MapVivid
Eyre Square and around
A day in Galway · 9:30–17:00 · 5 stops
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mapvivid.com/galway/itineraries/eyre-square-and-aroundA walking day around Eyre Square, Shop Street and Spanish Arch, with a lunch break nearby and Salthill Promenade to end the day.
Every stop on Google Maps: open the list
Morning
9:301Central park and meeting point of the city
- Start of most walking routes
- Near bus and train stations
↓ 8 min walk
10:452Shop Street ↗1 hAt night · Watch your bag
Pedestrian street full of shops, pubs and buskers
- Busiest in the evening
- Good for live music
↓ 2 min walk
11:45316th-century arch beside the River Corrib
- Great spot to sit on sunny days
- Musicians often play here
↓ 2 min walk
12:454Galway City Museum ↗1 h 30 minClosed Mondays
Local history and art museum by the Spanish Arch
- Free admission
- Rooftop terrace has harbour views
Lunch
14:15Lunch break nearby · Find restaurants nearby on Google Maps ↗
↓ 28 min walk
Afternoon
16:005Salthill Promenade ↗1 hSunset
Seafront walk along Galway Bay
- Kick the wall at the end for luck
- Beautiful at sunset
Good to know. Times are a guide for an unhurried pace. Check opening days before you go.
Galway tips
Cultural
- Join a trad session: Traditional Irish music sessions are part of Galway life; listen respectfully and avoid talking loudly over the musicians.
- Learn a little Irish: Galway is the gateway to the Connemara Gaeltacht, where Irish is spoken daily; try saying go raibh maith agat, thank you.
- Try Galway seafood: Galway Bay oysters, smoked salmon and creamy seafood chowder with brown bread are local favourites in Latin Quarter pubs.
Local Hacks
- Kick the wall at Salthill: Locals walk the Salthill Prom to the end and kick the wall by Blackrock Diving Tower, a tradition said to bring good luck.
- Plan around festivals: The Galway International Arts Festival and the Galway Races in summer and the Oyster Festival in September bring crowds, so book early.
- See the Claddagh: The Claddagh, just across the river from the Spanish Arch, is the old fishing village behind the famous Claddagh ring.
Saving
- Enjoy free trad music: Many Galway pubs, such as Tig Coili, host traditional music sessions with no cover charge, so the price of one drink gets you a night of music.
- Walk the Salthill Prom: The seaside promenade at Salthill is free and scenic, with views across Galway Bay to the Burren hills in County Clare.
- Eat at Galway Market: The weekend market beside St Nicholas' Collegiate Church has affordable food stalls, from crepes to curries, perfect for a cheap lunch.
Security
- Respect the Atlantic: Waves on the Connemara coast and the Cliffs of Moher can be dangerous, so stay well back from edges and never turn your back on the sea.
- Watch belongings in pubs: Busy pubs in the Latin Quarter fill up on weekend nights and festival weeks, so keep bags on your lap and phones zipped away.
- Drive carefully on rural roads: Country roads in Connemara are narrow, winding and shared with sheep and cyclists, so slow down and pull in to let others pass.
Transportation
- Walk the centre: Eyre Square, Shop Street, the Latin Quarter and the Spanish Arch sit close together, so central Galway is easy and enjoyable on foot.
- Bus to the west: Bus Eireann and private coaches run from Galway to Connemara and the Cliffs of Moher, a good way to explore if you prefer not to drive.
- Ferry to the Aran Islands: Ferries to Inis Mor leave from Rossaveal, west of Galway, and a connecting shuttle bus runs from the city, so book both together.
Weather/Clothing
- Pack a waterproof jacket: Atlantic rain arrives often in every season in Galway, so bring a hooded waterproof jacket and quick-drying shoes.
- Dress in layers: The weather can switch from sunshine to showers and wind within an hour, so layers are more useful than one heavy coat.
- Expect mild temperatures: Summers are cool with long light evenings and winters are mild but windy, so a warm jumper is useful all year round.
Planned with MapVivid. Opening hours change, so check each place before you go. This day, with the map: mapvivid.com/galway/itineraries/eyre-square-and-around
Day 1 of 19:30–17:005 stops
Eyre Square and around
A walking day around Eyre Square, Shop Street and Spanish Arch, with a lunch break nearby and Salthill Promenade to end the day.
Opens Google Maps with every stop of the day, ready to save to your own list.
Morning
109:30 · 1 hCentral park and meeting point of the city
3 tips
- Start of most walking routes
- Near bus and train stations
- Look for the Browne Doorway
📷 Photos
8 min walk
210:45 · 1 hPedestrian street full of shops, pubs and buskers
- Tip: At night
- Tip: Watch your bag
2 tips
- Busiest in the evening
- Good for live music
📷 Photos
2 min walk
311:45 · 1 h16th-century arch beside the River Corrib
3 tips
- Great spot to sit on sunny days
- Musicians often play here
- Near the city museum
📷 Photos
2 min walk
412:45 · 1 h 30 minLocal history and art museum by the Spanish Arch
- Must know: Closed Mondays
2 tips
- Free admission
- Rooftop terrace has harbour views
📷 Photos
Lunch
Lunch break nearby · 14:15
Find restaurants nearby on Google Maps28 min walk
Afternoon
516:00 · 1 hSeafront walk along Galway Bay
- Tip: Sunset
3 tips
- Kick the wall at the end for luck
- Beautiful at sunset
- Walk or take the bus from the centre
📷 Photos
Take this day with you
Add the stops to your calendar
Times are local time in Galway. Apple Calendar adds every stop at once (Outlook too). Google Calendar adds one event per link.
Times are a guide for an unhurried pace. Check opening days before you go.