Your Next Adventure
Your Next Adventure
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Galway & Aran Islands Pre-Trip Bike Tour
Trip Overview
See and do the best of what Galway and the Aran Islands have to offer in this 3-day/2-night biking and walking tour. It’s a great way to start your visit to Ireland before our 7-day Ireland Westport & Hiking Bike Tour.
Besides enjoying an in-depth encounter with the medieval and modern sections of Galway City, you ferry out to Inis Mór, the largest of the beautiful Aran Islands, which sit like a string of gems in the ocean just outside the mouth of Galway Bay.
Bicycle along quiet country roads with amazing views of the sea. Hike up ancient paths to what was once the largest Iron Age fort in Europe. Enjoy photographing the 12th-century ruins of the “Seven Churches,” one of the oldest pilgrimage sites in Ireland. And of course — stroll through the Aran Island sweater market to admire the cable knit patterns developed over the generations by local craftspeople.
Along the way, savor some of the best food of the region including local favorites, like soda bread, beef & Guinness pie, smoked salmon, colcannon & champ, or Galway oysters (often best served with a tall pint of “the black stuff”).
This is a courtesy add-on before the start of our 7-day tour, and discounts are not available. Departures are marked as "private" as they are only open to guests on the 7-day tour.
Read about our 7-day Ireland Westport & Hiking Bike Tour.
Itinerary
From start to finish, check out the route.
Your introduction to the region begins in Galway, where you enjoy a guided afternoon walking tour of this charming town, which dates back more than 800 years. Afterward, visit the waterfront or enjoy strolling along Quay Street — Galway’s cultural hub. Dinner is with the group at a local restaurant. Irish music abounds at night with plenty of venues an easy walk from the hotel.
Start the day with a hearty Irish breakfast at the hotel before transiting to the port village of Rossaveel to catch the quick ferry across Galway Bay to the largest of the Aran Islands, Inis Mór. After disembarking at the pier in Kilronan, you pick up your bicycle and enjoy some delightful riding on small country roads — with little to no traffic and lots of views of the sea. After lunch, you have time to walk up the impressive path that leads to the ancient ruins of Dun Aengus, the site of one of the largest Iron-Age forts in Europe. Next, you can explore more by bicycle … or return directly to Kilronan to shop in the renowned Aran Island sweater market. There is usually time to grab a pint in one of the town’s cozy pubs before you board the late afternoon ferry back to the mainland. Enjoy dinner together at another fine restaurant in Galway.
Perhaps take an early stroll along the canals of Galway to catch a view of the bevy of local Claddagh swans (mute swans) before enjoying another hearty breakfast at the hotel. More adventure awaits you as you prepare to join the 7-day Ireland Westport & Hiking Bike Tour which begins with a shuttle to Clifden in Connemara.
Map
Dates & Pricing
Prices are per person based on double occupancy (2 people in one room). Single supplement for private room is listed at the top of this page. A deposit of $500 holds your reservation for most tours. For weekend tours, the deposit is $300.
What’s Included
2 nights’ lodging, 2 dinners, 2 breakfasts, 1 lunch, walking tour of Galway, entry fee to Dun Aengus, use of bicycle and helmet on Inis Mór, Aran Islands Ferry with shuttle to/from Rossaveel, leader support on bicycle (not van) accompanying on the island and on foot when in Galway. Airfare is not included.
Dates & Pricing
Prices are per person based on double occupancy (2 people in one room). Single supplement for private room is listed at the top of this page. A deposit of $500 holds your reservation for most tours. For weekend tours, the deposit is $300.
What’s Included
2 nights’ lodging, 2 dinners, 2 breakfasts, 1 lunch, walking tour of Galway, entry fee to Dun Aengus, use of bicycle and helmet on Inis Mór, Aran Islands Ferry with shuttle to/from Rossaveel, leader support on bicycle (not van) accompanying on the island and on foot when in Galway. Airfare is not included.
Inns
Where you stay along the way.
Gallery
Images from this tour. Click each to see it larger.
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