Galway travel guide

Photo of city view of Galway City in Ireland by Thomas Werneken
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Introduction to Galway

Galway, Ireland - When thinking about this city in Ireland, images of the spectacular Eyre Square, Galway Cathedral, and Galway City Museum instantly come to mind. As you explore beyond these attractions and read through this Galway travel guide, you'll find that this city in Ireland is more than what we see in books and social media. Galway, and its community of more than 79.5 thousand people, is a culturally-rich and diverse travel destination offering plenty of unforgettable experiences.

You'll learn more fascinating facts about Galway as you explore this spectacular city.

Traveling to Galway is especially rewarding for anyone eager to connect with locals and learn more about their unique culture and traditions.

Get ready to explore and learn more about the city of Galway below!

Top services in Galway

Here on this page, you'll find all the top travel services in Galway, Ireland. Browse the 199 top-rated tours available to you in Galway. Compare the rates and services of the 6 types of places to stay in Galway and the 2 car rental companies offering CDW insurance coverage. We make it easy for you to find and book the top services in Galway.

Enjoy the convenience of planning and booking every detail of your trip to Galway, including flights, accommodations, activities, and more, in one place. Book with Guide to Europe to get an expertly-curated and fully-customizable itinerary and experience the best of Galway on your vacation in Ireland.

Get answers to questions about the routes and services offered in Galway from our free 24/7 customer support. Continue reading to learn how you can enjoy a stress-free and memorable vacation in the city of Galway!

Learn more about Ireland

There are many reasons to visit the city of Galway, but a trip to Ireland needs no explanation.

Exploring Ireland, which spans 70,273 square kilometers, is an adventure of a lifetime. Ireland offers an abundance of truly magical places to discover, including cultural, historic, and scenic sites of significant value to both locals and travelers.

As the home country of many world-famous attractions like the spectacular Eyre Square, Galway Cathedral, and the Galway City Museum, you’re all set for a unique and memorable travel experience in Ireland.

Click or tap the link below to discover more about Ireland.

What to see in Galway

Galway has something for everyone. Regardless of age and interest, travelers have the best time exploring every corner of the city.

Read on to discover the best places to visit and find out what to expect from the city of Galway.

Top attractions in Galway

Home to plenty of top attractions, Galway is more than just a wonderful city in Ireland. Galway is a travel hotspot and a great place to experience a mix of the traditional and modern culture of Ireland.

One fascinating sight in Galway is the unforgettable Eyre Square. Considered one of the most well-known attractions in the city, a visit to this spectacular travel destination is something you shouldn’t miss on your trip to Galway.

Eyre Square is open for visitors at any time of the day and is located at Eyre Square, Galway, Ireland.

For more information about what you can expect during a vacation in Ireland, check out our list of top attractions in Galway below. Discover the best places to visit in Galway, including the fascinating Eyre Square, Galway Cathedral, Galway City Museum, Great Escape Rooms, and Barna Woods.

Map of attractions

Use this map to find the location of all top attractions in Galway.

Things to do in Galway

Enrich your travel experience in Galway by joining tours and activities. Galway offers an exciting selection of top-rated tours and it's easy for every traveler to find something to their liking. Take the opportunity to catch the top attractions on a tour, stay active with an adventurous excursion, or learn something new about the local history or culture of the city.

Discover the most popular experiences in Galway below.

Most popular experiences in Galway

Traveling is all about gaining new experiences. You can have that and more in the city of Galway.

Galway offers numerous tours and activities for travelers to choose from. Historical Tours, Guided Day Trips, and Private Day Trips are only a few of the many experiences you can book for your holiday in Ireland.

Explore the most popular experiences you can join in Galway by clicking on one of the top-rated tour categories below.

Top tours & tickets starting in Galway

Travelers in Galway can choose from 18 categories of top-rated tours and tickets. If you're curious about what the most frequently recommended experiences in the city are, Shore Excursions is the answer.

The most popular tour in Galway is the fantastic Private Cliffs of Moher Day Tour. By joining this highly recommended tour, travelers get to learn more about what makes Galway one of the best travel destinations in Ireland.

Galway also offers plenty of budget-friendly tours and activities that promise travelers a unique experience in the city. The affordable A taste of the Craic: A self-guided tour exploring Galway's local gastronomy is the cheapest tour in the city, and is a popular Historical Tour. This experience costs around 7 EUR and allows travelers a great time in Galway. This Historical Tour is available in 1 language: English. Around 1 traveler have given this activity an average rating of 4 stars out of 5.

Secure an unforgettable experience for your upcoming trip to Galway and book a top-rated tour in the city. Discover the best tours, activities, and tickets in Galway below.

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Search for things to do in Galway

Discover the best things to do in Galway. Choose from 199 fantastic tours and activities available in the city.

Select your dates and number of travelers in the search bar below to receive the best recommendations for your vacation in Galway. Click the green button to view your options.

Vacation packages in Galway

The best and easiest way to visit Galway is by booking a vacation package. A vacation package includes everything you need for a worry-free and perfectly planned holiday in Ireland.

Booking a vacation package to Galway means spending less time planning and more time enjoying your vacation. A vacation package includes everything from flight tickets, accomodation, and a rental car, to 24/7 personal travel support and a carefully planned travel itinerary. You can also take your vacation in Galway to the next level by adding tours, tickets, and activities to each day of your trip.

Apart from providing you with everything you need to travel comfortably, your vacation package to Galway is also fully customizable. In other words, you can add or remove services at your own convenience, to create the perfect vacation for you and your travel companions.

On our website, you will find unique vacation packages to Galway, including flight tickets, hotel reservations, and recommendations for the best sightseeing spots, restaurants, bars, and activities.

Continue to the next section to learn more about what types of vacations you can book in the city of Galway.

Find vacation packages in Galway

Discover and compare vacation packages that take you to the wonderful city of Galway.

The best flights, hotels, and activities in Galway get fully booked quickly. Use the search tool below to find the best vacation packages in Ireland. Your customized holiday package to Galway is only a few clicks away!

How to get to Galway

To get to the city of Galway the fastest way possible, travelers from outside Ireland can travel by plane.

If you're looking for the best flight ticket deals to Galway, knowing the cheapest travel time and which airlines offer the most affordable flights is helpful. Luckily, we have this information for you.

Find cheap flights to Galway

Over the years, more airlines have started offering flexible and direct flights to Galway, making it one of the most accessible travel destinations in Ireland.

Use the search tool below to find the cheapest flights to Ireland and the city of Galway from your city of departure.

Where to stay in Galway

An essential factor to consider when traveling to a new place or country is accommodation. While visiting a city as fantastic as Galway is always exciting, any avid traveler knows that accommodations often make or break the vacation experience.

The best place to stay in Galway usually depends on travelers' needs and preferences. However, booking accommodation in downtown Galway offers a ton of benefits.

Staying at the heart of the city allows you to easily walk to many of the top sights and dining areas in Galway and cut down on your travel expenses. Centrally-located accommodations are also an excellent choice for travelers in Galway planning to go on a quick tour or drive to the neighboring regions.

In Galway, you'll find 6 different types of places to stay catering to every taste, budget, and reason for travel. For example, honeymooners or travelers on a romantic getaway in Ireland can experience the ultimate relaxation at one of the 5-star or 4-star hotels in Galway. Travelers whose purpose is sightseeing can also find plenty of mid-range hotels to budget-friendly accommodations in the city, allowing access to many of the top attractions in Galway.

Learn more about the most popular places to stay and the top-rated hotels in Galway in the next sections.

Popular types of accommodation in Galway

A trip to the fascinating Galway, Ireland, means opportunities to relax at any of the 6 different types of places to stay in the city. Overall, travelers can choose from the following: 217 hotels, 53 vacation rental apartments, 21 cottages, 12 bed & breakfasts, 7 guesthouses and 4 hostels. While each type offers varying amenities and rates, there is no denying that Galway provides a great selection of lodging options ready to cater to every kind of guest.

Among all these choices available in the city, Menlo Park Hotel is one of the top picks of travelers in Galway.

The hotel is located at Headford Road and boasts many great utilities, including Air conditioning, Bar, and Family rooms.

Budget accommodations are also incredibly popular among travelers in Galway. Cheaper alternatives allow travelers to save on accommodation costs and have more to spend on other experiences.

In Galway, travelers looking for an economical yet top-rated place to stay usually choose Kinlay Hostel. For approximately 53 EUR, guests can book a comfortable Unknown at this popular hotel.

Below is a list of all 6 different types of places to stay in Galway. Select the type you prefer to compare options under each category and find the best accommodation.

Top hotels in Galway

Hotels are travelers' go-to accommodations in Galway for the unique experience they provide. So if you're the kind of traveler who prefers staying at hotels, you'll be glad to know that the city is home to around 314 hotels.

Besides offering basic amenities, many hotels in Galway provide meals and extras, such as shuttle services, spa facilities, tour desks, and other services. But because not all hotels in Galway are created equal, finding the best in the city often requires careful research. For your convenience, we've done all the research to make it easier for you to check out all the top hotels in Galway.

The G Hotel and Spa offers the most luxurious rooms and is perfect for travelers looking for the ultimate 5-star hotel experience in Galway. If comfort, convenience, and affordability are your non-negotiables, check out Menlo Park Hotel, the top 4-star hotel in the city. When all you need is a pleasant place to rest and sleep in between your activities in Galway, the highest-rated 3-star hotel, The Western Hotel & Suites, is for you.

Below is our hand-picked list of the best hotels in the Galway. Travelers are encouraged to book early as these hotels quickly reach capacity.

Click the arrows or swipe the list to see each hotel's ratings, reviews, locations, rates, and more. You can read detailed descriptions of each hotel by clicking the cards.

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Search for accommodation in Galway

Use the Accommodation Search tool below to find available stays in the city of Galway on specific dates. This handy feature also allows you to compare prices and amenities.

Enter the preferred check-in and check-out dates. Then, select the number of guests and rooms. Click the Search button to find all the available hotels and places to stay in the city of Galway that match the information provided.

Car rental in Galway

Experience the freedom and convenience of a self-drive vacation by renting a car for your adventures in Galway. Galway has 2 car rental companies ready to provide you with the perfect vehicle for your travels.

Automatic cars for rent in Galway start from 74.51 EUR per day or 521.56 EUR per week. The cheapest automatic rental car is a Nissan Micra.

If you prefer driving a manual car, you’ll find multiple options for rent in Galway, starting from 34.48 EUR per day or 241.36 EUR per week. The cheapest manual rental car is a Ford Fiesta.

Learn more about the different types of cars you can rent in Galway, Ireland, below.

Popular types of car rental in Galway

Discover and choose from our broad range of popular car rental options in the city of Galway to find the best car for your travel plans. Travelers in Galway can choose from small cars, medium cars, large cars, estate cars, mini vans, SUVs, convertibles, premium cars, camper vans, mini campers, vans, cars. All car rentals come with CDW insurance for added protection throughout your trip.

Renting a car is a popular choice among travelers who want to explore Ireland at their own pace. The most popular type of car rental among small groups of travelers in Galway is a TopLevel.

Another very popular type of car to rent in Galway is a TopLevel. This car is particularly popular among couples and solo travelers touring the city of Galway.

Check out all options available in Galway and book the car rental for your upcoming adventures in Ireland below.

Search for car rental in Galway

Get ready to hit the road and explore the beautiful city of Galway. Find the best deals on a variety of popular car rentals in Galway, Ireland, or any other destination in Europe by using the search tool below.

Enter your pick-up and drop-off location, driver's age, and dates. Click the green button to view your options.

Popular destinations to visit after Galway

The city of Galway is just one of the many unique and scenic destinations you can visit in Ireland. So if you're itching for another cultural adventure, a relaxing road trip, an action-filled city break, or a memorable weekend getaway, know that Ireland has it all.

Ireland is calling, and the country is asking you to experience its culture and diversity to the fullest! Take the opportunity to visit other captivating places in Ireland that are as magical as the city of Galway. The most popular travel destinations in Ireland are listed below. Click on the name of the place you want to explore next to learn more about it.

All the best destinations in Ireland

When unsure of where to go next, use the map below. This map shows the locations of all the best destinations in Ireland. Use the map to plan your trip and find the best routes.

Domestic flights from Galway

A taste of Ireland through a visit to Galway can often reignite a traveler's passion for adventure. When this happens, the best way to satisfy this wanderlust is to book a domestic flight from Galway to another remarkable destination in Ireland.

To begin your search for the best or cheapest flights from the city of Galway to other spectacular locations in Ireland, jump to the last section of this travel guide.

Search domestic flights from Galway

Traveling to another city or region in Ireland? Use the flight search tool below to quickly find the cheapest one-way or round-trip flights from Galway to different local destinations.

Enter all the necessary information and click or tap on the Search button to see a list of the available domestic flights in Ireland on the selected dates.

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