Explore Everything about the Irish City Galway – A Complete Guide

The west of Ireland is home to charming, picturesque villages and town with stunning seaside views and Galway is one of them. Located in the west of Ireland in county Galway, this town is an important cultural hub. Apart from being steeped in history and culture, Galway has plenty to offer to visitors. So, if you’re planning a trip to Ireland, here’s what you should know about Galway – from food and cultural events to accommodation and attractions.

What to Do in Galway

Galway is home to many attractions – from cathedrals and museums to beaches and stunning nature views.The best place to start discovering Galway is the city centre. In the city centre, you can find a mix of historic sights, shops, cafes, bars and restaurants. Plus, the city centre itself is very vibrant and lively. Here are some of the best things to do in Galway city centre:

Visit the Galway City Museum

The Galway City Museum offers insights into life in Galway from medieval times to modern-day. You can explore archaeological artefacts and works of art. Plus, the museum has plenty of interactive activities for children as well – making it perfect for adults travelling with kids. The museum is open from Tuesday to Saturday from 10am to 5pm.

Explore the Spanish Arch

The Spanish Arch is one of the oldest parts of Galway city dating back to the 16th century. This used to be a defensive fortification outside the city walls. Since then, it has been destroyed several times and what remains today is only a small part of the original. The Spanish Arch is one of the most popular tourist attractions in Galway, making it an important destination on your trip.

Go Shopping in Shop Street

Galway’s most well known place to shop is Shop Street – a pedestrianized street filled with stores, souvenir shops and pubs. This street is right in the heart of the city centre and is one of the busiest streets in town. You can find pretty much anything here, from fashionable clothing shops to unique souvenirs.

Entertainment & Cultural Events in Galway

Galway isn’t just a great place to visit for its stunning architecture or nature views – it’s also one of Ireland’s most important cultural hubs. There are plenty of events held throughout the year – so if you’re looking for entertainment or culture, look no further than Galway. Here are some of the most popular events:

Galway International Arts Festival

Galway International Arts Festivalheld annually in July is one of the best cultural events in Ireland and probably Europe. During this festival, visitors can explore cutting edge theatre, circus acts, music performances and more. Plus, there are plenty of offbeat activities too such as guided walks, talks on culture and heritage, as well as events like silent discos and treasure hunts.

Galway Oyster Festival

Every year in September, the Galway Oyster Festival takes place in Galway and serves up delicacies fresh off the boat – oysters, mussels and lobster. While oysters are the star of this event, there are plenty of other activities that take place throughout the festival like live music and theatre performances, parades and coastal explorations.

Top Attractions Outside Galway City Centre

If you’ve done enough shopping and exploring in the city centre and want to explore other attractions outside the city, here are some top spots that you should visit:

Connemara National Park

An hours drive away from Galway lies Connemara National Park, filled with beautiful landscapes of rugged mountains, moorlands and grasslands – all with stunning views across Killary Harbour and surrounding islands. Here, visitors can explore the ancient stone walls that divide different fields or take an easy walk on the nature trails around the park or along some secluded beaches.

The Cliffs of Moher

Three hours south of Galway lie one of Ireland’s most famous sites – The Cliffs of Moher. On a clear day, you can see right across the bay all the way to Scotland. Plus, there’s plenty more to explore around here, like bird sanctuaries, ruin castles and a 20-metre high tower with 360-degree views over Galway bay below.

Food & Drink in Galway

Another important aspect of exploring a place is sampling its food offerings – and that’s where Ireland doesn’t disappoint! The Irish cuisine uses locally-sourced ingredients like fresh seafood and produce as well as traditional Irish dishes like stews and colcannon mashed potatoes. So if you’re looking for a delicious meal in Galway, here are some restaurants that you should check out:

• Vegan Kearis: One of Galway’s most popular vegan restaurants.
• Home Restaurant: The home-style comfort food here is worth trying.
• Loam Restaurant: For farm-to-table Irish dining at its best.
• Wood Vies Italian: Italian dishes with a twist.
• Cochin Guadalupe Mexican & Tapas Bar: For delicious Mexican food.

And if you’re looking for a good pint and some live music, be sure to check out these pubs:

• Tigh Criacain
• Taaffes Bar
• Ruaire McNamara’s Kiilmore House Pub
• Alana McGee’s Pub & Raostaraunt
• Chronicles Bar & Restaurant

Accommodation In Galway

Since it is a popular tourist city with many attractions on offer, it’s essential that you find accommodation that fits your needs and budget in Galway. Fortunately, there is something for everyone with everything from luxury hotels and apartments to budget hostels sprinkled around town. Here are some top picks for accommodation in Galway:

Finally, if you’re looking for affordable accommodation right near the city centre – Airbnb might be your best bet with prices ranging from €25 per night for a shared room to €100 for a private home or apartment rental with all amenities included.

Getting Around Galway

Galway’s public transport system consists mainly of buses that ply both regular routes throughout the city as well as tourist services that visit many of Galway’s major attractions – making it easy to get around town without a car.You can buy tickets online via [Citylink](https://citylink.ie/) or [Bus Eireann](https://buseireann.ie/) or on board with cash or credit cards. Alternatively taxis are widely available throughout the city centre but will cost more than public transport – although they can be more convenient if you’re short on time or travelling late at night when bus services reduce significantly.You can book via [My Taxi](https://mytaxi.ie) and pay either by cash or card. So if you’re planning a trip to West Ireland – be sure to add a few days in Galway to your itinerary! With its mix of modern culture, historic sights, nature trails and traditional Irish food – Galway is sure to be one of your most memorable trips!