Swansea Bay offers a breathtaking mix of spectacular contrasts and is one of the fastest growing destinations in the UK.

The vibrant city of Swansea, with its unique position on the edge of a 5 mile sandy beach, its attractive Maritime Quarter and Marina, justly deserves its ‘Wales’ Waterfront City’ title.  Birthplace of Wales’ most famous poet Dylan Thomas, Swansea offers an enviable cultural scene and hosts a selection of exciting events throughout the year, including the Swansea Bay Summer Festival, Wales Rally GB, the Dylan Thomas Festival and the festive Winter Wonderland.

Attractions include museums and art galleries, indoor and outdoor children’s activities and award winning parks and gardens. Learn more about the rich cultural and industrial heritage of the area at Wales’ oldest and newest museums; Swansea Museum and the National Waterfront Museum. Have a go at indoor surfing and indoor rock climbing at the new LC leisure complex and waterpark, or just pamper yourself in the luxurious spa. Enjoy our compact city centre with its retail outlets - including the largest traditional covered market in Wales where you can try local specialties such as cockles and laverbread (a seaweed delicacy). As night falls a diversity of entertainment includes theatres, friendly bars, clubs and cinemas.

A few minutes away lies the picturesque seaside resort of Mumbles, with its Victorian pier, traditional ice-cream parlours and first-class restaurants. Browse Mumbles’ many specialty shops and boutiques, which sell everything from local pottery to Welsh lovespoons.

Mumbles is known as the gateway to the Gower Peninsula - the UK’s first Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty.  See the awe-inspiring beauty that has captivated generations of visitors: the 19-mile long Peninsula comprises some of Wales' cleanest and most stunning beaches, including Rhossili, where you can enjoy the most spectacular view of the famous Worm's Head.  Three Cliffs - claimed by many as one of the most scenic bays in Gower, and Llangennith which is one of the premier surf beaches in the UK. A true walker’s paradise, Gower offers miles and miles of coastal path linking secluded coves to vast sandy beaches. And of course it's not just about the coast.  Inland Gower is teeming with flora and fauna you won't want to miss.  Try the ‘Gower Way’ for a challenging trek across the Peninsula. For a different point of view, explore on horse back or even have a go at sky-diving!

Further east, the lush valleys of Neath and Afan await you. Explore the beautiful Waterfall Country and the renowned Afan Forest Park, home to some of the world’s top mountain-biking trails in Britain. Or climb the trees, slide across high wires, crawl through tunnels, cross rope bridges, walk the planks and zip down to the ground with ‘Go Ape!’ at Margam Park.

Whether you are after a relaxing holiday or an active break in stunning surroundings, Swansea Bay is your ideal destination!

For more visit: www.visitswanseabay.com