A few fun things to do in Galway, a charming city in western Ireland.

Ahhh, Ireland. Known for its saturated green hills dotted with sheep and frothy pints of Guinness.

I’m living in London at the moment, and one of my best friends since childhood is currently studying abroad in Ireland! Obviously, I had to visit her.

So last weekend I stayed with my friend on the West Coast of Ireland.

We spent most of our time in Galway but ventured down to the Burren region to visit the famous Cliffs of Moher.

Aside from being reunited with my amazing friend, the two standout points of this trip to Ireland were admiring the gorgeous cliffs along the coast and enjoying a bit of the Galway charm.

I only spent a few days in Galway, so by no means am I an expert on this city.

But I wanted to share some of fun things to do in Galway that made my weekend exceptional.

Fun Things To Do In Galway, Ireland

1. Visit the Cliffs of Moher

Most people have seen the iconic photos of the Cliffs of Moher or heard of their moments of fame in The Princess Bride and Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince.

I visited Ireland with my family as a kid but we didn’t see the Cliffs of Moher. So they were at the top of my to-do list for Ireland!

We booked a Cliffs of Moher day trip from Galway. The tour was pretty cheap and honestly, it was just such an easy way to see the cliffs from Galway.

Save yourself the hassle, spend a bit of money and book a tour. It was worth it!!

Visit The Weekend Farmer’s Market

Galway hosts a spectacular farmer’s market every weekend. It’s one of the best things to do in Galway!

It is located on Church Lane and is open Saturdays from 8 am to 6 pm and Sundays from 12 pm to 6 pm. (Here is the official market website for more info!)

We strolled through this street market on Sunday morning and it was absolutely lovely.

Full of fresh local produce, homemade bread and jam, and so many other treats, this market was a feast for the senses.

It was here, at this very market, that I had the best donut of my life. Hands-down, the best.

It was crispy and coated with cinnamon sugar, but soft like a fluffy pillow inside. I’ll remember that donut forever.

Have a Cuppa at Cupán Tae

Another food highlight from Galway was visiting the most precious tea shop I’ve ever seen.

The decor of Cupán Tae included embroidery, lace, dolls, flowers, ribbons, porcelain, and any other adorable decoration you could think of.

If the taste of a cupcake could materialize itself into a tangible space, this is what it would look like.

After sipping incredible tea from beautiful china tea sets, I ate an amazing savory scone served on an equally beautiful china plate. (Even their website is beautiful; check it out if you want more info on this lovely place!)

Due to the indulgent food, the lovely selection of fresh teas, and the heartwarming atmosphere, Cupán Tae is now my second favorite tea shop I’ve ever visited.

(Sirius Teahaz remains at #1, see my post about Budapest for my experience in that magical place).

Stroll Through Shop Street

One of the biggest cultural hubs in Galway is Shop Street.

This bustling alleyway is full of bars, pubs, restaurants, cafes, and shops so there is no shortage of things to do.

We strolled through here during the day and came back at night for some bar-hopping. It’s a lively part of town that is also aesthetically pleasing.

So those are some fun things to do in Galway!

There are obviously more attractions in Galway but I only had a couple of days there. Luckily, what I did see was amazing.

Galway is a pleasant waterfront town, with lively bars, personable streets, and a thriving Irish culture.

Driving further south along the western coast brings you to hilly landscapes and impressive cliff-side views. Though I only experienced a small area of Ireland, this weekend was gorgeous and relaxing.

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Traveling to Ireland?? Visit iVisa.com to find out if you need a visa and check out this website for some great travel insurance!

To read about more of my adventures in the British Isles, check out these articles:

Reunited with the Wilderness in Snowdonia, Wales

6 Amazing Day Trips From London

3 Beautiful Hiking Destinations in Great Britain

London: The Ultimate Budget Travel Guide

Conquering England’s Lake District