by Go Wild’s Jennifer Chee June 18th 2024
Galway, a colourful location, is known amongst Irish folk as the centre of vibrance and music, and home to some of the friendliest people in the world. The city is a sensory overload of traditional musicians, coastal scents and vibrant buildings. Offering tourists the novelty of the coast, with ample pubs spread across the cobblestone streets, it is the ultimate staycation opportunity for twenty-something year olds who don’t fancy forking out a fortune for a week abroad.
Eateries
An array of independent cafes and restaurants are on offer, from classic pies at The Dough Bros https://www.thedoughbros.ie/ – crowned the best pizza in Ireland and placing 15th pizzeria in the world – to eclectic plates of seasonal ingredients at Ard Bia https://www.ardbia.com/. Situated at the Spanish Arch https://www.galwaytourism.ie/the-spanish-arch/ along The Long Walk https://www.go-to-ireland.com/what-to-see/the-long-walk/?utm_content=cmp-true, the intimate space provides the perfect union of good food and a lively atmosphere – the perfect dinner location to begin any festivities. For a next-day hangover cure, head to Magpie Bakery https://www.magpiebakery.ie/ on St Augustine Street, open Wednesday to Sunday from 10:00 for a choice of indulgent pastries, with varying flavours of cruffins and morning buns. Make sure you set a morning alarm, as Magpie Bakery closes at 3 pm OR upon sell out.
Rúibín https://ruibin.ie/ offers beautiful plates of contemporary Irish cuisine with a twist. This award-winning family-run restaurant is located on the docks, and is arguably one of the best places to eat in Galway, serving locally sourced ingredients with a scenic view of the Atlantic Ocean. And for those groups of friends who are looking for the best there is on their staycation, head to Michelin Bib Gourmand acclaimed, Kai, https://www.kairestaurant.ie/ in the West End, heavily regarded as the top restaurant in Galway. The ingredients are fresh and locally sourced, following the seasons with a mix of unique flavour combos.
Your top to-do list
Regarded as a walking destination, ultimately, the best way to experience the city is to meander through the winding streets and get lost in Galway. However, for those looking to see all that Galway has to offer, be sure to start in Quay Street to immerse yourself in the hustle and bustle of the city centre. Spend your Saturday morning Instagramming your exploration of the Galway Markets http://www.galwaymarket.com/ that occur every weekend.
Sea swimming is a favourite pastime amongst the Irish, and you’ll often find some great spots in and amongst the cities of Ireland. Shake off the morning lethargy at Blackrock Diving Tower https://www.visitgalway.ie/explore/heritage-and-history/historic-buildings-and-places/blackrock-diving-tower/, offering a great opportunity for a true Irish sea swim – and what’s better than a raised diving board overhanging the brisk Atlantic waters?
For those looking for more than simply the ‘stay’ in staycation, and are searching for something further afield, go ‘aboard’ with a ferry from Galway City Docks to Inishmore Island (Inis Mór) https://www.aranislands.ie/inis-mor-inishmore-island-aran-islands. Sightsee on the go, with transportation that shows you the Cliffs of Moher https://www.cliffsofmoher.ie/ from a new angle. Once there, Aran Islands Camping & Glamping https://www.aranislands.ie/inis-mor-inishmore-island/inis-mor-island-accommodation/aran-camping-glamping is the ultimate beachside vacation escape, in under two hours from the mainland.
Drink and music
A city known for its culture and music, a night out in Galway usually consists of hitting up the best pubs for an evening of live music. Taaffes Bar https://taaffesbar.ie/ is well-known amongst locals, with trad sessions occurring late into the night. Other popular options include Tigh Neachtain https://www.tighneachtain.com/ and The Front Door Pub https://www.frontdoorpub.com/, located within walking distance from each other on Cross Street Upper.
The King’s Head https://www.thekingshead.ie/ on High St may be 800 years old, but it is still a lively spot for hearing trad and cover bands throughout the week. The Skeff Bar https://www.theskeff.ie/ located in Eyre Square hosts live music 7 nights a week, from folk tunes to DJ’s. However, if the sheer volume of pubs in Galway is making it difficult to plan your night out, have someone else do it for you and join the Tribes Tours of Galway Pub Crawl https://www.tribestoursgalway.com/tribes-pubcrawl, offering free shots on entry to three of Galway’s well-known watering holes.
Much to the excitement of the locals, popular spot Electric Galway nightclub has reopened, offering those looking to hit the club after a few pints of Guinness the best option in the city.
