Barna

Travel Guide

Once a tiny village onthe west coast of Ireland, Barna’s burgeoningreputation for exceptional dining is seeing it fast become a suburb of Galwayand a treasured feature in that city’s array of pubs, restaurants, arts andculture

And what better way toenjoy great regional food than with the wilds of Irelandon your doorstep. In Barna you’ll be ideallypositioned to head out into the spectacular natural scenes thatIreland offers, whether you choose to ascend themountains and soak in the majestic views across Galwaybay or to head out on the water on a fishing boat to cast your line, or evensimply enjoy the views from the greens of one of the three nearby golf courses.

Dining in Barna

The restaurants inBarna can boast among them a stunning brace ofnational food awards, that includes the Restaurant Association of Ireland’sBest Seafood Experience and Sustainable Restaurant of the Year, the Hotel &Catering Review’s prestigious Gold Medal Award for Best Bistro & Brasseries,and Georgina Campbell’s Best Seafood Restaurant in Ireland and “Galway's TopRestaurant”. Here you will also find the only restaurant in Ireland to win TheWine Spectator Award six years in a row.

So if you’re a foodie,Barna is inarguably the destination of choice forthe discerning visitor to Ireland’s west coast and well worth going the extramile to discover.

Culture and Nightlife in Barna

WhilstBarna itself still retains its rural village tranquility,its gradual conjoining with Galway City itself means visitors can also enjoythe livelier delights that this bohemian city of culture and arts has to offer.With its cobbled streets and boutique charm, Galway is a picture postcardseaside city with a vibrant cafe and bar culture.

Galway also plays host toa variety of festivals throughout the year: the Salthill Air Show welcomes theworld-famous Red Arrows, whilst the summer calendar is crowded with events forall interests, such as Galway Raceweek, the Galway Arts Festival, the FilmFleadh and the Literary Festival 'Cuairt'.

Nature and Heritage in Barna

Barnaoverlooks Galway Bay, an inlet of the Atlantic Ocean, and an area of suchbeauty that it’s been immortalised in song time and again, most notably perhapsby both Bing Crosby and subsequently The Pogues in their classic “Fairytale ofNew York”.

The AranIslands at the mouth of the bay are beautiful strongholds of theIrish language and, for those adventurous enough to explore them, offer anincomparable monastic tranquillity.

Galway itself isconsidered the gateway to Connemara,and its renowned and ethereal National Park. InConnemara you will discover nearly 3000 hectaresof grasslands, woodland, mountains, heaths and bogs. It is also here that youwill discover the magnificent Kylemore Abbey, Ireland’s most romantic castleand the west of Ireland’s most visited attraction.

Enjoy Barna

Barna is a village thathas more than its size may suggest. Nationally recognised cuisine, gorgeouscoastline and mountain scenery and, with its ever-growing fraternity withneighbouring Galway City, access to one of Ireland’s liveliest and hippestseaside city resorts with all the buzz and excitement that this brings withit.

Where to stay in Barna

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Freeport

While there might not be top attractions in Freeport, you can explore the larger area and discover places like Silver Strand and Bearna Golf And Country Club.

Freeport
The Twelve Hotel

The Twelve Hotel

4 out of 5
Barna Village, Galway, Galway
Fully refundableReserve now, pay when you stay
The price is P9,057 per night from Aug 31 to Sep 1
P9,057
P10,280 total
Aug 31 - Sep 1
includes taxes & fees
Stay at this 4-star spa hotel in Galway. Enjoy free WiFi, free parking, and a full-service spa. Our guests praise the helpful staff and the property condition ...
9.2/10 Wonderful! (659 reviews)
Nice hotel
"We enjoyed our three night stay at The Twelve hotel in Barna. We decided to try staying outside of Galway and used bus and taxi to get in and out of town. The hotel is very nice. The room is spacious (we had a King suite). The morning breakfast was excellent. While Barna was not particularly walkable, ..."

Reviewed on Jul 27, 2025

The Twelve Hotel
The Dean Galway

The Dean Galway

4 out of 5
80 Prospect Hill, Galway
The price is P11,370 per night from Aug 27 to Aug 28
P11,370
P12,905 total
Aug 27 - Aug 28
includes taxes & fees
Stay at this 4-star hotel in Galway. Enjoy free WiFi, 2 restaurants, and 3 bars/lounges. Our guests praise the helpful staff in our reviews. Popular attractions ...
8.8/10 Excellent! (466 reviews)
new hotel in Galway next to Erye Square
"Brand new Hotel. I’m used to staying in older modified hotels all across Ireland . This place is fun and modern. Meant for the business travel of girls trip . Rooftop bar is beautiful. If you are looking for old quaint Ireland go somewhere else. This is a beautiful hotel with bars / pool/gym and ..."

Reviewed on Aug 15, 2025

The Dean Galway
Menlo Park Hotel

Menlo Park Hotel

4 out of 5
Terryland, Headford Road, Galway, Galway
The price is P10,434 per night from Aug 21 to Aug 22
P10,434
P11,843 total
Aug 21 - Aug 22
includes taxes & fees
Stay at this 4-star business-friendly hotel in Galway. Enjoy free WiFi, breakfast (surcharge), and 24-hour room service. Our guests praise the helpful staff ...
9.2/10 Wonderful! (1,006 reviews)
"Good area to stay not far from city centre lovely breakfast"

Reviewed on Aug 17, 2025

Menlo Park Hotel
Lowest nightly price found within the past 24 hours based on a 1 night stay for 2 adults. Prices and availability subject to change. Additional terms may apply.
Cúirt na Coiribe Self Catering

Cúirt na Coiribe Self Catering

2.5 out of 5
Headford Rd, Galway, Galway
Stay at this aparthotel in Galway. Enjoy free WiFi, parking (surcharge), and a 24-hour front desk. Popular attractions Eyre Square and Quay Street are located ...
7.8/10 Good! (67 reviews)
"The hotel is a bit out of the way, so be prepared to taxi into the center. The rooms are tiny - bed against the wall tiny, squish in the shower tiny. It’s also loud at night - there’s no air conditioning so you have to have the windows open, and people are loud all night in the courtyard when coming ..."

Reviewed on Aug 12, 2025

Cúirt na Coiribe Self Catering
Citypoint Apartments

Citypoint Apartments

4 out of 5
Eyre Square, Galway, Galway
Stay at this 4-star aparthotel in Galway. Enjoy free WiFi, free parking, and breakfast (surcharge). Popular attractions Eyre Square and Quay Street are located ...
8.4/10 Very Good! (434 reviews)
"Clean, and within walking distance of the train station and city centre."

Reviewed on Aug 14, 2025

Citypoint Apartments
University of Galway Apartments

University of Galway Apartments

3.5 out of 5
Upper Newcastle, Galway, Galway
Stay at this 3.5-star apartment in Galway. Enjoy free WiFi, free parking, and a picnic area. Popular attractions Eyre Square and Quay Street are located ...
8.8/10 Excellent! (14 reviews)
"Lovely room clean but very basic about 40 minutes walk from the centre there is a bus stop up the road on the right every 30 minutes 1.90 euro to the centre the spar on the corner is very handy"

Reviewed on Jul 31, 2025

University of Galway Apartments
Lowest nightly price found within the past 24 hours based on a 1 night stay for 2 adults. Prices and availability subject to change. Additional terms may apply.

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