It starts here

Galway’s Shop Street combines culture and retail to give shoppers an experience they’ll never forget. The sound of live music fills the air, as musicians and artists perform side-by-side. The street’s jovial atmosphere is notorious and is exactly what makes it a must-visit during your stay.

When it comes to stores, fashionistas needn’t worry. Shop Street has all your favourite high street stores, as well as a collection of local boutiques and craft stores.

Home to maritime creatures big and small, Galway’s Atlantaquaria is a joy for adults and kids alike.

The aquarium is open all year round and offers a range of different tours for families to enjoy, including a Big Fish Feeding tour. Kids will love this tour as they can get up close and personal with some of the aquarium’s biggest fish. There’s also the option of joining the Touch Pool tour, or the Fresh Water Fish Feeding tour.

A holiday in Galway means a never-ending list of things to see and do, but the one of the first things we’d recommend for younger children is The Enchanted Forest.

Slieve Aughty Centre has its very own enchanted forest and it’s just waiting to be explored. Little ones can discover the native trees which fairies, gnomes and trolls call home and even search for wild animals in the forest.

The best thing about Kidsplace is that it’s located in a shopping centre, meaning adults can take it in turns between watching the kids and enjoying some retail therapy.

The centre’s facilities are modern, clean and super fun. The soft play area is especially enjoyable for children under four. If the weather’s bad, there’s no better place to bring toddlers or young children in Galway.

Situated in the heart of Connemara, Loughwell Farm Park is one of the most popular attractions in the west of Ireland and offers families aces of indoor and outdoor fun.

The farm has been carefully designed to fit naturally into the rugged landscape and boasts beech lined walkways, hand-crafted timber play villages, a duck pond and sand pit.

The Burren Nature Sanctuary is another great family activity. The centre is set on 50 acres of organic farmland and has its own nature trails, wildflower meadows and botanic gardens. The centre even has its own pet farm and magical fairy woodland village for kids to enjoy.

While the kids are enjoying the great outdoors, parents can relax and enjoy a cup of tea or coffee in the sanctuary’s cafe.

Just 15-minutes from Maldron Hotel Sandy Road you’ll find one of Ireland’s best new activity parks, Wildlands. They have a range of activities, from archery to climbing walls, but perhaps one of the most fun Galway group activities is their Zip n’ Trek adventure course. 

Hit the course with your friends and challenge yourselves to various ropes, swings and zip lines! Try out the 100-metre long zip line for an exhilarating thrill, or the Tarzan Swing for a real challenge; the bravest amongst you will love the 13m freefall!

If diving into the sea is too much for you or members of your group, a brisk walk, with a coffee in hand, along Salthill promenade will cure any hangover.

If you’re feeling a little delicate after a night out, why not try Galway’s infamous hangover cure and jump off Salthill Pier? Dust off any alcohol-induced cobwebs by jumping into the icy Atlantic waters and enjoy the experience with friends.

Segway tours are a fun and unique way of experiencing a city and we can’t think of a better way to explore Galway’s historic and beautiful city centre.

Groups can easily book a Segway tour of Galway, where they’ll learn all about the city’s history, its Spanish influence and the history of the Claddagh. You’ll also get to discover the best pubs and live music venues.

The sheer beauty of the west of Ireland can’t be over-exaggerated and there’s no better place to experience this than the Connemara National Park. Found near Letterfrack, the national park is home to stunning walks and breathtaking landscapes, which are all primed for discovery.

The beauty of a trip to Galway is that there’s no shortage of options when it comes to day trips. First off, we’d recommend a visit to the Aran Islands, as no trip to the west is complete without it. The rugged archipelago off the coast of Galway, is home to three Irish-speaking islands – Inishmore, Inishmaan and Inisheer.

A short drive from the city centre you’ll find Spiddal, an enchanting Gaeltacht village on the shore of Galway Bay. The pristine village has two beaches which are perfect for either swimming or fishing.

Originally a castle, Kylemore Abbey was built by Mitchell Henry as a love token to his wife Margaret, before eventually becoming a home to Benedictine nuns after World War l.

Maybe not the first thing you’d think of when it comes to things to do in Galway, but a cruise on Lake Corrib is a really enjoyable and unique activity for all the family.

Sunny days are made for family days out at the beach, and thankfully there’s an endless list of picturesque beaches to be found across Galway.

Sunny days are made for family days out at the beach, and thankfully there’s an endless list of picturesque beaches to be found across Galway.

Discover the most vibrant streets in Galway City in the much-loved Latin Quarter, where you can stroll cobbled streets whilst enjoying entertainment on the street. Stop off in one of the numerous renowned restaurants and cafes, grab a quick pint in one of the area’s lively bars or shop in one of the local boutiques – the choice is yours! 

There’s something to interest everyone in the group, and the area itself gives you a snapshot of Galway’s rich culture and arts scene.

There are few better ways to get to know a city than by strolling its streets for an afternoon. There are plenty of walking tours to choose from in Galway, so pick your favourite and block off some time either side for exploring by yourselves, or a romantic drink afterwards to rest your legs together.

The best way to take in the beauty of Galway Bay is from the water, of course! Book a boat tour to explore the bay from a new perspective. Galway Bay Boat Tours offer boat trips suitable for the whole family; depeding on your choice, you tour can include anything from a fresh seafood lunch to a workshop on traditional Galway hooker boats. Best of all, tours run from Galway City Centre, so no travel is required!

Last but least on your list of things to do in Galway is the Claddagh Museum. Situated at an intersection of Shop Street, the visitor centre is a must-visit for anyone interested in the ring and its history.

Entry to the museum is free and visitors will learn how the Claddagh ring is created and the meaning behind the ring’s unique symbols.

History buffs will be glad to know that Galway City Museum is well worth a visit and is free to enter. For those looking to enhance their knowledge of Galway, they can expect to learn about the city’s history, it’s people and sporting triumphs.

The museum is open from Tuesday to Saturday (10:00 to 17:00) and, from Easter to the end of September, on Sundays.

After exploring Galway by Segway, it’s time to take to the high seas and see it by water. Kayakmór can accommodate stag and hen parties of up to 20 people.

The company specialises in half-day tours lasting between two and three hours, which depart from Galway city centre and and take in Galway’s surrounding canals and rural waterways – not to be missed!

Footgolf is a supersport which marries the precision and accuracy of golf with the physicality of football. By combining two illustrious sports, players will have to kick a football over an 18-hole golf course, to reach the football-sized hole.

Stag parties will love this fun activity which sees friends compete against each other to win the game. Galway Footgolf is situated in Loughrea, Co. Galway and is only a 40 minute drive away from the city centre.

If someone in your party fancies themselves as a bit of an ‘All Star’, make sure to put their athletic prowess to the test at Pure Skill. Stags or hens can try their hand at hurling, gaelic football, basketball, rugby, golf and many more sports.

Escape Rooms Galway is a creative, interactive game which requires tremendous amounts of teamwork and communication. Having said that, it’s also great fun and is one the best ways to get people mingling, making it ideal for large hen or stag parties.

Visitors to Galway are always dying to get a seat on Galway’s infamous Ghost Bus Tour (get it…? Ghostbuster… Ghost Bus Tour). Shrieks of fright and laughter echo from the ghoulish bus, as two professional actors portray some of Galway’s spookiest characters.

Learn to windsurf with the experts at Rusheen Bay. Their experienced instructors will guide your group through the basics of windsurfing, teaching you all about the equipment, techniques and tips for getting it right. If you’re already experienced windsurfers already, they’ll provide you with boards and sails and take you out for a fun session on the water. You can get to the stunningly scenic Rusheen Bay either by a 10-minute car journey or 30-minute bus ride.

One of the most unique things to do for couples in Galway, a float tank is truly a date with a difference. Take some time alone to rest, recharge and float your way to pure relaxation in one of Salt Float & Recovery’s world-class float tanks. Whether you need to rejuvenate yourself after days spent exploring the Wild Atlantic Way, or you’re just interested in having a brand new experience, we guarantee you’ll leave their private float rooms feeling like brand new people.

The Wild Atlantic Way isn’t only home to stunning scenery and awe-inspiring landscapes; some of the country’s best craft beer brewers are based on the west coast, and you can taste their delicious creations with Galway Craft Beer Tours. With options including everything from the compact Power Hour experience to fully private tours including insightful information on Galway city’s history, their experienced guides will ensure you leave the tour with a newfound knowledge of both craft beer and the fantastic city you’re in.