17 Best Things To Do In Salthill In 2026

Salthill sits just southwest of Galway city centre, wrapped around a two-kilometre promenade that looks straight out across Galway Bay.

Once a standalone village, Salthill has been drawing people to the water since the 1800s, first for sea bathing, now for walks, swims, sport, and easy access to the Atlantic.

The appeal here is simple and physical: sea air, open space, and easy access to Galway City. Below, you’ll discover the best things to do in Salthill at any time of year!

The best things to do in Salthill

The first section of our guide tackles things to do in Salthill in Galway if you’d like to take things handy-ish (aside from the first activity in the list, that is!).

Expect everything from distillery tours and coastal walks to tasty treats, beaches and much more in the section below.

1. Start the day with a bang – hop into the sea from Blackrock Diving Tower

Blackrock Diving Tower sits at the far end of the Prom and has been part of Salthill’s routine since the mid-20th century.

Built in 1953, it’s the launch point for year-round swimmers, Christmas Day plunges, and the finishing line of the Galway Bay Swim.

Swimming here was male-only until the 1970s, when women began using the tower as well – a shift that stuck and quickly became the norm.

Today, a jump here is one of the most recognisable things to do in Salthill. Conditions matter: strong winds or heavy swell make it unsafe, so check the sea, not your bravado.

2. Or keep your toes dry and head for a ramble on Salthill Beach

Salthill Beach isn’t one long stretch of sand but a chain of small beaches split by rocky shelves and tidal pools.

Some sections are sandy, others pebbled, so decent footwear matters if you’re hopping between them. In summer, lifeguards patrol daily in July and August, and at weekends in June.

Dogs are allowed year-round, provided they’re on a lead and cleaned up after. As you head west, you’ll pass Ladies Beach before reaching Blackrock.

It’s easy to see why this ranks among the most popular beaches in Galway and, as such, it gets busy during summer!

3. Then warm up with something tasty from the Gourmet Tart Company

The Gourmet Tart Company has been feeding Galway since the early 2000s, quietly building a reputation for generous portions and consistently solid brunch.

Much of what you see behind the counter  (anything with a pink label) is made in their own bakery, from pastries to delicious cakes!

It’s a busy spot, but service stays friendly and efficient, even at peak times. There’s also a clear effort to minimise waste, with compostable cups, cutlery, and packaging used throughout.

If you’re hunting down some of the best brunch in Galway, this is a good place to start – just arrive hungry.

4. Grab a coffee-to-go and head for a stroll along Salthill Prom

Salthill Promenade runs for just over 3km along Galway Bay, making it the longest promenade in Ireland.

Walking it is one of the most popular things to do in Salthill, thanks to the flat route and constant access to beaches, cafés, playgrounds, the National Aquarium, and the amusements.

You’ll see swimmers, walkers, runners, and cyclists using it from early morning through evening, in all weather.

The pace is entirely yours – many people break it up with a beach stop or a coffee detour. Bring layers; the wind off the bay rarely takes a day off.

Related reads: If you plan on staying in the area, you’ll find great places to stay in our Salthill hotels and our Salthill apartments guides.

5. Or take the long stroll from Salthill into Galway City

The walk between Salthill and Galway is a short route with a lot packed into it. The path follows the Coast Road for roughly 1.5km, hugging Galway Bay as it bends toward the city.

Ahead, the line of houses along The Long Walk comes into view, with boats bobbing below. You’ll pass the Claddagh Church and Katie’s Claddagh Cottage before crossing Wolfe Tone Bridge and finishing at the Spanish Arch.

This is one of my favourite walks in Galway – it’s calm on still days and bracing when the Atlantic kicks up.

6. Try traditional Poitin on the Micil Distillery tour

“Gather up the pots and the old tin can. And the mash, and the corn, the barley, and the bran. And then run like the devil from the excise man. Keep the smoke from rising, Barney”

A song from The Clancy Brothers & Tommy Maken about the illegal distillery trade in Ireland, back in the day.

Nowadays, Micil’s poitín is found at the Micil Distillery, the first legal distillery to open in Galway for over 100 years (and one of the newest whiskey distilleries in Ireland).

Since 2018, Micil have been offering a distillery tour experience that gives visitors a unique insight into the world of poitin and gin.

Things to do in Salthill with kids

The second section of our guide is packed with things to do in Salthill with kids, and we’ve included a mix of indoor and outdoor attractions.

Below, you’ll find everything from sea creatures and amusement parks to water activities and more. So, go on – dive on in!

1. Take them on an adventure to Galway Atlantaquaria

One of the best things to do in Salthill with kids is a visit to Galway Atlantaquaria, which is far bigger inside than it looks from the outside.

The tanks are purpose-built for each species, with water movement designed to mimic real Atlantic conditions rather than static displays.

Exhibits focus on native marine life, with everything from rays and sharks to smaller coastal species found off the west coast.

Staff-led talks add context, particularly around Ireland’s marine ecosystems and the impact of pollution.

2. Or for a Splash at Leisureland

Situated opposite the beach, Leisureland is an handy place to keep the kids occupied for a few hours.

With a 25m swimming pool and the leisure pool that has a 65m water slide and inflatable obstacle course, they’ll be busy for hours.

There’s plenty to keep the adults entertained, too, with a state-of-the-art gymnasium.

Extensive opening hours and no joining fees for the Gym are just some of the features that make it attractive and accessible to all.

3. Keep them occupied at the amusements when it’s raining

An Irish seaside village wouldn’t be complete without The Amusements, and Salthill is no exception. Situated along the Prom, you’ll be transported back to your own childhood as soon as you enter.

Inhale the smell of grease, feel deafened by the cacophony of sound created by the slot machines, and then that moment when there’s a hush followed by the sound of coins tumbling out to the delighted player.

Sure, isn’t that what The Amusements are all about? There’s both indoor and outdoor amusements here, which should suit those of you looking for things to do in Salthill when it’s raining.

Things to do in Salthill at night

You’ll find an almost endless number of excellent restaurants in Salthill, so it’ll come as no surprise than some of the best things to do in Salthill at night involve food and drink.

Below, you’ll find everything from places to kick-back with a fine feed to where to enjoy a pint (or whatever tickles your fancy!) with some live music.

1. Kick back with food and live music in O’Reilly’s

O’Reilly’s has been a fixture on Upper Salthill since 2016, serving food and drink from morning through night, seven days a week.

The kitchen leans on Irish staples alongside modern crowd-pleasers, making it as suitable for a casual breakfast as it is for a full evening meal.

Inside, there’s a compact sidebar built for quiet pints and fireside cocktails, while upstairs the rooftop terrace opens out over Galway Bay!

2. Try Galway Bay Beer on Galway Bay at the Oslo

 The Oslo Bar & Restaurant sits at the heart of the Galway Bay Brewery operation, with several of its core beers brewed on site.

The house taps are the place to start – Galway Bay Ale and Stormy Porter are staples – but the wider lineup covers a solid range of Irish craft styles.

Food is taken seriously too, with a menu built to match the beer rather than compete with it. If Galway Bay is new territory, my guide to the best Irish beers gives useful context before you go.

3. Round off a day of exploring in one of the best pubs in all the land (O’ Connors)

O’Connor’s is built around the session, and the interior makes that clear immediately.

The room is low-lit and densely layered, with lamps, instruments, old signage, and memorabilia filling the walls and ceiling.

Musicians sit at floor level among the tables, so the music feels shared rather than performed. Guitars, fiddles, and bodhráns are passed around instead of put on a stage.

In 2018, Ed Sheeran recorded “Galway Girl” here, a detail that fits the pub’s long-standing reputation as a place where music happens naturally rather than on cue.

Things to do near Salthill

One of the beauties of visiting Salthill is that it’s a reasonably handy spin from plenty of things to see and do in Galway.

Below, you’ll find a handful of things to do near Salthill to keep you busy if you’ve polished off all of the activities mentioned above.

1. Explore Galway City

Galway, often called the City of the Tribes, is compact, busy, and built for wandering.

Medieval lanes open onto shop-lined streets, pubs spill music onto the footpaths, and the river cuts straight through the centre.

A handy way to see it all is to follow my self-guided walking tour of Galway, that I’ve outlined on the map above.

2. Take a spin out to Connemara National Park

With 20,000 hectares of adventurous terrain, there’s plenty to be discovered at Connemara National Park.

There are three walking ‘Loops,’ from 30 minutes where you can walk with the children, to 3 hours, which takes you to the peak of Diamond Hill.

Or, if you don’t fancy a hike, give my Galway to Connemara road trip, pictured on the map above, a bash!

3.  Visit Dunguaire Castle

Dunguaire Castle was built in 1520 by the O’Hynes clan and has hosted many famous literary figures over the centuries (it’s also one of the best castles near Galway City).

Yes, of course, there were battles and sieges and various other bits of bad behaviour as is expected of a castle in Ireland, and you can find out about those in the castle museum.

The four-course Medieval Banquet with entertainment and education in equal measure is a winner with tourists, and it’s obvious the staff love what they do.

If you’re not around for the banquet, take a walk to enjoy the fantastic views and photograph the (supposedly) most photographed of the many castles in Ireland.

4. Take a Ferry to the Aran Islands

Drive an hour west of Galway City to Rossaveel from where you can catch the passenger ferry to the Aran Islands – no cars allowed.

The islands (Inis Mor, Inis Oirr and Inis Meain) offer awe-inspiring scenery, religious ruins, and stone forts.

Filled with traditional Irish culture, music, crafts, and ocean-going currachs, as well as the warm and welcoming locals, no trip to Ireland is complete without a visit to the Aran Islands.

Just keep in mind that, as this is one of the most popular things to do in Galway, the ferries can be busy during peak season, so book ahead!