Cardiff has earned its stripes as one of the UK’s best stag weekend destinations. With a lively city centre, buzzing nightlife, easy access to epic outdoor activities, and great-value group accommodation, it ticks every box for an unforgettable send-off. Whether you’re after adrenaline, alcohol, or a bit of both, this guide will help you plan the perfect stag weekend in Cardiff.
Why Choose Cardiff for a Stag Weekend?
- Centrally located with direct train links and motorways
- Affordable compared to London, Edinburgh, or even Bristol
- An incredible mix of city life and outdoor adventure within 30 minutes
- Home to major sports events, nightlife districts, and iconic landmarks
- Friendly, walkable city that welcomes stag groups
Best Outdoor Activities for Stag Groups
Want to make the stag weekend legendary? Book an outdoor activity that gets everyone laughing, shouting, and working as a team. These activities are all based in South Wales and can be reached easily from Cardiff.
Canyoning:
Slide down waterfalls, leap into plunge pools, and scramble over rocks with one of our most popular stag group activities. Just a 1-hour drive from Cardiff, it’s the perfect mix of adventure and accessibility. For groups without cars, a 16-seater minibus typically costs around £300 – that’s just £19 each!
👉 Book Canyoning in Wales
Gorge Walking:
Perfect for mixed-ability groups. It’s all about exploring river gorges with a bit of climbing, splashing, and group banter.
👉 Try Gorge Walking
Coasteering:
Take on sea cliffs, tide pools, and cliff jumps with this coastal adventure. Available at Gower, Tenby, and St Davids.
White Water Rafting:
The ultimate group challenge. Navigate rapids and ride the waves together in a white-knuckle ride.
Climbing & Abseiling:
Scale real rock faces or rappel down crags in the Brecon Beacons. A great activity if the group enjoys a challenge.
All sessions are led by qualified instructors, include all safety gear, and are suitable for most fitness levels.
👉 See All Outdoor Activities
Where to Stay: Best Group Accommodation in Cardiff
From affordable hostels to city centre apartments, Cardiff has loads of options for stag groups.
- City Centre Hotels: Stay near the action in walkable distance to bars and clubs. Look for group-friendly hotels near St Mary Street or Mill Lane.
- Self-Catering Apartments: Ideal for groups that want space, pre-drinks, and a kitchen. Airbnb or serviced apartments offer flexibility and value.
- Countryside Lodges: Planning a weekend focused on outdoor activities? Stay just outside Cardiff near the Brecon Beacons for a cabin-style escape.
Pro tip: Book early for spring and summer weekends – they fill up fast with other stag and hen groups.
Best Nightlife Spots in Cardiff for Stags
Whether you’re after cocktails or karaoke, Cardiff has it all.
- Mill Lane: Trendy bars with outdoor seating, ideal for a warm-up round. Also a great spot for a casual dinner at places like The Grazing Shed or Viva Brazil for group-friendly meals.
- St Mary Street: The go-to strip for pubs, clubs, live music, and late-night takeaways. For a solid pre-drinks dinner, check out The Smoke Haus for American-style feasts or Zerodegrees for craft beer and pizza.
- Castle Quarter: Perfect for smaller groups or craft beer lovers. Quirky and Instagrammable. Stop at Madame Fromage for a relaxed Welsh cheese board or The Potted Pig for a more refined group dinner.
- Greyfriars Road: Nightclubs like PRYZM and Revolution offer pre-booked booths and drinks packages. Nearby, you can fuel up with burgers and loaded fries at The Cardiff Stable or try Honest Burgers for a quality bite before hitting the clubs.
Bonus ideas:
- Comedy Club nights
- Axe throwing or beer pong tournaments
- Escape rooms for a competitive twist – we can personally recommend Escape Rooms Cardiff. The Z Room and Oculus are brilliant and guaranteed to get your group buzzing before the night out.
Sample Stag Weekend Itinerary
Friday
- Arrive and check into your hotel or apartment
- Grab dinner at a group-friendly spot (think burgers, pizza, or tapas)
- Bar crawl through Mill Lane and St Mary Street
Saturday
- Morning: Outdoor activity (e.g. canyoning or gorge walking)
- Afternoon: Pub lunch and chill time
- Evening: Club night or themed bar experience
Sunday
- Brunch or greasy spoon breakfast
- Optional escape room or sightseeing
- Head home (tired but satisfied)
What to Pack for a Cardiff Stag Do
- Old trainers and swimwear for outdoor activities
- Fancy dress or matching stag t-shirts are a must – popular themes we see all the time include Baywatch-style lifeguards, neon mankinis, and full-on fairy costumes. The funnier and more outrageous, the better!
- Phone chargers, ID, and booking confirmations
- Hangover supplies: paracetamol, energy drinks, and snacks
- Bonus: Bring a GoPro or waterproof phone pouch to capture the action (especially canyoning)
Pro Tips for Planning Your Stag Weekend
- Appoint a group leader to manage bookings and payments
- Set up a WhatsApp group or use a stag planning app
- Confirm group numbers early – many activities have minimum or max sizes
- Consider transport between accommodation and activity locations
- Don’t overplan – leave time to recover, relax, and enjoy the city
Ready to Plan the Ultimate Cardiff Stag Weekend?
At Blue Ocean Activities, we help stag groups build epic weekends that everyone will remember (even if the groom doesn’t). Whether you’re after canyoning, coasteering, or a full weekend package, we’ll make it easy.
👉 Contact us now to book your Cardiff stag adventure
Written by Neil McMullen
Founder & Lead Instructor, Blue Ocean Activities
Neil McMullen is the founder of Blue Ocean Activities and a seasoned outdoor adventure expert with over 17 years of hands-on experience leading groups across South Wales. Born and raised in the region, Neil has lived in South Wales for over 50 years and knows its mountains, rivers, and coastlines better than most.
Holding multiple outdoor activity qualifications, Neil specialises in canyoning, gorge walking, coasteering, and survival skills. His passion lies in helping people step out of their comfort zones safely and have unforgettable adventures—whether it’s a stag group in the Brecon Beacons or a family learning bushcraft in the wild.