Galway, Ireland

Galway

A colourful, music-filled city on Galway Bay.

  • All year
  • 1 night
Explore on the map
Nearby hidden places
Cliffs of MoherIreland · Nature spotCliffs of Moher42 kmKillarney National ParkIreland · Nature spotKillarney National Park138 kmKilkennyIreland · Hidden townKilkenny139 kmDingleIreland · Hidden townDingle150 kmCorkIreland · CityCork158 kmGlendaloughIreland · Nature spotGlendalough184 kmDublinIreland · CityDublin186 kmHowth Cliff WalkIreland · Nature spotHowth Cliff Walk199 km

Things to do

2 days in Galway

Day 1

  1. MorningWalk the colourful Latin Quarter and Shop Street, past the buskers.
  2. AfternoonWalk along the Salthill promenade and 'kick the wall' at the end, a local tradition.
  3. EveningHear live traditional music in the pubs of the Latin Quarter.

Day 2

Day-trip to the Aran Islands or the Cliffs of Moher.

What to eat

Galway Bay oysters and a pint of stout.

Local tips

Make the most of Galway

Beat the crowds

Galway is lively all year, especially on summer evenings and during its arts festival in July.

Best photo spot

The colourful houses of the Long Walk by the river, from across the water at Claddagh.

Getting there

Buses and trains from Dublin take about 2.5 hours. The centre is walkable.

Don't miss nearby

Connemara and the Aran Islands, and the Cliffs of Moher about 1.5 hours south.

Good to know

Galway is known for traditional Irish music. Watch out for the weather: it changes fast on the west coast.

Secret spots

1 secret spot near Galway

Our most hidden places around Galway: fewer people, same wow. Unlock them with a route in Google Maps and a PDF guide of Galway to take with you.

68 km away
Unlock the secret spots · €2.99+ VAT · one payment, valid for a year

Plan your visit

Getting to Galway

Getting there

  • Shannon Airport (SNN)65 km away
  • Cork160 km away
  • Dublin185 km away

The centre is best explored on foot. Distances are in a straight line.

At a glance

Best timeAll year
TypeCity
Good forFood, Coast
Getting thereCar or public transport
Stay1 night
CountryIreland

Questions

Galway: good to know

Is Galway worth visiting?

Yes, especially if you like food and the coast. A colourful, music-filled city on Galway Bay.

How many days do you need in Galway?

Plan 1 night. Our free 2-day plan above shows how to spend your time.

When is the best time to visit Galway?

You can visit all year. Galway is lively all year, especially on summer evenings and during its arts festival in July.

How do you get to Galway?

The nearest airport is Shannon Airport (SNN), about 65 km away. Buses and trains from Dublin take about 2.5 hours. The centre is walkable.

What is there to see near Galway?

Nearby hidden places include Cliffs of Moher (42 km), Killarney National Park (138 km) and Kilkenny (139 km).

Day trips from Galway: 5 hidden places nearby
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