Galway is a charming city with a compact center that contrasts nicely with the hustle and bustle of Dublin. It’s the best place to see traditional music performances, which are often free in pubs throughout the city. Hotels in Galway are reasonably priced compared to those in the capital as well, as are the few hostels with dorm rooms in the city.
There aren’t many real attractions as such in the city, as it’s more of a jumping off point for trips to the Cliffs of Moher and the Aran Islands among other places. The pleasant downtown near the docks is worth part of a day at least.
| Population | 73,000 |
| Area | 230,000 |
| Timezone | UTC+0 |
| Currency | Euro |
| Airports | Galway Airport (GWY), Shannon Airport (SNN) |
Food and drinks in Galway are, once again, more affordable than in Dublin, but still expensive by many other standards. Pints of Guinness are about one euro less here, for example, but still more expensive than in places like Berlin or Amsterdam.
| Budget breakfast | Many hotels include breakfast. If yours doesn't you've got several options in the city center. | $4.35 - $6.52 |
| Budget lunch | There are small restaurants everywhere you look, including many pubs that serve food as well. | $7.61 - $11.96 |
| Budget dinner | Many pubs have dinner specials and also host casual traditional music performances. | $9.78 - $14.13 |
| Pint of beer | Guinness is available everywhere, as are local lagers. Prices are lower in Galway than in Dublin, thankfully. | $4.35 - $5.43 |
| Month | High F | Low F | Precip (inches) |
|---|---|---|---|
| January | 49 | 40 | 4.7 |
| February | 49 | 39 | 3.1 |
| March | 51 | 40 | 3.5 |
| April | 55 | 42 | 2.6 |
| May | 60 | 46 | 3.0 |
| June | 65 | 51 | 3.0 |
| July | 68 | 54 | 2.7 |
| August | 67 | 54 | 4.0 |
| September | 63 | 51 | 4.3 |
| October | 58 | 48 | 5.1 |
| November | 53 | 43 | 4.5 |
| December | 50 | 41 | 4.8 |
Galway has a very mild climate, with temperatures during summer rarely becoming uncomfortable and also rarely going below freezing during winter. The city does receive far more rain than Dublin though, so even if you aren’t bringing rain gear for that stop then you might still need it here. The warm summer months, from May through September, are also the driest months.
Rain can come down in buckets here, unlike the steady drizzle you might get in London, so it’s a good idea to bring protective gear or clothes, especially if you are coming outside of summer.
| 21 Mar | 6:37am | 6:51pm |
| 21 Jun | 5:08am | 10:08pm |
| 21 Sep | 7:20am | 7:38pm |
| 21 Dec | 8:49am | 4:19pm |
Especially since Galway’s weather is by far the nicest and most predictable during summer, this is also definitely high season. The peak season at Galway hotels and hostels in July and August, but May, June, and September are also considered high season at most places.
The Christmas holiday period can also be busy so if you are planning on coming then you should book as far in advance as possible. Aside from that you should have no problem finding a room upon arrival if you are traveling from October through April.
| Rating | Price(USD) |
|---|---|
 | 32.61 - 54.35 |
| 64.13 - 86.96 |
| 41.30 - 140.22 |
| 54.35 - 135.87 |
| 163.04 - 217.39 |
| Type | Price(USD) |
|---|---|
| Hostel Bed | 18.48 - 28.26 |