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From Galway: Guided Tour of Connemara and Extended Visit to National Park
4.8
572 Ratings
Galway
The Connemara Day Tour departing from Galway provides a selection for a 3-hour primary stop:
Option 1: Spend 3 hours at the Connemara National Park.
Option 2: Enjoy 3 hours at Kylemore Abbey and the Victorian Walled Garden.
The Connemara Day Tour departing from Galway provides a selection for a 3-hour primary stop:
Option 1: Spend 3 hours at the Connemara National Park.
Option 2: Enjoy 3 hours at Kylemore Abbey and the Victorian Walled Garden.
Duration:
9 hours
Cancellation:
24 hours
Highlights
- Galway - The tour vehicle departs from Merchants Road, Galway, outside the Kinlay Hostel at 09:30. Please arrive 15 minutes before departure.
- Claddagh Jewellers - As you turn left into the Claddagh, you’ll find St. Mary’s Church on your right, a Dominican Church for nearly 500 years. The Claddagh Ring, a romantic symbol from the former…
- Galway - The tour vehicle departs from Merchants Road, Galway, outside the Kinlay Hostel at 09:30. Please arrive 15 minutes before departure.
- Claddagh Jewellers - As you turn left into the Claddagh, you’ll find St. Mary’s Church on your right, a Dominican Church for nearly 500 years. The Claddagh Ring, a romantic symbol from the former Claddagh fishing village, serves as the traditional wedding ring of the villagers and makes a perfect Galway gift or memento of your visit.
- Salthill Promenade - Salthill is a lively area overlooking Galway Bay, featuring the stunning 4km long Galway Promenade with views of Galway Bay and the Clare Hills. Several small beaches are separated by rocky outcrops along its length. A local tradition is to ‘kick the wall’ at the promenade’s end to mark the completion of your walk.
- Barna - Nestled between timeless moorlands and the blue Atlantic Ocean, the coast road winds westward through the charming villages of Barna and Furbo to the delightful Gaeltacht (Irish-speaking) village of Spiddal (An Spideal).
- Spiddal - The village of Spiddal (An Spideal) on the shores of Galway Bay is a picturesque Gaeltacht (Irish-speaking) village. It boasts many traditional thatched roof homes, scenic coastlines, and beautiful beaches, maintaining the culture and traditions of Gaeltacht heritage.
- Costelloe - Once the residence of Bruce Ismay, CEO of White Star Lines and Titanic survivor.
- Screebe Waterfall - The Connemara landscape and the Wild Atlantic coastline have inspired many writers and musicians, including French singer/songwriter Michel Sandou’s popular hit ‘Les lacs du Connemara.’
- Pines Island Viewpoint - Derryclare Lough is a freshwater lake at the entrance to the Inagh Valley. This is a popular viewpoint for visitors to Connemara and offers excellent photo opportunities of Pine Island.
- Connemara - Connemara extends from Galway Bay in the south to Killary Harbour in the north, encompassing the rugged peaks of the Twelve Bens, the gentle waters of Lough Corrib, and the wild beauty of the Inagh Valley. Connemara is home to some of Ireland’s finest beaches, with wide stretches of pure white sand kissed by the Atlantic Ocean.
- Clifden - Known as the unofficial residential and commercial capital of Connemara, Clifden is the hub of the region. Founded in 1812, it is situated between the mountains and ocean and has historical ties to Marconi, Alcock, and Brown.
- Clifden Castle - This ruined manor house was constructed in the early 19th century by John D’Arcy, the founder of Clifden.
- Sky Road - The Sky Road is one of the Discovery Points on the Wild Atlantic Way. This 16km circular route begins in Clifden and rises high above the Atlantic Ocean, offering spectacular panoramic views. On a clear day, the view is truly breathtaking.
- Connemara National Park & Visitor Centre - On today’s tour, you have a choice of main stop: either 3 hours in the Connemara National Park or 3 hours at Kylemore Abbey. Free, accessible, and richly rewarding, the Connemara National Park offers a deeper connection with this unique landscape. The Diamond Hill trails provide an idyllic hiking experience, climbing through wild uplands before rewarding you with stunning views across the region.
- Kylemore Abbey & Victorian Walled Garden - For those who prefer not to explore the Connemara National Park, an alternative main stop is Kylemore Abbey, one of Ireland’s most iconic sights. Discounted admission is available. Few buildings in Ireland or the world have such a dramatic setting or history as Kylemore Abbey. Built in the 1860s by Mitchell Henry as a wedding gift to his wife Margaret, the magnificent castle at Kylemore is a must-see in Connemara. Your driver/guide can provide entry tickets at a discounted rate – cash only.
- Lough Inagh - The Inagh Valley is one of the most scenic valleys not just in Connemara but in all of Ireland. This romantic valley offers breathtaking views of peatlands, mountains, lakes, and glorious countryside where sheep graze freely.
- The Connemara Giant - The tiny village of Recess (Sraith Salach – riverside meadow of willows) is located on the edge of the beautiful fishing lake of Glendalough and is home to the Connemara Giant or Con MacNamara, a statue overlooking the village car park.
- Quiet Man Bridge - The Quiet Man is a 1952 American romantic comedy-drama film directed by John Ford, starring John Wayne and Maureen O’Hara. The film is notable for its lush photography of the Irish countryside and a long climactic semi-comic fistfight.

What's Included
- Local guide
- Driver/guide
- In-vehicle air conditioning
- Live commentary on board
- Local guide
- Driver/guide
- In-vehicle air conditioning
- Live commentary on board
What's Not Included
- Food and drinks
- Gratuities
- Entry to Kylemore Abbey - tickets can be purchased from the driver at discounted rates, cash only.
- Hotel Pickup
- Food and drinks
- Gratuities
- Entry to Kylemore Abbey - tickets can be purchased from the driver at discounted rates, cash only.
- Hotel Pickup
Additional Information
- Children must be accompanied by an adult
- Children must be accompanied by an adult
Location
Merchants Road
Tour departs: Merchants Road, Galway outside the Kinlay Hostel, H91 F2KT at 09:30.
Tour vehicle will have 'Wild Atlantic Way Day Tours' branding.
Please present 15 minutes prior to departure.
Tour returns: Merchants Road, Galway at 18:30.
Cancellation Policy
For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.
For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.
Customer Ratings
4.8
(572 Ratings)
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1 star
Habiba_t
May 14, 2026
Our guide and driver Mike... - Our guide and driver Mike was great. He told us a lot of history of the area. Great timing and the tour was worth the money and time.
Review provided by Viator
Heidi_s
May 13, 2026
Mike, exceptional guide! - Connemara is a beautiful region, and Kylemore Abbey is an impressive site. Mike, our driver and guide, was exceptional. A lot of information on various topics. The best guide!
Review provided by Viator
Kassandra_t
May 8, 2026
Thank you for great views! - I really enjoyed the tour. The hike was worth the views. Pavel was an enjoyable tour guide and shared some great insights into Ireland's culture. Would recommend
Review provided by Viator
Michele_e
May 1, 2026
It was a long day. The... - It was a long day. The bus was comfortable and the tour guide Mike was great. The restaurant was very crowded. And bring cash. The card machine was down when we were there. Also need cash to get in. Highly recommend
Review provided by Viator
Jaden_j
Apr 26, 2026
Visit the National Park and Hike if you Like Nature - Mike was awesome! Highly recommend visiting Connemara National Park and doing the hike. If you hike quickly, you can summit a large hill/small mountain, and if you don't prefer to hike or you walk slower, there is a 1 hr round-trip walk you can take that is much more mild!
10/10 would recommend the national Park of you enjoy nature. I could have skipped Kylemore Abbey and been fine. The outside is pretty, but inside it has been renovated, so it doesn't hold the same architectural charm on the inside. It's more of a museum.
Review provided by Viator
Helen_h
Apr 25, 2026
We get to see the lovely... - We get to see the lovely Connemara countryside and learn a good deal about the area. The bus is very comfortable and Vincent , the driver/ tour guide was very knowledgeable and friendly. We learnt about the history of the area, the Irish economy and politics, Irish sport. Bog formation , cutting turf and much more. It was hard to choose between the Kylemore Abbey and the National Park . But as it was a beautiful day I had an enjoyable and invigorating walk up Diamond Hill ant Connemara NP and was rewarded with a fantastic view at the top.
Helen from NZ
Review provided by Viator
Theresa_n
Apr 22, 2026
We enjoyed the full day... - We enjoyed the full day trip to Connemara National park. Vincent, our driver, was a great storyteller and driver. He was so helpful and pleasant. My husband tackled the very windy hike up and around the Diamond hill trail. I made it part ways and turned back. The scenery is absolutely beautiful!! Highly recommend this trip where there are zero worries around driving and lots of time to absorb the changing landscape.
Review provided by Viator
Connector35432963987
Apr 12, 2026
The best day trip from Galway! - Vincent was out tour guide and he was amazing! We were able to learn so much about all diffrent aspects of Ireland and the people there. The stops were at the perfect places and the time we had for Connemara was even enough to hike up Diamond Hill!
I can wholeheartedly recommend this tour if you’re looking for a way to get iut of Galway and want to get to know the countryside better🤩
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Michelle_c
Apr 1, 2026
Lots of walking. Bus... - Lots of walking. Bus driver was very interesting and informative. Food served in the Kylemore Abbey Cafe was excellent; the portions were large.
Review provided by Viator
Violet_w
Mar 14, 2026
Perfect Trip! - Our driver, Vincent was incredible! We had a wonderful trip, despite the rainy weather. Vincent told us all about the natural lands in Ireland, took us to Kylemore Abbey where we enjoyed touring the abbery, gardens, and had wonderful tea, cake, and scones at the Tea House. We had a great trip. Thanks for the day, Vincent.
Review provided by Viator