1. Destinations
2. Europe
3. United Kingdom
4. Wales
5. Swansea

Swansea

Poet and native son Dylan Thomas described Swansea as a "marble town, city of laughter, Little Dublin," calling it the "most romantic town I know." Once you've visited Swansea, it's easy to see how the idyllic seaside city inspires strong feelings!

The second-largest city in Wales, Swansea has a long and prosperous history as a market town going back 800 years. As the trading community grew up, it became a bustling export for the coal mined in Cardiff, and in the 18th century developed its own industry in the form of a massive copperworks, becoming for a time the copper capital of the world.

These days, Swansea is known first and foremost as a seaside resort town, with pride of place the 12-century fishing village of Mumbles, a quaint and fashionable seaside resort with a number of boutiques and restaurants.

Though many of the city's historical buildings were damaged in World War II, there are still a number of medieval castles dotted among the slick high rise office blocks and Tudor-style houses in the city centre. There is much to see in Swansea, from ancient sites like Arthur's Stone, which dates back to 2,500 BC; to medieval castles like Swansea Castle and Oystermouth Castle; to Victorian structures such as the Guildhall and Mumbles Pier. Swansea also has a number of interesting museums and galleries ranging from Egyptian artefacts to female jazz musicians.

For active visitors there is no shortage of things to do Swansea. Cruises on paddle boats, yachts, and motor boats are available from the harbour, as well as water sports like kayaking, waterskiing, and surfing, and activities like golf, hiking, mountain biking and bowling entertain on land. Literary buffs will love the Dyland Thomas Centre; and children will enjoy learning about wildlife at the Discovery Centre, touring the Michton Chocolate Factory, and riding the Swansea Bay Rider children's train.

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