The next stop on your Irish vacation, the beautiful Galway!
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While making the haul away from Dublin to the western coast of Ireland may seem like an out-of-the-way adventure, we at Emerald Student Travel can’t recommend enough making the trip to Galway, Ireland. Galway city, in county Galway, is a town built around the Port of Galway and is steeped in history and culture. While the coastal city is the Republic of Ireland’s 4th largest city by population, Galway is renowned for its cozy, welcoming atmosphere, making it a popular destination for Irish locals and visitors alike.
Perhaps one of the best things about Galway is its representation of Irish and European culture, which is on full display in the town’s restaurants, historical sites, shops, and nightlife. However, making the most of your trip while working with a limited timeframe can be tricky, which is why we have put together a list of some of our favorite things to do In Galway, geared specifically toward the student who is travelling on a budget. With this guide, anyone can organize a trip to Galway that will provide nonstop fun from 5 key angles: Culture, Food, Activities, Nightlife, and Accommodation that won’t break the bank!
Let’s get started! Here are our suggestions for an incredible weekend trip to Galway for less than €100.
Galway Culture: Galway Museum and Galway Farmer’s Market
Galway City Museum:
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Who doesn’t want to start off their Galway Adventure with some FREE cultural destinations?
The highly rated Galway Museum, located on the banks of the River Corrib in Galway’s Latin District, is a perfect destination for the history buff or curious learner who wants to learn more about Irish and Gaelic history and the natural landscape around Ireland’s Wild Atlantic Way. The museum currently offers fascinating exhibits that highlight the Gaelic Culture in Ireland between AD1200 and 1600, the Revolution in Ireland and Galway between the years 1913 and 1923, as well as a scientific display about the ecosystem of the Atlantic Ocean that provides the scenic backdrop for Ireland’s western coast.
When you’re finished with the Museum, take a few seconds to make the short walk to the Spanish Arch, a portion of defensive wall that was constructed in 1584 and still stands today.
Galway Farmer’s Market:
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For those travelers who would rather experience Galway’s culture in a less overtly historical context, we suggest that you take a trip to Galway’s City Centre for their weekend Farmer’s Market and grocery. Here, patrons can browse the stalls and admire or shop for fresh produce, hot food, and locally produced crafts. Be sure to engage the shopkeepers and the locals in conversation, where you can chat with them, hear their stories, and make new friends! While the Farmer’s Market may seem like a modern institution, the street market located by St. Nicholas’ Church has been a bustling location for trade and activity for many centuries. While visiting the market and engaging with the locals, travelers are engaging in a rich historical tradition that has been going on in Galway for hundreds of years. Talk about an interactive history lesson!
Price: FREE ENTRY plus additional shopping opportunities
Galway Food: McDonagh’s Fish and Chips, The Dough Bros
Now that you’ve explored the cultural history of Galway, you’ve probably worked yourself up quite the appetite! Here are some of our suggestions for the best bites in Galway.
McDonagh’s Fish and Chips:
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McDonagh’s is a local Galway institution that has operated on the city’s Quay Street since 1902. Their proximity to the Atlantic allows them to acquire the freshest fish and seafood that one can get in Ireland, and they peel their potatoes every morning to ensure that they can offer delicious chips with every plate. This traditional Fish and Chips shop is a must for those who enjoy seafood and have a craving for some true Irish cuisine.
Price: Fish and Chips for less than €11 a plate
The Dough Bros:
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For something a bit less traditional, we highly recommend trying The Dough Bros Pizza, one of Galway’s highest rated restaurants and most popular pizza locations. Their wood fired ovens and locally sourced ingredients have helped them create some of the tastiest Italian-style pizzas in town. With a menu full of carefully designed pizza flavor creations, you’re sure to find a pie that will satisfy your cravings.
Price: Specialty Pizzas from €12 or less
Galway Activities: Day Trips and Half-Day Trips along the Wild Atlantic Way
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While you’re in Galway, it’s necessary that you explore the rest of the county and take in the views along the Wild Atlantic Way. Ireland’s western coast is perhaps the most scenic region of the country, and that’s why we suggest planning a day or half-day trip to one of the popular tourist destinations close to Galway. These organized bus trips will take the stress off of you and your party and allow you to sit back, relax, and enjoy the planned events that await you on your trip. Whether you visit the Cliffs of Moher, the Burren, the Aran Islands, Connemara National Park, or perhaps a few of these locations at once, you are guaranteed to be stunned by the natural beauty and the stories and tradition that surround each location.
Price: Many affordable trips, with prices ranging from €20-€40
Galway Accommodation: Kinlay Eyre Square Hostel
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Before you embark on your adventurous journey to Galway, it’s important that you find an inexpensive place to stay. While hotels can be very expensive, hostels are great, cheap ways to find a place to stay without going over budget. The Kinlay Eyre Square Hostel is a clean, safe, and professionally ran hostile that is located right on the main Eyre Square in Galway, just minutes from the Latin Quarter and main shopping and nightlife areas. The Hostel offers a free continental breakfast, free WiFi, a lounge area, and organized events that can help you familiarize yourself with the city and make friends with others who are staying in the hostel with you. With so many complimentary amenities, its top-notch security, and its prime location in Galway, the Kinlay Eyre Square Hostel will be the perfect place to call home during your visit!
Price: Shared room bookings as low as €19 per night
Galway Night Life: Tig Cóilí, Taaffes Bar, The Skeff Late Bar and Kitchen
After you’ve been fed, entertained, and situated your reservation at the Hostel, it’s time for the party to begin! There are plenty of spots for a lively night out in Galway, however, these are three of our favorite spots to grab a pint and enjoy the craic!
Tig Cóilí:
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Tig Cóilí is a traditional Irish Pub located on the main shopping strip in the Latin Quarter and has provided the visitors of Galway with pints and a taste of the local music for many years. Here, you can cozy up to the bar and enjoy the traditional music that plays seven nights a week or grab a table towards the back of the pub and have a chat with your friends. Arrive early though, because this popular pub will fill up very quickly!
Taaffes Bar:
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If the Tig Cóilí is full, then make the short walk across the street to Taaffes Bar, another one of Galway’s most popular traditional pubs. More music and drinks await you at Taaffes, where there will surely be many locals and tourists who are there to enjoy the lively atmosphere. This is another small, historical pub that will fill up very quickly, but if you’re lucky enough to get a table near the stage for the live music, then you will surely be in for a grand time.
The Skeff - Late Bar and Kitchen:
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For those travelers who are looking for something a bit less traditional, The Skeff Late Bar and Kitchen will be the perfect spot for you. Located on Eyre Square, just minutes form the Kinlay Hostel, this bar is much bigger than the previous two and offers a more modern atmosphere. Here, you can get cocktails or other spirits and enjoy the live music, hit the dance floor, or head upstairs to grab a table and relax with your friends.
Price: Less than €7 per pint
When visiting Galway, it is important to remember that there is an opportunity for a new, exciting experience around every corner. Galway proves that you don’t have to be in a big city like Dublin or Cork in order to have a good time, and its proximity to incredible natural beauty as well as a lively nighttime atmosphere will ensure that there is something for everyone to enjoy. Hopefully, using these suggestions, you and your travel companions will be able to get lost in Galway’s rich tradition and embrace the Irish culture, all without breaking the bank. As always, reach out to us if you have any questions!
Sláinte!
Emerald Student Travel