Car Rental Galway - Exploring Galway

Within a few hours drive of Galway city are some of Ireland’s most beautiful regions. Northwest of the city lies the rugged and wild region of Connemara. Drive along winding roads through lonely valleys, bogs and mountain passes of unsurpassable beauty. The Twelve Bens, a mountain range that runs to the coast, offers hiking trails and spectacular views of the ocean. Along the coast there are cliffs and pristine beaches to enjoy. The small town of Spiddal is a pleasant stop along the way.

To the south of Galway, in County Clare, lies the somewhat surreal landscape of the Burren. Flat limestone rock covers the ground for miles in every direction. Though it may appear at times to be a lifeless region, it is in fact home to some of the rarest species of flora and fauna in Ireland – from Alpine and Mediterranean flowers to the elusive pine marten. There are also numerous megalithic tombs and stone forts dotted around the Burren. The attractive towns of Doolin and Ballyvaughan are good places to stop along the way.

The Cliffs of Moher are a half an hour drive west of the Burren and are the highest cliffs in Europe. They offer amazing views of the Atlantic Ocean and there is an exhilarating walk along the cliffs to a castle perched on the edge.

To the west of Galway lie the Arran Islands. Similar to the Burren in appearance they are home to some of the most ancient Christian and pre-Christian remains in Ireland; the massive Iron Age stone forts at Dun Aengus on Inishmor being a particularly spectacular example. There are three islands you can visit, with ferry services leaving from Galway City every day.