6 of Galway’s Very Best Beaches

Galway is lush with beautiful beaches and swim spots. There is no better way to spend a day than on the gorgeous Galway coast soaking up the salt air, and on the odd day a bit of sunshine! Rain or shine, Galway’s vast beaches and seascapes provide ample opportunity to experience just how beautiful the west of Ireland is. We’ve pulled together a list of some of Galway’s best beaches, perfect for swimming and exploring.

Salthill Beaches

The Salthill beaches are some of Galway’s most iconic stretches of sand. Salthill is made up of many little beaches along Galway Bay. Grattan Beach, Ladies Beach and Blackrock Beach are all along the prom, making them the perfect spots to hop in for a classic Galway sea swim! Make your way all the way down to Blackrock to dive off the tower at high tide and you can consider yourself a true Galwegian!

Photo courtesy of @chaoshengzhang

Spiddal Beach

Spiddal Beach is another one of Galway’s Blue Flag beaches. This beautiful beach is right along Spiddal Village, making it an ideal spot to soak up the sun! Stunning, this beach is perfect for swimmers and loungers alike! The whole area is truly ideal for a quick dip, and a relaxing afternoon taking in the ocean views.

Ballyloughane Beach

Ballyloughane is a tranquil sandy spot located in Renmore. There’s a gentle slope and a quite shallow depth, making it an ideal place for families and friends to spend an afternoon swimming. Outlooking Galway Bay and the Clare Hills, this is truly a picturesque view in Galway!

Silverstrand

One of Galway’s most beautiful beaches, Silverstrand is located in Barna. The sandy spot is tucked right beside scattered rocks and a lone slice of cliff overlooking the bay. Silverstand is incredibly popular and it’s easy to see why! Silverstrand has a Blue Flag status in Galway making it suitable for a swim. Just a short distance from the city, this is a great place to spend the afternoon!

Kilmurvey Beach

There’s no better place to spend a summer day than on the Aran Islands. Kilmurvey Beach is located right on Inish Mór, making it a perfect spot to swim while exploring the rugged beauty of the islands. This beach offers incredible views across the Atlantic, making it a must see spot in Galway.

Dogs Bay and Gurteen Bay

If you’re still looking to explore a bit more of the wild west coast, travel up to Connemara to visit Dogs Bay and Gurteen Bay beaches. These beaches are some of the most beautiful in all of Ireland. The beaches are surrounded by the beautiful Connemara countryside. Dog’s Bay is this incredible horseshoe shape, making the views absolutely stunning.