Galway
Galway is worth 2 days on its own, and it doubles as the natural base for exploring the west coast — the Cliffs of Moher are about 1.5 hours south, and ferries to the Aran Islands leave from nearby Rossaveal. It's a compact, walkable city built around a colorful medieval Latin Quarter, with a trad-music scene that's less staged and more genuine than Dublin's. Plenty of travelers plan a day and stay two or three.
If Dublin is Ireland's capital, Galway is its unofficial cultural heart — a small, artsy, festival-obsessed city that punches enormously above its size, and the natural jumping-off point for the wildest stretch of coastline in the country.
How many days in Galway?
Two days minimum: one for the city itself (the Latin Quarter, Shop Street's buskers, the Spanish Arch), one for a day trip — the Cliffs of Moher or the Aran Islands are both realistic from a Galway base. Add a third day if you're using Galway as a springboard for a longer Wild Atlantic Way drive rather than just a look at it.
The Latin Quarter and Shop Street
A tight knot of cobbled streets lined with colorful shopfronts, buskers, and some of the country's best-regarded trad-music pubs. It's touristy in the daytime and genuinely lively at night — this is where a real, unplanned session is more likely to happen than in Dublin.
Day trips from Galway
| Day trip | Distance/time | What it is |
|---|---|---|
| Cliffs of Moher | ~1.5 hours by car or organized tour | Ireland's most-visited natural attraction — see our full guide |
| Aran Islands (Inis Mór) | Ferry from Rossaveal (~40 min) or Doolin | Gaelic-speaking islands, ancient stone forts, bicycle rentals on arrival |
| Connemara | ~1 hour+ by car | Wild, boggy, mountainous landscape — Kylemore Abbey is the headline stop |
If you only have time for one Aran Island, Inis Mór (the largest) has the most infrastructure — bike rental right off the ferry, and Dún Aonghasa, a dramatic Iron Age stone fort perched on a sheer cliff edge with essentially no guardrail. Genuinely striking, genuinely worth being careful near the edge.
What it costs
| Item | Approx. cost (USD / EUR) |
|---|---|
| Guesthouse or B&B, per night | $85–150 / €78–140 |
| Casual pub meal | $16–24 / €15–22 |
| Ferry to the Aran Islands, round-trip | $35–45 / €32–41 |
| Guided Cliffs of Moher day tour from Galway | $40–60 / €37–55 |
When to visit
Galway runs a busy festival calendar — the Galway International Arts Festival (July) and the Galway Oyster Festival (September) are the biggest draws and also the times hotel prices spike hardest. If you'd rather have the city to yourself, aim for late May, June, or October.
Where to stay in Galway — hotels
Check live availability and prices for hotels, resorts, and guesthouses in Galway on Booking.com:
Search hotels in Galway on Booking.com ←We may earn a small commission, at no extra cost to you.