Galway Bay

Galway Bay

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Most Recent: Reviews ordered by most recent publish date in descending order.

Detailed Reviews: Reviews ordered by recency and descriptiveness of user-identified themes such as wait time, length of visit, general tips, and location information.

Popular mentions

4.5
4.5 of 5 bubbles852 reviews
Excellent
535
Very good
259
Average
45
Poor
7
Terrible
6

Jeffry b
Essendon, Australia13,700 contributions
5.0 of 5 bubbles
May 2024 • Couples
Galway Bay is the site an historic city in the West of Ireland. These days, the cobbled narrow backstreets are homes for artisans. Among the artisans are those who knit the ganseys. "Ganseys" are derived from "Guernsey," which are worn by fisherman. The ganseys are uniquely knit to a family pattern, which help identify those fishermen who work at sea. The Claddagh is historic fishing village that is known for its location and beauty. Galway is a wonderful place to wander around in search of artisan products.
Written June 14, 2024
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

Mandy C
Arlington, VA140 contributions
4.0 of 5 bubbles
Oct 2022 • Couples
We walked along the bay by Nikki’s pier up to mutton island and had a great time. I like bird watching and saw a bunch of new birds while we were there. It was incredibly windy but we still really enjoyed ourselves.

One note is that there is not a public bathroom for quite awhile so be aware of that as you begin your walk.
Written October 28, 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

Maria Ligia
Galway, Ireland36 contributions
5.0 of 5 bubbles
Oct 2021
Galway is a city in the West of Ireland 🇮🇪, and is sometimes referred to as the cultural capital of Ireland.
If you ever find yourself in #Galway You must go to Galway Bay. When you are in this place, it means you got the heart of this beautiful city.
Written October 10, 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

ConnaughtRambler
Connemara, Ireland27 contributions
2.0 of 5 bubbles
Feb 2022
Galway has changed a lot,  and long gone is the Galway I knew 20 years ago. The port area, Spanish Arch and all up to Salthill especially, is nothing but a carpark... even as you travel out past Spiddal into south Connemara, you can not fail to see how the busy way of modern life has taken over.

The town of Galway is busy, the side streets quite dilapidated and unrecognisable from the previous magic, discovery and secrecy they once  held. Busy shoppers push past you, plastic paddy souvenir shops and countless eating establishments have taken over.  Having a drink and a meal is quite costly in Galway and any long stay will hit your pocket heavy.

This change has spilled over into south Connemara,  with the likes of  Carraroe down to Cobble Stand becoming overcrowded holiday home areas that have a ghostly empty feeling 10 months a year. This whole area, from Galway out, once held a sparkle and reflection of the past, that has long since disappeared.

You need to travel out towards Maam Cross and beyond to see the real Connemara, and leave behind the retail madness and busy life of Galway itself.
Written February 3, 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

HeartQissa
Ipswich, UK186 contributions
5.0 of 5 bubbles
Mar 2020
As we visited after a period of storms, we got an impressive view of the Shannon River going into the Sea at high speed. It was really windy and actually a crow next to us gifted us with a 10 eurocent coin it dug from the land near us - never had that before. While we visited at midday, this should make for an amazing sight at dawn/dusk.
As it's only a few minutes away from towncentre which you will visit anyway, it makes sense to see it. Also nearby you have good tavern's visited by locals.
Written March 9, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

Laurie Nash
6 contributions
5.0 of 5 bubbles
Aug 2019
First My trip was in May 2019, not August, so the foot traffic was not so crowded and I could meander along at my leisure. I'm a former Seattle native, now living in AZ, and being near the water again, in this magical town on the Atlantic ocean fulfilled any desire to feel what was lost was found again. Anyone visiting Ireland really needs to consider Galway as a place to visit and fall in love with, as I did. I hope to visit Ireland again in 2021 and am planning on Galway as my base of operation. Maybe I can get a job at the local tour agency!!
Written July 2, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

LJK0308
Ipswich, MA259 contributions
5.0 of 5 bubbles
Jun 2022
If you want to walk the shoreline in Galway they've made it easy to do so. It's quite scenic. There is a beach accessible at the far end of the walkway if you're into cold ocean swimming with many people there seem to be! Great way to take in water views and get some exercise. It's flat ground walking on pavement.
Written July 8, 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

carl c
Belfast, UK4 contributions
5.0 of 5 bubbles
Jul 2021 • Family
My 7 yr old and I went kayaking in Glaway bay. First time my 7 yr old has been. Finbar was very patient and warm towards him. We loved it. Something different and a very enjoyable experience. Need good core strength for the kayaks.
Written July 21, 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

Matthew J
Warrington, UK406 contributions
4.0 of 5 bubbles
Aug 2023
We visited Silverstrand Beach which is located along Galway Bay. It's a nice place for a walk, if the weather holds up. There are both sand and shingle elements to the beach, which I quite liked. Generally speaking, the beach was clean so no problems there. If you are planning on going for a walk along the beach, there are a couple of coffee shops along the main road that runs parallel (the best being Suil Eile Space - Coffee & Wellness), so this makes an ideal place to take a stroll.

The car park at Silverstand Beach appears small at first sight (there are only 60 spaces if I recall) however we were never struggling to get a space, so travelling here by car is a definite option.

The only point for improvement is that the toilets at the Silverstone Beach Car Park are not the greatest. Although clean, they are old and not aesthetically pleasing. There is a hint of a urine aroma that you can smell and there is a broken window in the gent's toilet. The doors all have ancient moisture splattered up them, which made me feel a bit nauseous!

Overall, it's worth visiting Silverstrand Beach if in the area.
Written August 17, 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

Tim Mc G
Dublin, Ireland502 contributions
5.0 of 5 bubbles
Jan 2024 • Friends
I’m always in Galway with friends or sometimes by myself. I love Galway bay there’s beach’s beside it that you can lie in the sun on a warm summers day. It’s within walking distance from the city. It has lovely views of the sea and beyond. It makes a great picnic spot.
Written March 18, 2024
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

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Galway Bay - All You Need to Know BEFORE You Go (2025)

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