- Women only
- Friendship, not dating
- Free to join
- Local guide
- October 17, 2026
Make Friends in Cardiff, Roath to Canton
Cardiff is home to more than 381,000 people, and close to half its adults have never been married, so plenty of women are building social lives of their own.
381,000+
residents in the capital city of Cardiff (ONS mid-2025 estimate)
15.2%
of Cardiff’s residents are aged 18 to 24, nearly double the Welsh figure of 8.1% (ONS mid-2025 estimate)
49%
of over-16s in Cardiff have never been married or in a civil partnership, against 37.2% across Wales (Census 2021, ONS)
Cardiff friendships start in the neighbourhood
To make friends in Cardiff, it helps to repeat one neighbourhood routine. A circuit of Roath Park Lake, a walk through Bute Park from Canton or a Saturday at Cardiff Bay all become more sociable the more often you go. Gofrendly gives you another starting point, matching you with women in Cardiff close by who are hoping to make friends too.
Cardiff questions and answers
Which areas of Cardiff are most sociable?
Roath and Cathays are lively with students and young professionals, Canton has a strong arts and café scene, and Cardiff Bay is busy at weekends. Quieter areas such as Whitchurch and Rhiwbina have active community groups too, so look close to home in Cardiff first.
What can you do with a new friend in Cardiff?
Try a lap of Roath Park Lake, a walk through Bute Park, a show at the Wales Millennium Centre or a film at Chapter. Plans in Cardiff that are easy to repeat are the ones that help a friendship grow.
Is there a friendship app for women in Cardiff?
Yes. Use Gofrendly, the women-only friendship app, to browse women living in your part of Cardiff and agree a relaxed first meeting by message. Pairing it with a weekly club or class gives you somewhere regular to see new friends.
Is Cardiff a good city for women in their twenties?
Yes. Cardiff has a much bigger proportion of 18- to 24-year-olds than Wales as a whole, thanks to its universities and jobs. Sports clubs, volunteering and classes in Cardiff are full of people at a similar point in life, which makes starting conversations easier.
Cardiff's neighbourhood social life
Cardiff is the capital of Wales, but much of its social life happens away from the centre. Roath and Cathays are busy with students and young professionals, Canton has its own high street close to the parks along the Taff, Grangetown and Butetown lead down towards Cardiff Bay, and Whitchurch, Rhiwbina and Heath have a quieter, suburban feel. Each has cafés, sports clubs and community groups of its own, so the easiest place to begin is usually the one closest to home.
Cardiff is a young capital. Its share of 18- to 24-year-olds is close to double the Welsh figure, and almost half of all adults have never married. Universities, hospitals and offices bring a steady flow of new people, so arriving without friends is common rather than unusual. It can still feel lonely at first, especially when everyone else seems settled, but a routine in your own area changes that faster than you might expect. Where to begin:
1
Roath Park, with its lake, promenade and botanic garden.
2
Bute Park, a large park behind Cardiff Castle beside the River Taff.
3
Cardiff Bay, with the waterfront, the barrage and the Wales Millennium Centre.
4
The Taff Trail, a walking and cycling route that runs north out of the city.
5
Chapter Arts Centre in Canton, with films, exhibitions and a busy café.
LOCAL TIP
Go back to your nearest one every week and it will soon feel like yours.
How to
Cardiff: first moves
1
Walk the lake at Roath Park every week on a set day and join a group going your speed.
2
See a film or exhibition at Chapter Arts Centre and stay for a coffee.
3
Find a few women in Cardiff through Gofrendly and plan a stroll through Bute Park.
4
Join a club in Canton, Cathays, Grangetown or Whitchurch so friends live close by.
A real story, and the apps
Who wrote the Cardiff page
This Cardiff page comes from our editors and Gofrendly founders Claudia Gård and Ulrika Lilja, who focused on the city’s neighbourhoods and on the parks, lakes and arts venues worth returning to.
Friendship looks different at every stage
More guides for women in this area – each with its own local advice.
Friendship looks different at every stage
More guides for women in this area – each with its own local advice.
Find women near you
See who’s nearby and say hi — it’s free to start.