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Europe’s youngest capital, Cardiff, is an ideal place to spend your university years, and offers everything you would expect from a capital city - without the capital price tag. With over 60,000 undergraduates and 12,000 post graduate students, budget Cardiff doesn't mean boring Cardiff. Cardiff has consistently been one of the UK's most cost-effective places to study, see our top budget tips to find out why!

 

Cardiff has plenty of places to socialise on a budget, with many bars and clubs holding student nights or having special offers with NUS cards. Find out from your Student's Union where to go, and where your card is valid. Also look out for lunctime, weeknight and happy hour offers. Whether you're in the city centre, or Roath or Cathays you'll be sure to find somewhere your student loan will stretch to. See our pick of the best.

 

For a relaxing city centre pint, with one of the best views in Cardiff, check out Tafarn Taf. Part of the Nos Da backpackers (Welsh for goodnight) this cantina and bar sits right opposite the Millennium Stadium, and is the only licensed premises on the banks of the river Taf. With a selection of local and world beers, and an affordable menu, it's a great place to chill out in the afternoon. Also check out the Tafod - underground sound lounge, beneath the backpackers. blending old and new tunes from Wales and the World to create a cosy vibe in cool surroundings. The place to talk, drink, listen and dance to great music into the very early hours.

 

For more city centre fun, why not try the Buffalo Bar with it's great city-centre beer garden, perfect for summer evenings. Or for a more traditonal evening in the pub, try city centre favourites, the City Arms in the shadow of the Millennium Stadium, Dempseys Irish bar opposite the Castle, or the student-friendly Pen & Wig. For good beer and food, try Zero Degrees, where they brew their own beer on site. Here's you'll find great deals during happy hour. For something later in the evening try the student deals along St Mary Street, Mill lane and Greyfriars.

 

For live music at reasonable prices try Clwb Ifor Bach (Welsh Club) or Cardiff Barfly. Both give student discounts on entry on production of an NUS card. If comedy is your entertainment of choice why not try the Glee Club in Cardiff Bay who also give discounts with NUS cards. Here, you can catch world-famous comedians on pre-tour gigs trying out their new material, at a fraction of the tour ticket prices.

 

 

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When you're in Roath & Cathays you're never far from a bar! Two of the most student-populated areas in the city are host to a vast array or pubs, bars, cafes and clubs, all with students in mind. Mostly located around Crwys road, Woodville road, Cathays Terrace and City road, there are plenty of places where to you can either have a few relaxing drinks, or spend all night. Try either of the Scream pubs, The Woodville or The George. Both offer excellent student discounts (you'll need to sign up for a yellow card) and do cheap food. Gassy Jacks and Koko Gorillaz and The End are all student bars which offer cheap food and cheap drinks.

 

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In Cardiff you can find food from around the world on your doorstep. In Cathays & Roath alone you can find Indian, Japanese, Greek, Hawaiian, Mexican, Lebanese and Welsh cuisine. For a hearty hangover-curing breakfast try Ramon's on Salisbury road. Huge breakfasts at reasonable prices (not a bad veggie breakfast either) and sit in the secret garden and recuperate.

 

Right in the heart of the city centre you'll find the Brewery Quarter with it's range of bars, restaurants and clubs. Having been voted one of the UK's top ten 'Rock and Roll' cities, Cardiff is a truly a natural setting for a rock n' roll legend like the Hard Rock Cafe. On the corner of St. Mary's Street and Caroline Street you'll find an incredible array of rock memorabilia, thirst quenching drinks and a killer menu. Look out for Special Offers which run throughout the year. Find out more.

 

For an all you can eat bonanza try China China on St Mary Street in the city centre, or Mr Wok on Wood Street. Not strictly on a budget, but an experience all the same try, Charlestons Brasserie. If you can find this late-night steak house, open untill the wee hours, you will be rewarded with some of the best steak in Cardiff and a very surreal dining experience. In contrast the Vegetarian Food Studio, just over the river into Grangetown serves superb value vegetarian Indian and Gujarati food. On the vegetarian/vegan theme, try the Canteen on Clifton Street. Carnivores need not worry, as they cater for everyone with locally inspired, affordable seasonal menus.

 

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Cardiff is full of free and low-cost things to do, all it takes is imagination. Why not soak up the culture in the National Museum Cardiff and check out one of the largest collections of impressionist paintings outside of Paris. Turn the clock back and experience Welsh life through the ages at the National History Museum at St Fagans or as a great starting point for any visit to Cardiff, pop into The Cardiff Story (opens Autumn 2010).This is the first museum where Cardiffians and visitors alike can see the story of the city through the eyes of its people.

If music is more your thing check out the free lunchtime concerts at the Wales Millennium Centre where you'll find anything from opera to folk. For a taste of the countryside without leaving the city, why not hire a boat and while away an afternoon on Roath Park lake.

 

Cardiff is home to the UK’s biggest free outdoor music festival which offers three days of quality live music and entertainment on stage as well as the UK’s largest travelling funfair. Taking place around Cardiff's civic centre, (usually the first weekend in August) the Big Weekend draws thousands to the city. As well as this, Cardiff Summer Festival provides a range of free events such as the Food & Drink Festival in Cardiff Bay, the Harbour Festival and the MAS Carnival. In Winter you'll find the whole front of the civic centre transformed into Winter Wonderland, complete with Ice Rink and Santa's grotto. For all up-to-date details and calendar of events click here.