48 Hours: County Galway
Updated: Jul 31, 2024
Ireland is great place if you are a short on time! In a previous blog I discussed how to do a short stay on the wonderful Aran Islands! You can read it here.
Well this time we are covering 48 hours in County Galway!
Galway is a big enough county and you could definitely spend a few days exploring it, but if you are short on time then this is my essentials list for 48 hours in Country Galway,
It takes in the brilliant Galway city and a day exploring Connemara (Ireland's largest Irish speaking area!)
Galway City, located on the west coast of Ireland, is renowned for its vibrant cultural scene, which encompasses street art, music, and an overall lively atmosphere. A place filled with vibrant street art, music coming out of every doorway and the most amount of festivals located in all of Ireland! From the Latin Quarter to Eyre Square, from Salthill to the West End and all this before you head out to one of the most stunning areas in Ireland, Connemara!
I challenge you not to fall in love with County Galway!
3 PM - Arrival in Galway City
Check in and settle into your accommodation. Depending on your budget Galway has options for everyone! I've given 3 options here :
I stayed in Asgard Guest House - Fergal was lovely and it's literally 5/10min walk from Eyre Square
For those who want to be in the centre of it all - Eyre Square Hotel is the perfect spot!
For those wanting a bit of 5 star glam then it must be the The G Hotel
6pm PM - Evening Food Tour
Join a guided food tour with Experience Galway to sample local delicacies and great craft beers and learn about the city and some culinary history. This is a great way to get an overview of Galway's food scene and a good way of getting your barings!. John and the team are great to book with - they have multiple different tours so they really are a one stop shop!
9:00 PM - Bar Hopping
O'Connell's Bar: Don't be fooled, when you walk into O'Connells, it looks like a small typical Irish pub, but go through to the back and discover a rabbit warren of smaller rooms and snugs as well as an excellent beer garden and a branch of the iconic Galway food ..'The Dough Bros' - their pizza is excellent and you can take it 'to go' back into the pub! It's also got some great local beers on tap including a collaboration with White Hags Brewery, I highly recommend the IPA 'Side Show' this is a perfect spot to continue your evening.
Few honourable mentions for a bar hop - MP Walshes, Taffes, An Pucan
I highly recommend the Sideshow IPA in O'Connells and pair it with the pizza from The Dough Bros, I went for the Pesto one and it was excellent!
Day 2: Connemara Adventure
8:00 AM - Breakfast
Have breakfast at your hotel or at a local café in Galway City.
9:15 AM - Depart for Connemara
Drive or be driven through stunning Connemara, enjoying the scenic route via the lovely town of An Spiddal - make sure to stop at 'Runda' a coffee shop where they have written, phonetically how to ask for two coffees, in the Irish language! They will even help you say it! They do great coffee and amazing sausage rolls!
11:30 AM - Pony Trekking on the Beach
Head to the coast for a pony trekking session. Book with The Point Pony Trekking and Horse Riding. The guys there are brilliant! Big shout out to Tara and Philip who guided us along the trek. And big love to Stitch and Gypsy, the horses! One note - they only accept cash payments, so make sure to bring some euros with you, 90 Mins trek will cost you €80.00 and they cater to all levels! https://www.thepointponytrekkingcentre.com
Thanks to Tara & Philip (Humans) and Stitch & Gypsy (Horse) for an amazing morning!
1:00 PM - Lunch in Clifden
Enjoy lunch in Clifden, the largest town in Connemara. Try one of the local seafood restaurants, Mitchell's, it's excellent, or if you are looking for something smaller/lite bites go to Walshes, with a beautiful window view overlooking the river!
2:30 PM - Explore Connemara National Park or head to Kylemore Abbey, maybe even a spot of Golf!
Option 1: Connemara National Park: Spend a couple of hours hiking or driving through Connemara National Park. Enjoy the breathtaking landscapes, from mountains to bogs to coastline.
Option 2: Kylemore Abbey: Visit the stunning Kylemore Abbey and its Victorian Walled Garden. Explore the beautiful estate, learn about its history, and enjoy the serene surroundings.
Option 3 - Golf at Connemara Golf Links: For golf enthusiasts, a round at Connemara Golf Links is a must. Tee off with stunning ocean views as your backdrop
Option 4 - Swim in the amazing turquoise water of Connemara Beaches: For anyone brave enough, get the swimming togs on and get into the water, the beaches rival those of Thailand!! I sadly forgot my swimsuit that particular day but didnt stop me getting the feet in for a paddle!
Anyone who knows me.. knows I can't resist the sea!
6.30 PM - Back to the city for Dinner in Galway City
Return to Galway City for dinner. Take a stroll down to the West End and head to Hooked, best seafood in the city! Spend your remaining time exploring Galway City. Walk along the Spanish Arch, visit the Galway City Museum, or simply enjoy a stroll through the colorful streets of the Latin Quarter.
10:00 PM - Nightcap
Finish the night with a drink at one of Galway's cozy pubs, perhaps The Crane Bar, known for its traditional Irish music sessions.
Day 3: Final Morning in Galway
8:00 AM - Breakfast
Have breakfast at your accommodation or try a local favorite like The Kitchen or Kai Café.
11:00 AM - Departure
Check out from your accommodation and prepare for departure. Head south on the Wild Atlantic Way and see the amazing Cliffs of Moher, head north for the rugged and untouched Donegal! Ireland is your oyster.... something Galway does very well by the way... oysters!
Goodbye Galway.... I really did have a great time!
Note to Reader
This itinerary ensures you experience the best of both Galway City and the stunning Connemara region, blending culinary delights, traditional Irish culture, outdoor adventure, and relaxation. Enjoy your trip!
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