Plantasia

Plantasia featuring a garden
Plantasia featuring a park, a pond and interior views
Plantasia which includes marine life
Plantasia which includes a pond, interior views and a garden
Plantasia which includes a park


You probably wouldn’t expect to encounter tarantulas, macaws and endangered tamarin monkeys in a Swansea retail park, but visit the spectacular Plantasia, a public hothouse in Parc Tawe close to the city centre, and you’ll find these and much more besides. Easy to locate, as it’s housed in a unique glass pyramid, Plantasia has for a quarter of a century performed the vital function of raising awareness among locals and visitors about the level of rainforest destruction around the world, and the dangers of the consequent biodiversity loss.

Divided into two climate zones, tropical and arid, Plantasia is home to many rare animals, from the cute and cuddly - chameleons, the aforementioned tamarins, and bearded dragons, to the slightly less so - Burmese pythons, piranhas and all manner of creepy-crawlies, making this a superb visit for school groups and holidaymakers looking for an all-weather attraction that is both fun and educational. A tribal hut has also been constructed using traditional methods, which showcases authentic artefacts from the civilizations that live in rainforests, such as hammocks and tools. And, if the heat gets too much for you, there is a cafe selling drinks and snacks.

Everyone loves to see the animals, but as you might expect from the name, it is plant life that takes centre stage here at Plantasia. A dizzying array, from the edible - banana, papaya, grapefruit, coffee and cocoa - to the medicinal – aloe and tamarind - to the practical - papyrus, kapok, giant bamboo, reminds us of how essential rainforests are to human progress and survival.

Popular places to visit


Top Hotel Deals

Morgans Hotel
Morgans Hotel
4 out of 5
Somerset Place, Swansea, Wales
Morgans Hotel
The Dolphin SA1 Hotel
The Dolphin SA1 Hotel
3 out of 5
Whitehalls, Swansea, Wales
The Dolphin SA1 Hotel
Cwtsh Hostel
Cwtsh Hostel
1 out of 5
Castle St, 10-14, Swansea, Wales
Cwtsh Hostel
ibis Swansea
ibis Swansea
3 out of 5
A483 Fabian Way, Swansea, Wales
ibis Swansea
Ice House Apartments
Ice House Apartments
4 out of 5
Kings Road, Swansea, Wales
Ice House Apartments
Lowest nightly price found within the past 24 hours based on a 1 night stay for 2 adults. Prices and availability subject to change. Additional terms may apply.