Galway’s Most Insta-Friendly Towns

While Galway City has more than its fair share of picture-perfect streets, the surrounding countryside is even more beautiful. So, where to start? We’ve compiled some of the most Instagram-friendly locations across Galway for your delight.

 

Carraroe

Carraroe is a ‘blink and you’ll miss it’ size town less than an hour west of Galway City, famous for its Galway Hookers, a traditional type of boat long used by locals to transport goods out to the islands and up and down the coast. Head to Caladh Thadhg pier and you’ll still see them being loaded up; you might even get a picture on one, if a friendly fisherman obliges. The landscape around Carraroe is stunning, and a favourite for cyclists; if you fancy joining them, you can hire bikes in the town – spandex is optional.

Insider Tip: Head to Trá an Dóilin, one of only two coral beaches in Ireland.

Distance from The Dean Galway: 43km

Clifden

Located in one of the country’s most picturesque spots at the foot of the Twelve Pins Mountains, and overlooking the sea, it’s hard to overstate just how pretty this place is. Clifden of course, played an integral part in aviation history, being the spot where Alcock and Brown landed their Vickers aircraft after an 1,800km flight from Newfoundland, the first to pilots cross the Atlantic by air non-stop. These days the town has lots to offer, from pitch and putt and pony trekking to sailing, scuba diving and fishing.

Insider Tip: Lowry’s Bar is the place to go if you want to experience a proper Connemara trad music session. Oh, and order the bangers and mash; they’re fab.

Distance from The Dean Galway: 77km