Galway is a treat for your senses, with its streets full of bright colors, lively music, fun shops, and pubs with delicious food and plenty of Irish drinks. You’ll want to wander happily along the cobblestone lanes lined with bright-colored shops and pubs. Linger in the park and enjoy the local blooms. And walk along the waters of Galway Bay, which opens into the Atlantic.
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With a complex history dating back 800 years, this popular Irish city has much to show off to visitors. Immerse yourself in the charm and liveliness of Galway and take home memories that will bring a smile.
Read on for a guide on some of things to see in charming Galway.
The Latin Quarter of Galway
This is the heart of the town and proved to be my favorite area. The Latin Quarter is filled with boutique shops and pubs. It stretches from the Spanish Arch at Long Walk to to O’Brien’s Bridge to St Nicholas’ Church and back. But you won’t really need a map to find it. For locals and visitors alike, the Latin Quarter is where you will want to spend time.
The Latin Quarter thrives when the shops, restaurants, and pubs open for business. Street musicians fill the air with their music. It’s chaotic and fun.
I found that the Latin Quarter also is a perfect place for an early morning walk. Take in the blues of Galway Bay set against the bright green lawns. Walk down the streets without crowds of people and enjoy the color and quiet. Spy a lovely mural. Sit by the water and sip a coffee.
The Spanish Arch
Found near the water in the Latin Quarter, the Spanish Arch is what’s left of the old city walls. It’s notable, but don’t expect anything imposing. As a part of Galway’s history, though, it is iconic and merits a look.
Galway City Museum
The Galway City Museum sits right beside the Spanish Arch. It features Galway’s maritime and medieval story. It’s free, so you can easily pop in even if your time is short.
The Long Walk
The Long Walk is a short promenade where colorful houses line the waterfront and fishing boats bob in the water. It stretches along the River Corrib just before that water meets Galway Bay. To find it, from the Spanish Arch and the Galway City Museum, simply continue on away (west) from busy Quay Street with its shops and restaurants. You will then be on The Long Walk.
Eyre Square (John F. Kennedy Memorial Park)
In the center of bustling Galway you’ll find a lovely park. Eyre Square, officially known as the John F. Kennedy Memorial Park, offers a place to rest just steps from all the activity. This green space originated as a medieval marketplace. It has hosted public speeches, political rallies, and celebrations for centuries.
Look for the memorial to President Kennedy. He visited and gave a speech in the Park in 1963.
Also look for a whimsical statue of Pádraic Ó Conaire, a significant Irish-language writer. The original statue is in the Galway City Museum; a replica decorates the park.
Galway Cathedral
Built in the 1960s, this massive cathedral is more modern than much of the center of Galway. But it boasts a European dome and beautiful mosaics. It offers a quiet place to go when you want to escape the bustle of the streets.
What to see on nearby day trips
Galway is a perfect base for seeing some iconic Irish sights during a day trip. Sometimes a tour of the Republic of Ireland will include these. And other times, you can base yourself in Galway and take day tours from there.
Here are a few ideas for day trips.
The Cliffs of Moher
If you travel to Ireland, you will likely want to fit in a visit to the famous Cliffs of Moher. They are truly breathtaking, these rugged cliffs rising about 700 feet above the Wild Atlantic like a phantom vision.
For safety, I recommend that you go with a tour (a day tour or extended day tour that includes the cliffs). When I visited, rain poured down and I was soaked in a few minutes. The paths above the cliffs can be slippery, especially in a storm. I was thankful for my tour guide, who could advise on which paths to try in the storm for a view through sheets of rain.
The drive from Galway to the Cliffs of Moher takes about an hour and a half. The roads are windy and narrow. (Another reason to book a tour.)
Once there you can explore the paths atop the cliffs. A Visitor Center built into a hillside offers an interactive exhibition about the cliffs, a café, and a gift shop. It also obviously gives a respite from wet weather.
Burren National Park
Near Galway and the Cliffs of Moher, Burren National Park is a unique area of Ireland. After all the green, lush land you’ve traveled through, suddenly you can come across this area of limestone pavements. Slabs of rock were shaped by glaciers and rain. And while the landscape looks barren, it actually is home to flowering plants, grazing sheep and cattle, and farms. Prehistoric sites such as ring forts are here, too.
A visit to the Burren is combined with a visit to the Cliffs of Moher in some day tours from Galway.
For day tours from Galway, top tour companies to check out include:
Where to stay in Galway
I stayed at the Park House Hotel, a pleasant and clean hotel right around the corner from Eyre Square and an easy walk from the Latin Quarter. It’s also right by the train station.
The restaurant and bar serve breakfast, lunch, and dinner. This was a lifesaver, as my husband was ill during our visit and I could zip down and get a bowl of seafood chowder without leaving him alone too long. The breakfast had a varied menu of delicious food, too.
Book your train tickets with Rail Europe for easy and reliable service.
Rail Europe partners with more than 230 train services such as SCNF, DB, and Swiss train lines. So, you can always find the transportation you need for your trip.
Galway was one of those places that immediately grabbed my heart. While I felt I was able to see the main highlights, I would love to go back someday. Not so much to see more, but to walk the quaint streets again, hear music spilling from the pubs, and take in the waterfront views. Galway will leave you wanting to return.
Consider an organized tour
I toured the Republic of Ireland and Northern Ireland with the excellent tour company Essential Ireland Tours. You’ll find a vast array of tour companies in Ireland, so it may help to know this one is amazing for several reasons. The smaller group size (no more than 16 people) meant we enjoyed plenty of conversations and interaction as we explored Ireland.
The guides on our tour grew up in Ireland, are familiar with its history and culture, and kept up a running commentary as we drove. They truly love their country and want to share all its goodness with you.
We were on our own for dinner, which gave us time to explore and choose pubs and restaurants to our liking.
We learned, we laughed, we grew to be a tight-knit little group in just a few days. Your tour guide may even serenade you as you ride along. (Ask for Londonderry Air!).
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