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Galway is without a doubt, my favourite city in Ireland. It has an atmosphere unlike anywhere else on the island. It’s got a ‘city but not really a city’ feel, with friendly locals making it a special place to be. When any tourists coming to Ireland ask for advice on where to go, I always say Galway. It’s a city and county with so much charm about it. It is the perfect place to use as an introduction to, or even as a base for exploring, the west coast of Ireland. A very different city to Dublin, a visit to Galway must be on your itinerary. I have made this Galway Travel Guide to try and give an insight into a city I love so much.
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Getting In
Getting to Galway is easy. If you are coming from Dublin or Dublin Airport then you can take a bus straight here. Bus 20X goes from Dublin city, through the airport and arrives in Galway in just under 3 hours. If you want to fly a little bit closer, check out flights to Shannon Airport. Bus route 51 goes here and takes just under two hours. You can drive from Dublin yourself quite easily, presuming you have a car. In just over two hours on the main roads, you will find yourself on the west coast of Ireland.
Where To Stay
Galway is not a big city. The city centre circles Eyre Square, the epicentre of the city. Once you are in close proximity to here then you are in a good location. Fortunately, I always stay with family when I make the trip across the country. As a result, I can’t offer any personal experience on places to stay. As far as hostels go, I have heard nothing but good things about Sleepzone and The Nest Boutique Hostel. If you are looking for a hotel, check out the likes of Eyre Square Hotel or Menlo Park Hotel. Expect to pay considerably more for a hotel than you will for a hostel though.
When To Go
I am convinced that the sun never shines in Galway. Every time I go there, it is windy and grey. Its close proximity to the Atlantic Ocean probably doesn’t help this. Like most places in Ireland, you should not go expecting sunshine. A couple of odd weeks in the summer are not reliable enough to plan a trip around. Spring or Autumn is just as good a time to go. Before going, make sure to check the dates of the Galway Races, usually in the last week of July. This city gets a lot busier during this time and booking a hotel could be nearly impossible.
What To Do
Take a stroll along the Salthill Promenade
As previously stated, you are not going to get the ideal weather to take a walk along the coast. Instead, brave the wind and take a walk here in the evening. Watching the sunset over the Atlantic is a beautiful sight.
Galway Cathedral
The Cathedral of Our Lady Assumed into Heaven and St. Nicholas was built on the site of a former prison with construction beginning in 1958. It is one of the largest and most impressive in the city. Entry into the Cathedral is free but visitors are asked to avoid entering the cathedral when mass is in procession.
Drink in a proper Irish pub
Dublin has Temple Bar, an area where pubs cater for and are priced more for tourists. Galway has its share of similar establishments. You are, however, able to find ‘real’ Irish pubs a bit easier. A place with a local atmosphere is not hard to find. Galway is often described as a drinking man’s town due to a large number of pubs in a small space. Check out Murphy’s or The Dew Drop Inn for a real Irish experience.
Take A Day Trip
Galway is the perfect place to explore the west coast of Ireland, especially if you are on a limited time scale. My recommendation is to take a tour down south of Galway, along the Wild Atlantic Way to the Cliffs of Moher and the Burren. Companies like Lally Tours offer this for a price of €30 which is quite reasonable for a full day tour.
Aran Islands
Another popular day trip from Galway is a visit to the Aran Islands. Filled with historic sights, these three islands are easily accessed by ferry from Galway Bay. The largest and most popular, Inishmore has more than 50 monuments of Christian, Pre-Christian and Celtic heritage. Getting around the island is easy if you don’t want to walk, then cycle. Rent a bike and bring it with you across the water. Cycling is the most popular mode of transport for tourists on the island. Alternatively, you can always stay for a night or two. In my opinion, though, a day trip here is more than enough.
Connemara
Connemara is a beautiful Gaeltacht (Irish-Speaking) region of Galway county. Visit Kylemore Abbey and see the amazing untouched landscapes. The mountains, hills and valleys are not to be missed. If you have your own transport then driving here is not too difficult. Another option is taking a tour, similar to the previously mentioned Cliffs of Moher. Tours last for a full day and cost €30.
Where To Eat
Dough Bros
In my personal opinion, Dough Bros is the best pizza in Ireland. What started as a food truck is now one of the most popular restaurants in the city. They offer a range of traditional Italian flavours to more contemporary pizzas. One of my favourites, for example, is topped with tandoori chicken, corn, mint & coriander yoghurt and pickled chilli. I crave their pizza so many times throughout the year. When I get the chance, I love to take a trip down to Galway and indulge in one of their amazing pizzas.
Zappi’s
Zappi’s is a newcomer on the food scene in Galway. They serve up really good pizza and pasta for a really good price. Zappi’s decor sits somewhere in the middle of high end and quick casual food. A delicious pasta dish will cost you less than €10 and a very good pizza will cost you just a few euro more. A very good budget lunch or dinner option in the city.
Xi’an Street Food
I am always sceptical of any sort of Chinese imitations. That being said, Xi’an street food does very good Xi’an hamburgers and Biang Biang Noodles, two specialities from the city of Xi’an. Naturally, it is not as good as what you find in China but they are good in comparison with most Chinese food in Ireland. This restaurant is a good place to grab a quick lunch.
McDonagh’s
Galway is a great place to eat fresh fish. Of course, the option is there to pay big money for your seafood. If you wish to go down a more traditional route, McDonagh’s is where you go. The hugely popular fish and chips shop in the city centre are busy with locals and tourists almost constantly. This institution in Galway is not to be missed!
What To Avoid
Eating on Shop Street
Now I don’t mean this for all restaurants, of course. This is aimed at any restaurant with a sign or a waiter outside trying to entice you in. This, more often than not, leads to overpriced food with small portions. Given the local feel to Galway, do you really think locals need to be offered a place to eat? Stick to where you know is good and avoid these sort of establishments.
Souvenir Shops
Galway’s main street has its fair share of souvenir shops selling anything from magnets to Claddagh rings. Almost all of it is over-priced. The jewellery you buy is of bad quality and aimed at tourists. Jumpers are a popular choice but be honest with yourself, do you really need a Galway jumper to prove you were there. Save your money and put it towards food or drink in what is a relatively expensive city.
What Galway offers tourists and travellers is a glimpse into rural Ireland without needing to leave a city or get off the beaten track. Tourists have long been flocking here to see another side to Ireland, a side that doesn’t involve Dublin. It serves this purpose to great effect. Galway is a fun and incredibly atmospheric city to be in, making any time spent in or outside of the city worthwhile. To really explore the west of Ireland, you need your own accommodation and you need time. To get a quick glimpse of city life and day trips all in one place, then Galway is your ideal destination. I love it there, I visit a few time a year and have no plans on stopping just yet.
If you want to read more of my blogs about Ireland, you can do so here. Alternatively, check out my Republic of Ireland Travel Guide here.
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This is such a helpful guide! Will have to check out your recommendations if I visit!
Sara | http://www.copperandsun.co.uk
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