Top Things to Do in the Galway | Must-See Attractions & Experiences

Plan Your Travel To Galway

Places To Visit In Galway

Connemara National Park

Located along NH59 near Letterfrack village, the Connemara National Park is the perfect outdoor activity. Home to around 50 scenic mountains, the park offers a vast collection of fabulous hiking trails and nature walks. The Park is known for the variety of birds it is home to. The Connemara National Park is the perfect place for you if it's a lovely day in he outdoors you want. Take rides on the ponies, or explore the hills while the kids have a fun time in the play area, Connemara's stunning sceneries will definitely leave you mesmerised. For the best of these views, head up to the top of Diamond Hill, with a great hike up, and rewarding views in all directions from the summit. Connemara is also home to a wide variety of birds, with rare birds like the peregrine falcon and the merlin, with common birds like skylarks, European stonechats, robins and wrens, and also meadow pipits. You can even witness a dedicated audio visual show about the park, or the exhibition on the park's scenic landscape. It's best to be prepared for rain when you're heading for the park. Read More

A stone-sculpted garden, the Cycle of Life Commemorative Garden, was built to commemorate the spirit of those who have donated their organs upon death. It symbolizes various aspects of humanity and is located adjacent to Salthill Promenade. Opened recently in 2014, the garden is a beautiful blend representation of Irish history and a soothing atmosphere, good enough to heal anyone ailing with a busy mind. The small patches of green pleasantly interrupt the impressive stone work throughout the park, and the 'Circle of Life' are the 5 inscribed stones at the centre, depicting the life of a man. The Stone Candle, for example, symbolises the light of humanity which shines through organ donation, and the Heritage Stones from each of the 5 continents depict the universal nature of humanity. The Stone of Unification, with it's soft imprinted hands, is dedicated to the organ donors over the years. The gardens are located within the Quincentennial Park, overlooking Galway Bay. Read More

Eyre Square is a famous and lively public park located within the city centre, a stone throw away from a popular shopping street in Galway called William Street. The park offers a lively vibe, with several people visiting the park each day to witness several beautiful statues and fountains. Eyre Square is a famous public park of Galway, and the roads around it are the main streets of Galway's city centre. The well known William Street and Shop Street are nearby, great places for shopping in the city. The park is full of hordes of people every single day, making for a very lively atmosphere. You will notice the 14 flags of the famous Tribes of Galway, 14 families which ran the city from the 14th to the 18th century, and also a photo of former US President John F. Kennedy. He had visited Galway a short while before his assassination, and the park was renamed in his park honour in 1965. Throughout the park you will come across many interesting places, like Browne Doorway - the gate of the house of one of the Tribes, the statue of Liam Mellows, and an intriguing fountain of the Galway Hookers. A great option to relax in the outdoors with the family! Read More

Located on the western bank of the River Corrib, the Galway Cathedral is the newest stone-built cathedral in Europe. It is one of the most stunning buildings in the city with its unique green color on the entire roofing. It is a must for admirers of European forms of architecture and art. The cathedral is a place of great interest to those interested in architecture, and of supreme beauty to visitors in general. The structure is built using architecture from various periods throughout history, with the dome built in a pronounced Romanesque style. Inside, the cathedral features several incredible works of art like mosaics and stained glass. You will be thoroughly engaged in admiring this absolutely beautiful creation, and the several further features within it. Read More

Providing a look back into the rich history of Galway City, Galway City Museum contains several exhibits and also historic artifacts from prehistoric to modern eras. It displeases artifacts from everyday life to rare coins. It is located right next to the famous Spanish Arch of Galway. The Galway City Museum's intriguing exhbitions take you through Galway through various periods of history, from pre-historic times to Galway of the modern era. Along the way you'll come across tools of every day use, such as farming implements, stone artefacts, collections of tools used in boating and fishing, and also many pieces of art works. However, the 2 exhibits you should definitely check out are the Civic Sword and the Civic Mace. The sword actually goes back to the Chart of King James I in 1610, after which carrying such weapons before the mayor was allowed. The mace itself is a brilliantly crafted piece of silver, presented to the town by Mayor Edward Dyre in 1712. There are other artefacts of supreme importance on display, like the 9 rare coins, a statue of Pàdraic ” Conaire, and also an interesting and very rare copy of a pictoral map of Galway from 1651. Read More

Latin Quarter is a busy tourist hub full of bars, restaurants, shops, and many entertaining street performers! You'll find tons of places to shop here and even more places to grab a bite and a pint. It is one of the most crowded neighborhoods in Galway, with ecstatic nightlife. Galway's Latin Quarter is another really popular and crowded area in the city. It is teeming with people throughout the day, with several street performers busy entertaining people with their array of talents.Galway's energy and warm atmosphere are captured to perfection in this brilliant neighbourhood, and you won't even get to know when the hours pass. Keep in mind though, it gets extremely crowded at times. Read More

A hugely popular street, Quay Street, is brimming with life and energy and Galway's centre of entertainment and nightlife. This famous street is home to Galway's best pubs, bars, and restaurants and is always full of people. It is the main pedestrian street located in Galway Downtown. A visit to Quay Street during your trip to Galway is an absolute must. Galway is a very friendly city, and the atmosphere at Quay Street is absolutely top notch. Shop around, have a few pints of beer, or watch the street entertainers found in numbers over her! The street is very much the hub of Galway's nightlife, and you won't be disappointed at all by the variety on offer, with great music to be found throughout the day and night. Read More

Located along the shore of Galway Bay, the Salthill Promenade is a vibrant and popular hub for tourists and locals alike. The promenade is a 2 km long road loaded with restaurants, pubs, cafes, and even casinos for entertainment. It is also casually called Salthill Prom by Galwegians. A favourite activity among Galwegians and visitors alike is a stroll along this scenic route, getting a taste of it's lively environment and places on offer. The Aran Islands, Connemara, the Burren and the city of Galway are all visible from the 'prom', as it is fondly called. Of course, the views are subject to weather conditions, as with most of the things in Ireland. Read More

The Wild Atlantic Way, a tourism trail, runs along for a massive 2,500 km along the western coast of Ireland. Offering amazing views, a range of activities, and a memorable experience, the road is a feature on many itineraries. It is among the most picturesque routes anywhere in the country. Take a drive along this wonderful stretch of road for sceneries you will forever remember, or explore it's beaches on the back of the Connemara ponies. These ponies will even take you across the shallow waters to nearby islands like Mweenish, Omey and Finish. You can also travel along the famous Bog Road in Clifden, witnessing some historic sites such as the world's first permanent trans-Atlantic radio station, or the memorial to Alcock and Brown, who crashed the first continuous flight across the Atlantic in the bog, uninjured. You can also go for a day trip to the nearby island of Inis Oirr, exploring this beautiful expanse of land by bicycle or on a pony. The Aran islands are a top attraction and you should definitely take a day out to explore them. The three main activities mentioned above are 3 of the 15 'Signature Experiences' along the long Wild Atlantic Way. Read More