Blake Walsh

15 Best Things to Do in Galway, Ireland

  • Published 2021/10/13

Galway is a lovely city filled with history and culture; and with a host of attractions and activities, you’ll have a hard time getting bored.

It is a quirky, charming, bustling city in Ireland and renowned for its beautiful coastline, with plenty of places to go swimming, surfing, and sailing.

Many excellent restaurants along the seafront are great to take in the sun, with great food and drinks.

If you’re looking for something to do in Galway, here are the 18 great suggestions:

Stroll the Connemara National Park

Those who love to travel will know that Ireland is one of the most beautiful places in the world to visit.

With its many different landscapes, you can’t help but fall in love with Ireland.

Connemara National Park

Andrea Rusconi / Shutterstock.com

The country is home to many beautiful places, including the Connemara National Park, a natural area of ancient dunes.

Over the last few years, the Connemara National Park has become a popular destination for those looking to escape the hustle and bustle of the city for a better (and cheaper) holiday.

The Connemara National Park is located on the western coast of Ireland and is home to some of the most beautifully scenic areas of the country.

Explore the Claddagh Ring Museum

Claddagh Ring Museum

chrisdorney / Shutterstock.com

Galway is a small town situated along the west coast of Ireland.

It is the second oldest city in the country, dating back to the 8th century.

Claddagh Ring Museum

Gerd Eichmann, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons

It is famous for its Heritage, Culture, Arts, Crafts, Tourism, beaches, and Food.

It is also famous for its Claddagh Ring Museum, where you can learn about the History, Symbolism, and Design of the Claddagh Ring.

Go to the Contemporary Art Centre

A significant tourism destination on the west coast, Galway has many beautiful things to offer its visitors.

The Contemporary Art Centre is a great place to see contemporary art.

If you are looking for things to do in Galway, you should check out the Contemporary Art Centre.

It is an art gallery with a collection of works of modern and contemporary art.

Visit the Galway City Museum

Galway City Museum

Min Jing / Shutterstock.com

You can do many things in Galway, ranging from going to a traditional pub to museums.

Galway is a city that never sleeps, and its museums and attractions are well worth exploring.

The Galway City Museum is a fantastic way to spend a day out in Galway and an excellent place to learn about the history of Galway, Ireland.

You can also learn about the culture that permeates the city. The Museum possesses a good collection of relics.

While the Museum is small, it’s filled with fun, interactive exhibits.

You can spend hours exploring this Museum while learning about the city’s history.

Experience the Galway Oyster Festival

Galway Oyster Festival

Stephen Barnes / Shutterstock.com

The Galway Oyster Festival is a trendy tourist destination that attracts thousands of visitors from all over the world every year.

It is a world-renowned event that showcases the quality of the local oyster.

Galway Oyster Festival

Rihardzz / Shutterstock.com

The festival is held annually at the beginning of the summer season and has been going over for hundred years.

As a unique cultural festival, the Oyster Festival is a unique culinary festival that offers a range of cultural activities, music, entertainment, and events, showcasing the rich heritage of Galway.

Participation in the Oyster Festival is free, and the atmosphere is amiable.

Watch Galway Races at the Galway Racecourse

As you are probably aware, the Galway Racecourse, also referred to as Ballybrit Racecourse, is one of the more popular events held in Ireland every year.

The race is always fascinating, but it is even more exciting this year because of the new fences built for the first time.

Many visitors to Galway will undoubtedly enjoy this place.

Attend the Galway Theatre Festival

Galway Theatre Festival

BdelosArcos, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons

Galway Theatre Festival is an annual celebration of live theatre in the city of Galway, Ireland.

It has been described as one of the best theatre festivals in the world. Each year, the festival attracts the biggest names in the world of theatre.

If you love theatre, you will undoubtedly love this festival.

Grab Something to Read at Kennys Bookshop & Art Galleries

Kennys Bookshop & Art Galleries is a must-see attraction in Galway.

There are dozens of books here you can select from, such as nonfiction, poetry, encyclopedias, fiction.

This, indeed, is a perfect place for bookworms.

It’s a great place to visit, so if you have the opportunity, do it.

Go to the Lough Corrib

Lough Corrib

Sahara Prince / Shutterstock.com

Lough Corrib is a lake in Ireland and one of the most popular tourist destinations in Ireland.

It is a big attraction for people who enjoy fishing, sailing, kayaking, and other water activities.

The Lough offers a diverse range of things, including walking trails, art galleries, museums, restaurants, and pubs.

So if you’re looking for a day trip from Dublin or Galway with your family or friends, then the Lough Corrib in Galway should be at the top of your list!

Journey to Ailwee Cave

Ailwee Cave and Nature Reserve

Knocko, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons

Ailwee Cave s a beautiful, serene setting for many different outdoor activities.

The area features limestone cliffs, trails, caves, and more. It includes the limestone Ailwee Caves and a variety of wildflowers and wildlife.

With its rich history and natural beauty, there are many reasons to visit that you will undoubtedly enjoy.

Visit the National University of Ireland, Galway

National University of Ireland

STLJB / Shutterstock.com

The National University of Ireland, Galway, is one of the few universities in Ireland that offers a range of undergraduate courses in English.

Located on University Rd, Galway, Ireland, the University has many notable alumni, including President Michael D Higgins.

National University of Ireland

Claudine Van Massenhove / Shutterstock.com

The University offers undergraduate and postgraduate study in arts, humanities, business, engineering, sciences, and social sciences.

It is renowned as one of the best universities in Ireland and ranked among the top 500 universities worldwide.

Explore this college campus during your trip to Galway, and you will find out why it’s worth visiting.

Other Things to Do Nearby

Go to the Burren Natural Park

Burren Natural Park

PaoloBruschi / Shutterstock.com

The Burren is a limestone-rich landscape in the center of County Clare, Ireland.

The Burren is a place of contrasts: a barren landscape of rocky hills and limestone plateaus with a wide variety of flora and fauna.

The area is crisscrossed by a network of roads that are more easily accessed than others.

Landscape of Burren Natural Park

MNStudio / Shutterstock.com

Go to a site of Ireland known for its beauty, culture, and fantastic sense of place.

The Burren spans much of the southwest of the country and is home to the rolling landscape, the incredible rock formations, and the miles of walking paths to be found there.

Enjoy the View at Cliffs of Moher

If you have been to Ireland, you have heard of the Cliffs of Moher.

They are a rock formation in County Clare that is so breathtaking that people pay to tour them.

Cliffs of Moher

elementals / Shutterstock.com

Whether they want to see the best views, learn about the geological history of the area, or just be overwhelmed by the beauty of the place, the Cliffs of Moher offer a unique experience that can’t be found anywhere else in the world.

In recent years, the Cliffs of Moher have been garnering international attention due to their exceptional beauty and natural wonders.

Go Ferry Boat-Riding to the Aran Islands

Ferry boat in Aran Islands

mark_gusev / Shutterstock.com

The Aran Islands are located on the west coast of Ireland and are an area of spectacular natural beauty.

The Aran Islands have numerous walking trails, scenic hills, mountains, beaches, cliffs, dolmens, monasteries, ruins of old churches, prehistoric forts, herds of wild goats, and walking trails the destination of many tourists each year.

Final Thoughts

Galway is Ireland’s most liveable city.

With its long-standing cafe culture, lively pubs, and beautiful beaches to explore, Galway is the perfect Irish destination for a weekend getaway.

Galway offers something for everyone.

The city also has a rich culture and history that can’t be missed.

So, what are you waiting for? Put Galway as one of your next vacation spots to visit.

© All rights reserved.