Galway, Ireland
Galway was the lively west-coast highlight of our August 2024 Ireland road trip — a couple of nights in a city-centre apartment that put us in the thick of it.
Our experience
We adore Galway's bohemian, musical soul: buskers and trad sessions spilling from pub doors, brightly painted shopfronts, a medieval city centre, and the wild Atlantic just beyond.
It's one of the cultural hubs of Ireland's west coast, a gateway to Connemara and the Cliffs of Moher, and a city that seems to always have music somewhere nearby.
Wandering its compact streets with live music in the air and the Corrib River rushing toward Galway Bay, we understood instantly why so many travelers fall for Galway.
Galway sits beside one of Ireland's major Gaeltacht regions, where Irish is still spoken as a community language. The city's famous Spanish Arch also reflects Galway's long history as a trading port with connections to Spain and continental Europe.
Must-sees and must-dos
- The Latin Quarter — wander the colorful historic heart of Galway, filled with pubs, restaurants, shops, and street performers.
- Quay Street — one of the liveliest streets in the city centre and a great place to experience Galway's music and pub scene.
- Spanish Arch & the Long Walk — explore Galway's historic waterfront beside the River Corrib.
- Cliffs of Moher — make the trip south to one of Ireland's most dramatic Atlantic landscapes.
- Connemara — head west for rugged mountains, lakes, bogland, and traditional Irish-speaking communities.
- Galway Cathedral — visit the city's distinctive domed cathedral beside the Corrib.
Our pro tip
We'd carve out at least two nights for Galway — it's an ideal base for exploring the Cliffs of Moher and Connemara, while still leaving enough time to enjoy the city after the day-trippers have gone.
Park the car and explore the compact centre on foot. Duck into a pub away from the busiest stretch of Quay Street for a more relaxed trad-music session.
For one of the classic day trips, check this Cliffs of Moher and Burren Day Tour from Galway on Klook, which includes the Cliffs of Moher, the Burren, and stops along the Wild Atlantic Way.
For another day out, check this Connemara and Kylemore Abbey Full-Day Tour from Galway on Klook, which takes you through Connemara's mountain and lake scenery with time around Kylemore Abbey.