Cardiff’s Arcades Are Perfect for the Curious Traveller

I have always thought that Cardiff is best explored through its arcades. For me, they represent the city’s character more than any other part of its centre. They are places where visitors can take their time, wander in and out of independent shops, enjoy a coffee or lunch, and feel they are part of the city rather than simply passing through it. For the curious traveller, they are the perfect base.

At Hotel Indigo, we are fortunate to sit right in the middle of one of them. Dominions Arcade was built in 1921 and is the youngest of Cardiff’s seven Victorian and Edwardian arcades. Tucked away on Queen Street, it is easy to miss if you walk by too quickly. Sharing the arcade with businesses such as Lloyds Bank, a barbershop and a locksmith, the hotel has a relatively small frontage. Step inside, however, and you find yourself in something altogether bigger. I often describe it as having a Tardis effect – small on the outside but much larger once you pass through the doors.

That sense of surprise is at the heart of what we do. We have 122 bedrooms, each designed around a theme that tells part of Cardiff’s story. Some reflect the industrial heritage of the city, with references to its coal exporting past and the docks. Others are rooted in traditional Welsh design, drawing on the feel of a typical home. We also celebrate Cardiff’s musical heritage, with rooms that nod to performers such as Tom Jones, complete with microphones as coat hangers and drumstick lightshades.

Our restaurant and bar on the sixth floor, Lefel 6, carries that same ethos – traditional Welsh food, simple and done well, but presented in a setting where guests can relax. Whether it’s business or leisure that brings people to Cardiff, the design of the hotel and its location in the arcade combine to offer something a little different. Our incredible team in both the hotel and the restaurant add warmth and passion, bringing all the fantastic details of the hotel and its location to life.

The arcades themselves do add something distinctive. They are a reminder of Cardiff’s history and at the same time a platform for its present. When I was younger, I remember visiting the locksmiths in Dominions Arcade with my grandmother to get house keys cut. That memory has stayed with me, and now the same business sits alongside the hotel. These are the sorts of connections the arcades make possible – businesses that have served local people for generations now standing shoulder to shoulder with new ventures which attract international visitors.

The atmosphere of the arcades is unique. I have lived in Cardiff for most of my life, and even now I occasionally lose track of whether I am in Morgan Arcade, Castle Arcade or Duke Street Arcade. I never mind, because getting a little lost here usually leads to finding something new. From artisanal traders to independent cafés and restaurants, they offer

another layer of variety to that to be found in the big shopping centres. For visitors, that sense of discovery is central. A new shop, a hidden café, or even something unexpected like a dinosaur-themed toy store can turn a simple walk into a small adventure.

That spirit of exploration aligns with what we at Hotel Indigo call the “curious traveller.” These are people who want to get under the skin of the place they are visiting, to live a little like the locals and not just tick off the obvious sights. It’s something I identify with myself when I travel. I like to feel part of a neighbourhood, even briefly. Cardiff is an ideal city for that because it is welcoming, friendly, and never makes visitors feel out of place.

I often see this in practice when guests check out. Most hotels offer to store luggage on the day of departure but here, while some guests decline at first, it is common for them to return half an hour later having decided they want to keep exploring before catching a train. The arcades are usually where they head. They provide a way to spend those last hours in the city in a relaxed and memorable way.

The mix of visitors reflects the balance of Cardiff itself. In the summer, when the Principality Stadium, Cardiff Castle and other venues host a whole series of concerts, the city is full of leisure travellers. During the week, business visitors make up a large proportion of our guests. For them too, the arcades are a draw. After meetings, they want somewhere informal to unwind and the arcades offer that blend of atmosphere and convenience that suits them well.

Campaigns such as City of Arcades help to highlight what is sometimes a well-kept secret. They remind people that Cardiff’s arcades are not just cut-throughs between streets but destinations in their own right. They are places where history and heritage meet today’s independent spirit, and they capture what makes the city distinctive. For those who come here to explore, they are a natural starting point – and for the curious traveller, they are where Cardiff’s story really begins.

Running to November 14 2025, City of Arcades returns for 70 days of events, activities, and celebrations across Cardiff’s iconic Victorian and Edwardian arcades and St. David’s Dewi Sant arcade. Established by FOR Cardiff in 2018, the campaign shines a spotlight on the arcades as a distinctive retail, leisure, and cultural destination at the heart of the Welsh capital.

The 2025 edition features five themed fortnights – Foodie, Discovery, Arts & Music, History, and Health & Beauty – each designed to showcase the best of Cardiff’s independent businesses and celebrate the arcades’ unique heritage. From special markets and live performances to creative workshops and hidden gems, the campaign brings together locals and visitors alike to experience the arcades in new and exciting ways.