Galway Ireland Travel Guide
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Galway Ireland is an ancient city with a bohemian vibe. The town is revered for its rich Irish heritage, proximity to Ireland’s spectacular west coast, and lively trad-music scene. Our Ireland travel guide provides advice on where to stay, when to go, and the best things to do in Galway Ireland.
People fall in love with Galway’s sweeping waterfronts, cobblestone lanes, vibrant food scene, and frequent festivals. The city is also a great jumping off point for visits to nearby Ireland attractions such as Connemara National Park, Kylemore Abbey, and the Cliffs of Moher.
We hope our Galway Ireland Travel Guide will help you get to know this colorful little city on the Wild Atlantic Way.
IRELAND TRAVEL GUIDE: ABOUT GALWAY
Originally a fishing village, over time the settlement of Galway developed into a thriving port town. In the 1300s, a charter was granted to 14 merchant families who became known as the 14 tribes of Galway. This is how Galway became known as “the city of tribes.”
Today, Galway’s waterfront promenades, Medieval architecture, and pub culture make it a popular travel destination. Many neighborhoods (the Latin Quarter, The Claddagh, and Salthill) have pedestrianized areas – making it a fun town to walk.
So, if you are wondering if Galway is worth visiting, wonder no more. Galway’s historic pubs, colorful shops, buskers, beaches, and boats make this little city shine. Its heritage sites like the Galway Cathedral, City Museum, and Spanish Arch are also draws. Finally, its location near the magnificent Connemara National Park and the Cliffs of Moher add to its worthiness as a part of your itinerary. Don’t overlook this gem.
WHERE IS GALWAY IRELAND
Galway is located in County Galway on Ireland’s western shore. The city lies between the River Corrib and Galway Harbor on the Atlantic Ocean. Galway is about 143 miles (230km) west of Dublin by car.
HOW TO GET TO GALWAY
By Plane
There are no direct flights to Galway. The city is served by three regional airports: Shannon Airport (1 hour drive); Knock Airport (1 hour drive); and Dublin Airport (2.5 hour drive). For information of flights – click here.
By Car
There are car rental centers at each of Galway’s regional airports and from Eyre Square in the Galway City Center. For information on car rentals – click here.
By Train
The Galway train station, Ceannt, is located close to Eyre Square in the Galway City center. Irish rail runs daily service from Dublin. For information on train travel from Dublin to Galway – click here.
HOTELS IN GALWAY IRELAND
We recommend you choose a hotel in the Galway city center to be within walking distance of the Claddagh, Latin Quarter, and West End. In this area, you have access to many full service restaurants and Galway’s trad-music scene. Here are a few well-reviewed hotels to consider:
A boutique 4 star hotel on the waterfront, but only a short walk to Galway City Center. There is a restaurant, bar, and spa onsite. Explore prices at the Harbour Hotel Galway.
Good location on Eyre Square; 3 star hotel with gastropub onsite. Explore prices at the Skeffington Arms Hotel.
In the Claddagh neighborhood between Galway City Center and Salthill Promenade. Luxury rooms with breakfast included. Explore prices at The Frenchville House B&B.
This 4 star historic Victorian Hotel (formerly The Meyrick) sits on Eyre Square. Onsite restaurant and spa. TIP: We stayed here. The rooms were clean, the location was great, and we enjoyed the hotel’s grand old dame ambiance. Explore prices at The Hardiman.
Boutique 4 star hotel in Galway’s Latin Quarter. Restaurant and bar onsite. Close to the river, Galway Harbor and Quay Street. Explore prices at the at the House Hotel.
GALWAY IRELAND MAP
BEST THINGS TO DO IN GALWAY IRELAND
In this section, we organized our list of things to do in Galway into two sections; Galway sightseeing, and Galway day trips. Included are links to popular Galway tours. With unfamiliar driving conditions, sensitive ecology, and a rich local culture; tours can be a relaxed and informative way to take in the sites.
Galway Sightseeing
1. Go on a pub crawl. Be awed by the talented musicians playing traditional Irish music in the taverns of Galway.
2. Head to the Latin Quarter. Find Quay Street and enjoy the medieval buildings, buskers, cobblestones, shopping, and restaurants of this pedestrianized hub. For tours try: Old Town Self-Guided Walking Tour.
3. Lite a candle at the Galway Cathedral (Cathedral of Our Lady of Assumed into Heaven). Take in the stained-glass windows and impressive dome.
4. Stroll through historic Eyre Square. Enjoy the sculptures, green space, markets, and locals roaming about. For tours try: Galway 1.5 Hour Walking Tour.
5. Take a trip to the Galway Museum and Spanish Arch. See exhibits on the middle-ages and the remnants of old city walls.
6. Discover the pedestrianized Salthill Promenade. The coastal walkway is lined with beaches, boats, sea walls, pubs, and shopping.
7. Enjoy a meal of fresh seafood in the Claddagh fishing port. Walk the quays (wharves) and watch the Galway Hooker boats on the bay. For tours try: Sea Kayaking in Roundstone Bay, Galway or Galway: Food and Culture Walking Tour with Tastings.
8. Take a stroll through the University of Galway campus and soak up a younger vibe. Dating back to the 1800s, the university’s quadrangle is always full of life.
9. Shop for a claddagh ring. There are many jewelers in town. Thomas Dillon’s Claddagh on Quay Street is one of the oldest shops specializing in this design in the city.
Galway Day Trips
1. Take a road trip through Connemara National Park. Discover villages, rocky terrain, bogs, and beaches in this stunning natural environment. For tours try: Connemara National Park Day Trip.
2. Book a boat trip to the Aran Islands. On Galway Bay, the islands are known for their Old Irish speaking communities, Celtic ruins, sheep, stonewalls, and tiny villages. For tours try: Aran Islands & Cliffs of Moher Day Cruise, Day Trip to Inisheer with Bike or Bus Tour, or Day Trip Ferry to Inis Oirr (Aran Islands).
3. Walk the Cliffs of Moher. The spectacular sea cliffs run for miles along coastline. For tours try: From Galway - Full Day Cliffs of Moher & Burren Guided Tour
4. Do a bike tour of the Connemara Sky Road. Follow Upper and Lower Sky Road for panoramic views of Clifden Bay and surrounding islands.
5. Spend the day at Ballynahinch Castle. Go fly fishing, take an estate walk, or book a boat tour. Then, have lunch in the castle’s elegant dining room.
6. Discover Kylemore Abbey. Tour the castle and hike the grounds of the 1000 acre estate run by Benedictine nuns. For tours try: Connemara and Kylemore Abbey Bus Tour.
7. Hike Diamond Hill in Connemara National Park for panoramic views of the park.
8. Explore the Burren. The rocky terrain is full of cliffs, caves, and ancient ruins. There is a scenic drive through the park, and many hiking trails. For tours try: Cliffs of Moher, Burren, & Galway City Day Tour.
9. Go to the beach. Explore Gurteen Beach and Dog’s Bay near the village of Roundstone. Enjoy gorgeous white sand beaches.
GALWAY IRELAND WEATHER
Galway has a changeable maritime climate. Day time temperatures in the summer average around 77’ F (25’ C); winter temperatures average around 44’F (6’C). Extreme changes in temperature are rare; rain is frequent.
Summer days are long with about 19 hours of day light; mid-winter days are short with about 8.5 hours. December and January are the wettest months; May and June are the driest. Overall, the weather is unpredictable.
BEST TIME TO VISIT GALWAY
Randy and I think the best time to visit Galway is mid-April until mid-June. In these weeks the foliage is blooming, the weather is warm, the days are lengthening, and businesses are open. September and October are also great months to visit Galway.
TIP: If able, avoid the months of July and August (the busiest travel months of the year).
TIP: Check the Galway calendar of festivals before planning your visit. Festivals can be fun, but can also limit hotel options and increase crowds.
HOW LONG SHOULD YOU STAY
We recommend a 2-3 day visit. A weekend would be enough time to immerse in the pub culture, soak in the music, shop, and explore the city’s heritage sites in the Latin Quarter, Salthill, and Claddagh.
If you are using Galway as a jumping off point to explore the surrounding countryside, add another 3-4 days to the trip. In Connemara, consider day trips to the Sky Road, Diamond Hill, and Kylemore Abbey. Or, take day trips to the Aran Islands, The Burren, and the Cliffs of Moher.
We hope you get a chance to visit the City of Tribes, Laura and Randy
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