One could plan a camping road trip to Galway, visit the city, and then venture to Connemara for an overnight stay.
Consider a camping holiday in Galway for a unique, affordable, and enjoyable experience with your family or friends. We have compiled a list of our top picks for wild camping, glamping, or parking your motorhome. Our comprehensive guide to camping in Galway has got you covered.
Camp Sites and Caravan Parks
Salthill Caravan Park
This five-acre park has been open since 1960. It offers Tarmac Camper Van Bays, a Camping Area for 30 tents, and static mobile homes. The park boasts breathtaking views of Galway Bay and has a games room, an outdoor play area, and a purpose-built coastal pathway to Galway City. A bus service and an on-demand taxi service pass the main gate every 30 minutes. Additionally, a hotel, pub, shop, and supermarket are within walking distance.
Gurteen Bay Camping
Gurteen Bay, located near Roundstone in Galway, offers a scenic location for camping or caravanning.
Gurteen Bay Caravan & Camping offers top-notch amenities, including an on-site shop and a kitchen/dining area, making it an ideal accommodation choice.
A benefit of staying here is the proximity to the sea, which can be seen from your accommodation both in the morning and at night.
The owners have experience running a well-managed business with sufficient parking and knowledge of nearby points of interest.
Renvyle Beach Caravan & Camping Park
The park spans 4.5 acres and has 36 pitches near the Atlantic Ocean, providing views of several islands and mountains. Its direct access to the sandy beach is a significant draw for visitors. Nearby shops, pubs and restaurants are within walking distance, while Clifden is the nearest town for further exploration.
Cong Camping
Cong Camping, Caravan & Glamping Park is a well-located campsite in Galway, ideal for those wishing for county exploration.
Cong, situated between the shores of Loughs Mask and Corrib in Connemara, was included in TripAdvisor’s list of top 10 Irish destinations in since 2018
The campsite offers a variety of pitches for campervans and tents, including options with and without electric hooks up and glamping bell tents.
The park offers various amenities such as free wifi, a campers’ kitchen, showers and toilets, a mini-cinema, a sitting room, a laundry, and a children’s playground, making it a comfortable place for families to enjoy.
Spiddal Mobile Home Park
The mobile home park is one mile from Spiddal Village, a Gaeltacht area famous for its sandy beaches and scenic beauty. The town offers various amenities and services. Activities like shore fishing, angling, canoeing, sailing, scenic walks, and golf courses are also available nearby. Connemara and the Aran Islands lie to the east, while the bustling Galway city is a short drive away, making this campsite a suitable base.
Kings Caravan & Campsite
Kings is a campsite near Galway that boasts two private beaches and is considered a hidden gem due to its stunning location.
The sunsets in this location are visually stunning, with an unobstructed skyline that encourages extended observation until the sun has fully set.
This location provides clean and basic amenities and accommodates various types of caravans and tents, with ample space for selection.
Kings offer affordable and attractive campsites in Galway.
O Halloran’s Caravan and Camping Park
O’Halloran’s Caravan Park in Salthill is suitable for those seeking accommodation for mobile homes, overnight caravans, and camping. Additionally, it is located only 200m from the famous promenade, making it a convenient base for exploring both the seaside town and Galway City.
Glamping
Crann Og Eco Farm, Drummin Gort
This destination near Drummin Gort is on an organic working farm and offers opportunities to connect with nature. Visitors can enjoy the presence of ponies, lambs, puppies, ducks, and hens. Accommodation options include pitching your tent or choosing from a yurt, two bell tents, or an A-frame hut made from wooden pallets.
The Hogan building is where most of the cooking is done in a Native American style. Its roof opening allows campfires in any weather. Eco-friendly features include compost toilets and solar-assisted showers. The farm has an Eco-Tourism Ireland Gold Award. Tent pitches cost €10 per night, while Glamping accommodation costs €75 per night for two people.
Pod Umna Village
Pod Umna is located in Portumna Town and provides guests with a unique opportunity to stay in a woodland setting in the heart of the town. Accommodation options include pods, huts and B&B rooms. The site caters to various groups and offers a range of packages, including the Adventure Package. This package includes water skiing, horseback riding and extreme biking.
Visitors to the Portumna area can visit Forest Park, home to 16 species of wild mammals, including fallow dear and foxes. Bike rentals are also available for €20 to explore the surrounding area.
Kitty’s Cosy Glamping Campsite, Kinvara
Kitty’s Cosy Glamping Campsite is located in the foothills of the Burrens. Nearby attractions include the Cliffs of Moher, Lisdoonvarna, and Carran Village. The campsite features a fully equipped kitchen and dining area, an outdoor BBQ and fire pit, and a sheltered lounge area with outdoor seating. Remember to take a swim in Lough Bunny.
Clifden ecoBeach Camping, Connemara
This campsite is Ireland’s first Climate Neutral accommodation. It has Atlantic seascape views, a private sandy beach, and is close to Clifden town and Claddaghduff village. There are many trekking routes nearby. The Glamping and wild camping-style plots have private eco-campfires and are secluded and peaceful. They are spaced between marram grass-covered sand dunes.
Wild Camping
The Wild Camping Code
– Campsites must be at least 400m from a road capable of carrying a vehicle.
– Campsites must be at least 400m from a building.
– Tents must be moved every second night to allow vegetation to recover.
– Campers must remove all food waste and litter, whether or not it is biodegradable. Buried waste is often exposed by foraging animals or by erosion.
– Soap and toothpaste must be kept at least 30m from watercourses.
– Dish and utensil washing must be conducted at least 30 metres from water bodies. All wastewater should be strained and scattered. Under no circumstances should wastewater used in washing be poured into lakes, streams or rivers.
– Campers are required to conduct themselves quietly to avoid disturbing the local community, wildlife or other visitors.
– Campsites must be kept visually unobtrusive.
– Campsites must be left as found, or better
Clifden
The Connemara coast drive is a memorable road trip spanning 123km from Galway to the coast. Clifden’s Sky Road offers excellent views of Inisturk and the Twelve Bens, so keep your camera handy. You’ll also encounter megalithic tombs, Standing Stones, and Promontory Forts. Explore Omey Island by driving across a sandy causeway if the tide is right. You can find many great camping spots by veering off this route.
Dog’s Bay, Roundstone
The sand is white, and the sea is turquoise, making this stretch of sand an ideal place to spend the night. It is entirely unspoiled, so it should be left that way. It is recommended to wander around the area surrounding Roundstone and the village itself.
Inishbofin
Upon arrival, the location immediately creates a sense of far-off wonder. The area features stunning white-sandy beaches and tropical waters bursting with colour. Visitors can enjoy biking, hiking, kayaking, diving, and fishing to entertain themselves. Additionally, there are lively trad music sessions almost every night. The location offers three sailings daily during the summer and two during winter from Cleggan Pier in Connemara.
The Aran Islands
The Aran Islands are a popular destination for school trips and summer holidays. Inis Mór is the largest island home to the famous Dun Aonghasa. The other two islands are Inis Meain and Inis Oir. Visitors can reach the islands by ferry from Rossaveal. The Serpent’s Lair or the Worm Hole on Inis Mór is a must-see. It is the location for the Red Bull Cliff Diving Championships, and watching someone dive into the natural pool is breathtaking. There is also ample space to set up camp for the night.
