Galway Travel Tips. An article sharing travel tips about visiting Galway. How to get there and more…

Mark Ford, Founder of Plus1 Travel

It’s great to have you here searching for Galway travel tips. Galway City is a metropolitan city by Western Ireland standards with a fascinating history dating back to medieval times. Galway is now a town bursting with life the street scene is lively complete with buskers brightly painted pubs and a multitude of shops. Nearly a quarter of its 76,000 citizens were born outside of Ireland which gives Galway a unique international Flair.

Situated in the Midwest of Ireland, Galway is the fifth-largest and fastest-growing city in Ireland. Galway’s origins have been traced back to a settlement surrounding a fort on the River Corrib in the 12th century. The following centuries have seen Galway’s fortunes wax and wane from the height of being a significant trading town in the Middle Ages, to succumbing to a nine-month siege during the Cromwellian conquest of Ireland. Galway is nicknamed “Ireland’s Cultural Heart”, and  is renowned for festivals, events, celebrations, friendly locals and historical architecture. In 2007, Galway was named as one of the eight ‘sexiest cities in the world’, and in 2008 was ranked as the 42nd best tourist destination in the world.

Galway Travel Tips – How To Get From The Airport To Galway

Galway is located on the far west side of Ireland and is served by Dublin Airport which is the largest airport located 214 kilometers from the city. When searching for Galway travel tips there are two options getting you from Dublin Airport to Galway as smoothly as possible. Let’s have a closer look at what those options are, how long they take and what they cost.

Bus

Galway

There’s a direct bus operated by CityLink that runs between Dublin Airport and Galway. The ticket price is €18 and the ride takes around 2 hours and 30 minutes. Tickets can be purchased from the driver or in advance. The CityLink bus station is located on the back side of the two parking lots in front of Terminal 1. 

Taxi

Due to the long distance, finding a taxi between Dublin Airport and Galway can be difficult. And expensive. You can pre-order a Dublin Airport taxi in advance for the 2 hour 30 minute journey that will cost around €350. 

Galway Travel Tips – How To Get Around Galway

Galway is a small city with plenty of pedestrian only areas and narrow streets so it’s easy to get around in the central business district. When searching for Galway travel tips there are a couple of options that will get you in and out of this beautiful city. Let’s have a closer look at how to get around Galway.

Bus

Bus Éireann offers services to get around the city. Most bus routes leave from Eyre Square in the center of town. Fares less than 7 kilometers cost €2.30 and longer than 7 ½ kilometers cost €2.70. If you buy a rechargeable Leap Card there’s a 30% discount. The Leap Card can be purchased at various stations and shops around Galway. 

Houses in Galway

Bike

There’s 16 rental bike stations located across the city with 195 bicycles. You can rent a bike for less than 30 minutes for free or a 3 day rental for just €3. 

Taxi

Taxis are readily available in Galway and easy to find near hotels and major attractions. You can also use the MyTaxi App to book a cab online. Or download the Uber app to tap into the ride share service in Galway. 

Best Places To Stay In Galway

Galway is a bliss to explore with its landscapes and cliffs, the epic views and thriving pubs. When searching for Galway travel tips there are a number of areas to stay and that’s why we’ve put together this simple guide so that you can get the most out of your Galway experience. Let’s have a closer look at those options right now. 

Galway City is located in the heart and soul of the city with its charming pedestrian streets that are filled with Irish atmosphere in the culture, architecture, shops, restaurants and pubs. At Eyre Square you’ll find great pubs, interesting markets and unique architecture. Check out the impressive Galway Cathedral, walk in the Latin Quarter and peak in at the Galway Museum. Galway’s city centre is the best place to stay if you want to be within walking distance of all the attractions.

Nature in Galway

Recommended Hotel: Park House Hotel Galway

Kinvara is located across the bay from Galway city, it’s a small town famous for its beautiful towering castle, the tiny harbour and traditional Irish bars. Green’s Bar is home to one of the largest collections of whiskeys in the world. If you’re a whiskey drinker then Green’s is the place to visit. Kinvara is also home to plenty of restaurants, pubs and bars. It’s the best place to stay in Galway if you want to live near the nightlife. 

Recommended Hotel: Kinvara Guesthouse

The Aran Islands are an archipelago of three islands located in Galway Bay and is home to incredible historic attractions as well as the most beautiful views. Kilronan is the main village and is famous for its white sand beaches, pubs, seafood restaurants and markets. Staying in Kilronan on the Aran Islands is one of the coolest places to be near Galway. 

Recommended Hotel: Aran Islands Hotel Inishmore

Top 7 Experiences You MUST Have In Galway 

1. Latin Quarter is located on the left bank of the River Comb filled with cobblestoned streets and packed with some of the best pubs, restaurants, bars, galleries, street performers and shops in Galway. This is the perfect place to start off your Galway experience. 
2. Eyre Square is the major public space in Galway, located just up from the Latin Quarter. Here you’ll find a bronze statue of Pádraic Ó Conaire, who is one of Ireland’s most famous writers and on the south border of the square is Galway’s prime shopping centre, with more than 70 high street chains and restaurants to enjoy. 
3. Salthill Promenade is a two kilometer long promenade located in the southwest of the city near the seashore filled with bars, seafood restaurants and cafés. Here’s also the Galway Atlantaquaria, run by the National Aquarium of Ireland and you can have a nice relaxed walk to take in the beauty of the architecture and the sea.
   

   Galway City Museum

4. Galway Cathedral was completed in 1965 but it looks a lot older than that. The architecture has Roman, Gothic and Renaissance influences and its dome is reminiscent of Il Duomo di Firenze. An interesting piece of architecture that is well worth a walk around with a great photo opportunity.
5. Galway City Museum opened in 2007 and is a free museum covering Galway’s archeology, folk history, art and natural history. Here you can take in “hooker”, a traditional Galway sailboat and look at fragments from the 16th-17th century presented in the “Medieval Stone Collection” with corbels, plaques, coats of arms and much more. A cool place if you enjoy history.
6. Spanish Arch is a structure that was part of the defense running from the old Martin’s Tower to Corrib River that defended Galway city. The monument dates back to 1584 and is an interesting piece of history to check out when being near the Galway City Museum. 
7. Dunguaire Castle is located around half an hour south of Galway and is one of those traditional structures that is a perfect photo opportunity. The tower house dates back to the 16th century and in the summer there’s a medieval style fare with live entertainment called “Dunguaire Castle Banquet”. If you enjoy the outdoors and want to check out a landmark, this is the spot to be. 

Galway Travel Tips Video

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Mark Ford – Founder of Plus1Travel.com – For More Travel Tips > Go Here