Having previously lived in Cork, I went into Galway with a built-in point of comparison, and I came away thinking Galway has a slightly more refined, polished feel to it. It’s still unmistakably Irish in its warmth and charm, but there’s a certain elegance to the city that felt distinct from Cork’s more laid-back energy. Between an unexpectedly excellent bookshop, a bakery worth queuing for, and a good pint of Guinness, Galway ended up being one of those cities that’s easy to fall for.
A City That Wears Its Local Pride Literally
One of the first things I noticed in Galway was how many people wear a Claddagh ring, the traditional Irish ring featuring a heart, crown, and hands, which originated in the Claddagh fishing village just outside Galway city. Seeing it everywhere gave the city a real sense of local identity and pride.
There’s also a small, slightly amusing detail attached to the tradition: how you wear a Claddagh ring is meant to signal your relationship status. Worn on the right hand with the heart facing outward means you’re single, facing inward means you’re taken, and worn on the left hand generally signals engagement or marriage. It’s a small cultural quirk, but noticing it everywhere added an unexpected layer of people-watching to simply walking around the city.
Café and Bakery Culture
Galway has no shortage of cafés and bakeries, but one name kept coming up above the rest: Magpie Bakery. Its popularity is well-earned, though also well-known enough that I ended up in a longer line than expected. If you’re planning to visit, go early and build in some extra time, since the queue tends to build quickly once the morning gets going.
Once inside, I tried the cardamom and orange bun along with a pain au chocolat, and both delivered. The cardamom and orange combination in particular was a nice change from the usual bakery staples, distinct enough to be memorable without feeling overly experimental.
A Bookshop Worth the Wait: Charlie Byrne’s Bookshop
If I had to pick a single favorite spot in Galway, it would be Charlie Byrne’s Bookshop, without much hesitation. The shop’s entire exterior wall is lined with bookshelves, and I genuinely spent close to an hour just browsing that outdoor wall before even stepping inside the store itself.
I walked away with two books at genuinely excellent prices, which made the whole experience feel even better. As someone who loves finding good, affordable books while traveling, this shop scratched that exact itch perfectly. If I make it back to Galway in the future, this is one stop I already know I’ll return to without a second thought.
Guinness at O’Connell’s Bar
No trip to Ireland feels complete without a proper pint of Guinness, and I had mine at O’Connell’s Bar. Surprisingly, it wasn’t bitter at all, which honestly changed my expectations a bit. Guinness is famously known to taste different depending on where you order it, whether due to the lines, the pour, or simply the pub itself, and this was a good reminder that it’s worth trying more than once in different spots rather than assuming you already know how you feel about it based on one pour elsewhere.
Clam Chowder at An Púcán
Before heading out of Galway, I stopped at An Púcán for a bowl of clam chowder, and it turned out to be a great way to close out the trip. The portion was generous, packed with chunks of seafood, and hearty enough to genuinely count as a full meal rather than a starter. It was a comforting, satisfying way to end the visit before getting back on the road.
Final Thoughts
Galway struck a nice balance between charm and refinement, distinct enough from Cork that the comparison alone made the trip more interesting for me personally. Between the widespread Claddagh ring tradition, an excellent bakery worth the wait, a truly special bookshop, and solid food and drink to round things out, it’s a city that rewards slowing down and paying attention to the smaller details, not just the big landmarks.
If you’re planning a visit, my honest recommendations are simple: get to Magpie Bakery early, set aside real time to properly browse Charlie Byrne’s Bookshop rather than rushing through, and don’t judge your Guinness experience based on a single pour, since it really can vary from pub to pub. Galway isn’t a city that needs to shout for your attention. It’s the kind of place that wins you over quietly, one good bookshop and one good pastry at a time.
Have you been to Galway, or is it on your Ireland itinerary? Let me know in the comments, and check out our other European travel guides for more destination ideas.