Galway

Cue Ed Sheeran’s “Galway Girl”

Feb 17, 2026

Galway feels like the Ireland you picture in your head. Colorful shopfronts, live music spilling into the streets, cozy pubs, and windswept cliffs just a short drive away. It’s lively but still intimate, and the perfect base for exploring the west coast.

How to Get There

By Car - We drove about 1.5 hours from Dingle to the Tarbert Car Ferry, which runs hourly and takes about 20 minutes across the River Shannon. It was honestly such a fun experience to drive straight onto the ferry and get out to stretch our legs while crossing. From there, we drove about 45 minutes to the Kilkee Cliffs, which were recommended to us by The Pax House in Dingle. They were absolutely stunning. Dramatic cliff views that rival the Cliffs of Moher with virtually no tourists. It felt like such a hidden gem. After Kilkee, we continued on to the Cliffs of Moher and then made our way to Galway. If you’re doing a road trip through the west, this route makes the drive feel like part of the adventure.
By Plane - The easiest airport to fly into is Dublin Airport. From there, Galway is about a 2 hour drive. You can rent a car at the airport, which I highly recommend if you plan to explore beyond the city center. You can also take the train from Dublin Heuston Station to Galway Ceannt Station, which takes 2.5-3 hours. Shannon Airport is another great option and even closer. It’s about 1 hour from Galway and often has fewer crowds than Dublin, which can make arrival feel much smoother.

Where to Stay

Glenlo Abbey - Glenlo Abbey is truly special. Located about 15 minutes outside of Galway’s city center, it feels like you’re staying on your own private estate. The property is castle like, surrounded by a golf course and lush greenery, and has that classic old world Irish charm. They offer activities like falconry, there’s an intimate in-house movie theater, and the Pullman Restaurant is set inside two original carriages from the Orient Express. It is such a unique dining experience and absolutely worth booking. We reserved our stay through American Express and were upgraded on arrival, plus received hotel credits to use onsite. Definitely worth looking into if you have an Amex!
The Hardiman - The Hardiman is right in the heart of Galway in Eyre Square, which makes it perfect if you want to step outside and immediately be in the middle of everything. The hotel has a classic, grand feel with high ceilings, traditional details, and spacious rooms. It feels polished but not stuffy. You’re walking distance to all the pubs, restaurants, and shopping, which makes it ideal if you plan to be out exploring most of the day and night. If you prefer being in the center of the action and love the idea of popping downstairs and straight into town, this is your spot.

What to Do

The Cliffs of Moher - The cliffs are about 1.5 hours from Galway by car and absolutely worth the drive. Towering cliffs, crashing waves, and that dramatic Irish coastline you’ve seen in photos. We opted to do it self guided so we could move at our own pace instead of joining a tour bus. We arrived later in the afternoon and while it was definitely busy, it felt far more manageable than I expected. If you can, aim for late afternoon or early evening. There are so many scenic pull offs along the drive, especially in the Burren and near Doolin. It makes for a perfect half or full day trip from Galway. And there are some incredible lunch spots nearby that are very worth planning ahead and white knuckle navigating the Corkscrew Hill for!
Salthill Promenade - If the weather cooperates, take a walk along the Salthill Promenade. It’s right along the water and feels peaceful compared to the buzz of the city center. Fresh air, ocean views, and a slow morning coffee kind of vibe.
Wander the Latin Quarter & Shop Street - This is the heart of Galway. Street performers, colorful buildings, packed pubs, and so much charm. You could easily spend an entire afternoon wandering here with zero agenda, which is exactly what we did. Some shops to pop into:
- Aran Sweater Market for beautiful traditional Irish knits
- Charlie Byrne’s Bookshop, a cozy independent bookstore you could spend hours in
- Cloon Keen, an Irish perfumery
- Sheridan’s Cheesemongers to grab a snack or bring something special home
- The Antique Room for unique vintage finds
- Public Romance for great curated vintage pieces
- The Sheep where you will want everything, trust me

Where to Eat & Drink

Magpie Bakery - Perfect for coffee and a pastry in the morning. Casual, cozy, and exactly what you want before a day of exploring. The line moves fast! (Beli rating: 10)
Kai - Creative Irish food with a cool, relaxed vibe. One of our favorite meals in Galway. (Beli rating: 9.4)
Ard Bia at Nimmos - Right by the Spanish Arch with a warm, rustic feel. Highly rated!
Dough Bros - Considered the best pizza in Ireland! We went to the location inside O’Connell’s Bar, which has a big beer garden and serves Dough Bros pizza from a stand in the back. Such a fun setup. Pizza and a pint in a heated beer garden is always a yes. Highly recommend. (Beli rating: 8.3)
The Crane Bar - We stopped in for a drink before dinner at Kai and loved it. It felt very local and low key, and we had what was probably our best pint of Guinness in Galway. (Beli rating: 8.8)
The Quays - Super lively with traditional music and people of all ages dancing. It’s packed, chaotic in a fun way (think Avicii meets trad music), and exactly what you imagine a night out in Galway to feel like. (Beli rating: 8.6)
The King’s Head - Live music, great energy, and surprisingly good espresso martinis. (Beli rating: 8.5)
An Pucan - A more modern, lively pub right near Eyre Square. (Beli rating: 6.7)
Supermac’s - Late night food. You’ll likely end up here at least once.
Darcy’s Bar - Great local live music and a fun crowd. (Beli rating: 8.2)
O’Connors Famous Pub - Iconic, cozy, and packed with traditional music. It’s exactly what you want from a classic Irish pub experience.
Taaffes Bar - Right in the Latin Quarter and a great spot to post up and soak in the Galway energy. (Beli rating: 8.5)

If you’re making a pit stop or full day trip toward the Cliffs or Doolin, plan your meals around these spots:

Gus O’Connors - No frills, traditional pub in Doolin to warm up post cliff walk. (Beli rating: 6.7)
Ivy Cottage - Highly rated and walk in only. Go on a nice day since seating is outside.
Homestead Cottage - A very special dining experience. Intimate and focused on seasonal Irish ingredients. Book ahead!
Linnane’s Lobster Bar - Seafood with a view. Casual and very Irish coastal vibe.
Moran’s Oyster Cottage - A classic for oysters and seafood. Rustic, charming, and worth the slight detour if you love shellfish.