An insider's guide to Galway: 60 things to experience — and the best beaches

Plan well to get the most out of the Tribal city and county, writes Yvonne Gordon

Galway Harbour, Co Galway

GALWAY is a vibrant city brimming with creativity and culture, while county Galway, Connemara, and the islands offer restful escapes with mountains and coast, relaxing hikes, swims, boat trips, and the freshest local produce to eat.

Summer is a great time to visit if you plan well. The city comes alive in the second half of July for the Galway International Arts Festival (giaf.ie), while look out for local summer festivals around the county, especially Connemara’s traditional sailing boat festivals ( connemara.net/events).

In this insider guide, we have put together a list of some of Galway city and county’s best spots, including food and accommodation recommendations, plus some readers’ tips.

The hiking trail at the top of Diamond Hill, in Connemara National Park

The highlights

One of the best things to do in Galway city, rather than ticking off a list of historical sights, is to wander around and soak up the atmosphere. By day, stroll the pedestrianised streets of the Latin quarter for colourful shops, outdoor cafés, and to hear the buskers.

In the evening, catch live trad sessions in pubs like Tig Choili or the Westend’s The Crane. For fresh air and sea swims next morning, hit the 2km-long promenade at Salthill and then drop into Blackrock Cottage ( blackrockcottage.ie) for a croissant benny or alainn bowl.

Leaving the city, head west for the rugged mountains, lakes, bays and islands of Connemara, which is a Gaeltacht area (so have a few Irish phrases ready). Stop off at Ceardlann an Spidéil — Spiddal Craft Village ( spiddalcrafts.com) to see pottery, textiles, and colourful glass art being made, much of it inspired by the local coast and landscape.

Pine Island in Derryclare Lough east of Clifden, Connemara, with the Twelve Bens behind 

Outdoor-lovers will like Diamond Hill, a popular hiking trail in Connemara National Park (nationalparks.ie/connemara) for super views of the surrounding Twelve Bens mountains and the coast. Experienced hikers can ask at the visitor centre about more challenging routes.

You can take a ferry to one of three Aran Islands, Inis Mór, Inis Meáin, or Inis Oírr, from Rossaveel, 37km west of the city.

There are also ferries to Inis Mór from Galway city (and from Doolin, Co Clare). On the island, rent a bike or take a tour with Gabriel at Aran Island Goats Cheese and Food Tours ( arangoatcheese.com). His half- and full-day Taste of Aran Food Tours visit historical sites such as Dún Aonghusa and the Seven Churches plus a seal colony and there’s a cheese tasting back at the farm, where you can meet the goats.

Further north, Inishbofin island ( inishbofin.com) is known for its sandy beaches which are great for swimming. Grab a take-out from the Inishwallah food bus in the Westquarter and then hit one of the three looped walking trails, the Westquarter loop, Cloonamore loop, and Middlequarter loop, which take from 1.5 to 5 hours, all with panoramic views of Achill Island and the Twelve Bens.

Hidden gems

Look out for independent shops in Galway, especially in the Latin Quarter and Westend. My Shop... Granny Likes it is a good spot for Irish design and art, and don’t miss book-lover’s paradise, Charlie Byrnes Bookshop and Outset Design Gallery, both at the Cornstore.

At weekends, there’s a street market beside St Nicholas’ Church (it also runs on Wednesdays and Fridays in July and August and every day during the Galway Arts Festival).

Food lovers can learn all about traditional salmon-smoking techniques at Connemara Smokehouse near Ballyconneely, or at Connemara Oysters in Ballinakill Bay, you can see how oysters grow, then shuck and taste them. For more insight, Margaret of Fable tours will take you around the farms, fisheries, and small food producers in Connemara.

For outdoor adventures on both land and sea including coasteering and paddleboarding, book in with Real Adventures just outside Clifden, or try the high ropes and other adventures at Killary Adventure Centre on the fjord at Killary Harbour. Get a group together and book the 10-bedroom Killary Lodge, which has a mobile sauna on the fjord, and then get food at the Misunderstood Heron food truck (@misunderstood_heron).

Native wild oysters, from Galway Ireland

Eating out

A tour with Sheena Dignam of Galway Food Tours ( galwayfoodtours.com) will give you the low-down on Galway city’s food scene while you graze in some of the city’s hottest dining spots. Sheena also runs neighbourhood walking tours (11am daily), taking in everything from the Latin Quarter to the Westend and Salthill.

Dela on Dominick Street in the Westend creates modern Irish, Nordic and Asian cuisine, with tasty dishes featuring locally-grown produce including seaweed. Ard Bia at Nimmos features seasonal ingredients in its dinners and creative weekend brunches, with exhibitions by artists and photographers on display — this month there is work by owner and photographer Aoibheann MacNamara, with pieces from painter Jose M Yagüe Manzanares in July.

At Éan on Druid Lane, drop in to the bakery in the morning for artisanal pastries and hand-roasted coffee, or to the wine bar at night for natural, organic wines and tasty bites, while in the Westend, Kai restaurant gives seasonal produce a creative twist.

Don’t miss the speciality cheeses and wines at Sheridans Cheesemongers (sheridanscheesemongers.com) on Churchyard Street, which also has charcuterie, antipasti, and dips.

O’Dowd’s Seafood Bar in Roundstone serves up fresh platters of oysters, crab, mussels, and lobster, plus salads and meat dishes, while Vaughan’s Restaurant might have Roundstone Bay Scallops or Connemara lamb on the menu, with views of Roundstone bay (it’s in the Roundstone House Hotel, for overnight stays).

In Clifden, don’t miss Guys Bar gastropub on Main Street, which has snugs and turf fires; the equally cosy Signal Bar and Restaurant in the Clifden Station House Hotel is set in the old railway station with some original features. Another atmospheric spot is The Lamplight (@thelamplightclifden) tapas restaurant and B&B.

Coffee tasting with Galway Food Tours

Great coffee (and cake) spots

In Galway city, those that are serious about their coffee will be spoilt for choice. Favourites include Little Lane Coffee Company which has Irish speciality coffee roasters, while Urban Grind also features speciality roasters, with regular new blends and new brew methods.

In Connemara, Sweet Nothings Café (@sweetnothingsconnemara) in Ballyconneely serves delicious vegan and vegetarian treats, or try your coffee (caife) as Gaeilge at the bilingual Pota café in Baile na hAbhann. In Leenane on Killary Harbour, the Purple Door Café (@purpledoorcafe) is the place for fresh bakes and coffee.

Delightful digs

There are options for all means and tastes in Galway city, from budget-friendly shared dorms in hostels like Kinlay Hostel on Eyre Square through to five-stars like the design-focused G Hotel.

The Twelve boutique hotel in Barna has everything from a spa to its own in-house bakery, ideal for stocking up for road trips.

For a comfy B&B in Roundstone, check in to Eldon’s — some rooms face the bay, or for an old-time feel, the former harbourmaster’s house is The Quay House, Clifden, with sister B&B, Blue Quay Rooms.

Fisherman's Bar at Ballynahinch Castle 

Live it up at Ballynahinch Castle, which is set on its own 700-acre estate complete with woodlands and a lake and has fine dining at the Owenmore Restaurant. Nearby Lough Inagh Lodge is a restful retreat set on a lakeshore, with plenty of walking and fishing options.

Interior of one of Within the Village's luxury townhouse rentals in Roundstone

For luxury self-catering, Within The Village in Roundstone is a series of chic restored townhouses ranging from a one-bed to three-beds, while on Inis Meáin, two luxury self- catering houses at Inis Meáin Island Stays  offer a chance to soak up in the quiet island life.

Five of Galway’s Best Beaches

The crescent-shaped Dogs Bay and Gurteen Beach near Roundstone and are family-friendly spots for swimming.

Coral Beach in Ballyconneely is also good for swimming and family days out.

The strand at Omey Island is popular for walks — you can walk right to the island at low tide (check times as the high tide cuts off the route).

The clear water and white sandy beach at Glassilaun near Killary Harbour is popular for swimming, snorkelling, and diving.

Renvyle Beach has long stretches of sand, grassy headlands, and super views of the surrounding islands and mountains. Rest your head afterwards at the old-world Renvyle House Hotel.