The Cardiff Dark Side Tour shows you the other side of the Welsh capital. Cardiff is a city renowned for its castle and its rugby stadium, built on the success of the Bute family and the coal exporting industry. However, it has a darker edge that one doesn't see today, one of hangings, executions, graveyards and disease, for example. Even the most innocuous locations of central Cardiff that we walk by every day may have been the location of execution or slum.
We start in the middle of modern Cardiff's most central street. Today an upmarket shopping area, but historically Cardiff's infamous housing courts spread out from this street, as with them came disease.
While a major department store today, the site has historically been the location of a chapel, as well as an execution site.
Cardiff Central Market is the heart and soul of daily city life today. There's a long history of markets in Cardiff, but the current incarnation infamous for more than it seems.
Womanby is a rare example of a norse-named street in the Welsh Capital, so it dates back up to 1,000 years. In that time this street has been synonymous with immigration, prostitution, crime and slums.
Cardiff Castle is the centrepiece of the city and the oldest building in Cardiff. It serves as both the most haunted building in the city as well as previously serving as the main prison in the town.
Cardiff's second oldest building, it has been a centrepiece of the town throughout its history, associated with hauntings, graveyards and much more.
For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.
Cardiff Private Dark History Tour lasts about 2 hours. The itinerary has 6 stops.
Prices start at $189 per person for this Cardiff experience, booked through Viator with the price shown before checkout. There is 1 booking option, so the final price depends on the option you choose.
Yes. Cancel at least 1 day before the start for a full refund. Later cancellations are non-refundable.
The meeting point is The walking tour starts from next to the statue of John Batchelor, who sits in the centre of Cardiff city centre on The Hayes. The guide will be carrying a green umbrella. Hotel pickup is not part of this experience.
The experience is available in EN.
It is a private experience: only your party takes part. Up to 15 travellers can book together.
Infants and small children can ride in a pram or stroller
Wheelchair accessible All areas and surfaces are wheelchair accessible
Visited Cardiff with pals for football at the Principality Stadium. We took Fogo's tour directly after arriving to get our bearings, feel of the city and learn a little about the darker / historic side of Cardiff. Eugene didn't disappoint, he was knowledgeable, engaging and answered our questions in addition to pointing out watering holes. We thoroughly enjoyed the tour and would definitely recommend Fogo's tour upon arrival into the city.
With 5 friends, we all love history and discovering a new city. So this guided tour was perfect for us. The guide was incredibly knowledgeable about the area. Really recommend
Eugene is a gentleman and a scholar. He continued with the tour even though there were only 4 of us. It was funny, interesting and slightly spooky!!
Eugene was excellent, took a group of 7 of us who live in Cardiff around the city and we all learned a lot about Cardiffs history that wed never heard about before. would recommend
Really great guide & a very interesting tour to learn more about our home town. Thoroughly recommended.
Hi Annamarie, Thank you for taking the time to leave me a review. Thanks again for coming and i'm glad you enjoyed the tour, even as a local! Eugene
Eugene very personable and knowledgeable guide. A nicely paced tour with plenty of details. Hoping to take part in some of his other tours.
Hi Tony, Thanks for the great review. Thanks again for coming, I'm glad you enjoyed it and perhaps I'll see you for another tour sometime. Regards, Eugene
We had a private tour booked for us in Cardiff. This tour has something for everyone, including the history of Cardiff and some of the more dark side, ghosts, murders etc.
Hi Steve, Thanks for the nice review. I'm glad you both enjoyed it and I hope you enjoyed your time in Cardiff. Eugene
Organised and funded by City of Arcades week, 2022. Despite the heavens opening for most of the tour the guides delivery of the tour over came this. Have lived here for over 20 years, I still discovered new facts, tales and the darker history of Cardiff. Great tour for anyone looking for for more than just a history lesson.
Hi Clive, it's been a while but thank you for coming on the Dark tour last year and for also taking the time to leave such a great review. I'm very glad you enjoyed it, especially in the rainy circumstances. Regards, Eugene
Eugene was excellent, lots of fun, gory, sad, dark, interesting facts to keep locals and visitors entertained for 2 hours despite the torrential rain. Highly recommend, well informed and delivered in a bright and breezy style.
Hi Valerie, it's been a while but thank you for coming on the Dark tour last year and for also taking the time to leave such a great review. I'm very glad you enjoyed it, especially in the rainy circumstances. . Regards, Eugene
Great tour, kept a large mixed group entertained despite the driving rain! Fun and fascinating facts, great delivery and humour. Fully recommend.
Hi Jacqui, it's been a while now but thank you for coming on the Dark tour last year and for also taking the time to leave such a great review. I'm very glad you enjoyed it. Regards, Eugene
| Tour | Duration | Rating | Price | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Cardiff Private Dark History Tour | 2 hours | 4.9 (13) | $189 | |
 The Valleys tour or Swansea Bay tour. Please choose correctly. | 8h 30min | 4.9 (460) | $108 | View |
 Cardiff Bay Boat Tour | 45 min | 3.8 (427) | $22 | View |
 Alcotraz Prison Cocktail Experience in Cardiff | 1h 45min | 4.9 (159) | $79 | View |
 Pembroke Castle, Tenby and Laugharne in a day. | 9–10 hours | 4.9 (140) | $108 | View |
 Guided Cycle Tours of Cardiff | 3 hours | 5.0 (131) | $34 | View |
| Cardiff City Private Guided Walking Tour | 2 hours | 5.0 (114) | $202 | View |