The 15 Best Connemara Day Trips from Galway

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.”

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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.”

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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.”

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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!”

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5.Connemara and Galway Full-Day Tour

★★★★★★★★★★3.5 · 446 reviews · from $85

You’ll cross Ireland from Dublin to wild Connemara, stopping at Glengowla Family Farm and Silver Mines from April to October, or Cong from November to March. Expect mountain and lake views, Galway Bay, about two hours in Galway, and an English-speaking guide such as Peter or Mark.

“Supposed to have 1 1/2 hours in Cong, but cut back to an hour. Just not enough time there. The stop in Connemara was great...so beautiful. Galway would have been better if we could have gotten through the Joyce roundabout. As it was, it took ONE HOUR to through the roundabout and time to get the bus parked. Very long bus ride for about 3 hours of touring time. Even so, glad we took the tour and thankful it was a beautiful day.”

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6.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.”

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7.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.”

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8.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.”

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9.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!”

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10.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!”

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11.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.”

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12.Cliffs Cruise, Aran Islands & Connemara Day Tour

★★★★★★★★★★4.7 · 111 reviews · from $135

Leave Galway with a host and driver, cross to Inis Oirr, walk or explore by bike or pony and trap, then cruise beneath the Cliffs of Moher to Doolin. The return follows the Burren and Wild Atlantic Way. Guides such as Barry, Phil, and Sean are known for Irish stories, humor, and local insight.

“It was a really great experience, Phil was a great guide. Thank you for the experience! I truly recommend it!”

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13.Connemara and Galway City Day Tour from Dublin

★★★★★★★★★★3.0 · 101 reviews · 12 hours (approx.) · from $90

Travel from Dublin through western Ireland by air-conditioned coach, stopping at Cong, Glengowla Mines and Family Farm, Connemara, and Galway. Expect dramatic mountain and coastal scenery, live commentary, Wi-Fi, USB ports, and a long day on the road. Guide quality and the exact return arrangements can vary, so confirm the schedule before booking.

“It was a very cool experience, wish we had more time to stop and see things We did a local mining stop run by a family which was wonderful”

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14.4-Day Blarney Castle, Ring of Kerry, Cliffs of Moher & Connemara

★★★★★★★★★★4.5 · 60 reviews · 4 days (approx.) · from $1,587

Travel from Dublin by train and coach to Blarney Castle, Cobh, the Ring of Kerry, Bunratty, the Cliffs of Moher, Galway, and Kylemore Abbey. You get reserved rail seats, driver-guides, three nights with Irish breakfast, and free evenings. Guides may include Norman, Jonathan, Bob, or John Beaumont.

“Overall a very well organized tour, although if issues arose there was no customer care as too many people are involved. A very great way to get a taste of Ireland via train and bus. Of course it is subjective but it would have been to have more stops in some places, or more time in others. Note that the first two nights we were put up at a 'Bed and Breakfast' as Killarney was fully booked. The tour involves a lot of walking, stairs if you want to enjoy the stops to the fullest so be aware before booking.”

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15.Sustainable Connemara and Galway Bay Rail Tour from Dublin

★★★★★★★★★★4.0 · 54 reviews · 14 hours (approx.) · from $193

You travel from Dublin Heuston to Galway by reserved train, then join a driver-guide for Connemara, Kylemore Abbey, Clifden, Galway Bay, and coastal villages. Guides such as Frank, Darren, Martin, and Michael have led individual departures, though names vary. Expect about 14 hours, a group of up to 53, and lunch at your own cost.

“This was the best tour though I would have liked it better with actual time in Galway. It did get a little confusing with the return trip because of the races. We had to take a bus and the drivers seemed very confused bout loading up the train orphans and it got tense especially in the rain. But otherwise the trip was very nice. Least amount of on and off hassles.”

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