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Ireland · Connacht

Galway and Connemara travel guide

Buskers, trad music and the wild landscapes of Connemara

Galway's Latin Quarter. Photo: Unknown authorUnknown author, CC BY-SA 3.0, via Wikimedia Commons

1h 15mflight from London
SNNnearest main airport
15° in Julwarmest month
5° in Febcoolest month

Galway is Ireland's most bohemian city, with colourful shopfronts, buskers and pubs full of traditional music.

West of the city, Connemara has lakes, bogs and mountains, Kylemore Abbey, and boats to the Aran Islands.

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What Galway is known for

  • Trad music

    Sessions in pubs every night.

  • Connemara

    Lakes, bogs and mountains.

  • Aran Islands

    Stone walls and cliff forts.

  • Oysters

    Galway Bay seafood.

Top things to do in Galway and Connemara

  1. 1

    The Latin Quarter

    Shop Street and the buskers.

    Find tours and tickets
  2. 2

    Kylemore Abbey

    A lakeside castle and gardens.

    Find tours and tickets
  3. 3

    The Aran Islands

    Cycle Inis Mór to Dún Aonghasa.

    Find tours and tickets
  4. 4

    Connemara National Park

    Climb Diamond Hill.

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See all tours and tickets in Galway

Where to stay in Galway and Connemara

Find a hotel in Galway

Best time to visit Galway and Connemara

Best value: Mar–Apr, Sep–Oct. May to September, and July for the Arts Festival.

  • Best valueGood weather, smaller crowds
  • PeakBusiest, highest prices
  • QuietCheapest, cooler or wetter
5 C5°J4.9 C5°F6.1 C6°M8.5 C8°A11.4 C11°M14.2 C14°J15.4 C15°J15 C15°A13.2 C13°S10.2 C10°O7.2 C7°N5.3 C5°D
Bar height is the average temperature in Galway and Connemara, °C, 2001–2025 (NASA POWER).

Getting there and around

About 1h 15m from London to SNN, and flights from most UK airports.

Walk in Galway. A car is best for Connemara.

Find flights to Galway (SNN)

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Good to know

  • Book accommodation early for the Arts Festival and Races.
  • Ferries to the Aran Islands leave from Rossaveal.
  • Expect rain at any time.
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Galway and Connemara FAQ

Which airport for Galway?

Shannon or Knock, about 90 minutes away.

How long in Galway?

Two nights plus Connemara.

More places in Ireland

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