Galway, Ireland

• Galway is a small university city on Ireland's west coast, where the River Corrib meets Galway Bay. Most of what visitors come for is within a 15-minute walk: the pedestrianised Shop Street, the Latin Quarter, the Spanish Arch and the West End. The seafront promenade at Salthill is further out. The large student population and the music scene keep the streets busy and social, especially in the evenings.
• Travelling alone here is easy. Pubs, cafes and restaurants see plenty of solo visitors, many pubs have live traditional music in the early evening, and chatting with a stranger at the bar is normal. English is spoken everywhere, and Irish (Gaeilge) appears on signs and is heard around the city.
• Serious crime against visitors is rare. The usual city-centre problems are rowdy, drunk crowds late on weekend nights around Eyre Square and Shop Street, bags and phones taken from unattended tables, and drink spiking, which can happen in any nightlife area. Keep an eye on your drink, stay with people you already know, and plan your way home before you go out.
• Galway is also a base for the Aran Islands, the Cliffs of Moher and Connemara. Day tours leave from the city centre and are an easy way to meet other travellers.

English is spoken everywhere, and Irish (Gaeilge) is an official language that appears on signs and is heard around the city. Calls to 112 or 999 reach the same emergency operators, who will ask whether you need police, ambulance or fire.

• Small talk with strangers in pubs, shops and on buses is normal and usually just that. A polite no thanks is accepted without fuss.
• In pubs, order at the bar and pay as you go. In a group, people often take turns buying rounds. Drinking alone is common, and many pubs serve food and are fine with solo diners. Traditional music sessions often start in the early evening.
• Dress for the weather. Casual clothes are fine nearly everywhere, and a waterproof layer matters more than anything else. Tipping is not obligatory; around 10% in sit-down restaurants for good service is typical, and rounding up a taxi fare is fine.
• Irish (Gaeilge) is an official language and appears on signs, but everyone speaks English. Greetings such as Dia dhuit (hello) and go raibh maith agat (thank you) go down well.

The first hour after landing is when you're tired, carrying everything, and easiest to take advantage of. Three things to sort before you fly:

• Your ride from the airport. A driver who meets you in arrivals, at a price fixed before you fly — no haggling at the taxi rank.

  Book an airport pickup

• Data the moment you land. Maps, ride apps and a way to call for help as soon as you switch your phone on. An eSIM installs at home.

  Get a good eSIM

• The emergency number. Emergency Services (Police, Ambulance, Fire): 112. Save it in your phone, not just on this page.

  All emergency contacts

• The centre is small and best covered on foot. Eyre Square to the Spanish Arch takes about ten minutes, and the Latin Quarter, West End and Claddagh are all a short walk apart. After dark, stick to Quay Street, Shop Street, Dominick Street and other busy, well-lit routes.
• City buses run from Eyre Square to Salthill, Knocknacarra and other suburbs, and Bus Éireann and other coach services leave from the station beside Eyre Square. Daytime buses are fine. Late at night services are limited, so check the last departure before heading out.
• Licensed taxis wait at ranks around Eyre Square and can be booked through apps such as FREE NOW. Use a rank or an app rather than an unmarked car, check that the driver details match the booking, and book ahead on weekend nights when the queues are long.
• If you're planning day trips outside the city, consider renting a car.

Explore Galway with local guides and curated experiences.