How To Spend 24 Hours in Galway, Ireland

Galway is a small city that lends itself to quick exploration, but you’ll have to be smart about it. Despite the compact, walkable main streets and impressive local cultural attractions, there’s a lot to uncover, especially when it comes to experiencing the true texture of the Connacht capital. If you do find yourself in the City of Tribes for just 24 hours, here’s how to make the most of every second, with our fast-paced perfect day.
Morning
There’s only one way to start any day in Ireland, and that’s with the greasy perfection that is a full Irish breakfast. Usually consisting of eggs, bacon, sausage, beans, hash browns, tea, toast and the dreaded black pudding (blood sausage), it’ll set you up for a lively day of high-energy exploring. Lohan’s in Salthill is one of a whole lot of options, and perfectly located for the top spot to spend your morning: Salthill promenade.

Destinations Unlocked:
Let our travel expert Stefano help you find your perfect Culture tripCentralAmerica
1. Guatemala
An express adventure for those with limited time off. Prepare yourself incredible experiences. You will hike a volcano, visit mayan temples and witness a ceremony and take in beautiful colonial Antigua.CentralAmerica
2. Belize
A quick trip not too far away for those seeking a relaxing mini break. You will have plenty of free time to relax but also some awesome activities to experience the rainforest and the caribbean sea.CentralAmerica
3. Mexico
An exciting mini trip exploring the lesser known colonial towns of central Mexico. This is hte perfect trip for someone with limited time off and still wants to turn on explorer mode and do something different.SouthAmerica
1. Ecuador
A remarkable 8 days adventure through the Andes and the Amazon rainforest. The best choice for adventure seekers wishing to visit the 2 most iconic areas of South America, in only 1 week and no flights.SouthAmerica
2. Peru
An alternative itinerary to classic Peru, from Cusco to Arequipa. This itinerary is great combination of highlights Cusco and Machu Picchu with the lesser known Arequipa and Colca Canyon.Europe
1. Italy
The ultimate Italian experience from the vibrant streets of Naples to the breathtaking sceneries of the Amalfi Coast followed by Matera and down to Puglia with its golden beaches, intense flavours and fascinating destinations.Europe
2. Scotland
Embark on this great adventure starting from London all the way to Scotland with a true Scottish experience made of breathtaking sceneries, whisky tasting and ..lots of fun! Ideal for train lovers and explorers.Europe
3. Portugal
A wonderful train journey around Portugal, from the romantic city of Porto to the Douro Valley, to the beautiful Aveiro all the way to Lisbon and Sintra. The perfect trip to train, culinary and culture lovers.Asia
1. South Korea
Discover incredible temples, mountains and modern cities on this 10 day adventure. This trip is perfect for those seeking immersion in the cuisine, culture and natural wonders of South Korea.Asia
2. Thailand
From Bankgok to Angkor Wat to Ho Chi Minh City and everything in between - adventure through the heart of South-East Asia. Taste the delights, see history brought to life and unwind on a Mekong River cruise.Asia
3. Sri Lanka
A fantastic adventure that showcases Sri Lanka's fantastic landscapes, wildlife and flavours. With 3 epic rail journeys, 3 UNESCO heritage sites and time to relax, this trip has loads to offer at a great priceAfrica
1. Morocco
An epic journey across Morocco: from Casablanca to Marrakech, through the blue city of Chefchaouen to the wonders of the desert and deep to the High Atlas Mountains - this trip has it all! Ideal for true explorers!Africa
2. Egypt
From Cairo to Aswan, this trip brings the land of the pharaohs to life. You'll visit the Pyramids, Valley of the Kings and Luxor Temple and cruise down the Nile in style. This is the perfect way to explore Egypt.The seaside promenade that once served as a stop-off on the Volvo Round the World boat race is an old-school tourist resort, home to chunky hotels, an aquarium, lots of traditional slot machines and views out over Galway Bay. If you’re feeling brave enough, a dip in the Atlantic is best started with a leap from the high-diving boards, which take you close to a floating platform just off the sea wall that’s ideal for a shivering lie-down. The walk itself is great in the early morning, too, with the sun lighting up the hills across the bay.
Come mid-morning, having played the penny slots and sampled the local ice cream at The Bean and Cone, stroll back towards the city centre via The Claddagh, where you’ll often catch a glance of the symbolic (typically red) sails of a Galway Hooker floating off the coast, or pass a game of Gaelic football at the Father Griffins GAA club in South Park. Check out the Famine Ship Memorial as you pass, or stroll some of the narrow walkway to Mutton Island for a clearer view of the coastline.

Afternoon
Arriving at the Corrib River, you’re within a stone’s throw of many of Galway’s best museums, a corner of town worth staying put in for a couple of hours. If you went for the full Irish, you won’t need much more – a stop-off at hip Mexican joint Boojum or popular local fish-and-chip shop McDonagh’s will cover lunch.
Drop in on the Fisheries Watchtower Museum, an odd square building overlooking the Corrib with gorgeous views, and guides who can detail Galway history in astonishing detail – soak up their take on the famine, salmon and the traditions of The Claddagh. From there, stroll through the rustic-looking Spanish Arch itself. On the far side, you’ll find The Galway City Museum, where a revolving array of exhibitions could take in prehistoric Galway, the times of the Medieval walled city, the impact of the Gaelic Athletics Association and a display from one of the countless impressive local artists.
Having strolled around the docks for a quick glance at some of the city’s stark street art, head for Shop Street, William Street and High Street where you’ll often find al fresco performances from street musicians and where almost every pub is worth at least a glance. This is very much the city’s heart, the trio making up a stretch to Eyre Square, home to the gruesome mythology of Lynch’s Castle (now a bank), and a plethora of souvenir-friendly local retailers. The key spots to check out are the Claddagh Ring shops (one – at the Claddagh end of the street – also contains a small museum), gorgeous independent toy shop Wooden Hearts and local souvenir supermarket ‘Treasure Chest’.
There should still be time for a swift walk over towards Galway Cathedral to check out the soaring ’60s architecture and John F Kennedy mural, passing by Nora Barnacle’s House (the former home of James Joyce’s wife and muse, maintained as it was during her life) to take a look at another bend in the Corrib.

Evening
If you can get a seat at Kai, the organic, local-leaning spot is Galway’s finest, taking seasonal local cuisine and adapting its menu on an almost daily basis to account for whatever’s fresh. You won’t lack for great options, though, with Monroe’s simply ‘pizza in pub’ a great easy option for the tired traveller. Ard Bia at Nimmos is another varied and always top-class option in an arty location, while Hotel Meyrick’s purpose-built bar is a good bet for those oysters.
Galway peaks with its nightlife, though, and checking out the best of the beer and buzz is what you’ll want to focus on. Roisin Dubh – a live music venue meets club – is unquestionably the local favourite, regularly hosting world-class musicians of the indie/pop persuasion. Slightly out-of-the-way Dominick Street and nearby William Street have many of the city’s best watering holes, in fact. Dive into some Galway Hooker in the rustic Crane Bar, one of the city’s most enticing old-school trad music pubs, or check out An Pucan for a happy tourist buzz, Guinness and thick Irish stews.
To close the night, you can’t go wrong with a pub crawl down Shop Street and High Street, while the local students have developed a tradition of closing weekend nights with raves outside a local fast-food place, SuperMacs on the corner of Eyre Square, if you’re into some memorably daft 3am antics.

Sleeping
If you’re going heavy on the evening festivities, you may as well save some money by crashing at Barnacles, a lively hostel that’s clean, central and affordable. If you prefer something a little more high end, the Radisson Blu (complete with a high-end spa) is as luxurious as Galway gets, while the afternoon teas at the House Hotel form the best part of a nice upper-mid-range boutique offering.

Volcanic Iceland Epic Trip
meet our Local Insider
Hanna

HOW LONG HAVE YOU BEEN A GUIDE?
2 years.
WHAT DO YOU LOVE ABOUT YOUR JOB?
It's the personal contact, the personal experiences. I love meeting people from all over the world... I really like getting to know everyone and feeling like I'm traveling with a group of friends.
WHAT DESTINATION IS ON YOUR TRAVEL BUCKET-LIST?
I have so many places on my list, but I would really lobe to go to Africa. I consider myself an “adventure girl” and Africa feels like the ULTIMATE adventure!


Every CULTURE TRIP Small-group adventure is led by a Local Insider just like Hanna.


KEEN TO EXPLORE THE WORLD?
Connect with like-minded people on our premium trips curated by local insiders and with care for the world
Since you are here, we would like to share our vision for the future of travel - and the direction Culture Trip is moving in.
Culture Trip launched in 2011 with a simple yet passionate mission: to inspire people to go beyond their boundaries and experience what makes a place, its people and its culture special and meaningful — and this is still in our DNA today. We are proud that, for more than a decade, millions like you have trusted our award-winning recommendations by people who deeply understand what makes certain places and communities so special.
Increasingly we believe the world needs more meaningful, real-life connections between curious travellers keen to explore the world in a more responsible way. That is why we have intensively curated a collection of premium small-group trips as an invitation to meet and connect with new, like-minded people for once-in-a-lifetime experiences in three categories: Culture Trips, Rail Trips and Private Trips. Our Trips are suitable for both solo travelers, couples and friends who want to explore the world together.
Culture Trips are deeply immersive 5 to 16 days itineraries, that combine authentic local experiences, exciting activities and 4-5* accommodation to look forward to at the end of each day. Our Rail Trips are our most planet-friendly itineraries that invite you to take the scenic route, relax whilst getting under the skin of a destination. Our Private Trips are fully tailored itineraries, curated by our Travel Experts specifically for you, your friends or your family.
We know that many of you worry about the environmental impact of travel and are looking for ways of expanding horizons in ways that do minimal harm - and may even bring benefits. We are committed to go as far as possible in curating our trips with care for the planet. That is why all of our trips are flightless in destination, fully carbon offset - and we have ambitious plans to be net zero in the very near future.