Galway Hotels - Guide to Galway Attractions and Tours
Our guide to Galway Attractions and Tours will help you make the best use of your time on your visit to this beautiful region of Ireland. This guide includes information on sightseeing tours, as well as the best places to do some shopping in Galway City. For information on Pubs and nightlife in Galway, visit our Pubs in Galway page. For information on Restaurants in Galway, visit our Restaurants in Galway page.
Some Galway History
Founded when the Anglo-Normans settled the eastern bank of the River Corrib in the 13th Century, relics of its medieval past are scattered throughout Galway City. Often known as the "City of the Tribes", it developed this name because of the powerful merchant families who once ruled the fortified city state. A charming mix of the historic and the modern, ancient buildings and monuments stand next to modern structures, making Galway a fascinating city to explore. Much of Galway City is pedestrianised, and as a result, the best way to explore the city is by foot.
Sightseeing Tours of Galway City
For visitors with only a limited period of time available to spend sightseeing in Galway, a bus tour of the city may be the best option. O'Neachtain tours run the Galway Sightseeing Tour, in an open topped red and cream bus. This tour departs every hour on the half past the hour, from 10.30 am - 5.30 pm, from outside the Tourist Office at Eyre Square. The tour visits all of the major sites and streets around Galway City, and you can "hop on" and "hop off" as much as you like. Tickets are valid for 24 hours and can be purchased in the Tourist Office or on board the bus. Ticket prices are €11 for Adults, and €10 for Children.
Tours of County Galway
Visitors with more time on their hands should take the opportunity to visit County Galway, a particularly scenic region of Ireland. Several companies operate tours around the county, a selection of which we present to you here...
Ireland West Tours
Ireland West Tours, one of our favourite tour operators, offer an excellent car tour service. Tours are custom designed for each client, offering visitors a top class combination of flexibility and convenience. Visitors can tour their chosen parts of County Galway in a modern car with a tour guide/driver who is familiar with the area. Clients can also choose the length of their tour. Essentially, you can choose where you want to go, for how long, where you want to take a break, and where you want to spend more time exploring. You won't spend any time worrying about getting lost, or asking people for directions! If this tailored, flexible option sounds like the tour for you, contact Ireland West Tours for more information on: +353 (0)91 753 103.
Lally Coach Tours
For visitors who would prefer a coach tour, Lally Coaches offer a fine selection of tours to cater for your sightseeing requirements. Lally Tours operate full day tours around the scenic Connemara and Burren regions. During the peak season season they also operate half day tours, catering for visitors who are on a tighter schedule. Adult tickets cost approximately €25, but we advise that you contact them directly in order to avail of the most up to date rates. For further information on Lally Coach Tours, contact them by telephone on: +353 (0)91 562905.
Visiting the Aran Islands
For those who really want to experience the traditional culture of Ireland, a visit to the beautifully rugged Aran Islands is a must. Renowned throughout the world, these islands, part of the "Gaeltacht",or Irish speaking region of Galway, are rich in the traditional language, culture and heritage of Ireland. These islands are full of picturesque cottages, awesome cliffs, patchwork fields, beautiful unspoilt beaches, ancient ruined churches, and on Inis Mór (Inishmore) - the famous Dun Aenghusa fort which dates from the Iron Age. A visit to these islands is an unforgettable experience, which will not disappoint.
The islands can be accessed by ferry or by air. Ferries to the islands operate from the docks in Galway City (Journey time approximately 90 minutes), from Connemara, and from Doolin in County Clare. For further information on ferries to the islands, visit the Aran Islands Ferries website. For information on flights to the Aran Islands, visit the Aer Arann website. This is the quickest way to reach the islands, and flights depart regularly from Inverin airport.
Shopping in Galway
Galway's compact size makes it the ideal location for some retail therapy. Galway's main shopping centres and high street shopping areas offer visitors an excellent selection of mainstream shops, as well as specialist stores and boutiques. The main shopping streets are centred around Eyre Square - Dominick Street, and (the aptly named) Shop Street. Most shopping streets in Galway are pedestrianised, and visitors will enjoy taking a stroll around to browse for an eyecatching bargain.
Galway also offers several enclosed shopping centres, which mean that visitors can still enjoy some retail therapy during wet weather. The most central of these is the Eyre Square Shopping Centre, although the Dunnes Stores Shopping centre, situated a little further from the City Centre, is also well worth investigating.
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