Where to stay in Galway?

Staying in the historic heart: around Quay Street

Right in the middle of Galway, Quay Street is the central artery of the small port city. Lined with typical pubs and more touristy stores, it forms one of the major attractions for visiting travellers, along with the few streets around it. It's the best place to stay if you want to be right in the heart of the action.

As already mentioned, you shouldn't miss the opportunity to discover the ambience of this area. The main tourist activity is to enjoy the pubs, restaurants and boutiques of this lively shopping district! Musicians are to be found on every corner in this young, student-focused area, which has earned the nickname Latin Quarter.

This central location is also a stone's throw from other places of interest, including :

• the port, just to the south, with its frontage lined with colorful houses and pretty little fishing boats
• the Cathedral of Our Lady of Galway, a recent eclectic building on a small hill just to the north, whose dome can be seen from all 4 corners of the city

Galway really isn't that big, and you can reach all these places on foot in less than a quarter of an hour if you choose to stay in the city center. In fact, you'd be well advised to leave your car behind if you book accommodation there. Indeed, the streets in the center can be quite cramped, but above all with few places to park. Public parking lots are available nearby, and you can easily get to where you've chosen to stay from them.

As far as accommodation is concerned, this is the most sought-after area, and therefore a little expensive. Hotels here are often rather upmarket, but it's the perfect setting for enjoying the ambience of this central area. If you're on a budget, this is probably the best place to stay in Galway to enjoy its young, lively atmosphere.

Central and practical: accommodation near Eyre Square

Just north of the historic center, Eyre Square Park is one of the main meeting points for students and tourists alike. It's a very convenient place to stay, for several reasons.

First of all, it's the location of the train station and, above all, the bus station. For many travelers who choose to tour Ireland by public transport, it's a must. Not only is it our point of arrival in Galway, but it's also where you can catch a bus for an excursion to Connemara, a day trip to the Cliffs of Moher, or even a ride to your next destination on your "Ireland tour".

It's also a good place to stay if you're planning to explore the rest of the region from Galway. Parking is easier here than elsewhere in the center, and public parking lots are available. You'll also have easy access to the region's roads, without having to drive through the historic center every time.

For exploring Galway itself, the area is very well placed. Depending on the location of your accommodation, you'll need between 10 and 20 minutes on foot to reach the port or the cathedral, for example.

Last but not least, it's also an area where you'll find plenty of accommodation, including youth hostels at very attractive rates for those looking for cheap accommodation in Galway. If you're looking to meet other travellers on a tight budget, this is a great option, especially as Ireland is very safe and the hostels are often friendly. In addition to these attractively-priced but sometimes limited-intimacy accommodations, you'll also find more traditional hotels and apartments.

With all these advantages, the area around Eyre Square is the best place to stay from a practical point of view.

More residential and quiet: Claddagh

Historically, Claddagh is a small fishing port on the opposite shore to Galway. Long integrated into the city, it's a quiet, well-placed area and therefore a great option for staying in Galway.

The southern part is bordered by the sea, and there's a lovely promenade along the beach to Salthill Park. The rest of the area is residential, and the old fishing village was demolished in the 20th century to make way for modern housing, but without much tourist interest. For cultural visits, you'll have to cross the river. However, if you choose to stay in the area, you won't have too much of a commute. Depending on the location of your accommodation, you'll need no more than 20 minutes on foot to reach Quay Street or the Cathedral.

As the area is mainly made up of detached houses, most of the accommodation available is bed and breakfast. This is the best place to stay if you're interested in this type of accommodation. You'll find it easy to park your car (usually free of charge) if you have one, and you'll benefit from your host's advice on exploring the area.

Where else to stay in Galway?

The few neighborhoods we've mentioned so far represent the best places to stay during your stay in Galway. Between them, they offer a wide range of accommodation styles to suit most budgets. They're also well placed for exploring the city's sights and enjoying its lively atmosphere. Last but not least, they are just as suitable for travelers without a car as for those who have rented one, although in the latter case the hypercentre is best avoided.

It's perfectly possible to get away from these central areas, especially when you're traveling around Ireland on a roadtrip. However, when it comes to exploring Galway itself, we don't recommend staying too far away. For a quick day trip, without even staying overnight, why not? But if you want to enjoy the atmosphere, have a pint in a lively pub and catch an impromptu concert, you might as well not stay too far away!

We do suggest a few hotels and accommodations in the surrounding area, which are more suited to stays where Galway is just a quick stopover. In that case, these additional recommendations may be appropriate.