Lonely Planet has named Galway as one of the top ten cities to visit in their Best in Travel 2020 guide. And to celebrate, Tourism Ireland has released a brand-new video showcasing this vibrant and bohemian city and its location at the heart of the Wild Atlantic Way!
The travel bible describes Galway as “arguably Ireland’s most engaging city”, where “brightly painted pubs heave with live music” and “cafes offer front row seats to watch buskers perform”.
Galway takes the mantle of 2020 European Capital of Culture, launching a year-long celebration of creativity, culture, arts, and most of all, craic (fun)!
The largest and most complex cultural event ever held on the island of Ireland will start on 1 February with a week of fiery celebrations in County Galway’s towns and villages, culminating in a spectacular opening ceremony in Galway city on Saturday 8 February 2020.
Throughout the year there will be more than 1,900 events across projects, partnerships and collaborations with local, national, European and international artists and cultural organisations from more than 30 different countries. Galway’s world-renowned annual calendar of music, horse-racing, food and arts festivals will also feature enhanced programmes.
Lonely Planet’s experts say Galway in 2020 will be all about street spectacle, live and digital art as well as world-class music, theatre and dance.
Experiences advocated by the travel authority as unmissable next year include enjoying the groundbreaking flavour combinations in Galway’s Michelin starred restaurants and taking in the live music at Tig Cóili “where the walls are decorated with photos of those who’ve played there and two live céilidh sessions a day draw the crowds”.
They also recommend feeling at home at the Tigh Neachtain pub, “where timber walls frame a roaring fire and locals crack gentle jokes”.
Perched on the western edge of Ireland and at the cultural heart of Europe, Galway is exuberant, full of imagination and surrounded with the alluring beauty of Connemara and the gorgeous coastal scenery of the Wild Atlantic Way.
Offering many reasons to take an extended stay, 2020 promises to amplify experiences of its culture, creativity and natural environment like never before.
Fast facts about Galway:
- Galway city is also known as the ‘City of Tribes’. 14 families ruled Galway from the 13th century onwards, and you’ll find that some of the surnames, including Skerritt, Browne and Blake are still very common in Galway.
- During the time of the 14 tribes, Galway was a small medieval settlement and the city is still very proud of its history. Stroll around the city and you’ll find monuments dotted everywhere, with a blend of the old and the new coexisting perfectly. The old city walls have been incorporated into the Eyre Square Shopping Centre, and the Spanish Arch, an extension of the city walls, stands proudly by Galway bay.
- Every year, there are a number of festivals within the city. The Galway International Arts Festival is a grand showcase of dance, art, theatre, and music that attracts more than 250,000 people each year. The Galway International Oyster and Seafood festival is one of the longest running oyster festivals in the world, and you can dine on fresh oysters, and a variety of local seafood over this two day festival.
- Galway city is home to two Michelin starred restaurants: Loam and Aniar. Both restaurants have a Michelin star each, and use the fresh and local ingredients to their advantage to create delicious food. But eating out isn’t always fine dining – check out the likes of Ard Bia, Kai or McDonagh’s – a top spot for fish and chips.
- There are thirteen UNESCO Cities of Film in the world, and Galway is one of them! Blockbuster films including Marley and Me, Into the West, and Tristan and Isolde have all been filmed here. Every July, the Galway Film Fleadh welcomes filmmakers from all over the world to showcase their pieces and celebrate their passion for film.
- Galway is almost halfway along the incredible Wild Atlantic Way touring route on the west coast of Ireland, so as city locations go, Galway is an absolute beauty!
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