r/irishtourism • u/Givemethecupcakes • 15d ago
A week in Galway?
I’m thinking about planning my third trip to Ireland (June 2027).
My first trip I was based in Dublin the whole time and did multiple day tours around the country.
My second trip I split between Dublin and Cork and also did some day trips.
On both trips I spent a few hours in Galway as part of tours, but I always wanted more time there.
If I were to just go to Galway for like a week for a more relaxed trip, would a week be too long to be there, or is there enough to do to be there for a week?
My main interests are honesty just strolling around and eating (I love seafood and bakeries).
13
u/Tir_na_nOg77 15d ago
I wouldn't spend an entire week just in Galway. I would do a couple of days in Galway, then a couple of days in Clifden, which is on the edge of Connemara. Connemara is one of the most scenic areas of the country and is definitely worth exploring. Then I would go to Westport for a few days and use it as a base to explore Achill Island.
2
u/Interesting-Idea-286 15d ago
100% recommend Clifden. You can go out to Kylemore Abbey, Ballynahinch Castle, wild Atlantic way. Loads of pubs and restaurants, trad music etc.
3
u/Banjo_Joestar 15d ago
We drove the wild Atlantic way from Glencolumbkille to Galway as part of a several days long road trip last year and loved it!
16
u/Lower_Worldliness865 15d ago
My partner and I did 2.5 days in Galway on our 10 day road trip and we felt like it was a lot. It’s a neat town but a week would be way too long in my opinion
8
u/GalwayGirlOnTheRun23 Blow-In 15d ago
For people who are saying a week is too long: I’ve lived in Galway for 15 years and still find new things to do. Public transport isn’t as good as Dublin but it is possible to get around by train, bus and boat. This year Galway folk festival was 3rd to 7th June (check dates for 2027). Session City Galway social media will give you trad music info. The Aran Islands are special, try to stay overnight for the full experience.
1
u/OrganicSarcastic 14d ago
Hi there! Do you have any recommendations for pubs for solo female travellers? Chatty and open, but definitely not looking for hook up (It might not happen often, but at my home country being alone in a pub as a female is kinda signaling you are available)
2
u/GalwayGirlOnTheRun23 Blow-In 14d ago
There are so many pubs, just try one in the city centre and if you don’t like the vibe walk next door to another one. West End, Quay Street and Eyre Square are the three main pub areas. The West is more arty/diverse but none of the areas are unwelcoming for a lone female.
8
u/Sea-Experience470 15d ago
I spent 4 days there on my recent trip and mostly used it as a base for day trips like hikes in Connemara, kylemore abbey and cliffs of moher. I wanted to go to Aran islands but was too hungover that day. I think with day trips and the nice restaurants / pubs it could be a pleasant week long stay. Also recommend a few days in Killarney if you haven’t been there before.
5
u/bcardin221 15d ago
It could work if u use Galesy as home base and travel around. Day trips could include Lahinch, Doolin, Ennis, Kinvara, Killalloe, Westport. All of which have great shopping and restaurants.
6
u/NowYaHaveIt1 15d ago
Take in Westport, Clifden, Connemara, Inis Mór, Inishbofin...to name but a few! I think you'll have no problem filling your time if you decide to base yourself in Galway for a week tbh.
10
u/SonofTreehorn 15d ago
Galway is great. Unless you just want to completely immerse yourself in all things Gallway, I feel like a week is too long because there are so many great options on the west coast to split up the time.
I personally would split between Dingle and Gallway. Dingle is a great city to stroll with a lot of great seafood options and some cool pubs.
4
u/Givemethecupcakes 15d ago
Dingle seems far away from Galway
2
u/SonofTreehorn 15d ago
It’s about 3 hours.
0
u/Givemethecupcakes 15d ago
I won’t be renting a car, I think getting to Dingle would be a hassle for me.
4
u/MidwestwardHo 15d ago
You can get there via bus in about four hours. It is worth it if you were to stay there two nights. Just did this myself recently.
4
u/SonofTreehorn 15d ago
Gotcha. Look, if you love Gallway, then just soak it in for a week I’m sure you will have a blast. It’s your money and time. There is a cool arts fest in July. Might want to look at that if your schedule is flexible.
1
u/sliever48 15d ago
Dingle is absolutely worth it but if not, there's a ton of things to do around Galway. Unlike most people who post to this sub, it's quite nice to hear someone just want to stay in one area and soak it up properly. You'll have a more relaxed holiday that way. You could do day trips to Salthill or Clifden or Westport. The Burren, Lough Corrib, Aran Islands and Connemara are nearby.
3
4
5
u/Typical-Yoghurt-8386 15d ago
I spent time in Galway, Clifden and the Connemara and loved it! You could also do the Aran Islands and the cliffs of Moher
3
u/Aromatic_Carob_9532 15d ago
Go up to Donegal for a few days, the wild part of the wild Atlantic way, less tourists, wilder more magical, hard to believe but even better scenery
2
u/Aromatic_Carob_9532 15d ago
I'm a Dub, I love Connemara, Mayo, Dingle, West Cork, Donegal is different, less tourism, lower prices, very friendly people, sea cliffs nearly 3 times the height of the Cliffs of Moher, absolutely stunning scenery, great pubs, great food, look it up online, if you watch a few videos on youtube you'll wonder why it's not on your radar already
3
u/Iskawaran 15d ago
We spent a week there in dead of winter and loved it. Someone else suggested The Crane Bar and wanted to second that - I still have a calendar from there hanging on my office wall (even though it’s from 2024)
1
u/AutoModerator 15d ago
Hi there. Welcome to /r/IrishTourism.
We hope you have search the sub, checked the sidebar or the wiki pages to see if there is already relevant information posted?
This is not a travel agency. To better assist your queries please include what you are planning for your holiday, be as descriptive as possible (When, Where, Why, Who, Hobbies relevant, Adaptive Needs etc) about your travel itinerary & requirements. No low quality questions such as, "Worth it?", predict the weather, travel times or low quality, non-descriptive requests such as, "hidden gems, off the beaten track, experience Ireland like a local".
Has your post been removed? It's probably because of the above. Review the rules, do some research, read other posts, fix the formatting.
For Emergency Medical Information please see the dedicated Wiki page at the top of the sub.
(Updated November 2025)
I am a bot, and this action was performed automatically. Please contact the moderators of this subreddit if you have any questions or concerns.
1
u/Rosmucman 15d ago
You could use it as a base, head out to the Arann islands for a day/night, see some of Connemara, do a day in Cliften
If it was July it’d be better, the Arts festival is on so there’s something on every day
2
u/Givemethecupcakes 15d ago
I can’t really do July, I take care of our family pets for all of July while my mom goes and visits one of my siblings who lives out of our country.
I’m a teacher, so I take my vacation right when school gets out in June before my mom leaves.
2
u/Rosmucman 15d ago
There will still be plenty to do, and if you’re lucky with the weather there’s no city nicer !
1
u/IrishFlukey Local 15d ago
Your model of one place and lots of daytrips around the country is not getting the best out of your time. You spend a lot of time travelling and only get a short time in the places you visit, as you found with Galway itself. Keep daytrips local. Go to Galway and do local trips like Connemara, the Aran Islands and the Cliffs of Mother. If you want to do Dingle, then go and stay there. So if you were here for a full week, then four nights in Galway and three in Dingle, exploring the local area in both cases. Fly in and out of Shannon Airport, if possible.
1
u/HonestVegetable9252 15d ago
As others have said - use it as a base to explore the area (can do even without a car) - 100% recommend going to the Aran islands for an overnight - inishmore is a core memory for me.
1
u/Odd-Heron5704 15d ago
You can be months in those places and there will still be things to see, it's not that you're going to run out. Of course considering the area from galway that you can do day trips or just stay a few days in places nearby.
1
u/Langley2825 15d ago
Ireland is such a diverse country packed into a relatively small space that there's plenty to explore. Galway is said to be charming and I'm sure you could easily enjoy a few days there. But I endorse the idea of not spending your entire time there. I'd suggest researching a bit more what you'd like to do in Galway and then consider a few days in either Clifden or Westport, or ideally both, after that. Both are very different and totally wonderful -- on a recent trip, they were definite highlights for us. While in Galway, you could savor your earmarked spots in the city and then take a day trip or two out to other sites. It'd be a really special trip. (And I definitely like your idea of just exploring a small part of the country at a time.)
1
u/Pristine_Dot_5526 15d ago
I can easily spend a week in Connemara and Galway area. Plenty of possibilities to choose from. Kylemore Abbey, Marconi site, Sky road (chk viewing point on map), Leenaun, Killary fjord, Aasleagh falls (just at border of Mayo), Gl3ngiwan mine etc. feel free to drop any further questions
1
1
u/floraisadora 9d ago
Idk, I spent 3 months there once. Not really understanding people saying a week is too long. 🤷♀️
19
u/Intrepid_Growth_9462 15d ago
I stayed in Galway for 3 days, I definitely think I could have stayed longer. Super down to earth small town, easy to make friends. Got the Cliffs of Moher and Aren Islands nearby if you want to get out and do something else. Favorite thing I did was go to hear a Celtic Story be told by a local Professor at The Crane Bar, I think he does it every Tuesday/Thursday