Galway Guidebook
Food Scene
Really cool restaurant near the Spanish Arch. Great views and great food! Always busy
97 locals recommend
Ard Bia at Nimmos
The Long WalkReally cool restaurant near the Spanish Arch. Great views and great food! Always busy
The Dough Bros
1 Middle StFor funky pizza made the right way, apparently!
Our Number 1 palce to eat when down in the Burren, Co. Clare. The location, the seafood, service. Everything is top-notch. Seafood chowder is superb!
79 locals recommend
Linnane's Lobster Bar
Our Number 1 palce to eat when down in the Burren, Co. Clare. The location, the seafood, service. Everything is top-notch. Seafood chowder is superb!
Yum and more yum. Not cheap but this tapas restaurant has a great menu and you'll never leave disappointed. You may not get a table though unless you book!
46 locals recommend
Cava Bodega
1 Middle StYum and more yum. Not cheap but this tapas restaurant has a great menu and you'll never leave disappointed. You may not get a table though unless you book!
Gourmet Tart Co.
Headford RoadFor great cakes, pastries and coffees to go!
For a special night or meal, this is where the Italians living in Galway go to eat!
22 locals recommend
IL Vicolo
Dominick Street LowerFor a special night or meal, this is where the Italians living in Galway go to eat!
Fish restaurant in unique setting. Authentic, local fresh fish. Crab and chorizo starter is yum
41 locals recommend
Hooked
65 Henry StFish restaurant in unique setting. Authentic, local fresh fish. Crab and chorizo starter is yum
This place has great beers and a great garden out the back for outdoor dining
Taylor's Bar & Beer Garden
7 Dominick St UpperThis place has great beers and a great garden out the back for outdoor dining
Lignum
Amazing place for a special night out. Must be booked in advance.
Drinks & Nightlife
Grab a seat outside and watch the world go by! Can get very busy but you can always find a hidden corner for a great pint of Guinness!
131 locals recommend
Tigh Neachtain
17 Cross Street UpperGrab a seat outside and watch the world go by! Can get very busy but you can always find a hidden corner for a great pint of Guinness!
Tig Coili
Mainguard StreetTraditional music
The Dew Drop Inn
Mainguard StreetGreat beer and not trendy!
For late night drinks, this is the place to go! It's going to be busy, all the time!
117 locals recommend
The Quays Bar and Restaurant
Quay LaneFor late night drinks, this is the place to go! It's going to be busy, all the time!
If you want to check out a old-style country pub, this one is nearby. It also serves food!
McHughs Traditional Pub & Restaurant
Tuam RoadIf you want to check out a old-style country pub, this one is nearby. It also serves food!
Caribou
30 WoodquayBar that's always buzzing!
Sightseeing
Live like a local by walking the Prom! With views across Galway Bay to the Burren and out to the Aran Islands, it's a walk with scenery to die for. In September, you can catch mackerel from the beaches and rocks. Make sure you kick the wall down at the blackrock diving tower. It's tradition
113 locals recommend
Salthill
Live like a local by walking the Prom! With views across Galway Bay to the Burren and out to the Aran Islands, it's a walk with scenery to die for. In September, you can catch mackerel from the beaches and rocks. Make sure you kick the wall down at the blackrock diving tower. It's tradition
The Spanish Arch is one of Galway's big spots for tourists! So jump on the bandwagon and get a selfie down there. Make sure and take a walk across the bridge to the Claddagh on the far side of the river for great views back across the city
98 locals recommend
Spanish Arch
2 The Long WalkThe Spanish Arch is one of Galway's big spots for tourists! So jump on the bandwagon and get a selfie down there. Make sure and take a walk across the bridge to the Claddagh on the far side of the river for great views back across the city
You'll need to climb the gate at the end of the road and walk down the field to get to it but I think it's worth the trip! |Great views across the river and you might see some rowers out practicing
8 locals recommend
Menlo Castle
You'll need to climb the gate at the end of the road and walk down the field to get to it but I think it's worth the trip! |Great views across the river and you might see some rowers out practicing
The Quiet Man was filmed here, Ashford Castle(top hotel in world) is here and some fantastic views across the lake. If fishing is your thing, you are in the right place!
58 locals recommend
Cong
The Quiet Man was filmed here, Ashford Castle(top hotel in world) is here and some fantastic views across the lake. If fishing is your thing, you are in the right place!
If you are feeling brave, a loop drive around this lake is breathtaking but a little scary too!!
7 locals recommend
Lough Mask
If you are feeling brave, a loop drive around this lake is breathtaking but a little scary too!!
The drive out to Kylemore is as good as the Abbey itself. Wonderful location, grounds, tour, cafe.
176 locals recommend
Kylemore Abbey & Victorian Walled Garden
Kylemore AbbeyThe drive out to Kylemore is as good as the Abbey itself. Wonderful location, grounds, tour, cafe.
Parks & Nature
Barna Woods
Cappagh RoadThis old wood is small but mighty! It's peaceful.
Galway city is not a beach place but if you like wild and windy then go here! You might even see some kite-surfers in action
27 locals recommend
Silverstrand Beach
Galway city is not a beach place but if you like wild and windy then go here! You might even see some kite-surfers in action
Eyre Square is a great starting point and a handy place for meeting up. It's also where all the local buses start and finish!
49 locals recommend
Eyre Square
Eyre SquareEyre Square is a great starting point and a handy place for meeting up. It's also where all the local buses start and finish!
Fancy climbing a hill? You won't need climbing gear as there's a path most of the way to the top. It has toilets and a cafe and the views down to Kylemore Abbey are good too!!
46 locals recommend
Diamond Hill
Fancy climbing a hill? You won't need climbing gear as there's a path most of the way to the top. It has toilets and a cafe and the views down to Kylemore Abbey are good too!!
If you are out in Connemara for a day trip, it is worth stopping off here for a coffee and cake and a walk around it's beautiful grounds and walled garden. Right outside it's door you'll find the Connemara cycle Greenway(approx 10km long cycle path)
38 locals recommend
Ballynahinch Castle
If you are out in Connemara for a day trip, it is worth stopping off here for a coffee and cake and a walk around it's beautiful grounds and walled garden. Right outside it's door you'll find the Connemara cycle Greenway(approx 10km long cycle path)
There are so many stunning beaches(Dog's Bay, Gurteen, Renvyle) in Connemara but this is our favourite. If it's summer time and it's sunny, it's likely to be very busy.
19 locals recommend
Glassilaun Beach
There are so many stunning beaches(Dog's Bay, Gurteen, Renvyle) in Connemara but this is our favourite. If it's summer time and it's sunny, it's likely to be very busy.
The Mullaghmore Loop Walk is a fantastic hike in the Burren National Park. It's tough going but offers great views of the unique landscape. It's a marked walk with a few different options for different fitness levels. Stop on the way back in Kinvara for a chowder or a pint
20 locals recommend
Mullaghmore
The Mullaghmore Loop Walk is a fantastic hike in the Burren National Park. It's tough going but offers great views of the unique landscape. It's a marked walk with a few different options for different fitness levels. Stop on the way back in Kinvara for a chowder or a pint
Really cool island that you can access via a narrow rocky path. Grat spot for a picnic or swim. Parking just off the main road.
Derryclare Lough, Twelve Pines
Really cool island that you can access via a narrow rocky path. Grat spot for a picnic or swim. Parking just off the main road.
Arts & Culture
The very essence of Galway theatre which is world famous! It's a very unique theatre space
28 locals recommend
Druid Theatre Company
Flood StreetThe very essence of Galway theatre which is world famous! It's a very unique theatre space
Galway City Museum
Spanish ParadeThis is the only museum in Galway! It's free to visit. Enjoy!
Shopping
Judy Greene Pottery
Kirwan's LaneFor unique pottery and gifts, this is the place
This market has everything: fresh doughnuts, sushi, gifts, photos, fresh fish, curry, crepes and more!
53 locals recommend
Galway Market
7 Lombard StThis market has everything: fresh doughnuts, sushi, gifts, photos, fresh fish, curry, crepes and more!
If you have an afternoon to get lost in books, go here! It's a maze of new and old books. Unique and special!
49 locals recommend
Charlie Byrne's Bookshop
Middle StreetIf you have an afternoon to get lost in books, go here! It's a maze of new and old books. Unique and special!
Essentials
Tesco Express
TornógFor basics, this is the closest to us
For bigger shopping requirements, this large supermarket has everything you'll need
27 locals recommend
Tesco Superstore
Headford RoadFor bigger shopping requirements, this large supermarket has everything you'll need