Disclosure: This article contains affiliate links; meaning if you book using these links I may earn a small commission at no additional cost to you. I love sharing travel resources and would only share companies I trust.

Galway is a well-known coastal city on the Western coast of Ireland. It’s the 5th most populated city in Ireland and welcomed over 900,000 overseas tourists in 2023, according to Fáilte Ireland.

Out of that number, most people were visiting Ireland for the first time. 11% of those people were traveling alone. Ireland typically sees more families and couples than solo travelers, but in my perspective (as a solo traveler) it’s a great city to get lost in on your own.

There are so many things to do in Galway for solo travelers, scroll to the bottom of this post for my recommendations! If you are just starting your trip planning, then continue on here.

Where to Stay in Galway

Half of the travelers visiting Galway are staying in hotels. But if you’re going solo, you’re probably eager to meet other travelers and find more budget-friend accommodations. Good news is there are plenty of hostels in Galway.

Galway Hostels

Kinlay Hostel

Located right around the corner of Eyre Square the Kinlay Hostel is a well-known budget accommodation in Galway for backpackers. They’ve won awards and were recently refurbished in 2024. The location can’t be beat and they are in the same building as the Galway Tour Company, so if you book a tour with them you’re already at the designated pickup spot.

Kinlay also accepts volunteers through Worldpackers, but it’s very competitive and they get a lot of applications. Whether you work there or just stay there, you’ll have a great time.

Woodquay Hostel

The Woodquay Hostel is only a short walk from Eyre Square and is a great budget accommodation. Travelers tend to be on the younger side, but in my 7-bed female dorm room there were women of all ages.

Like any typical hostel, they have a common area and kitchen, free breakfast (I heard they made fresh bread every morning that was so good it was gone almost immediately, I never got any), recommended tours, bar crawls, you get the gist.

The hostel is located on Woodquay st which is in-between the bustle of Eyre Square and a more residential area. There are bars and other businesses on the street so there was some noise on the weekend, but with some earplugs it was fine. My room was on the 3rd floor, and there was no elevator only a tiny staircase, so be prepared to haul your bags.

For me, the Woodquay hostel was in a good location and in my budget range. The one downside was the beds in the room I was in did not have curtains. But there were lockers for each bed, a shared bathroom and additional bathroom in the hall, and ample luggage storage.

The Nest Boutique Hotel

For those still wanting a budget accommodation but somewhere a little quieter and slightly more upscale, I’ve got the place for you. I stayed at the Nest Boutique Hotel for one night and was so glad I did.

Located in Salthill, it’s a short bus ride away from Eyre square and a quick walk to the Salthill promenade and Blackrock Beach.

I stayed in a 6-bed female dorm and for the one night I was there, only 3 beds were occupied. I was lucky to room with two older women, one of which I went out to dinner with to a thai restaurant down the street. We are both from the US and had great (and somewhat depressing) conversation about the current state of our country. Although she is planning to move to Ireland to be near family, something I am very jealous of.

Roommates aside, the beds were very comfortable with two pillows, a thick comforter, and curtains!! The one downside was luggage storage. There was plenty of space under the beds but in the rooms themselves the lockers were small. I personally don’t mind stowing my stuff under the bed (I also carry luggage locks) but it is nice if there are larger lockers for bigger bags in the room.

Hotels in Galway Ireland

Victoria Hotel Galway

The Victoria Hotel in Galway is loved by many. Maybe it’s the vibrant stained glass windows and ethereal decor, or maybe it’s the prime location steps away from Eyre Square. Or maybe it’s both.

I haven’t personally had the pleasure of staying here (yet). Without knowing it I passed it multiple times when I was in Galway. It’s in such a central location, across the street from the Kinlay Hostel and Galway Tour Company, and around the corner from the bus station.

For those who aren’t about the hostel life but still have a budget to stick to, you can get a little more privacy and comfort here while still being in your price range. They even have triple rooms for those traveling with friends or family and want to save a little coin.

What also draws the crowd is the hotel bar and restaurant, Queen Street. Patrons near and far will come to enjoy the vibrant atmosphere and extensive drink menu.

Snug Townhouse

You can’t get closer to the charm of Quay St than at the Snug Townhouse which is right across the street from The Quays bar, probably the most popular tourist bar in Galway.

Recently opened in 2022, the building Snug is in was previously a hostel but has since been converted into 35 compact rooms with a modern but warm interior. There is even a two story ‘snug duplex’ with a private entrance and two bedrooms.

I stayed here for one night for my last night in Galway in one of their Snug Rooms. Because of the layout of the building its quite a labyrinth to get to some of the rooms, but that only added to the charm. It made me appreciate how cleverly they used the space.

Your keycard allows you to enter your room, turn on the lights, and enter the building. As a solo female traveler, that made me feel extra safe. The size of the rooms and the location also made it more appealing as a solo traveler.

Galway Ireland Weather

Every tourist knows that on their trip to Ireland they are probably going to experience some rain. But because of that, when it is a nice sunny day the grass is twice as green and the sky is way more blue.

When I was there in April of 2025 the weather was fantastic. It was pleasantly warm and sunny almost every single day, which I know is very unusual. I can’t imagine what a good day in Ireland is like during the summer months.

Because Galway is a coastal city, it can be harder to predict the weather because of its proximity to the Atlantic Ocean but in general, even with the rain, Galway has pretty mild weather.

Day Trips From Galway

Galway is a great city to be in if you also want to check out other areas of Ireland. It takes no more than 10 hours to drive from one end of the country to another, so day trips are very common. Here are some popular day trips to consider that are in the area.

Cliffs of Moher Tour with Galway Tour Company

There are many tours available to go see the Cliffs of Moher. Including this 8-hour Get Your Guide tour with lots of photo ops and castle stops. You can also take the city bus directly from Galway to the Cliffs if you aren’t interested in taking a tour or seeing the other stops. More info directly from the Cliffs of Moher visitor center here.

I went on a tour with the Galway Tour Company, similar to the Get Your Guide one, that was from 10am-6pm. In my opinion it was so much better to have a shorter day and start the tour in Galway rather than Dublin and have it be more like a 10-12 hour day.

This is the schedule for the tour that includes stops such as the Cliffs of Moher and lunch at an Irish pub.

I made a video review of my experience on the tour you can check out here.

Day trip around Connemara

Take a break from the city and spend some time in the stunning mountains and landscape of Connemara while you’re stationed in Galway. Connemara is a region where Gaelic is still widely spoken so its definitely a place you want to visit if you want an authentic Irish experience.

Go with a tour to ensure you see sights such as Kylemore Abbey and Cong Village or rent a car and go on your own schedule. Galway Tour Company also offers a day trip to Connemara, the main attraction being Kylemore Abbey and gardens.

Another option is to visit the Connemara National Park with Get Your Guide. It’s a 9-hour day trip which includes 3 photo stops and 3 hours at the National park to see iconic landmarks like the Inagh Valley and the Connemara giant.

For more on visiting Connemara check out this site.

The Aran Islands

If I had to recommend one thing that you MUST add to your Galway itinerary, it’s this. The Aran Islands are a series of 3 islands off the western coast of County Galway; Inishmore, Inishsheer and Inishmaan.

All are accessible by ferry, so it’s popular to do day trips. Although I highly advise to stay for a night on the largest island, Inishmore.

If you’re a solo or budget traveler check out the Kilronan Hostel (it’s right by the pier), if you want a unique experience check out Aran Islands Glamping, or for something in the middle the Aran Islands Hotel.

Inishmore is just under 12 square miles and has less than 1000 inhabitants. It’s not just the beautiful scenery that makes this a place worth visiting, but also the people and culture that inhabit it.

You can easily book a ferry through the Doolin Ferry or Aran Island Ferry. Once you get off the ferry there are bike rentals steps from the pier or van tours a little farther down. I promise you can’t miss it. I would highly recommend getting an electric bike, especially if you are like me and might not be in your fitness prime. There’s two bike trails you can take that will lead you to another town center on the other side of the island where you can visit the Black Fort.

Or there are companies that offer day trips to the islands. Inishsheer is also fun to visit, and you can actually do this one in a day, as it’s less than 3 square miles. Theres an actual shipwreck you can visit and I recommend getting some fudge and a sandwich from Cafe Una.

Galway Things to Do

Galway Attractions

This beloved Irish city is known for it’s cobblestone streets and architecture, trad music in Irish pubs, and costal scenery along the bay. I don’t need to tell you to wander down Quay St and to see the Spanish Arch. So here are a few options that may not have considered while in Galway.

Markets

If you won’t be in Galway over a weekend, you’ll be missing out! Because there are multiple markets throughout Eyre Square and the Latin Quarter that offer more than just souvenirs.

Galway market runs every Saturday and Sunday near St. Nicholas Church, but the summer market runs every Wednesday, Thursday, and Friday in July and August. I got the best pistachio coffee I’ve ever had here from a father and son duo. Explore all the cool local artisans here (I spent soo much on gifts) like handmade magnets and claddagh rings.

There’s also the Tiny Traders Village that pops up in Eyre Square on the weekends from 11-6 that has food trucks, music, and even more unique items to look at.

Check out this blog for even more markets, including farmers markets, in Galway.

Galway Museums

A solo trip isn’t complete without going to at least one museum. Bonus points if its free and double bonus points if it’s a first Friday or free Thursday or something like that. There are plenty of historic sights and buildings all over the city, including the Claddagh Ring Museum and the Galway Cathedral.

I’m going to share two (free) museums I went to on my trip below.

Galway City Museum

The Galway City Museum is free, with a suggest $5 donation (which I gave). There are levels and levels of history in this building from the settling of the city of Galway to Irish folklore to modern advancements being made in labs right down the street.

In my opinion, was a great way to spend an afternoon. It’s right by the Spanish Art and waterway so afterwards, or before, you can sit by the water and take in all you’ve just learned.

Galway Arts Centre

There is so much going on at the Galway Arts Centre! At their gallery in the Latin Quarter there are rotating international contemporary art exhibits that you can visit, for free. When I went I had the whole place to myself!

They also offer classes and workshops and the Nuns Island Theater offers films, theater and other performances and exhibitions. If you need something to do on a Thursday night, check out Thursday Lates.

Galway Ireland Map

For your reference, this map of Galway City shows where major attractions are in relation to one another. A lot of the places listed in this post are in walking distance to each other. Quay Street-Shop Street is definitely somewhere you’ll want to wander.

Looking for some people to travel with? I’m hosting a group trip to Galway and the Aran Islands in June 2026 with Tour Hero! Get more info here.