{"id":4514,"date":"2026-10-15T15:51:33","date_gmt":"2026-10-15T13:51:33","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.brightside-travel.com\/guides\/que-faire-a-galway\/"},"modified":"2026-10-16T13:45:01","modified_gmt":"2026-10-16T11:45:01","slug":"things-to-do-in-galway","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.brightside-travel.com\/en\/guides\/things-to-do-in-galway\/","title":{"rendered":"Things to do in Galway: sightseeing, pubs and excursions"},"content":{"rendered":"

You are wondering What to do in Galway<\/strong> The gateway to Connemara, this student town on Ireland's west coast is renowned for its pubs, traditional music, and colorful streets. Here are our favorite sights, the best pubs, must-see excursions, and our local agency's tips.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

In short:<\/strong> In Galway, stroll through the Latin Quarter, along Shop Street and Quay Street, see the Spanish Arch and the free Galway City Museum, then take a walk in Salthill. In the evening, listen to traditional music in a pub. Galway is about a 2.5-hour train ride from Dublin and serves as a base for exploring Connemara, the Aran Islands, and the Cliffs of Moher. Allow 2 to 3 days.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Things to do in Galway: the must-see attractions<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

The Latin Quarter, Shop Street and Quay Street<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

First, Galway's medieval heart is best explored on foot. Shop Street and Quay Street, both pedestrianized, are lined with colorful facades, boutiques, and street musicians. On summer evenings, in particular, the atmosphere is especially festive.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The Spanish Arch and Galway City Museum<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

On the banks of the River Corrib, the Spanish Arch is a remnant of the 16th-century city walls. Right next to it, moreover, the Galway City Museum<\/a>, free, tells the story of the city and its port.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

St Nicholas Church and the Saturday Market<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

St Nicholas' Collegiate Church, founded in 1320, is the largest medieval church in Ireland still in use. On Saturdays, a lively market sets up around it, offering local produce, pastries, and takeaway food.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Eyre Square and the Cathedral<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Eyre Square is the city's main square, just a short walk from the train station. On the other side of the river, however, Galway Cathedral, completed in 1965, impresses with its dome and mosaics.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Salthill Walk<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Finally, stroll along Galway Bay on the Salthill promenade. Tradition dictates that you end the walk by giving the wall at the end of the path a little kick. At sunset, the view over the bay and the Burren is superb.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The best pubs in Galway<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Galway is arguably the best city in Ireland for traditional music. Indeed, sessions often start in the late afternoon and continue late into the evening.<\/p>\n\n\n\n