- Fly to Shannon or Knock (about 1h15 from the airport) or to Dublin and take a coach for about 2h30
- Stay in or near the Latin Quarter to walk everywhere
- Book rooms well ahead for the Arts Festival and Galway Races in July
- Use Galway as a base for the Aran Islands, Connemara and the Cliffs of Moher
- Airports
- Shannon (SNN), Ireland West Knock (NOC), Dublin (DUB)
- Best time to go
- May-September; July for the Arts Festival
- Type
- City
Galway is the west of Ireland's most sociable city: a compact tangle of lanes where buskers play on Shop Street, trad sessions start in the early evening and students keep the place buzzing year round. It sits on Galway Bay where the River Corrib meets the sea, and it makes a natural base for exploring the Atlantic coast.
For UK visitors it couldn't be much easier. Ireland is on the same time as the UK, uses the same three-pin plugs and drives on the left, and British citizens can travel under the Common Travel Area without a passport, though airlines and ferries ask for photo ID. The main difference is the euro, and prices that are often a little higher than at home. For the wider picture, see our Ireland guide.
Where to stay
- Latin Quarter and Eyre Square – the heart of the city, with pubs, restaurants and the bus and train station within a few minutes' walk. Lively and noisy late at night, especially at weekends.
- The West End and Dominick Street – just across the river, with some of Galway's best cafés, bars and music venues and a slightly more local feel.
- Salthill – the seaside suburb about 30 minutes' walk west along the prom, with larger hotels, sea views and easier parking. Good for families.
- Docks and Woodquay – quieter streets close to the centre, handy if you want to walk in but sleep in peace.
- Outside the city – B&Bs and country house hotels towards Oughterard and Connemara suit drivers who don't need the nightlife.
Things to do
- Latin Quarter and Shop Street – street performers, independent shops and the medieval Lynch's Castle, now a bank.
- Spanish Arch and the Long Walk – a 16th-century arch by the river, and the row of colourful houses on the quay that features on so many postcards.
- Live music – trad sessions run every night in many pubs; arrive early for a seat.
- Galway Cathedral – a grand 20th-century cathedral beside the Salmon Weir Bridge, where you can sometimes see salmon heading upriver.
- Salthill Promenade – walk the prom and, by local tradition, kick the wall at Blackrock diving tower at the end.
- The Aran Islands – ferries from Rossaveel (about 45 minutes' drive or a connecting bus) reach Inis Mór in around 40 minutes; hire a bike to reach the cliff-top fort of Dún Aonghasa.
- Connemara – lakes, mountains and Kylemore Abbey, easily seen on a day tour or drive.
- Cliffs of Moher and the Burren – about 1h30 each way by road, a popular full-day trip.
Galway is also a stop on the Wild Atlantic Way, the long coastal route along Ireland's west coast.
Best time to visit
May to September brings the longest days and mildest weather, usually in the high teens °C, though rain is never far away. July is festival month, with the Galway International Arts Festival followed by the Galway Races at the end of July and start of August, when rooms are scarce and expensive. The oyster festival is held in late September. Winter is wet and windy but the pubs are cosy and hotel rates drop.
Getting there from the UK
Galway no longer has a commercial airport. The nearest are Shannon, about 1h15 by car or coach, and Ireland West Airport Knock, a similar distance, both with direct flights from a handful of UK airports. Dublin has far more choice, with flights of about 1h15 from London, and direct coaches from Dublin Airport to Galway take around 2h30. Trains run from Dublin Heuston to Galway Ceannt in about 2h30.
If you'd rather bring your own car, sail from Holyhead or Liverpool to Dublin and drive across on the M6 motorway in about 2h30.
Getting around
The city centre is small and best explored on foot; parking is limited and traffic can be slow. Local buses run to Salthill and the suburbs. For the Aran Islands, Connemara and the Burren, take a day tour or hire a car. Ireland drives on the left, but rural roads are narrow, so allow more time than distances suggest.
Book Aran Islands ferries the day before and check the forecast; crossings can be cancelled in rough seas.
Top attractions in Galway
Galway on the map
Frequently asked questions
How many days do you need in Galway?
Two days covers the city and its pubs. Allow three or four to add the Aran Islands and Connemara or the Cliffs of Moher.
What is the nearest airport to Galway?
Shannon and Ireland West Knock are both about 1h15 away. Dublin is around 2h30 by coach but usually has more flights and lower fares from the UK.
Do I need a car in Galway?
Not in the city itself. A car is useful for Connemara and the Burren, but good day tours and buses cover the main sights if you'd rather not drive.
Is Galway expensive?
It is cheaper than Dublin but still not a budget destination, especially in July. Expect to pay around €6-7 for a pint and more for rooms on festival and race weeks.
Written by
Emma City breaks & deals editor
Emma plans city breaks the way other people plan the weekly shop: on a budget, with a spreadsheet and a backup plan. She covers city guides and deal-hunting.
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