Galway City Centre

Galway

Galway Harbour featuring a marina, boating and a river or creek
Galway City Centre
Galway City Centre
Galway City Centre
Galway City Centre
Galway’s reputationhas grown steadily over recent decades until it now regularly figures towardthe very top of rankings and polls for city break destinations, especially fortravellers with an interest in culture and the arts. And such accolades judge this‘City of Festivals’ not only against the best of Ireland, but on a worldwidebasis.

Rich in cultural history, the whole city of Galwayhas bought into the idea that there’s simply nowhere better to visit for music,theatre, food and the arts, creating a vibrant, positive atmosphere that istangible from your very first stroll around the centre, which is compact enoughto be walkable.

Galway Centre

Galway city centre ispacked with living history. We counted at least a dozen museums, heritagecentres and galleries without having to search at all, and Galway’stantalising, traditional backstreets are a joy to wander through. There’s asurprise around every corner, from medieval arches, city walls and old docks, fromthe Christopher Columbus monument to yet another picturesque branch of theRiver Corrib – and on to the seaside at Salthill.

But there is far more to Galwaythan just a heritage destination. Many of the city’s shops, restaurants, artsand cultural attractions are unmistakably cosmopolitan, contemporary and even cuttingedge.

Galway andthe Arts

Galway International Arts Festivalis the biggest and best in Ireland, with two weeks in July set aside for anexplosion of dance, theatre, street acts, literary recitals and musicalperformance. But the huge array of venues doesn’t only do roaring business at festivaltime: they’re in motion all year round, making Galwaya perpetual international centre for cultural celebration.

Additionally, in October the city hosts the GalwayTheatre Festival, which again concentrates global focus on thecity’s famous DruidTheatre, Nuns’ Island Theatre, Town Hall Theatre, GalwayArts Centre and ‘An Taibhdhearc’, the Irish language theatre.

Music inGalway

The quality and profusion of Irish traditionalmusic in rocking venues, restaurants and bars across Galway Cityhas to be heard to be believed. For aficionados of music of an even greatervintage, the Galway Early Music Festival is stagedin May. But, again, the popularityof the historical doesn’t mean contemporary music loses out.

Food and Drink

At the forefront of Ireland’s taste for organicfood as well as far-flung international cuisine, Galway Market,local wine merchants and specialist foodie emporiums – sample the fantasticlocal cheeses, organic meat, freshly baked artisanal bread – present anyvisitor with the enjoyable quandary of when to pack it all in!

Even in many traditional pubs and bars, you canstay ahead of the curve. Be sure and try the range of craft beers now trendingin Ireland.

Sport in Galway

Hurling and Gaelic football matches can be enjoyedat Galway’s PearseStadium, while the local soccer club Galway FC play at Eamonn DeacyPark. On the outskirts of the city, Ballybritracecourse stages the seven-day-long Galway Racesfestival, as well as events all year round.

WildAtlantic Way

With so much to do in the city, don’t overlook thespectacular Atlantic Coast, with all its associated activities easy to accessfrom Galway.


Popular places to visit

Things to do


Top hotels in Galway City Centre

The Dean Galway

The Dean Galway

4 out of 5
80 Prospect Hill, Galway
Fully refundableReserve now, pay when you stay
The price is P8,781 per night from Aug 31 to Sep 1
P8,781
P9,967 total
Aug 31 - Sep 1
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! (452 reviews)
"I stayed at The Dean for five nights and it is a fantastic hotel. Fun, hip, spotless, well decorated, helpful staff, excellent facilities, and a great location. I love this hotel!"

Reviewed on Jul 30, 2025

The Dean Galway
Menlo Park Hotel

Menlo Park Hotel

4 out of 5
Terryland, Headford Road, Galway, Galway
The price is P8,176 per night from Sep 1 to Sep 2
P8,176
P9,280 total
Sep 1 - Sep 2
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! (1,002 reviews)
"Handy for the Galway Races & has car parking unlike a lot of the hotels in Galway City. Very pleasant staff & good food. Clean & nice room."

Reviewed on Aug 1, 2025

Menlo Park Hotel
Leonardo Hotel Galway

Leonardo Hotel Galway

4 out of 5
Quay Street, Galway, Galway
Fully refundableReserve now, pay when you stay
The price is P12,397 per night from Aug 31 to Sep 1
P12,397
P14,071 total
Aug 31 - Sep 1
includes taxes & fees
Book a stay at this eco-certified hotel in Galway. Enjoy free WiFi, breakfast (surcharge), and a 24-hour front desk. Our guests praise the breakfast and the ...
8.4/10 Very Good! (1,003 reviews)
"the location is what makes this hotel so nice. everything was pretty good, except our room had the absolute worst water pressure i’ve ever experienced."

Reviewed on Jul 30, 2025

Leonardo Hotel Galway
The Galmont

The Galmont

4 out of 5
Lough Atalia Road, Galway, Galway
Fully refundableReserve now, pay when you stay
The price is P13,359 per night from Aug 31 to Sep 1
P13,359
P15,162 total
Aug 31 - Sep 1
includes taxes & fees
Stay at this 4-star spa hotel in Galway. Enjoy free WiFi, a full-service spa, and 2 restaurants. Our guests praise the breakfast and the helpful staff in our ...
8.6/10 Excellent! (1,001 reviews)
"Only complaint was that we had to be in a handicapped room because other kings were full. Bathroom was not sufficient."

Reviewed on Jul 31, 2025

The Galmont
Eyre Square Hotel

Eyre Square Hotel

3 out of 5
Forster Street, Eyre Square, Galway
Fully refundableReserve now, pay when you stay
The price is P13,240 per night from Aug 31 to Sep 1
P13,240
P15,028 total
Aug 31 - Sep 1
includes taxes & fees
Stay at this 3-star hotel in Galway. Enjoy free WiFi, breakfast (surcharge), and room service. Our guests praise the breakfast and the helpful staff in our reviews. ...
8.2/10 Very Good! (1,031 reviews)
"Very nice staff"

Reviewed on Jul 31, 2025

Eyre Square Hotel
City HideAway

City HideAway

3 out of 5
Fairgreen Rd, Galway, Galway
The price is P8,817 per night from Aug 10 to Aug 11
P8,817
P10,007 total
Aug 10 - Aug 11
includes taxes & fees
Stay at this 3-star hotel in Galway. Enjoy free WiFi, breakfast (surcharge), and housekeeping. Popular attractions Eyre Square and Quay Street are located ...
8/10 Very Good! (51 reviews)
"So close to all the attractions at Galway"

Reviewed on Jul 29, 2025

City HideAway
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.

Other neighbourhoods around Galway City Centre

Galway City Museum showing interior views

Latin Quarter

The ample dining options and beautiful river views are top of the list for many visitors to Latin Quarter. A stop by Quay Street or Galway City Museum might round out your trip.

Latin Quarter
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Terryland

Terryland is popular for its abundant dining options, and you can check out Planet Entertainment Centre, a top attraction in the neighborhood.

Terryland
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Renmore

While Renmore might not have many sights to explore, venturing just a little farther will lead you to top things to see and do like Eyre Square and Galway Irish Crystal Heritage Centre.

Renmore
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Ballinfoile

When in Ballinfoile, you can plan a visit to Galway Shopping Center and Lough Atalia, some noteworthy sights in the nearby area.

Ballinfoile
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Newcastle

While Newcastle might not have many sights to explore, venturing just a little farther will lead you to top things to see and do like Galway Cathedral and Galway Shopping Center.

Newcastle
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Claddagh

Visitors to Claddagh enjoy its restaurants, and if you want to do some exploring, Grattan Beach is worth a stop.

Claddagh

Galway City Centre