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Welcome aboard Skycar, your front-row seat to tour some of the best places in Cardiff.
Prepare to explore the city like never before. Get ready to take in the sights of the bustling city centre and the stunning Cardiff Bay.
As you roll through the city, there’s loads to see en route. Scroll down to discover fun facts about the attractions you’re passing, numbered 1-11 on the map. If you’d like to hop off the bus at any point, the stops are highlighted with yellow icons. If you’d like to see a list of the stops please check the Cardiff Bus app or by clicking here.
The Skycar Route
The Skycar route begins at the National Museum Cardiff and travels through the city centre, passing notable landmarks, then down to Cardiff Bay, stopping by Roald Dahl Plass and then continuing on to Techniquest.
The Skycar Timetable
The service operates hourly throughout the day, with the Baycar also running every 30 minutes providing extra journeys and an evening service - all included within the price of your Skycar day ticket!
Enjoy Our Skycar Audio Tour
Why not enhance your journey with our onboard audio guide and discover the stories behind Cardiff’s top attractions as you travel?
Option 1: Listen to the Full Tour above, covering the route from National Museum Cardiff all the way to Techniquest. Simply press play before your journey begins and listen along as you travel. You can pause and restart the audio at any time to match your location on the route.
Option 2: Listen Attraction by Attraction Prefer to explore at your own pace? Scroll down the page to find individual audio clips for each attraction. As your Skycar Tour bus approaches a landmark, simply select the corresponding audio clip to hear a short introduction and learn more about what you’re seeing.
Whether you choose the full tour or the individual stops, our audio guide is designed to help you make the most of your sightseeing experience. Enjoy the ride! 🚍🎧
Welcome and Introduction
🎯 Places to see along the route 🎯
1. National Museum Cardiff and the Civic Centre
The museum is one of Wales’ leading cultural attractions. Inside, you’ll find an extraordinary collection of art, natural history, and geology, ranging from world-renowned Impressionist paintings to towering dinosaur skeletons. With fascinating exhibitions, interactive displays, and free admission, it’s a great place to explore for visitors of all ages. Whether you’re interested in art, history, science, or nature, it’s well worth returning later for a closer look. The museum forms part of Cathays Park, also known as Cardiff’s Civic Centre, one of the city’s most historic and architecturally impressive areas. As we pass through, you’ll see grand Edwardian buildings, including Cardiff University, surrounded by beautifully landscaped gardens. These green spaces are home to several important monuments, including the striking Welsh National War Memorial.
2. New Theatre
This striking red-brick building with its distinctive arched windows is one of Cardiff’s best-loved cultural landmarks. Opened in 1906, this Grade II listed Edwardian theatre is the only surviving theatre designed by architects Runtz and Ford that remains largely unchanged from its original design. Over the years, it has welcomed some of the biggest names in entertainment. The theatre has been home to the Welsh National Opera and hosted legendary performers including Laurel and Hardy, Sir Ian McKellen, Sir Patrick Stewart, Tom Jones and Cardiff-born actor Sir Anthony Hopkins. Inside, more than 1,000 seats are arranged across three levels. Its elegant red-and-gold décor and ornate balconies create an atmosphere that is both grand and intimate. Today, the New Theatre continues to entertain audiences with a varied programme that includes major musicals, ballet performances, comedy shows and the annual pantomime.
3. Cardiff Castle
The Castle is one of the city’s most famous landmarks. Within its walls, you can find nearly 2,000 years of history, from a Roman fort and Norman stronghold to a spectacular Victorian masterpiece. Once belonging to the 3rd Marquess of Bute, one of the wealthiest men in the world, no expense was spared when architect William Burges transformed the castle’s apartments into some of the most extravagant Victorian interiors in Britain. Think-stained glass, gilded ceilings, colourful murals and intricate wood carvings. At the centre of the grounds stands the Norman Keep, climb to the top for sweeping views across Cardiff. You can also discover the tunnels that were converted into air raid shelters during the bombing raids of World War 2. The Castle has also hosted many prestigious events, including royal visits – and during the summer, it becomes a unique concert venue. Explore at your own pace with an admission ticket or choose a guided tour. As we travelled past, did you see the animals on the wall? The stone sculptures, include lions, a bear and a monkey.
4. Bute Park
Just beyond Cardiff Castle lies Bute Park, often described as the green heart of the city. Covering 56 hectares, it combines historic parkland, woodland walks, colourful gardens and waterfront paths along the River Taff. Whether you’re looking for a peaceful stroll, a family outing, or simply a place to relax, Bute Park offers a welcome escape from the city centre. Along the way, you’ll find cafés serving drinks and light refreshments. The park also hosts events throughout the year, from community celebrations to major concerts by internationally renowned artists. For a different perspective on Cardiff, at certain times of the year, you can catch the water taxi which departs from the park and travels down the river to Cardiff Bay.
6. Principality Stadium
Dominating Cardiff’s skyline is the Principality Stadium, home of the Welsh Rugby Union and one of the city’s most recognisable landmarks. With its fully retractable roof, it is one of the largest stadiums of its kind in Europe and has hosted international rugby games, Olympic football matches, major boxing events, and concerts by some of the biggest names in music. Even if there isn’t an event taking place during your visit, you can still experience the stadium on a guided tour. The behind-the-scenes tours take visitors into areas normally reserved for players and officials, including the dressing rooms, press conference suite and the players’ tunnel. Whether you’re a sports fan, a music lover, or simply curious about Cardiff’s proud sporting heritage, the Principality Stadium tour offers a fascinating glimpse into one of Wales’ most famous venues.
7. The Arcades and St David’s Dewi Sant
As we travel along St Mary Street, keep an eye out for some of Cardiff’s famous Victorian and Edwardian arcades. Known as the City of Arcades, Cardiff boasts a collection of beautifully preserved shopping passages that have been part of city since the 1800s. Today, they’re home to independent boutiques, specialist shops, cosy cafés and local eateries, making them one of the city’s most distinctive attractions. Just a short walk from here is St David’s Dewi Sant, Wales’ largest shopping destination with an impressive mix of over 160 brands, including Zara and Sephora. Or whether you’re looking for a quick bite to eat or a special meal out, you’ll find plenty of options, from family favourites to fine dining restaurants. Its modern architecture and well-known brands provide a striking contrast to the historic arcades. Together, these two shopping experiences reflect Cardiff’s unique blend of rich heritage and contemporary city life.
8. Cardiff Bay’s New Arena
As you pass Cardiff Bay railway station and approach the end of Lloyd George Avenue, you’ll see one of the city’s most exciting developments. This is the home of Cardiff’s new indoor arena, a state-of-the-art entertainment venue. With space for more than 16,000 people, the arena will host some of Cardiff’s biggest events, including live music concerts, comedy shows, family entertainment and business conferences. It will also provide opportunities to support local communities and showcase homegrown talent. The arena will become a striking new landmark helping to strengthen the city’s reputation as one of the UK’s leading destinations for events.
9. Wales Millennium Centre
This building is instantly recognisable for its copper-coloured exterior and distinctive curved roof. It was officially opened by Her Late Majesty Queen Elizabeth II in 2004 and has since welcomed world-class performances including opera, ballet, musicals and contemporary theatre. It attracts visitors from around the world and plays a vital role in celebrating Welsh culture, creativity, and talent. Throughout the building you will find examples of exceptional Welsh craftsmanship, and an example of this can be found on the exterior of the building. It features 4,500 tonnes of structural steel, clad with 2,000 tonnes of recycled Welsh slate. Have you seen the words on the front of the building? They are inspired by its location and industrial heritage. In English, they read: “In These Stones Horizons Sing.” In Welsh, they read: “Creu Gwir fel Gwydr o Ffwrnais Awen.” This is not a direct translation but can be interpreted as “Creating truth like glass from inspiration’s furnace.”
10. Cardiff Bay
If you look across the water, it’s hard to imagine that this area was once one of the world’s busiest coal-exporting docks. After the First World War, however, coal exports declined and the docks gradually fell silent. By the 1980s, much of the waterfront lay derelict until a bold regeneration scheme was delivered by Cardiff Bay Development Corporation. A key part of the transformation was the construction of the Cardiff Bay Barrage, which created the 200-hectare freshwater lake you see today. The Bay is now managed by Cardiff Harbour Authority, which oversees barrage operations, navigation on the water, environmental conservation, and leisure activities. The redevelopment has brought homes, businesses, cultural attractions, and public spaces to the area, helping Cardiff Bay become one of Europe’s most successful waterfront regeneration projects.
11. Techniquest
The building on the waterfront, beside the Graving Docks, is Techniquest, the UK’s first purpose-built science discovery centre and one of Cardiff’s most popular family attractions. Inside, you’ll find more than 130 hands-on exhibits, plus live science demonstrations, workshops, and a planetarium, all designed to bring science to life for visitors of every age. Tickets are available online or from the ticket office. If you’re hopping off the bus here, why not take a short stroll through Havannah Street car park to the Cardiff Bay Wetlands Reserve? With boardwalks winding through reed beds and freshwater habitats, alongside birds and other wildlife, the reserve is a reminder that the Bay an important haven for nature in the in the city.
Thank you and goodbye…
If you’re leaving us here, we hope you’ve enjoyed this glimpse into Cardiff’s rich history and unique attractions. There’s plenty more to discover, so check out visitcardiff.com for inspiration or follow Visit Cardiff on social media for the latest updates. Ready to explore further? Download the Cardiff Bus app for routes, live departure times, and information on getting around the city. Thank you for travelling with Cardiff Bus and Visit Cardiff. We hope to see you again soon. Enjoy the rest of your time in the city.
EXPLORE ON FOOT
If you haven't already, next time you board why not buy a day ticket for only £7 per person and enjoy unlimited hop-on, hop-off access to the bus? This makes it even easier to explore more attractions and activities by walking.