Season guide · Galway · Ireland
Galway in autumn
September–November: weather, crowds, prices and the best things to do this time of year.
Updated By the AMZBooking editorial team
Photo: Josi, CC BY-SA 4.0
Quick answer
The oyster festival, quieter streets and good walking weather in September, turning stormy and dark by November. Expect highs up to 17°C (63°F) and lows around 5°C (41°F), with about 48 rainy days across September–November. September is among the best months of the year to visit.
Key facts
- Months
- September–November
- Temperatures
- 5°C (41°F) to 17°C (63°F)
- Rainy days in the season
- About 48
- Sea
- 12°C (54°F) to 15°C (59°F)
- Crowds
- Quiet
- Hotel prices
- Low
Weather in autumn
| Month | High | Low | Rainy days | Daylight | Crowds |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| September | 17°C (63°F) | 10°C (50°F) | 14 | 12.6 h | 3/5 |
| October | 14°C (57°F) | 8°C (46°F) | 17 | 10.4 h | 2/5 |
| November | 11°C (52°F) | 5°C (41°F) | 17 | 8.5 h | 2/5 |
Compared with the rest of the year: average highs of 14°C (57°F) against a yearly 14°C (57°F), and 48 of the year's roughly 182 rainy days fall in these 3 months. Crowds rate 2/5 and hotel prices 2/5 on average.
What's on in autumn
Recurring events; dates move from year to year, so confirm with the organiser.
- September: Galway International Oyster and Seafood Festival (usually late September)
- October: Baboró International Arts Festival for Children (usually October)
- November: Galway Christmas Market in Eyre Square (usually mid-November to December)
Good choices for autumn
Museum · Latin Quarter
Galway City Museum
Beside the Spanish Arch, the free city museum covers Galway's history from medieval walled town to modern city, with displays on the sea, a traditional Galway hooker sailing boat and exhibitions on the city's archaeology.
- Time needed
- 1–1.5 hours
- Cost
- Free
- Free
- History
- Rainy day
- Kids
Religious site · Woodquay
Galway Cathedral
Visit outside service times and look for the mosaic that includes President John F. Kennedy.
- Time needed
- 45 minutes
- Cost
- Free
- Free
- Architecture
- History
- Rainy day
Aquarium · Salthill
Galway Atlantaquarium
On the Salthill seafront, this aquarium focuses on the marine life of Irish waters, from rays and conger eels to sharks, with touch pools for children.
- Time needed
- 1.5 hours
- Cost
- Mid-priced
- Kids
- Rainy day
- Nature
Experience · Latin Quarter
Traditional music sessions
Sessions are not performances; sit nearby, keep conversation low during tunes and buy a drink rather than standing around.
- Time needed
- 2–3 hours
- Cost
- Low cost
- Iconic
- After dark
- Couples
- Rainy day
Day trips in autumn
- Connemara and Kylemore Abbey (About 1 hour 30 minutes by car) — Connemara's bogs, lakes and the Twelve Bens mountains lead to Kylemore Abbey, a castellated 19th-century house on a lake with a Victorian walled garden.
- Clifden and the Sky Road (About 1 hour 30 minutes by car or coach) — Connemara's main town is the start of the Sky Road, a loop with high views over Clifden Bay and the Atlantic islands.
What to pack
- Layers, a warm sweater and a jacket for cool evenings
- A compact umbrella and waterproof shoes — rain is frequent
- Comfortable walking shoes
Other times of year
Questions travellers ask
+Is autumn a good time to visit Galway?
Yes: September is among the best months. The oyster festival, quieter streets and good walking weather in September, turning stormy and dark by November.
+What is the weather like in Galway in autumn?
Highs of up to 17°C (63°F) and lows around 5°C (41°F), with about 48 rainy days over the season.