County Galway
County Galway combines Galway city with Connemara’s mountains and Atlantic coast, plus the Aran Islands. Plan your route around the places you want to visit.
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County Galway is on Ireland’s west coast. Galway city is its main urban center; farther west, Connemara has mountains, bogs, lakes and a rugged coastline. The county also includes the Aran Islands, where stone walls divide fields and Irish is spoken in local communities. In Galway city, historic streets and pubs offer a change of pace from outdoor trips.
County Galway suits travelers combining a city stay with coastal scenery, short hikes or time on the islands. Choose a base near the places you most want to see; getting between them takes planning. Late spring through early fall brings longer days for outdoor plans, but Atlantic weather can change quickly. Set aside several days for Galway city and the west of the county, and allow an extra day for the Aran Islands.
County Galway in five
- Book the Aran Islands ferryFerries to the Aran Islands leave from Rossaveel, west of Galway city. Check your ticket for the departure port. Flights to the islands leave from Connemara Airport.
- Check your ferry connectionRossaveel is outside Galway city, so arrange transport to the port as well as the ferry crossing. Confirm bus and ferry times together before you set out.
- Carry a contactless cardContactless payment is common, but carry a bank card or some cash for places that do not accept it.
- Check entry rules for IrelandEntry requirements depend on your passport. Ireland is outside the Schengen Area, so check the rules for your nationality before you travel.Visas and entry
- Allow for rural journeysBuses and trains do not reach every village or coastal stop. Check the route and return service before relying on public transport.Getting around
Things to do in County Galway
See all attractions in County Galway
Need to know
- Currency
- Euro (EUR)
- Entry
- Visa-free short stays for many passports Read more
- Emergency
- 112 or 999 for police, fire and ambulance
- Tipping
- Not expected; rounding up or leaving a tip is discretionary
- Time
- UTC+0 in winter, UTC+1 during daylight saving
Weather by month
- Best
- Good
- Mixed
- Poor
- JanuaryShort, wet days
- FebruaryCold, quiet
- MarchMilder days
- AprilLonger days
- MayMild, green
- JuneLong, mild days
- JulyPeak summer
- AugustBusy, mild
- SeptemberFewer crowds
- OctoberShorter days
- NovemberCool, quiet
- DecemberShort, wet days
Right now in County Galway
Local time, today's weather and the exchange rate, refreshed through the day.
8
- Feels like
- 6°
- Humidity
- 90%
- Wind
- 12 km/h
- Chance of rain
- 0%
Galway
08:48 PM
Monday, November 2
- Today11°1°0%Monday: Cloudy. High 11°, Low 1°. Chance of rain 0%.
- Tue12°2°0%Tuesday: Cloudy. High 12°, Low 2°. Chance of rain 0%.
- Wed11°3°0%Wednesday: Cloudy. High 11°, Low 3°. Chance of rain 0%.
- Thu11°6°6%Thursday: Cloudy. High 11°, Low 6°. Chance of rain 6%.
- Fri10°7°12%Friday: Drizzle. High 10°, Low 7°. Chance of rain 12%.
- Sat9°5°10%Saturday: Cloudy. High 9°, Low 5°. Chance of rain 10%.
- Sun7°4°11%Sunday: Cloudy. High 7°, Low 4°. Chance of rain 11%.
Updated 06:18 PM local time · Powered by WeatherAPI.com · Weather data by Open-Meteo.com
Every year
- JulGalway International Arts FestivalGalway, a day trip
Before you go to County Galway
Rules for County Galway, checked
Plan around County Galway
Ferry and island information for a trip off the Galway coast.
Read the guideGetting aroundPlan transport around Ireland's towns, rural areas and islands.
Read the guideMoney and costsCurrency, cards and practical money advice for Ireland.
Read the guideVisas and entryCheck entry requirements for your passport before travelling.
Read the guideWhere to stayBrowse accommodation guides for planning a stay.
Read the guideIrelandExplore travel guides for destinations around Ireland.
Read the guideCounty Galway FAQ
How many days do you need in County Galway?
Allow at least two or three days for Galway city and a trip into the county. Add a day for the Aran Islands, since ferry travel takes up much of the day.
How do you get from Galway city to the Aran Islands?
Ferries leave from Rossaveel, west of Galway city, and flights leave from Connemara Airport. Check your ticket for the departure point and arrange the journey there separately.
Can you visit the Aran Islands as a day trip from Galway?
Yes, but check ferry times and transport to and from the departure port before you go. The crossing and onward travel take up much of the day.
Do you need a car in County Galway?
No, but a car makes it easier to reach rural places and coastal stops that are not well served by public transport. Check return bus times if travelling without one.
What currency is used in County Galway?
The currency is the euro. Cards are widely used, but carrying a bank card or some cash is useful for places that do not accept contactless payment.
Is County Galway in the Schengen Area?
No. Ireland is outside the Schengen Area, so check Irish entry rules for your passport even if you hold a Schengen visa.