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<\/p>\nThe quaint city of Galway is located on the west coast of Ireland. It is known for its pub culture, stunning coastline, and friendly locals. The seaside city is an Irish gem, just a two-and-a-half-hour train from Dublin; it is definitely worth a visit.<\/p>\n
Galway is a beautiful harbor city located where the River Corrib flows into the Atlantic Ocean. The city’s central point is the 18th-century Eyre Square, with traditional pubs and shops that often offer live Irish folk music. The winding lanes of the Latin Quarter, which still have some parts of the medieval city walls, are home to stone-clad cafes, art galleries, and boutiques.<\/p>\n
While there is plenty to do in the city, Galway is near some of the best destinations in Ireland (the Cliffs of Moher, Ballyvaughan, and many historic castles). So Galway is the perfect home base for exploring more of the West Coast of Ireland. Here’s my guide to Galway (your hub for exploring the best of Ireland), with everything you need to know to have a great stay here.<\/p>\n
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Galway is a small city, so in terms of the best areas to stay, you really can’t go wrong. I have organized the best places to stay into luxury, mid-range, and budget Galway hotels. I found that Ireland, in general, was more expensive than expected. The prices are similar to those in the United States.<\/p>\n
I have organized these hotels into luxury, mid-range, and budget hotels so you can find exactly what you are looking for.<\/p>\n
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Galway offers a great number of fun tours for exploring the area, visiting islands and walking city tours. Here are some great options:<\/span><\/p>\n Eyre Square is in the heart of the city and is a great starting point for exploring Galway. There are plenty of shops and restaurants to explore in Eyre Square. Make sure to check out the indoor shopping mall, which offers tons of local shops and Irish brands that you can’t find anywhere else in the world.<\/p>\n Galway’s Latin Quarter is one of my favorite parts of the city. The historic Quay Street is home to family shops, pubs, bars, coffee shops, and boutiques. Enjoy a nice stroll on the cobblestone street, and don’t forget to admire the postcard-worthy architecture and flags.<\/p>\n My favorite shops in the Latin Quarter are the Aran Sweater Market<\/a> and Designs Of Ireland<\/a>, which are perfect if you are looking to pick up an Irish wool sweater.<\/p>\n The Galway Cathedral cannot be missed while in Galway. The Gothic Cathedral was built in 1958 and is one of Galway’s most impressive buildings. Located on River Corrib, The Galway Cathedral was the last church built in Ireland with stone.<\/p>\n Entrance to the Galway Cathedral is free, but they have a donation box, so bring cash.<\/p>\n With an estimated 100,000 books, Byrnes Bookshop has a book for everything. I spent over two hours combing through every genre; I truly lost track of time at Byrne’s Bookshop. This independent bookshop in the Galway Latin Quarter is an amazing place to visit, especially if you are a fellow bookworm. Read more about Charlie Byrne’s Bookshop here.<\/a><\/p>\n The Long Walk is a stunning walk in Galway to the water and the famous Galway houses. It is super short and starts at the historic Spanish Arch, which dates back to medieval times.<\/p>\n If you continue walking past the Galway houses, you will come across Salthill, a residential neighborhood offering views of Galway Bay.<\/p>\n Mutton Island is situated in Galway Bay, and even though it is an island, it is super easy to get to. There is a pedestrian-only bridge connecting Mutton Island to the mainland. It takes me about thirty minutes to walk to the island from the center of Galway.<\/p>\n While on Mutton Island, you will be able to enjoy views of Galway City and the Mutton Island Lighthouse.<\/p>\n Dunguaire Castle is located just outside of Galway. Situated on the shore of Galway Bay, It is a must-visit while in the Galway area. Built in 1520 by the O’Hynes Clan, It offers tours and banquets in the summertime. Check the hours here<\/a>.<\/p>\n A bucket list destination for many, the Cliffs of Moher are among the most beautiful natural sights I have ever seen.<\/p>\n Galway is a great place to do a day trip to the Cliffs of Moher because it is the most exciting city closest to them. Unless you have rented a car, taking a tour of the Cliffs from Galway is best. There are many tour groups to choose from when going to the Cliffs. I recommend doing this tour<\/a>; I loved it!<\/p>\n The Burren National Park was an unexpected visit for me, but I ended up loving it. On my Cliffs of Moher tour<\/a>, we stopped at the Burren on the way.<\/p>\n The Burren is 138 square miles of limestone carved by glaciers, hiking trails, unique plants, and historic sites of people generations before us.<\/p>\n There is no airport in Galway. The closest airport is Shannon Airport, which is about an hour and a half south of the city. It can be difficult to find flights directly to Shannon that are also affordable, so I recommend flying into Dublin, where you can take a train to Galway. Most people stay a few nights in Dublin anyway.<\/p>\n The train from Dublin to Galway takes a little over two hours. I was shocked at how short it was to cross the country. Ireland is well connected by trains and busses so you shouldn’t have a problem finding one.<\/p>\n Galway is a tiny city and is very walkable. There is no subway. You can take a bus, but the city is so small it may be a waste of time. Uber and Lyft are available in Ireland, so if you really need a ride, I would just do that.<\/p>\n I would go to Ireland anytime. This type of place is enjoyable year-round as the temperatures stay mild year-round. One thing I noticed about Galway, in particular, was that it was super windy, so the wind may make it feel a bit cooler there.<\/p>\n Fall in Ireland is my favorite season because you experience the change in season and more of what Ireland is like on a cloudy but cozy day. It is not cold in the fall in Galway; when I was there in the fall, it was primarily in the 50s and 60s Fahrenheit.<\/p>\n Winter in Ireland is colder than in other months but still bearable, unlike in Nordic countries, Canada, etc. Galway is lovely over the holidays. They have a Christmas Market and decorate the city, so it is a great holiday getaway. Temperatures in the winter are usually around 40 degrees Fahrenheit.<\/p>\n Spring in Ireland is beautiful. There is still rain, but you can explore farms and fields full of flowers on sunny days. The city of Galway will have flowers and greenery, but it will still be windy and a bit chilly. Temperatures in the spring are usually around the 50s and 60s Fahrenheit.<\/p>\n Summer in Ireland has the best weather but the most crowds. If you don’t mind the crowds and high prices, Summer is a perfect time to see Galway. The temperatures are usually in the 60s and 70s Fahrenheit.<\/p>\n Galway is a must-add to your Ireland itinerary. The pub culture, history, surrounding nature, and medieval architecture make Galway a memorable destination. If you have anything to add please leave a comment. I hope this guide to Galway helps you plan the best Ireland trip ever!<\/p>\n We hope that this article has inspired you to visit Galway, Ireland. If you have any questions or advice to share with our readers, please leave these in the comments below. <\/i><\/b><\/p>\n Want to share your travel tips by guest writing for We Are Travel Girls? Please visit our<\/i><\/b> Contribute Page<\/a> <\/i><\/b>for guidelines and to submit your article.<\/i><\/b><\/p>\n\n
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<\/p>\nWhat To Do In Galway, Ireland<\/h2>\n
1) Visit Eyre Square<\/h3>\n
2) Explore The Latin Quarter<\/h3>\n
3) Visit The Galway Cathedral<\/h3>\n
4) Stop By Charlie Byrne’s Bookshop<\/h3>\n
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<\/p>\n5) Walk Along The Long Walk<\/h3>\n
6) Visit Mutton Island<\/h3>\n
7) Learn About History At Dunguaire Castle<\/h3>\n
8) See The Cliffs of Moher<\/h3>\n
9) Explore Burren National Park<\/h3>\n
![\"Long](\"https:\/\/wearetravelgirls.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/03\/long-walk-galway-scaled.jpg\")
<\/p>\nWhere To Dine In Galway<\/h2>\n
Best Breakfast & Lunch In Galway<\/h3>\n
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<\/p>\nBest Dinner In Galway<\/h3>\n
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Best Pubs In Galway<\/h3>\n
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<\/p>\nGetting To & Around Galway<\/h2>\n
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<\/p>\nBest Time To Visit Galway, Ireland<\/h2>\n
![\"Average](\"https:\/\/wearetravelgirls.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/03\/average-weather-galway.png\")
<\/p>\nA Quick Guide To Galway Wrap Up<\/h2>\n
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