Beaches · Galway · Ireland
The best beaches in and near Galway
Where to swim and spend a beach day, and when the water is warm.
Updated By the AMZBooking editorial team
Photo: 瑞丽江的河水, CC BY-SA 4.0
Quick answer
The best-known beach is Salthill beaches (About 2 km west of the city centre).
Key facts
- Beaches in this guide
- 3
- Warmest sea
- 16°C (61°F)
The beaches
About 2 km west of the city centre · Families and promenade walks
1.Salthill beaches
A string of small sandy and shingle beaches along the Salthill promenade, with the Blackrock diving tower at the western end and lifeguards on some stretches in summer.
About 6 km west of the city centre · Quieter swims and families
2.Silverstrand
A sheltered sandy cove beyond Salthill near Barna, with rock pools at low tide and views across the bay to the Burren.
About 75 km west in Connemara · Scenic beach day trip
3.Dog's Bay and Gurteen Bay
Two white-sand beaches back to back on a narrow neck of land near Roundstone in Connemara, with turquoise water on calm days.
Sea temperature by month
| Month | Sea | Air high |
|---|---|---|
| January | 10°C (50°F) | 9°C (48°F) |
| February | 9°C (48°F) | 9°C (48°F) |
| March | 9°C (48°F) | 11°C (52°F) |
| April | 10°C (50°F) | 13°C (55°F) |
| May | 11°C (52°F) | 15°C (59°F) |
| June | 13°C (55°F) | 18°C (64°F) |
| July | 15°C (59°F) | 19°C (66°F) |
| August | 16°C (61°F) | 19°C (66°F) |
| September | 15°C (59°F) | 17°C (63°F) |
| October | 13°C (55°F) | 14°C (57°F) |
| November | 12°C (54°F) | 11°C (52°F) |
| December | 11°C (52°F) | 9°C (48°F) |
Staying near the beach
$$ · Best for families, beach and quiet stays
Salthill
Salthill is Galway's seaside suburb, about 2 km west of the centre, with a long promenade along Galway Bay, small beaches, the Atlantaquarium, playgrounds and amusement arcades. Seafront hotels and guesthouses face the Burren hills across the bay, and a bus or a 30-minute walk reaches the Latin Quarter.
- Good
- Sea views and promenade walks; Good for children; Easier parking
- Watch out
- A walk or bus ride from the pubs; Quiet outside summer
- Nearby
- Salthill Promenade, Galway Atlantaquarium, Blackrock Diving Tower
Getting to the beaches
- Bus — City buses connect the centre with Salthill, Knocknacarra and the suburbs, and regional coaches run from the coach station by Eyre Square to Connemara, Clifden and Shannon Airport.
- Train — Irish Rail trains from Ceannt Station beside Eyre Square run to Dublin Heuston in about 2 hours 20 minutes and to Athenry and Limerick.
- Ferry — Ferries to the Aran Islands leave from Rossaveal, about 40 km west of the city and linked by connecting coach, and from Doolin in County Clare in summer.
- Car — A car gives the most freedom for Connemara, the Burren and the coast, but roads are narrow and winding, and city-centre parking is limited.
Beach-weather months
Air temperatures rarely reach classic beach weather here: the warmest month, July, averages 19°C (66°F).
Beach safety
Galway is relaxed for visitors; the main issues are late-night drunkenness around the Latin Quarter and Eyre Square at weekends and pickpocketing in crowded festival weeks. On the coast and cliffs, Atlantic waves and wind are strong, so keep well back from edges and swim only at lifeguarded beaches. Swim at lifeguarded beaches where possible and follow local flag warnings.
Questions travellers ask
+Does Galway have beaches?
Yes: Salthill beaches, Silverstrand and Dog's Bay and Gurteen Bay.
+What is the best beach near Galway?
Salthill beaches: A string of small sandy and shingle beaches along the Salthill promenade, with the Blackrock diving tower at the western end and lifeguards on some stretches in summer.