The best things to do in Galway for a perfect weekend getaway
A handpicked selection of the best things to do in Galway City and the surrounding area, for the perfect stay in this gorgeous corner of the West of Ireland.
I first hear about the city of Galway when my best friend moved there for a school semester.
She went knowing little about it but she came back with memories for a lifetime: Galway in her words was a dynamic, fun, interesting University City with art, history music and scenery to wow the most jaded of travelers.
Indeed, Galway is all of this. Since that time far away in the past, I have found myself in Galway several times and I have always found it just as magical as my friend said.
The city itself is pretty and with a fun university vibe, really nice for a day strolling and a night at a pub with live music, and the nature surrounding it as absolutely stunning.
From Galway, the Cliffs of Moher, the Aran Island, the Burren, Connemara are all just a short car ride away.
Galway is the perfect base to explore this part of Ireland, which is why I recommend staying here for part your Ireland road trip. It is also a lovely town in its own right. In this post, I share our favorite things to do in Galway town (sorry for the stock photos, mine came out so dark as you can see form the first one, I don’t want to subject you to them! I need to go back and take more!)
To see Galway itself you only need a day or two. however, I recommend you spend a weekend here if you want to enjoy beautiful excursions to the countryside and the islands.
Galway weekend getaway itinerary at a glance
My favourite way to spend a weekend in Galway is to find accommodation in the city and explore from there. More specifically, I like to:
Arrival: Spend the first evening in Galway listening to live music in one of the city’s many pubs (just stroll around the city center and you’ll have choices!
Day 1: Drive to the Burren, the Cliffs of Moher and Dromoland Castle, then come back to the city centre for a warming cup of tea and city center stroll.
Day 2: have a full Irish breakfast, then drive to beautiful Connemara for a day immersed in its remote nature.
Booking resources for Galway City and County
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We book all our accommodation via booking.com. I find the site easy to use, I love reading all the reviews (from customers, so I feel I can trust them) and I like their ‘genius’ program, which means you get better prices the more you use the platform. In Galway, we have stayed in the Maldron Oranmore (great with kids) and the Radisson Galmont Hotel and Spa (great for a romantic weekend or a girlfriend getaway).
For tickets and attractions I trust Tiqets.com and I also have a discount code for you to use and get 5% off: use code MAMALOVESITALY5 and this referral link to avail of it. Once you make your first purchase, the app also send you additional discount for subsequent bookings.
For tours and passes I also like GetYourGuide, which is a very handy booking system, often with free cancellation (check details on each).
Best things to do in Galway city
Take a walk down Galway’s colorful city center
I always love to start my day in Galway with a walk around its historical center and its colorful buildings.
The city dates back to medieval times: originally a small fishing village on the river Corrib, Galway got city walls in the XIII century and quickly became an important trade center thanks to its dynamic port.
The city walls are still partially visible and their most impressive remain is the Spanish Arch. It sits where the River Corrib enters into Galway Bay and was built in 1584 to house the soldiers in charge of guarding the city.
It is one of the main landmarks in Galway city and one easy to see since it is right between the coast and the main street – an easy stop on your Galway itinerary!
A cool way to discover Galway City center and all it has to offer both in terms of history and food is to join a walking tour, which is what we did on our first trip here.
Have a look here at cost and itinerary
Even without a tour, you can easily explore the center. I like to start at the seafront and then allow myself to get lost along the small streets and shops in the area of Quay street and shops street.
This area is closed to cars and really pleasant.
The streets here are touristy, and bursting with people in summer especially, but they have lovely colorful facades, many independent shops and a plethora of tea rooms and pubs that make them hard to resist.
It is a small enough area and you don’t need a special itinerary to take it in: just take a walk and peek into any shop you see that piques your interest.
Many have lovely handmade stuff and not on the main street type of shops: last time we went, we spent hours in a shop called ‘wooden heart’ and got charmed by their woodwork but this is only one of the many independent retailers you will find in the city.
If you are looking for something to buy that will remind you of Ireland or a special present for someone, this is the perfect place!
Galway has some nice museums worth visiting and perfect for the not-so-rare rainy day in the city.
Depending on your interests you can also visit the Claddagh Ring Museum, the Galway City Museum, free and one of the most popular attractions in Galway or you can explore Galway’s collegiate church, St Nicholas, one of the best-preserved medieval churches of its kind in the country.
Have afternoon tea
Galway city center has many lovely cafes where you can indulge in the quintessential Irish comfort moment of a cup of tea and cake.
However, if you are in Galway on a romantic or girlfriend’s getaway, you may want to have something special and go for afternoon tea at the Galmont.
Afternoon tea is not just a warming moment but a full experience with tiered trays, mini sandwiches, cakes, of course tea and, if fancy, champagne!
Take a walk in the University grounds
In the XIX century, Galway also acquired a University, still one of the most important in the country and a lovely place to explore if you fancy a walk in relaxing and beautiful surroundings
NUI Galway campus is vast, green and beautiful and it is open to visitors who can explore it following the university campus trail (have a look here) which offers paths to walk and even cycle!
Enjoy one of Galway’s’ many pubs
Galway has many pubs and one of my most distinctive memories of my first weekend here was listening to live music in one of them. It was my first time with live Irish music and there was so much joy in it, I still remember it so many years later!
Traditional music, however, is not the only thing you find in Galway.
The choice of pubs is huge and you can go as traditional or as modern as you want: you can find an excellent list of options with photos and info so you ca pic your favorite here.
Take a stroll along the Salt Hill promenade
Salthill Promenade is one of the most famous attractions n Galway and a wonderful place for a walk. About 2 miles long, the promenade follows the seafront it is just a walk, so it is suitable for all levels of fitness, and it offers wonderful views of the Bay.
It is a great place for an afternoon walk and has many restaurants and cafes for a pick me up on the way.
Explore Galway’s wonderful Christmas market
Ireland may not immediately come to mind when you think of Christmas markets in Europe however, Galway has a lovely one that attracts people from all over.
If you find yourself in Ireland in December, this is a really fun stop for adults and kids!
Things to do in Galway with kids
Galway is a welcoming, family-friendly place that you can easily enjoy with small children.
The city center and the Salthill promenade and both nice with small children but if you are looking for things to do in Galway with kids that go beyond city exploring, these are some of your favorites.
Take a cruise on the Corrib Princess
Water is one of the most distinctive traits of Galway city and a fun way to enjoy the city river, lake and coastal location is to hop on board the Corrib Princess, an all-weather boat that offers a scenic cruise of the area.
From the Corrib princess, you will see lakes, nature and castles, all without having to move a step!
You can find info, prices and booking details here
Escape the rain in Atlantiquaria, Galway’s Aquarium
Another fun thing to do in Galway with kids and one that is perfect on a rainy day is visiting Atlantiquarua, Galway’s aquarium.
You can visit the Aquarium at your own pace or join the several activities for kids regularly running both indoors and outdoors. The official Aquarium website is here
Visit delightful Brigit’s garden (outside Galway city)
Brigit’s gardens is a wonderful family-friendly attraction in Galway perfect for families with kids of all ages.
It is an open-air heritage center with several gardens, a nature trail, a fairy fort, thatched roundhouse and crannog, and the largest calendar sundial in Ireland!
The place is wonderful for a day in nature but what makes it even more special is the symbolism it accompanies it he four gardens are named after Celtic festivals and follow the cycle of the Celtic seasons: Samhain (the start of the Celtic calendar on the 31st of October), Imbolc, the start of Spring, falling on St Brigit’s day, the 1st of February, Bealtaine, May Day, the start of the warmer half of the year and Lughnasa in early August, the start of the harvest season.
The mix of beautiful nature and symbolism makes these gardens perfect for adults and kids. The lovely cafe on site helps too! Find info and how to get there here