Galway is one of the great small cities in Europe and the one that made us fall in love with Ireland. We visited first a few years before our honeymoon and came back for our honeymoon specifically because Galway stuck with us that strongly. The things to do in Galway are the full Irish package — traditional sessions in packed pubs, one of the most beautiful coastal walks in the country, the Cliffs of Moher on your doorstep, and a morning waterfront walk that became one of our favourite daily rituals of any trip we have ever taken. Every morning in Galway we walked along the water toward Salthill to clear our heads and watched local rugby practices and matches happening along the waterfront. It is the kind of simple ritual that turns a city into a place you genuinely love.
HOW TO GET TO GALWAY
Galway is best reached by bus from Dublin — the Citylink and Bus Éireann coaches take about 2.5 to 3.5 hours and run frequently. There is no direct rail service from Dublin to Galway city centre. By car from Dublin the drive takes about 2.5 hours via the M6 motorway. Ireland West Airport Knock is about an hour north of Galway and has connections to London and some European cities.
Pro Tip: Grab an eSIM before you travel. Saily is our go-to — use code THEJETLAGJOURNEY25 for 25% off. Airalo is a great alternative (code JLJ10 for 10% off).
WHERE TO STAY IN GALWAY
Stay in the city centre — Galway is compact and walkable and staying centrally puts you within minutes of the best pubs, restaurants, and the waterfront. The Latin Quarter and Quay Street area is the most atmospheric part of the city. Salthill, 2km from the centre along the waterfront, is a good option if you want to be closer to the seafront and slightly removed from the late-night noise.
Mid-range: The g Hotel on Wellpark is one of the best hotels in Galway. Hotel Meyrick in the city centre is a beautiful Victorian railway hotel.
Budget: Snoozles Tourist Hostel and Kinlay Hostel in the city centre are both well-run options close to everything.
BEST THINGS TO DO IN GALWAY
Walk the Salthill Promenade — the waterfront walk from the city centre out to Salthill and back along Galway Bay is one of the great morning or evening walks in Ireland. We did it every morning during both of our visits to Galway — it became a ritual we looked forward to. The light on the bay in the morning and evening is something you will not forget. Along the waterfront you will often find local rugby clubs training and playing matches — watching a session on the water’s edge with the bay behind it is an unexpectedly wonderful thing.
Traditional Music Sessions — Galway has one of the strongest traditional music scenes in Ireland. Sessions happen every night in the pubs along Quay Street and Shop Street — a group of musicians sitting in a corner, playing Irish folk music informally, with no stage or PA system. It is one of the great live music experiences in the world and it costs nothing to walk in and listen. Sit near the musicians, order a Guinness, and stay as long as you like.
Explore the Latin Quarter — the medieval heart of Galway around Quay Street, Kirwan’s Lane, and Shop Street is full of independent shops, street performers, good restaurants, and the best pub frontages in the city. Get lost in it on a morning walk before the afternoon crowds arrive.
Spanish Arch — the 16th century arch on the waterfront near the mouth of the River Corrib is one of Galway’s most historic landmarks and a popular gathering spot on warm afternoons. The Galway City Museum next door is free and worth an hour.
Saturday Market at St Nicholas’ Church — one of the best weekly markets in Ireland. Fresh produce, street food, crafts, and flowers in the shadow of a 14th century church. Go hungry.
DAY TRIPS FROM GALWAY
Cliffs of Moher — about an hour from Galway by bus or car, the cliffs rise 214 metres above the Atlantic and are one of the most dramatic natural sights in Ireland. Walk south from the main visitor centre for the best views. Book the day trip bus in advance.
Aran Islands — take the ferry from Rossaveel (40 minutes from Galway by bus) to Inis Mór for a day in an Irish-speaking island community with prehistoric stone forts and extraordinary coastal scenery. Rent a bike and cycle to Dún Aonghasa — the cliff-top fort is spectacular. Allow a full day.
Connemara — the wild bogland and mountain landscape west of Galway is some of the most dramatic scenery in Ireland. Best explored by car — the road through Clifden and along the coast is outstanding.
WHERE TO EAT IN GALWAY
Ard Bia at Nimmos — one of the most beloved restaurants in Galway, in a stone building on the waterfront near the Spanish Arch. Seasonal Irish cooking, excellent brunch, and a wonderful atmosphere.
Dela Restaurant — a brilliant brunch spot on Middle Street with a menu built around local and seasonal Irish produce. One of the best breakfasts in Galway.
McDonagh’s — the most famous fish and chip shop in Galway, open since 1902. The fresh fish here is outstanding. Queue at the takeaway counter and eat on the waterfront.
BEST PUBS IN GALWAY
Tigh Coili — one of the best traditional music pubs in Galway with sessions twice daily. Small, packed, and completely authentic.
The Crane Bar — a two-storey pub in the Westside neighbourhood with one of the strongest traditional sessions in the city upstairs most nights. A genuine local favourite.
Taaffes Bar — on Shop Street with live music most nights and a great atmosphere. One of the most reliably enjoyable pubs on the main tourist trail.
The Quays — a large, lively pub on Quay Street with music every night. Good for a big session with a group.
ETIAS — WHAT AMERICAN TRAVELERS NEED TO KNOW
Ireland is in the EU but not part of the Schengen Area, so ETIAS does not apply to Galway or anywhere in the Republic of Ireland. Americans currently enter Ireland visa-free. For trips combining Ireland with mainland Europe, read our complete ETIAS guide for the European requirements.
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS ABOUT THINGS TO DO IN GALWAY
How many days do you need in Galway?
Two to three days is ideal for things to do in Galway. That gives you time for the city itself, the Salthill walk, a traditional session or two, and at least one of the big day trips — Cliffs of Moher or Aran Islands. Pair Galway with Dublin for the full Ireland experience — read our 7 day Ireland itinerary for the route we followed on our honeymoon.
What is a traditional music session?
A session (seisiún) is an informal gathering of musicians playing Irish traditional music in a pub. There is no stage — musicians sit in a corner with fiddles, tin whistles, uilleann pipes, and bodhrán drums, playing together for their own enjoyment as much as for the audience. It is one of the most uniquely Irish experiences you can have and the pubs in Galway are among the best places in Ireland to find one.
Are the Cliffs of Moher worth visiting from Galway?
Absolutely — they are one of the most dramatic natural sights in Europe and very accessible from Galway. Book the day trip bus in advance as it fills up fast in summer. Allow at least three hours at the cliffs to walk the full path.
What is the Salthill Promenade?
A 2km waterfront walk along Galway Bay from the city centre to the seaside suburb of Salthill. It is the most popular walk in Galway and the place locals go every morning and evening. The tradition at the end of the prom is to kick the wall at Blackrock diving board — one of those local rituals that becomes strangely meaningful once you know about it.
MORE FROM THE JET LAG JOURNEY
Combining Galway with Dublin? Read our complete Dublin city guide and our 7 day Ireland itinerary. For planning your full European trip, our guide to how to plan a trip to Europe covers everything. And for more budget travel tips, read our 40 ways to travel cheaper.
