Galway is the liveliest city on Ireland's west coast and arguably its most characterful after Dublin. Set on the edge of Galway Bay where the River Corrib meets the Atlantic, it has the energy of a university town, a deep connection to traditional Irish culture, and a pub scene that runs on live music seven nights a week.
The city centre is compact and best explored on foot. Shop Street and Quay Street form the spine, lined with buskers, colourful shopfronts, and pubs spilling out onto the pavement. The Latin Quarter around the Spanish Arch feels older and quieter, with the remains of the medieval city walls and views across the River Corrib. Tigh Neachtáin is the pub that captures everything good about Galway's bar scene.
Galway is the gateway to Connemara and the Aran Islands, three rocky outposts off the coast where Irish is still the first language. You can take a ferry from Rossaveal or fly from Connemara Airport on a tiny prop plane that makes the trip in eight minutes.
The city hosts some of Ireland's best festivals. The Galway International Arts Festival in July transforms the city for two weeks, the Galway Races in late July and early August bring the whole country to town, and the Galway International Oyster Festival in September is one of the oldest in the world. If you are planning a summer visit, book accommodation well in advance.