Best Things To Do in Galway

Galway is one of the most important cities on the west coast of Ireland and it is not only because of its medieval heritage, but also because from there you can discover the natural beauty of the surrounding region, which includes national parks, islands and meadows that you can visit during all seasons of the year.

Some of the best things to do in Galway include walking through Eyre Square, strolling through the Latin Quarter, discovering the local gastronomy, visiting Kylemore Abbey and crossing the Spanish Arch, which is one of the remaining vestiges of the ancient medieval city walls.

Eyre Square is Galway's mile zero and a popular meeting place for both locals and tourists in the city. At the center of this landmark stands a sculpture of The Browne Doorway, an original doorway from the home of a prominent Galway family that reflects Galway's medieval architecture, as well as an iron figure of the Galway Hooker, a fishing boat that pays homage to Galway's maritime heritage.

The Eyre Square area is also strategically located and surrounded by several points of interest, such as the Brown Thomas department store, a perfect place for unique shopping.

Also, just a few steps away you will find the iconic Shop Street, a pedestrian street full of businesses, but also the epicenter of street musicians' performances and local products, such as handicrafts and souvenirs.

Apart from its commercial offer and its importance as a meeting point, Eyre Square is very close to important cultural attractions such as the Galway Museum, which offers exhibitions that explore the history of the city and its connection with the sea. And it is also often the starting point when booking a guided tour of Galway.

If you want to know the commercial heart of Galway you can not miss the popular Shop Street, which is one of the most famous and lively streets of the city. This pedestrian promenade is full of stores, restaurants, pubs and cafes, making it a magnet for locals and tourists.

One of the main attractions of Shop Street is its varied commercial offer. There you can find everything from big international brands to local stores selling typical Irish products, such as Celtic jewelry and handicrafts. One point of interest is Brown Thomas, a luxury department store, perfect for those looking for exclusive products. If you prefer something more affordable, you'll also find small boutiques offering independent designer clothing.

In addition to its shopping, the street is full of history and architectural charm. Along Shop Street you'll see historic buildings, such as Lynch 's Castle, a former medieval tower house that today houses a private bank, but whose facade retains its original design. Nearby is also St. Nicholas Collegiate Church, Ireland's largest medieval church, which is still in use

Shop Street is also known for its vibrant social life. Traditional pubs, such as Tigh Neachtain and The Kings Head, offer live music and Irish food, making it a great place to relax after a day of exploring. It is also easily accessible and you can get there by booking tickets for the Galway hop on-hop off sightseeing bus, which has a stop in the area.

One of the ways to really get to know a destination is to dive into the local cuisine, and in Galway you can find a perfect fusion between the freshness of local produce and modern culinary creativity. In addition, because the city is located on the west coast, many of its dishes are based on fresh seafood from the Atlantic. Oysters, mussels and salmon are some of the stars of the local menu.

On the other hand, one of the highlights of the city's gastronomic calendar is the Galway International Oyster & Seafood Festival, held every autumn. During this event, visitors have the opportunity to sample oysters of all kinds, along with a variety of seafood prepared in different ways.

However, you don't need to wait for the festival to savor the best of the sea, as you can also do so on your own in the city's restaurants or by booking a food tour of Galway.

In addition to seafood, Galway is also known for its high quality lamb and beef from animals raised on nearby Connemara farms . In this way, you can try the traditional Irish stew, a lamb stew simmered with vegetables and potatoes.

Galway's Latin Quarter is one of the most popular areas of the city, known for its bohemian atmosphere and cultural heritage. Situated along the cobblestone streets surrounding the Corrib River, this district has long been home to artists, writers and musicians, tracing its history back to medieval times when Galway was an important trading port and melting pot.

The influences that the Latin Quarter received from all corners of the world are still felt in its architecture, street art and thriving social life. In addition, on this site you will find the Spanish Arch, one of the few extensions of the old city wall, which was built in the 16th century to protect the port, still standing . All this contributes to the discovery of Galway's most authentic profile.

The Latin Quarter is also a stronghold of street music, especially in places like Kirwan's Lane, where local and international artists perform for passersby, which undresses the spirit of the district and bathes the streets in color. You can visit this district on your own or if you decide to book a guided tour of Galway.

One of the main monuments of Galway is the Spanish Arch, which is located on the banks of the Corrib River and is a reminder of the medieval history of the region. Built in 1584 as an extension of the original defensive walls, this arch served to protect ships docked in the harbor. Its name comes from the trading relationship that existed between Ireland and Spain when the city was a thriving port exporting furs, wool and fish.

The Spanish Arch is one of the few remaining remnants of Galway's ancient walls, which once surrounded and protected the city.

Originally, the arch was part of a larger defensive system that included towers and other gateways. Although many of these structures were demolished or absorbed by urban growth, this monument has survived as a witness to the medieval heritage and you can visit it if you decide to book a guided tour of Galway.

In addition to its historical value, the area around the Spanish Arch is a vibrant space that blends history with modern life. A few steps away you will find the Galway Museum and also the busy streets of the Latin Quarter, which is one of the most eclectic, bohemian and picturesque spots of this destination.

The Galway Museum is one of the most visited cultural destinations in the city and offers a comprehensive overview of the history, art and local culture, so you can not leave it out of your itinerary through the city. Here you'll find a variety of exhibits ranging from prehistory to the present, showcasing the maritime history of western Ireland and highlighting its ancient communities and contemporary life.

One of the museum's main attractions is its section dedicated to the port of Galway, which highlights the city's importance as a commercial epicenter in the Middle Ages. There you can find old maps, scale models of ships and artifacts recovered from the sea, including weapons and objects from ships that once wrecked on the coast.

The museum also houses a collection of archaeological objects, such as Stone Age tools and medieval ceramics that illustrate how the first inhabitants of the region lived.

On the other hand, it also devotes significant space to the city's modern history, with interactive exhibits that allow you to explore how the War of Independence and the Irish Civil War impacted Galway.

One of the best natural attractions to visit in Galway is Connemara National Park, located about an hour's drive from the city center. This site encompasses around 2,000 hectares of mountains, bogs, meadows and forests in the Connemara region and its history is intrinsically linked to the land, as for centuries it was inhabited by local farmers.

In this park you will have the opportunity to enjoy its landscapes through the different trails, they offer views of rugged mountains, serene lakes and heather fields. The most popular hike is up Diamond Hill, from the summit of which you can see panoramic views of the Atlantic coast, the islands of Inishbofin and Inishturk, as well as the Twelve Bens, a mountain range characteristic of Connemara.

Booking an excursion to Connemara National Park from Galway will also allow you to discover its biodiversity. Its ecosystems are home to numerous species of flora and fauna, including the Connemara pony, a native breed that breeds in the region. You can also find birds of prey such as hawks and eagles, as well as various species of butterflies and plants that thrive in the park's acidic soils.

The Aran Islands are one of the most fascinating destinations you can visit in the west of Ireland. Composed of three main islands (Inis Mór, Inis Meáin and Inis Oírr), this site will allow you to discover the ancient traditions of the region and the surrounding nature. From Galway you can take a ferry and join a tour led by local guides to learn about Gaelic culture and historical monuments.

On Inis Mór, which is the largest of the three islands, you can visit Dún Aonghasa, a prehistoric fort located on a cliff over a hundred meters high. This stone structure, which dates back to the Iron Age, offers a view of the Atlantic Ocean and provides a glimpse of the ingenuity and resilience of the islands' ancient inhabitants.

In addition, the islands are dotted with other ruins, such as medieval churches, stone cottages and Neolithic tombs that contribute to the reputation of the wild beauty that distinguishes Galway and the entire west of Ireland. The natural areas of this site can be discovered on a bicycle tour or by walking along the coastal paths.

The Aran Islands are also known for their traditional culture. The Gaelic language is still spoken by many of the islanders, and visitors have the opportunity to experience authentic local life. In addition, Aran sweaters, known for their intricate knitted patterns, are handcrafted there and are available in stores at very affordable prices.

If you want to get to know one of the main profiles of the west of Ireland, then you can't miss the Cliffs of Moher, which are one of the most striking natural wonders of the country and a must-see for any tourist. These rock formations stretch for eight kilometers over the Atlantic, reaching a maximum height of over 200 meters high.

From the top of the cliffs you can contemplate unparalleled panoramic views, which on clear days include the Aran Islands and the mountains of Connemara. Their majesty has made a visit to the Cliffs of Moher one of Ireland's most popular tourist attractions, attracting more than a million visitors each year.

At the cliffs, you can also walk along the paths along the coast. Along these paths you can stop at various scenic points to take in the vastness of the landscape. Also, at the northern end of Moher you will come across O'Brien's Tower, a small stone structure built in the 19th century that provides an additional viewing platform.

The Kylemore Abbey, located in the center of Connemara, is one of Ireland's historic destinations and can be easily reached on a tour from Galway. This abbey was built as a private residence for Mitchell Henry, a wealthy English politician and businessman, and is now a Benedictine monastery. Surrounded by mountains and on the shores of a lake, its neo-Gothic architecture makes it the protagonist of the landscape.

At the abbey, you can also visit the complex's Gothic church, which was built in memory of Henry's wife, who died tragically at an early age. On the property, you can also visit the mausoleum where the remains of both Henry and Margaret are laid to rest.

Kylemore's Victorian walled gardens are another of the main attractions of this site. These six-hectare gardens have been restored to their original splendor and are an example of 19th century Victorian style. Here you can stroll among colorful flowers, exotic plants and herbs from around the world while enjoying the tranquility of the surroundings.