Galway
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At a glance
- Country
- Ireland
- Region
- County Galway, Connacht
- Population
- 85,000
- Best time to go
- May to September
- Main airport
- None — nearest is Shannon (SNN)
- Coordinates
- 53.27°N, 9.06°W
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Overview
Galway sits where the River Corrib meets Galway Bay, on the edge of the wild west of Ireland. It is a small, lively university city with brightly painted shopfronts, buskers on every corner and music spilling from its pubs.
It is also the gateway to Connemara and the Aran Islands, so most visitors combine a few nights in town with day trips into some of the most beautiful landscapes in the country.
Things to see
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Photo: Sulmac at English Wikipedia, Public domain Latin Quarter
The pedestrian streets of the medieval centre, packed with pubs, cafés and street performers.
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Photo: Josi, CC BY-SA 4.0 Spanish Arch
A remnant of the old city walls by the river, where locals gather on sunny days.
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Photo: Unknown author Unknown author, CC BY-SA 3.0 Galway Cathedral
A large stone cathedral with a green copper dome, completed in 1965, overlooking the Corrib.
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Photo: Robert Linsdell from St. Andrews, Canada, CC BY 2.0 Salthill Promenade
The seaside walk west of the city, with views across the bay to the Burren.
Things to do
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Photo: Sonia D.S., CC BY-SA 4.0 Day trip to the Aran Islands
Ferries and short flights reach Inis Mór, with its stone walls and the clifftop fort of Dún Aonghasa.
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Photo: Simon Kozhin, CC BY-SA 3.0 Explore Connemara
Mountains, bogs and lakes stretching west of the city, best seen on a road trip or tour.
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Photo: Bjørn Christian Tørrissen, CC BY-SA 3.0 Cliffs of Moher
Sheer sea cliffs on the Clare coast, about one and a half hours south by road.
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Photo: Giuseppe Milo, CC BY 3.0 Live music in the pubs
Traditional sessions take place nightly in many of the city's pubs.
Where to stay
Latin Quarter
In the heart of the action; atmospheric but noisy at night.
Hotels in Latin QuarterEyre Square
Central and close to the train and bus stations, with large hotels.
Hotels in Eyre SquareSalthill
Quieter seaside hotels and B&Bs, a pleasant walk from the centre.
Hotels in Salthill
Getting around
The centre is small and best explored on foot. Buses serve Salthill and the suburbs.
Trains from Dublin Heuston take around two and a half hours, and coaches run from Dublin and Shannon airports.
When to go
May to September has the best weather and longest days. The Galway International Arts Festival in July and the Galway Races in summer draw big crowds.
Plan your trip to Galway
Guide last checked October 2026. Opening times and prices change, so check before you go.