Where to stay in Galway [Best Places to Stay for 2024]

Galway is often referred to as the cultural capital of Ireland and in fact, was named the European Capital of Culture. It’s a lively city, full of art, music, and festivals that draw visitors from all over the world.

For such a vibrant city, Galway is relatively small, so no matter which of the hotels in County Galway Ireland that you choose, you will find it easy to get around and see the sights. Using our guide to the best Galway Ireland hotels and neighborhoods, you will be able to easily decide where to stay in Galway Ireland.

We will cover off all types of Galway accommodation options from Hostels to luxury Galway hotels as well as how to decide where to stay in Galway 2024, the best Galway hotels, best places in Galway to visit, the best places to stay in Galway, hotels near Galway attractions, Galway neighborhood guide and many more. 

Below are 5 of the best neighborhoods in Galway to help you make the right decision when trying to work out best areas to stay in Galway for you. We have tried to make the guide as easy to follow as possible.

We have also included some things to do or places to visit as well as some eatery suggestions of either our favourite places or some funky places to eat at within the areas in Galway so you can use this as a go to guide to pick the best accommodation in Galway Ireland for you.

Galway City Centre – Where to stay in Galway for first timers

The city centre of Galway is the best area for tourists visiting Galway for the first time, thanks to a central location and lots of entertainment options. The below list of hotels showcase the best places to stay in Galway City Centre.

Start with a Hop On Hop Off bus tour to get your bearings, then spend your days exploring historic sites such as the Galway Museum, Galway Cathedral and Eyre Square which is also known as John F Kennedy Park after his visit in 1963.

As one of the best places to stay in Galway Ireland, there are tons of hotels in Galway City Centre. Backpackers and budget travellers will even find budget-friendly Galway hotels and hostels in the city centre.

where to stay in galway city centre

Cheapest Backpacking Hostels in Galway City Centre

• The Woodquay Hostel
• Snoozles Galway City Centre
• Kinlay Hostel Eyre Square
• Galway City Hostel

Budget accommodation in Galway City Centre

• Eyre Square Galway Central Self Catering
• St. Judes Lodge B&B
• Griffin Lodge Guesthouse
• Petra House B&B

Mid range accommodation in Galway City Centre

• The Western Citypoint Apartments
• Balcony House
• The Dean Galway
• The House Hotel, an Ascend Hotel Collection Member

Family Friendly accommodation in Galway City Centre

• The Eyre Square Townhouse
• Jurys Inn Galway
• The Galmont Hotel & Spa
• The Sliding Rock Inn

Affordable Luxury accommodation in Galway City Centre

• Ardawn House
• The Hardiman
• Harbour Hotel

Salthill – Where to stay in Galway with family

Just west of Galway City is the area of Salthill, a small seaside resort along Galway Bay. This is a quieter alternative for travellers looking for family-friendly hotels near Galway Ireland.

Salthill has a lovely promenade along the beachfront, and gorgeous white-sand beaches set against the backdrop of Galway Bay.

The village has an aquarium and several casinos and is home to the 120-year-old Galway Golf Club.

This is Ireland after all, so there are plenty of pubs and restaurants in town, and the Galway City Centre is just a few kilometres away. Depending on what part of Salthill you choose, you can walk to Eyre Square in about 20 minutes.

Best places to stay in Salthill

Cheapest Backpacking Hostels in Salthill

• The Nest Boutique Hostel

Budget accommodation in Salthill

• Feeney’s Audubon Lodge
• Dun Roamin
• Westwinds Bed & Breakfast
• Anno Santo Hotel

Mid range accommodation in Salthill

• Arus Grattan
• The Wave
• Griffin Lodge Guesthouse
• Black Cat

Family Friendly accommodation in Salthill

• Holiday Hotel
• The Rio
• The Ardilaun Hotel
• Galway Bay Sea View Apartments

Affordable Luxury accommodation in Salthill

• Salthill Hotel
• Galway Bay Hotel Conference & Leisure Centre

Renmore – Where to stay in Galway for relaxation

Just outside of Galway city centre is the area of Renmore. It’s only two kilometres to the city, so this is a great location for a bit calmer atmosphere with no sacrifice of amenities.

To walk into Galway, you’ll need to cross the Lough Atalia via a pedestrian bridge near the railway.

Although Renmore is mostly suburban and you’ll likely commute into Galway most of the time, there are a few attractions in town, including the Church of St. Oliver Plunkett. For the ultimate budget travellers, Ballyloughaun beach has camping facilities.

Best places to stay in Renmore

Budget accommodation in Renmore

• Abacus Guesthouse
• Small,smart,tidy 2 bed apartment
• Woodhaven Manor h91rc9d

Mid range accommodation in Renmore

• Beautiful one bedroom Apartment In Galway City
• Grange House B&B
• Almara House
• Gardenfield House Bed & Breakfast H91vh02

Family Friendly accommodation in Renmore

• Flannery’s Hotel
• The Connacht Hotel
• Corrib View Guesthouse h91rr72

Oranmore – Where to stay in Galway for a local experience

In the opposite direction of Salthill, Oranmore is a village on the outskirts of Galway City. Only ten minutes from Galway, this is a great family-friendly neighborhood for travellers who want convenience and a lot of green space to roam about.

With a railway station and a bus station, it’s easy to reach Galway and many locals commute into Galway from Oranmore, making it feel much less touristic and more local.

You’ll find the conveniences of any suburb, including grocery stores, shops, and parks, making this an excellent home base for your visit to Galway.

Best places to stay in Oranmore

Budget accommodation in Oranmore

• Self catering Oranmore
• Oranmore Apartment on the Wild Atlantic Way

Mid range accommodation in Oranmore

• Oranhill Lodge Guesthouse

Family Friendly accommodation in Oranmore

• The Coach House Hotel
• The Nook Oranmore Holiday Home

Kinvara – Where to stay in Galway on a budget

If you’d like to visit Galway, but prefer a wee Irish village removed from the chaos of the city, then Kinvara is an excellent choice. Dungaire Castle is a top highlight of the area, as is Kinvara Harbour.

This is no sleepy village, as Kinvara is home to some famous pubs, including Green’s Bar, a family-owned pub from 1865 with more than one hundred whiskeys to try. There are a few hotels and B&B’s in Kinvara, all just 30 minutes from Galway City Centre.

Best places to stay in Kinvara

Budget accommodation in Kinvara

• Kinvara Suites
• The Well House

Mid range accommodation in Kinvara

• Kinvara Suites 2
• Dunguaire Cottages

Family Friendly accommodation in Kinvara

• Fallon’s B&B
• Kinvara Guesthouse
• Glebe cottage
• Johnston House: Historic Village Retreat

Top 5 favorites accommodation options for Galway Ireland

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