28 Best Things to Do in Galway for an Unforgettable Trip

This beautiful 16th century tower house, built by the O’Hynes clan, can be found on the southeastern shore of Galway Bay, near the small port village of Kinvara, and easily reached by walking from the town. It was restored in the 20th century by Oliver St. John Gogarty, a prominent literary figure, and became a venue for meetings of Celtic cultural revivalists including the likes of William Butler Yeats and George Bernard Shaw. Dunguaire Castle is now owned by the government and is open to the public all year round, with additional local entertainment and lavish banquets provided during the summer months.

Translating as ‘Galway Theatre’ in English, this is the National Irish Language Theatre. It was founded in the midst of the Irish revival movement in the late 19th and early 20th century, whose figureheads included the likes of the poet William Butler Yeats and political activist Patrick Pearse. A must visit site for all those interested in traditional Irish drama and theatre, the site itself was built upon the remains of an Augustine friary dating back to the early medieval period.

Accessible via a short ferry trip from Galway Bay, the three ruggedly beautiful Aran Islands feature ancient ruins of churches and monuments, as well as extremely hospitable locals. Visiting the islands is like stepping back into a time before globalization and commercialization. Listen to some traditional Irish music, purchase some handmade crafts and gaze out into the immensity of the Atlantic Ocean before heading back to modernity on the mainland.

Initially established as a humble family-run book shop during World War II, the owners soon branched to include arts and crafts. The Kenny Gallery now plays host to both an extensive art gallery, which makes tremendous effort in showcasing the best of local and internationally acclaimed artists, as well as a huge bookstore, which now contains more than half a million titles spanning all genres and interests. The bookshop’s website was launched back in 1994, making it only the second bookshop in the world to have an internet presence.

One of the most imposing buildings in the city, the Galway Cathedral is a relatively recent construction that was completed in 1965. It is situated on the site of a former prison, and its style and architecture gives off the impression that it is much older than it actually is. If you are lucky, you may get the opportunity to hear choirs rehearsing or performing hymns and songs to the accompaniment of traditional Irish melodies.

This public park dwells at the very heart of the city, and its earliest manifestations date all the way back to the 17th century. It more recently underwent a massive redevelopment program that was completed in 2006, and is now one of the most beautiful parks in the country. The park is officially known as the John F. Kennedy Memorial Park, in honor of the visit and speech made there by American President Kennedy in 1963, but locals and tourists alike generally refer to it as Eyre Square.

Of the six national parks of Ireland, Connemara may well be the most beautiful. Opened in 1980 amid much fanfare, the park spans 2,957 hectares of boundless mountains, lush grassland and thick forests. The park is noted for its diverse range of birds, which has led to it being described as a bird watcher’s paradise. There are also numerous ancient megalithic and neolithic burial mounds and tombs, which offer a glimpse into Ireland’s prehistoric period.

Consisting of numerous smaller beaches separated by outcrops, rather than one long singular beach, Salthill is a hugely popular spot for swimming and relaxation during the summer for locals and tourists alike. Salthill is ranked as a Blue Flag beach, which means it meets the very high standards of environmental quality and safety set out by the prestigious Foundation for Environmental Education. The weather in Ireland might not always be optimal for the beach, but when it is you will find no better spot to kick back and enjoy.

Constructed in 1584, the Spanish Arch was originally an extension of the city’s defensive walls that was specifically designed to protect the quays from looting. In the past it was known as ‘the Blind Arch’, and it gained its current name due to the usage of the quays by Spanish traders during the early modern period. The arch was partially damaged by a tidal wave generated by the 1755 Lisbon earthquake, but it still remains largely intact. It is now one of the most iconic historical record of medieval times in the city and features a wooden sculpture known as the Madonna of the Quays, which was sculpted by the well-known local artist Claire Sheridan. It is also home to the Galway City Museum.

Offering an insight into the history and culture of the city and its people, Galway City Museum can be found on the banks of the famous River Corrib. Featuring an ever-changing set of exhibitions focusing on various aspects of local heritage and development, spending a few hours here will help any visitor gain an understanding of how the town came into being, and why it has retained its unique regional flavour which embodies the West of Ireland, clearly distinct from all other parts of the country. Artefacts range from prehistoric tools to modern art, all of which has helped shape Galway into what it is today.

Galway city’s high street – full of arty independents stores, buskers, street paintings and houses that look like they’ve been here generations – is miles better than your typical corporate-shopping stop off. Original souvenirs and a colourful buzz (as well as local seafood and cosy pubs) make it well worth your time. Recommended by James Hendicott.

If you didn’t travel to Ireland’s rustic west coast to uncover the rusting hulk of a long-abandoned boat in the wilds of the Aran Islands, you don’t know what you’re missing. MV Plassy is one of those memorable symbols of beautiful failure, a wreck dumped on a Galway beach and left to become a photographer’s favourite and exploratory landmark. Recommended by James Hendicott.

An odd little tower on the banks of the Corrib in Galway city, this spot was originally designed to stand watch over the fishing stock, but it is now a tiny, welcoming little museum that looks oddly – yet somewhat impressively – out of place. The three floors deal mainly in the city’s boating and fishing history, but it’s the charming guides with whom you should spend your time. Recommended by James Hendicott.

Take in panoramic views of the rocky Connemara coastline, including a view of offshore islands Inishturk and Turbot. The highest point is about 5.5 kilometres (3.4 miles) outside the town of Clifden, where a viewing platform gives a sublime view of the town centre, its church spires and Connemara’s peaks. Recommended by James Hendicott.

A petite fishing port with a castle, abbey and rustic nature reserve, Kinvara is a pleasant spot all round. However, the hundreds of bottles of whiskey that line the shelves at Green’s Bar — the town’s Emerald-coated traditional pub, dating back to 1865 – are all the reason needed to grab some ‘sea air’. Recommended by James Hendicott.

A town that’s far too often overlooked, Cong – right on the border with neighbouring County Mayo – is a tiny lakeside spot with less than 200 residents, a pub, an old abbey, and the sublime Ashford Castle Estate. Pierce Brosnan chose the opulent, gorgeous but utterly budget-smashing castle as the site of his wedding. It’s luxurious in the extreme. Recommended by James Hendicott.

This museum might be part of a shop (and so inherently slightly advertising in nature), but the history of Galway’s Claddagh ring – consisting of two crowns and a heart – is worth exploring. The iconic jewellery also makes for the ideal Galway souvenir. Recommended by James Hendicott.

A Victorian Gothic nunnery constructed in part to demonstrate the potential of isolated rural living in Ireland’s west, Kylemore Abbey is now one of the county’s most picturesque offerings, with its rooms restored to their ornate former glory, and the gardens and lake trails idyllic in the summertime. Recommended by James Hendicott.

Another reason to travel across to the Aran Islands, Dún Aonghasa is a 3,100-year-old hill fort sitting at 100 metres (328 feet) over the spray of the Atlantic. Despite its layers of thick stone walls and extreme Atlantic drop off, the fort was likely ceremonial in purpose. It’s best avoided for those with an aversion to heights. Recommended by James Hendicott.

The unofficial name for the area in front of the Spanish Arch where locals like to drink outdoors in the summer, Buckfast Plaza (a reference to a sugary tonic wine that’s the source of many a heady Galway night out) is a must-visit for anyone who loves a party. Follow it up with a stop at legendary music venue Roisin Dubh. Recommended by James Hendicott.

It might be best known for the music of its lonely fields, but it’s Athenry’s Medieval walls and churches that visitors will want to check out. A blocky 13th-century castle and the city walls that lead around it are the main draws, while the town also contains the only Medieval market cross still standing in the entire country. It’s one for the history buffs. Recommended by James Hendicott.

The highest peak in Galway (and 10th highest in Ireland) hasn’t gained quite the prominence of the iconic pilgrimage hikes in County Mayo, to the north. However, Benbaun’s rough, boggy base and windy peak is essential Connemara, a spot where plants digest insects for nutrients, and the Connemara pony is king. Recommended by James Hendicott.

Ireland’s largest lake, Lough Corrib contains more than 1,300 islands, featuring secluded beaches, forest walkways and plenty of (brave) swimming opportunities. Caislean-na-Circe island – containing the Hen’s Castle – was once the home of pirate queen Grainne O’Malley, while popular Inchagoil Island contains the remnants of 12th-century residents.

An arty, rural roadside one-stop shop for Galway souvenirs, Spiddal’s artistic community blows glass, produces watercolours and weaves baskets. Handmade crosses and jewellery produced from ancient coins are also among the offerings. The colourful cottages also contain an award-winning restaurant, and many of the artists work on-site, in full view of the public. Recommended by James Hendicott.

The lively Latin Quarter is Galway’s beating heart. Bars, pubs, galleries and craftsy shops rub shoulders in this small but exuberant district, where the air is always abuzz with music and laughter. On the left bank of the River Corrib, and with cobblestone streets, the Latin Quarter is one of Galway’s most picturesque places. Head here to pub-crawl, shop, or just amble aimlessly – with street-performers on every corner, you’ll never be short of things to look at. Recommended by James Hendicott.

Galway certainly has no shortage of castles. If you haven’t yet had your fill, make sure to check out this little tower. Though it may be less spectacular than some of its peers, Lynch’s castle is incredibly well-preserved, considering its age – its limestone facade dates back to the 14th century. Built by the Lynch family, who once presided over the region, it’s essentially a fortified house, complete with four storeys, cornices and grisly gargoyles. Not your average family home. Find the castle at the corner of Shop Street and Abbeygate Street. Recommended by James Hendicott.

Not exactly an attraction in itself, Wild Atlantic Way is more of a magical highway to all of Ireland’s most remarkable offerings. The trail winds along 2,500 kilometres of Ireland’s west coast, and Galway is pretty much bang in the middle, which makes it the ideal base for some stunning road trips. Head north to reach the Malin Head, at the very tip of the land, or far south to get to Kinsale Harbour. The verdant Connemara National Park, the rocky Burren, and all manner of other natural wonders lie between. Recommended by James Hendicott.

A delightful little slice of Galway’s city centre, Kirwan’s Lane does quaint and trendy in equal measure. Inside the city’s old city walls, the promenade feels thick with history. There’s even a pub, called Busker Brownes, in what was once the 17th-century Dominican Slate Nunnery. That’s not to say that it’s stuck in the past – Kirwan’s narrow streets are crammed with some of the finest and most cutting-edge restaurants that Galway has to offer. Don’t miss The Seafood Bar if you’re into five-star fish. Recommended by James Hendicott.