🇮🇪Ireland · Places to discover
What to see in Galway?
14 places selected by the community - landmarks, nature, hidden restaurants and activities.
Landmarks & heritage
2 places
1Wikimedia Commons · CC BY-SA 4.0Landmark
Spanish Arch
A remnant of 16th-century fortifications where Spanish merchants unloaded wines and spices. The adjacent quay is now locals' favoured gathering spot on fine days. Commanding views over the Corrib.
2Wikimedia Commons · CC BY-SA 4.0Landmark
Collegiate Church of St Nicholas of Myra
Ireland's largest medieval church still in use, founded in 1320. Christopher Columbus is said to have prayed here before setting sail for America. The gargoyles and side chapels conceal fascinating details.
Museums
3 places
3Wikimedia Commons · CC BY-SA 4.0Museum
Galway City Museum
A modern museum adjoining the Spanish Arch with free entry and solid collections charting Galway's history from prehistory to the present day. Ideal for understanding the city before exploring it.
4Wikimedia Commons · CC BY-SA 2.0
Museum
Claddagh Village & Claddagh Ring Museum
Claddagh is the ancient Gaelic fishing village that gave birth to the Claddagh Ring, a universal Irish symbol. The small museum traces this history with care, far removed from commercial folklore.
- 5
Museum
Museum
Nora Barnacle House Museum
A tiny house belonging to James Joyce's wife, preserved in its original state. An intimate and moving place that tells an extraordinary love story of literary proportions, tucked in a cobbled street of the historic centre.
Religious sites
1 place
- 6
Religious site
Religious site
Galway Cathedral (Cathedral of the Assumption of Our Lady)
An imposing cathedral of pink limestone built in 1965 on the banks of the Corrib. The interior blends sumptuous mosaics and modern stained glass in striking silence. A recent monument yet already the soul of the city.
Castles & fortresses
1 place
7Wikimedia CommonsCastle
Lynch's Castle
A fortified residence from the 15th century belonging to the Lynch family, one of Galway's 14 merchant tribes. Now converted into a bank, its sculpted façade ranks among Ireland's finest medieval urban architecture.
Parks & gardens
1 place
8Wikimedia CommonsPark
Eyre Square (John F. Kennedy Memorial Park)
The beating heart of Galway, this public square has hosted markets, concerts and gatherings for centuries. The Crimean cannons and Browne Fountain are unmissable landmarks. This is where the city celebrates its greatest occasions.
Viewpoints
2 places
9Wikimedia Commons · CC BY 2.0Viewpoint
Salthill Promenade
The 2 km promenade along Galway Bay is the daily ritual of locals. Local tradition dictates you kick the wall at the promenade's end. Sunset over Connemara provides a stunning backdrop.
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Viewpoint
Viewpoint
Nimmo's Pier & Corrib River Walk
A walk along the Corrib from the Spanish Arch towards the lake offers views of swans, salmon fishermen and colourful houses. Nimmo's Pier at sunset is a scene locals never tire of contemplating.
Activities
3 places
11Wikimedia Commons · CC BY-SA 4.0Activity
Galway Market (Saturday Market)
Saturday market beneath the walls of St Nicholas for centuries, now one of Ireland's finest. Artisanal cheeses, fresh oysters, street food from around the world run by local producers. Arrive early.
- 12
Activity
Activity
Corrib Princess Cruise
Ninety-minute cruise on the Corrib and Corrib Lake from Woodquay, narrated by passionate local guides. The finest way to grasp Galway's geography and spot the castles and monasteries dotting the shoreline.
- 13
Activity
Activity
Tigh Coili
Galway's most authentic session music pub, on Mainguard Street. Traditional Irish music twice daily without microphones or stages, just musicians seated in a circle. The Irish pub experience in its purest form.
Beaches
1 place
- 14
Beach
Beach
Blackrock Diving Tower
Salthill's iconic diving tower where Galwegians swim year-round, even in winter. A local rite of passage and the city's most photographed symbol. The water is cold, but courage is rewarded.
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