All citiesGalway Things to do and walking itinerary
Ireland Galway travel guide
16 things to do in Galway, where to stay, airport transfers. Pick places on the map and get a day-by-day walking route from your hotel with steps, kilometres and minutes.
All Galway guide sections (9)
Top things to do in Galway
- Spanish Arch: One of two arches left from the old town walls, at the mouth of the river. (visit ≈ 30 min)
- Galway City Museum: The city history museum next to the Spanish Arch, opened in 2006. (visit ≈ 120 min)
- Cathedral of Our Lady Assumed into Heaven and St Nicholas, Galway: Dedicated to Our Lady and St Nicholas, the Catholic cathedral is the largest church in the city. (visit ≈ 35 min)
- An Taibhdhearc - Amharclann Náisiúnta na Gaeilge: Opened in 1928, this stage is Ireland's national theatre for plays in Irish. (visit ≈ 20 min)
- St. Nicholas' Collegiate Church: Founded in 1320, the medieval church honours St Nicholas, protector of sailors. (visit ≈ 30 min)
- Eyre Square: The central park beside the railway station, where the shopping streets begin. (visit ≈ 15 min)
- Oranmore Castle: A tower house overlooking the bay in the village of Oranmore, south-east of the city. (visit ≈ 75 min)
- Menlo Castle: The ruin of the Blake family's 16th-century castle on the banks of the Corrib. (visit ≈ 75 min)
- Claregalway Friary: The remains of a medieval Franciscan friary in the village of Claregalway to the north. (visit ≈ 40 min)
- St Ignatius Church, Galway: Founded by the Jesuits in 1863 beside Coláiste Iognáid, the church is a protected structure. (visit ≈ 30 min)
- Lynch's Castle: A former fortified townhouse on Shop Street, now used as a bank branch. (visit ≈ 75 min)
- Roscam: A medieval church site east of the city, listed as a national monument. (visit ≈ 60 min)
- Galway Atlantaquaria: aquarium in Galway (visit ≈ 150 min)
- Town Hall Theatre: theatre in Galway, Ireland (visit ≈ 20 min)
- monument to Christopher Columbus: monument in Galway, Ireland (visit ≈ 15 min)
- St Mary's Church: church in Galway, County Galway, Ireland (visit ≈ 30 min)
1-day Galway walking itinerary
Starting point: Eyre Square and centre. The top 8 places at a normal pace (up to ~10 km of walking a day), in this order. Change places or your hotel on the map and the route is recalculated. Distances are estimates with a street allowance.
- Day 1 (≈ 9.9 km · 13,320 steps · 2 h 11 min on the way): Eyre Square → Menlo Castle → Cathedral of Our Lady Assumed into Heaven and St Nicholas, Galway → St Ignatius Church, Galway → Spanish Arch → Galway City Museum → An Taibhdhearc - Amharclann Náisiúnta na Gaeilge → St. Nicholas' Collegiate Church
Hidden gems and overlooked spots in Galway
- Cliffs of Moher: Sheer cliffs that reach 214 metres above the Atlantic at their highest, with tours from Galway running through the Burren. (visit ≈ 120 min, 47 km from the centre)
- Connemara National Park: Marked trails climb Diamond Hill from Letterfrack, and Kylemore Abbey is close by. (visit ≈ 180 min, 67 km from the centre)
- Inis Mór: Ferries leave Rossaveal for the largest of the Aran Islands, home to the cliff-edge stone fort of Dún Aonghasa. (visit ≈ 300 min, 48 km from the centre)
Where to stay in Galway
- Eyre Square and centre: Close to the rail and bus stations, on foot to the Latin Quarter.
- Dominick Street and the West End: Restaurants and bars on the west bank of the river.
- Salthill: Hotels facing the sea along the promenade.
Getting from the airport to Galway
- Shannon (SNN): Bus ≈ 1.5-2 h
- Dublin (DUB): Direct bus ≈ 2.5-3 h
Getting around
From Eyre Square to the Spanish Arch is a ten-minute walk through the Latin Quarter. Pubs have live Irish music in the evening. Bring a windproof jacket for the Salthill promenade.
Classic places to eat
- Aniar: Michelin-starred tasting menus built on west of Ireland produce.
- Kai: Seasonal local cooking, with a Michelin Green Star.
- Daróg: A bar and kitchen given a Michelin Bib Gourmand in 2026.
Good to know before visiting Galway
- Fine: Drinking in public is banned in Dublin and many towns.
- Fine: Smoking is banned in pubs, restaurants and workplaces.
- Warning: Traffic drives on the left. Look right first when crossing.
- Dublin transit uses the Leap Card or contactless payment.
- Shops sell alcohol only during set hours, shorter on Sundays.
- The currency is the euro. Cards are accepted almost everywhere.
- Emergency: 112 (police 999, ambulance 999, fire 999)
- Plugs: G, 230V
- Tap water: Tap water is safe to drink.
- Tipping: 10–15% in restaurants if service isn't added. No tip at the pub bar.
Sources: UK FCDO: Foreign travel advice: Ireland, Wikivoyage: Ireland, T.C. Dışişleri Bakanlığı: Türk vatandaşlarının tabi olduğu vize uygulamaları · For information only. Rules change, so check official sources before you go. Last checked: 2026-10
Galway travel FAQ
- How many days do you need in Galway?
- The top 8 places in the centre take about 1 day at a normal pace on a walking route from your hotel. Allow 3 days for the top 13 places within walking distance.
- What are the top things to do in Galway?
- Highlights: Spanish Arch, Galway City Museum, Cathedral of Our Lady Assumed into Heaven and St Nicholas, Galway, An Taibhdhearc - Amharclann Náisiúnta na Gaeilge and St. Nicholas' Collegiate Church. The map has 16 things to do in total.
- Where to stay in Galway?
- Eyre Square and centre: Close to the rail and bus stations, on foot to the Latin Quarter. Other options: Dominick Street and the West End and Salthill.
- How do you get from the airport to Galway city centre?
- Shannon (SNN): Bus ≈ 1.5-2 h · Dublin (DUB): Direct bus ≈ 2.5-3 h
- How do you get around Galway?
- From Eyre Square to the Spanish Arch is a ten-minute walk through the Latin Quarter. Pubs have live Irish music in the evening. Bring a windproof jacket for the Salthill promenade.
- What is the emergency number in Galway?
- Emergency: 112 (police 999, ambulance 999, fire 999).
- Do you tip in Galway?
- 10–15% in restaurants if service isn't added. No tip at the pub bar.
Nearby cities
Cork · Dublin · Belfast · Liverpool · Glasgow · Cardiff · Manchester · Edinburgh
Ireland travel guide: all cities · All cities