8 Best Things To Do In Galway, Ireland – What Not To Miss!
Sitting on Ireland’s Atlantic coast, Galway is a great place to spend a few days exploring its stunning natural scenery.
Many people visit Ireland for the music, the pubs, and the beer.
For a lively city experience, Dublin has it all.
But if you’re looking for a quieter, more nature-focused getaway, Galway and Connemara are perfect destinations.
Located on Ireland’s west coast, Galway and Connemara offer stunning, wild natural beauty.
Galway is about two and a half hours west of Dublin, on the Atlantic Ocean.
The city was officially named Galway in 1124.
It began as a walled settlement with a castle that served as a stronghold for the King of Connacht.
With its long maritime history, Galway remains closely tied to the sea and is now famous for its seafood, especially oysters.
Northwest of Galway is Connemara, a coastal region known for its deep connection to traditional Irish culture and the Gaelic language and a perfect day trip from Galway.
Getting To Galway
Ireland is not a very wide island and you can reach Galway from Dublin in a little over 2 hours:
By Train
You can take a train from Dublin Heuston Station directly to Galway.
Trains leave every three hours and are operated by Irish Rail.
It can take between two hours and fifteen minutes to almost three hours to reach Galway depending on the stops.
You can purchase your return tickets at Heuston Station Kiosks or through the Irish Rail website.
By Bus
Another option is to take a Citylink bus from Crampton Quay to Galway Bus Station.
Buses leave every half hour so there are many options regarding departure times.
We recommend you check the stops closely because travel duration times range from two hours thirty minutes to three hours twenty-five minutes.
We also recommend buying your tickets on the Citylink website, as they cost more if purchased on the bus.
Drive
If you’re with a friend, son/daughter, or simply like to drive, renting a car and driving to Galway is an option.
You can drive from Dublin to Galway on the M6 in roughly two and a half hours.
Of course, it will depend on traffic leaving Dublin and on any stops you make along the way.
What To Do During a Visit to Galway
Galway City is small enough to explore in a day, but its charm makes it worth staying a little longer.
During my trip, I stayed two nights in Galway and I was able to make a day tour of Connemara and explore the city the second day.
If you are driving you can use Galway as your base to explore the surrounding region filled with stunning natural landscapes.
In this post, I share my favorite things to do in Galway City and my one-day trip to Connemara.
I hope you find them useful when planning your trip.
1. Galway Cathedral
If you like churches like I do, the Galway Cathedral is a must-see.
Dedicated in 1965, Galway Cathedral was the last major stone cathedral to be built in Europe.
Located in the center of the city, the cathedral has a variety of statues, mosaics, and stained glass.
I found the stained glass windows to be lovely.
I had the opportunity to listen to the organ being played, which was delightful.
The church offers concerts occasionally, you can check to see if there is anything on during your visit at the Cathedral’s website.
2. St. Nicholas Collegiate Church
Another interesting stone church is St. Nicholas Collegiate Church.
With a rich history including a possible visit from Christopher Columbus, this is a charming visit.
I especially enjoyed the Transfiguration window which is an example of Irish stained glass workmanship.
To check opening hours and fees visit their official website.
3. The Docks
In addition to being a busy working dock with ferries and fishing boats coming and going daily, this area is perfect for a walk.
If you’re ready for a meal you can take advantage of the excellent seafood restaurants in this area.
Or you can just grab a drink at one of the cozy pubs before continuing your walk.
While here, be sure to visit the Spanish Arch and the Galway City Museum (see numbers 5 and 6).
4. The Long Walk
One of Ireland’s most recognized landmarks, the Long Walk is actually quite short—just 314 meters (1,030 feet)
Despite its name, the Long Walk only takes 5 to 15 minutes to walk.
Built-in the 18th century by the Eyre family, it was originally designed to extend the quays and act as a breakwater for a mud berth.
Today, it’s a scenic stroll past a row of colorful houses facing the river.
If you’re heading to or from the Spanish Arch, the view of these vibrant facades along the harbor is well worth the walk.
5. Spanish Arch
The Spanish Arch is one of the last surviving sections of Galway’s medieval city walls.
When you stroll around the dock you can’t miss it.
Located on the left bank of the Corrib River, it was built in 1584 as an extension of the town wall to protect ships unloading at the quays (harbor).
Originally called Ceann an Bhalla (“the head of the wall”), it later became known as the Spanish Arch.
This misnomer was likely due to Galway’s historic trade with Spain and the presence of Spanish merchants.
Today, locals often gather on the steps, whether the sun is shining or not.
But it can also be very windy due to its location.
If you visit on a rainy day, bundle up and have a good raincoat. If it’s too rainy, you can always warm up in the Galway City Museum next door.
6. The Galway City Museum
You’ll find the entrance to this museum as soon as you cross the Spanish Arch.
Housed in a modern building this museum takes you through the history and culture of Galway.
You can experience the city’s great maritime history, of which the Galway Hooker Boat is the centerpiece.
I enjoyed learning about the city and its close connection to the sea.
The museum is free and it’s open Tuesday through Saturday from 10 AM to 5 PM.
7. The Latin Quarter
One of my favorite places in Galway was the Latin Quarter.
The area stretches from the Spanish Arch to O’Brien’s Bridge, St Nicholas’ Church to Middle Street.
Its narrow, cobbled streets showcase Galway’s medieval heritage.
Lined with a mix of modern and traditional shops, restaurants, and pubs, it’s a great place to wander for hours.
When I visited I had lunch in one of the restaurants in this area.
The place was charming, the food tasty and the service excellent.
On clear days, you’ll often find street musicians performing.
The area is a hub for festivals throughout the year and is also known for its lively nightlife.
If you love old towns this will be your favorite part of the city.
8. Take a Day Trip to Connemara
Once you’re in Galway, stay at least one more night and take a day trip to Connemara.
I took a tour with Wild Atlantic Way Tours in a minibus with about 16 people, which was perfect for traveling the smaller roads.
The drive offered breathtaking views, and we stopped at several historical landmarks along the way.
Our guide also explained the significance of peat in Ireland and how it’s used to heat homes.
At one lookout point, we even got a glimpse of the Clifden Castle ruins
The highlight of the day trip was Kylemore Abbey.
This former castle, now an abbey, is a remarkable blend of engineering and landscape design.
Its creator, Mitchell Henry, introduced innovative techniques that were ahead of his time.
The walled Victorian gardens were thoughtfully designed and meticulously maintained.
Meanwhile, the surrounding park offers stunning scenery.
Together, they make this site a must-visit for history and nature lovers alike.
Although I loved the gardens, my favorite part of Kylemore Abbey was the chapel.
Built by Mitchell Henry as a memorial to his wife, Margaret, the chapel features unique details, including four marble columns, each representing one of Ireland’s provinces—green from Connemara, rose from Cork, black from Kilkenny, and gray from Armagh.
Visiting Kylemore Abbey was one of the highlights of my time in Galway—and in Ireland overall.
I highly recommend making some time in your itinerary to experience this beautiful place.
A quieter side of Ireland
County Galway, on Ireland’s west coast, offers a rugged, scenic, and adventure-filled experience.
The locals are warm and welcoming, the food is excellent, and the landscapes are breathtaking.
If you love exploring and want a nature-filled getaway, consider spending several days in Galway.
Spend a full day wandering through this charming city, then use it as a base for day trips to Connemara, the Burren, and even the Cliffs of Moher.
I hope this inspires you to venture beyond Dublin and discover this incredible region.
Now, start planning—and don’t forget your raincoat and boots. This is Ireland, after all!
