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Galway
09/04/26
Galway doesn’t ease you in. It grabs you by the hand, pulls you into a pub, hands you a pint, and before you know it you’re clapping along to a fiddle you didn’t see coming.
Perched on the edge of the Atlantic, Galway is equal parts bohemian city, trad music capital, and gateway to some of Ireland’s wildest landscapes. It’s colourful, slightly chaotic, and full of people who seem to have nowhere better to be than exactly where they are.
Culture that spills onto the streets
Galway city feels like a festival that forgot to end.
Start in Eyre Square, then drift into the Latin Quarter where the streets narrow, the colours brighten, and the soundtrack kicks in. Buskers line Shop Street, trad sessions spill out of pubs, and every second doorway feels like it leads somewhere interesting.
You’ve got history too, if you fancy it — Lynch’s Castle, the Spanish Arch, and the Galway City Museum — but Galway wears its past lightly. It’s more about what’s happening now.
Where to stay in Galway
But we’re getting ahead of ourselves here. Before your Galway adventure you need a base for your trip, so which hotels get the Lidl Breaks seal of approval?
Clayton Hotel Galway: Welcome to Clayton Hotel Galway, where you are guaranteed a warm welcome and professional service delivered with a friendly smile throughout your stay. The Hotel offers a beautiful 3 lane, 20m swimming pool for you to enjoy during your stay. Have a splash with the kids or simply relax and float in the calming air of this great Galway swimming pool.
Maldron Hotel & Leisure Centre Oranmore Galway
One of best known hotels in Galway, the Maldron has over 16 years experience and is ideally located just outside the picturesque village of Oranmore, 10km from Galway City Centre. All our guests can enjoy free parking, free WiFi and use of leisure facilities including 20m indoor pool, kids pool, jacuzzi, steam room, sauna and fully equipped gym.
Maldron Hotel Sandy Road Galway
Maldron Hotel Sandy Road Galway offers modern and comfortable 4-star accommodation located on the outskirts of Galway city centre. All rooms are fully airconditioned, with an option of King, Twin, Double or Family rooms. Guest amenities include the Red Bean Coffee Roastery, and our Grain & Grill Bar & Restaurant. We offer complimentary underground car parking and high speed wi-fi for all guests.
Connemara & the call of the wild
This is where Galway really flexes.
Connemara is all bogland, mountains, and skies that feel too big for the map. Hike in Connemara National Park, take in the views from Diamond Hill, or just drive and stop every five minutes because something ridiculous appears around the next bend.
Kylemore Abbey looks like it was dropped into a lake by a film crew. It wasn’t. It’s just Galway showing off.
And then there are the Aran Islands — stone walls, sea cliffs, and a pace of life that politely ignores the modern world.
A bit of adventure (or just the idea of it)
Kayaking, cycling, boat trips, surfing — it’s all here if you want it.
Or you can do what most people do: walk a bit, eat something, sit down, repeat.
Food, pints & late nights
Galway’s food scene punches well above its weight.
Ard Bia at Nimmos: Creative, local, and full of personality
Kai: Seasonal, cosy, and consistently brilliant
McDonagh’s: For fish and chips done right
For pints, you’re spoiled. Tigh Neachtain, The Crane Bar, and O’Connell’s all deliver music, atmosphere, and that feeling you’ve stumbled into something authentic.
Galway's greatest hits — the festivals
Galway doesn’t just host festivals. It becomes them.- Galway International Arts Festival (July): Theatre, music, spectacle everywhere
- Galway Races (July/August): Equal parts horse racing and fashion chaos
- Galway Film Fleadh (July): Cinema lovers take note
Final thoughts
Galway isn’t polished. It’s better than that.
It’s music drifting through open doors, sea air in your lungs, and nights that stretch longer than planned. Come for a weekend, and you’ll leave wondering how it slipped by so fast.