The Best Day Trips from Galway
Located on the west coast of Ireland, Galway is one of the countries most popular cities. It’s known for having authentic Irish ‘craic’ in the form of great pubs, dining, live music and more. There’s lots of things to see and do (much of it for free!) making it a favourite place for travellers to Ireland to visit. Galway is small, but it makes a great base for travellers looking to explore Ireland’s west coast. From the Cliffs of Moher to the Aran Islands, here are the best day trips from Galway, Ireland.
PS: Planning a trip to Ireland? Check out my itineraries.
The Cliffs of Moher
The Cliffs of Moher are an absolute must-see for any first-time traveller in Ireland. They are accessible from multiple cities, including Dublin, but it’s pretty easy to go from Galway to the Cliffs of Moher as it’s only about 1.5 hours away.
It is possible to take a local bus from Galway to the Cliffs of Moher, but it’s long, includes a number of stops, and can be limiting. For that reason, unless you are renting a car (if you are, check out my DIY Cliffs of Moher Guide here), then I recommend taking a guided day trip.
Most day trips from Galway to the Cliffs of Moher are full days that include a stop in the Burren as well. The Burren is definitely worth a visit; it’s an interesting landscape and home to lot of interesting historical sites including the Aillwee Cave. However, if you are short on time, not interested in the Burren, or maybe just not an early riser, there are express tours that visit just the Cliffs of Moher.
Whatever you choose, the Cliffs of Moher are a must see and one of the best day trips from Galway.
For the Cliffs of Moher and the Burren, consider this tour.
For an Express Tour of the Cliffs of Moher, book this tour.
The Aran Islands
A visit to the Aran Islands is like stepping back in time. Fishing, farming, thatched cottages, and the Irish Gaelic language add to the old-world charm on these islands. Personally, this part of Ireland is one of my all-time favourites and definitely one of the best day trips from Galway.
There are three islands: Inis Mor, Inis Oirr, and Inis Meain. Inis Mor is the largest of the islands, and the most popular to visit as it has some incredible attractions such as Dun Aonghasa fort and the Worm Hole. To get to Inis Mor, you need to take a bus from Galway town to Ros a’Mhil port where you will catch the ferry to the islands. It’s advised to book ahead of time; so you can visit one of the tour providers in Galway to book your bus and ferry ticket as a package, or book ferry tickets online.
Once at the island, you can hire a bicycle or a horse and carriage ride to take you around the island. Please note that ferry times are specific, there are limited departure times (only 1 each way for most of the year) and travellers need to arrive 30 minutes prior to departure time.
If you’d prefer to join a tour to Inis Mor, consider this one.
Connemara and Kylemore Abbey
Connemara is one of the wildest parts of Ireland; winding roads through the mountains, beautiful lakes, and an innumerable amount of fluffy sheep. It’s pretty impossible to do a DIY tour of the area without a car, but since it’s so stunning it shouldn’t be missed so I absolutely recommend taking a guided day tour because it really is one of the best day trips from Galway.
Kylemore Abbey is a must when exploring Connemara. A fairytale abbey on the shores of a lake, its one of the most scenic places in the county. The beautiful abbey with its interesting history, a forest and lake shrouded in myths, and beautiful walled Victorian gardens make it the perfect spot for a day trip from Galway.
Explore Kylemore Abbey on a day trip from Galway with this tour
Western Ireland is absolutely beautiful and definitely worth exploring. Galway makes a great base for exploring this part of the country, but these are definitely the best day trips from Galway.
For more fun day trips and activities in Galway and beyond, take a look through Get Your Guide.
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Don’t forget travel insurance!
Please do not travel without travel insurance! I’ve had to use it multiple times throughout my travels and it has saved me thousands of dollars. You can learn more about travel insurance here. If you are looking for a provider I love and recommend SafetyWing. For Canadian readers, take a look at SoNomad.
Book your accommodation
I love and recommend booking.com for accommodation. They have a range of hostels, guesthouses, hotels, and resorts. Plus, the platform has a great loyalty program that means the more you book, the more you can save.
Book your tours
My go-to tour provider that I love to recommend is GetYourGuide. They have options all over the world and partner with local companies for everything from day trips to food experiences and even airport transfers.
Get connected
If you want to have data while travelling for online maps or any other needs, an esim is one of the easiest solutions. I’m a big fan of Airalo and have used their sim cards around the world from Brazil to Uzbekistan, Greece to the USA. It’s really easy- you download the app, pick what country you want an esim for, and after you purchase it follow the installation instructions. You can use promo code HANNAH3326 to save $3USD on your next esim purchase.
Not sure what to pack?
I have destination-specific guides for some countries but you can also check my travel essentials and camera gear if you are looking for some ideas.
Looking for a travel buddy?
Check out my group trips!