Galway lies on the River Corrib between Lough Corrib and Galway Bay on Ireland's west coast. A popular weekend-break city, and a stop on the scenic Wild Atlantic Way Touring Route, Galway is both picturesque and lively, with traditional pubs hosting live "Trad" music sessions and an impressive independent dining scene.

The city’s hub is 18th-century Eyre Square, a popular meeting spot surrounded by shops and pubs. Nearby, stone-clad cafes, boutiques and art galleries line the winding lanes of the Latin Quarter, which retains sections of the medieval city walls. The city bears the nickname "The City of the Tribes" because "14 tribes" of merchant families led the city in its Hiberno-Norman period. The merchants would have seen themselves as Irish gentry and loyal to the King. They later adopted the term as a badge of honour and pride in defiance of the town's Cromwellian occupier.

Local handcrafts are a feature of the entire region so look out for hand knits, pottery, glass, jewellery and woodwork. Some of the most interesting restaurants, bars and shops are found in the up-and-coming West End, one of the oldest parts of the city.