Galway is a university town known for its festivals and colorful homes. You will find cobblestone streets full of street performers, traditional Irish music flowing from pubs and canals with water rushing from gates. The most photographed castle in Ireland and the fastest running river in Ireland are both located in Galway. Keep reading for everything you need to know to plan your day trip to Galway Ireland.
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How to Get to Galway Ireland
Galway doesn’t have a major airport. Fly into Dublin and take a train or direct bus to Galway city center. Another option is to rent a car from Discover Cars and visit as part of an Ireland road trip. Galway is a 2-hour drive from Dublin and the halfway point along the world-famous Wild Atlantic Way.
READ 2-Week Ireland Road Trip Itinerary: See it All!
Day Trip Itinerary for Galway Ireland
7 am Grab your morning coffee and take a walk along the Long Walk past the Spanish Arch. Continue along the River Corrib canal toward the Galway Cathedral.
8:30 Visit the Galway Cathedral
10:30 Take the Corrib Princess cruise past Menlo Castle
Noon Take a photo of Lynch’s Castle before moving on to colorful Shop Street and stopping for lunch. Stop by the Lynch Memorial Window before turning onto High Street. Spend the remainder of the day exploring the French Quarter and shopping for souvenirs. Watch the street performers on Quay Street and check out Charlie Byrne’s Bookshop.
Best Hotel in Galway Ireland
Are you visiting Ireland as part of an Ireland road trip and spending the night? I stayed at the Harbour Hotel and can recommend it. It was within walking distance to everything on this itinerary and had inexpensive on-site parking.
Looking for more options? Continue for the best things to do in Galway Ireland to supplement this day trip itinerary and check Get Your Guide for tickets.
Top Things to Do in Galway Ireland
- Stop for a pint in a pub on Quay Street and watch the street performers
- Photograph the houses on the Long Walk and the Spanish Arch
- Stop at Murphey’s Ice Cream for the best ice cream in Ireland
- Check out the stained-glass windows and the dome of the Galway Cathedral
- Take a morning walk along the Canal between Salmon Weir Bridge and Wolfe Tone Bridge
- Shop for souvenirs in the Latin Quarter (Quay Street, Kirwan’s Lane, High Street, Cross Street, Shop Street)
- Learn the meaning of the Claddagh ring at Thomas Dillons Claddagh Gold Jewelers
- Relax in Eyre Square
- See the Galway Hooker Boat, learn about the Potato Famine and the War for Freedom at the Galway City Museum
- Take the 90-minute cruise on the Corrib River Princess to the Lake past Menlo Castle
- Stop by the ruins of the Red Earl
- Learn more about Irish culture at Cnoc Suain
- Wander the street art and take a photo with the Angel Wings at O’Connell’s Bar
- Stop by Charlie Byrne’s Bookshop and take a photo of the book wall
- See the Lynch Castle and learn where the term lynching originated at the Lynch Memorial Window
- Attend a service at St Nicholas Collegiate Castle, the largest medieval parish in Ireland
- Spend a Saturday or Sunday morning browsing the stalls at the Galway Market
- Take a scenic drive on Sky Road
- Take a walk on the Salthill Promenade and stop for seafood
- Do a flip off the Blackrock Diving Board
- Walk out to the Mutton Island lighthouse
- Hike Benbaun, Galway’s tallest mountain
- Attend the Dunguaire Castle banquet dinner
- Walk along the Cliffs of Moher
- Jump the ferry to the Aran Islands
- Take a day trip to Kylemore Abbey, the most photographed castle in Ireland
Check the Galway Ireland Tourism Board website for upcoming festivals, special events, and what’s happening during your stay.
My Favorite Booking Resources
- Discover Cars Search, compare and save on car rentals.
- Trainline Explore effortlessly by train and bus.
- Booking.com Search Booking.com to find the perfect property.
- Hostelworld Hostelworld has great inexpensive options.
- Get Your Guide Don’t chance it, the best attractions sell out.
- Tiqets Get your tickets now, relax when you arrive.
- Big Bus Tours Hop-on Hop-off at all the iconic landmarks.
- Go City Card Save up to 50% on attractions, tours and activities.
- Welcome Pickups Airport and port transfers.
- Visitors Coverage Pick the right travel insurance for you.
- Use code SAVE10 to pick up a travel guide from Lonely Planet to browse on the plane.
- Shop my Amazon travel essentials and have them delivered to your home.
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