By air
Shannon (SNN), ~1 h 15 min
Europe · Ireland
Galway, Ireland
Music, festivals and the wild west
Getting there
Best time to visit
May to September; the arts festival is in July
Don't miss
The Latin Quarter
The Spanish Arch
Galway Cathedral
The Aran Islands
Things to do
Live music
The Latin Quarter
Day trips to Connemara and the Aran Islands
Where to eat
Sources: Photo: Sarah777 · Public domain
What to pack
Rain gear
A quieter corner
The Salthill promenade at sunset
Questions travellers ask
What time of year suits Galway?
May to September, with July the month for the arts festival. Pack rain gear either way.
What is there to do in Galway?
Wander the Latin Quarter, catch some live music, and see the Spanish Arch and Galway Cathedral. Day trips head out to Connemara and the Aran Islands.
What should I eat in Galway?
Oysters and seafood chowder. Afterwards, walk the Salthill promenade at sunset — the city's hidden gem.
How do I get to Galway by air?
Fly into Shannon (SNN), about an hour and 15 minutes away.
About Galway
- Coastal
Where it is
Galway is a city on the west coast of Ireland, on the River Corrib between Lough Corrib and Galway Bay, with the Burren across the bay to the south and Connemara to the west.
History
Galway grew around Dún Gaillimhe, a fort completed in 1124 by the King of Connacht, which the Anglo-Norman de Burghs captured in the 1230s. For centuries the town was run by fourteen merchant families, the Tribes of Galway, which gave it the name City of the Tribes, and it was Ireland's main port for trade with Spain and France.
People
Galway is a university city with a large student population, and English is spoken alongside Irish, the everyday language of the Gaeltacht on the city's doorstep. Theatre, traditional music and festivals, from the Arts Festival in July to the Galway Races and the oyster festival, fill the calendar.
Known for
- Traditional music in the pubs
- The Latin Quarter and the Spanish Arch
- The Galway International Arts Festival
- Galway Bay oysters
- Day trips to Connemara and the Aran Islands
Did you know?
The Claddagh ring, with two hands holding a crowned heart, is named after the Claddagh, an old fishing village beside Galway city.
We haven't written a guide for this place yet — you can still plan a trip here.