Guidebook for Galway
Everything Else
These are the areas of Galway City that we recommend all of our guests see, and we've even included some of our favourite places to go! Check these out for some inspiration for things to do in the city.
Centrally located in Galway City, you couldn't find yourself in a better spot for exploring than Kinlay!
Kinlay Hostel Galway
Eyre SquareCentrally located in Galway City, you couldn't find yourself in a better spot for exploring than Kinlay!
The Latin Quarter is the best place to introduce yourself to Galway's famous bustling streets. Packed full of shops, bars and restaurants, you can experience Galway's atmosphere and see some of its best street musicians and performers any time of the year, regardless of the rainy weather!
OUR RECOMMENDATIONS
Treat yourself to some ice cream at Murphy's Ice Cream on High Street, their Sea Salt flavour is incredible!
Grab a coffee to go in Coffeewerk + Press, and check out some of the unique products they stock from design houses across the world.
Enjoy a pint in the sun in Tigh Neachtain's at the top corner of Quay Street, or take a seat inside one of their cosy booths.
Looking for the best place for fish and chips in Galway City? You can find it in McDonagh's, at the bottom of Quay Street.
If you're interested in purchasing a Claddagh Ring, you can find one in any of the jewellers in the Latin Quarter. Don't buy yourself one though; it's said to be bad luck!
At night time, Quay Street is the best place to go for late night bars; some of our favourites would be The Front Door, The Quays or The Dáil. And if you're looking for some late night food, check out Pizza Napoli or Xi-an Street Food!
33 lokal ang nagrerekomenda
The Latin Quarter
22 High StThe Latin Quarter is the best place to introduce yourself to Galway's famous bustling streets. Packed full of shops, bars and restaurants, you can experience Galway's atmosphere and see some of its best street musicians and performers any time of the year, regardless of the rainy weather!
OUR RECOMMENDATIONS
Treat yourself to some ice cream at Murphy's Ice Cream on High Street, their Sea Salt flavour is incredible!
Grab a coffee to go in Coffeewerk + Press, and check out some of the unique products they stock from design houses across the world.
Enjoy a pint in the sun in Tigh Neachtain's at the top corner of Quay Street, or take a seat inside one of their cosy booths.
Looking for the best place for fish and chips in Galway City? You can find it in McDonagh's, at the bottom of Quay Street.
If you're interested in purchasing a Claddagh Ring, you can find one in any of the jewellers in the Latin Quarter. Don't buy yourself one though; it's said to be bad luck!
At night time, Quay Street is the best place to go for late night bars; some of our favourites would be The Front Door, The Quays or The Dáil. And if you're looking for some late night food, check out Pizza Napoli or Xi-an Street Food!
If you want to be where the locals are, definitely head to the West End. Some of the best businesses, bars and cafés in Galway are located in this area, including some of our favourites!
OUR RECOMMENDATIONS
The Secret Garden is easily one of the best cafés in Galway. They have an enormous selection of tea, not to mention their coffee and sweet treats, many of which can be gluten free, dairy free and vegan. We'd recommend trying a London Fog, or their gorgeous vegan curry, and sit outside in the garden when the weather is good, or chill out inside in their cozy space.
If you're after some of the best food in Galway, look no further than Kai. They change their menu daily, and their Sunday brunch at 12pm usually has people lining up outside for at least an hour beforehand. Also, their cakes are amazing. Get yourself there asap if you have a sweet tooth!
The best burgers in Galway can be found in the Westend, one of which was actually voted best in Ireland for 2019! Get yourself to Handsome Burger if you're intrigued, or if you're after burgers and craft beers, head to Bótown, both burger joints are fantastic.
If you find yourself in Galway for the weekend, check out the Tiny Traders Market, located in Nun's Island Theatre. It features some of the best artists, craft-makers and street food in the city. It runs from 10am - 6pm every Saturday, and has a lovely communal atmosphere that is definitely worth experiencing.
If you're after a few pints, the best places for craft beers in the city are actually found in the West End. Check out the Salt House or Bierhaus; the vibes are great, the beer is even better!
Monroe's Tavern, Massimo and Róisín Dubh are great places to end the night. Monroe's has set dancing every Tuesday, and Latin Carribbean Night every Wednesday, and has live music every night. Massimo actually has a fantastic kitchen if you're hungry during the day, and the atmosphere in the pub is great too. Róisín Dubh (pronounced ro-sheen duv, it means black rose in Irish) is the best place to go for music and comedy gigs, and has a great dance-floor later in the night-time!
Galways Westend
58 Dominick St LowerIf you want to be where the locals are, definitely head to the West End. Some of the best businesses, bars and cafés in Galway are located in this area, including some of our favourites!
OUR RECOMMENDATIONS
The Secret Garden is easily one of the best cafés in Galway. They have an enormous selection of tea, not to mention their coffee and sweet treats, many of which can be gluten free, dairy free and vegan. We'd recommend trying a London Fog, or their gorgeous vegan curry, and sit outside in the garden when the weather is good, or chill out inside in their cozy space.
If you're after some of the best food in Galway, look no further than Kai. They change their menu daily, and their Sunday brunch at 12pm usually has people lining up outside for at least an hour beforehand. Also, their cakes are amazing. Get yourself there asap if you have a sweet tooth!
The best burgers in Galway can be found in the Westend, one of which was actually voted best in Ireland for 2019! Get yourself to Handsome Burger if you're intrigued, or if you're after burgers and craft beers, head to Bótown, both burger joints are fantastic.
If you find yourself in Galway for the weekend, check out the Tiny Traders Market, located in Nun's Island Theatre. It features some of the best artists, craft-makers and street food in the city. It runs from 10am - 6pm every Saturday, and has a lovely communal atmosphere that is definitely worth experiencing.
If you're after a few pints, the best places for craft beers in the city are actually found in the West End. Check out the Salt House or Bierhaus; the vibes are great, the beer is even better!
Monroe's Tavern, Massimo and Róisín Dubh are great places to end the night. Monroe's has set dancing every Tuesday, and Latin Carribbean Night every Wednesday, and has live music every night. Massimo actually has a fantastic kitchen if you're hungry during the day, and the atmosphere in the pub is great too. Róisín Dubh (pronounced ro-sheen duv, it means black rose in Irish) is the best place to go for music and comedy gigs, and has a great dance-floor later in the night-time!
Sightseeing
A few nearby spots to explore if you find yourself with some free time in the city.
If you're looking to get away from the hustle and bustle of Galway City, then we'd recommend to head to out towards the seaside town of Salt Hill. It's about a 30 minute walk from Galway City Centre, but the journey there is one of the highlights in visiting it! The Salt Hill Promenade stretches all along Galway Bay, and when the weather is good, you can often see parts of Galway, Clare and the Burren just across the water. Breathe in the sea air, maybe take a stroll on the small sandy beaches and take in the gorgeous views; you'll thank us later.
If you feel like taking a dip in the cold waters of the Atlantic, what better way to try it than to jump all the way in headfirst? During the summer, the Blackrock diving pier is one of the most popular places to be in Galway; you'll often see locals attempting somersaults while jumping in .. Or else they just go full cannonball. Try it yourself if you feel brave enough to face the freezing water! Even if you don't feel like swimming, you can always just take a walk towards the pier for the views; make sure to kick the wall for good luck while you're down there!
If you're traveling with a family, Salt Hill is a great place to go all year round, even on a rainy day. There's the Galway Atlantaquaria, the arcades in Seapoint Leisure, and Leisureland if swimming in the ocean seems a little too adventurous. There's even a ferris wheel in the summer, which is replaced with an ice rink in the winter!
You'll be spoiled for food choices in Salt Hill if you get a bit peckish. Gourmet Tart Co. and Ground & Co. Café would be our recommendations for coffee, sweet treats and lunch. For later on in the day, if you feel like some Asian street food, head to Papa Rich above the aquarium for great food and stunning views of Galway Bay. For something a little different, Black Cat is an award winning restaurant, which specializes in tapas and seafood. If you're looking to treat yourself in a laid-back, classy atmosphere, this is the place for you!
There are also some fantastic bars in this little town, one of the most famous being O' Connors Famous Pub; yes, that is its real name! It's only open between 7:30pm - 12:30pm, but it is always packed with people and there's live music every night! Oslo Bar and Microbrewery is another gem in Salt Hill, with unique beers and a great menu for food.
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Salthill
If you're looking to get away from the hustle and bustle of Galway City, then we'd recommend to head to out towards the seaside town of Salt Hill. It's about a 30 minute walk from Galway City Centre, but the journey there is one of the highlights in visiting it! The Salt Hill Promenade stretches all along Galway Bay, and when the weather is good, you can often see parts of Galway, Clare and the Burren just across the water. Breathe in the sea air, maybe take a stroll on the small sandy beaches and take in the gorgeous views; you'll thank us later.
If you feel like taking a dip in the cold waters of the Atlantic, what better way to try it than to jump all the way in headfirst? During the summer, the Blackrock diving pier is one of the most popular places to be in Galway; you'll often see locals attempting somersaults while jumping in .. Or else they just go full cannonball. Try it yourself if you feel brave enough to face the freezing water! Even if you don't feel like swimming, you can always just take a walk towards the pier for the views; make sure to kick the wall for good luck while you're down there!
If you're traveling with a family, Salt Hill is a great place to go all year round, even on a rainy day. There's the Galway Atlantaquaria, the arcades in Seapoint Leisure, and Leisureland if swimming in the ocean seems a little too adventurous. There's even a ferris wheel in the summer, which is replaced with an ice rink in the winter!
You'll be spoiled for food choices in Salt Hill if you get a bit peckish. Gourmet Tart Co. and Ground & Co. Café would be our recommendations for coffee, sweet treats and lunch. For later on in the day, if you feel like some Asian street food, head to Papa Rich above the aquarium for great food and stunning views of Galway Bay. For something a little different, Black Cat is an award winning restaurant, which specializes in tapas and seafood. If you're looking to treat yourself in a laid-back, classy atmosphere, this is the place for you!
There are also some fantastic bars in this little town, one of the most famous being O' Connors Famous Pub; yes, that is its real name! It's only open between 7:30pm - 12:30pm, but it is always packed with people and there's live music every night! Oslo Bar and Microbrewery is another gem in Salt Hill, with unique beers and a great menu for food.
The Spanish Arch is one of the oldest parts of Galway City, and was once used as a docking area for Spanish traders and ships in the 17th and 18th centuries, which is where it gets its namesake. Walking through the Arch, you’ll be able to walk one of Galway’s most famous promenades, the Long Walk. It’s one of Galway’s best-known sites, and one of the best places for enjoying the evening sun in the summer. (Be warned though, it's not really a long walk!)
If you're interested in history and have a little time to spend, you could also pop into Galway City Museum which is just off to the left when you pass under the Spanish Arch. It has a broad range, showing exhibits based on periods such as Ancient Roman Civilization, World War I and, of course, local Irish history, among many others. Spread across three floors, many of the exhibits are highly interactive, so it's great for families, and make sure to check out the lovely views from the top floor. On top of all of that, entrance is free!
If you're feeling a bit hungry after all the sight-seeing, there are some great places to eat close by. The Kitchen, located in the museum, is fantastic for brunch or even just for a coffee, and Ard Bia, which sits on the water just in front of the Spanish Arch, is one of the most unique restaurants in Galway City; we'd recommend everything they serve in there!
If you feel like something a little more oriental, you can choose from Thai Garden Galway, or Lime. Lime has quite an extensive menu for vegans and vegetarians, and specialise moreso in Asian Fusion, whereas Thai Garden can provide you with some authentic Thai food in a gorgeous setting.
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Kastilang Espanyol
2 The Long WalkThe Spanish Arch is one of the oldest parts of Galway City, and was once used as a docking area for Spanish traders and ships in the 17th and 18th centuries, which is where it gets its namesake. Walking through the Arch, you’ll be able to walk one of Galway’s most famous promenades, the Long Walk. It’s one of Galway’s best-known sites, and one of the best places for enjoying the evening sun in the summer. (Be warned though, it's not really a long walk!)
If you're interested in history and have a little time to spend, you could also pop into Galway City Museum which is just off to the left when you pass under the Spanish Arch. It has a broad range, showing exhibits based on periods such as Ancient Roman Civilization, World War I and, of course, local Irish history, among many others. Spread across three floors, many of the exhibits are highly interactive, so it's great for families, and make sure to check out the lovely views from the top floor. On top of all of that, entrance is free!
If you're feeling a bit hungry after all the sight-seeing, there are some great places to eat close by. The Kitchen, located in the museum, is fantastic for brunch or even just for a coffee, and Ard Bia, which sits on the water just in front of the Spanish Arch, is one of the most unique restaurants in Galway City; we'd recommend everything they serve in there!
If you feel like something a little more oriental, you can choose from Thai Garden Galway, or Lime. Lime has quite an extensive menu for vegans and vegetarians, and specialise moreso in Asian Fusion, whereas Thai Garden can provide you with some authentic Thai food in a gorgeous setting.
Kastilang Espanyol
2 The Long Walk