Swansea Travel Guide

Tourist Guide

Swansea featuring a sunset, sailing and general coastal views
Grand Theatre showing theatre scenes and interior views
Oystermouth Castle featuring heritage elements
National Waterfront Museum featuring interior views
Swansea showing a marina, boating and general coastal views
The second largest cityin Wales, Swansea isknown for its vibrant energy and welcoming charm. With the university on itsdoorstep, the city has a large student population which means plenty of choicewhen it comes to shopping, dining and nightlife. And with the city currentlyenjoying something of a rebirth through an extensive bout of regeneration – nowboasting both a national museum and a new marina, as well as five Green FlagAward-winning parks – Swansea is fast becomingknown as “the Brighton of Wales”.

Shopping in Swansea

As you might expect insuch a vibrant and busy city, there are plenty of shops to explore – over 230in fact! Perhaps more excitingly though, Swanseais also home to the largest indoor market in Wales– and one which dates back to the middle ages – where you will discover over100 stalls, offering a range of fresh locally made foods as well as traditionalgifts, jewellery and much more. And it’s here, at SwanseaMarket, that you will discover the true beating heart of thecity and its wonderful sense of community.

Culture in Swansea

Swanseais more than just the city that gave world culture Catherine Zeta-Jones (who continuesto maintain a home in the Mumbles area of the city).Swansea is also the birthplace of the great Welshpoet Dylan Thomas, who affectionately described it as an “ugly lovely town”,and whose work is vividly brought to life at the newly refurbished DyanThomas Centre. The fascinating SwanseaMuseum meanwhile – the oldest museum inWales – was also described by Thomas as “a museumthat belongs in a museum”, whilst the NationalWaterfront Museum employs the latest interactive technology to tellthe story of Welsh innovation and industry.

Nature in Swansea

With over 50 green spaces– five of them Green Flag Award-winning parks –Swansea is much more than just anothermetropolitan city – it truly does integrate the countryside into its landscape.And, located as it is on the South West coast of Wales,Swansea boasts the dramatic, sandy 5-mile stretchof beach at Swansea Bay.Swansea also serves as the perfect base camp forexploring the Gower Peninsula, Britain’s first Area of Outstanding NaturalBeauty.

Sport in Swansea

Swanseais also home to The LC – a waterpark and leisure complex that is the very bestthat Wales has to offer. Featuring the largestwaterpark in Wales, as well as the country’s largest gym, the centre alsooffers a 30ft climbing wall, 4-storey play area, and an indoor surf simulator.Swansea is also home to the 20,000 capacity LibertyStadium, which frequently plays host to both premiership and internationalfootball matches.

Enjoy Swansea

With its lively nightlife and student scene, alongsideits strong sense of community and tradition, Swanseaoffers a wonderful blend of both the modern and the traditional, which, coupledwith its immediate access to some of Britain’s most beautiful landscapes andcoastlines creates a unique and intoxicating blend of city excitement andnature’s soothing calm.

Where to stay in Swansea

Swansea showing a river or creek and a bridge

Castle

4/5(231 area reviews)

Castle is known for its lively bars, and you can plan a trip to Grand Theatre and LC Swansea while you're in town.

Castle
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St. Thomas

4/5(88 area reviews)

St. Thomas is well liked for its restaurants, and you can visit sights like 1940s Swansea Bay and Maritime Quarter if you have time to explore the area.

St. Thomas
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Llangennith, Llanmadoc and Cheriton

5/5(7 area reviews)

Unique features of Llangennith, Llanmadoc and Cheriton include the beaches and restaurants. Make a stop by Rhossili Beach or Whiteford National Nature Reserve while you're exploring the area.

Llangennith, Llanmadoc and Cheriton
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Llanrhidian Higher

3.5/5(2 area reviews)

While Llanrhidian Higher isn't home to many top sights, Parc y Scarlets and Three Cliffs Bay Beach are some notable places to visit nearby.

Llanrhidian Higher

Bon-y-maen

3.5/5(6 area reviews)

Travellers like the historical sites in Bon-y-maen, and Grosnez Castle is a top attraction you might want to visit.

Bon-y-maen

Cockett

When in Cockett, you can plan a visit to Grand Theatre and Swansea.com Stadium, some noteworthy sights in the nearby area.

Cockett
Delta Hotels by Marriott Swansea

Delta Hotels by Marriott Swansea

4 out of 5
Maritime Quarter, Swansea, Wales
The price is £79 per night from 25 Aug to 26 Aug
£79
25 Aug - 26 Aug
includes taxes & fees
Stay at this 4-star beach hotel in Swansea. Enjoy free Wi-Fi, a beach locale and breakfast (surcharge). Our guests praise the breakfast and the helpful staff ...
8.8/10 Excellent! (412 reviews)
"Staff excellent. The hotel rooms are tired and not worthy of the cost. No fridge!! Good breakfast but evening meal disappointing and costly."

Reviewed on 28 Jul 2025

Delta Hotels by Marriott Swansea
The Grand Hotel Swansea

The Grand Hotel Swansea

3 out of 5
Ivey Place High Street, Swansea, Wales
Fully refundableReserve now, pay when you stay
The price is £65 per night from 31 Aug to 1 Sept
£65
31 Aug - 1 Sept
includes taxes & fees
Stay at this 3-star hotel in Swansea. Enjoy free Wi-Fi, breakfast (surcharge) and room service. Our guests praise the helpful staff in their reviews. Popular ...
8/10 Very Good! (826 reviews)
"Breakfast was amazing but room had broken furniture in it and little one hurt himself on the chair."

Reviewed on 6 Aug 2025

The Grand Hotel Swansea
Village Hotel Swansea

Village Hotel Swansea

4 out of 5
Langdon Road, Swansea, Wales
The price is £89 per night from 17 Aug to 18 Aug
£89
17 Aug - 18 Aug
includes taxes & fees
Stay at this 4-star eco-certified hotel in Swansea. Enjoy free Wi-Fi, breakfast (surcharge) and room service. Our guests praise the helpful staff and the clean ...
7.8/10 Good! (1,004 reviews)
Great stay!
"Convenient, lots of parking, really good facilities."

Reviewed on 30 Jul 2025

Village Hotel Swansea
Lowest nightly price found within the past 24 hours based on a 1 night stay for 2 adults. Prices and availability subject to change. Additional terms may apply.
The Sleeping Giant - Pen Y Cae Inn

The Sleeping Giant - Pen Y Cae Inn

3 out of 5
Pen Y Ace Inn, Swansea, Wales
Stay at this 3-star business-friendly holiday home in Swansea. Enjoy free Wi-Fi, free parking and premium bedding. Popular attractions Craig-y-Nos Country Park ...
9.8/10 Exceptional! (57 reviews)
All round excellent stay with delicious food
"Wasnt clear how to check in, but rung in the morning and was advised to call to pub for room card. The room was very clean, and well presented. Can see they are looked after. Nice walk in shower with 2 separate heads. Plenty of storage for clothes etc. Bed was very comfortable and made for a great ..."

Reviewed on 27 Jul 2025

The Sleeping Giant - Pen Y Cae Inn
Ty Nant

Ty Nant

2 out of 5
180 High St, Swansea, Wales
Stay at this apartment in Swansea. Enjoy free Wi-Fi, a garden and laundry facilities. Popular attractions Glynn Vivian Art Gallery and Pennard Golf Course are ...
Ty Nant
Bay Campus

Bay Campus

2.5 out of 5
Fabian Way, Swansea, Wales
Stay at this apartment in Swansea. Enjoy free Wi-Fi, free parking and laundry facilities. Popular attractions 1940s Swansea Bay and Grosnez Castle are located ...
Bay Campus
Lowest nightly price found within the past 24 hours based on a 1 night stay for 2 adults. Prices and availability subject to change. Additional terms may apply.

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