Galway

Urban Coastal Beaches Riverfront

Population: 83k

Best Season to Visit:

Best Off-Peak Month to Visit: January to February

Famous For: Colorful shop-lined streets along the Corrib River, Traditional Irish music sessions in pubs, Proximity to Connemara and the Aran Islands, Bohemian cultural scene, Seafood restaurants, Gateway to the Wild Atlantic Way

Train Access: Yes (Irish Rail)

Bus Access: Yes (Bus Éireann, GoBus, Citylink)

Walk down Shop Street on your first afternoon and you'll notice what makes Galway different: the storefronts are painted in jewel tones—deep reds, forest greens, ocean blues—and the street itself slopes gently toward the water. Street musicians cluster near the Spanish Arch, and the sound carries differently here, bouncing off the medieval stone. The city center is small enough to cross on foot in twenty minutes, but dense enough that you'll discover a new laneway café or vintage bookshop every time you try. The Aran Islands are visible from the waterfront on clear days, and ferries depart regularly from the docks near Nimmo's Pier. Eyre Square anchors the east side, ringed by Georgian townhouses and the modern Galway City Museum. Head west toward Salthill and the promenade stretches along Galway Bay—locals call it "The Prom" and walk it year-round, rain or shine. The bohemian energy is real: you'll find independent galleries tucked into converted warehouses, live trad sessions happening in pubs like Tigh Coili and Ó Máille's most nights, and a student population that keeps the place feeling perpetually unfinished and alive.

VRBO Vacation Rentals
Learn More

With over 2 million bookable vacation rentals, Vrbo connects homeowners with families and vacationers looking for something more than a hotel for their trip. The Vrbo community offers families an array of rental property types such as condos, cabins, lake rentals, beach houses, and more. Discover properties in destinations that everyone dreams of visiting.

VRBO Vacation Rentals

Planning Your Trip to Galway

Weather: Galway's Atlantic location means frequent rain and changeable conditions year-round, with mild winters and cool summers; expect wind and moisture more than extremes.

Festivals: Galway International Arts Festival (July), Galway Film Fleadh (July), Galway Oyster Festival (September), Galway Races (late July/early August)

Best Things for Kids to Do: Galway Aquarium sits on the Salthill Promenade and houses native Irish fish species and seahorses in tanks that kids can view at eye level; it's small enough not to overwhelm but detailed enough to hold attention. Leisureland is an indoor water park also on the Prom with slides, a lazy river, and shallow pools for younger children. Pearse Park offers a playground, open green space, and a small lake where ducks congregate; it's a five-minute walk from the city center and rarely crowded. The Aran Islands ferry ride itself is an activity—kids watch the boat cut through the bay and spot seals on the rocks near the islands.

Hidden Gem: Salthill Promenade's western end curves past Blackrock Diving Tower, a Victorian-era structure that juts into the bay and offers views back toward the city that postcards never quite capture. The walk out here takes thirty minutes from the city center, and most tourists turn back at the amusement arcade; the reward for continuing is a stretch of coast that feels genuinely removed, with locals swimming year-round and the light hitting the water differently depending on the hour.

Accessibility: Galway's medieval street layout means cobblestones dominate the city center, creating significant barriers for wheelchair users; Shop Street and Quay Street are the most navigable main routes. The Galway City Museum on Eyre Square has full wheelchair access and accessible restrooms. Salthill Promenade is flat and paved for its entire length, making it the most accessible outdoor space. Bus Éireann operates local buses with wheelchair lifts, though advance notice is sometimes required.

For the Runner: The Salthill Promenade stretches 2.5 kilometers along the bay with a flat, paved surface and sea views throughout; locals run it in both directions and it's well-lit in the evening. Eyre Square to Salthill via the Prom is approximately 3 kilometers and follows the waterfront the entire way. Menlo Park, about 2 kilometers east of the city center, has tree-lined paths and is quieter than the Prom, though less scenic.

Restaurants in Galway

Galway's food scene punches above its weight for a city its size, with everything from Michelin-starred restaurants to casual seafood spots capitalizing on Atlantic catches. You'll find strong Irish and European cooking, though the scene skews toward tourist-friendly rather than experimental. Local spots fill quickly in summer, so booking ahead matters.

Where to Stay

Galway's accommodation spreads across three tiers: budget hostels and guesthouses cluster around the city center and Salthill, mid-range hotels occupy the Georgian streets near Eyre Square and along the waterfront, and a handful of upscale properties sit on the bay side. Most places fill quickly during summer and festival season, so booking ahead is essential rather than optional.

Best Hotels: The Twelve Hotel sits on Quay Street with floor-to-ceiling windows overlooking Galway Bay and the Aran Islands; the design is contemporary without fee

Dog-Friendly Hotels: The Twelve Hotel allows dogs in certain rooms and has a ground-floor patio where dogs can accompany guests during meals; staff are accustomed to canine visitors. Ardiluan House Hotel welcomes dogs in designated rooms and the gardens provide space for morning walks before exploring the city.

Galway

Planning Your Trip to Galway

Restaurants in Galway

Where to Stay

Recommended Reading