Where to Stay in Galway, Ireland: Best Areas & Hotels

If you’re planning a trip around Ireland, Galway is bound to make it onto your list! And if you’re looking forward to evenings in Irish pubs with live music and cool, artsy spots, well, you’ve come to the right city.

Galway has really cool, colourful shopfronts and cobbled streets, with music spilling out of the pubs as you walk past. We spent so much time walking through the Latin Quarter and along the ocean, soaking it all in. We’d actually skipped Galway on our first Ireland trip, so I’m really glad we gave ourselves three nights the second time around. It’s such a fun city.

For accommodation, I’d recommend three main areas: Latin Quarter/West End, Eyre Square, and Salthill. On our first trip, we stayed about half an hour outside Galway and never went into the city. Staying within walking distance made such a difference this time!

In this guide on where to stay in Galway, I’ll walk you through the main areas and the hotels and apartments I’d consider booking, including Crescent Close, where we stayed. Let’s go!

Where to Stay in Galway at a Glance

For a first visit, I’d definitely recommend Eyre Square, the Latin Quarter, or the West End. You can easily walk between them, so if you find a hotel you love, grab it! Don’t overthink it; all three areas are super central.

Eyre Square is especially handy if you’re arriving by train, while the Latin Quarter has plenty of pubs and restaurants right outside your door. We stayed in the West End and loved being able to walk over to the Latin Quarter whenever we felt like it.

Salthill is best for a seaside vacation, especially if you’ve got your eye on a sea-view room or a hotel with a pool. This area is roughly a 45-minute walk from the Latin Quarter.

Staying in the Latin Quarter & West End

If it’s your first trip to Galway, I’d stay in the Latin Quarter or West End. You’ll be close to the colourful and artsy streets and pubs Galway is known for, with lots of places to eat within walking distance.

You’ve probably seen the Latin Quarter in tons of photos, with its cobbled streets and bright shopfronts. I loved walking around here! Staying in the Latin Quarter means you can head straight outside and be among it all, though that also comes with a bit more noise and activity.

We stayed across the River Corrib in the West End, and I was really happy with our location. It only took us a few minutes to walk to the Latin Quarter, but our street was quiet. Having said that, there are plenty of pubs on the West End side, too, so always make sure to check what’s near your room if you’re a light sleeper.

Leonardo Hotel Galway // Right Beside the Spanish Arch

The Leonardo Hotel Galway is hard to beat location-wise. It’s right beside the Spanish Arch on the river, so you can head straight into the Latin Quarter or West End. There’s even a beautiful little private garden beside the River Corrib. It looks goooorg!

The rooms are pretty standard, so I’d book here for the location and riverside garden more than the room itself. You’re close to lots of pubs and a busy road, though, so if you’re a light sleeper, see if you can get a room away from the street.

The Stop // A Boutique B&B in the West End

The Stop is super cute! It’s a small boutique B&B in the West End, with Irish textiles and original artwork that give the rooms so much personality. I’d happily stay here for a few days. You’re close enough to walk into the Latin Quarter whenever you feel like heading out, too!

The little Dormer Double tucked into the eaves looks cozy, although I’d probably go with a regular Double room if you’d rather avoid sloping ceilings. The rooms aren’t huge, but there’s a family room with a double and two singles if you’re travelling with kids or friends. Everyone can have an actual bed!

If The Stop is outside your budget, check the rates at Galway Rooms. It’s a simpler self-service option nearby.

Crescent Close // Where We Stayed in the West End

We stayed at Crescent Close for three nights in Galway, and I’d absolutely recommend it if you’re travelling with family or friends. There were four of us, and having an apartment gave us room to spend time together without being on top of each other. The rooms were lovely, our host was great, and we had private parking for our rental car!

We didn’t want to spend a small fortune on accommodation and Crescent Close was perfect. It’s on Sea Road in the West End, just a few minutes’ walk from the Latin Quarter. The location felt central but quiet, which I really liked after seeing how busy the Latin Quarter gets.

Staying Around Eyre Square

If you’re arriving by train, Eyre Square is a really convenient place to stay. The station is right beside the square, so you won’t have far to go with your bags. After a long travel day, sometimes you just want to drop everything off and head out!

Personally, I’d still choose the Latin Quarter or West End over Eyre Square because I loved being close to the colourful streets, but Eyre Square is only about a 5-10 minute walk from the Latin Quarter, so you’re still close to everything. If you find a hotel you love here, I wouldn’t hesitate to book it!

I also want to warn you that Eyre Square can be noisy. There are lots of late-night bars and busy streets.

Park House Hotel // Boutique Stay Near Eyre Square

Park House is a four-star boutique hotel just off Eyre Square, and it has such a cute traditional style! The rooms have wooden furniture and patterned fabrics that make them feel cozy, and there’s a restaurant and bar downstairs where you can enjoy some Irish pub life.

If you’re travelling with family, the Junior Suites have two queen beds and sleep up to four. You’ll all be sharing one room, though, so I’d go for an apartment if you’d rather have separate bedrooms. There are doubles and twins, too, and the rooms have air conditioning.

Skeffington Arms // Night Out on Eyre Square

If you’re heading to Galway for the pubs, the Skeffington Arms would be a fun place to stay. There’s a bar right downstairs, and you’re on Eyre Square with plenty more spots nearby. I love the idea of heading out for live music and knowing the walk home will be nice and short!

The rooms are colourful and have more personality than your typical hotel room. They’re air-conditioned, too. If you’re travelling with friends, take a look at the triple rooms with three single beds.

The bar stays open late every night and the hotel says it can get noisy. Perfect if you’re looking forward to late nights out!

The Dean Galway // Colourful Rooms & a Little Luxury

The rooms at The Dean have colourful, retro styles that are a lot more fun than your standard hotel room. There’s even a hydrotherapy pool for a relaxing soak after a day out. You can also use the sauna and steam room!

When you’re choosing a room here, take a look at the bed layout. The Cosy rooms are snug, with the bed tucked against the wall, so one of you might have to climb over the other to get up! I’d go for a Double if you’d prefer a little more space. Both have air conditioning.

The hotel is located on Prospect Hill, which is just above Eyre Square. It’s an easy walk into the centre, but you’ll be heading uphill on the way back. Just something to keep in mind if you’re bringing a suitcase or have mobility concerns.

Staying in Salthill

If waking up to an Irish sea view sounds like your kind of holiday, you’ll love Salthill. Galway’s seaside neighbourhood is about a 45-minute walk from the Latin Quarter. It has a long promenade beside the bay and some of the bigger hotels have pools, too.

Salthill is a great choice if you don’t plan on exploring the historic city centre much, especially if you’re travelling with kids who’d make good use of a pool. If you’re planning to spend most of your time in central Galway, though, this probably isn’t the best area for you. There are buses into town, though, which can make getting to the Latin Quarter easier.

Galway Bay Hotel // Seaside Stay with a Pool

Galway Bay Hotel is right across from the promenade in Salthill and has lovely sea-view rooms! The views over Galway Bay are stuuuuning. I’d happily spend a few relaxing days here, starting with a walk along the water each morning.

There’s an indoor pool, too, so you’ve got somewhere to swim when the Irish weather isn’t cooperating or the sea is a little cold for your liking. If you’re travelling with family, the two-bedroom suites sleep up to five, and connecting rooms can accommodate up to six. Separate bedrooms definitely make the hotel more appealing for a family trip.

The rooms themselves are more traditional than trendy, but I’d book Galway Bay Hotel for the views and seaside location. You’re farther from central Galway, so make sure you have time to enjoy Salthill.

Salthill Hotel // Sea Views & Two Pools

Salthill Hotel is perfect for a few slower days, relaxing by Galway Bay. Book a sea-view room and leave yourself plenty of time for long walks along the promenade, without feeling pressured to head into town every day. You’re near Blackrock Diving Tower, which is a little farther along the seafront than Galway Bay Hotel.

There are two pools, too, so you can come back from a breezy walk and warm up in the hydrotherapy pool. That sounds pretty great to me! There’s also a full-length pool if you’d rather swim laps.