If you’re after some interesting places close by, venture 1 mile from Penarth to Dinas Powys. Whether you visit for a day or just a few hours, there’s plenty to keep you busy.

Penarth is home to some magical stretches of coastline, and what better way to experience them than from behind the wheel of your own rental car. See what fascinating shells and treasures you can find strewn along the shoreline of one of these lovely beaches:

• Barry Island Beach (4 miles away).
• Whitmore Bay (4 miles away).
• Pebble Beach (5 miles away).

A road trip is calling your name, and Penarth is an awesome base to kick-start your journey. Situated 4 miles from the downtown area, the first thing you’ll need is the key to one of our top-notch rental vehicles. An SUV will take you in and around Cardiff in comfort and safety — or you might want to veer off the beaten path and uncover hidden spots with a four-wheel drive. If you want to effortlessly zip around the city, we’d recommend going with an economy car. They might not be as roomy, but they’ll be great at fitting into those narrow car spaces.

Sometimes the journey is more significant than the destination, which makes your car choice important. If you’re about to embark on an epic road trip around Penarth, a roomy SUV could be the answer. If you’re hoping for the cheapest possible price and plan to stick to city driving, a versatile compact is hard to beat. All you need to do is choose what’s the best fit, pack up the car, and rack up those miles.

If it’s your first time in Penarth and you’re eager to learn a few things about getting in the driver’s seat here, keep reading. These tips will help you safely discover this neighborhood and the wider national capital:

The left side is where you’ll be cruising along in Penarth. Take note that the controls of your rental car here, such as the steering wheel and stick shift (if your car has manual transmission), will be on the opposite side of what you’re used to.

One of the best things about traveling to a smaller city like Cardiff is less traffic — and you won’t find much of it in the neighborhood of Penarth. That being said, you may still come across busier road conditions just before and after work hours.

It’s relatively easy to find somewhere to park in Penarth, although you might find it hard to nab a spot in the busiest streets. Staying at a hotel that has on-site parking will make things more convenient.

Penarth is a neighborhood in Cardiff, where speed limits range from 30mph to 70mph. However, these limits can vary. Residential areas are typically 30mph unless marked otherwise.

Most of the time, your chosen car rental company will bill the amount fined to your credit card. Alternatively, the company may forward your contact details to the relevant local authority so they can issue a fine to you directly.

Subject to a small number of exceptions, seat belts are mandatory in Cardiff.

Provided you have hands-free or Bluetooth functions enabled, you are able to use your phone while driving around Penarth. But make sure you stay focused on the road.

While behind the wheel in Penarth, it’s illegal to have a BAC (blood alcohol content) higher than 0.08%. Planning to have one or two drinks while you’re out? Consider using a ride-sharing service or taking a taxi.

It’s illegal to turn on a red light in Penarth. When you encounter one, take the opportunity to enjoy a couple of mindful moments until the signal turns green.