopping, parks and green spaces, some Welsh phrases and a travel itinerary.
Do you want to be the first to read my latest blog posts? If you have enjoyed my free walking tour Cardiff review, you can stay updated with my other news, the best of South Wales and travel features by signing up for my mailing list:
Follow me on social media: Instagram | Facebook | Twitter
Related Articles
Free places to visit in Cardiff
Did you know facts about Cardiff
I’ve never been to Cardiff but it looks like a lovely place and doing a walking tour sounds like a great way to see the place!
Cardiff is quite small, compared to other capital cities, it’s easy to get around on foot. But the walking tour is a great way to get your bearings as well as finding out a little bit more.
I love this! I’ve visited Cardiff a couple of times now but I feel like I’ve barely scraped the surface so I might consider a walking tour next time I visit. I didn’t realise how many arcades there were! Thank you so much for sharing your experience x
Yes, great to hear you love Cardiff! It’s the City of Arcades
I’ve never been to Cardiff before, this sounds a great way to get to learn all about it!
Corinne x
You have to put it on your “must visit” staycation list!
If/when I get back to the UK, I would love to do a walking tour of Cardiff; I think doing something like this is a great way to really get to know a place. Great idea!
I know I’m biased, but it’s a great city – you’ll love it!
This is so helpful, we are visiting Cardiff next month and have been searching for things to do
If you need any ideas of pointers, feel free to get in touch! Hope you enjoy the city as much as I do
Cardiff is such an amazing place to visit, will be interesting to take a tour and explore it through someone else’s perspective
I loved the tour! Even as a local, I learnt something new!
This is so good, never realised this was available in Cardiff. I’m a huge fan of walking and history
I live in the Forest of Dean and I live getting the train into Cardiff for shopping. The arcades are brilliant, so many small and independent businesses in them and so much variety! I like strolling through them, it’s like stepping back in time! I never knew there was a walking tour though, I’ll have to book myself on.
You should definitely book next time you visit
ah I remember going on hockey tour to Cardiff many years ago! Time to go back as an adult I think 🙂
Did we play against each other? I used to love playing hockey!