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 Swansea Arena 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 Maritime Quarter and Swansea Marina 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
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Mawr

Mawr might not have many top sights, but Cwm Clydach Nature Reserve and Cwm Du Glen & Glanrhyd Plantation Local Nature Reserve are two attractions nearby that you can check out.

Mawr
Delta Hotels by Marriott Swansea
Delta Hotels by Marriott Swansea
4 out of 5
Maritime Quarter, Swansea, Wales
The price is £76 per night from 20 Jul to 21 Jul
£76
20 Jul - 21 Jul
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! (397 reviews)
"Lovely Hotel with a warm welcome. Staff very helpful and rooms were very comfortable. wonderful access to the beach which was a delight."

Reviewed on 23 Jun 2025

Delta Hotels by Marriott Swansea
Village Hotel Swansea
Village Hotel Swansea
4 out of 5
Langdon Road, Swansea, Wales
The price is £80 per night from 20 Jul to 21 Jul
£80
20 Jul - 21 Jul
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! (1,006 reviews)
"Staff were so accommodating, however on booking I explained it was a birthday and was told they would sort something for the room . But unfortunately they didn’t I would however recommend your hotel and especially the wonderful staff Nothing was too much trouble"

Reviewed on 5 Jul 2025

Village Hotel Swansea
The Dragon Hotel
The Dragon Hotel
4 out of 5
The Kingsway, Swansea, Wales
The price is £67 per night from 20 Jul to 21 Jul
£67
20 Jul - 21 Jul
includes taxes & fees
Stay at this 4-star business-friendly hotel in Swansea. Enjoy free Wi-Fi, 2 restaurants and breakfast (surcharge). Our guests praise the helpful staff and the ...
7/10 Good! (1,003 reviews)
Quality Dragon
"Very nice staff - diolch yn fawr"

Reviewed on 28 Jun 2025

The Dragon Hotel
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! (55 reviews)
Super lovely
"A lovely stay for our hike on pen y fan. While 28min from the mountain, it was a perfect place to stay for a safe clean, friendly nights stay. The restaurant was delicious and the staff was so very friendly. Very interesting paintings on the walls, parrots on the property. It was super lovely"

Reviewed on 29 Jun 2025

The Sleeping Giant - Pen Y Cae Inn
Swansea Valley Holiday Cottages
Swansea Valley Holiday Cottages
4 out of 5
Plas Farm, Cilybebyll, Pontardawe, Swansea, Wales
Stay at this 4-star eco-certified cottage in Swansea. Enjoy free Wi-Fi, free parking and a garden. Popular attractions Ynysmeudwy Park and Alltwen Park are located ...
9.6/10 Exceptional! (13 reviews)
"Home from home.. nice and safe for your fur baby’s.. owner are lovely.. lovely walks lovely water falls.. will definitely visit again.. highly recommended"

Reviewed on 18 Feb 2025

Swansea Valley Holiday Cottages
Meridian Bay Apartment
Meridian Bay Apartment
3 out of 5
Trawler Rd, Swansea, Wales
Stay at this 3-star apartment in Swansea. Enjoy free Wi-Fi, free parking and satellite TV channels. Popular attractions Swansea Beach and Swansea Arena are located ...
"Property was very clean/tidy and spacious , close to the beach with a window view. Joan was very friendly and helpful-thanks Will certainly book again if visiting Swansea"

Reviewed on 19 Jun 2024

Meridian Bay Apartment
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.

Popular places to visit

Things to do

Reviews of Swansea

4.1
Top destination
5 - Excellent
104
5 - Excellent 35%
4 - Good
139
4 - Good 46%
3 - Okay
50
3 - Okay 17%
2 - Disappointing
5
2 - Disappointing 2%
1 - Terrible
3
1 - Terrible 1%

4/5 - Good

Verified traveller

Didn't visit Swansea at all. Met family and stayed at The King Arthur

3/5 - Okay

Verified traveller

It looks like it is being updated but at the moment it all looks very tired

4/5 - Good

Verified traveller

Swansea is having a face lift at the time we were there and it is looking good. So easy to get around.

3/5 - Okay

Verified traveller

It looks tired and I prefer the shopping in Cardiff. Mumbles was lovely and we would highly recommmend a small restaurant called Mor. If you have a car some lovely coastal areas around Swansea

5/5 - Excellent

Verified traveller

Love Swansea. Vibrant and entertaining with wonderful warm people. Great for the rugby

4/5 - Good

Verified traveller

Banging

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