Explore County Galway Beaches and Coastline

County Galway is on the Western Atlantic coast of Ireland and covers the shores of Galway Bay and the Aran Islands. Galway is also home to one of the larger freshwater lakes, Lough Corrib.

The city of Galway is the west coast's largest city and an ideal position to explore Galway bay and the surrounding areas.


Why not check beaches nearby as we have 15 beaches in Galway. You can even take a look at our list of Galway dog friendly beaches or even our Ireland Blue Flag beach list.

Galway Coast Map

Galway Coast Search Bar

Where would you like to go? Use our search bar to search across all our local listings, ideal for finding that nearest spot to visit:

{"hide_search_input":false,"hide_near_input":false,"bg":"","mt":"","mr":"","mb":"3","ml":"","pt":"","pr":"","pb":"","pl":"","border":"","rounded":"","rounded_size":"","shadow":"","show":""}

Want some ideas on where to visit?

Every favourite location must be visited for the first time. Want some ideas, why not check out the below small selection of coastal locations, including beaches, activities, things to see and do, places to stay and eat:

Attractions & Theme Park

Quiet Man Museum

In 1951 John Ford’s movie ‘The Quiet Man’ starring John Wayne, Maureen O’Hara and Barry Fitzgerald was made in the west of Ireland with much of the location being around the village of Cong. The thatched cottage’s ground floor has been designed as an exact replica of ‘White-o-Morn’ Cottage and should give you an experience as if they were actually Read more…
Landscape and Nature

Brigit’s Garden and Celtic Heritage Center

Brigit’s Garden is a Garden and Celtic Heritage Center set within 11 acres of native woodland and wildflower meadows. Our 4 main gardens represent the Celtic festivals of Samhain, Imbolc, Bealtaine and Lughnasa. In addition to the Celtic Gardens, visitors can enjoy the nature trail, an ancient ring fort (fairy fort), thatched roundhouse and crannog, and the calendar sundial, the largest Read more…
Beach

Tra Mhor Beach

Tra Mhor Beach is a sandy beach within a sheltered bay and the beach has a gradual slope into the water making it great for swimming. Facilities available include parking, seasonal lifeguards, toilets. Read more…
Coral-Strand-Beach

Coral Strand Beach

Coral Strand (or Trá an Dóilín) beach is a stunning small beach as the beach is made up of coralline algae known as maerl, making this biogenic gravel beach very rare and of great conservation importance. The beach has rock pools and coves to explore. Facilities at the beach include car parking, seasonal lifeguards, toilets, and first aid points. Read more…
Blue Flag beach

Cill Muirbhthe Kilmurvey Beach

Cill Muirbhthe (Kilmurvey) beach is a sandy beach on the northern coast of Inishmore Island. The island has several rare plant species and the birdlife makes this a very popular location. Read more…
History and heritage

Teach Synge

Teach Synge is a restored 300 year old cottage on the beautiful island of Inishmaan (one of the Aran Islands) in County Galway. The restored cottage is now a museum to the life and work of the playwright, John Millington Synge, 1871-1909. Read more…
Glassillaun-Beach

Glassillaun Beach

Glassillaun beach is a sandy beach sitting within a cuirving bay that has a spectacular mountain backdrop. The beach has some interesting rocks to explore or use as shelter and at low tide a few small caves appear. No facilities other than a small  car park. Read more…
Beach

Tramor Coil Rua Beach

Tramor Coil Rua beach is a sandy beach with some rocks. Ads well as the main beach you have some smaller areas of sand to either side. Read more…
Things to see and do

Galway Arts Centre

The Galway Arts Centre is a gallery showing Irish and international contemporary arts held within a building built in the 1840’s. The gallery is open on all but a Sunday and offers workshops and classes or has rooms for hire. Read more…
Dogs-Bay-beach

Dogs Bay Beach

Dogs Bay beach is a west facing horseshoe shaped white sandy beach. The beach is roughly 1 mile long and the whiteness of the sand comes from very fine seashells. You get some protection from the headland that makes Dogs Bay an excellent swimming beach. Dogs Bay beach sits right beside Gurteen Bay Beach only seperated by a small strip of marram Read more…
lifeboat

Clifden lifeboat station

Clifden lifeboat station was established in 1988 and operates two inshore lifeboats. Station only open by appointment. Read more…
Landscape and Nature

Inchagoill Island

Inchagoill Island is the fourth largest island on Lough Corrib and has a number of monastic ruins, woodlands, coves and bays that are ideal for picnics and swimming. This is the most visited of all of the many islands on Lough Corrib. Read more…
View all

Some more seaside locations in Galway

Athenry Clifden Clonbur Connemara Galway area Indreabhan Inisheer Inishmaan Inishmore Kilronan Kinvara Loughrea Portumna Spiddal