Ireland · Nature Walks

Scenic Connemara & Kylemore Abbey day tour departing Galway City. Guided

9 Hours Round trip from Galway Easy pace

The journey

Trip highlights
  • 01 Full-day guided tour through the landscapes of Connemara
  • 02 Travel from Galway by luxury coach with a local driver/guide
  • 03 Photo stops at Screebe Waterfall, Derryclare Lough and Sky Road
  • 04 Free time to explore Clifden
  • 05 Choose between Connemara National Park or Kylemore Abbey for your main stop
  • 06 Scenic return journey through Inagh Valley
  • 07 See the Connemara Giant in Recess

Discover the wild beauty of Connemara on a full-day guided tour from Galway, travelling through a landscape of coastal villages, boglands, dry-stone walls and mountain scenery. Along the way, enjoy scenic photo stops including Screebe Waterfall, Derryclare Lough and the famous Sky Road, with time to explore the lively town of Clifden.

Your day also includes a choice of main stop: spend three hours in Connemara National Park, where Diamond Hill trails offer rewarding views across the region, or visit Kylemore Abbey and its Victorian Walled Gardens, one of Ireland’s most iconic landmarks. With a local driver/guide and comfortable coach travel throughout, this is an easy and memorable way to experience one of Ireland’s most striking regions.

Discover the wild beauty of Connemara on a full-day guided tour from Galway, travelling through a landscape of coastal villages, boglands, dry-stone walls and mountain scenery.

From the itinerary

At a glance

What this trip includes

Duration 9 Hours
Tour type Shared
Activity level Easy
Accommodation Not included
Transport Included
Wheelchair access Not applicable
City Galway
Languages English

Day by day

The itinerary

1
Day 01

09:30 - Depart Galway

Tour vehicle departs Merchants Road, Galway, outside the Kinlay Hostel at 09:30. Please present 15 minutes prior to departure.

Leaving the city, your locally sourced and fully trained driver / guide will take you from Galway out into the wilds of Connemara. You will discover stunning landscapes and explore the wildness of this enchanted land in our luxury tour coaches. En route, you will pass beautiful coastal villages, thatched cottages, fields of dry-stone walls and vast expanses of bog land.

10:30 - Screebe Waterfall Viewing Point

A quick photo stop at the picturesque Screebe Waterfall

The Connemara landscape along with the Wild Atlantic coastline has inspired many writers and musicians including French singer / songwriter, Michel Sandou’s popular hit ‘Les lacs du Connemara.’

11:00 - Pine Island Viewing Point.

Another photo stop at Derryclare Lough

Derryclare Lough is a freshwater lake at the entrance to the Inagh valley. This is a popular viewpoint for visitors to Connemara and a great place for photo opportunities of Pine Island.

11:30 - Clifden

A chance to wander around the town of Clifden for half an hour.

The unofficial residential and commercial capital of Connemara and the axis on which everything in the region turns. Founded in 1812, Clifden is positioned between the mountains and ocean and has historic links to Marconi, Alcock and Brown.

12:15 - Sky Road Viewing Point

A photo stop at the Sky Road

The Sky Road is one of the Discovery Points on the Wild Atlantic Way. A 16km circular route that starts in Clifden and rises high above the Atlantic Ocean, offering spectacular panoramic views. On a clear day the view from here has to be seen to be believed!

12:45 - Connemara National Park - 3 hour stop

On todays tour you have a choice of main stop. Either 3 hours in Connemara National Park or 3 hours at Kylemore Abbey.

Free, accessible and richly rewarding, the Connemara National Park is a gateway to a deeper level of intimacy with this unique landscape. The Diamond Hill trails are an idyllic hiking experience, one that climbs through wild uplands before rewarding you with jaw-dropping views across the region.

13:00 - Kylemore Abbey and Victorian Walled Gardens - 3 hour stop

For those of you who don’t wish to explore Connemara National Park, your alternative main stop option is one of Ireland’s most iconic sights, Kylemore Abbey and Victorian Walled Gardens

Discounted admission available.

Few buildings in Ireland or the world have such a dramatic setting or history as Kylemore Abbey. Built in the 1860’s by Mitchell Henry as a wedding gift to his wife Margaret, the magnificent castle at Kylemore is a must-see in Connemara.

Your driver / guide will be able to source entry tickets at a discounted rate - cash only.

16:15 - Lough Inagh Viewing Point

Another photo stop en route back to Galway City, at the inspiring Inagh Valley.

Inagh valley is one of the most scenic valleys not just in Connemara but in the whole of Ireland. This romantic valley offers breathtaking views of peatlands, mountains, lakes and glorious countryside where sheep graze freely.

16:45 - The Connemara Giant Viewing Point

There is a little bit of Connemara humour associated with this popular stop!

The tiny village of Recess (Sraith Salach – riverside meadow of willows) is situated on the edge of the beautiful fishing lake of Glendalough and is home to the Connemara Giant or Con MacNamara, a statue overlooking the village car park.

18:30 - Arrive Galway City

Our driver / guide will return you to our departure point on Merchants Road, Galway, where our tour for today concludes. Time to say ' Good Bye' or 'Slan Abhaile' to our driver / guide.

The route

Where you'll travel

Tour route map
Round trip from Galway 1 city · 9 Hours

The fine print

Trip details

What's Included

Driver / guide

What's Not Included

  • FOOD AND DRINKS

What to bring

Warm, rain and windproof gear, food and drink, sun glasses - if the weather is good and of course your camera!

Know before you go

  • Minimum age
  • 0
  • Guided language
  • English

  • Tour time zone
  • Europe/Dublin

  • Ticket
  • Ticket information
  • Meet point: Outside entrance to Kinlay Hostel.

    Address: Kinlay Hostel, Merchants Road, Galway City centre, H91 F2KT

    Time of departure: 09h30* (Please arrive 10-15 minutes beforehand to board coach)

    ***Please note your travel time to the meet point in Galway City centre as the area can often get congested in morning traffic.

    As this is a group experience, we can’t wait for any late arrivals. No refunds will be suppled for late arrivals. We depart on schedule.

    Transport details: Meet & greet by day tour provider. Staff wear navy jackets with ‘‘Wild Atlantic Way Day Tours’. Bus has ‘Wild Atlantic Way Day Tours’ sign in front window. Contact number: +353 (0) .

    Time of return: 18h30*

    *All times are approximate, we reserve the right to amend tour routes in the event of traffic delays or road closures

    What to bring:Warm, rain and windproof gear, food and drink, sun glasses - if the weather is good and of course your camera!

    Package includes: One day driver guided tour from Galway to Connemara.

    Please note: This tour is also subject to availability and terms & conditions;

    Minimum numbers apply. There is a possibility of cancellation after confirmation if there is not enough passengers to meet requirements. In the event of this occurring, you will be offered an alternative or full refund.

    Enjoy!

  • Barcode format
  • QR_CODE

  • Ticket per person
  • No

  • Optional Add-Ons
  • Management fee
  • Commission
  • Booking Questions
  • Any special requirements:

Logistics

Meeting & route

Meeting point
Galway, IE
Tour start
Galway, IE
Tour ends at the same location as the start point.
End of the journey

Your 9 hours finish where they began, in Galway.

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