Must SeeFree
Galway Cathedral
Nun’s Island
A late 20th-century cathedral with a huge dome and colourful mosaics.
- Suggested time: 45 min
- No booking needed
- Suits: Culture lovers
Daily; hours vary
Galway
A bohemian west-coast city of street musicians, pubs and Atlantic light.
Plan your Galway trip
- Flight + Hotel PackageRecommended Best option if you want the trip arranged together. View Packages Packages
- Hotels Prefer to book accommodation separately? View Hotels Hotels
- Flights Already have accommodation? View Flights Flights
- Things To Do Tours, attractions and experiences. View Activities Activities
Overview
Why go to Galway
Galway is a lively, arty city with cobbled lanes, live music in every pub and easy access to the Cliffs of Moher and Connemara.
- Where
- Connacht, Ireland
- Recommended stay
- 2–3 nights
- Best time to go
- May–September; July hosts an arts festival.
- Approx. daily budget
- £80–150 a dayPer person, excluding flights. Indicative.
What does Galway cost?
Full cost guide- Budget traveller£70–105a day
- Mid-range traveller£135–195a day
- Luxury traveller£270+a day
Approximate per person per day, including a share of a twin room, and excluding flights. Not live prices.
Things To Do
See all 15 Top picks in Galway
Must SeeFree
Spanish Arch
Long Walk
A remnant of the medieval city walls beside the river, with a lively green.
- Suggested time: 30 min
- No booking needed
- Suits: Everyone
Open-air; always accessible
Day Trips~£35
Cliffs of Moher Day Trip
County Clare (75 km)
Towering Atlantic sea cliffs rising over 200 m, one of Ireland’s natural wonders.
- Suggested time: Full day
- Booking recommended
- Suits: Outdoor lovers · Photographers
Daily; visitor centre open
Day Trips~£35
Connemara and Kylemore Abbey Day Trip
Connemara (60 km)
A wild landscape of lakes and mountains, with a fairy-tale abbey beside a lake.
- Suggested time: Full day
- Booking recommended
- Suits: Outdoor lovers · Photographers
Tours run daily in season
Hidden Gems
See all 4 Beyond the checklist
Day Trips~£40
Aran Islands Day Trip
Inis Mór (ferry)
A ferry to the Atlantic’s stone-walled islands, with Iron Age forts and cycling.
- Suggested time: Full day
- Booking recommended
- Suits: Outdoor lovers · Photographers
Ferries run daily in season
Shopping & MarketsFree
Galway Market
St Nicholas’ Church
A busy weekend market of food, crafts and street food beside a medieval church.
- Suggested time: 1 hr
- No booking needed
- Suits: Food lovers
Saturdays and Sundays
Hidden GemsFree
The Claddagh
Claddagh
A historic fishing quarter at the mouth of the river Corrib, the origin of the Claddagh ring, with views over the bay.
- Suggested time: 1 hr
- No booking needed
- Suits: Everyone
Open all day
Hidden Gems~£8
Dunguaire Castle
Kinvara
A 16th-century tower house on the edge of Galway Bay, a short drive south of the city, with medieval banquets in summer.
- Suggested time: 1 hr
- No booking needed
- Suits: Everyone
Seasonal
Hotels
All 3 hotels Best-value hotels in Galway
Well reviewed and fairly priced for what you get: not simply the cheapest.
Best ValueBest Mid-Range Hotel
Example listingSalthill Sea Hotel
Salthill, Galway
Excellent valueValue score 82 out of 100
Rated 8.5/10, about 13% below typical 4★ prices in Galway, right by the beach.
From £100 per night · check current availability
Best Location
Example listingLatin Quarter Hotel
Latin Quarter, Galway
Very good valueValue score 79 out of 100
Rated 8.8/10, priced in line with similar 4★ hotels in Galway, in a central location.
From £115 per night · check current availability
Best Budget Choice
Example listingSpanish Arch Guesthouse
Spanish Arch, Galway
Very good valueValue score 69 out of 100
Rated 8.7/10, priced in line with similar 3★ hotels in Galway, in a central location.
From £80 per night · check current availability
Food & Restaurants
See all 4 Where to eat
McDonagh’s
A fish-and-chip shop and restaurant with a strong local reputation, serving fresh, seafood-based dishes.
Known for: Fish and chips, oysters
Under about £18 per person
Local favourite Good for Families · Groups
Tigh Neachtain
A colourful pub with snugs, live traditional music and a long history in Galway’s Latin Quarter.
Known for: Real ale, pub food, music
About £18–35 per person
Local favourite Good for Groups · Couples
Ard Bia at Nimmo’s
A restaurant in a stone building beside the Spanish Arch, with sea views and a seasonal menu.
Known for: Modern Irish cooking
About £35–65 per person
Local favourite Good for Couples · Groups
Aniar
A Michelin-starred restaurant serving tasting menus from western Irish ingredients.
Known for: Tasting menu
£65+ per person
Special occasion Good for Couples · Groups
A suggested Galway itinerary
3 nights Couple
Galway · Highlights
Galway in 3 nights
A balanced first-visit plan built from our Galway picks: the headline sights, a local favourite or two and time to breathe.
- Day 1 · Galway Market, Galway Cathedral, Traditional Music Session
- Day 2 · Cliffs of Moher Day Trip, Latin Quarter and Quay Street
- Day 3 · Spanish Arch, The Claddagh, Galway City Museum, Salthill Promenade
Plan Galway your way
Tell us your dates, who’s travelling and what you enjoy. We’ll build a first draft you can edit.