Where to Stay in Galway: A Local Guide to the Best Areas
Choosing where to stay in Galway depends on the kind of trip you have planned. The city centre is convenient for restaurants, shops and traditional pubs, while Salthill offers a seaside setting and easy access to the promenade. Quieter areas may suit visitors who prefer more space or are travelling by car. In this guide, we explain the main areas to consider, how to get around and what to look for when choosing a Galway apartment.
City Centre
Staying in the city centre is great if you want to experience the buzz of the city without having to drive, grab a taxi or use a bus. During the summer especially, the streets are alive with activity and people are spilling out of bars and restaurants.
Galway is a very walkable city. It’s about a 10 minute stroll from Eyre Square down Shop Street right to the end of Quay Street in the Latin Quarter. Shop Street/Williamsgate Street is the main shopping area of Galway. There is a wide selection of restaurants and bars to choose from (Check out my guide ‘Best restaurants and bars in Galway’)
Galway offers a good choice of holiday rentals in the centre but be careful to check accessibility and size as some apartments are smaller in this area. Additionally most apartments will not come with parking. Free street parking is difficult to find but there is a good selection of paid car parks and parking areas throughout the city. Check out the end of this guide for a comprehensive list of carparks.
However with the buzz of the bars and restaurants also comes the noise especially in summer when the the outside areas of the bars and restaurants are teaming with people eating and drinking.
The pros and cons to staying here
- Pros: colourful streets, home to excellent pubs/restaurants and there’s always a lively buzz
- Cons: always busy, can be noisy and accommodation is more expensive and can book out
Claddagh / Father Griffin Road
This location offers the best of both worlds. A close 15 mins walk into the start of the bars and restaurants and a short walk away from the beach promenade. You are away from the direct noise of the centre but close enough to walk back to your accommodation at the end of the day or night. Free on street parking is not readily available but if you are prepared to park a 5-10 min walk away there are definitely possibilities. There is also a sizable supermarket and pharmacy close by. The walk into the centre brings you past the famous Long Walk and from there right into the Latin Quarter. There is also a nice playground on the walk into the centre where you can see the swans and their little signets.
The pros and cons to staying here
- Pros: easy stroll to centre, less noisy
- Cons: free on street parking is challenging
Salthill
Salthill is a great area if you are keen to enjoy beach walks or even a dip off the famous Blackrock diving boards! If you want to be close to the centre but at the same time enjoy the coast and have quick access to Connemara, Salthill is the ideal location. You can walk along the promenade all the way to the city centre in about 30-50 minutes depending on which end of Salthill you choose to stay. There is a bus that goes directly to the city centre from the promenade so if you start off walking and feel like a rest you can hop on the 401 which will bring you to Eyre Square.
If playing a round or two of golf is on your list of priorities when visiting Galway, staying in Salthill gives you easy access to a number of golf courses.
Parking is also easier in Salthill. Accommodation typically has parking and there is free parking along the promenade area. Another good option is to drive to the end of the promenade around Grattan road and then leave your car parked there for free and walk from there which will take about 15-20 mins to reach the centre.
Salthill is a great choice for coastal walks, family activities and enjoying a slower pace while remaining within reach of the city.
The pros and cons to staying here
- Pros: tranquil area, close to centre, beach walks, easy access to Connemara
- Cons: busy if the weather is good. Other than that, none.
Terryland / Headford Road
This is a great area if you plan to use Galway as your base and travel to places such as the Cliffs of Moher, Aran Islands, Kinvara. The location means you are very close to the city centre but can easily access the exit routes out of Galway avoiding Galway traffic. Also ideal if you are travelling for business or are off to the Galway Races! A taxi to the centre takes just 7 mins and there are buses that take you directly to Eyre Square. This area is typically a little cheaper too so if budget is a concern this is a good option. Most holiday rentals will have parking and if not, free on street parking is not an issue. There is also a sizable retail park nearby where you can find a large supermarket, clothing store, hairdressers, pharmacy, etc.
The pros and cons to staying here
- Pros: tranquil area, close to centre, easy access to Galway Races and other routes if you want to use Galway as base.
- Cons: 20-30 min walk, but you can get a bus or taxi.
Westside
Westside is another good option if you want to be close enough to walk but away from the noise of the city centre. There is a great retail park in the westside area where you can find a large supermarket selling specialty cheese, sushi, pizza, roast chickens, etc which foodies will enjoy. Great for quick and easy dinners if you are not keen on eating out every night.
Again a lot of rentals will have parking and on street parking is not an issue. There are multiple buses which run along the main westside road that take you to Eyre Square.
The pros and cons to staying here
- Pros:quiet area, close to centre, easy access to Connemara.
- Cons: 20-30 min walk, but you can get a bus or taxi.
We hope that after reading this guide you have a better idea of where to stay in Galway. If you’re looking for an itinerary for the whole Galway area, try my Galway road trip itinerary. Also feel free to reach out to me for further tips and travel questions – info@harbourlinecollection.ie.
harbourlinecollection.ie has a selection of superior accommodation in most of the locations mentioned in this guide. Book directly with us for best rates and discounts!
Car Parks Around Galway
Car Park
Eircode
Best For
Cathedral Car Park
H91 A780
Galway Cathedral, the river and city-centre attractions
Dyke Road Car Park
H91 C9PP
The Black Box Theatre and north side of the centre
Mill Street Car Park
H91 FX61
Mill Street and nearby city-centre attractions
Bowling Green Car Park
H91 DP11
Bowling Green and the surrounding area
More information about parking in Galway city can be found in the Galway Council website