Swansea is a coastal city in Wales, United Kingdom. Some of the best places to visit in Swansea include ruined castles, museums, beaches and art galleries. The beaches in Swansea face the city’s eponymous Bay in the Bristol Channel. These beaches are a hot-spot for leisure, entertainment, dining and more. Some of the top things to in Swansea include surfing, beach sports, paddle boarding, boat cruises, sailing and so on. You can also explore inland terrains like forests, hills and lakes close to the city. These places also offer a variety of activities to do in Swansea, Wales including skydiving, hiking and horse riding.
On the historical side, castles are top among Swansea tourist attractions. There are several ruined and intact castles which you can explore, each with a enticing history. One ruined castle stands smack in the middle of the city and is one of the most fascinating things to see in Swansea. You will get bus and hired cab tours dedicated to these castles. Another popular tour is the Mythical West Wales tour. You will be taken on a guided tour of Swansea sightseeing encompasses sights concerning regional mythology and folklore. The city also has a deep rooted history associated with copper mining. This aspect of its history can be explored at Swansea attractions like South Wales Miners Museum, Hafod Copperworks, Swansea Museum and Cefn Coed Colliery Museum. Copper mining is such an integral part of this city’s history that it got the nickname Copperopolis during 19th century.
Swansea travel is full of cultural experiences in visual arts, performing arts, music and food. The city has several theaters and performance centers which put up wonderful shows of regional and foreign forms of dance and drama. Places to go in Swansea also includes numerous art galleries of various kinds. Some of these exhibit private collection of European and International art while some are dedicated to local artists. The culinary highlights to enjoy when you visit Swansea include Laverbread, Welsh Cakes, Cockles, Welsh Rarebit, Murroughs Brew Tea, Salt March Lamb and Swansea Ice-Cream.
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The Best 6 Tourist Places to Visit in Swansea in 1 Day (Trip Itinerary)
1. The National Waterfront Museum
This museum is dedicated to the history of industrial revolution and technological innovations in Wales with several segments concerning different eras. It is one of the best places to visit in Swansea for its interactive exhibits which let you engage with history in a way. You will need about 2 hours to tour this museum when you visit Swansea.
2. Swansea Museum
The city’s eponymous museum is also the oldest museum in Wales. It focuses on the history and culture of the city. It is one of the very first Swansea tourist attractions you should explore to help put rest of the trip into perspective.
3. Dylan Thomas Center
This arts center is primarily dedicated to the life and work of renowned Welsh Poets Dylan Thomas. The center also hosts several events concerning visual and literary arts. It is one of the liveliest Swansea attractions to explore.
4. Swansea Castle
Also known as Castell Abertawe is a ruined castle which sits in the middle of the city. It is one of the most fascinating things to see in Swansea, Wales as this historical monument sits in ruins, but is surrounded by modern buildings. It is quite a contrast. You will need about an hour to explore this castle during Swansea travel.
5. Plantasia
This large public hothouse is fascinating place which creates a microcosm of created climate. It has an Arid climate zone and a tropical climate zone. It is among the most fun things to do in Swansea for families. You would need an hour or two to explore this place.
6. Glynn Vivian Art Gallery
The gallery came into existence when Richard Glynn Vivian donated his private collection to the city. Since then, the gallery has received numerous paintings, artifacts, artworks, sculptures, statues and so on. It is one of the most visually enticing places to go in Swansea. You would need about an hour to explore this gallery.
If you are looking to add more attractions to Swansea sightseeing check out the section below. We have compiled an exhaustive list of places and activities in Swansea which you can enjoy in and around the city.
Things to do in Swansea
Monuments, Museums & Historical Places to Visit in Swansea
- Oystermouth Castle
- National Waterfront Museum
- Dylan Thomas Center
- Plantasia
- Swansea Museum
- Swansea Castle
- Glynn Vivian Art Gallery
- Egypt Center
- Mission Gallery
- Dylan Thomas Birthplace
- Brangwyn Hall
- Loughar Castle
- Taliesin Arts Center
- Attic Gallery
- Landore Collections Center
- Hafod Copperworks
- Morris Castle
- Museum Park
- Palace Theatre
- Elysium Art Space
- Welsh Museum of Fire
- South Wales Miners Museum
- Cefn Coed Colliery Museum
- Pennard Castle
- Oxwich Castle
- Weobley Castle
- Arthur’s Stone
- Gower Heritage Center
- Exposure Art Gallery
- Swansea Bus Museum
- 1940s Swansea Bay Museum
- Mellow Mango Gallery
- Mumbles Lifeboat Museum
- Orei Ceri Richards Gallery
Nature & Wildlife Tourist Spots in Swansea
- Lliw Reservoir
- Kilvery Hill
- Crymlyn Bog
- Pluck Lake
- River Tawe
Entertainment & Leisure Tourist Spots in Swansea
- Singleton Park
- CWM Donkin Park
- Clyne Gardens
- Plantasia Tropical Zoo
- Brynmill Park
- Swansea Botanical Gardens
- Swansea Grand Theatre
- Aberavon Aqua Splash
- Victoria Park
- Grosvenor Casino
- Wales Ape and Monkey Sanctuary
- Volcano Theatre
Shopping in Swansea
- Swansea Indoor Market
- Oxford Street
- Uplands Market
- Parc Tawe
- Quadrant Shopping Center
- Independant Quarter
- Swansea City Center
- Gower Gallery
- Morfa Shopping Park
Beaches & Islands in Swansea
- Bracelet Bay
- Swansea Bay
- Caswell Bay Beach
- Aberavon Beach
- Limeslade Bay
- Langland Bay
- Burry Holms Beach
- Three Cliff Bay
- Rhossili Bay
- Pwlldu Bay
- Broughton Bay
Offbeat Places, Tours, & Adventure in Swansea
- Hiking
- Kayaking
- Mythical West Wales Tour
- Paddle Boarding
- Boating
- Horseriding
- Skydiving
- Sailing
- Surfing
- Boat Cruise
Sightseeing in Swansea
- Mumbles Pier
- Castle Square
- Copr Bay Bridge
- Neath Canal
- Trafalgar Bridge
Food, Dining, Restaurants, & Street Food in Swansea
- Remo’s
- Vesuvios
- Beach house
- The Front Room
- Treatz Desserts
- Gilligan’s
- Nomad Bar & Kitchen
- Castellamare
- Cariad Cafe
- The Shared Plate
- Truffle
- Bambu Beach Bar
- Juniper Place
- Maisies Street Food
- Gower Seafood Hut
- Dark Mumbles
- Forte’s Ice Cream Parlour
- Lotus
- Slice
- Istanbul
- Coffee Fresco
- Hoogah Cafe
- Diablos
- Arthur Neave
Where to Stay in Swansea?
Here below we have listed some of popular and high rated hotels in Swansea. You can check below hotels and book your stay as per your needs.
Luxurious Hotels
- Morgans Hotel
- Brynawel Farm
- King’s Head Inn
- The Mirador Boutique
- The Estuary
- The Dragon Hotel
- Norton House Hotel & Restaurant
- Swansea Marriott Hotel
- The Grand Hotel Swansea
Mid-Range Hotels
- Mercure Swansea
- The Fountain Inn
- Village Hotel Club Swansea
- Somerfield Lodge at Clyne Golf Club
- Premier Inn Swansea Waterfront hotel
- Premier Inn Swansea North hotel
- Travelodge Swansea Central Hotel
- Shoreline Mumbles Hotel
- The Gower Golf Club
Budget Hotels
- Travelodge Swansea M4
- The Alexander
- Hurst Dene Hotel
- Ice House Apartments
- The Hub @ Abercrave
- The Dolphin SA1 Hotel
- Cilbrwyn
- Rheolau arms
- Premier Inn Swansea City Centre hotel
- ibis Swansea Hotel
Custom Tours Package in Swansea
How to Reach Swansea?
By Air
The closest airports to reach Swansea are Bristol, Birmingham and Cardiff. You will first have to get to the city and then catch a hired car, bus or train to visit Swansea.
You can also pick Heathrow and Gatwick airport and then take a direct or connecting train from London City to reach Swansea.
By Road
You can use trains under Great Western Railway for Swansea travel. Some of the major connecting stations include London, Bristol, Reading, Swindon, Newport, Cardiff, Port Talbot and Neath.
You can get buses from several cities in Wales as well as major cities in UK. You will also come across many round-trip tour buses which cover some of the best things to do in Swansea, Wales in a day.
If you want to journey by road, you should head for motorways M4, M6, M5, M32, M42 or M50.
By Water
The closest docks with ferry services are Pembrokeshire and Rosslare. These docks facilitate ferries to UK, Ireland and France. Both these docks are easily accessible with direct trains to and from Swansea.
Image Reference
- The National Waterfront Museum – Reading Tom / Flickr
- Swansea Museum – Reading Tom / Flickr
- Dylan Thomas Centre – Ham / Wikimedia Commons
- Swansea Castle – Reading Tom / Flickr
- Plantasia – Russell Ede / Flickr
- Glynn Vivian Art Gallery – Steve Williams / Flickr
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