Swansea

Travel Guide
Swansea featuring a sunset, general coastal views and sailing
Grand Theatre featuring theater scenes and interior views
Oystermouth Castle featuring heritage elements
National Waterfront Museum featuring interior views
Swansea showing a sunset, a marina and sailing
This waterfront city is home to impressive cultural centers, urban parks and medieval landmarks. It’s also a gateway to the stunning natural beauty of South Wales.

Swansea is a lively waterfront city famous for the sweeping Swansea Bay and outdoor activities. The birthplace of poet Dylan Thomas, the city has a notable collection of cultural centers, theaters and museums. Swansea is Wales’ second-largest city. Its southern location makes it a gateway to the country’s breathtaking national parks and coastlines.

A good place to start your visit is Castle Square, which marks the city center. Investigate the ruins of the 13th-century Swansea Castle and visit St. Mary’s Church to view its famous devil carving. Browse the stalls of Swansea Market for fresh produce, jewelry, leather goods and souvenirs. Watch live music and theater productions at Swansea Grand Theatre.

Stroll down Princess Way to the Maritime Quarter (Swansea Marina). Find museums and cultural centers, a waterfront promenade, bars and restaurants. Discover the industrial history of Wales via interactive exhibits at the National Waterfront Museum. Spot Egyptian mummies and dinosaur skeletons at the Swansea Museum. Go to the Dylan Thomas Centre to learn about the life of Swansea’s most famous son. Admire artwork inspired by Swansea’s coastline at the Mission Gallery.

Walk or bike along Swansea Prom, a 5-mile (8-kilometer) waterfront boulevard running around the stunning Swansea Bay. Pass beaches, gardens and lively seaside resorts such as The Mumbles. Enjoy uninterrupted bay views from Mumbles Pier. Admire the 12th-century Norman architecture of Oystermouth Castle.

Be sure to visit Singleton Park, an urban park containing the colorful Singleton Botanical Gardens, a boating lake, miniature golf and art galleries. The gardens are also the location for several city festivals such as Proms in the Park.

Swansea is less than a 1-hour drive from Wales’ capital, Cardiff, and well-connected by intercity trains and buses. Swansea is a great base for exploring the spectacular natural beauty of Wales. Visit the sweeping beaches and dramatic cliffs of the Gower Peninsula, including the award-winning Rhossili Bay. Alternatively, hike to waterfalls and mountain peaks in the Brecon Beacons National Park.

Where to stay in Swansea

Swansea which includes a bridge and a river or creek

Castle

4/5(11 area reviews)

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

Castle
HMS Penzance docked in Swansea marina to commemorate the end of the falkland war.

St. Thomas

4/5(1 area review)

St. Thomas is noteworthy for its restaurants, and you can plan an outing to 1940s Swansea Bay and Maritime Quarter while you're in town.

St. Thomas
Ancient burial chamber deep in the Gower Peninsular

Llangennith, Llanmadoc and Cheriton

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
Walking along the coastline 6/11

Llanrhidian Higher

When in Llanrhidian Higher, you can plan a visit to Parc y Scarlets and Three Cliffs Bay Beach, some noteworthy sights in the nearby area.

Llanrhidian Higher
500px provided description: Park View [#park ,#sunset ,#landscapes ,#fields ,#walks ,#colourful ,#wales ,#swansea ,#housing ,#parks ,#estates ,#pathways ,#welsh parks ,#welsh landscapes ,#llewelyn park]

Landore

While Landore isn't home to many top sights, Swansea.com Stadium and St. Joseph's Cathedral are some notable places to visit nearby.

Landore
Joe's icecream is incredible and well worth a detour off the M4

Llansamlet

Visitors to Llansamlet enjoy its restaurants, and if you want to do some exploring, Celtic Trail is worth a stop.

Llansamlet
Delta Hotels by Marriott Swansea
Delta Hotels by Marriott Swansea
4 out of 5
Maritime Quarter, Swansea, Wales
The price is $83 per night from Feb 23 to Feb 24
$83
includes taxes & fees
$69 per night
Feb 23 - Feb 24
Stay at this 4-star beach hotel in Swansea. Enjoy free WiFi, a beach locale, and breakfast (surcharge). Our guests praise the breakfast and the helpful staff ...
9/10 Wonderful! (272 reviews)
"Great hotel on the marina Quite at night great bar short walk to town"

Reviewed on Jan 21, 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 $85 per night from Feb 9 to Feb 10
$85
includes taxes & fees
$71 per night
Feb 9 - Feb 10
Stay at this 3-star hotel in Swansea. Enjoy free WiFi, breakfast (surcharge), and room service. Our guests praise the helpful staff in our reviews. Popular attractions ...
8/10 Very Good! (741 reviews)
"Lovely staff, warm welcome, lives upto the reputation!"

Reviewed on Jan 23, 2025

The Grand Hotel Swansea
Village Hotel Swansea
Village Hotel Swansea
3.5 out of 5
Langdon Road, Swansea, Wales
The price is $88 per night from Feb 16 to Feb 17
$88
includes taxes & fees
$73 per night
Feb 16 - Feb 17
Stay at this 3.5-star eco-certified hotel in Swansea. Enjoy free WiFi, breakfast (surcharge), and room service. Our guests praise the helpful staff and the clean ...
7.8/10 Good! (1,001 reviews)
Superb stay
"Had a very pleasant stay, staff were helpful and polite throughout. Food was good and service was quick."

Reviewed on Feb 1, 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 vacation home in Swansea. Enjoy free WiFi, free parking, and premium bedding. Popular attractions Craig-y-Nos Country Park ...
9.6/10 Exceptional! (35 reviews)
"Defintley will return"

Reviewed on Jan 1, 2025

The Sleeping Giant - Pen Y Cae Inn
Post Office House - 3 Bed - Reynoldston
Post Office House - 3 Bed - Reynoldston
4 out of 5
Apartment 3 Post Office House, Swansea, Wales
Stay at this 4-star apartment in Swansea. Enjoy free WiFi, free parking, and laundry facilities. Popular attractions Three Cliffs Bay Beach and Penrice Castle ...
Post Office House - 3 Bed - Reynoldston
5 BR | Luxury | Stunning Beachview
5 BR | Luxury | Stunning Beachview
Swansea
Stay at this vacation home in Swansea. Enjoy in-room jetted tubs. Popular attractions Swansea Observatory and Maritime Quarter are located nearby.
10/10 Exceptional! (2 reviews)
Great place
"Really nice place. Great location and facilities."

Reviewed on Oct 29, 2024

5 BR | Luxury | Stunning Beachview
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
Top Destination
5 - Excellent
5
" "5 - Excellent 36%
4 - Good
5
" "4 - Good 36%
3 - Okay
3
" "3 - Okay 21%
2 - Disappointing
1
" "2 - Disappointing 7%
1 - Terrible
0
" "1 - Terrible 0%

4/5 - Good

Verified traveler

Please replace the Gideon Bibles. The reception staff said the Bibles could upset other faiths. This is Britain, still a Christian Country. The bibles do not upset other faiths. they only annoy the atheists who are trying to obliterate Christianity

Cities near Swansea