Cardiff can match any major city in Europe for its ability to lighten your purse and weigh you down with plenty of bags. Here is our guide to everything Cardiff can offer the professional shopper.
Capitol Shopping Centre
The Capitol is right in the centre of Cardiff's bustling shopping district and offers you a real retail paradise. Under its roof are plenty of major high street retailers including Dune, Jaeger, Oasis, Karen Millen, Fat Face, Quiksilver, Coast, MAC, Moda in Pelle and Kookai. The centre is open seven days a week, has covered parking and late night shopping every Thursday until 7pm.
Mermaid Quay
Situated in the heart of Cardiff Bay, Mermaid Quay offers chic shopping and over 25 restaurants, bars and cafes all in one location. From stylish boutiques to designer shops and salons, shops selling gifts, Mermaid Quay offers the perfect retail therapy.
Queens Arcade
Queens Arcade is situated on Queen Street, right in the heart of Cardiff. With over 35 stores offering fashion, shoes, toys, jewellery, furniture and exciting places to eat or enjoy a coffee your only problem is what to do first. Among the fantastic range of shops waiting to welcome you are Bravissimo, Christopher George, Faith, New Look, Animal, Claire's, Disney Store, GAP, Hudson+Hudson and La Senza.
St David’s Shopping Centre
At the heart of Cardiff’s lively shopping precinct, St David’s Shopping Centre has something for everyone. With over 60 leading stores including Bhs, Debenhams, Marks & Spencer, Boots, Pravins, Republic, Watches of Switzerland, Jones Bootmaker and Timberland you will need a whole day just to get round all of it. Open seven days a week, with late nights on Thursdays, the centre also lays on entertainment and displays to make your visit even more interesting.
Arcades
Cardiff is home to a number of small, intimate arcades, still with their Victorian and Edwardian features but nowadays home to many unique stores and cafes. Visit Morgan and Castle Arcades for independent stores or enjoy a simple meal in the small cafes which line the passages.
Queen Street
Cardiff’s main shopping thoroughfare is on the pedestrianised Queen Street, where you’ll find popular stores including Office, Fopp, Qube and Zara.
Markets
Cardiff's Victorian indoor market is well worth a visit and offers a wide variety of goods from clothes to fresh fish, Welsh cheeses, fruit and veg and many other goods you would expect from a modern market. Another place to visit for locally grown food is the Riverside Real Food Market which takes place on the Taff Embankment, opposite the Millennium Stadium, every Sunday from 10am – 2pm.
Jacob's Antiques Market
A four-floor, red-brick building housing more than 50 stalls, Jacob's sells second-hand and antique furniture, vintage clothes, books, military memorabilia and bric-a-brac. Opens 10am - 5pm, Thursday to Saturday.