Galway is Ireland's most atmospheric city and the undisputed capital of the Wild Atlantic Way. Lively, walkable and full of live music, it's also the perfect base for exploring some of Ireland's most extraordinary landscapes — Connemara's bogs and mountains, the limestone plateau of the Burren, the Aran Islands (ferry from Rossaveal, 30 mins from Galway) and the Cliffs of Moher are all within 90 minutes.

Pick-up locations

Galway city centre: Several suppliers have offices in Galway — Hertz, Enterprise and Budget among them. Convenient but a smaller selection than Dublin or Shannon.
Shannon Airport (SNN): 65km south. Often better pricing and supplier selection than Galway city. Pick up at Shannon and drive north into Galway — passing the Burren on the way.
Dublin Airport (DUB): 210km east. Best pricing and selection if you're doing a loop — collect from Dublin, drive west to Galway and return from Shannon or Cork.

Driving from Galway

  • Drive on the left. The N17 connects Galway to Sligo; the N18 goes south to Limerick and the Burren; the N59 goes west into Connemara.
  • Connemara roads are narrow with passing places — drive slowly and stop frequently. The scenery demands it anyway.
  • The Sky Road above Clifden is one of Ireland's most spectacular short drives — 12km loop with extraordinary Atlantic views.
  • Parking in Galway city centre: use the Eyre Square Centre or Cathedral car parks.

Best drives from Galway

  • Connemara loop (full day) — Clifden, the Sky Road, Kylemore Abbey and the Roundstone coastal road back to Galway. One of Ireland's finest day drives.
  • Cliffs of Moher (1 hr 30 min south) — the most visited natural attraction in Ireland. Drive the Burren's limestone landscape on the way — otherworldly scenery unlike anywhere else in Europe.
  • Wild Atlantic Way north: Westport & Achill Island (2 hrs) — Croagh Patrick pilgrimage mountain and Achill's dramatic sea cliffs and beaches.
  • Aran Islands day trip — park the car in Galway, take the ferry from Rossaveal (book in advance). Return the same day.
Best time for Galway: The Galway Arts Festival (July) and Galway Races (late July/early August) make the city especially lively — but book accommodation and hire cars months in advance. May, June and September are quieter and the scenery is just as spectacular.