Galway’s superb area on the western shore of Ireland is among the primary factors for the city’s appeal with site visitors. With very easy accessibility to the very best coastlines and all-natural spots of Ireland, the checklist of points to do in Galway is neverending.
I’ve handled to tighten it to 22 of the very best destinations in and near the Irish city. From historical spots in the heart of community to amazing all-natural destinations simply outside the city, this checklist covers whatever of rate of interest in Galway.
Whether you’re wanting to find Irish society and tales or invest your journey discovering Ireland’s most beautiful landscapes, Galway supplies. And it doesn’t matter if you’re in community for a number of days or a number of weeks since there’s no chance you might be tired below!
Best of Galway, Ireland Quick Guide
Must See: Galway Cathedral, Saint Nicholas Collegiate Church, Lough Corrib, Salthill Promenade, Quay Street, Eyre Square Where To Stay: Woodquay Hostel, The Hardiman, Glenlo Abbey Hotel & Estate – where we remained Fun To Do: Wild Atlantic Way Road Trip, Pub creep, Galway Races, Connemara National Park Day Trips: Aran Islands, Dog’s Bay, Cliffs of Moher Must-Try Foods: Irish stew, soft drink bread, fish and shellfish, Colcannon, Barmbrack.
Best Things to Do In Galway, Ireland
Fabulous coastlines, enchanting Irish castles, and charming old community structures are several of the important things that will certainly charm you in Galway. I’ve covered all the city’s best-known spots and destinations, along with all the amazing locations worth checking out that are just a brief repel from the port city.
1. Walking Tour of Galway Old Town
A strolling scenic tour of the old community of Galway is the very best means of obtaining familiarized with the Irish city. Discover the middle ages structures, see the vivid store fronts in the rock streets, and attempt to find as numerous sculptures as you can along the road.
Guided strolling trips of middle ages Galway are terrific for novice site visitors since you can discover a whole lot regarding the city’s abundant background. Local overviews will certainly inform you regarding the stories and tales of Galway while taking you to all the very best areas in the city.
A self-guided scenic tour is likewise an excellent way to see the city. You can strike all the primary areas, and if you check out the neighborhood background, it will certainly be practically as if you were assisted about by an expert. The Latin Quarter, Lynch’s Castle, Eyre Square, Quay Street, Shop Street, and Galway Cathedral are views not to miss out on in Galway Old Town.
Practical Information: Walking trips of Galway take in between 1 and 3 hours.
2. Excursion To Aran Islands
Aran Islands are a team of 3 sedimentary rock islands simply off the west shore of Ireland. They’re conveniently available by ferryboats from Galway County, and also by breathtaking helicopter trips from Connemore International Airport.
Traveling to the Aran Islands won’t be a breeze if you need to count on buses to obtain you about, and I would certainly advise setting up a led scenic tour if you remain in this circumstance. We mosted likely to the Aran Islands by airplane, which is the fastest and simplest. But you can take a ferryboat also.
Inishmore is the biggest of the 3 islands, and because of this is home to one of the most old damages and the very best remarkable landscapes. Dun Aengus gets on this island, the ancient damages that neglect the Atlantic Ocean and which worked as among the shooting places for the Banshees of Inisherin movie.
Practical Information: A ferryboat from Galway City to Inishmore takes around 90 mins. One-means tickets for grownups are €35.
3. Tour Galway Cathedral
Galway Cathedral is among the city’s most enforcing structures and a deserving quit on any kind of city scenic tour. It’s located on Nuns Island in the River Corrib, simply northwest of Galway’s historical centre. The huge structure controls the north component of the river island. As it should, considering that it is among one of the most crucial spots in the whole city.
The basilica’s inside is much more grand than its outside. With magnificent discolored glass home windows, luxuriant ceilings, and stunning paints and sculptures on the wall surfaces, it’s very easy to see why this is one of the most crucial spiritual structure in the Irish city. There’s also a mosaic of John F. Kennedy, that saw Galway momentarily regarding 5 months prior to his murder.
Practical Information: Galway Cathedral is open daily from 8:30 AM up until 7-9 PM relying on the day. Entrance to the church is cost-free.
4. See The Lynch Memorial Window
Legend has it that James Lynch fitz Stephen, the mayor of Galway in the late 15th century, hanged his boy from a home window in his residence. Supposedly, the boy had actually eliminated a Spanish soldier, and when the mayor found out about this, he hung him from the home window.
There is little to no proof to sustain this tale, yet it’s one of the best-known stories of Galway. The Lynch Memorial Window, which was revealed at a home on Lombard Street where the murder happened, works as a pointer of the story.
The rocks were shown at Dublin’s Great Industrial Exhibition in the mid-19th century, and after they were transferred to their existing area at the limit wall surface of St. Nicholas Collegiate Church.
Practical Information: The Lynch Memorial Window is a cost-free tourist attraction to go to at any moment.
5. Day Trip to Connemara National Park
Spanning a location of 7,000 acres, Connemara National Park is the very best location for all exterior enthusiasts in Galway. With treking courses, panoramas, hills, and wild animals, this is without a doubt the very best location for nature expeditions near to Galway. And if you have a cars and truck in Ireland, it will certainly take you much less than 90 mins to get to the national forest.
Connemara is preferred for birdwatching, mainly due to its puffin populace. Their reproducing period is from March to August and it uses the very best opportunities to see the cute animals.
The national forest has some unbelievable walkings and you can pick from a range of routes varying in trouble from very easy to very tough. Kylemore Abbey is among the national forest’s finest historical structures, providing cost-free trips of its Victorian yards.
Practical Information: Connemara National Park is around an hour and a fifty percent from Galway by auto, yet almost 4 hours away by public transportation.
6. See The Ruins of Merlin Castle
The eastern side of Galway City is home to the Merlin Castle damages. The tower remains in a huge park, which uses a myriad of magnificently designed strolling routes. And although the castle tower is the emphasize of the park, the experience of locating it while discouraging via the park’s strolling courses is equally as fantastic.
Come below to find the all-natural appeal of Irish landscapes, and wander around the large timbers so near to the city. Merlin Castle itself is not an unbelievable tourist attraction, yet the view of the historical site is fulfilling after a number of hours of wandering around the woodland courses.
Practical Information: Merlin Castle comes in around 40 mins by bus from Galway city centre.
7. An Evening At The Pub
Spend a night paying attention to typical Irish songs while drinking on a pint or 2 of Guinness. It’s virtually an initiation rite in Galway and an excellent means in conclusion a day loaded with expedition of the city’s background and all-natural appeal.
Pub society allows in Ireland, so you still reach join tasks typical in the city. Quay Street houses several of the very best and earliest clubs in Galway, and it’s an excellent location for an enjoyable evening out.
Practical Information: Many clubs in Galway are open up until 2 AM.
8. Sunset Walk Down Salthill Promenade
Salthill Promenade is a seaside strolling course in Galway Bay. With fascinating sights of the sea on one side and Galway on the various other, it’s one of the city’s most charming locations. And with a lot of chances for detours, amusement is plentiful along the road.
Funfair and Leisureland are both contrary Palmers Beach on the Salthill Promenade. Leisureland has a mini-golf training course and an interior swimming pool, yet Funfair uses amusement park adventures. A Ferris Wheel experience with panoramas is the excellent detour throughout strolls on Salthill Promenade.
Practical Information: It takes around 45 mins to stroll the whole Salthill Promenade, from Claddagh Quay to the Blackrock diving tower.
9. Walk Under The Spanish Arch
The Spanish Arch is a historic city site located beside the Galway City Museum. The arc was included onto the 16th-century city wall surfaces in the 18th century, and it’s one of just 2 staying arcs of Galway’s Front Wall.
Although the Spanish Arch stays an essential historical site in the city, there’s very little else to do below besides stroll under the arc and possibly check out the quayside boardwalk. The Galway City Museum was housed inside a component of the Arch for some time, yet it was transferred to a different structure back in 2006.
Practical Information: The Spanish Arch comes by public transportation at any moment of the day, absolutely free.
10. Explore Saint Nicholas Collegiate Church
Saint Nicholas’ Collegiate Church is the biggest middle ages parish church still in operation in Ireland. The church is renowned for a neighborhood tale, which specifies that Christopher Columbus venerated there throughout his see to Galway in the 15th century.
Anyone can see this church for a little entry charge. Go inside to see the magnificent discolored glass home windows and lovely art work. Also, the church establishes a farmer’s market every Saturday, which is an excellent chance to acquire some neighborhood keepsakes to take home.
Practical Information: Saint Nicholas’ Collegiate Church is open from 10 AM up until 4 PM. The entry charge is €5 or €4.
11. Visit Galway City Museum
Galway City Museum is the very best location in the area to discover the background and custom of this Irish city. The gallery shows inform the tale of Galway from ancient to contemporary times, with an unique exhibition on the city’s background throughout World War I.
Another component of the gallery’s collection is devoted to Pádraic Ó Conaire. The Irish author was birthed in Galway and his unique Deoraíocht is well-known as the earliest item of contemporary fiction in Irish.
Come to this gallery to discover crucial city occasions, significant individuals, and the lives of residents via the ages. What’s most outstanding is that there’s no entry charge for the Museum, yet site visitors are urged to leave a little contribution (no greater than €5) if they delight in the exhibition.
Practical Information: Galway City Museum is open from 10 AM to 5 PM, Tuesday to Thursday. It’s cost-free to get in.
12. Cross The Mutton Island Causeway
The Mutton Island Causeway attaches landmass Galway with Mutton Island in the Atlantic Ocean. You can’t in fact make it onto Mutton Island since there’s a secured entrance at the end of the embankment, yet the sights along the road are definitely worth the stroll. Especially in great climate.
Mutton Island is home to Galway’s sewer therapy plant, which is among the reasons that it’s out-of-bounds to the public. But the embankment is still incredibly popular for strolling, biking, and also propositions and days!
Practical Information: Walking the Mutton Island Causeway can be done at any moment, absolutely free.
13. Stroll Down Quay Street
Quay Street extends via the Latin Quarter in Galway’s historical centre and it’s one of one of the most crucial roads in the city. Lined with dining establishments and clubs on either side, it’s the very best location in Galway for purchasing, beverages, and people-watching.
Any scenic tour of Galway’s old community will certainly take you via Quay St., yet it’s an area you must go to greater than when. Come below in the evening for a kicked back night at an Irish club, or in the mid-day to see the road entertainers and find the road art on the middle ages structures.
Quay Street develops into High Street, which develops into Shop Street, which after that ends up being William Street leading onto Eyre Square. Walking the whole size of this cobbled road is a need to and among the highlights of journeys to Galway.
Practical Information: It comes at any moment absolutely free.
14. Excursion to Cliffs of Moher
Cliffs of Moher is among one of the most renowned all-natural spots on Ireland’s west shore. Together with Burren, both spots create the Burren & Cliffs of Moher UNESCO Global Geopark, which covers a location of greater than 530 square kilometers.
Come below to appreciate several of Ireland’s most awesome surroundings. On clear days you can delight in sights of Aran Islands distant. Walking courses in the location enable you to experience numerous viewpoints on the Cliffs of Moher, yet the perspective near O’Brien’s Tower is among the very best.
I advise incorporating this see with the journey to the Aran Islands since the ferryboat at Doolin Pier is just a 15-minute drive from the UNESCO website. This very ranked journey from Galway takes you to the Cliffs of Moher and the Burren which is an awesome location in Ireland.
Practical Information: Cliffs of Moher are 90 mins by auto or 2 and a fifty percent hours by bus from Galway.
15. Attend Galway Races
Galway Races are one of the most preferred occasions in the whole County Galway in the summertime. Galway’s Ballybrit Racecourse is home to the lengthiest horse-racing event in Ireland, which begins on the last Monday of July.
This is a famous occasion in the city, which draws in as numerous outsiders as it does residents from Galway. Wednesdays and Thursdays are especially active days at the track; Wednesday for the Galway Plate, and Thursday since it’s Ladies’ Day.
Practical Information: The Races come in 45 mins by public transportation from the city centre.
16. Christmas at Eyre Square
Visiting Galway in the wintertime enables you to experience the Galway Christmas Market. The primary location for the occasion is established at Eyre Square in the city centre, changing the Irish city right into a wintertime paradise.
William Street to Quay Street is enhanced throughout, showing up much more enchanting than it normally does. Christmas is absolutely an unique time in Galway, and checking out the city throughout the vacations uses a unique point of view on neighborhood customs, one which will certainly make you intend to come below every complying with December.
Practical Information: Eyre Square goes to the facility of Galway’s old community, easily accessible by strolling courses and public transportation.
17. Wild Atlantic Way Road Trip
Wild Atlantic Way is among the globe’s lengthiest seaside journey. Stretching from the Inishowen Peninsula right to Kinsale in Cork County, the legendary path complies with the totality of Ireland’s western shore. If you’re remaining in the nation for some time and Galway is simply among the locations you’re checking out, finding also an area of this path is an impressive experience.
Towering high cliffs, unbelievable coastlines, and lighthouses are several of the leading views of Ireland’s finest journey. Galway goes to the middle of the path with very easy accessibility to several of the leading views along Cliff Coast. Read extra: Where to Stay on the Wild Atlantic Way
Practical Information: Wild Atlantic Way is a trip path 1600 miles (2600 kilometres) long. It’s split right into 14 phases, and phases 8 and 9 can be done from Galway. Compare auto service costs below.
18. History Lesson at Dunguaire Castle
Set on the rough coasts of Galway Bay, Dunguaire Castle is a historical structure in Kinvarra. The O’Hynes clan got the building and construction of the castle in the 16th century, and it made up a protective wall surface and a tower.
The tower and the wall surface have actually considering that been rebuilded and open up to the general public. Dunguaire Castle is open for check outs in the summertime, and it’s also feasible to participate in a reception supper inside the castle. It’s a remarkable means of experiencing this Irish historical site with its attractive environments.
Practical Information: Dunguaire Castle comes by bus (60 mins) and watercraft (thirty minutes) from Galway. Tickets begin at 6€ for grownups.
19. Sail on Lough Corrib
Lough Corrib is the biggest lake in the Republic of Ireland. The southerly coast of the lake is really near to Galway and conveniently available by strolling courses from the community. In the summertime, it’s also feasible to schedule a river cruise ship from Galway to the lake.
But the top components of the lake are much more enjoyable, which is why I advise taking place appropriate trips of Lough Corrib. See the castles on the north lake coast, watercraft to the island with a holy place, and go to among the rider facilities for horseback riding on the coast.
Practical Information: Public transportation from Galway to Lough Corrib is restricted. Driving is the very best and quickest setting of traveling.
20. Swim at Dog’s Bay
Dog’s Bay is among Ireland’s finest coastlines and it’s just an hour and a fifty percent outdoors Galway. The horseshoe-shaped coastline is understood for excellent white sand and a tranquil sea. It’s ideal for swimming, and a prominent area for some water enjoyable in the summertime. Because there are no large waves below, Dog’s Bay is terrific for youngsters and novices at swimming.
The coastline is most conveniently available by vehicles and trips from Galway due to minimal public transportation accessibility, so it’s hardly ever really crowded. And smaller sized coastlines in the location come using treking courses, where you can have a whole piece of heaven all to on your own.
Practical Information: Dog’s Bay is a 90-minute drive from Galway. The closest bus quit goes to Ballinafad, a 20-minute drive from Dog’s Bay.
21. Tour Glengowla Mines
Just thirty minutes northwest of Galway you’ll discover the Glengowla Mines. The deserted silver and lead mines get on a ranch, and open up to the general public for trips in the summertime. A tiny gallery with mining devices is likewise offered on-site.
This is among one of the most fascinating expeditions to be done from Galway. In enhancement to the strolling trips of deserted mines, site visitors to the household ranch can likewise witness demos of typical Irish lawn cutting and lamb herding.
Practical Information: Glengowla Mines come by auto and bus from Galway.
22. Marvel at Menlo Castle
Menlo Castle is a 10-minute drive from Galway town hall and among the very best neighboring historical spots. The riverfront castle damages are covered with ivy in excellent natural environments. If you ever before seem like you require to leave the city groups, Menlo Castle is an excellent location for a break.
Pack a barbecue basket and come below for a kicked back mid-day in lavish plant. Enjoy the audios of the hurrying river and tweeting birds, while appreciating the 16th-century castle and its ivy-covered wall surfaces.
Insider Tip: Feel cost-free to leap the fencing to obtain closer to the castle if you desire, everybody does it.
Practical Information: Menlo Castle comes by auto and bus from Galway City.
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTION
Is Galway Worth Visiting in Ireland?
Yes, Galway deserves checking out in Ireland. The middle ages city uses historical spots, an abundant background, and several of the very best surroundings on the western shore of Ireland.
What is Galway in Ireland Famous For?
Galway is renowned for its vibrant night life, superb society, and magnificent landscapes. With very easy accessibility to the Cliffs of Moher and the Aran Islands, Galway is the entrance to several of Ireland’s most beautiful nature.
How Many Days in Galway is Enough?
Three days must suffice for Galway. It’s adequate time to see all the leading views in the city and make a fast excursion to the neighboring spots.
Why is Galway City so Popular?
Galway City is preferred for its distinct society and superb area on the western shore of Ireland. Some of the nation’s best-known views are most conveniently available from Galway.
Tips and Information For Visiting Galway
Best Time To Visit
Any time of the year is a great time ahead to Galway. Summer is the very best period for cozy climate and the Galway Races, yet wintertime is most enchanting many thanks to the Galway Christmas Market and snow-covered charming landscapes.
Spring and fall are both just as terrific for light (yet damp) climate and less travelers. Early loss is a great time for cozy climate, the Galway races, and magnificent autumnal landscapes.
Getting There
As it presently stands, flying to Dublin and after that taking a bus to Galway is the very best choice. There are 4 primary airport terminals in Ireland, and the one in Dublin has one of the most worldwide links, so opportunities are you’ll land there. A bus will certainly take you from Dublin Airport to Galway in around 2 and a fifty percent hours.
Trains range from Dublin just and are a choice just if you prepare to remain in the resources city for a day or 2. Additionally, Shannon Airport northwest of Limerick is closer to Galway, yet it’s serviced just by Ryanair and Aer Lingus.
Getting Around
The finest means to navigate Ireland is by auto. You can contrast treatment rental costs below. Ireland has a good train network, yet it’s not that practical for discovering Galway and its environments. It’s not a huge city and much of it is walkable, with buses to take you to the destinations outside the town hall.
However, if you intend to take place field trip and check out even more of Ireland’s west shore, renting out a cars and truck is the very best remedy. Sure, arranged trips to neighboring destinations are constantly a choice, yet driving is much better for discovering at your recommended speed and having the supreme liberty.
How Much Time Do You Need
How much time you require for Galway depends substantially on what you intend to do. If you intend to go to the city spots and do a couple of field trip, 3 days is a lot of time.
On the various other hand, if you intend to check out even more of the west shore of Ireland and potentially also attempt to adhere to the course of the Wild Atlantic Way journey, you can remain in Ireland for 2 weeks or even more. Five to 7 days is the wonderful area for seeing the very best of Galway and finding all the very best views on the western shore of Ireland.
Where To Stay In Galway
Stay in Galway town hall for very easy strolling accessibility to every one of the city’s finest spots. For a much longer remain in the city and accessibility to various other locations of Galway County, think about remaining on the coast of Lough Corrib or perhaps better to Connemara National Park.
Some of the very best resorts in Galway for all spending plans are:
Woodquay Hostel is a budget plan hostel near to the old community of Galway. The Hardiman is a sleek 4-star resort embeded in a 19th-century structure on Eyre Square. Glenlo Abbey Hotel & Estate is a premium resort in an 18th-century abbey, closer to Lough Corrib than the Galway town hall. We remained at this resort and it was merely magnificent.
So, there you have it. All the info you require to prepare a journey to Galway in Ireland. This is absolutely an enchanting location that can be a holiday by itself or on a much more substantial Ireland journey.
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