7 Amazing Things to Do in Galway This Autumn (2025 Guide) 🍂
Where golden light meets Wild Atlantic soul…
As summer fades and the first crisp winds stir the Atlantic, Galway begins to whisper in a different voice. The crowds have drifted home, the leaves begin to blush, and the city reveals a quieter, deeper beauty. Autumn in Galway is not just a season – it’s a feeling. A time for slow strolls, warm fires, wild landscapes, and music that spills out of pub doors and into your soul.
Whether you’re planning a spontaneous weekend break or dreaming of a longer escape, here are 7 things to do in Galway this autumn that will stir the heart and feed the senses.
1. Walk the Salthill Prom at Sunset
The light in Galway in autumn is something else – soft, golden, with the kind of glow that photographers chase. A walk along the Salthill Promenade as the sun dips behind Galway Bay is a must. Let the wind tangle your hair, watch the waves crash, and don’t forget to “kick the wall” at the end, like generations of Galwegians before you. Make sure to stop into the The Prom Restaurant for some cosy brunch on the way.Â
2. Feast at the Galway International Oyster & Seafood Festival (26–28 September 2025)
No season suits Galway’s salt-and-seafood spirit quite like autumn. The Oyster Festival is a delicious celebration of the sea’s harvest, with native oysters, local ales, live music, and that unmistakable Galway mischief in the air. It’s one of the most iconic events in Galway in 2025, and a true taste of place.
3. Escape to the Amber Hills of Connemara
There are few landscapes on Earth that shift so beautifully with the seasons. In autumn, Connemara’s hills blaze gold and rust, its lakes mirror skies, and its winding roads invite you to slow down and breathe deep. Visit Kylemore Abbey, hike Diamond Hill, or just get lost in the stillness.
4. Wander the Latin Quarter and Discover Local Treasures
In the heart of Galway, the Latin Quarter hums with charm. Autumn is the perfect time to explore its cosy corners – browse handmade knitwear, art prints, and second-hand books. Duck into Charlie Byrne’s, grab a hot drink, and lose yourself among the stacks.
5. Sink Into a Fireside Session of Traditional Music
As night falls earlier, the pubs grow warmer. Galway’s music scene doesn’t slow down in autumn… it deepens. At The Crane Bar, Tigh Neachtain, or Monroe’s, you’ll find fiddles, bodhráns, laughter, and locals singing songs older than the stones. It’s not just music. It’s medicine.
6. Feel the Magic at Halloween
Galway embraces Halloween with a gothic grin. Join a ghost walk through medieval streets, visit Lynch’s Castle steeped in haunting history, or experience the Macnas Halloween Parade, a swirling, surreal spectacle of light, costume, myth and fire.
7. Stay by the Sea and Wake to the Sound of Waves
There’s nothing quite like waking up to the roar of the Atlantic on an autumn morning. Book a room in a coastal hotel like the Salthill Hotel, and let the ocean be your backdrop. With sea views, soft beds, and fine food, it’s a warm cocoon after a day in the elements.
