The ultimate guide to Swansea
If you’re visiting Swansea for the first time or you actually live there, we’ve rounded up the things to do that you really shouldn’t miss
SWANSEA is a unique place to visit. As well as the shops, bars, restaurants and museums that you’d expect to find in any city, it also boasts a stadium, marina – and a beach.
So it’s little wonder that people love spending time here – whether they are residents enjoying the attractions on a much-needed day off or visitors cramming in the sights during a weekend break.
To help you make the most of your time here, we’ve decided to pull together a guide jammed with things to do and see – however much or little time you have.
EXPLORE MUMBLES
Those familiar with Swansea Bay promenade walk will know the bustle and buzz that comes with the walk from Swansea to Mumbles when the sun is out.
Offering views across Swansea Bay and Mumbles Pier, it’s definitely one of the most popular.
The walk passes local landmarks such as the Guildhall, the Patti Pavilion, Singleton Park and Clyne Gardens.
Mumbles Pier – which is 835ft and has dominated Swansea Bay’s landscape for more than 100 years – is open every day throughout the year (except Christmas Day) and all of the opening times can be found on the Mumbles Pier website.
Its attractions include an amusements arcade (of course), gift shop, bowling alley, cafe and you can enjoy some fishing too.
ENJOY BEACH LIFE IN GOWER
Three Cliffs Bay has been named in the top 20 beaches in Europe.
The Gower beach reaches the European number 16 spot, fighting off competition from beaches on the Amalfi Coast, Santorini and Sardinia, as part of the search for the world’s best.
With its imperious three cliffs cut by the sea from 300 million-yearold carboniferous limestone, the bay comes complete with powder sand beaches, a medieval castle, salt marshes and a sparkling river.
The picturesque beach attracts tens of thousands of visitors a year, although the strong tides and currents mean swimming is not recommended.
But the landscape is stunning, making it the perfect picnic spot.
As well as Three Cliffs Bay, Gower also offers plenty of other stunning places for breathtaking family walks.
Caswell Bay, Rhossili and Cefn Bryn and Pennard offer world class panoramic views – perfect if you fancy a long walk.
STEP OUT IN SWANSEA MARINA
Swansea Marina is a marina located behind the Swansea barrage at the mouth of the River Tawe.
The marina is a great place to walk around and take in the scenery while also doing a spot of boat-spotting.
It’s also located near the vibrant SA1 development where there are plenty of bars and restaurants to grab a drink or a bite to eat.
The River House has become one of Swansea’s most popular eating and watering holes.
With a sophisticated bar and covered terrace area, the lounge serves light meals all day as well as high end cocktails and champagne. A perfect place to relax with your friends and watch the world go by.
You also have the Pump House if you’re in the mood for pub grub and Grape and Olive – an award-winning restaurant situated at the top of Wales’ tallest building, with superb views across Swansea Bay.
Their menus are a fusion of contemporary dishes and timeless classic.
You also have Quay Three – which features six igloo-style pods where you can enjoy afternoon tea, chocolate fountains, prosecco and platters.
You can also enjoy exhibitions at The Attic Gallery, which is Wales’ longest-running independent gallery.
VISIT THE CASTLES
If you’re in the mood for some history then you can visit Swansea Castle which was built by the Normans just 40 years after William the Conqueror’s famous victory over King Harold at the Battle of Hastings in 1066.
You also have Oystermouth Castle – which sits on the hill in Mumbles with stunning views overlooking Swansea Bay.
You can explore parts of the castle that have been hidden away for centuries, and learn about the castle’s exciting history.
Features include ancient graffiti art from the 14th century, private staircases leading from vaults to previous banqueting halls and a 30ft high glass bridge.
CHECK OUT THE LIBERTY STADIUM
If you want to watch a game of football or rugby then head down to the Liberty Stadium.
Swansea City are currently in the Championship and play home games at the Liberty. The Ospreys home ground is also the Liberty.
You can also enjoy behind-thescenes tours that will include the players’ tunnel, home dressing room, press conference facilities and interview areas, pitchside, hospitality and banqueting areas.
The tour will take approximately one hour and give supporters the perfect insight into the players’ training regime, rehabilitation therapies and world-class training pitches.
As well as sport, the Liberty Stadium is also host to various concerts.
Take That, The Killers, Elton John and Little Mix have all played here.
The stadium is yet to announce any gigs for 2019.
STROLL THROUGH SINGLETON PARK
Singleton Park is a must visit for families of all ages.
The park has acres of simple, unadorned green space.
It’s home to a boating lake plus crazy golf, adventure playground, botanical gardens and a museum, so there’s plenty to do here if you’re up for everything.
In the summer you will often find a major event held here. Who can forget Radio 1’s Biggest Weekend?
In 2018, thousands of people headed to Singleton Park during the sellout two-day event which saw the likes of Ed Sheeran, Taylor Swift, Sam Smith, Craig David, Jess Glynne and George Ezra perform.
In 2019, Stereophonics will play a massive one-off outdoor gig as they celebrate 20 years since their iconic Morfa Stadium show and Jess Glynne will also bring her music to the park.
DYLAN THOMAS’ SWANSEA
He’s the city’s most famous son so is it any wonder that Swansea has some great ways to celebrate Dylan Thomas.
You’ll be stepping back in time when you visit the birthplace and childhood home of one of Wales’ literary giants.
The house in Uplands looks just like it used to back in 1914 when Dylan’s family first bought it. It’s open for tours but give them a ring beforehand if you’re after a guided tour or book online. Visit www. dylanthomasbirthplace.com
There’s also the Dylan Thomas Centre in Somerset Place which houses exhibitions telling his story.
As well as the permanent display, there are also regular outreach projects and events. Visit www.dylan thomas.com
WANDER AROUND UPLANDS
Uplands is one of the city’s coolest neighbourhoods – and don’t just take our word for it.
In 2017 it was voted one of the hippest areas in the UK.
It has seen a significant rise in popularity in recent years and it’s not hard to see why.
Here are some of the places you shouldn’t miss...
Uplands Tavern, or the Tav, as it is
commonly known, is a popular haunt for music lovers, with live acts performing there regularly.
It historically attracted the bohemian underbelly of Swansea, from old rockers to art students but with the Uplands’ rise in popularity in recent years, it now attracts just about everyone in-between.
It’s a proper boozer with Dylan Thomas quotes strewn across the walls since it used to be his local.
Or try Noah’s Yard. The decor is eclectic, with typewriters, books, a bike, a section of newspaper print walls and even a Banksy.
For a more relaxed atmosphere, Verve 37 is a wine bar and restaurant.
You also have Whitez – where the bar downstairs regularly hosts live music, then if you go up a level it’s a pool hall, and on the top floor is The Terrace so it’s got something for every mood.
At The Terrace you can drink cocktails and premium beers in what they describe as “a relaxed, comfortable environment incorporating a classic cocktail lounge atmosphere with a modern design twist”.
And Uplands Diner offers a typical greasy spoon and is legendary for its breakfasts.
EATING OUT
Where do we start?
Some highlights include Belle Vue Bistro, Slice, Rag and Bone Cafe, Canteen 18 and The Beach House restaurant in Oxwich Bay, which was named the AA Restaurant of the Year.
For a curry, the Mumtaz Indian Haute Cuisine is a family-run restaurant with breathtaking views of Swansea Bay that serves traditional Indian cuisine using locallysourced ingredients where possible.
The Rasoi Waterfront was named the best in Wales in the 2018 British Curry Awards. It’s the sister restaurant to the equally as good Rasoi Indian Kitchen and, based in Swansea’s SA1 marina quarter, has become renowned for its fusion dining.
If you don’t want to spend too much money on eating out, there are lots of tasty things to eat in Swansea for less than £5.
Some of the bargain gems include a jacket potato from Spicy Spuds, a curry from Thai Bach Express or a delicious handmade gourmet doughnut from Gower Doughnut Co.
DISCOVER SWANSEA MARKET
Swansea Market is an institution. A vibrant, bustling shopping destination where you can stock up on everything from jewellery to mousetraps.
It’s the largest indoor market in Wales, and is especially good for Welsh produce, with specialities including Gower-reared meat, Penclawdd cockles, and – to quote Richard Burton – “Welshman’s caviar”, locally-made laverbread.
TAKE IN THE MUSEUMS AND GALLERIES
Swansea Museum is the oldest museum in Wales. The building was built for the Royal Institution of South Wales in 1841 in the neoclassical style.
There are six galleries with a variety of exhibits from an ancient mummy’s tomb to temporary exhibitions on current issues and modern interests.
As well as the main building in Victoria Road, there’s also The Tramshed in the Marina which displays memorabilia from the former street trams of Swansea and the Mumbles tram that ran around the edge of the bay from Swansea to Mumbles pier.
National Waterfront Museum in Oystermouth Road tells the story of industry and innovation in Wales, now and over the last 300 years. Find out more about its attractions at the National Waterfront website.
Glynn Vivian Art Gallery offers a broad range of visual arts from the original bequest of Richard Glynn Vivian (1835-1910), which includes works by old masters as well as an international collection of Swansea China.
The Glynn Vivian reopened its doors in 2016 after a multi-million pound refurbishment. Swansea’s leading art gallery includes treasures from home-grown artists including Alfred Janes, Ceri Richards and Evan Walters, along with national favourites Augustus John, Gwen John and Christopher Williams.
SWANSEA FOR CHILDREN
If you’re looking for something fun to do with the kids then look no further.
The LC2 is Wales’ biggest indoor waterpark with slides, waves and an indoor surf machine.
You can even tackle the Masterblaster – the ultimate rollercoaster waterslide or an aqua slide and aqua tube for some adrenalinefilled fun.
There’s also an interactive pool with a mini slide, tipping buckets and fountains for the little ones to enjoy.
Go Air trampoline park has hundreds of wall-to-wall trampolines.
Launch yourself into a giant foam pit and airbags, freestyle in the main arena, shoot a few basketball hoops, get trampo-lean with an Go Air fitness class or just have the bounciest birthday party or event.
Or you can stop the cries of boredom and let the little ones burn off all their energy at an indoor play centre. It’s not just for children though, Playzone has sessions for adults too.