I found myself in charming Salthill by fate. What had started as frustration, in not being able to find a hotel in Galway’s Latin Quarter, ended up as opportunity. Staying in Salthill was the best all-around Galway experience: a perch in a charming seaside village on the Wild Atlantic Way with easy access to Galway’s center, only a 20-minute brisk walk from Salthill.
Salthill’s village is only a handful of blocks but is packed with vibrant pubs, restaurants with some really good food… and stunning bay views that gaze out to the Atlantic.
Salthill is distinctly a residential hamlet, but what I’ve learned traveling Ireland for many years, delicious food is pervasive. And Salthill is no exception. What did surprise me is how cozy and compelling it would be staying in Salthill for several days.
The Nest
A Galway food conference I was attending had recommended lodging at The Nest. Part hostel, part minimalist boutique hotel, The Nest lured me in with its cozy, low-key hospitality. The common area so inviting and comfy that it was hard not to just curl-up and read a book in front of the roaring stove on a rainy day.
Each morning, The Nest provided an inclusive breakfast with a delicious variety of continental-style items. And you have to love a place that provides you with your own personal French press… as well as the directions on how to use it.
From The Nest, I could hit the beach in either direction. If I walked left I found the gorgeous coast down a 2-walk block through the Salthill village. If I turned right down one long block I was at another part of the beach and walking into Galway.
On a daily basis I would make a trek along the bay into Galway’s center or the Westend. Some evenings I would walk back through the rambling residential blocks strung with eye-catching homes. Other late nights, I would do a 10-minute taxi ride back to Salthill.
Salthill Views
The first couple of days in Salthill there was continuous soft rain. And still the sea views were mesmerizing.
When it was overcast and rainy, I felt I had the Salthill Prom all to myself.
A pretty impressive daily commute along the Bay…
…into the center of Galway and this iconic view of the town’s colorful cityscape.
Salthill Food
Salthill is so lovely and relaxing that it would have been easy to sink into this seaside village for my entire stay. The village is self-contained with cafes to while away the day and plenty of good food and drink options. I made a point to hit a few.
Da Roberta’s Ristorante
One of my favorite places was Da Roberta’s – a friendly old world style Italian joint with a muraled ceiling…
…and delicious pizza.
The pizza I ordered with feta, olives, and sundried tomatoes was memorable.
The Black Cat
Another favorite experience was The Black Cat, a wine-jazz bar set in an old house cut up in to small modern and cozy rooms.
One of my favorite dishes in Ireland is fresh local Crab on Brown Bread. I had investigated The Black Cat’s menu, and I was on a mission to have this spectacular sandwich before I left town.
The Black Cat also has a stellar section of local craft beers.
The Salthill Promenade
When the sun finally came out, so did every resident of Salthill. And I was right behind them. I had been anxious to walk the entire Salthill Prom, and this was the perfect day.
That morning, the blue sky was working hard to emerge from the clouds and finally burst through into the most gorgeous sunny day that I had during my 3 weeks in Ireland.
The view from the Prom transitions from lazy beach to dramatic rocky coast…
…into this walled-off path.
And while the daytime is my favorite part of Salthill, this sleepy little village had plenty to offer for a laid-back evening.
Salthill Nightlife
Most nights I spent in the center of Galway. But others I would come back to cozy Salthill and look for a pub to end the evening.
Salthill has several options, but its most renowned is O’Connor’s Famous Pub. It was only a few doors away from my hotel, and I felt compelled to check out this hyped, old-style pub.
O’Connor’s is very cool with its large kitschy interior and good live music. But it’s name literally says it all. Its “famous” reputation has turned it into a tourist trap and not the sort of local pub I prefer to seek out. So, I consider this one checked off the list.
The next time I’m back in Galway, I will plan to stay in Salthill again. An initial disappointment at having to stay on the outskirts of Galway turned out to be a truly memorable experience. Salthill has me in its clutches, and I can’t wait till we meet again.
What to Do in Salthill
Not only will Salthill’s compelling location pull me back, I still haven’t gotten to check out all of the enticing food options it has to offer.
