This section is dedicated to take away all your "I wish someone had told me that before I went!" experiences. This way, you can spend less time settling in, and more time making new friends in your chosen hostel. We share our insider knowledge of tips, tricks and important things to look out for in Galway.
Galway is located on the West coast of Ireland on the shores of the Atlantic Ocean, approximately 215km from Dublin. With a population of 75 thousand, it is the third largest city in the Republic of Ireland and there are a number of Galway hostels providing accommodation in the city.
Galway acts as a major gateway to some of Ireland's most fantastic tourist sites. The Burren is located only an hour south of Galway. The Burren is a large area of exposed limestone rock, which contains many unique species of plant as well as some excellent scenery. The Cliffs of Moher are also located in this area. These cliffs rise up to 120 metres above the Atlantic Ocean and offer one of the most breathtaking views in Ireland. The Connemara region is located to the west of Galway. This remote area contains some very unique and rugged scenery. It is also home to some of Ireland's only Gaeltacht areas, where locals speak Gaelic as a first language. There are several tourist companies in the city which offer tours to these places at a reasonable price. In the city itself there are many things to see such as the Spanish Arch, Galway Museum, Cathedral, Salthill Beach and the University, which is home to around 15,000 students.
Galway has a very lively night scene even during the week, with many tourists and a large student population in the area. The majority of the bars and nightclubs are located either on or near Eyre Square or Shop Street. Shop street and High Street have a large variety of restaurants which serve fantastic seafood and international cuisines as well as local dishes. There are also a large number of bars in this part of the city which regularly have live traditional Irish music. Some of the more popular bars include The Quays, The Kings Head, Tig Choili, and Taafes. This is also a wide selection of late night bars and nightclubs in the city. Some of these include Central Park (or CPs), Karma, and GPO.
There are several Galway hostels to choose from. It's best to stay near Eyre Square as this is close to the main bus and train station as well as the city centre. It is possible to stay in dorm style as well as private and family rooms. Some of these hostels offer special deals with tours.
Galway is easily accessible by air, land and rail. Galway has it's own regional airport. Shannon International airport is located only an hour from Galway, with daily direct flights to many European, North American and domestic destinations. Bus Eireann is the main bus company in the area with regular departures from Ceannt Station (located in the city centre).
Written by local enthusiast for Galway hostels
Shannon Neuber
