Car Hire Swansea - Mini guide to Swansea

Known as ‘The Gateway to West Wales’, the vibrant city of Swansea is famed for its glorious beaches and rugged coastline. With some of the best surfing and windsurfing beaches in the UK, and its proximity to the stunning scenery of the Gower Peninsula, Swansea is a popular destination for outdoors lovers.

Probably the chief attraction is Swansea Bay, the five mile beach that fronts the city and offers a range of activities including rollerblading and cycling on the promenade, bathing and beach games. However, the city also boasts a number of interesting cultural attractions, such as Norman castles, fascinating museums and theatre.

The city’s beachfront stretches from the Maritime Quarter, home to the Swansea Maritime Museum, to Mumbles, a fun filled beach resort. In the city centre, The Swansea Museum, the oldest museum in Wales and housed in a beautiful neo-classical building (1841), is well worth a visit. Also of note are the Dylan Thomas Centre, celebrating the author’s life and work, and the Glynn Vivian Gallery - home to works by many renowned British and European artists.

The city is alive with entertainment options throughout the day and night. Year round, visitors can take time out from shopping in the city centre to enjoy the street theatre in Castle Square, and the many outdoor events at Oystermouth Castle are also popular. At night, The Grand Theatre offers plays, pop concerts and ballet. The city also has a lively nightclub scene and an array of good restaurants catering to many tastes.

For a break from the city, hiring a car and exploring the Gower Peninsula is a particularly rewarding option. As well as enjoying the wonderful beaches, coves and coastal walks of the peninsular, there are many historic buildings to visit, including some fascinating medieval churches.

At present, Swansea airport only has flights to Dublin, Cork and Jersey. However, Cardiff International Airport, with direct flights to many major European cities, is less than an hour from Swansea by road or rail. From London there are hourly trains departing from Paddington station to Cardiff, sometimes directly to Swansea. Motorists have easy access to the city from the M4 (originating in London), exiting at junctions 42 – 46.

The major suburbs in Swansea are: Blackpill, Fforestfach, Gorseinon, Landore, Llansamlet, Morfa, Morriston, Mumbles, Uplands and Waunarlwydd.