Galway Travel Guide: Best Places To Stay, Eat And See

Are you looking for a comprehensive Galway travel guide? 

Galway is a medieval city on Ireland’s western coast, on the banks of the River Corrib. This compact city provides tourists with a taste of all the delights for which Ireland is famous, as well as a plethora of tourist attractions to keep them entertained. As with the rest of Ireland, Galway has an enthralling history.

Richard de Burgo captured Galway from the Gaelic O’Flaherty clan in 1232 and constructed a castle on the river. The town was ruled by an oligarchy of mostly Anglo-Norman families beginning in the 15th century. Cromwell dubbed them the “Tribes of Galway,” a moniker they wore proudly.

Galway flourished as a semi-independent city-state under this oligarchy, located far from Dublin and London but heavily involved in trade with mainland Europe, particularly Spain and France.

When Cromwell’s forces arrived in 1652, the town suffered severe punishment for its allegiance to the English Crown.

Later in the century, the Williamite War accelerated Galway‘s decline, which was influenced by the development of nearby Salthill as a seaside resort, the arrival of railways, the construction of navigable waterways, and the devastation caused by the Great Famine. Galway’s growth resumed in the late 1960s, and the city is now Ireland’s fourth largest.

Galway (Gaillimh) has developed a reputation for its music festivals, bars, and well-preserved Spanish arch and cathedral. It’s a vibrant, fun-loving destination filled with fascinating sights where history and recreation coexist harmoniously.

Are you planning a visit soon? This Galway travel guide is a must-read for anyone interested in learning more about this vibrant city and in planning their trip.

Galway Travel Guide

Best Time To Visit Galway

 

Galway is an excellent destination at any time of year, but the months of July (for the Arts Festival) and September (for the riotous Oyster Festival) are particularly pleasant due to the mild weather. Flights and accommodations can also be cheaper at this time of year if booked far enough in advance.

You’ll get the most out of your daytime activities in June, as it’s the longest day in Galway. Avoid visiting Galway in November, the wettest month of the year, if you want to stay dry.

How To Get Around Galway

 

Galway is best explored on foot due to its medieval arches, alleyways, and cobblestone lanes, which are surrounded by more modern suburbs. Make sure you wear comfortable shoes when you do your very own Galway walking tour.

However, the city also has an excellent  bus system that connects it to destinations such as Salthill and the Galway Bay coastline.

Are you planning a trip here soon? Here’s a quick guide to getting around Galway to ensure you get the most out of your visit.

• • By bus
  • By train
  • By ferry
  • Bike hire
  • Walking

Where To Stay

 

Galway, located on Ireland’s west coast, is one of the best-kept secrets on the Emerald Isle.

There is something for everyone in Ireland’s fourth-largest city, whether it’s a visit to the famous 16th-century Spanish Arch, a pub crawl through Eyre Square, or simply taking in the stunning coastal scenery.

Do you have a trip planned soon? There are a variety of excellent places to stay in Galway to suit every budget and taste. Check out this guide to know more.

Menlo Park Hotel

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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With friendly staff, great breakfast, and comfortable beds, Menlo Park gives great value for your money. If you’re looking for a luxury hotel that’s accessible to Galway’s top tourist spots, you should check out Menlo Park Hotel.

Menlo Park Hotel features stylish and elegant rooms located 15-minutes away from Galway’s city center. Galway Bay, on the other hand, is just 10 minutes away if you want a quick trip to the beach. Fresh foods and an array of wine selection are also served.

 

Snoozles Tourist Hostel

Snoozles Tourist Hostel is one of the top-rated budget hostels in Galway. With their affordable options, you can already enjoy a comfortable bed in their mixed dormitory rooms or you can privately lounge in their budget twin rooms.

If you’re looking for a budget hostel that’s strategically located in the heart of Galway, Snoozles Tourist Hostel should be one of your options. It is located near the Galway Railway Station, Eyre Square, and Galway Shopping Center.

They have private bathrooms in every room with complete basic (non-personal) necessities. The hostel also hosts various activities for guest interaction like karaoke, movie nights, bar crawls and other evening entertainments

 

Sleepzone Hostel Galway City

Looking for a cheap place to sleep while in Galway? Whether you’re in the city for a day or two, Sleepzone Hostel is a great find.

Staff in Sleepzone are very accommodating and friendly. The location is also close to a supermarket and walking distance to pubs, cafes, and restaurants. A lot of guests also enjoyed the hostel’s sumptuous breakfast. There’s also a cheap parking space nearby if you’re renting a car.

 

Where To Eat 

Galway has one of Ireland’s best food scenes. If you like seafood, you’re in luck because the city is known for its seafood dishes.

Since Galway is so close to Ireland’s coast, many seafood restaurants get their fish early in the morning from local fishermen and serve it to you later.

It wouldn’t be a complete Galway vacation if you didn’t try seafood in some form! Here’s our list of some of the best places to eat in Galway.

Ard Bia at Nimmos

This fun and artistic café/ restaurant is perfect for artisan food lovers and food photography lovers.

Serving one of the best menus in Galway is Ard Bia at Nimmos, Ard Bia meaning High Food. Fresh, organic, and local produce are the main ingredients of the restaurant’s best-served dishes.

Their menu ranges from fresh salads, choice Irish plates, toasted sandwiches, burger steaks, and other delectable main courses and desserts.

The Dough Bros, Galway

 

 

 

 

 

 

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Serving one of the most delicious and affordable pizzas around Galway City is the Dough Bros pizzeria.

Both vegetarians and meat lovers will surely rejoice with their wide selection of menu: the Proper Ham & Mushroom, the Hail Caesar, the Irish Margherita (Vegetarian), the Hey Pesto, the Peter Singer, Posh Pepperoni, and Ricotta Be Kiddin’ Me!

All of these are all wood-fired, freshly-cooked, and baked to utter perfection by using the best local ingredients. Celebrate your love for pizza with you, your friends, and family in Galway, Ireland.

John Keogh’s Gastropub

This multiple-award-winning restaurant hosts one of the best food events and parties around Galway City. For the best lunch starters, try the dry-aged rib-eye steak sandwich and their duck spring roll.

The main lunch course offers a wide variety of meals, including their signature Full Pot of Mussels, and John Keogh’s Fish Pie.

Dinner starters include their signature crispy Irish king prawn parcel and their Asian spiced bulger wheat salad. Trying their best main dinner course, the 10Oz Irish Dry Aged Rib Eye Steak, served with a special sauce of your choice.

The merry and homely interior and atmosphere of the restaurant gives you a sense of an eternal Holiday season while having some of the most delectable local dishes served in Galway on your table.

Where To Drink/Party

Galway’s nightlife is thriving. The medieval city is densely packed with pubs and bars, as well as a few nightclubs and some of the country’s best theatres and comedy clubs.

There are numerous options, ranging from a quiet night out with friends to a night out dancing until the wee hours of the morning. Here are some of Galway’s best places to drink and party for a superb might in town.

O’Connells Bar

One of the warmest and most inviting pubs you’ll visit in Galway is O’Connell’s Bar. Located along the banks of river Liffey at the heart of the city, the pub is easily accessible by foot or through the cab.

With its antique theme, including stained glasses, warm lighting, and whiskey displays, staying in this pub is imbibing Irish history at its most fun.

One of the great features is the massive outdoor beer garden and outdoor bars available during the weekends. Spend some time with your friends and enjoy the best outdoor picnic activities that Galway has to offer. 

The Quays

 

 

 

 

 

 

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The unique and antique design of the pub is reminiscent of old taverns of medieval times.

Located in the Latin Quarter, the pub is home to some of the best-crafted beers. And with its inlaid woods, stained glasses, and church pews, visitors will have a jolly time with the locals and enjoy their fresh and handcrafted ales.

The bar and restaurant also offer amazing meals, such as the famous Galway oysters, while enjoying the free live music of the best Irish performers around town.

Taaffes Bar Galway

Serving good, traditional ales around Shop Street in Galway for over 150 years is Taaffes Bar.

The traditional atmosphere of the pub can be felt in all corners of the bar, from the cozy lighting to the timberwork of the chairs and tables.

The finest Guinness and dry stouts are greatly recommended by the locals and visitors alike. A friendly reminder; there are plenty of seats in the pub, but be sure to go in early if you’d like to feel more comfortable in the bar!

Things To Do In Galway 

Galway is a college town on Ireland’s scenic west coast. Despite its small population (fewer than 80,000 inhabitants), there is plenty to see and do.

Galway is an excellent starting point for exploring the region, as it boasts a vibrant nightlife, a youthful vibe courtesy of the university, an impressive city museum, and a charming small-town feel.

This handy Galway travel guide highlights some of the best things to see and do in the city to assist you in planning your visit and making the most of your time.

Learn about Galway’s past in the Galway City Museum

One of the most popular attractions in Ireland, the Galway City Museum is perfect for solo, couple, or group travelers who want to comb a piece of extensive information about Galway’s past.

Galway City Museum, which is located behind the iconic Spanish Arch, has exhibitions that focus on the medieval town, the Claddagh settlement, and Galway’s history from 1800 to 1950. It is one of the top things to do in Galway.

The Museum also displays a range of exhibits from other museums, galleries, and special interest groups, as well as mounting temporary exhibitions.

You can also find a big collection of artifacts and souvenirs from World War I and the Civil/Independence War, Medieval and pre-Medieval era in Galway, and all the way back to its prehistoric times.

The Claddagh, the Spanish Arch, the River Corrib, and Galway Bay can all be seen from the top of the museum building.

Visit the Galway Cathedral

 

Galway Cathedral is one of Galway’s largest and most imposing structures, situated on the west side of the River Corrib near Salmon Weir Bridge. The church plays an important part in the history of Galway City with each stone used in building the cathedral was donated by the locals.

Officially known as the Galway Cathedral of Our Lady Assumed into Heaven and St. Nicholas, it was the last large stone cathedral completed in Europe. The church boasts of an impressive interior, adorned with stunning art that range from wall paintings, statues, mosaics and stained glass.