Galway, Ireland: travel guide
Ireland's most spirited city, tucked at the foot of Connemara at the head of Galway Bay, possesses an energy and bohemian character entirely its own. The medieval Latin Quarter's stone-flagged lanes fill with buskers, street food vendors and an extraordinary density of pubs serving live sessions of traditional Irish music seven nights a week. The Spanish Arch looks over the tidal mouth of the River Corrib. Galway is the gateway to the wild magic of Connemara, the Aran Islands and the Cliffs of Moher. The Galway Arts Festival in July and Galway Races Week in late July make it one of Ireland's most exciting destinations.
- Country
- Ireland
- Currency
- EUR
- Time zone
- Europe/Dublin
- Nearest airport
- SNN
Top places to visit in Galway
Inis Oirr
Nature · about 5 h
Smallest of the three Aran Islands with the Plassey shipwreck made famous by Father Ted.
Galway Cliffs of Moher Day
Viewpoint · 4.9 rating · about 8 h
A day trip from Galway to the Cliffs of Moher — Ireland's spectacular 214m Atlantic cliffs, one of the country's most iconic natural wonders, with the historic O'Brien's Tower.
Galway Latin Quarter
Heritage · 4.8 rating · about 2 h
Galway's spectacular Latin Quarter — the historic medieval district with the famous Quay Street, the iconic Tigh Neachtain pub, the street musicians, and the bohemian atmosphere.
Kylemore Abbey & Walled Victorian Garden
Monastery · 4.7 rating · about 2 h · entry EUR 15
One of Ireland's most recognisable and romantic buildings — a Gothic castle reflected in the still waters of a Connemara lake, built in the 1860s by Manchester merchant Mitchell Henry as a declaration of love for his wife Margaret. Today a…
Salthill Promenade
Beach · 4.6 rating · about 1.5 h
Galway city's seaside suburb and its most beloved public space — a 2 km pedestrian promenade along the shore of Galway Bay, with the traditional ritual of "kicking the wall" at the far end before turning back. The beach is popular for…
Galway Spanish Arch
Heritage · 4.5 rating · about 0.5 h
The Spanish Arch — Galway's spectacular 1584 medieval city wall arch on the Long Walk, with the historic Galway City Museum and the iconic Eyre Square monuments.
Galway Burren National
Nature · 4.8 rating · about 8 h
A day trip from Galway to the Burren — the spectacular UNESCO Global Geopark with the lunar limestone landscape, prehistoric Poulnabrone Dolmen, and rare alpine flora.
Galway Wild Atlantic Way
Heritage · 4.9 rating · about 8 h
The Wild Atlantic Way from Galway — Ireland's spectacular 2,500km coastal driving route, starting from Galway through Connemara to Donegal.
Galway Eyre Square
Heritage · 4.5 rating · about 0.5 h
Eyre Square (John F. Kennedy Memorial Park) — Galway's spectacular central public square with the famous Browne Doorway, the JFK statue, and the lively festival atmosphere.
Galway Atlantaquaria
Wildlife · 4.5 rating · about 2 h · entry EUR 16
The Galway Atlantaquaria — Ireland's national aquarium at Salthill, with native Atlantic species, the spectacular ocean tank, and the rare seahorse breeding program.
Spanish Arch & Galway City Museum
Heritage · 4.4 rating · about 1 h
The most evocative remnant of Galway's medieval city walls — a pair of 16th-century arches built in 1584 to protect the quays where Spanish trading ships unloaded wine and spices. Galway's exceptionally close trading relationship with…
Connemara National Park
Nature · 4.8 rating · about 3 h
Connemara National Park protects 2,957 hectares of blanket bog, heath, mountain and grassland — one of the most hauntingly beautiful landscapes in Europe. The park is a gateway to the Twelve Bens quartzite mountain range. The visitor…
Things to do
- Aran Islands Day Trip from Galway Outdoor · 8 h · from EUR 21 per person
- Connemara Wild Atlantic Way Day Tour Outdoor · 8 h · from EUR 33 per person
Day trips and tours
- Cliffs of Moher, The Burren & Doolin Full-Day Tour 10 h · from EUR 50
Where to stay in Galway
- Latin Quarter & Eyre Square about EUR 120 per night
The very centre of Galway — staying here puts you in the middle of all the music pubs, restaurants, the Hardiman Hotel, Eyre Square and the bus/train station. All the city's attractions are within a 10-minute walk.
- Salthill about EUR 105 per night
Galway's seaside suburb — a 20-minute walk or short bus ride west of the city centre along Galway Bay. The Salthill Promenade, Blackrock diving tower and the city's best seafood restaurants are all here. A quieter,…
Hotels
- Glenlo Abbey Hotel and Estate 5-star · EUR 280 to EUR 650 per night
- Petra House Bed and Breakfast Galway 4-star · EUR 95 to EUR 200 per night
- Devon Lodge Galway 4-star · EUR 95 to EUR 210 per night
- The g Hotel & Spa Galway 5-star · EUR 195 to EUR 600 per night
- Adare Guesthouse Galway 3-star · EUR 95 to EUR 200 per night
- The Stop B and B Galway 3-star · EUR 85 to EUR 180 per night
Where to eat
- McDonagh's Seafood House Galway Seafood, Fish and Chips · about EUR 28 per person
- The Quays Galway Irish, Pub · about EUR 22 per person
- Tig Coili Irish, Pub · about EUR 20 per person
- Tigh Neachtain Irish, Pub · about EUR 24 per person
- Ard Bia at Nimmos Galway Modern Irish, Eclectic · about EUR 42 per person
- The Kings Head Galway Irish, Pub · about EUR 22 per person
- OConnors Famous Pub Salthill Irish, Pub · about EUR 24 per person
- Kai Restaurant Galway Modern Irish, Seafood · about EUR 55 per person
Getting around
- Car Rental Self main way to get around
Seeded from the curated primary_local_modes array; per-city parameters not yet researched.
- Walking
Every city has walking. 2.5 km ceiling is a placeholder default, not a researched per-city figure -- Singapore is sheltered and air-conditioned, Bangkok often has no pavement.
Safety and scams to avoid
Lucky Heather / Distraction Selling
Galway city centre, particularly near Eyre Square
Individuals approach tourists offering lucky heather or trinkets for free, then pressure for payment or engage in distraction techniques while an accomplice pickpockets. Most common in summer tourist season.
How to avoid it: Politely decline and move on. If someone physically accosts you, loudly say No thank you and walk away. Keep bags closed and zipped at all times.