Guide to Galway, Ireland

Galway is my favorite city in Ireland. This is where I really fell in love with the country and understood what people mean when they say Ireland feels like home. Galway’s people, landscape, and charm got to me and I didn’t want to leave. See below for my guide to visiting Galway!

Last Updated: September 28, 2024

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TABLE OF CONTENTS

• Things to Do

• Where to Eat

• Where to Drink

• Where to Stay

• Other Tips

• FAQs

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THINGS TO DO IN GALWAY

• EXPLORE THE LATIN QUARTER

  • One of my favorite parts of my time in Galway was roaming the cobblestone streets of the Latin Quarter and experiencing the music, shops, bars, and restaurants. This is where I really fell in love with the city’s energy. Get yourself an Aran sweater, a Claddagh ring, and a pint of Guinness, and fully immerse yourself in the Irish vibes.

The Latin Quarter in Galway, Ireland

• WALK ALONG THE SALTHILL PROMENADE

  • The Salthill Promenade is about a 40-minute walk from Galway’s City Center. This 3km path offers beautiful views of Galway Bay and the Aran Islands.

• RELAX IN EYRE SQUARE

  • Take a break from all of the walking and relax in Eyre Square. Located in the heart of Galway, Eyre Square is a hub for locals. The square is filled with people chatting, reading, or just hanging out during all hours of the day.

• WATCH THE BUSKERS

  • Galway is famous for its buskers that line the streets of the Latin Quarter. Grab a pint and enjoy listening to the up-and-coming musicians.

WHERE TO EAT IN GALWAY

• McDONAGH’S

  • Get the fish and chips at McDonagh’s — I promise you won’t regret it. Everything on the menu is local and incredibly fresh. This casual spot is perfect for a quick yet high-quality meal.

Fish and Chips at McDonaghs in Galway, Ireland

• DOUGH BROS

  • Voted the best pizza in Ireland and 15th in the world, Dough Bros is worth a stop for all pizza lovers. Choose from one of many specialty pizzas and sides. There are even vegan pizzas on the menu.

• HANDSOME BURGER

  • Another award winner in Galway! Handsome Burger has been voted Ireland’s Best Burger. The menu features beef cheeseburgers, chicken sandwiches, and even a few vegetarian options.

WHERE TO DRINK IN GALWAY

• TIG CHÓILÍ

  • Tig Chóilí in the Latin Quarter is famous for its impromptu traditional Irish music sessions. Sit outside on a nice day and enjoy the people-watching, then grab a spot inside once the music starts.

• THE QUAYS

  • Check out The Quays once the sun goes down for a late-night vibe. This high-energy bar offers live music every night from 6 pm on (it’s been awarded Best Live Music Bar several times…I’m starting to think they’re just handing out awards in Ireland!).

• BARR AN CHALADH

  • Barr An Chaladh is filled with friendly locals and a hotspot for any big match on TV. I stopped in for a drink during a heated football match and witnessed the rival fans going at it.

Try a local Connemara beer when you’re in Galway

WHERE TO STAY IN GALWAY

• SAVOY HOSTEL (LOW-BUDGET)

  • My friends and I stayed at the Savoy Hostel for one night and it’s a solid low-budget option. It offers men’s, women’s, and mixed dorms right in the heart of Galway’s City Center.

• WARDS HOTEL (MEDIUM-BUDGET)

  • I stayed in Wards Hotel in Salthill for one night. It’s about a 20-minute walk from Galway’s City Center, but I didn’t mind. This old-school hotel was filled with Irish history and had a small bar filled with locals in the evening.

• GLENLO ABBEY HOTEL (HIGH-BUDGET)

  • The Glenlo Abbey is a 5-star hotel and estate 2 miles from Galway’s City Center for those looking to splurge. It offers a broad selection of rooms and suites at varying price points. Enjoy the 138-acre golf course, the onsite restaurants, and various activities like archery and falconry (?!).

OTHER GALWAY TIPS

• EXPLORE WEST IRELAND

  • Galway is a great home base while exploring the rest of West Ireland. the Cliffs of Moher, the Aran Islands, and Connemara are all accessible from Galway.

    • How to get to the Cliffs of Moher from Galway

      • Guided Tour from Galway to the Cliffs of Moher

    • How to get to the Aran Islands from Galway

    • How to get to Connemara from Galway

      • Guided Tour from Galway to Connemara

GALWAY FAQs

• IS GALWAY KID FRIENDLY?

  • Galway is a safe place for kids, though they might be a bit bored. Most of the draw of the city comes from it’s shopping district, food, drink, and landscape. There aren’t too many activities for younger kids to do.

• IS GALWAY SAFE?

  • I felt incredibly safe in Galway as a solo female traveler! I walked home alone at night with no worries. As always, it’s important to be cautious and aware of your surroundings at all times as you would in any city.