Galway Day Tours – Galway, Ireland

Posted by davidjbutler.info on January 21, 2009 under Galway | Be the First to Comment

While visiting Galway’s City Centre area, and the various pubs/cafes/clubs, are a great time. No tourist’s visit is complete without a visit to the incredible countryside. The two main attractions from Galway are “The Cliffs of Moher” to the south, and “Connemara” to the north. Each of these feature incredible sights (and sites) with numerous photo opportunities, and one of my highest awe factors.

Overviewing the Atlantic Ocean, with a 200m (700ft) drop, the Cliffs offer a view of the Aran Islands one will not soon forget. Along your tour you will likely also encounter “Poulnabrone Dolmen” (Portal Tomb). This is though to be the way to an ancient burial tomb, and the center of many ceremonies. Your trip will also likely take you to the “Caves”, a highly over-rated underground area which features waterfalls. While an underground waterfall sounds pretty spectacular, water only actually falls when it has rained within the last day. I would recommend avoiding the excess cost of the Caves, and to just take photos from the edge of the mountain.

A trip to Connemara will take you up into Galway’s northern area and features rolling mountain ranges, and an experience you will not soon forget. I took this trip with the Galway Tour Company, and believe it is exceptional (both the company and the tour). The landscape isn’t done justice by my basic camera.

Each tourist has the option to tour by themselves, getting lots of exercise and really experiencing the height and slope of the mountains and area. For most of us though, I think a Tour Company is an excellent choice which provides both the physical tour, and often historical information and entertaining stories throughout the day.

Tour company’s in urban centers are a dime-a-dozen with Galway being no exception. Picking the right one is a make or break decision that will determine whether you have the best outing possible. When I visited the Cliffs, I used the Lally Tour company, and felt that it lacked the character of another option, the Galway Tour Company. As I mentioned previously, they take you to the Caves which I believe are overpriced at €8 (when on the tour), and overrated. My trip to Connemara was with the Galway Tour Company and was much more enjoyable. Before picking a company, I would recommend checking the differences in prices, and getting firsthand, unbiased, reviews from people in your hostel or area informing you whether your prospective company is worthwhile, and whether they have any recommendations for you.