Galway
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Tips
8 places on the map
Walking Tour
- 1
Central 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
- 2
Pedestrian 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
- 3
Fortified medieval townhouse, now a bank
3 tips
- Look for the carved gargoyles
- Free to view from outside
- Photograph from Abbeygate Street
📷 Photos
- 4
Medieval church founded in 1320
3 tips
- Said to have been visited by Columbus
- Market runs beside it on weekends
- Donation for entry
📷 Photos
- 5
Colourful pedestrian street with pubs and cafes
- Tip: At night
3 tips
- Best on a dry evening
- Try a pub with live music
- Close to the Spanish Arch
📷 Photos
- 6
16th-century arch beside the River Corrib
3 tips
- Great spot to sit on sunny days
- Musicians often play here
- Near the city museum
📷 Photos
- 7
Local history and art museum by the Spanish Arch
- Must know: Closed Mondays
2 tips
- Free admission
- Rooftop terrace has harbour views
📷 Photos
- 8
Historic fishing village area where Claddagh rings began
- Tip: Sunset
3 tips
- Walk the quay at sunset
- Swans gather near the water
- Close to the Spanish Arch
📷 Photos
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Before you go: Galway tips
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
1-day itineraries in Galway
Only have a day? Each one keeps you in one area, from morning to late afternoon, with lunch nearby.