- Must visit
Galway City Museum
City museum covering Galway's archaeology, maritime heritage and social history, with changing exhibitions near the Spanish Arch.
Flights to Galway take you to a beautiful and vibrant Irish city. While Galway no longer has its own airport, two of Ireland's international airports are within easy reach. These are the small Ireland West Airport Knock and the much larger Shannon Airport. Each is about 50 miles away.
Galway no longer has its own operational airport. The two closest airports for a flight to Galway are Shannon Airport and Ireland West Airport Knock. Each is about 50 miles from Galway; journeys take about an hour and a half by car. Shannon Airport is by far the biggest of the two, with many more flights to more destinations than Airport Knock.
Shannon Airport is served by Aer Lingus, Air Canada, American Airlines, Lufthansa, Delta, TUI, United, Ryanair and Norwegian, while Ireland West Airport Knock is served by Ryanair, Aer Lingus and Flybe.
Using flights to Galway is a convenient and very affordable way of reaching this charming Irish city. Both Shannon Airport and Ireland West Airport Knock are about an hour and a half away by road, and there are regular bus services to Galway from both of these airports, making the entire trip easy to plan. Considering travel by bus can take upwards of 15 hours and be more expensive than flying, the choice seems clear.
The first impression many visitors have of Galway is its friendliness - and then there's the abundance of pedestrianised streets flanked by traditional Irish pubs as well as cafes. You may want to understand the backdrop of a city known as the "City of the Tribes", from the time that it was ruled by 14 leading families in the 15th century, who gave their names to many local streets. A stop at Galway City Museum is a useful start to any visit to Galway to begin to understand more of this fascinating history. One essential stop for any lovers of aquatic life is the National Aquarium of Ireland, known as Galway Atlantaquaria, a 20-minute bus ride or a 25-minute walk from the centre of Galway. Nearby, the seafront promenade at Salthill is a fine place to catch your breath and to watch the rollerbladers.
Discover the best of Galway — top attractions, local food, transport tips, budget advice, and currency essentials. Plan your perfect Galway trip today.
City museum covering Galway's archaeology, maritime heritage and social history, with changing exhibitions near the Spanish Arch.
Contemporary art gallery presenting Irish and international exhibitions, artist talks and cultural events in the city centre.
Long-running city-centre gallery showing contemporary visual art in an intimate space with a varied annual programme.
Bustling pedestrian street in the Latin Quarter known for colourful shopfronts, buskers and a lively historic atmosphere.
Historic quarter of narrow lanes, pubs, shops and old buildings, ideal for wandering and soaking up Galway's character.
Seaside promenade stretching from the city towards Blackrock, popular for walks, bay views and a classic Galway outing.
A creamy chowder of Atlantic fish and shellfish, often served with brown bread. It reflects Galway’s strong fishing tradition and coastal produce.
Fresh oysters from nearby Galway Bay, prized for their clean briny flavour and long local shellfish heritage.
Mussels grown in the waters of Killary or Galway Bay, usually steamed with garlic, cream or white wine. A staple of the west coast seafood scene.
Stylish fine dining room focused on seasonal Irish ingredients and carefully prepared tasting-style dishes.
Long-running city centre restaurant serving Irish and European dishes with a polished but relaxed dining room.
Bustling Latin Quarter venue known for local seafood, oysters and classic Irish cooking in an informal atmosphere.
Moderate by Irish standards. Rooms and dining cost more than many EU cities, but buses and casual meals are manageable for most visitors.
Service is usually included only sometimes. In restaurants, 10% for good service is enough. Round up taxi fares. Cafés and pubs do not require tips, but small change is appreciated.
Here are some other resources that might have the information you need