Are you broke but badly in need of a holiday? You’re in the right place! If your bank balance is feeling a little tight, don’t worry, Galway is the perfect place for an affordable escape. In this guide, we’ll show you how to spend 48 hours in Galway on a budget, without missing out on the fun. From cheap eats to free things to do, this itinerary is all about keeping things cheerful, low-cost, and full of great experiences. Enjoy!
Where to Stay;
Finding a place to stay in Galway without breaking your bank is easier than you’d think (thankfully). There are tons of budget-friendly accommodation providers in the heart of the city that are just a short stroll from the action.
If you’re travelling with friends, sharing an apartment can be a game-changer, giving you more space (and maybe even a kitchen to save on eating out).
above: Galway Lakeside Apartments' Tur an Tsaile Apartments
Top picks;
Galway Lakeside Apartments - At an affordable price you and your pals can stay in one of their cosy and comfortable apartments in some of the city’s most popular locations. Choose from four prime locations: Tur an Tsaile, beautifully situated on the lakeside at Lough Atalia Road; Tonn na Mara, located in Galway’s vibrant Docks area; Geata na Cathrach, just moments from Eyre Square; and Gort na Coiribe, positioned on Headford Road with easy access to the city centre. Prices from as low as €225 (sleeps 4).
For solo travellers or those chasing a social vibe, hostels are your best friend. Affordable, central, and perfect for meeting fellow adventurers.
Top picks;
Kinlay Hostel - Crowned "Best Hostel in Ireland" at the 2025 Hostelworld HOSCAR Awards, Kinlay Hostel is the best of the best. With prices as low as €48 per night, it’s no wonder that this is a hotspot for backpackers and travellers looking for convenience.
The Dawson Hostel - Book here to enjoy a complimentary breakfast, free tea and coffee all day, and access to a spacious kitchen, TV lounge, and quiet courtyard. This is the perfect base for relaxing between activities. Book in advance to take advantage of prices as low as €26.10 per night.
Galway City Hostel - THE hostel for solo travellers, this hostel places you right at the heart of all the action. With all the main transport routes right on your doorstep and prices from €42 per night when you book in advance, this is a brilliant choice for those looking to get out and explore!
The key to finding the right accommodation for your budget? Book early and keep an eye out for deals because there’s something here for every price point.
above: Galway City Hostel
Travelling Around;
Galway is seriously walkable, which means you can save your euros for pints and pastries instead of transport - what a bargain, right?! The majority of the main sights, shops, and pubs are within easy walking distance, especially around the city centre. If you’re planning to explore a bit further out, like Salthill or beyond, buses are cheap and frequent, making them a solid budget-friendly option. You can also rent a TFI Bike if you’re feeling energetic (or want to work up an appetite). Whether you’re wandering cobbled streets or hopping on a bus for a more direct approach, getting around Galway is super easy, affordable, and all part of the adventure. Insider’s tip - pack an umbrella, Galway’s weather can be a bit unpredictable so having a trusty brolly on hand is a good idea!
above: Taaffes Bar
Day One:
Arrive and drop off your bags with your accommodation provider and then hit the streets to track down the ultimate breakfast dish - the classic fry (or full Irish). Our top pick for keeping things affordable is Taaffes Bar, but if you want the full list of our favourite fry-ups you can check that out here. Sometimes you don’t want the fancy sourdough, the chilli beans, or the pork & apple sausages, you just want a proper fry, done right - just like the one that your mammy makes, and at Taaffes Bar, that’s exactly what you get. This full Irish is only €11.95, or opt for the veggie version for only €7.50.
With brekkie out of the way, pop on down to The Spanish Arch where not only will you find the totally picturesque colourful row of houses along ‘The Long Walk’ but also Galway City Museum which is our next stop.
Galway City Museum is completely free to enter and it’s recommended that you spend 1 1/2 hours here to be able to fully appreciate all of their fascinating exhibitions. It is home to the oldest-known Claddagh Ring, the original statue of famed Irish-language writer Pádraic Ó Conaire, a Victorian Post Box, Shawls from the late 19th/early 20th century and lots more.
above: Stroll to the Stout
Now it’s time folks to Stroll to the Stout. This free one-hour walking tour is filled with stories, humour, and genuine Irish hospitality. On the way you’ll explore landmark streets, hidden gems, and be given honest recommendations based on what you enjoy - not what’s in the guidebooks. The tour ends in a small, family-run pub where you’ll learn the craft of pouring your own pint of Guinness and leave with a Polaroid keepsake to remember the moment. Tips are welcomed if you enjoyed it, but not asked for.
If you’re starting to feel a bit peckish after walking around the city, from here cross over the Wolfe Tone Bridge to Raven’s Terrace, where you can enjoy coffee, pastries, sandwiches, salads at Gourmet Tart Co, or pop into Centra where the deli is stocked with everything you need to sustain you for the next part of our trip because it’s time to tap into your artsy side.
We are incredibly lucky that Galway city has plenty of free art galleries for you to check out while in town.
126 Artist-Run Gallery is an artist-led, not-for-profit organisation integral to Galway’s visual arts scene that is a supporter of emerging, risk-taking, contemporary visual art.
The Kenny Gallery - You might need to hop on a bus for this one -if the walk seems a bit much- but this is absolutely worth the visit. This multi-media gallery hosts both solo and group exhibitions throughout the year, including retrospectives and is always actively promoting new emerging talent to Galway audiences. With their sister bookshop they also host a variety of free author and artist launches and talks which are definitely worth keeping an eye out for.
Galway Arts Centre - An arts centre that works with artists to create, challenge and connect audiences to exceptional local, national and international art that inspires new ideas and ways of thinking about the world. Every Thursday they run their free after-hours Gallery Lates program which allows more people to experience their contemporary art exhibitions in informal and enjoyable ways.
Outset Gallery - With a focus on showcasing exciting contemporary art and providing a platform for artists to display their work in the cultural capital of the West, Outset Gallery hosts a variety of different exhibitions throughout the year. Alongside their gallery space they have a lovely gift shop with candles, cards, and prints galore should you wish to pick up a little keepsake. Side note; Outset Gallery is also neighbours to both Magpie Bakery and Charlie Byrne’s Bookshop, and if you haven’t heard of them - you absolutely must! What a treat it would be to experience them for the first time again.
above: Tig Chóilí
Once evening falls, you’ll want a hearty meal to fill your stomach and for that - you need look no further than Screene’s on the Square. For delicious, filling, and large portions, no one is doing it like them and what makes them even more special is that their prices are a lot more affordable than your typical Irish pub experience. For pints that aren’t overpriced and food that is this nice - this spot is hard to beat. Not to mention the array of big screens throughout showing the latest live sporting events as they take place. This might just be the setting to your perfect evening.
If you want to continue the fun, why not pull up a high stool at a trad session and immerse yourself in the magic of traditional Irish music in one of Galway’s finest trad bars; Tig Chóilí, The Crane Bar, and Taaffes Bar, all host weekly music sessions and offer some of the cheapest and best pints of Guinness in the city. So take our advice and find out who's playing today, order a pint of plain, take your seat and get ready for a fantastic performance that’ll have you tapping your foot along to the tunes.
above: Blackrock Cottage
Day Two:
Nothing beats a morning stroll along the Salthill Promenade so that’s exactly how day two should begin. With a coffee in hand (optional), walk the full 2km of promenade from the city down to Salthill’s yellow Blackrock Diving Tower (once completed, you can kick the wall for luck) before heading back the way you came because we have plenty more treats for you to experience on your final day in Galway a budget.
If you’re in Galway over a weekend, the Galway Market by St Nicholas’ Collegiate Church is a must-visit. Here you can shop, eat and drink your way through the marketplace, and enjoy the best homegrown and handmade products around. If you get the chance - try the sugar donuts by Boychik Donuts, and fried pizzas by Pastacrisciut, we are huge fans!
If it isn’t a weekend and the market isn’t open, visit BakeBox, the charming, family-run bakery who offer a tempting selection of Polish-style baked goods, including a selection of some of the best fresh sandwiches in Galway. All their items are made fresh daily and cost less than tenner. If you are really not willing to part with your cash, BakeBox also offers their day-old pastries in multi-buy bags for only three euros. For other options on where to eat in Galway for under €10 check out our favourite lunchtime spots here.
above: St Nicholas Collegiate Church
Before you leave Galway city, you might want to learn a bit more about it and with St Nicholas’ Collegiate Church guided tours you have a chance to step into both the history of the church and the city itself! Founded by the Normans, the church was built when Galway was only a new and small town and the tours run there today provide a visual timeline of the significant events that happened in Galway since then! In many ways, the history of Galway is so intertwined with the history of St. Nicholas’ Church and it’s incredibly interesting to hear. Guided tours take 45 minutes for €11, or if you prefer to go at your own pace you can opt for the self-guided tour for only €8.
For your final supper in Galway, we want you to experience one of its most iconic dishes - the Spice Bag and for that you need to visit Xian Street Food on Quay Street. Made using an incredible blend of 38 spices, it’s bursting with flavour and super filling, meaning that for only €9.50 you’ll be totally content your whole journey home.
To discover even more free things to do in Galway, check out our regularly updated Free Events Guide to never miss out on any of the cool things you can do in Galway city without spending a single cent!
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