Situated along the River Tawe on the Bristol Channel Coast, Swansea is the second largest city in the Wales. You can visit museums, art galleries and experience the cultural side of the city, or enjoy the natural splendors of Swansea's parks, botanical gardens and award-winning beaches. There are also various sporting activities that you might like to try.
Instructions
1. Stay in Swansea City Center, on Swansea Bay, in Mumbles village or on the Gower Peninsula. Take your pick from self-catering bay apartments, bed and breakfast places, youth hostels and budget to five-star hotels. Book your accommodation in advance.
2. If you arrive in Swansea by car, park for a small fee at either the Landore Park and Ride or the Fabian Way Park and Ride. By train, you will arrive at the Swansea Railway Station; by bus, at the Quadrant Bus Station. The local bus network is good, making it very easy to get around the Swansea Bay area.
3. Visit the Tourist Information Center in Swansea City Center or the one in Mumbles for free maps and information on tourist sites. Check current city events in the South Wales Evening Post, the city council's monthly booklet "What's On" and the bimonthly booklet "Compass."
4. Walk around the city center. See the ruins of Swansea Castle. Visit the traditional covered market, the largest in Wales. Buy traditional souvenirs like Welsh Love Spoons and woven cloth, and some Laverbread (a tasty dish made from seaweed). Head for the lively Maritime Quarter and see Swansea's award-winning Marina.
5. Explore the effects of the Industrial Revolution at the National Waterfront Museum and see the Egyptian Mummy at the Swansea Museum in the Maritime Quarter. Go to the Egypt Center at the Swansea University campus for a more in depth study of Egyptian artifacts; this museum remains closed on Sundays. Visit the Dylan Thomas Center on the Marina for an understanding of Swansea's famous writer.
6. If you want to get a taste of rural life and see a working water mill, visit the Gower Heritage Center. Admission is free at all these places and most have souvenir shops and cafes. See some local artworks at the Glyn Vivian Art Gallery, Attic Gallery, Mission Gallery and Exposure Art Gallery.
7. Take a breather in one of Swansea's famous parks. See the botanical garden in Singleton Park and the rhododendrons in the Clyne Gardens. Stroll through the Victorian Cwmdonkin Park, mentioned in Dylan Thomas' works, and watch the swans in Byrnmill Park. Visit the weird-shaped Plantasia hothouse with its exotic plants and butterflies.
8. Head for the lively cafe quarter in Wind Street to experience Swansea's night life and try some excellent international cuisine.
9. Catch a weekend game of cricket or rugby at the St. Helen's Stadium, or a game of football at the Liberty Stadium. Play golf at one of Swansea's several golf clubs.
10. Go to Mumbles Village and admire the view of Swansea Bay from the promenade. Have an ice-cream at Joe's Ice Cream Parlor and a cappuccino at Verdi's.
11. Visit the famous Mumbles Chocolate Factory and learn about chocolate-making. Sample chocolate and buy some at the gift shop to take home.
12. Go swimming or surfing at the Langland Bay, Caswell Bay and Llangennith beaches on the Gower Peninsula. Visit the dramatic Rhossili Bay, Arthur's Stone, the Giant's Grave and Pennard Castle, if time permits.
13. Drive to Pant-y-Celyn Road to watch the sun-set over Mumbles Head.
Tags: Center Swansea, arrive Swansea, Dylan Thomas, Gower Peninsula, Head lively, Maritime Quarter, Park Ride
