Galway City Centre Travel Guide

Galway

Galway Harbour showing boating, a marina and a river or creek
Galway City Centre
Galway City Centre
Galway City Centre
Galway City Centre
Galway’s reputationhas grown steadily over recent decades until it now regularly figures towardthe very top of rankings and polls for city break destinations, especially fortravellers with an interest in culture and the arts. And such accolades judge this‘City of Festivals’ not only against the best of Ireland, but on a worldwidebasis.

Rich in cultural history, the whole city of Galwayhas bought into the idea that there’s simply nowhere better to visit for music,theatre, food and the arts, creating a vibrant, positive atmosphere that istangible from your very first stroll around the centre, which is compact enoughto be walkable.

Galway Centre

Galway city centre ispacked with living history. We counted at least a dozen museums, heritagecentres and galleries without having to search at all, and Galway’stantalising, traditional backstreets are a joy to wander through. There’s asurprise around every corner, from medieval arches, city walls and old docks, fromthe Christopher Columbus monument to yet another picturesque branch of theRiver Corrib – and on to the seaside at Salthill.

But there is far more to Galwaythan just a heritage destination. Many of the city’s shops, restaurants, artsand cultural attractions are unmistakably cosmopolitan, contemporary and even cuttingedge.

Galway andthe Arts

Galway International Arts Festivalis the biggest and best in Ireland, with two weeks in July set aside for anexplosion of dance, theatre, street acts, literary recitals and musicalperformance. But the huge array of venues doesn’t only do roaring business at festivaltime: they’re in motion all year round, making Galwaya perpetual international centre for cultural celebration.

Additionally, in October the city hosts the GalwayTheatre Festival, which again concentrates global focus on thecity’s famous DruidTheatre, Nuns’ Island Theatre, Town Hall Theatre, GalwayArts Centre and ‘An Taibhdhearc’, the Irish language theatre.

Music inGalway

The quality and profusion of Irish traditionalmusic in rocking venues, restaurants and bars across Galway Cityhas to be heard to be believed. For aficionados of music of an even greatervintage, the Galway Early Music Festival is stagedin May. But, again, the popularityof the historical doesn’t mean contemporary music loses out.

Food and Drink

At the forefront of Ireland’s taste for organicfood as well as far-flung international cuisine, Galway Market,local wine merchants and specialist foodie emporiums – sample the fantasticlocal cheeses, organic meat, freshly baked artisanal bread – present anyvisitor with the enjoyable quandary of when to pack it all in!

Even in many traditional pubs and bars, you canstay ahead of the curve. Be sure and try the range of craft beers now trendingin Ireland.

Sport in Galway

Hurling and Gaelic football matches can be enjoyedat Galway’s PearseStadium, while the local soccer club Galway FC play at Eamonn DeacyPark. On the outskirts of the city, Ballybritracecourse stages the seven-day-long Galway Racesfestival, as well as events all year round.

WildAtlantic Way

With so much to do in the city, don’t overlook thespectacular Atlantic Coast, with all its associated activities easy to accessfrom Galway.


Popular places to visit


Top hotels in Galway City Centre

The Dean Galway

The Dean Galway

4 out of 5
80 Prospect Hill, Galway
The price is ₹13,993 per night from 27 Jul to 28 Jul
₹13,993
₹15,882 total
27 Jul - 28 Jul
includes taxes & fees
Stay at this 4-star hotel in Galway. Enjoy free Wi-Fi, 2 restaurants and 3 bars/lounges. Our guests praise the helpful staff in their reviews. Popular attractions ...
8.8/10 Excellent! (444 reviews)
"Worth the expense for nice rooms, restaurant and great location."

Reviewed on 21 Jul 2025

The Dean Galway
City HideAway

City HideAway

3 out of 5
Fairgreen Rd, Galway, Galway
Fully refundableReserve now, pay when you stay
The price is ₹12,078 per night from 27 Jul to 28 Jul
₹12,078
₹13,709 total
27 Jul - 28 Jul
includes taxes & fees
Stay at this 3-star hotel in Galway. Enjoy free Wi-Fi, breakfast (surcharge) and housekeeping. Popular attractions Eyre Square and Quay Street are located ...
8.4/10 Very Good! (36 reviews)
"Staff friendly, quick check-in, small room but clean and modern, good shower, lots of storage for luggage, air conditioning, great location for the city or bus and train station for day trips. Ideal as a base for a short trip or onward journey."

Reviewed on 19 Jul 2025

City HideAway
The Galmont

The Galmont

4 out of 5
Lough Atalia Road, Galway, Galway
The price is ₹17,988 per night from 4 Aug to 5 Aug
₹17,988
₹20,417 total
4 Aug - 5 Aug
includes taxes & fees
Stay at this 4-star spa hotel in Galway. Enjoy free Wi-Fi, a full-service spa and 2 restaurants. Our guests praise the breakfast and the helpful staff in their ...
8.6/10 Excellent! (1,004 reviews)
"Really appreciated the space in the room. Amazing bed and plenty of room to open suitcases. Shower seemed to operate differently to all the others we have experienced. Difficult to control temperature. Aircon excellent. Location in a quiet part of town but with easy access to railway and bus stations. ..."

Reviewed on 22 Jul 2025

The Galmont
Menlo Park Hotel

Menlo Park Hotel

4 out of 5
Terryland, Headford Road, Galway, Galway
The price is ₹14,977 per night from 3 Aug to 4 Aug
₹14,977
₹16,999 total
3 Aug - 4 Aug
includes taxes & fees
Stay at this 4-star business-friendly hotel in Galway. Enjoy free Wi-Fi, breakfast (surcharge) and 24-hour room service. Our guests praise the helpful staff ...
9.2/10 Wonderful! (1,001 reviews)
"Excellent Hotel and close to downtown"

Reviewed on 16 Jul 2025

Menlo Park Hotel
Leonardo Hotel Galway

Leonardo Hotel Galway

4 out of 5
Quay Street, Galway, Galway
The price is ₹19,728 per night from 10 Aug to 11 Aug
₹19,728
₹22,392 total
10 Aug - 11 Aug
includes taxes & fees
Stay at this eco-certified hotel in Galway. Enjoy free Wi-Fi, breakfast (surcharge) and a 24-hour front desk. Our guests praise the breakfast and the helpful ...
8.4/10 Very Good! (1,006 reviews)
"We had a very large room, view of city was nice with festival happening. Great location easy to walk everywhere."

Reviewed on 21 Jul 2025

Leonardo Hotel Galway
Eyre Square Hotel

Eyre Square Hotel

3 out of 5
Forster Street, Eyre Square, Galway
The price is ₹16,105 per night from 27 Jul to 28 Jul
₹16,105
₹18,279 total
27 Jul - 28 Jul
includes taxes & fees
Stay at this 3-star hotel in Galway. Enjoy free Wi-Fi, breakfast (surcharge) and room service. Our guests praise the breakfast and the helpful staff in their ...
8.2/10 Very Good! (1,028 reviews)
Tight but nice
"This hotel is perfectly located a block from the train station and a short walk to the main shopping area. We did stay during an unusually hot time and they do not have air conditioning. However, the front desk did whatever they could to try to make us feel comfortable (provided two fans). We stayed ..."

Reviewed on 23 Jul 2025

Eyre Square Hotel
Lowest nightly price found within the past 24 hours based on a 1 night stay for 2 adults. Prices and availability subject to change. Additional terms may apply.

Other neighbourhoods around Galway City Centre

Galway City Museum featuring interior views

Latin Quarter

The ample dining options and beautiful river views are top of the list for many visitors to Latin Quarter. A stop by Quay Street or Galway City Museum might round out your trip.

Latin Quarter
Default Image

Terryland

Terryland is popular for its abundant dining options, and you can check out Planet Entertainment Centre, a top attraction in the neighbourhood.

Terryland
Default Image

Renmore

When in Renmore, you can plan a visit to Eyre Square and Galway Irish Crystal Heritage Centre, some noteworthy sights in the nearby area.

Renmore
Default Image

Ballinfoile

If you're looking for some top things to see and do in Ballinfoile and surrounding area, you can visit Galway Shopping Center and Lough Atalia.

Ballinfoile
Default Image

Newcastle

While there might not be top attractions in Newcastle, you can explore the larger area and discover places like Galway Cathedral and Galway Shopping Center.

Newcastle
Default Image

Claddagh

Visitors to Claddagh enjoy its restaurants, and if you want to do some exploring, Grattan Beach is worth a stop.

Claddagh

Galway City Centre Travel Guide