The Galway Road Trip: A 2 + 3 Day Itinerary

One of the most popular itineraries on this site is the 2 and 3 day Galway road trip outlined below.

It’ll suit those that:

1. Have a car (if you don’t, I’ve added a 3 day itinerary at the end that doesn’t require a car)
2. Don’t fancy changing accommodation (you’ll spend each night in Galway City)
3. Want to see the different sides of Galway (you’ll explore the city, Connemara and/or Aran Island)

An overview of this Galway Road Trip itinerary

Take 20 seconds to look at the map of this Donegal itinerary. As you can see, it takes in many of the best things to do in Galway.

You’ll find an overview of each day below. If you have 3 days in Galway, do the whole thing. If you only have the weekend in Galway, pick 2 of the days.

Day 1: Galway City + Surrounds

• Stop 1: Breakfast in the city
• Stop 2: Galway Cathedral
• Stop 3: Hall of the Red Earl
• Stop 4: Galway City Museum
• Stop 5: The Spanish Arch/Long Walk
• Stop 6: Lunch in Salthill
• Stop 7: Barna Woods or Silver Strand
• Stop 8: Either Galway City’s pubs, the music show or the night tour

Day 2: Connemara

• Stop 1: Lough Inagh scenic drive
• Stop 2: Diamond Hill
• Stop 3: Lunch in Letterfrack
• Stop 4: Kylemore Abbey
• Stop 5: Clifden and the Sky Road
• Stop 6: Dog’s Bay
• Stop 7: Back to Galway for the night

Day 3: Inis Mor Island

• Stop 1: Breakfast
• Stop 2: The ferry from the city to Inis Mor
• Stop 3: Galway City for the night

Day 1: Galway City

Your weekend in Galway begins in the city. I’m going to keep day 1 to the city and its surrounds as it’s likely many of you will have driven here from afar.

Day 1 sees you exploring the best of the city before heading out to Salthill for lunch and then to Barna for the woods walk.

You then round off the evening in a trad bar, at an Irish dance show or on a night tour.

Where to stay in Galway

• Budget: Kinlay Hostel (city centre) or Galway City Hostel (on Eyre Square)
• Mid-range: Balcony House B&B (10-minute walk from Eyre Square) and Ash Grove House (gorgeous guesthouse near Galway Cathedral) 
• Luxury: The G Hotel (luxury hotel in the city) and Glenlo Abbey (one of Ireland’s top hotels – 15-minute drive from the city)

1. Breakfast and a saunter

Regardless of whether you’re landing in Galway at breakfast time or brunch, Dela really is hard to beat.

You’ll find it onDominick St Lower, just over the bridge at the Latin Quarter.

Although there’s plenty of great restaurants in Galway for breakfast or lunch, Dela reigns supreme.

Get in, get fed and then head off on your merry way!

2. Galway Cathedral

Galway Cathedral (8-minute walk from Dela) is impressive both inside and out.

It was on this site, on Nun’s Island, that the old Galway City gaol once stood.

You’ll often hear people referring to Galway Cathedral as ‘the last great stone cathedral to be constructed in Europe’ – yep, it’s no where near as old as it looks!

Construction kicked-off in 1958 and finished in 1965.

The cathedral is free to enter but visitors are asked for a donation of €2 to help with the building’s upkeep.

3. Quay Street and the Latin Quarter

For tourists, in particular, one of the most enjoyable aspects of Galway City are its colourful streets.

You’ll find them abuzz with locals, tourists and buskers throughout the year and they’re a joy to saunter along.

When you leave the cathedral, follow this route towards stop 4 (the Hall of the Red Earl).

It takes you along the Latin Quarter and Quay Street where you can have a nosey around.

4. The Hall of the Red Earl

Now, hopefully you won’t encounter any rain during your 2 days in Galway but, if you do, having a few indoor attractions will come in handy.

You’ll find the Hall of the Red Earl a short 10-minute walk from the cathedral.

This is Galway’s first municipal building and it was once used for everything from sentencing criminals to collecting taxes.

Inside, there are ruins date back to the 13th century, with ties to the founding of Galway and the Anglo-Norman De Burgo family.

The Hall of the Red Earl was lost as the city grew until 1997, when the ruins were unearthed by archaeologists on behalf of the Office of the Public Works.

5. Galway City Museum

The Galway City Museum is just a 3-minute walk from the Hall of the Red Earl.

It’s frequently omitted from many Galway road trips but it’s arguably the best place in the county to learn about Galway’s history.

The museum houses collections that offer an insight into prehistoric Galway (hard to imagine now!) right the way through to the 20th century.

It’s free to visit, although donations are always appreciated.

6. Spanish Arch and the Long Walk

The Spanish Arch and the Long Walk are right next to the museum and they’re 2 of the city’s most famous landmarks.

The Arch dates back to Medieval Galway and it overlooks the Claddagh (once an ancient fishing village).

The Spanish Arch was originally used to house the soldiers that kept watch over Galway City’s Medieval walls.

From the Spanish Arch, you can take a short stroll alongside the water to what’s known as ‘The Long Walk’.

You’ll likely have seen pictures of it (it’s a line of colourful buildings right on the water).

Now, you have a choice – you can either walk to Salthill (takes 25-minutes) or you can drive (takes 5).

I’d recommend you drive, as the stop after lunch is a little along the coast.

There’s plenty of restaurants in Salthill but, if you want a recommendation for just one, it’s hard to go wrong with the Gourmet Food Parlour.

Have lunch and then head for a ramble alongside Salthill Beach and up towards Blackrock Diving Tower.

8. Barna Woods and/or Silverstrand

The last stop on day 1 of your weekend in Galway is Barna – an 8-minute drive from Salthill.

Now, you’ve a few options here (you can do both if you have time):

• Option 1: Do the 2.4km looped Barna Woods Walk (takes 35 minutes)
• Option 2: Head for a stroll along Silver Strand
• Option 3: Do both

9. Galway City for the evening

You’re a 10-minute drive from Galway City when you leave Barna.

Head back to your accommodation (here’s where to stay in Galway) and chill for a bit.

There are several ways to round off night 1 of this Galway itinerary:

• Restaurants in Galway: Ard Bia and Kai are both excellent
• Pubs in Galway: As you can see from my map above, I have 5 go-tos
• Non drinking activities: The 1.5-hour dark history night tour or the Trad Music Show

Day 2: Connemara

Day 2 of your 3 days in Galway sees you explore the magnificent Connemara region.

There’s a decent bit of driving needed today, but it’ll be broken up nicely, so you won’t spent too much time in the car.

Grab breakfast at your hotel or, if it isn’t included, try the city’s Jungle Cafe.

You’ll need some walking gear with your for today, so make sure to dress for the weather and bring good footwear with you.

Stop 1. Lough Inagh

We’re going to break up the drive from the city to Diamond Hill with a stop at Lough Inagh.

Lough Inagh is a freshwater lake in the wild and rugged Inagh Valley and it’s a 1-hour drive from the city.

There’s a viewpoint with space to park here and, when you leave, follow this route along the lake to our next stop.

The road hugs the lake for a while before passing along a stretch with mountains either side.

2. The Diamond Hill hike (long and short option)

It’s only a 20-minute spin from Lough Inagh to the Connemara National Park Visitor Centre.

There are two Diamond Hill trails, but I’d recommend the Upper Diamond Hill trail, if fitness allows.

• The Upper Trail (strenuous): Is 6km and takes around 2 hours to complete
• The Lower Trail (moderate): Is 2.8km and takes around 45 minutes to complete

When you reach the top of the 445-metre-high summit, you’ll be treated to magnificent views across Connemara.

Diamond Hill will be likely be the highlight for most that follow this Galway itinerary.

3. Lunch in Letterfrack

When you finish the hike, it’s time for a bit of lunch.

Take the 5-minute spin into the village of Letterfrack and you’ll find a couple of options.

Personally, I always head to either Veldons, or the Hungry Hiker. 

4. Kylemore Abbey

You’ll find another highlight on this Galway road trip an 8-minute drive from Letterfrack – Kylemore Abbey, arguably one of the most popular places to visit in Galway.

You’ll see this impressive Benedictine monastery from the moment you pull into the car park.

It’s situated in a prime position on the shores of Pollacapall Lough, where it has been since the 1920s.

You can take a self-guided tour of the abbey, explore the beautiful Neo-Gothic church and walk (or take a shuttle) up to the Victorian Walled Gardens.

5. Clifden and the Sky Road

When you leave Kylemore, take the 25-minute drive out to Clifden – one of the most popular small towns in Ireland.

Park up and grab a coffee (Upstairs Downstairs Cafe is a great little spot!) and head for a saunter around the town.

When you’re ready, the Sky Road awaits!

This is a scenic, 16km looped drive that makes its way around the beautiful Kingston Peninsula, passing the off-the-beaten-path Clifden Castle en route.

Now, two warnings for those doing this drive:

• Warning 1: Drive slowly as this road is used by walkers and cyclists
• Warning 2: Make sure to take the upper road as it’ll afford you the best views

6. Dog’s Bay

The final stop on day 2 of your 3 days in Galway takes you to one of the best beaches in Ireland, a 25-minute drive from Clifden.

Now, a warning (yes, another one…) – if you’re doing this Galway itinerary in summer, avoid Dog’s Bay.

It. Is. An. Absolute. Disaster. During. The. Warmer. Months!

Accessed by a narrow road and with very limited parking, this place gets mobbed during peak season.

However, if you’re visiting either 1, during off season or 2, during the week in peak season, you’re in for a treat.

This is a spectacular horseshoe-shaped bay with 1.5km of white sand and crystal-clear water to enjoy.

7. Back to Galway for the night

You’ve a 1-hour-and-20-minute drive back to Galway to round off day 2 of your weekend in Galway.

Here are some places where you can eat, drink, and be merry in the city:

• Food: Ard Bia, The Quay Street Kitchen, and Dela
• Live music:Tigh Neachtain, The Crane or Tigh Chóilí.

If you’re only spending 48 hours in Galway, your trip ends here. If you have 3 days, continue on!

Day 3: Inis Mór

The last day of your 3 days in Galway takes you away from the mainland and over to Inis Mór – the largest of the 3 Aran Islands.

This tour has excellent reviews, is good value and it leaves right from the city. Here’s what you need to know:

• Departs: From Galway City Docks
• Takes you to: Inis Mór where you’ll spend 4.5 hours seeing the Wormhole and Dun Aonghasa
• On the return journey: It sails below the Cliffs of Moher

Wrapping up this weekend in Galway itinerary

Hopefully the itinerary above will prove useful for those of you spending 72 or 48 hours in Galway.

There’s plenty to see and do in this county, but if you follow the route above you’ll see the best of it.

If you have any questions or comments, let me know below. Cheers!

A Galway road trip for those without a car

If you’re using public transport and you’re trying to decided how many days in Galway makes sense, try the itinerary below.

You can either do the full thing or just take 2 days in Galway, picking the ones that suit you best.

Day 1: Galway City

• Galway Cathedral
• Spanish Arch
• Hall of Red Earl
• Galway Museum
• Long walk
• Scenic River Corrib Cruise

Day 2: Connemara Day Trip

• This organised day tour of Connemara and Cong

Day 3: Aran Islands + Moher Day Trip

• This day trip to the Aran Islands and Cliffs of Moher