Millennium Bridge, Swansea
With its dramatic coastal location and vibrant, historical centre, the city of Swansea is a must for visitors to Wales.
Swansea is Wales’ second largest city. It is built around the sweeping Swansea Bay, which has been famously compared to the Bay of Naples and is never far away as you explore the city. The magnificent promenade stretches from the Civic Centre all the way to the attractive village of Mumbles, offering spectacular views across the bay and an assortment of cafes and ice-cream parlours. You can walk, cycle or climb aboard the nostalgic Swansea Bay Rider Train. Stop at the pretty Singleton Boating Lake and drift across the water in a traditional pedalo.
With its new marina, national museum and water-park, Swansea is a rapidly developing city. Its centre is packed with some of the country’s best restaurants, a variety of independent shops and, largely thanks to the student population, a plethora of bars, pubs, live music venues and clubs. Don’t miss the indoor market, which is Wales’ largest and a great place to pick up fresh, local produce.
Swansea Indoor Market
Swansea is a great place for eating and drinking, with a variety of traditional cafes, welcoming pubs and award-winning restaurants to choose from. One of the city’s most popular eateries is Mosaic, a stylish bar and restaurant, serving excellent coffee, tapas and wines. Another good option is Munch of Mumbles, a relaxed restaurant where pride is taken in creating delicious dishes with the best local ingredients. Mains include Welsh lamb with swede puree, black pudding faggot, curly kale and rosemary jus.
Swansea is a fun place for a night out, with a variety of lively pubs, clubs and music venues. The renowned Swansea Grand Theatre is a magnificent Victorian building where you can watch performances of comedy, music and drama. There’s also a large cinema complex and another excellent performance venue, the Dylan Thomas Theatre.
Some of South Wales’ most beautiful countryside is easily reached from Swansea. To the north is the rugged, windswept Brecon Beacons National Park, a remarkably unspoilt environment for hiking and wildlife-watching. Also nearby is the Gower Peninsula, where you’ll discover vast sandy beaches where you can surf and spot dolphins.
“With its dramatic coastal location and vibrant, historical centre, the city of Swansea is a must for visitors to Wales.”
Swansea has a rich and turbulent past. It became an important centre for copper-smelting during the Industrial Revolution, when ore was imported from Cornwall and later, from as far away as Chile and Cuba, in exchange for coal. Many fine examples of Georgian and Victorian architecture remain in areas such as Castle Square and Wind Street. For a glimpse into the history of this unique city, visit the state-of-the-art National Waterfront Museum. This striking, modern building houses a series of hit-tech, interactive exhibitions, children’s activities and an impressive replica of the world’s first steam locomotive.
Take a look at our full collection of Swansea cottages for more holiday inspiration.