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Lakes scattered through the Connemara landscape, seen from the air

Gaillimh

Galway

A city you can walk across, and Connemara behind it.

  • Connacht
  • 20 places
  • 31 events in the next 30 days
  • 80 more listings

The list

Top 10 things to do in Galway

Galway is a small, busy city with Connemara behind it and the Aran Islands out in the bay. Kylemore, the Twelve Bens and Dún Aonghasa on Inis Mór are the far end of this list, and the city itself is the near end.

  1. The Spanish Arch in Galway with the green and the buildings beside itThe Spanish ArchFort · Galway cityWhat is left of the old city wall where the Corrib meets the sea, with the museum beside it.
  2. Galway Cathedral above the Corrib at sunsetGalway CathedralCathedral · Galway cityThe cathedral's green dome rises over the Corrib on Nuns' Island, where the old city jail stood.
  3. Sailing boats moored in Galway harbour with the old buildings behind themThe CladdaghHarbour · Galway cityThe old fishing village across the river from the city, now a quay walk with the boats moored along it.
  4. People on the diving board at the end of Salthill promenadeSalthill PromenadeWalk · SalthillThe seafront walk runs along Galway Bay, with the Burren across the water and the diving tower at the end.
  5. Traditional houses above the rocky shoreline on Inis MórInis MórIsland · Aran IslandsLargest of the three Aran Islands, with stone walls, a fort on the cliff and a ferry from Rossaveal.
  6. The stone ramparts of Dún Aonghasa on the cliff edge, from the airDún AonghasaPrehistoric site · Inis MórThe stone fort sits on the edge of a sea cliff, with nothing between you and the drop.
  7. Coloured buildings and the church spire in the middle of ClifdenClifdenTown · Co. GalwayConnemara's main town, built on a hill above the bay with the mountains behind it.
Show 10 more
  1. Mountains standing over the water at Leenane in County GalwayKillary HarbourHarbour · LeenaneA long narrow sea inlet running in from the Atlantic, with mountains on both sides of it.
  2. The Connemara mountains behind a still lake under a clear blue skyThe Twelve BensMountain · ConnemaraQuartzite peaks behind Clifden, with walking routes of every length going into them.
  3. Lough Inagh holding the shadow of the mountains at sunset in ConnemaraLough InaghLake · ConnemaraThe lake fills the valley between the Twelve Bens and the Maumturks, with the road running along one shore.
  4. Dunguaire Castle on the edge of Galway Bay under a clear skyDunguaire CastleCastle · KinvaraThe tower house is on a rocky outcrop on Galway Bay, just outside Kinvara. The castle is temporarily closed to visitors, so for now it is one to see from the shore.
  5. The tower of Aughnanure Castle and the ruined hall beside it on the grassAughnanure CastleCastle · OughterardSix storeys of tower house on a rocky outcrop over the Drimneen river, a few kilometres out of Oughterard.
  6. The white sand and clear water of Dog's Bay in ConnemaraDog's Bay BeachBeach · RoundstoneWhite shell sand in a horseshoe, on a narrow neck of land west of Roundstone.
  7. Passengers walking along the pier as the ferry comes in to Inis OírrInis OírrIsland · Aran IslandsThe smallest of the three Aran Islands, with a tower house on a rock above the village and a wrecked cargo ship on the east shore.
  8. The fenced autograph tree in the walled garden at Coole Park, County GalwayCoole ParkPark · GortLady Gregory's house stood on this wooded estate outside Gort. The autograph tree and the lake walks are still there.
  9. Portumna Castle lit against a dark blue sky with its formal front and corner towersPortumna Castle and GardensCastle · PortumnaThe seventeenth century semi-fortified house stands beside Lough Derg, with a walled kitchen garden behind it.
  10. The Norman keep of Athenry Castle behind its lawn and an autumn treeAthenry CastleCastle · AthenryA Norman keep stands inside the walls of Athenry, a town that still has its medieval gate up.

Where they are

Tap a pin to open the place.

Connemara National ParkKylemore AbbeyGalway City MuseumThe Spanish ArchGalway CathedralSalthill PromenadeDún AonghasaKillary HarbourAughnanure CastleDog's Bay BeachCoole ParkPortumna Castle and GardensAthenry Castle

13 of the 20 places are on the map. The rest are listed above.

What’s on in Galway

Coming up, soonest first.

Today, Friday 9th October

  1. Fri9 OctGaillimh Ah-Boo! - Baboró International Arts Festival for ChildrenGalway City9th to 18th OctoberFestival

Tomorrow, Saturday 10th October

  1. Sat10 OctBaboró International Arts Festival for Children: Moving WordsMick Lally Theatre10th to 11th OctoberFreeFestival
  2. Sat10 OctBaboró International Arts Festival for Children: Shapeshifters ExhibitionOutset Gallery10th to 18th OctoberFreeFestival
  3. Sat10 OctBaboró International Arts Festival for Children: The Nightmare Club, Spooky StorycraftO'Donoghue CentreFreeFestival
  4. Sat10 OctBorneo x Ireland Cultural ExchangeGalway Arts Centre · Galway City10th to 18th OctoberFreeFestival
  5. Sat10 OctGaillimh Ah-Boo! 2026Galway City10th October to 1st NovemberFreeFestival
  6. Sat10 OctGalway Pumpkin Patch 2026Galway Pumpkin Patch10th to 31st October

Sunday 11th October

  1. Sun11 OctBaboró International Arts Festival for Children: Finding Your VoiceO'Donoghue CentreFreeFestival

Everything coming up in Galway

Towns

The one with enough in and around it for a page of its own.

More to see in Galway

80 more places from Fáilte Ireland’s own listings, linked to their own sites where they have one.

Castles and houses8

  1. Quincentennial FountainEyre Square
  2. Thoor BallyleeGort
  3. Finnerty's MillsLeitrim
  4. Ionad Cultúrtha an Phiarsaigh Conamara - Pearse CottageRosmuck
  5. Aran Off Road ExperienceCo. Galway
  6. Clifden CastleCo. Galway
  7. Galway Arts CentreCo. Galway
  8. Lynch's CastleCo. Galway

Beaches17

  1. Dumhach BeachInishbofin
  2. Islands ViewRenvyle
  3. Gurteen BeachRoundstone
  4. Salthill BeachSalthill
  5. Silver Hill/Aillebrack BeachSilverhill
  6. An Trá Mór, Coill Rua, IndreabhánCo. Galway
  7. Bathing Place at PortumnaCo. Galway
  8. Céibh an Spidéal BeachCo. Galway
  9. Cill Mhuirbhigh, Inis MórCo. Galway
  10. Inis Meáin (Inishmaan)Co. Galway
  11. Renvyle BeachCo. Galway
  12. Seanchéibh an SpidéilCo. Galway
  13. Silver Strand BeachCo. Galway
  14. Trá an Dóilín, An Ceathrú RuaCo. Galway
  15. Trá Inis OírrCo. Galway
  16. Trá na gCeann (Silver Strand)Co. Galway
  17. Traught, KinvaraCo. Galway

Abbeys and churches6

  1. Na Seacht dTeampaillAran Islands
  2. Loughrea CathedralLoughrea
  3. Clonfert CathedralCo. Galway
  4. Kilmacduagh Cathedral Churches And Round TowerCo. Galway
  5. Ross Errilly AbbeyCo. Galway
  6. Saint Nicholas' Collegiate Church, GalwayCo. Galway

Ancient sites2

  1. Galway City's Medieval WallsEyre Square
  2. Dún Dúchathair (The Black Fort)Co. Galway

Gardens and parks6

  1. Galway's Living BogCastlegar
  2. Circle of Life National Organ Donor Commemorative GardenGalway City
  3. Woodville House and Walled GardenKilchreest
  4. Galway AtlantaquariaSalthill
  5. Brigit's Garden (Gairdín Bhríde)Co. Galway
  6. Rinville ParkCo. Galway

Museums24

  1. Ahascragh DistilleryAhascragh
  2. Athenry Arts and Heritage CentreAthenry
  3. The Battle of Aughrim Visitor CentreBallinasloe
  4. Caimileon Art StudioBallinderreen
  5. Father Flanagan Visitor Centre, BallymoeBallymoe
  6. Claregalway Museum and ForgeClaregalway
  7. Connemara Blue Artisan GlassClifden
  8. Dan O’Hara’s Homestead - Connemara Heritage & History CentreClifden
  9. The Whitethorn GalleryClifden
  10. Kiltartan Gregory MuseumCross
  11. James Mitchell MuseumGalway City
  12. The Kenny GalleryGalway City
  13. Inishbofin Heritage Museum & Gift ShopInishbofin
  14. Lettermullen & Garumna Heritage CentreLettermullen Island
  15. The Hooker BreweryOranmore
  16. The Irish Workhouse CentrePortumna
  17. 126 Artist-Run GalleryCo. Galway
  18. Hall of the Red EarlCo. Galway
  19. Ionad Na FeamainneCo. Galway
  20. Lackagh Museum and Heritage CentreCo. Galway
  21. Legend of the Claddagh RingCo. Galway
  22. Micil DistilleryCo. Galway
  23. Teach Synge - John Millington Synge's Cottage & MuseumCo. Galway
  24. Tribe Gin SchoolCo. Galway

Islands and coast5

  1. Droichead Charraig an Logáin (Carrickalegaun Bridge)Lettermore
  2. Calafort Ros an Mhíl (Rossaveel Harbour)Rossaveal
  3. Cleggan HarbourTrean
  4. Céibh Bhaile na hAbhann (Ballynahown Pier)Co. Galway
  5. Omey IslandCo. Galway

Lakes and waterfalls2

  1. Loughrea LakeLoughrea
  2. Derryclare LoughCo. Galway

Other places10

  1. Rathbaun FarmArdrahan
  2. Joyce Country SheepdogsClonbur
  3. Aerfort Réigiúnach Chonamara (Connemara Regional Airport)Inveran
  4. Burren Nature SanctuaryKinvara
  5. Leahy BeekeepingLoughrea
  6. Turoe Pet FarmLoughrea
  7. Loughwell Farm ParkMoycullen
  8. Glengowla Mines & Family Farm ExperienceOughterard
  9. Killary Fjord ShellfishCo. Galway
  10. Killary Sheep FarmCo. Galway

Music in Galway

Trad sessions, venues and festivals.

Where to hear it

Sessions come and go: check with the pub before you travel.

  1. Trad on the PromMusic venue · Salthill
  2. Anglers Rest BarPub with trad sessions · Renvyle
  3. Joe Watty's Bar and Seafood RestaurantPub with trad sessions · Aran Islands
  4. O'Connor's Famous PubPub with trad sessions · Upper Salthill Rd
  5. Padraicins Seafood Bar & LoungePub with trad sessions · Furbo
  6. The Cellar BarPub with trad sessions · Galway
  7. The Crane BarPub with trad sessions · Galway
  8. The Ol' 55 Bar and VenuePub with trad sessions · Galway
  9. Tig CóilíPub with trad sessions · Mainguard St
  10. Clifden Station House TheatreTheatre and arts centre · Clifden
  11. Róisín DubhMusic venue
  12. Barr An ChaladhPub with live music · Galway
  13. Garavan’s BarPub with live music · Galway
  14. Guys Bar ClifdenPub with live music · Clifden
  15. Kelehans Bar & RestaurantPub with live music · Bushypark
  16. Monroe's TavernPub with live music · Galway City
  17. The Earl InnPub with live music · Kiltullagh
  18. The Kings HeadPub with live music · Galway
  19. The Malt House MountbellewPub with live music · Mountbellew
  20. The Quays Bar & Music HallPub with live music · Galway City
  21. An Taibhdhearc, Amharclann Náisiúnta na GaeilgeTheatre and arts centre
  22. Black Box TheatreTheatre and arts centre
  23. Druid TheatreTheatre and arts centre · Galway
  24. Galway Arts CentreTheatre and arts centre · Galway
  25. Town Hall TheatreTheatre and arts centre · Galway

Music on across Ireland

Where to stay in Galway

57 places on Fáilte Ireland’s register of approved accommodation: the four and five star hotels and guest houses, plus hostels and campsites.

  1. Glenlo Abbey Hotel & Estate5-star hotel · Galway
  2. The g Hotel & Spa5-star hotel · Galway
  3. Raheen Woods Hotel4-star hotel · Athenry
  4. Shearwater Hotel & Spa4-star hotel · Ballinasloe
  5. The Twelve4-star hotel · Bearna
  6. Cashel House Hotel4-star hotel · Cashel
  7. Claregalway Hotel4-star hotel · Claregalway
  8. Abbeyglen Castle Hotel4-star hotel · Clifden
  9. Ardagh Hotel & Restaurant4-star hotel · Clifden
  10. Connemara Sands Beach Hotel & Spa4-star hotel · Clifden
  11. Connemara Coast Hotel4-star hotel · Furbo
  12. Clayton Hotel Galway4-star hotel · Galway
  13. Clybaun Hotel4-star hotel · Galway
  14. Galway Bay Hotel Conference and Leisure Centre4-star hotel · Galway
  15. Harbour Hotel4-star hotel · Galway
  16. Maldron Hotel Sandy Road Galway4-star hotel · Galway
  17. Menlo Park Hotel4-star hotel · Galway
  18. Park House Hotel4-star hotel · Galway
  19. Radisson RED Galway4-star hotel · Galway
  20. Salthill Hotel4-star hotel · Galway
  21. The Galmont Hotel & Spa4-star hotel · Galway
  22. Ardilaun Hotel and Leisure Club4-star hotel · Galway
  23. The Hardiman4-star hotel · Galway
  24. The House Hotel4-star hotel · Galway
  25. The Western Hotel4-star hotel · Galway
  26. Rosleague Manor Hotel4-star hotel · Letterfrack
  27. Lough Rea Hotel & Spa4-star hotel · Loughrea
  28. Meadow Court4-star hotel · Loughrea
  29. Maldron Hotel Galway4-star hotel · Oranmore
  30. Oranmore Lodge Hotel4-star hotel · Oranmore
  31. Ballynahinch Castle Hotel4-star hotel · Recess
  32. Lough Inagh Lodge Hotel4-star hotel · Recess
  33. Renvyle House Hotel4-star hotel · Renvyle
  34. The Quay House4-star guest house · Clifden
  35. Kinvara Guesthouse4-star guest house · Kinvara
  36. Mountain View4-star guest house · Oughterard
  37. Rossroe Lodge4-star B&B · Cashel
  38. Dan O'Haras Farmhouse4-star B&B · Clifden
  39. Sharamore House4-star B&B · Clifden
  40. St. Judes4-star B&B · Galway
  41. Woodhaven Lodge4-star B&B · Galway
  42. Ben Breen House4-star B&B · Moyard
  43. Camillaun Lodge4-star B&B · Oughterard
  44. Carrown Tober House4-star B&B · Oughterard
  45. Riverwalk House4-star B&B · Oughterard
  46. Woodlands4-star B&B · Oughterard
  47. Ardmor Country House4-star B&B · Spiddal
  48. Brú Radharc na Mara HostelHostel · Aran Islands
  49. Kinlay HostelHostel · Galway
  50. Galway City HostelHostel · Galway
  51. SnoozlesHostel · Galway
  52. The Dawson GalwayHostel · Galway
  53. Inishbofin Island HostelHostel · Inishbofin
  54. Connemara National Park Lodge - Letterfrack LodgeHostel · Letterfrack
  55. Old Monastery HostelHostel · Letterfrack
  56. Ben Lettery HostelHostel · Recess
  57. Salthill Caravan Park4-star camping park · Galway

Camping in Galway and the rest of Ireland

Where to eat and drink in Galway

106 restaurants, pubs and cafés listed with Fáilte Ireland. A list of who registered, not a ranking, linked to their own sites where they have one.

  1. 56 Central RestaurantRestaurant
  2. An PúcánRestaurant
  3. Ard Bia at NimmosRestaurant
  4. Barr An ChaladhPubFacebook page
  5. Brasserie on the CornerRestaurant
  6. Busker Brownes BarRestaurant
  7. Butlers Chocolate Café GalwayCafé
  8. Cava BodegaRestaurant
  9. Corrib House Tea RoomsCafé
  10. Elephant & Castle GalwayRestaurant
  11. Galway Bakery Company Restaurant and Coffee ShopRestaurant
  12. Garavan’s BarPub
  13. Greens & Co.RestaurantFacebook page
  14. John Keoghs The Lock KeeperRestaurant
  15. Kai RestaurantRestaurant
  16. Kombu Ramen & Bao BarRestaurant
  17. Lena's Rooftop Bar & Restaurant at Radisson RED GalwayRestaurant
  18. MassimoPub
  19. McDonagh's Seafood HouseRestaurant
  20. McGettigan's GalwayRestaurant
  21. McSwiggan's Steak & Seafood RestaurantRestaurant
  22. Murrays Coffee HouseCafé
  23. Murty Rabbitt'sPubFacebook page
  24. O'Connell's Bar GalwayPub
  25. O'Connor's Famous PubPub
  26. Oscars Seafood BistroRestaurantFacebook page
  27. O’Reilly’s Bar & KitchenRestaurant
  28. Pizza & Pasta NapoliRestaurantFacebook page
  29. Rouge RestaurantRestaurant
  30. Rúibín Bar & RestaurantRestaurant
  31. Sally Long's BarPubFacebook page
  32. Taaffes BarPubFacebook page
  33. The Cellar BarRestaurant
  34. The Crane BarPub
  35. The Dew Drop InnPubFacebook page
  36. The Galleon RestaurantRestaurantFacebook page
  37. The Huntsman InnRestaurant
  38. The Kings HeadRestaurant
  39. The Ol' 55 Bar and VenuePub
  40. The Seafood Bar @ Kirwans LaneRestaurant
  41. The Secret GardenCaféFacebook page
  42. The Skeff Bar & KitchenRestaurant
  43. The Trappers Inn & Jackson's RestaurantRestaurantFacebook page
  44. Tulsi Restaurant GalwayRestaurantFacebook page
  45. Upstairs at McCambridge'sCafé
  46. The Old Mill Shop & CaféCafé · AhascraghFacebook page
  47. Joe Watty's Bar and Seafood RestaurantRestaurant · Aran Islands
  48. Madigan’s Bar & Restaurant at Aran Islands HotelRestaurant · Aran Islands
  49. Teach an Tae Aran Café & Tea RoomsCafé · Aran Islands
  50. McHale's Bar & Grill at Raheen Woods HotelRestaurant · Athenry
  51. The Clan CollaRestaurant · Ballinasloe
  52. Keoghs BarPub · Ballyconneely
  53. Blackthorn at The Twelve HotelRestaurant · Bearna
  54. Donnelly's of BarnaRestaurant · Bearna
  55. The Pins Gastro Bar and Pizza Dozzina at The Twelve HotelRestaurant · Bearna
  56. Kelehans Bar & RestaurantRestaurant · Bushypark
  57. POTA CaféRestaurant · Cartron
  58. Lakeview (Radharc na Locha) Coffee ShopCafé · Casla
  59. The Dough BrosRestaurant · GalwayFacebook page
  60. Oliver's Bar & RestaurantRestaurant · ClegganFacebook page
  61. E J KingsRestaurant · Clifden
  62. Guys Bar ClifdenRestaurant · Clifden
  63. Lowry’s Irish Music and Whiskey BarRestaurant · Clifden
  64. Marconi Restaurant at Foyle's HotelRestaurant · Clifden
  65. Mitchells RestaurantRestaurant · Clifden
  66. The Ardagh Restaurant at The Ardagh HotelRestaurant · Clifden
  67. Walsh's Bakery & Coffee ShopCafé · Clifden
  68. John J. Burke's Bar & RestaurantRestaurant · Clonbur
  69. Glynsk HouseRestaurant · Connemara
  70. Padraicins Seafood Bar & LoungeRestaurant · Furbo
  71. 13 On The GreenRestaurant · Galway
  72. Daróg Wine BarRestaurant · Galway
  73. Dela RestaurantRestaurant · Galway
  74. Front Door & Sonnys Bar and RestaurantPub · Galway
  75. High CaféRestaurant · Galway
  76. Martine's Restaurant and Wine BarRestaurant · Galway
  77. Monroe's TavernRestaurant · Galway
  78. The Quays Bar & Music HallRestaurant · Galway
  79. Moran's Oyster CottageRestaurant · Kilcolgan
  80. Coyne's Bar & BistroPub · Kilkieran
  81. Bayview RestaurantRestaurant · KilronanFacebook page
  82. The Earl InnRestaurant · KiltullaghFacebook page
  83. Pier Head Bar & RestaurantRestaurant · KinvaraFacebook page
  84. Keogh's Restaurant KinvaraRestaurant · KinvaraFacebook page
  85. Connemara National ParkCafé · Letterfrack
  86. Veldons Seafarer Bar & RestaurantRestaurant · Letterfrack
  87. Maggie Mays Bar and RestaurantRestaurant · LoughreaFacebook page
  88. Slow Roast Sandwiches & CoffeeCafé · LoughreaFacebook page
  89. The Malt House MountbellewRestaurant · MountbellewFacebook page
  90. Galway Cakery CaféRestaurant · Moycullen
  91. The Forge Bar and RestaurantRestaurant · MoycullenFacebook page
  92. White Gables RestaurantRestaurant · Moycullen
  93. Poppy Seed CaféCafé · Oranmore
  94. CaToCa Fine Food at Portumna Castle Tea RoomsRestaurant · Portumna
  95. Red Oak RestaurantRestaurant · PortumnaFacebook page
  96. Anglers Rest BarPub · RenvyleFacebook page
  97. O’Dowd’s Seafood Bar and RestaurantRestaurant · Roundstone
  98. The Blue NotePub · Galway
  99. Creamery CaféCafé · Salthill
  100. Gourmet Tart CompanyRestaurant · Salthill
  101. Ground & Co.Restaurant · Salthill
  102. Tig CóilíPub · The Latin Quarter
  103. Cré na CilleRestaurant · Tuam
  104. Sheridan's Bar & RestaurantRestaurant · Tuam
  105. The West Wing RestaurantRestaurant · TuamFacebook page
  106. Food 4 ThoughtCafé · GalwayFacebook page

Getting to Galway

By air
Shannon Airport, Ireland West (Knock) Airport
By rail
Galway Ceannt, Oranmore, Athenry and Ballinasloe are on the Dublin to Galway line; Gort, Ardrahan and Craughwell are on the line from Limerick and Ennis.
By road
The M6, M17, M18 and N59.
By ferry
Ferries to the Aran Islands from Rossaveal, and to Inishbofin from Cleggan.

Questions

What are the best things to do in Galway?

Our top three are Connemara National Park, Kylemore Abbey and Galway City Museum. The full list of twenty is at the top of this page, and every place on it has a page of its own.

What can you do in Galway for free?

Walks, beaches and open ground cost nothing to visit. On our list that includes Salthill Promenade, The Twelve Bens, Dog's Bay Beach and Coole Park. Some forest parks charge for the car park, so check parking and access with the place before you go.

What is on in Galway?

There are 32 events listed in Galway over the months ahead. See them all.

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Guides for a trip to Galway

Longer reads for planning.

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