The 14 Connemara Day Trips in Galway That Earn Their Price

1.Connemara and Cong Full-Day Tour

★★★★★★★★★★4.7 · 1,737 reviews · from $45Our pick

Travel from Galway through Connemara’s Inagh Valley, Killary Fjord, and Lough Nafooey to Kylemore Abbey and Cong. Driver-guides such as Mike, Tommy, and Patrick add stories, jokes, and local detail. You get two hours at Kylemore, 45 minutes in Cong, and round-trip coach transport. Abbey admission and lunch cost extra.

“This tour was great! Although the weather was terrible (heavy rain and winds), the views near Kylemore Abbey were so beautiful. I’d like to visit again and walk in the Connemara park when the weather is better. I had about an hour in Cong. It was enough to go and see around there, so I was satisfied with it.”

Check availability →Read our full review

2.Connemara Day Trip Including Leenane Village and Kylemore Abbey from Galway

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 1,068 reviews · 7 hours 30 minutes (approx.) · from $60Top rated

Ride from Galway into Connemara with an English-speaking driver-guide such as Seamus, Michael, Shane, or Dion. See Leenane, Killary Fjord, Kylemore Abbey, the Victorian Walled Garden, Spiddal, and Salthill. The coach handles the narrow roads and includes Kylemore admission, while you enjoy commentary, photo stops, and Irish scenery.

“Beautiful countryside. Outstanding ding views. Our guide, Dion, was knowledgeable and had a great sense of humor. He made the trip extra enjoyable.”

Check availability →Read our full review

3.Connemara & Kylemore Abbey Full-Day Guided Tour

★★★★★★★★★★4.6 · 1,063 reviews · from $57

Travel from Galway through Connemara’s mountains, lakes, bogs, and coast with an English-speaking driver-guide. Stop in Leenane and at Killary Fjord, spend two hours at Kylemore Abbey and its Victorian Walled Gardens, then visit Gaelic-speaking An Spideal. The $57 price includes transport and admission, but not food.

“Our tour guide Sean S. was FABULOUS!! He was informative and interesting.”

Check availability →Read our full review

4.Guided tour of Connemara with 3 hour stop at Connemara National Pk.

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 561 reviews · 9 hours (approx.) · from $60

Spend about nine hours touring Galway Bay and Connemara by air-conditioned coach. Guide-drivers such as Mike, Vincent, Adrian, and Patrick share Irish history and folklore while you stop at Screebe Waterfall, Sky Road, Clifden, and more. Choose three hours at Connemara National Park or Kylemore Abbey, then return to Galway.

“We had such a pleasant time. Mike was very funny and knowledgeable about the history of the area. Would highly recommend to others!”

Check availability →Read our full review

5.Connemara and Connemara National Park Day Trip

★★★★★★★★★★4.7 · 433 reviews · from $57

Set out from Galway with a local English-speaking guide such as Paddy, Mike, or Damien. See Claddagh, Salthill, Screeb Waterfall, Derryclare Lough, Clifden, and the Sky Road, then choose three hours at Connemara National Park or Kylemore Abbey. Expect scenic roads, Irish stories, free time, and a full nine-hour day.

“I experienced a perfect day in Connemara. Our guide, Mike, did an excellent job and we got lots of information about Ireland and the places we visited. The hike and view in Connemara National Park were amazing.”

Check availability →Read our full review

6.Small Group – Cliffs Cruise, Aran Islands AND Connemara in One Day from Galway

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 369 reviews · 8 hours 45 minutes (approx.) · from $151

From Galway, ride through Connemara and along Galway Bay, cruise beneath the Cliffs of Moher, then spend 2.5 hours on Inis Oirr. Guides such as Phil, Barry, and Sean bring local stories and humor. The $151.23 price includes transport, guide, ferry crossings, and the cruise, but not lunch or optional island rides.

“Boat ride to the Aran isle going by the Cliffs of Moher and horse cart tour of the island.Seafood at restaurant on island was fantastic.”

Check availability →Read our full review

7.Connemara National Park Full Day Tour

★★★★★★★★★★4.5 · 261 reviews · from $0

Travel from Galway into Connemara with a local English-speaking driver-guide, stopping at Leenane, Killary Fjord, and scenic viewpoints before two hours of free time at Connemara National Park. You can tackle Diamond Hill, take a shorter walk, or enjoy the café. Guides such as John, Michael, Sean, and Macdara add local stories, music, and Irish cultural context.

“We had a great day. We only had 12 days in Ireland, so we had to make some heartbreaking decisions about what to see and what to skip. So glad we didn't skip Connemara National Park. It was the highlight among nothing but highlights.”

Check availability →Read our full review

8.Connemara and Kylemore Abbey Day Tour

★★★★★★★★★★4.7 · 235 reviews · from $57

Travel from Galway with a local English-speaking guide such as Mike, Paddy, or Jerry along Galway Bay and the Wild Atlantic Way. Stop at waterfalls, lakes, Clifden, and Sky Road, then choose three hours at Kylemore Abbey or Connemara National Park. Expect photo stops, mountain scenery, and a full day on the road.

“The day trip through Connemara to Kylemore Abbey was delightful. We were on a smaller bus so we had many more options on the drive. The guide kept us entertained with his informative monologue along the drive and stopped along the way for photo opportunities, which I did not expect. He answered everyone's questions as we went and gave us inside information on how to best navigate seeing the Abbey, the Gardens and the Church in the time allowed! Definitely an excellent value!”

Check availability →Read our full review

9.Connemara Coastal kayaking

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 200 reviews · 2 hours 30 minutes (approx.) · from $93

Meet at Connemara Sands Beach Hotel for a 2.5-hour guided paddle along the Connemara coast. Danny, Clare, Steve, and the team provide wetsuits, safety gear, and beginner instruction before leading you toward quiet beaches and wildlife-rich water. Choose a morning, afternoon, or evening outing.

“Steve took very good care of us! Happy to spot some plovers and herons. And Connemara Bay is so clean and beautiful. We were blessed with sun as well!”

Check availability →Read our full review

10.Guided tour of Connemara with 3 hour stop in Kylemore Abbey

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 175 reviews · 9 hours (approx.) · from $60

Travel from Galway through coastal villages, moorland, lakes, and mountain roads with a local driver-guide. You’ll stop at Clifden, Sky Road, and scenic viewpoints before choosing three hours at Kylemore Abbey and its Victorian Walled Garden or Connemara National Park. The air-conditioned coach holds up to 37 people.

“Not enough bathroom stops on the three-hour Kylemore trip . No toilet on bus, either. Beautiful places to visit, otherwise.”

Check availability →Read our full review

11.Castles of Connemara Full-Day Tour

★★★★★★★★★★4.6 · 45 reviews · from $143

Travel from Galway in a small group of up to 10 with an English-speaking guide such as Tony, Colleen, Gerry, or Jerry. Visit Aughnanure Castle, Kylemore Abbey, Clifden, Sky Road, and Ballynahinch while crossing lake country, bogs, stone walls, and mountain scenery.

“Our guide really knew his history of each site we visited and had interesting little known facts he told us about.”

Check availability →Read our full review

12.Castles of Connemara tour departing Galway city. Guided. Full day

★★★★★★★★★★4.5 · 29 reviews · 9 hours (approx.) · from $192

This 9-hour minivan tour from Galway takes you through Connemara with stops at Aughnanure Castle, the Quiet Man Bridge, Kylemore Abbey, Clifden Castle, and an old castle on Ballynahinch Lough. You get castle and abbey admission, a small group of up to 15, and a local guide such as Colleen, Tony, Paul, or Jimmy.

“Our tour guide Colleen was very knowledgeable. It was quite a windy and rainy day but Colleen handled it all, gave us a great history of the areas we went through, and even suggested a place for lunch, which was excellent. She also pointed us out to the best jeweler in Connemara to purchase jewelry made with the marble of that area, which I was looking to purchase. This turned out to be a private tour with just the two of us and we had her full attention the whole time. She really made this tour something special.”

Check availability →Read our full review

13.Connemara, Sheepdog Show and Medieval Castle Tour

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 24 reviews

Travel from Galway in a small group of up to 20 people, stopping at Aughnanure Castle, Connemara viewpoints, Leenane, a working sheep farm, and Cong Abbey. Your English-speaking guide shares local stories, while farmer Joe demonstrates how trained sheepdogs work. The tour lasts 7.5 hours and returns to Galway.

“My boyfriend and I really enjoyed the tour. We were very happy with our tour guide and bus driver, Michael. We couldn’t have imagined a better day. Thank you for the amazing experience. We give a clear recommendation.”

Check availability →Read our full review

14.Connemara/Galway: Inis Meáin Return Ferry Transfer

★★★★★★★★★★4.7 · 3 reviews · from $45

Take the 10:30 AM ferry from Rossaveel to Inis Meáin, the quietest Aran Island, for roughly five hours ashore. Walk independently, rent a bike, or pay locally for a minibus tour. See ancient stone forts, Synge’s island, a sandy north-shore beach, and the Inis Meáin Knitting Company before the return sailing.

“summons at 4:30 p.m. for the departure of Inishmaan, and the boat does not arrive until 5:00 p.m., it's a shame, we lost time to be on time! especially since the "locals" know that the boat doesn't arrive until 5:00 p.m. cae, they arrived only 5 minutes before!”

Check availability →Read our full review