If you’ve come here looking for suggestions on all that is going on Salthill, you’ve come to the right place! Check out our recommendations on what to do in Salthill here…
Thanks to its proximity to Galway’s city centre and its beautiful location along Ireland’s famous Wild Atlantic Way, Salthill is always buzzing with fantastic things to do no matter the time of year. Discover our favourite things to do in Salthill below and we hope you love exploring the area and all that there is to experience here as much as we do!
Visit Tribe Irish Gin School
Location: 139 Upper Salthill Rd / more here
Ireland’s largest Gin School began during the Covid pandemic by four friends who wanted to bring a new experience to Galway city and Salthill. Aside from enjoying the refreshing taste of their gin, at the award-winning Tribe Gin School you can opt to join their tasting tours or masterclasses. These Gin School Masterclass will give you the chance to learn about the Gin distilling process and how different botanicals, citrus fruits, florals and spices can influence the flavour of gin. From there you can create, distil and bottle your own unique gin recipe to bring home with you -pretty amazing right? Book your gin experience here.
above: photo courtesy of Tribe Irish Gin
Have a Beach Day!
Something that is considered a bucket list item when it comes to holidaying in Galway is taking a dive off the yellow Blackrock Diving Tower in Salthill. We’re sure you have seen it on Instagram or Facebook while you have been planning your Galway itinerary and now it’s your turn to take the plunge yourself! If you’re not feeling up for the challenge, Salthill’s other beaches are super beautiful and are all safe for swimming with lifeguard stations nearby. These sandy beaches are ideal for sunbathing, sandcastle building, picnicking and more so weather permitting be sure to spend a day on them.
Walk the famous Salthill Prom
Whether you walk it all or simply stroll a little bit of it, Salthill’s 2km Promenade is a must-do in Galway. The views are spectacular regardless of the time of day however if you are on a romantic break, walking it while the sun sets with your significant other is a moment you’ll never forget. On your walk you’ll encounter people of all ages and their dogs enjoying this lovely seaside walkway and fresh sea air. When you get to the end of the Prom by Blackrock Diving Tower don’t forget to kick the wall across from the diving tower for luck!
above: photo by Bernice Naughton via Ireland's Content Pool
Check out Galway Atlantaquaria
In Salthill, you’ll find Galway Atlantaquaria which is Ireland’s largest native species aquarium and an afternoon spent here is a brilliant activity for all ages. Especially, if you have kids as this is a great way to keep them entertained while also teaching them about Ireland native sea life through clear and interesting displays, informed helpful staff and exciting live presentations and animal interaction sessions. Afterwards, we highly recommend treating yourself to a delicious ice cream from The Creamery.
Test your luck at the Casino
Salthill is home to a fair number of casinos and luckily for us they offer the perfect rainy day activity in this seaside village. Open 24 hours seven days a week, if you want to try your luck on a variety of different games and place a few bets these casinos are where to do just that. Featuring roulette, slot machines and video poker, bingo and prize draws, odds are that you’ll find something that catches your interest so if the weather isn’t enticing you for a beach day this might be a fun alternative way to spend your day.
Discover all there is experience at Leisureland
If the weather isn’t suitable for a day at the beach no worries because there is always something to do at Salthill’s activity and events centre - Leisureland. Open all year round, it has a large public swimming pool with a slide and kids pool as well as a steam room and sauna. Outdoors, you’ll find a golf adventure course that consists of 9-holes and is an ideal sunny day activity in Galway. As we mentioned earlier, Leisureland also hosts events throughout the year and if you are interested in checking out who is performing during your time in Salthill please hit the link here to check out their entertainment programme.
above: photo courtesy of City Sightseeing Galway
Go on rides at Curry’s Funpark
A great activity for families coming to Salthill is spending a day on the rides at Currys Funpark. There are loads to choose from, and they have something to feed everyone’s adventurous soul. Rides here include the carousel, sky wheel, wacky worm roller coaster, the waltzer, flying swinger, toy town, tea cups, XLR8, icejet, fun factory and more! Currys Funpark is open all week long from 12pm until late (weather depending), so if you have children with you be sure to check them out!
See Galway’s stunning Famine Ship Memorial
Located right next to Grattan Beach, you’ll find a lovely memorial that is dedicated to those who lost their lives during the Famine and to those who left Galway for America in search of a better life for themselves and their families. The monument you will see today is an expansion of a pre-existing monument to Celia Griffin, a young girl who died aged 6 on the streets of Galway. Standing on either side of the original monument are two limestone stones that have been carved to resemble ship’s sails and are both carved with the names of 50 ships that departed during the Famine. At the time the nearby Mutton Lighthouse (which you can also walk out to and offers fabulous views) was the last light seen by the people aboard, of their homeland.
above: photo by Chaosheng Zhang
Feature photo by Chaosheng Zhang
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