Barna Travel Guide

Tourist Guide

Once a tiny village onthe west coast of Ireland, Barna’s burgeoningreputation for exceptional dining is seeing it fast become a suburb of Galwayand a treasured feature in that city’s array of pubs, restaurants, arts andculture

And what better way toenjoy great regional food than with the wilds of Irelandon your doorstep. In Barna you’ll be ideallypositioned to head out into the spectacular natural scenes thatIreland offers, whether you choose to ascend themountains and soak in the majestic views across Galwaybay or to head out on the water on a fishing boat to cast your line, or evensimply enjoy the views from the greens of one of the three nearby golf courses.

Dining in Barna

The restaurants inBarna can boast among them a stunning brace ofnational food awards, that includes the Restaurant Association of Ireland’sBest Seafood Experience and Sustainable Restaurant of the Year, the Hotel &Catering Review’s prestigious Gold Medal Award for Best Bistro & Brasseries,and Georgina Campbell’s Best Seafood Restaurant in Ireland and “Galway's TopRestaurant”. Here you will also find the only restaurant in Ireland to win TheWine Spectator Award six years in a row.

So if you’re a foodie,Barna is inarguably the destination of choice forthe discerning visitor to Ireland’s west coast and well worth going the extramile to discover.

Culture and Nightlife in Barna

WhilstBarna itself still retains its rural village tranquility,its gradual conjoining with Galway City itself means visitors can also enjoythe livelier delights that this bohemian city of culture and arts has to offer.With its cobbled streets and boutique charm, Galway is a picture postcardseaside city with a vibrant cafe and bar culture.

Galway also plays host toa variety of festivals throughout the year: the Salthill Air Show welcomes theworld-famous Red Arrows, whilst the summer calendar is crowded with events forall interests, such as Galway Raceweek, the Galway Arts Festival, the FilmFleadh and the Literary Festival 'Cuairt'.

Nature and Heritage in Barna

Barnaoverlooks Galway Bay, an inlet of the Atlantic Ocean, and an area of suchbeauty that it’s been immortalised in song time and again, most notably perhapsby both Bing Crosby and subsequently The Pogues in their classic “Fairytale ofNew York”.

The AranIslands at the mouth of the bay are beautiful strongholds of theIrish language and, for those adventurous enough to explore them, offer anincomparable monastic tranquillity. 

Galway itself isconsidered the gateway to Connemara,and its renowned and ethereal National Park. InConnemara you will discover nearly 3000 hectaresof grasslands, woodland, mountains, heaths and bogs. It is also here that youwill discover the magnificent Kylemore Abbey, Ireland’s most romantic castleand the west of Ireland’s most visited attraction.

Enjoy Barna

Barna is a village thathas more than its size may suggest. Nationally recognised cuisine, gorgeouscoastline and mountain scenery and, with its ever-growing fraternity withneighbouring Galway City, access to one of Ireland’s liveliest and hippestseaside city resorts with all the buzz and excitement that this brings withit.

Where to stay in Barna

Default Image

Freeport

When in Freeport, you can plan a visit to Silver Strand and Bearna Golf And Country Club, some noteworthy sights in the nearby area.

Freeport
The Twelve Hotel
The Twelve Hotel
4 out of 5
Barna Village, Galway, Galway
The price is ฿5,511 per night from 6 Jul to 7 Jul
฿5,511
฿6,256 total
6 Jul - 7 Jul
includes taxes & fees
Stay at this 4-star spa hotel in Galway. Enjoy free Wi-Fi, free parking and a full-service spa. Our guests praise the helpful staff and the property condition ...
9.2/10 Wonderful! (653 reviews)
"Beautiful boutique hotel in a great location"

Reviewed on 8 Jun 2025

The Twelve Hotel
The Dean Galway
The Dean Galway
4 out of 5
80 Prospect Hill, Galway
The price is ฿5,268 per night from 6 Jul to 7 Jul
฿5,268
฿5,980 total
6 Jul - 7 Jul
includes taxes & fees
Stay at this 4-star hotel in Galway. Enjoy free Wi-Fi, 2 restaurants and 3 bars/lounges. Our guests praise the helpful staff in their reviews. Popular attractions ...
8.8/10 Excellent! (415 reviews)
"The Dean was a great spot to stay. Really convenient to the city parking (which they validate for a cheaper rate), downtown shops/restaurants, and the ferry. The room was very clean and comfortable. We didn’t have time to check out the pool or gym, but they looked awesome"

Reviewed on 29 Jun 2025

The Dean Galway
Eyre Square Hotel
Eyre Square Hotel
3 out of 5
Forster Street, Eyre Square, Galway
The price is ฿6,378 per night from 6 Jul to 7 Jul
฿6,378
฿7,239 total
6 Jul - 7 Jul
includes taxes & fees
Stay at this 3-star hotel in Galway. Enjoy free Wi-Fi, breakfast (surcharge) and room service. Our guests praise the breakfast and the helpful staff in their ...
8.2/10 Very Good! (1,006 reviews)
Great location. Good place for a few nights.
"Great location! It was great to be 2 minutes from train station. Our quad room was large and well-appointed. Water was very hot, and bathroom was updated. The staff was excellent. Special shout out to Dylan and Rita: it was great to see their smiling faces for breakfast each morning. The pub was ..."

Reviewed on 27 Jun 2025

Eyre Square Hotel
Lowest nightly price found within the past 24 hours based on a 1 night stay for 2 adults. Prices and availability subject to change. Additional terms may apply.
Cúirt na Coiribe Self Catering
Cúirt na Coiribe Self Catering
2.5 out of 5
Headford Rd, Galway, Galway
Stay at this aparthotel in Galway. Enjoy free Wi-Fi, parking (surcharge) and a 24-hour front desk. Popular attractions Eyre Square and Quay Street are located ...
7.8/10 Good! (48 reviews)
"It was clean and the staff were very willing to help! Overall, we liked it. We had some trouble with the hot water (the written instructions did not match reality) but a helpful staff member came right away in person and walked us through it. The doors are a bit loud but that didn’t really bother ..."

Reviewed on 27 Jun 2025

Cúirt na Coiribe Self Catering
Citypoint Apartments
Citypoint Apartments
4 out of 5
Eyre Square, Galway, Galway
Stay at this 4-star aparthotel in Galway. Enjoy free Wi-Fi, free parking and breakfast (surcharge). Popular attractions Eyre Square and Quay Street are located ...
8.4/10 Very Good! (427 reviews)
"Really nice apartment with floor to ceiling windows in living room/kitchen area. Nice view, clean and has washer/dryer. Easily accessible to downtown Galway. Wish we had more time to stay longer."

Reviewed on 18 Jun 2025

Citypoint Apartments
Galway Bay Sea View Apartments
Galway Bay Sea View Apartments
3 out of 5
The Promenade, Salthill, Galway, Galway
Stay at this 3-star beach apartment in Galway. Enjoy free Wi-Fi, free parking and balconies. Popular attractions Quay Street and Eyre Square are located ...
8.8/10 Excellent! (248 reviews)
"Very spacious and self checkin was easy to follow and well communicated. Kitchen was well serviced and washing machine a bonus. Car park was pretty full, but plenty of free parking across the road if needed."

Reviewed on 8 Jun 2025

Galway Bay Sea View Apartments
Lowest nightly price found within the past 24 hours based on a 1 night stay for 2 adults. Prices and availability subject to change. Additional terms may apply.

Popular places to visit

Things to do