Be sure to check out these Swansea attractions – with wildlife, history, culture, food and fun there’s something for everyone.
Visit Oystermouth Castle
Easily accessible on the bus from Swansea City centre, this castle has beautiful grounds, views over Swansea Bay and plenty of hidden stairways and tunnels to explore. There’s also a glass floor over the chapel which gives views over the Mumbles.
Oystermouth Castle, Castle Ave, The Mumbles, Swansea
Oystermouth Castle. WikiCommons
Go to the Mumbles
This is a vibrant seaside village with over 120 shops, restaurants and pubs running along the west side of curving Swansea Bay. It’s a treat for foodies as you’ll be able to find fresh seafood caught locally, go to the annual Mumbles Oyster Festival or get an ice cream made with love from one of the many parlours.
Spend an afternoon at Glynn Vivian Art Gallery
This gallery had a £6 million refurbishment a few years ago, so it’s safe to say it’s up to scratch. It was born in 1905, when Richard Glynn Vivian offered his collection of paintings, drawings and china to Swansea, with the gallery being formally opened in 1911. There are loan exhibitions, events, an educational programme and an impressive art collection including local and internationally acclaimed pieces.
Alexandra Rd, Swansea. +44 1792 516900
Learn about local history at the Wales National Waterfront Museum
The National Waterfront Museum focuses on industry and innovation in Wales, from three hundred years ago to the present day. It covers the Industrial Revolution and the region’s maritime heritage, using modern technology to bring exhibitions, displays and information to life.
Oystermouth Rd, Swansea. +44 300 111 2333
Wales National Waterfront Museum. Credit: Mick Lobb/Geograph
Sample the delights of Swansea Market
Award-winning Swansea Market is the largest indoor market in Wales. It keeps alive a tradition of market trading in the heart of the city and is a chance to get a real feel for the city, speak to locals and taste local produce. There are over 100 stalls selling a range of wares including traditional Welsh fayre. Pick up gifts, jewellery, leather goods, toys and lots more. Plus, you can relax at one of the cafés and coffee shops.
Oxford Street, Swansea. +44 1792 654296
Visit Dylan Thomas landmarks
The renowned Swansea writer often wrote affectionately about his city. Throughout Swansea there are dedicated attractions and the chance to visit many of his haunts. First up, there’s the Dylan Thomas Centre in the old city Guildhall, in the Maritime Quarter. Follow the permanent Love With Words exhibition that takes you through Thomas’s life with interactive exhibits. Then there are the pubs he loved to frequent such as The Uplands Tavern, The No-Sign Bar and The Queens Hotel. And you can also visit his birthplace, 5 Cwmdonkin Drive. The semi-detached Edwardian house has been perfectly restored to be as it would have been in Thomas’s day.
Walk among the flowers at Clyne Gardens
Botanical gardens set in sprawling parkland. Admire the renowned collection of rare species, national collections and famous annual displays. A sanctuary away from the hustle and bustle of city life.
120 A4067, Mayals, Swansea +44 1792 401737
Go to the beach
Swansea is home to some of the most beautiful beaches in the world – the south-facing coast includes beaches Langland, Caswell, Three Cliffs, Oxwich and Port Eynon and Rhosilli. The dramatic landscape of the Gower Peninsula was the first place in the UK to be named an Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty in 1956. Go to the beach for a surf (where permitted), a walk or a sand castle building session.
Make a splash at LC Water Park
The LC is home to Wales’ biggest indoor water park with slides, waves and an indoor surf machine called Boardrider. Tackle the Masterblaster – a rollercoaster water slide or the aqua slide and aqua tube. Bob around in the wave pool, relax in the whirlpool or float around the lazy river. For small children, there’s an interactive pool with mini slide, tipping buckets and fountains or Volcano Bay.
Go to a show at the Grand Theatre
This grand Victorian theatre hosts comedy, events, exhibitions and performances. Fortnightly behind-the-scenes tours explore its history.