Galway, Ireland was one of the bigger cities on our road trip itinerary, and it’s easy to see why it’s so popular — colourful streets, a lively riverside, and a genuinely historic centre. That said, our visit also came with a fair bit of hassle finding somewhere to park and navigating some seriously crowded streets, so this is very much an honest account rather than a purely glowing review.
Where We Parked (and Why It Wasn’t Easy)
We parked near Galway Cathedral, right in the city centre. There’s no height restriction on the car park here, but motorhomes and campervans aren’t allowed — and even with our Ford Tourneo Custom L2, which isn’t a huge vehicle, it was genuinely difficult to find a parking space that fit. If you’re driving anything larger than a standard car or a smaller van, we’d strongly suggest looking for parking further outside the centre instead of heading straight for the cathedral car park. The Cathedral Car Park itself is a long-stay facility charging around €10 per day, but availability is the real issue, not the price. For a full overview of car parks and current rates across the city, Galway City Council’s parking page is the best source to check before you go.
The area around the cathedral was also fairly busy with people, which seems to be at least partly explained by the number of tour buses parking nearby — it’s clearly a stop on the standard sightseeing circuit, and it shows.
From the Cathedral to the River
From the cathedral, we walked over the Bridge of Hope toward the Galway City Museum, following the River Corrib along the way. It’s a nice stretch of walking — the river adds a good bit of scenery, and the museum area marks a natural transition from the quieter cathedral side of town into the busier centre.
Quay Street and the Galway Girl Statue
From the museum, it’s only a few minutes on foot to Quay Street, one of Galway’s best-known spots and home to the famous Galway Girl Statue, a popular photo stop for visitors (named after the Ed Sheeran song, which was partly inspired by the city). Quay Street itself is colourful and full of character, lined with pubs, shops, and buskers — but be prepared for it to feel genuinely packed with people, especially during the day. The narrow street combined with the sheer number of visitors, tour groups, and locals moving through at the same time makes for a pretty tight squeeze at busier times, and it’s not the kind of spot where you can stroll at your own pace without weaving around other people constantly.
What There Is to Do in Galway
Beyond the walk we did ourselves, Galway has plenty on offer if you have more time:
- Explore the Latin Quarter around Quay Street and High Street, with its shops, street music, and traditional pubs.
- Visit the Spanish Arch, a 16th-century remnant of the city’s old walls near the river mouth.
- Walk the Salthill Promenade, a popular seafront walk along Galway Bay just outside the city centre.
- Visit Galway Cathedral itself, a relatively modern (1960s) cathedral known for its striking dome and mix of architectural styles.
- Browse the Galway City Museum, covering the city’s history, right by the river.
- Catch some live traditional music, which Galway is well known for, in one of the many pubs around the centre.
Best Day Trips from Galway
If you’re basing yourself in Galway for a few days, the surrounding area has some of the best-known sights in the west of Ireland within easy reach:
- The Cliffs of Moher — probably the single most popular day trip from Galway, roughly an hour to 90 minutes’ drive south.
- The Aran Islands — reachable by ferry, offering a quieter, more traditional slice of Irish island life.
- Connemara, including Kylemore Abbey and the wild landscapes of Connemara National Park, to the west.
- The Burren, a striking limestone landscape in County Clare, often combined with a Cliffs of Moher trip.
Our Honest Take on Galway
Galway is undeniably a beautiful city — the colourful streets, the river, the historic buildings, and the general atmosphere all live up to the reputation. But for us, it was simply too touristy and too crowded. We generally prefer quieter stops on our trips, and between the parking hassle and the packed streets around Quay Street, Galway ended up being a bit more hassle than we’d have liked. If you enjoy a livelier, busier city atmosphere, you’ll probably love it here. If, like us, you lean toward the quieter side of travel, it’s worth going in with the right expectations. That’s exactly why we headed straight on to the much quieter Furbo Beach on Galway Bay afterwards.
Frequently Asked Questions
What are the best things to do in Galway, Ireland? Highlights include wandering the Latin Quarter around Quay Street, visiting the Spanish Arch, walking along the River Corrib and the Salthill Promenade, seeing Galway Cathedral, and catching live traditional music in one of the city’s many pubs.
How many days do you need in Galway? One full day is enough to cover the main sights in the city centre itself. If you want to add day trips to places like the Cliffs of Moher, Connemara, or the Aran Islands, plan for at least 3 to 4 days.
Is Galway worth visiting? Yes, for most travellers — it’s one of Ireland’s most charming and characterful cities. Just be prepared for crowds, especially in summer and around popular spots like Quay Street.
What are the best day trips from Galway? The Cliffs of Moher, the Aran Islands, Connemara (including Kylemore Abbey), and the Burren are among the most popular options, all within a reasonable drive or ferry ride.
What is the best time to visit Galway? Late spring (May) or early autumn (September) tend to offer a good balance of decent weather and fewer crowds compared to peak summer months.
Where should you stay in Galway? The city centre puts you within walking distance of everything, though it comes at a premium and can be noisy. Salthill offers a quieter, seaside alternative just a short bus or taxi ride from the centre.
Can you visit Galway without a car? Yes — the city centre is very walkable, and Galway is well connected by train and bus to Dublin and other parts of Ireland. A car becomes more useful if you want to do day trips at your own pace, particularly into Connemara.
How do you get from Dublin to Galway? By train (around 2.5 hours from Dublin Heuston), by bus (around 2.5 hours, with hourly departures), or by car (around 2 hours 10 minutes via the M6 motorway).
What are the best things to do in Galway in one day? Focus on the compact city centre: walk from the cathedral over the Bridge of Hope along the River Corrib, visit the Galway City Museum, then explore Quay Street, the Spanish Arch, and the Latin Quarter before finishing with dinner and live music in a traditional pub.
What should you not miss in Galway? Quay Street and the Galway Girl Statue, the Spanish Arch, and a walk along the River Corrib are the classic must-sees — just be ready for crowds around all of them.
For current opening times, events, and travel information, the official Galway Tourism website is a good source to check before your visit.
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← Previous stop (day 2): Gleniff Horseshoe Drive, a dramatic loop under the cliffs
Next stop → Furbo Beach, a quiet reset on Galway Bay
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Planning your own Ireland road trip? Check our Rindoon Castle post, our Lough Key Forest and Activity Park post, and our Ireland facts before you go.