Top Day Trips From Galway

Galway is a brilliant base for wandering. The city’s creative energy, good food and easy going pace are only the beginning. Venture a little further and you’ll find coastal villages, rugged landscapes, hidden beaches and tiny towns with big character. These are the kind of day trips that give you a proper feel for the west- relaxed, memorable and very much worthwhile.

Connemara National Park

Think hills, bogland and a shoreline that invite slow walking, quiet breathing and a welcome dose of green. There are short trails for a gentle wander and longer routes if you are after something a little more adventurous. Bring sturdy shoes, a jacket and a readiness to be struck by beauty on your own terms.
If you want a simple way in, start at the Visitor Centre and take one of the shorter loop walks just to acquaint yourself with the space. If the day is on your side and you’re feeling up for it, the Diamond Hill hike brings broad views that make you glad you came.

The Wild Atlantic Way

If you enjoy the open road, this one is well worth it. The Wild Atlantic Way is one of the world’s great coastal routes, and the stretch around Galway has a way of standing out.
The drive winds past rugged cliffs, long beaches and villages that feel comfortably themselves. Stop in Kinvara for seafood by the harbour, or head to Spiddal for a taste of everyday west coast life. Each journey feels a little different, shaped by the light, the weather and whatever catches your eye along the way.

The Burren

The Burren is a landscape that almost defies expectation. Pale limestone pavements stretch wide, punctuated by wildflowers in spring and tiny pockets of green that surprise you as you walk. It feels elemental, unusual, almost other-wordly.
There are walking trails you can pop in and out of, as well as quiet villages like Ballyvaughan and Lisdoonvarna along the edges where you can rest, eat and let the quiet sink in before heading back to Galway city.

The Aran Islands

A day on the Aran Islands feels like stepping into a different rhythm. Ferries depart from the mainland and transport you to a world of dry stone walls, rocky coastlines and the kind of wind that makes you feel alive. You can cycle, walk or simply sit by the sea and drink in the broad views across Galway Bay.
Inis Mór, the largest island, is home to Dún Aonghasa: a cliffside fort with Atlantic wind and spectacular views that repay the trip. Plan your day so you have plenty of time as, once you’re there, it’s hard not to slow down and take it all in.

Salthill Promenade and Beaches

If you are after something closer to Galway itself, Salthill Promenade is a lovely seaside stretch with views across the bay, cafés that make a good coffee stop and little beaches too cool off in the summer. The famous Blackrock Diving Tower makes for a bit of spectacle, whether you are watching others or daring yourself to take the leap.

What Makes These Trips Worth It

The west of Ireland is not about rushing. It’s about space, texture and the stories you find along the way. Whether it’s sweeping hills, coastal air or villages with a quiet heartbeat, these day trips give you a sense of place that stays with you.

 

Book Now