2026 Swords Travel Guide: must-see attractions, popular food, hotels, transport & travel experiences (updated in September)

This is one of the top places I’ve explored. The tour begins at the Vatican, and you proceed toward Castel Sant’ Angelo. Staying toward the back of the group is ideal since it lets you snap photos along the corridor. You start under the walkway, then transition to the main corridor before arriving at Sant’ Angelo. The Pasetto tour lasts about 25 minutes, but you can spend as much time as you’d like at the Castel afterward. Highly recommend!

This time I stayed at the Forty Four Main Street Hotel near Dublin Airport in Ireland. There's a restaurant downstairs, so it's very convenient! There are also many brunch options nearby. There's also a bar where you can have drinks late at night. The soundproofing isn't too bad, but you need to close the windows to avoid the noise from people downstairs.

Castel Sant'Angelo was a place in Rome I've always been personally curious about. Originally Emperor Hadrian's mausoleum, it transformed over the centuries into a fortress and a refuge. The almost forceful, hybrid architectural proportion—a massive cylinder resting on a square base—is truly fascinating to someone studying design. The 800-meter secret passage (Passetto di Borgo) connecting it to the Vatican is also incredibly cool, characterized by its cold, purely functional design. Knowing the history that a Pope actually ran through here to escape in 1527 completely changes the way you look at this simple old wall. Here's a little bit about the famous angel statues on the Ponte Sant'Angelo. Most of the ones currently on the bridge are replicas made by Bernini's students. The two original statues sculpted by Bernini himself (the Angel with the Crown of Thorns and the Angel with the Superscription) are safely kept in the nearby church of "Sant'Andrea delle Fratte" to protect them from weathering. I actually went to the church to see the originals, and the way the fabric drapes and the soft texture of the marble are captured is just on a whole other level. The replicas on the bridge aren't bad at all, but the originals are definitely worth going out of your way to see. At dusk, the bronze statue of the Archangel Michael standing at the very top of the castle stands out as a stunning silhouette. Combined with the symmetrical reflection of the castle on the Tiber River, the visual perfection of this place is simply breathtaking. It's a classic tourist spot, but if you take the time to appreciate its architectural evolution and the context of its sculptures, it's absolutely a top-tier place to visit.

Delighted to be awarded a free pass through the trip app as a diamond member. Generous food and beverages offered in this lounge with a nice relaxing and refreshing vibe . Recommend if you have the time .