Best time to visit · Galway · Ireland
The best time to visit Galway
Weather, crowds, prices and events for every month, so you can pick the trip that suits you.
Updated By the AMZBooking editorial team
Photo: Gerd Eichmann, CC BY-SA 4.0
Quick answer
The best time to visit Galway is May, June and September, when days are long, the islands and Connemara are at their best and the city is lively but not overwhelmed. July is the most fun but the busiest and most expensive month, with the Arts Festival and Race Week. Winter is wet and windy but cheap, and the pubs and music carry on year-round.
Key facts
- Best months
- May–June and September
- Shoulder season
- April, July–August and October
- Warmest month
- July (avg high 19°C (66°F))
- Coldest month
- January (avg high 9°C (48°F))
- Rainiest month
- January (~18 rainy days)
- Lowest hotel prices
- January–February
Seasons
Galway has a mild, wet Atlantic climate: cool summers around 18–19 °C, mild winters that rarely freeze, frequent rain and strong winds off the bay, and very long summer days.
March–May
Spring
St Patrick's Day, lengthening days and wildflowers on the Burren; May is often one of the sunniest months.
June–August
Summer
Long evenings and the festival season, with the Arts Festival and Galway Races in late July bringing peak crowds and prices.
September–November
Autumn
The oyster festival, quieter streets and good walking weather in September, turning stormy and dark by November.
December–February
Winter
Wet, windy and short days, but the Christmas market, cosy pub sessions and the lowest room rates.
Month by month
Long-term averages (rounded). Crowds and prices are relative, 1 (lowest) to 5 (highest). Daylight is sunrise to sunset on the 15th.
| Month | High | Low | Rainy days | Sea | Daylight | Crowds | Prices |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| January | 9°C | 3°C | 18 | 10°C | 8 h | 1/5 | 1/5 |
| February | 9°C | 3°C | 15 | 9°C | 9.7 h | 1/5 | 1/5 |
| March | 11°C | 4°C | 16 | 9°C | 11.7 h | 2/5 | 2/5 |
| April | 13°C | 5°C | 13 | 10°C | 13.9 h | 3/5 | 3/5 |
| May | 15°C | 7°C | 13 | 11°C | 15.8 h | 3/5 | 3/5 |
| June | 18°C | 10°C | 12 | 13°C | 17 h | 4/5 | 4/5 |
| July | 19°C | 12°C | 14 | 15°C | 16.5 h | 5/5 | 5/5 |
| August | 19°C | 12°C | 15 | 16°C | 14.8 h | 4/5 | 4/5 |
| September | 17°C | 10°C | 14 | 15°C | 12.6 h | 3/5 | 3/5 |
| October | 14°C | 8°C | 17 | 13°C | 10.4 h | 2/5 | 2/5 |
| November | 11°C | 5°C | 17 | 12°C | 8.5 h | 2/5 | 2/5 |
| December | 9°C | 4°C | 18 | 11°C | 7.5 h | 2/5 | 2/5 |
Yearly events
Recurring dates shift from year to year; confirm with the organiser before you book.
| Month | Events |
|---|---|
| March | St Patrick's Day parade (17 March) |
| April | Cúirt International Festival of Literature (usually April) |
| July | Galway Film Fleadh (usually early July); Galway International Arts Festival (usually mid to late July); Galway Races at Ballybrit (usually late July to early August) |
| August | Galway Races continue into early August |
| 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) |
| December | Galway Christmas Market continues (usually until just before Christmas) |
Cheapest and quietest times
Hotel prices are usually lowest in January–February, and the sights are quietest in January–February.
What to pack
| Season | Pack |
|---|---|
| Spring | Layers, a warm sweater and a jacket for cool evenings; A compact umbrella and waterproof shoes — rain is frequent; Comfortable walking shoes |
| Summer | Layers, a warm sweater and a jacket for cool evenings; A compact umbrella and waterproof shoes — rain is frequent; Comfortable walking shoes |
| Autumn | Layers, a warm sweater and a jacket for cool evenings; A compact umbrella and waterproof shoes — rain is frequent; Comfortable walking shoes |
| Winter | A warm coat, hat, gloves and thermal layers; A compact umbrella and waterproof shoes — rain is frequent; Comfortable walking shoes |
Questions travellers ask
+What is the best month to visit Galway?
The best time to visit Galway is May, June and September, when days are long, the islands and Connemara are at their best and the city is lively but not overwhelmed. July is the most fun but the busiest and most expensive month, with the Arts Festival and Race Week. Winter is wet and windy but cheap, and the pubs and music carry on year-round.
+When are hotel prices lowest in Galway?
Usually in January–February. Wet, windy and short days, but the lowest prices of the year and cosy pubs with sessions most nights.
+What is the rainiest month in Galway?
January, with about 18 days of rain on average.
+How hot does Galway get?
The warmest month, July, averages highs of 19°C (66°F) and lows of 12°C (54°F).