Galway Travel Guide: Latin Quarter, Salthill Promenade, Aran Islands Cruises and Killary Fjord

Galway sits in the west of Ireland on the Wild Atlantic Way, where the River Corrib meets Galway Bay. It suits travelers who want a city with medieval streets, pubs and a Saturday and Sunday market, plus a beach about 1.2 miles (2 km) away that can be reached on foot.

Getting there takes some road or rail time. Shannon Airport is about an hour’s drive away, and Dublin Airport is a 3 hour drive with frequent buses to the city.

At a glance

• Where: west of Ireland, County Galway, province of Connacht, on the River Corrib
• Nearest airport: Shannon (SNN), about 1 hour by car
• From Dublin: 3 hour drive, or bus or Irish Rail train from Heuston Station
• Weather in April: high 55°F (13°C), low 42°F (6°C)
• Beach: Salthill, about 1.2 miles (2 km) from the city, on foot
• Aran Islands cruises from Galway City: March 26 to October 3, 2027

Where is Galway and what is it like?

Galway is in the west of Ireland along the Wild Atlantic Way, in County Galway within the province of Connacht. The city sits where the River Corrib meets Galway Bay, and Shannon Airport is the nearest international gateway.

The city is described as the beating heart of the West. The Latin Quarter has medieval streets, and the West End is where the streets come alive at night with drinking and dancing. Salthill, along the bay, has a promenade of about 1.2 miles (2 km) with views toward the distant Burren hills. The wider landscape was forged over thousands of years by glaciers, fierce Atlantic winds and waters.

The Spanish Arch stands on the banks of the Corrib, at Ceann na Bhalla, the Head of the Wall. It is a short walk from the Latin Quarter, so the two fit into the same stroll.

What is there to do in Galway?

The Latin Quarter, Galway Market and the City Museum

The Latin Quarter has unique shops, cosy pubs and cobbled pedestrian streets with street performers. It is known for its medieval streets and cultural heritage, and the Spanish Arch is nearby on the river.

Galway Market runs every Saturday and Sunday and has grown to hundreds of stalls. A weekend visit puts the market on the route, and a weekday visit leaves the stalls out.

Galway City Museum has three floors and several exhibitions tracing the county’s evolution from medieval times. The Galway Tourist Information Centre is inside the museum and gives free advice on planning days in the city, so a rainy morning can cover both.

Salthill Beach and the Promenade

Salthill Beach is approximately 1.2 miles (2 km) from Galway City and is accessible on foot. It is popular for walking, swimming and relaxing, and it lies within a Special Area of Conservation.

The beach is lifeguarded during the summer months.

The Promenade gives uninterrupted views of Galway Bay, the Burren Mountains and the Aran Islands.

The Aran Islands and the Cliffs of Moher by sea

Seasonal cruises from Galway City operate with departures from March 26 to October 3, 2027. All return sailings depart Inis Mór and return to Galway City via a cruise along the Cliffs of Moher.

The Aran Islands lie off the coast of Galway and within immediate eyesight of the Cliffs of Moher. The cliffs themselves are on the west coast close to Liscannor village in County Clare.

The Cliffs of Moher Coastal Walk is a listed activity at the site, and the Burren is listed among the places to see beyond the cliffs. The Burren and the Cliffs of Moher form a UNESCO Global Geopark. Travelers who go in the cruise season can see the cliffs from the water.

Connemara, Killary Fjord and Diamond Hill

At Killary Adventure Centre, visitors can kayak on Killary Fjord, one of just three glacial fjords in the country. A Killary Fjord Cruise lasts 90 minutes, a good fit for a morning on the water.

The first open section of the Connemara Greenway is a 3.7 mile (6 km) stretch along the old railway line. The Diamond Hill loop walk in Connemara National Park takes around three hours, so start it early in the day.

Glengowla Mines is a show mine on historic lead and silver mining, where visitors can pan for gold and gems. Killary Sheep Farm is a traditional working farm with over 200 ewes and lambs. For pubs, markets and museums, stay in the city. For sea air on foot, choose Salthill. For fjords and hill walks, Connemara is the pick.

How many days do you need in Galway?

A long weekend covers the city well. That means the Latin Quarter, the Spanish Arch, the City Museum and the Salthill Promenade, with one of the two market days on Saturday or Sunday.

Add days for the day trips. A Killary cruise lasts 90 minutes, and the Diamond Hill loop takes around three hours. If you are short on time, drop one of these and keep the city. City buses are cheap with a TFI Leap Card, and the free Yeats-Gregory Explorer shuttle links Gort, Coole Park Nature Reserve, Thoor Ballylee and Kilmacduagh Monastery for anyone staying longer.

Where to stay in Galway

Galway offers hotels, B&Bs and guesthouses, self-catering apartments and hostels, across all budgets and needs. The Latin Quarter and West End put you among the pubs and the nightlife, while Salthill suits a stay by the water.

Outside the city, Carraroe Holiday Village in County Galway has ten Three Star Cottages and six Four Star Lodges. Roundstone has caravan parks, bed and breakfasts, self-catering and 2, 3 and 4 star hotels. The Galway International Arts Festival had 450,000 visitors in 2020, so book early if your trip overlaps its dates.

How do you get to Galway and get around?

Shannon Airport (SNN) is about an hour’s drive from Galway and is the most convenient international airport for the city. Ireland West Airport (NOC) is approximately 1.5 hours away by car, Dublin Airport (DUB) is a 3 hour drive, and Cork International Airport (ORK) is approximately 3.5 hours.

Dublin Airport has frequent bus connections to Galway by Citylink, GoBus and Bus Éireann. You can also take an Irish Rail train from Dublin’s Heuston Station to Galway City.

Once in the city, the Latin Quarter and Salthill are close enough to walk, with the beach about 1.2 miles (2 km) away. The promenade has a cycling lane and a walking lane.

For buses in the city, a TFI Adult Leap Card fare on Bus Éireann services can be as little as €1.55. A Young Adult (19-25) or Student fare is €0.75, and a Child fare is €0.65. Leap Card fares are up to 30% cheaper than cash single fares.

For a day out toward Gort, the Yeats-Gregory Explorer is a free hop-on hop-off shuttle bus funded and operated by NPWS. It has multiple daily departures from Gort Market Square. Stops include Gort town centre, Coole Park Nature Reserve, Kiltartan Gregory Museum, Thoor Ballylee, Kilmacduagh Monastery and Garryland Wood. It improves access for visitors arriving in Gort by rail and regional bus.

When should you go to Galway?

Spring looks like the gentler window for walking and day trips. April has a high of 55°F (13°C) and a low of 42°F (6°C), with 2 inches (61 mm) of rain. March has a high of 51°F (11°C), and the Aran Islands cruises begin on March 26 in 2027.

January and February are cooler, with highs near 48°F (9°C) and lows near 38°F (4°C). January has 15 rainy days and about an hour and a half of sun a day.

What to know before visiting Galway

According to the U.S. State Department (travel.state.gov), no visa is required for 90 days or less.

• A U.S. passport must be valid for the duration of your stay in Ireland, with 1 blank page available per stamp.
• No vaccinations are required.
• The entry and exit maximum is 10,000 euros, or approximately $11,671.
• Dual citizens of Ireland and the United States must bring travel documents for both nationalities.

Booking Galway for November: what to know

No fact here describes how full Galway gets in November, so plan lodging early and keep dates flexible. The Explore Galway Kiosk in Eyre Square helps visitors all day, from 8:15 a.m. to 5:30 p.m.

It is a useful first stop once you arrive.