Situated on the South Wales coastline, Swansea is a city known for its beautiful cliffs and bays that are popular haunts of surfers and swimmers. Spanning 8 kilometres, the coastline offers visitors a chance to escape the hustle and bustle of the downtown area in picturesque surroundings. With a sweeping promenade and various family-friendly activities – such as maritime museums, a Victorian pier, paddling pools and play areas – Swansea beach is a firm favourite with locals and tourists alike during the summer months. To discover the city’s vibrant past why not head to the Swansea Museum which has artefacts that date back all the way to the Egyptian Mummy! Or opt for a more hands-on experience of the city’s history by taking a trip to Oystermouth Castle – one of Wales’ 500-odd castles. As well as offering visitors an enthralling look back to the 12th century, this castle also boasts stunning views over the bay so make sure you don’t forget your camera! No trip could be complete without enjoying the downtown area itself; complete with designer shops as well as local boutiques, art galleries, pubs, bars and restaurants. Right at the heart of the city you’ll find the largest indoor market in Wales which is definitely worth a visit to sample or buy traditional Welsh foods such as laverbread (a seaweed-based superfood), speciality cheeses and Welsh cakes (cakes filled with raisins and sultanas).
Most visitors tend to head to this seaside city during the summer months of June, July and August when temperatures are promised to be at their highest. However, with the British summer renowned for being temperamental, visitors planning a trip here for its beautiful beach should not be deterred from opting for late spring or early autumn when footfall will be lower and the weather still pleasant. Don’t forget you can enjoy Swansea’s various museums, galleries and shops the whole year round, and with fantastic indoor activities such as swimming pools and go-karting you’ll be able to find something fun to do even on a rainy day.
Since Swansea is quite a small city, getting around the center itself is easily done on foot. For day trips to any of the numerous beaches, however, you may need to consider taking a bus or a taxi – there are frequent bus services to the Gower Peninsula as well as several taxi ranks located in the downtown area.