What to Expect From Your Visit?
Most visitors spend between one and three hours exploring the grounds, walls and interiors. You’ll find a mix of outdoor spaces and indoor rooms, making it an enjoyable visit in most weather. The site is suitable for families, couples and solo travellers alike.
Changes to our opening hours during the summer concert season
From Sat 6 Jun until Sat 15 Aug, Cardiff Castle hosts the TK MAXX presents DEPOT LIVE series of summer concerts. On the day of each concert, some changes to the Castle’s regular opening hours will be necessary, with either early or full closures scheduled. If you are planning a visit to Cardiff Castle during the concert season, please check the list available on the link below:
A visit to Cardiff Castle is easy to fit into your time in the city — and easy to tailor to your interests.
You can explore at your own pace, join a guided tour, or focus on key highlights if time is limited. With clear routes, facilities on site and plenty to see, Cardiff Castle offers a rewarding experience whether you’re planning a quick stop or a deeper dive.
Things to See & Do
From Roman occupation, through Norman conquest, Victorian transformation and even the hardships of World War 2; Cardiff Castle has survived the centuries and evolved with them in a fashion that few can claim. Step inside and explore almost 2000 years of history.
Castle Tickets
Cardiff Castle is open to visitors 7 days a week all year round, with a few exceptions. Find out more about our ticket prices, including the Annual Pass and how you can get your own Castle Key!
Castle Opening Times
The Castle is open to the public 7 days a week throughout year, including bank holidays. The only exceptions are on Christmas Day (25 December), Boxing Day (26 December) and New Year’s Day (1 January), when we are closed.
Guided Tours of the Castle
There are regular guided House Tours of the Castle's Victorian apartments available on a daily basis. Tours are an upgrade to the standard Castle Ticket, or seasonal pass, and can be booked on the day of your visit from the Castle's Ticket Office.
Frequently Asked Questions:
- Yes, Cardiff Castle is operated as an historic visitor attraction and is open all year round (except Christmas Day, Boxing Day and New Year’s Day).
- No, Cardiff Castle is a paid visitor attraction. Further ticket information can be found on our page about opening hours and prices.
- However, as the Castle was given as a gift to the city by the Bute family in 1947, anyone who lives or works in Cardiff is eligible to apply for a Castle Key, with free entry for a minimum of 3 years.
- The site at Cardiff Castle has been used and reused for almost 2000 years, leaving a fascinating legacy. Today, visitors can see elements dating from Roman, medieval and Victorian periods of occupation, not to mention the World War 2 air raid shelters.
- Try our See & Do page for more information on what’s inside Cardiff Castle.
- We recommend that you should allow around an hour and a half for a typical visit to the Castle, giving time to see all the visitor attractions included with your ticket. Some may take slightly less time and some may wish to stay longer, your ticket is for the full day so the choice is yours.
- If you would like to join a guided tour of the Castle Apartments, these typically last around 50 mins so please allow for an additional hour to your visit time.
- Visitors are welcome to walk around the Castle grounds, contained within the Public Square, free of charge. See Public Square FAQs below.
- If you would like to walk around the Castle house, battlements or other visitor attractions, either at your own pace or by joining a guided tour, then an admission ticket or Castle Key is required.
- Cardiff Castle is located in the heart of the city centre, a short walk from the main public transport hubs and with ample pay and display car parking nearby.
Photography for personal and non-commercial use is welcome within the Castle buildings and grounds. Please share your pictures with us @cardiffcastle on Instagram.
To protect the historic building and to respect the overall visitor experience, we kindly ask visitors to refrain from using flash photography, tripods and selfie sticks within the Castle buildings.
Cardiff Castle provides an excellent venue for commercial filming and photography, find out about location hire here.
- No, Cardiff Castle is owned and managed by Cardiff Council.
- No, Cardiff Castle is owned and managed by Cardiff Council.
- No, Cardiff Castle is owned and managed by Cardiff Council.
- Dogs are very welcome within the Public Square area of the Castle’s outer green. Due to the historic nature of the site no dogs, other than trained Assistance Dogs, are permitted within any of the Castle’s buildings or the Inner Green.
Castle Accessibility
Find access information for visits to Cardiff Castle and download our FREE BSL tour. Remember staff at Cardiff Castle are always available and happy to help, so please ask for any assistance necessary.
Castle Directions
Cardiff Castle is located in the city centre, just a short walk from the main public transport hubs and with ample public car parking available nearby. For more information on how to travel here, please click below.
VISIT CARDIFF
Cardiff Castle isn't the only reason to visit Wales' capital city and we hope that you will have time to look around while you're here. If you'd like to know more then the city's official tourist information site will be happy to help.
