Top Western Ireland How to Get Around

Explore Galway city with a local guide, who will make sure you see all the famous landmarks in town, but show you some hidden ones you may not find if you were on a self-guided tour. Wear comfortable shoes, since you’ll be covering a bit of ground as you travel between points of interest. Start in Eyre Square, learn about the Browne Doorway, check out statues, castles, churches, and much more along the way.

There are many activities you can do to get to know the real Ireland, but none quite like this Leenaun Killary Sheep Farm Tour with Sheepdog Demonstration. This tour takes you through the farmland with the farmer himself as you learn about the practices of the farm and watch a sheepdog demonstration. Plus, hear a great deal about the inner workings of a sheep farm, too.

Explore the dark side of Sligo’s past and hear stories most tourists miss on a private walking tour featuring landmarks like Sligo Abbey and Sligo Gaol. Learn all about Bram Stoker’s Dracula inspiration, the cholera outbreak, Victorian crime, and W.B. Yeats’ works: feel free to leave the guidebook at home since your guide's insights are far more interesting.

Hear the legend of the Lynch family as you make your way through Galway, and decide what you think is really behind the murder the family is linked to. Wander around the city’s backstreets, hearing stories from your guide. Learn about the city, too, and let your guide recommend restaurants and pubs for you to try after your tour finishes. You might make new friends on this small-group tour, too.

Maximize your time in Galway with a 24 or 48-hour hop-on, hop-off bus ticket. Explore the city at your own pace, hopping off at more than 13 stops to visit landmarks like Eyre Square, Spanish Arch, and Salthill Promenade. Use the bus as often as you like during your ticket period for flexible sightseeing.

Explore Ireland's natural beauty on this tour, visiting Inisheer and the Cliffs of Moher. Enjoy free time on Inisheer Island, take a boat ride beneath the Cliffs of Moher, and visit the Cliffs of Moher Visitor Centre. See stunning landscapes, including The Burren and Dunguaire Castle, all in one unforgettable day.

Marvel at the natural majesty of the UNESCO World Heritage–listed Cliffs of Moher on a full-day trip from Galway. Travel south by luxury coach and pass through quaint fishing villages such as Doolin and Kinvara. Admire the ancient fortress of Dunguaire Castle; get acquainted with the Burren, a limestone landscape reminiscent of the moon; and spend two hours of free time walking the trails surrounding the colossal Cliffs of Moher.

Take a walking tour of Medieval Galway with an experienced regional guide and member of the Approved Tourist Guides of Ireland. See the remnants of the medieval period in Galway and learn about the city's past. Meet your guide at the Browne Doorway in Eyre Square where they will take you on an exciting tour to discover the city walls, Lynch's Memorial Window, the story of the Claddagh ring, Hall of the Red Earl, and much more. Hear how the 14 Tribes took control of Galway from the de Burgo's and made it one of the most important trading hubs along the western seaboard during the medieval period.

Make the most of your time in Galway city by booking this group tour, where your guide shows you the most important landmarks, plus some you wouldn't find on a self-guided tour. Besides sightseeing, you also try some local food and beverages. Your Irish storyteller of a guide fills you in on the history and culture of Galway as you walk through this beautiful city.

Take a ramble through the charming streets and alleyways of the heritage town of Westport, one of the few planned towns in Ireland. Laid out in Georgian style with tree lined promenades, this picturesque town is bursting with character. Colourful shop fronts house local artisan foods, quality restaurants and lively pubs. In the company of a local guide, immerse yourself in the culture and heritage of this beautiful town with plenty of tall tales and laughs along the way. Leave with new friends and lifelong memories of one of Ireland’s most beloved towns.

Make the most of your time in Galway by hopping on an electric bike and following your guide to the city’s top spots, and some hidden ones, too. This small, intimate group tour takes you by the city’s landmarks like Galway Cathedral, the Spanish Arch, and many more. Learn about the city’s history and culture from your local guide. If you’re feeling brave, take a dip in the sea at Blackrock Diving Board.

Galway might have a charming history that delights tourists, but as with any storied city, there are certainly darker tales below the surface. Discover chilling stories of murder, ghosts, and witchcraft as you navigate the city streets on this evening walking tour that takes you to some of Galway’s most haunted spots.

Embark on a thrilling road trip along Ireland’s Wild Atlantic Way on this full-day tour from Galway. Discover the natural wonders of Galway Bay and Connemara as you leave the tourist trail behind and journey along the coast. Admire views of Rosmuc, Derrygimlagh Bog and the Twelve Bens Mountains; visit the former residence of political leader Padraic Pearse; and stop for morning tea in Roundstone (not included). Finally, look out for wild Connemara ponies as you hike through Connemara National Park or pay a visit to the magnificent 19th-century Kylemore Abbey.

Experience Galway like a local on this private walking tour led by a friendly resident who knows the city best. Wander through lively streets, charming squares, and along scenic rivers as your guide shares stories, history, and insider tips that bring the city to life. With flexible durations from 2 to 6 hours, you can choose a relaxed stroll or a more immersive exploration, all at your own pace. Perfect for travelers seeking a personal and authentic introduction, this tour offers a warm welcome and a chance to discover Galway’s unique character firsthand.

Skip the roads, and take a ferry cruise from Galway to see the Cliffs of Moher and the Aran Islands, instead. As you travel by ferry, you’ll get unobstructed views of the coastline that’s known as the Wild Atlantic Way before you dock at Inishmore. Make the most of ample free time to explore, then head back to Galway, passing the UNESCO-listed Cliffs of Moher along the way.

Not everyone wants to spend their time at Cliffs of Moher—one of Ireland’s most stunning natural attractions—trailing behind a guide. Then again, renting a car can also be a hassle. Skip the fuss on this transport-only tour, which whisks you from Galway to the Cliffs of Moher and back by direct shuttle bus. Once there, enjoy free time to wander the clifftop trails on your own.

Head out to the gorgeous Aran Islands on this hassle-free small-group bike tour from Galway. Your guide organizes all the details, so you just need to show up ready for an adventure. You cover a lot more ground by bike than walking, so you see lots of landmarks including castles, ancient ruins, shipwrecks, and more. Explore Doolin and the Burren region, too.

Pedal Ireland's award-winning Great Western Greenway from Westport to Achill Island on German or Dutch electric bikes. Cycling 43km (27 miles) might seem daunting for families or casual riders, but these comfortable e-bikes make the journey effortless for all abilities. Follow the former railway line and take in views at Clew Bay, spot local goats grazing in Mulranny, and watch sheep wandering Achill's roads before catching the bus back.

Discover Belmullet the best way, with a local guide who brings the small town’s history to life through its stories. You’ll learn about Belmullet’s history, architecture, and culture through engaging commentary and visits to landmarks and little-known sights. Even better: The tour group is limited to just 12 people, so you’ll catch all the commentary easily and enjoy a more sociable experience.

Instead of going out to lunch one of the days you’re in Galway, opt for this Galway food walking tour and see a new perspective behind where your food comes from. A guide takes you to meet artisan food producers and you can sample their products. Learn about local dishes and ingredients, and then take home a fun goodie bag afterward.

Book this hassle-free small-group tour to see some of the best of West Ireland, where all your transport, guides, and logistics are all taken care of for you. You have several activities in this tour, including a trip to Aughnanure Castle, spending time in Connemara and its surrounding villages, and a chance to watch a sheepdog demonstration.

Explore beyond the city of Galway with a full-day tour to Connemara National Park. Board a coach and set out on a scenic tour into the Irish countryside that includes popular landmarks like Killary Harbor and the charming village of Spiddal. Explore the hiking trails of Connemara National Park independently and at your own pace. Learn about local culture, music, history, and language during the drive.

Discover Connemara on this private half-day tour from Galway for groups of up to seven people. Drive through the scenic countryside, past the villages of Connemara, Inverin Spiddal, and Barna, with stops to take in the views of Clifden Bay, the Twelve Bens, and the Maam Turk Mountains, and explore the historic Kylemore Abbey, with time for lunch or snacks (own expense).