Things to Do in Salthill Galway — A Complete Guide from the Promenade
Salthill has been drawing people to the edge of the Atlantic for well over a century, and once you are here, it is not hard to understand why. The suburb sits just southwest of Galway city, facing directly out across Galway Bay, with the Burren hills of Clare visible on the far shore on a clear day and the wild sweep of Connemara at your back. It is one of those places that has a genuinely distinctive atmosphere — part seaside town, part urban neighbourhood, entirely its own thing.
Staying at Salthill Hotel puts you right at the heart of it. Whether you are here for a weekend, a week, or longer, there is more to see and do in and around Salthill than most people expect. Here is a guide to making the most of it.
Walk the Salthill Promenade
The Salthill Promenade is the starting point for nearly everything in this part of Galway. Running for just over three kilometres along the edge of the bay, it is one of Ireland’s longest and most popular seafront walks — flat, open, and reliably beautiful at any hour of the day.
At first glance it is a simple walk along the water. In practice it becomes something you do every day of your stay, each time discovering something slightly different: a change in the light over the bay, a group of wild swimmers heading into the water before breakfast, a busker setting up near the playground, a spectacular sunset that turns the whole bay orange and pink.
The Prom runs east towards Galway city centre and west to the Blackrock end, where you will encounter one of Salthill’s most enduring traditions: kicking the wall. At the western end of the Promenade, opposite the famous Blackrock Diving Tower, walkers kick the low wall before turning back. Nobody is entirely sure how the tradition started — some say it brings luck, others say it is simply how you show you have done the full Prom — but it has been observed by Galwegians for generations and is now part of the fabric of the place. Do it. You will feel the satisfaction immediately.
Blackrock Diving Tower
The yellow concrete tower at the western end of the Promenade has been part of Salthill’s identity since it was built in 1953. Today it is one of Galway’s most photographed spots, with its bold silhouette against the Atlantic making for a striking image. But it is much more than a photographic subject — it is a working diving and jumping spot used by year-round swimmers, children on summer afternoons, and the fearless gathering for the Christmas Day plunge.
You do not have to jump. Standing on the platform and looking out across the bay, with the wind off the Atlantic and the city visible in the distance, is an experience worth having on its own terms. If you do jump — well, the water is bracing, the sense of accomplishment is real, and the locals will approve.
Salthill Beach and Swimming
Salthill has long been one of Galway’s favourite swimming beaches, and it is easy to see why. The beach runs along the base of the Promenade, offering supervised swimming during the summer season. The water is clean, the setting is open, and on warm days the beach takes on the kind of easy, sociable atmosphere that belongs to seaside towns everywhere.
Beyond the main beach, the swimming area near Blackrock is popular with more serious sea swimmers. Wild swimming has a strong tradition in this part of the country, and you will see people in the water here in all weathers and all seasons — an inspiring sight, even if it does not immediately convince you to join them in February.
Galway Atlantaquaria — Ireland’s National Aquarium
Located right on the Promenade, Galway Atlantaquaria is Ireland’s largest native species aquarium and one of the best family attractions in Galway. It is deceptively large inside — the tanks are purpose-built for each species, with water movement designed to mimic real Atlantic conditions rather than the static displays common in older aquariums.
Children love the interactive touch pools and the daily feeding demonstrations. Adults find themselves genuinely absorbed by the conservation stories and the scope of marine life on display. It is an excellent rainy-afternoon option, and one of those places that tends to take longer than you expect because there is more to see than you anticipated. Well worth a visit for families and curious minds alike.
Eye Cinema and Omniplex Salthill
Salthill has two cinema options, which makes it one of the better-served seaside areas for film fans in Ireland. Eye Cinema is a nine-screen cinema in Galway’s Wellpark area, showing a mix of mainstream releases, independent films, and foreign language cinema. It is a short drive or taxi ride from the hotel and offers a well-rounded programme throughout the year.
Omniplex Cinema Galway Salthill is a 10-screen multiplex on the Upper Salthill Road, featuring DLUXX screens, recline seats, and 3D showings. It is well positioned for a film on a quiet evening or as part of a family day out. Both cinemas are popular with locals — a reliable sign of quality — and booking ahead is recommended at weekends.
Leisureland — Crazy Golf, Arcades, and More
Leisureland is a Salthill institution, combining outdoor adventure golf, an indoor amusements hall, and various family activities under one roof on the Promenade. The outdoor adventure golf course runs for 9 holes along the seafront, with the bay as your backdrop — a setting that makes even a bogey feel somehow acceptable.
Inside, the arcade games and amusement machines are a reliable draw for children, and the overall atmosphere has the cheerful energy of a proper seaside funfair. It is the kind of place that children ask to return to, and that adults find themselves enjoying more than they expected. Open year-round, with varying seasonal hours — well worth building into a day on the Prom.
Walking to Galway City Centre
One of the most enjoyable things to do from Salthill is simply walk into Galway city centre. The journey takes around 20 minutes on foot along the seafront — first along the Promenade and then through the Claddagh, one of Galway’s oldest and most historically significant neighbourhoods, where the famous Claddagh ring originates.
From there it is a few minutes’ walk into the Latin Quarter, with its colourful shopfronts, street performers, traditional music sessions, and some of Ireland’s finest independent restaurants. Shop Street, Quay Street, and Kirwan’s Lane are all worth wandering through. Galway is a city best experienced on foot, and the walk from Salthill is genuinely one of the nicest ways to arrive in it.
The 401 bus also runs directly from outside Salthill Hotel into the city centre for those who prefer not to walk, and taxis are readily available.
Day Trips from Salthill
Salthill’s location on the Wild Atlantic Way makes it an excellent base for exploring beyond the city. Connemara National Park is around 45 minutes’ drive to the northwest — a landscape of bog, mountain, and Atlantic coastline that is genuinely spectacular in any weather. The Aran Islands are accessible by ferry from Rossaveal (approximately 40 minutes by car), with boats crossing daily to Inis Mór, Inis Meáin, and Inis Oírr.
The Burren and Cliffs of Moher are an hour to the southeast, passing through the South Galway limestone landscape on the way. Galway Bay Cruises offer boat trips directly from the city. There is enough within easy reach of Salthill to fill a fortnight without repeating yourself.
Eat, Drink, and Enjoy the Bay
Back at the hotel, Blackrock Bar is the natural end-of-day destination after a walk on the Prom — craft beers, a creative cocktail menu, and views across the bay from comfortable seating. The Prom Restaurant serves locally sourced Irish cuisine for dinner, with the same bay-view backdrop. Both are popular with locals as well as hotel guests, which is always a good sign.
After a day exploring Salthill and Galway, a swim in the Ocean Fitness pool or a sit in the sauna is the ideal way to wind down. The combination of sea air, good food, and warm water is, to put it plainly, very good indeed.
Browse our rooms and check availability for your stay on the Salthill Promenade, or get in touch with the team. See the gallery for a feel of the hotel and its setting, and visit our FAQ for any questions before you book.
