Top Places to Visit in Galway City
Wild, bohemian and full of culture
Galway City has everything you need all within walking distance from the front door of The House Hotel – hurray for you, no taxi fares!
To see what exciting gigs, events, sports or live music is happening locally we recommend checking out Galway’s Quarters.
The nightlife in The Latin Quarter is arguably the best in the country from daily trad sessions to live bands every night, cocktail bars to pubs serving the finest pint of Guinness. It’s choice of restaurants doesn’t disappoint either, from gourmet restaurants to delicious street food. Watching the world go by as you enjoy a coffee is even a hobby in itself! Defined by some of the city’s most historic landmarks and stretches from the Spanish Arch at Long Walk to O’Brien’s Bridge to St Nicholas’ Church and back (via Buttermilk Lane) to An Taibhdhearc on Middle Street. Ideal for some retail therapy, visit the selection of unique boutiques and retailers, many of which are owner-ran family businesses selling local crafts, antique jewellery, handmade souvenirs and much more.
When you get here you know you’ve discovered the soul of the city, where the locals are a little bohemian and maybe a little eccentric, but always friendly…
The area moves to a different beat than the rest of the city which allows independent boutique businesses to flourish. Many businesses have been here for generations and supply the needs of the bountiful restaurants and bars that have won awards around the world and stamped the area on the food map even if you won’t always find it on a tourist map. Galway’s West End is saturated in culture where many of the Cities festivals were conceived in snugs of the bars and venues. You won’t be short for choice of where to enjoy a pint more than likely served by the owner. No two bars are the same but the locals like to be regulars in all of them. Irish speaking organizations and a fantastic arts scene including an Arts centre, galleries, theatre and music every night of the week keep the area vibrant.
The heart of Galway city, Eyre Square (‘An Fhaiche Mhór’ in Irish) in the heart of Galway City, is officially known as the John F. Kennedy Memorial Park. The square has a rich history dating back to medieval times when markets took place on the green in front of the town gates. Nowadays its full of excellent shopping, bars a plenty and dining for all tastebuds. It is also home to our beautiful sister property The Hardiman and its new pub MacNeill’s which we highly recommend visiting for a bite to eat or a cosy drink. it is home to the largest shopping centre in the city, the Eyre Square Centre which has over 70 shops.
A stone’s throw away from Eyre Square, Woodquay is the perfect place to visit to enjoy great food and drink with pals or experience some of the local culture while enjoying stunning waterside views. While it’s tucked away from the busyness of Shop Street, Woodquay remains to be a must visit location for all Galway visitors. With fantastic pubs and independent shops, not to mention the Town Hall Theatre , there are plenty of reasons why you need to add a visit to Woodquay to your holiday itinerary.
Salthill has great community spirit with over 60 business’ dedicated to make your visit something to remember. Salthill (Irish: Bóthar na Trá) is a seaside area in the city of Galway. There is a 2 km long promenade, locally known as the Prom, don’t forget the Galway tradition of ‘kicking the wall’ when you’ve completed your walk along the prom!
Salthill overlooks Galway Bay and has several bars and restaurants, entertainment and shops. Enjoy the likes of the show ‘Trad on the Prom’, the Galway Atlantaquaria, the Curry’s Amusement park during the summer & more. Be advised..bring a raincoat for our changeable Galway weather!!!
