Cardigan has a variety of shops, offering local produce and crafts, an indoor market and large supermarket. Recreational facilities include children's playgrounds, swimming pool and leisure centre, bowling club, tennis courts, squash and bridge clubs. The Golf Club provides an excellent test of golf in a magnificent setting against the backdrop of the Teifi estuary and Preseli Hills, and the Boating Club offers weekly membership to visitors to the area. Theatre Mwldan offers excellent shows, productions and exhibitions and doubles up as a cinema.

The beautiful beaches of south Ceredigion (Aberporth, Tresaith, Penbryn, Llangrannog, Cwmtydu, New Quay) are all within easy reach, the nearest being Mwnt, a secluded sandy cove with a historical church. These beaches feature regularly in the list of the UK seaside award winners and boating and fishing trips, and walks and talks on the Marine Heritage coast are available. Ceredigion Bay has a resident population of bottle nosed dolphins along with grey seals, porpoise, marine birds and plants.

The area hills and valley offer beautiful walks and the spectacular coastline of the Pembrokeshire National Park and its rugged moors, only a short distance away are all accessible to the walker. The coastal park, a National Trail, provides opportunities for long distance walking, or a wide range of short circuit walks can be taken. The Teifi Valley also provides spectacular scenery as it meanders through green meadows and deep gorges. Cenarth with its dramatic water falls and deep salmon pools houses the coracle museum and there are many historical sites along its banks. It is renowned for its trout and salmon fishing, and white water rafting at Llandysul.

Local hotels, restaurants, pubs and inns provide delicious meals from local produce. Welsh Lamb and Beef and locally caught fish feature prominently, and the areas dairy tradition supplies a wealth of speciality cheeses, ice creams and yogurts. The pubs stock a good variety of ales, many from smaller breweries.