What to See with 2 Days in Galway, Ireland
Galway, Ireland seems to be on the top of everyone’s list of places to see during a visit to Ireland. But beyond the buzz, what is there to actually see and do in Galway?
More importantly, is it worth it or has it simply become a city that people check off because the Internet tells them to do so? I’ll aim to help answer these questions for you as you start planning your time in Ireland!
Disclaimer: This post may contain affiliate links. If you make a purchase through one of these links, I will earn a small commission. This occurs at no added cost to you.
Day One in Galway, Ireland
Clonmacnoise
About an hour east of Galway is Clonmacnoise Monastery. We visited here on our way into Galway from Dublin Airport.
Clonmacnoise was our first of many Irish ruins during our 1.5-week trip to Ireland, but it still stands out as one of my favorites. The entire site spans several acres and includes two round towers, three high crosses and nine churches. It was the largest single monastic site we saw in Ireland, and while none of its features alone are particularly memorable, the entire complex is impressive.
All that said, Clonmacnoise is only worth visiting if you are coming to Galway from Dublin. I enjoyed it, but it isn’t worth visiting as a trip from Galway because of the time required to get there.
More Content You Might Enjoy: A Detailed Guide to for Dingle’s Slea Head Drive
The Latin Quarter and Eyre Square
The Latin Quarter and Eyre Square are the beating heart of Galway. It’s here where all the tourists and university students eventually end up to enjoy the best of what Galway has to offer.
Whether you like crowds of tourists or not, if you’re in Galway, you have to come to the Latin Quarter and the main thoroughfare of Quay Street to see what all the fuss is about at least for a bit. There are buskers and street performers seemingly in front of every establishment, there are hen parties marching up and down the road, and pub after pub offering their own atmospheric pint of ale.
Eyre Square is the supposed culmination of what you experienced walking up through the Latin Quarter. I personally was not a fan. It seemed like it was where the drunkest people ended up to rest off their Guinness and Jameson. There were a couple art installations that seemed interesting; however, I mostly wanted to get back into the thick of things along Quay Street.
Hall of the Red Earl
This small complex on a tight side street in the Latin Quarter shows the excavation of the oldest building in Galway. When we visited, we could only see it from the road as it was closed for the day. However, if you visit when it’s open, there are a few signs explaining the site in more detail.
It’s such a brief visit, it’s hardly even a detour. Still, take a few minutes to walk down the alley to see the ongoing excavations.
Galway City Museum
If I’m being honest, the Galway City Museum was probably one of the most disappointing things we did in Galway. I wanted to like it, but I had one big problem with it.
There are a lot of interesting objects within this museum. However, the descriptions aren’t great. It’s not that they aren’t detailed. Rather, there is far too much information on each placard.
A good museum provides information in a succinct and concise way. You can skim through the information easily to find the background information you want without feeling like you are reading an encyclopedia. Then, if you want to find out more, you can do your own research after the fact. This is where the Galway City Museum goes wrong.
The placards read like an instruction manual. There is far too much information on each object. By the time you find what you were looking for, you forgot what it was you even wanted to know. I understand what they are trying to achieve and their excitement to teach you about Galway, but it’s an exhausting experience.
Again, the objects contained within the Galway City Museum are interesting, so it isn’t completely without merit. Just know that you will either spend a lot of time in the museum reading each information placard or you will not know much about anything because it takes too long to read the placards.
Day Two in Galway, Ireland
Early Morning Exploration
If you wake early enough on the second day, take advantage of it to explore Galway without the crowds. One of my issues with Galway was how it felt like one big stag or hen party. Going out to see the city early in the morning is a great way to see how charming Galway can be before the booze starts flowing.
I took this time to wander around the Latin Quarter a bit before heading over to Galway Bay. My time here was my favorite from our two days in Galway. I jogged along the boardwalk, taking in the views of the old village of Claddagh, Salthill off in the distance and people going for their morning walks along the windswept, Irish beach.
During this time, I also enjoyed coming back to our accommodation along some of the various canals and waterways Galway has to offer. When you get past the crowds, Galway truly is a lovely city, and all of these areas are a testament to its charm.
More Ireland Travel Content: Hiking the Doolin Cliff Walk to the Cliffs of Moher
Galway Market
On Saturdays and Sundays, Galway hosts a street market on Church Lane near St Nicholas’ Church. You can wander around various arts and crafts stands, local produce sellers and food vendors.
It’s a great way to start your morning before heading out to do more sightseeing. Unlike some markets that feel like they’re there just for tourists, the Galway Market felt like it had a local flair. When we visited, there were lots of locals going from stand to stand purchasing goods for the week.
The food vendors all looked and smelled great. We ended up going with bagels from a stand that is, sadly, no longer on their list of vendors. This is a shame because it was a delicious bagel!
Connemara National Park
About 90 minutes west of Galway is Connemara National Park. This national park has a few different hikes of varying difficulty for those looking to explore some of Ireland’s majestic landscapes during their time in Galway.
We did the longer, more difficult Upper Diamond Trail that takes you to the peak of this small mountain. The trail gets a little difficult towards the peak as you have to make your way up uneven, steep rock faces. It stops just shy of what I would consider a rock scramble.
The views from the top are worth the trouble. After so many beautiful landscapes in Ireland, I consider this one to be my favorite. Depending on which way you look, you can see panoramic bay views, Kylemore Abbey and Pollacappul Lough, and the Twelve Bens with a mountain stream cutting through Polladirk Valley. It’s an incredible experience.
In addition to the hike, the drive to the park is a fun one that goes by quicker than it actually is because of the great scenery. You’ll pass several lakes while the Twelve Bens come in and out of view depending on where you are on the road. There are also many sheep ambling about here and there to watch from your window.
For a more thorough walkthrough of Connemara National Park, click here to read my review of the park.
Galway Cathedral
Before I could consider Galway properly seen, I still had to see Galway Cathedral. This large, stone masonry cathedral may look like it was built in the 1700s, but it is actually a relatively new construct on the Galway skyline having been built in only 1965.
The interior is smaller than it seems from the outside, but there are a few interesting things to make a visit worthwhile. Perhaps the most memorable is the view looking up at the altar from the nave with the glowing blue dome overhead. Behind the altar is a poignant mosaic of Jesus on the cross.
Another favorite part of the interior for me is the mosaic depicting the resurrection of Christ. Does the man looking up praying to Jesus’s left look familiar? It’s former American president JFK. I always enjoy finding connections like this to America’s history when traveling abroad.
Day Trip to the Aran Islands
From Galway, you can drive 45 minutes west to Rossaveel to take a ferry to the Aran Islands. This is a good day trip if you have an additional day in Galway or don’t have any interest in visiting Connemara National Park.
We visited the Aran Islands as a day trip from Doolin. Whether you visit from Galway or Doolin, it’s a trip you should fit into your itinerary somewhere.
There are three different islands to choose from, each with their own appeal. I recommend visiting Inis Mór. It’s the farthest and biggest of the three islands, and it has the most to see and do. There are several historic sights on the island including Dun Aengus, one of my favorite sights in all of Ireland.
Besides the attractions themselves, Inis Mór is great to just explore as a day trip from Galway. The island has a haunting beauty about it that charms and amazes visitors.
Read my post on Inis Mór to find out more about visiting this island and some of the top things to see!
Eats and Drinks in Galway, Ireland
The King’s Head Pub
The King’s Head has existed in Galway for over 800 years. Owing to its age, it has some notable history. The most interesting legend is how it received its name.
Supposedly, King Charles I’s executioner was given the property as payment for his role in Charles I’s death. Whether the man who was given the property actually performed the execution is in question. Nevertheless, the legend still led to the pub’s current name.
Regardless of the veracity of that claim, I couldn’t pass up the opportunity to visit a pub with this possible connection to history. The interior was a bit of a mixed bag. There were parts that felt old and charming, but then there were definitely some aspects that felt done up for tourists. It’s a good place for a pint. Be sure to walk around to explore a bit, especially if you are in the newer side of the pub.
More Irish Pub Content: A Visit to the Guinness Storehouse in Dublin
Freeney’s Bar
We stumbled into Freeney’s Bar by mere coincidence as we walked up Quay Street. It was time for a pint, and Freeney’s was there ready to provide.
There was nothing particularly special about Freeney’s, but it was this lack of airs that charmed me. It felt like a typical pub that exists for locals to come and relax after a day of work. (The fact that there were a couple locals chatting up the bartenders certainly helped to reinforce this theme.)
It was my favorite pub in Galway. Give it a visit if you just want a pub to relax in away from the rest of the tourists.
Urban Grind
Looking to get away from the throngs of tourists, we were walking on the quieter side of the River Corrib when we stumbled upon Urban Grind. We walked in to find a small coffee and wine bar with a small food menu of appetizers and sandwiches.
The space itself was a little plain, but it made up for this fact with its delightful little courtyard. It was the perfect escape from the crowds we were looking for. Plus, we had already had our fair share of Guinness and Smithwick’s in just two days in Ireland, so it was nice to change it up a bit. We ended up staying for a couple glasses of wine and a small cheese board.
If you’re coming to Galway for its party scene – stay away. If you want a break in the action, check this place out!
McDonagh’s
McDonagh’s holds a special place in my heart as it was here where we had our first meal in Ireland. It’s only appropriate that our first meal was a greasy basket of fish and chips.
It was a decent basket of fish and chips is really all I can say about it. The service was fast, it was a good amount of food, and the chips were delightfully salty. What more do you want from fish and chips?
McDonagh’s has a restaurant side that probably isn’t worth the time or extra money. Get your meal to go and take it over to the little plaza outside the Spanish Arch to experience some of Galway’s history and some good people watching.
Hooked
In perfect poetic justice, our final meal in Galway was the same as our first: more fish and chips. This time our selection was from Hooked, the chipper right next door to where we were staying.
After an evening of rambling around Galway with ample amount of beer, we needed a late-night meal. Hooked happened to be right next to where we were staying. It did the trick.
It’s a bit out of the way from the city center, but if you find yourself in this part of Galway, you could do worse than some fish and chips from Hooked.
John Keogh’s Gastropub
Galway is known as one of Ireland’s preeminent foody cities, and John Keogh’s Gastropub helps it to earn that claim.
John Keogh’s was by far the finest restaurant we ate at in Galway. We sat outside in their makeshift seating area due to the Covid pandemic. I had a few glances of the inside of John Keogh’s on my way to the restroom, but what I saw gave the impression of a fine establishment with its dark wood interiors and historical pictures on the walls.
The food was equally excellent. I had local mussels and fries. It’s not an exaggeration to say these were the biggest, meatiest mussels I’ve ever had. They were like the Andre the Giant of mollusks. More importantly, they were delicious, too. They were flavorful and much more filling than mussels I’ve had in the past.
John Keogh’s Gastropub is a popular spot. Consider making reservations ahead of time to guarantee a table!
But What About the Trad Music?!
Galway is one of many Irish towns known for its trad music (trad being the common phrase for traditional Irish music). Sadly, we visited Galway when live music was still prohibited due to the Covid pandemic. Coincidentally, the ban was lifted a couple days after we left.
While I can’t give any personal recommendations for good trad spots in Galway, I do recommend making it a point to see a performance somewhere.
Here are some places to check out:
- Monroe’s
- The Crane
- Tigh Chóilí
- Taaffe’s
- The Quays
- Barr An Chaladh
Where to Stay in Galway, Ireland
All the major sights in Galway are relatively close to each other, so almost wherever you stay you’ll be in walking distance of the major things to do. With that said, I suggest staying on the west side of the River Corrib.
Staying on this side affords you a little more peace and quiet than you can get if you stay closer to the Latin Quarter while still being close enough to walk back from the pubs at night. It’s more residential on this side, too. This quality makes it feel a bit cozier and quaint when you are walking about during the day.
I recommend this one-bedroom apartment for your stay. It’s a charming unit with thoughtful decor and furnishings that feels like a lived-in apartment rather than something someone threw up haphazardly to book out to tourists. It also has a fully functioning kitchen if you are staying for a longer visit and would like to prepare your own meals. Perhaps best of all, it’s within a couple minute’s walking distance of Hooked, a tasty fish and chips place to soak up the Guinness!
Arriving in Galway, Ireland
We decided to rent a car for our trip to Galway and then around the rest of the country. There are trains connecting major cities, but service to smaller towns is less reliable. Because of this, train is not going to be the most convenient option for most visitors to Ireland who are likely coming to visit the immaculate countryside.
It’s about a two-hour drive from Dublin Airport and an hour drive from Shannon Airport to Galway. The drive from both airports goes along major motorways, so there’s no concern for getting backed up on some of Ireland’s smaller roadways.
There are several parking areas throughout Galway where you can pay per the day. One of the more popular lots is located at Galway Cathedral.
My Thoughts on Galway, Ireland
Prior to reviewing my notes and photos from Galway, I would have written here that Galway was overrated and not worth the time. When I think of Galway, I tend to compare it to the towns we stayed in afterwards which I frankly did enjoy much more. That isn’t fair to Galway, though.
Until now, my initial thoughts when asked about Galway were that it’s touristy, busy, just one big party and relatively devoid of interesting museums. While those things are true, there is more to Galway to make it worth a visit.
Reflecting on Galway for this post and considering it in a vacuum, I enjoyed Galway more than I remember.
Despite being busy, the Latin Quarter was a delight to walk around with its winding road and, tight side streets. Additionally, its pubs were lots of fun. The views along the bay and beach were also quite lovely. While it lacks good museums, simply walking along these two areas to see the bones of Galway makes up for that fact.
This begs the question, then, of whether or not I recommend visiting Galway. I do but with two caveats. First, if you are only in Ireland for a short period of time, there are better places to visit. Second, if you don’t like large crowds of boisterous people, you may want to skip Galway.
The itinerary above is a great way to get a good mix of Galway’s party scene and some of its more evocative aspects.
More Posts for Planning Your Ireland Trip
Here are some more itineraries I’ve written from our other stays through Ireland to help plan your dream trip to the Emerald Isle!
And don’t miss my 13-day Ireland itinerary tying all these fantastic places together!
Thank you for reading this post. Paul Passing Through is a labor of love to which I’ve dedicated a lot of free time. If you’d like to show your support for my blog, you can Buy Me a Coffee to help fund the future of Paul Passing Through. I appreciate any contributions!
Resources to Book Your Trip to Galway, Ireland
Whether you’re looking for tours, hotels or flights, here are some tools to help get you started planning your trip to Galway!
Look for activities and tours offered through GetYourGuide or Viator!
Search Flights
Still can’t find what you’re looking for? Check out my travel essentials pages for more of my recommendations.
Pin This Post!
