City or town
Things to see in Swansea (United Kingdom): 78 places and when to go
Swansea is a city in United Kingdom with around 294,000 inhabitants, and this site lists 78 places in and around it, mainly Nature (30), History (22), Mountains (15). The best known are Kidwelly Castle, Swansea Bay and Caswell Bay. The best time to come is April to September; also possible: February to March, October and December. In June there are 16 h 24 of daylight, and in December, 7 h 36. Here is what there is, when to go, how to get there and what else is nearby.
In a nutshell
- Where
- United Kingdom · 51.63, -3.95
- Population
- About 294,000
- Places
- 78 places on this site, in the town and around it.
- What people come for
- Nature (30) · History (22) · Mountains (15) · Wildlife (9) · Temples (8) · Museums and art (6)
- Best time
- April to September.
- Also possible
- February to March, October and December.
- Nearest airport
- BRS Bristol, 90 km as the crow flies
What to see in Swansea
The places in and around Swansea, best known first, each with its own page: what it is, when to go and what is next to it. Distances are from the centre, as the crow flies.
- Kidwelly CastleGrade I listed castle in Kidwelly, Wales27 km
- Swansea BayBay in Wales4.5 km
- Caswell BayBay in Wales9.0 km
- Oystermouth CastleGrade I listed castle in Mumbles, Swansea, Wales, UK6.9 km
- Pennard CastleCastle ruins on the Gower Peninsula, south Wales12 km
- Swansea CastleCastle in Swansea, Wales1.2 km
- Oxwich CastleGrade I listed fortified manor house in Penrice, Swansea, Wales17 km
- Loughor CastleMedieval castle in Loughor, Swansea, Wales, UK9.5 km
- Neath CastleCastle in Neath, Wales, UK11 km
- Penrice CastleCastle in Penrice, Swansea, Wales, UK16 km
- Parc Cwm long cairnBurial chamber in Swansea, Wales12 km
- Mumbles LighthouseLighthouse in Swansea, Wales7.2 km
- Weobley Castle, GowerCastle in Swansea, Wales17 km
- Cefn SidanBeach in Carmarthenshire, Wales, UK28 km
- Dylan Thomas CentreGrade II* listed building in Swansea1.5 km
- National Waterfront MuseumMuseum of industrial and maritime history in Swansea, Wales, United Kingdom1.7 km
- Oxwich BayNature16 km
- Glynn Vivian Art GalleryArt gallery in Swansea, Wales, United Kingdom792 m
- Neath AbbeyRuined abbey in Neath Port Talbot, Wales9.2 km
- St Mary's Church, KidwellyChurch in Kidwelly, Carmarthenshire, Wales27 km
- Swansea MarketRetail market in Swansea, Wales, UK1.2 km
- TrichrugHill (415m) in Carmarthenshire29 km
- Whiteford LighthouseLighthouse at Whiteford Point, Gower Peninsula, Swansea, Wales, UK21 km
- Burry Port LighthouseLighthouse, Grade II listed building in Carmarthenshire, Wales; on the W breakwater of Burry Port harbour21 km
And the other 54, by what you come to do:
- Nature: Cathole Cave, Blue Pool Bay, Cefn Bryn, Kilvey Hill, WWT Llanelli Wetlands Centre, Mynydd Drumau, Cwm Clydach RSPB Reserve, Foel Fynyddau, Long Hole Cave, Mumbles Hill, Mynydd Dinas, Paviland Cave, Pentwyn Mawr, Ryer's Down, Swansea Vale, Tair Carn Uchaf, Cilifor Top, Crymlyn Burrows, Cwmllwyd Wood, Hardings Down, Killay Marsh Local Nature Reserve, Long Hole Cliff Nature Reserve, Mynydd Garn-Fach, Mynydd Gellionnen, Mynydd Gelliwastad, Mynydd Pysgodlyn, Rosehill Quarry Nature Reserve
- History: Penlle'r Castell, Swansea Canal, Arthur's Stone, Cefn Bryn, Park Congregational Chapel, Llanelli, Harding's Down West Camp, Italian Bridge in Clyne Gardens, Japanese Bridge in Clyne Gardens, Powerhouse & Canteen, Salt House, Port Eynon, Church Of St Cenydd
- Museums and art: Swansea Museum, Mission Gallery, Parc Howard Museum
- Temples: St Cadoc's Church, Cheriton, Mynyddbach Chapel, Church of St Illtyd, Penrice, Tabernacle Chapel, Morriston, St Elli Church, Llanelli, Church of St Cattwg
- Beaches: Aberavon Beach
- Architecture: Loughor Viaduct
- Food and drink: Neath Indoor Market
- With kids: Aquasplash Play Pool, LC Waterpark
- Hiking: Saint Illtyd's Walk, The Gower Way
- Diving: Helvetia
When to go to Swansea
The best time to visit Swansea is April to September; also possible: February to March, October and December. This comes from its own places: a month counts as the town's best time when it is the best time for half of what there is to see.
- JanBetter not8:05
- FebPossible9:41
- MarPossible11:31
- AprBest time13:37
- MayBest time15:24
- JunBest time16:24
- JulBest time15:59
- AugBest time14:24
- SepBest time12:22
- OctPossible10:21
- NovBetter not8:32
- DecPossible7:36
Best timePossibleBetter notHours of daylight
In June there are 16 h 24 of daylight, and in December, 7 h 36. In June, 78 of the 78 places are at their best.
When to go to United Kingdom in general, with its festivals and peak seasons, is in its country guide.
Getting to Swansea
The nearest main airport is Bristol Airport (BRS, Bristol), 90 km as the crow flies. How to get around United Kingdom (train, car, bus) is in its country guide, and what to sort out before you leave is in its checklist.
Where it is (opens in a new tab)Directions (opens in a new tab)
Other towns nearby
- Bridgend27 places25 km
- Llanarthne25 places27 km
- Penycae44 places28 km
- Green Street32 places36 km
- Pumpsaint17 places46 km
- Ilfracombe36 places49 km
And all of United Kingdom, in its country guide.
Frequently asked questions
What is there to see in Swansea?
The best known: Kidwelly Castle, Swansea Bay, Caswell Bay, Oystermouth Castle, Pennard Castle. In all, 78 places in the town and around it, all on your trip map from day one.
When is the best time to visit Swansea?
April to September; also possible: February to March, October and December. In June there are 16 h 24 of daylight, and in December, 7 h 36.
How do you get to Swansea?
The nearest main airport is Bristol Airport (BRS), 90 km away. From there, directions opens the route on the map.
How do I add it to my trip?
Create a trip with Swansea as the destination and these 78 places are on your map, each with its category. The ones you like go into a day's plan with one tap, and Kokai reminds you when you pass nearby.
Keep reading
- United KingdomBefore travelling to United Kingdom: 7 things worth sorting out, each with its deadline. Since leaving the EU, two things are needed that were not before: a passport (th…
- Nature5399 places for nature in United Kingdom, from Ben Nevis to spots hardly anyone knows. Best time: April to September. Each with its own season by altitude and daylight.
- Where to travelPick what you fancy (mountains, beaches, museums…) and the months you have free, and Kokai tells you which countries to go to and what to see there.
Data from OpenStreetMap, licensed under the ODbL, from Wikidata, CC0, cities from Natural Earth and airports from OurAirports. Daylight hours are calculated from the latitude. More in credits.