Swansea City guide, including hotels

Posted by Nick Niesen on October 29th, 2010

Swansea is located in the heart of Swansea Bay, one of Wales? most beautiful regions, with landscapes incorporating sandy beaches, waterfalls, rolling countryside and deep valleys. Swansea itself is the second largest city in Wales, and a highly popular tourist destination, widely known for providing excellent shopping facilities and plenty of things to do.

Places of interest

Swansea has a diverse array of places to visit. The many attractions found in and around the city are designed to give the tourist and casual visitor a wide range of things to experience ? whether you want to get back to nature and enjoy the picturesque parks, learn more about the region?s history, or simply enjoy some of the city?s exciting culture. A small selection of places to visit includes:
Swansea Bay. This sandy beach stretches out for five full miles and is additionally within walking distance of the city centre. Choose a romantic stroll on the beach, or if you?re feeling adventurous, pick from the rollerblading and cycling activities on offer.
Swansea Museum. Over 160 years old, the museum is home to collections of art, ceramics and Egyptology, whilst the history of the city is presented in a way to engage and entertain every visitor.
The Dylan Thomas Centre. Learn about the famous Welsh poet at this permanent exhibition, which offers a yearly programme of events and a festival every year in the autumn.
Gower Heritage Centre. This rural museum offers something really special ? a working, twelfth century corn and saw mill. There are lots of activities for the kids to take part in, from craft-making and puppet theatres, to animals and play areas.
Plantasia. You?ll discover this gigantic hothouse right in the centre of Swansea ? and be prepared to undertake a voyage of discovery, as you witness exotic flora and fauna in tropical, humid conditions. A perfect place to visit, whatever the weather!

Things to do

When it comes to activities, Swansea has it covered. When you?ve finished shopping ? and with hundreds of shops to browse, it?ll take you a while ? then you can choose from lots of exciting things to do, like the following:
Rainbow Sailing School. Enjoy a taster day and sail around the Gower coast with an experienced guide.
Breakout Adventure. If outdoor adventure?s your thing, then choose from a selection including canoeing, surfing and climbing.
Clyne Gardens. If you have a love for nature then you?ll enjoy the many delights to be found in these beautiful gardens; come and see water features, the bog garden and more.
The Chocolate Factory. This working factory gives visitors a chance to take a tour and see how chocolate is produced, with sampling at every opportunity.
1940?s Swansea Bay. This recreation provides an authentic experience of life during WWII, and brings new meaning to the phrase ?living history?. Take part in an air raid; try living on rations, and more.

Food & Drink

If it?s food and drink you?re after, you?ll find that Swansea offers a selection of choice restaurants and eateries, with something provided for every taste. Both traditional Welsh fare and seafood are specialities, but the city is also home to many restaurants serving international recipes, so you have plenty to choose from. There are also dozens of cafes and takeaways if you?re not looking for the full wining-and-dining experience. Some of the finest eateries include:
Abernethy?s. Located in the Maritime Quarter, this restaurant serves up Welsh dishes as well as international favourites. There?s also a leisure area nearby which enables you to work off your food.
Bizzie Lizzie?s Bistro & Restaurant. If you?re looking for traditional Welsh meals then this is the place to come. There are many specialities and vegetarian dishes to choose from.
Bouchon de Rossi. A restaurant offering plenty of French cuisine, located right in the heart of Swansea?s city centre. Choose from salads, crepes and more.
Eleo?s Brasserie. If you?re a fan of European food then this restaurant is a great place to visit. Spanish and Portuguese meals are made on the spot, and there?s a wide variety of wine to choose from to compliment your meal.
Gallini?s. As a coastal city, Swansea is noted for its fine fish and Gallini?s is the perfect place to sample it. Italian dishes are also available, and the restaurant offers pleasing views of the Marina whilst you eat.

Hotels & Accommodations

Swansea is a popular tourist destination and there are plenty of places where you can find accommodation. Many of the hotels are on the seafront and offer a combination of great prices with friendly atmospheres. Stunning sea views are something you?ll quickly become used to during your stay. Alternatively, if you look a little further inland, you?ll find many unique family-run guesthouses and inns that offer home-cooking and comfortable rooms. Other alternatives include self-catering, including bay apartments; many campsites and caravan parks; hostels and more.

Leonardos Guest House
Ramada Swansea
Winston Private Hotel
Beaumont Hotel
The Dolphin Hotel
Grosvenor House
The Mirador
The White House Hotel
The Grand Hotel
Best Western Aberavon Beach Hotel
Express By Holiday Inn Swansea
Ramada Encore Swansea Bay
Dragon Hotel
Oxwich Bay Hotel

Entertainment

If you want to be entertained during your stay in Swansea, you?ll discover numerous venues all offering a diverse range of entertainments. For instance, the Swansea Grand Theatre regularly offers a programme including ballet, drama, music and opera, as well as something for the kids. If it?s nightlife you?re looking for, then you?re advised to take a trip to the Wind Street area, which is known as the liveliest in the city! Here you?ll discover numerous restaurants, pubs, clubs and bars, and plenty of live entertainment just waiting to be enjoyed.
Swansea is one of those places that people keep coming back to, time after time. The Welsh Tourist Board is keen to attract visitors and has, in recent years, spent £30 million on developing a new attraction, the National Waterfront Museum. Meanwhile, your visit to the city would be amiss without a trip to the indoor market, where you can choose from fresh fish and local delicacies, as well as purchase all the souvenirs and unique gifts that you could ever want. With stunning scenery and lots of interesting attractions, Swansea is one place you?ll want to discover for yourself.
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