Galway
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Along the majestic western coast of the Emerald Isle lies Galway. A sleepier city compared to Dublin or Cork, Galway’s magic lies within its calm and serene vibes. Escape to the Arran Islands from here or take a drive to the Burren and then the Cliffs of Moher.
Travel tip #1: Galway is small and fairly walkable, making two days the maximum you’ll need to explore the city itself. However, Galway is also a great travel-base for several days if you’re apt to doing more nature-based activities within the region.
Places of Interest
Salthill Promenade: This coastal area features a beautiful two-kilometer-long promenade, locally known as the Prom. It overlooks gorgeous Galway Bay and is lined with pubs, restaurants, and accommodation options. Spend an hour or two here to escape the stone streets.
Eyre Square: This is the city’s historical location for open markets, but is now a public park where people meet up, congregate, and hang out at all times of the day and night. Pass through here whilst shopping, while on your way to Shop Street, or enjoy a cup of coffee here if it’s not raining too hard.
The Latin Quarter: In the middle ages, Spanish trading ships would come to Galway. Hence, how this area of the city got its name. You’ll definitely spend some time here, whether at the colorful restaurants or pubs, or while popping in and out the shops. Check out the medieval street called Kirwan’s Lane, as well as a pretty spot by the name of Druid Lane.
Spanish Arch: Built in 1584, the Spanish Arch is now a famed area in the city where people meet up and live music can be listened to. It’s also home to the Galway City Museum.
Galway City Museum: A great place to learn about Galway’s history and develop more of an appreciation for the city. The first floor has some beautiful relics and artifacts on display, which are a must-see. Also on display are tons of old photographs that help give a better idea of life in The Claddagh. Admission is free, but you need to reserve a ticket in advance through their website.
The Claddagh: The Claddagh, or “An Cladach” in Irish and meaning “the shore,” is located on the western side of the city. You can watch the famous Galway Hooker boats take off into the sea from here at select times throughout the day. It used to be an ancient fishing village dotted with thatched cottages, populated with people who sailed Galway Hookers and sold their catch at the nearby Spanish Arch.
Saint Nicholas Medieval Church: Saint Nicholas’ Collegiate Church was founded in 1320. It’s the largest medieval parish church in Ireland and is located in the heart of Galway. You’ll find Galway’s Saturday Weekend Market (a must-go!) on the church grounds and expanding from there.
Planet Retro: Cool vintage shop filled with amazing clothes, shoes, and accessories. You could easily spend an hour or more in here sifting through the racks of awesome clothes. The staff are incredibly friendly and helpful, too.
Public Romance: Smaller than Planet Retro but filled with great vintage and thrift-worthy finds. Everything is very clean and well-organized in this little shop. Would definitely pop in here if you’re looking for more trendy pieces.
Charlie Bryne’s Bookshop: If you like books and the smell of bookshops, this is a must-visit shop while in Galway. This independent bookshop is set-up in a maze-like pattern, where you have to weave up, down, and around the shop to find what you’re looking for.
Galway’s Westend: Over the bridge and across the river is the Westend Neighborhood. Not a busy or popular as The Latin Quarter, the Westend does have some cute cafes, great restaurants, and nice pubs.
Travel tip #2: Due to Galway City’s small size, most of these places of interest can be seen within a single day. It is easy to get lost in the stone architecture and culture, though, so budget a two full days to soak it all in.
Places to Eat
Coffee & Cafes
- Espresso 44 – amazing coffee
- Coffeewerk + Press – awesome local artists featured here
- Jungle Cafe – beautiful cafe bursting with foliage
- Urban Grind – in The Westend, good smoothies
- Re Coffee and Design – in Salthill, cute and quirky
Hazel Mountain Chocolate: Irish hand-crafted chocolate made in small batches. The cacao beans are directly sourced from the farmers themselves while the chocolate is created in the Burren Mountains, outside of Galway. Pick-up some edible souvenirs and try their truffles–truly divine!
Éan: One of the best pastry shops I’ve been to. This spot is amazing and usually had a line out the door, which indicates it’s fairly well-loved by locals and visitors alike. They rotate their selection, but do keep a standard few in line. Either eat in or take away–I recommend eating in if you have the time.
Gourmet Tart Co.: With several locations sprinkled throughout the Galway area, the Gourmet Tart Co. bakes everything locally and fresh. They have delicious sweet pastries and tarts filled with tasty jams and preserves, as well as typical savory options.
The Dough Bros: Wood-fired pizza made to order. They have a few different pies to choose from, all of which are quite tasty. All pizzas are served in whole, so no slices available. Call ahead of time to pick-up and eat along the streets while watching some live music or eat-in.
Hooked: Located in the Westend, Hooked serves amazing, quality food for a fair price. They get pretty busy, so it’s advised to make a reservation in advance, especially because the restaurant itself is not very big. Try their seafood chowder on a rainy day–it’ll be sure to warm you up.
Ard Bia: Although I was unable to dine here while in Galway, it was definitely on my list. They don’t take reservations, so you need to line-up and wait your turn to get a table. Their menu integrates lots of local and season offerings into the dishes, making for a wonderful meal.
McDonagh’s: Fish and chips in Galway is a must-eat! Stop in here for a more causal, but quite tasty, helping of fish and chips. Be sure to ask for extra vinegar and salt for the table.
Pubs
- Tigh Neachtain – pronounced “tee-g knock-tin”
- The Dew Drop Inn – small, dark, cozy
- Taafe’s Bar – well-known spot
- 1520 – fun and lively
- The King’s Head – great food selection and drinks
Travel tip #3: Galway is known for its live music scene and street music. (Ed Sheeran used to visit Galway when he was younger!) The pubs have live music, but usually later in the evening.
Transportation and Accommodation
When in Galway, I recommend exploring the city on foot if you are able to. This is the best way to get a feel for the city. Driving really isn’t necessary unless you want to go to Salthill or if you’re doing more nature-based activities outside of the city itself. There is a local bus system that connects main areas, which can be used to get to Salthill from Galway City Center if you don’t feel like walking. Alternatively, taxis can be hailed from the street side or via the app “Free Now” (ride sharing services such as Uber and Lyft do not operate in Ireland).
As in most places in Ireland, accommodation is rather expensive, even during the off-season. Off-season starts around November or so and lasts until March–most of winter in Ireland. There are quite a few hotel options available throughout the city, as well as quaint bed and breakfasts near the ocean. I stayed at Snoozles Hostel on Forster Street, nearby Eyre Square, and felt it did the job.
Travel tip #4: As of 2021, housing in Galway is a huge issue. While visiting the city, I spoke with several locals who elaborated on the depth of the problem. I even spoke with numerous students who were living in hostels. That being said, book your accommodation well in advance if possible.
Climate
As Galway is on the west coast of Ireland, the city receives a lot of rain throughout the year, on average 220 days will have rainfall. That’s more than Dublin, and it definitely shows when you’re visiting. Temperatures don’t fluctuate too much, but the wind can be quite bad. It’s best to dress in layers, bring a waterproof jacket, and wear a good pair of shoes–even in the summer!
The best time to visit would be in the summer months. However, accommodation prices are higher and places are much busier. For smaller crowds, try visiting in April and October. These months see fewer tourists and still have a good amount of sunshine with comfortable temperatures. Winter temperatures aren’t terrible in Galway, but the air is damp and the sun sets around 3:30 pm.