It doesn’t take more than a day to fall under the spell of Galway’s beauty and vibrant atmosphere, which makes it a fortunate place for visit for those who are short on time and only have 24 hours to spend in gorgeous Galway.
An overview of how to spend the perfect day in Galway
Breakfast at Renzo
Walk the canals that lead to Galway Cathedral
Learn about Galway’s medieval past
Buy yourself a momento of Galway on Quay street
Coffee pit stop
Visit Druids Theatre and The Galway Musuem
Walk the Salthill prom
Dinner at one of Galway’s best loved eateries
Finish it off with a pint of the strong stuff and trad session
Start your day the right way with some added history
Start your day at Renzo is an Italian style coffee shop located in the heart of Galway City. The perfect spot for brekkie to sit in or take away if you are on your way to Galway bus or train station or while you are exploring Galway City. Their menu is full to the brim offering croissants, poached eggs to Renzo oatmeal porridge! We have 10% off all day on food & drink, just ask at reception for info!
After Breakfast take a relaxing walk along the canals to Galway Cathedral. Galway Cathedral is the last stone church built in Europe and boasts beautiful mosaics inside, including one of JFK who visited Galway multiple times. It’s free to enter the Cathedral.
Next up make your way to Lynch’s Castle which is on Shop Street, named after one of the 13 legendary tribes who founded Galway. From there follow him to St Nicholas’ Church, completed in 1320 and the largest medieval church still used as a place of worship in Ireland. Now an Anglican church, there are signs of Cromwellian vandalism, such as angels’ faces smashed by the iconoclastic Roundhead soldiers, and, intriguingly, a memorial tablet to a Galwegian Jane Eyre – local legend has it she was the inspiration for Charlotte Brontë’s heroine.
Explore Shop Street
Feeling peakish? head upstairs to McCambridges a bright and beautiful restaurant; this one not to miss. Try there Honey baked ham sandwich or open Galway bay smoked salmon sandwich – to die for!
You’re now in a prime location to go shopping on Shop Street & Quay Street. There are two shops I highly recommend visiting.
Thomas Dillons Claddagh Gold, have been creating Claddagh rings in silver and gold since 1750. While many jewellers make rings with the Claddagh motif, Thomas Dillons are the only jewellers that have been dedicated to making the original ring for over two hundred years.
Charlie Byrne’s is Ireland’s best loved independent book shop. Step inside to a maze of bookshelves from floor to ceiling, each little room dedicated to a different genre.
Grab a coffee from Coffeewerk+Press it’s one of the city’s most popular spots for a dose of caffeine and located on the bustling Quay Street.
Culture lovers should check out what’s on at one of Galway’s cultural hotspots, the Druid Theatre in Druid Lane, a respected home of Irish drama that has launched the careers of internationally acclaimed directors and playwrights.
Galway City Museum, a free museum that is a great place to gain some perspective on the medieval beginnings of Galway. The museum’s three levels tell the story of how Galway came to be known as the city of tribes, the city’s role in the country’s many wars, the importance of the bay.
Sunset on the Salthill Prom
The best place for sunset in Galway is anywhere along Salthill prom, but my personal favourite spot is at the Blackrock Diving Tower. Start your walk on the pedestrian path next to South Park and walk towards the tower. Along this walk you’ll pass by numerous beaches, a Famine memorial and Galway Bay Aquarium. If you don’t want to go all the way to the tower, just find a bench and relax.
Finish with a pint & trad session
Dinner at McGinn’s Hop House for casual dining. Think Killer pizza and slow roast meats.
No trip to Galway is complete without a visit to Tig Coili is a place that packs in a large crowd to hear talented musicians, but you’ll also find that the people inside are incredibly friendly. Even if you walk in alone, don’t be surprised if you leave with a few new friends!