If you are looking for the perfect Aran Islands day trip from Galway, this guide will help you plan an unforgettable visit. Since I had been to Galway before, I had planned to spend two nights in Galway so that on our second day, we could take a trip to the Aran Islands. It ended up being one of the highlights of our time in Ireland and one of the best day trips from Galway. Although it doesn’t beat getting stranded in Ireland thanks to an Icelandic volcano.
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What Are the Aran Islands?
The Aran Islands are a group of three islands: Inis Mór (Inishmore), Inis Meáin (Inishmaan), and Inis Oírr (Inisheer). They sit at the mouth of Galway Bay, off the west coast of Ireland.
This trip, I visited Inis Mór, the largest and most visited island. It is also the most populated and has the most historical sites to explore, making it the best choice for a day trip. The biggest appeal of the islands is the feeling that you’ve stepped back in time to early Ireland. The islands are part of the Gaeltacht, where Irish is still widely spoken. Many signs are written in Irish first, followed by English. Traditional stone walls divide the landscape, and life moves at a slower pace than on the mainland.
How to Get to the Aran Islands from Galway
When planning your Aran Islands day trip from Galway, you have two transportation options: plane or ferry. You can also pair the Aran Island with the Cliffs of Moher.
Plane
You can fly from Aerfort na Minna (Connemara Airport) to any of the three islands. The flight takes about 10 minutes but is more expensive and weather-dependent. Check out the flight times and prices here.
Ferry
Most visitors take the ferry. Ferries operate year-round (weather permitting) and typically depart from two places:
- Rossaveel Harbour (about 23 miles west of Galway City)
- Galway City Docks (seasonal sailings)
The primary ferry operator is Aran Island Ferries. Booking your return ticket online in advance is recommended, especially during peak summer months. The ferry crossing takes approximately 40–60 minutes, depending on sea conditions.
Since we had a rental car, we drove to Rossaveal Harbour. It was an easy and scenic drive. We arrived about an hour early and purchased tickets at the terminal because I did not realize you could book online ahead of time.
Originally, we planned to take an earlier ferry back to Galway. However, once we realized how much there was to see on Inis Mór, we switched to a later sailing. That ended up being a great decision, and we were thankful they let us switch easily upon arrival on the island.
Organized Tour
If you do not want to arrange a trip to the Aran Islands yourself, you can take one of the many tours that leave Galway daily. You could also pair it with a trip to the Cliffs of Moher, but I recommend doing them separately.
What to Do on Inis Mór
When you arrive on Inis Mór during your Aran Islands day trip from Galway, you have several transportation options:
- Walk
- Rent a bike (very popular)
- Take a guided minibus tour
- Hire a traditional pony and trap (horse-drawn carriage)
We were able to hire a car to take us to the island’s main attraction, though I am not sure if that option is still widely available. The roads are very narrow and lined with stone walls. At one point, we had to carefully pull into the grass to allow another vehicle to pass. Even the drive itself was beautiful.
Visiting Dún Aonghasa (Dun Aengus)
The highlight of our visit was Dún Aonghasa, one of the most important prehistoric forts in Ireland. Perched dramatically on a 300-foot cliff edge overlooking the Atlantic Ocean, Dún Aonghasa dates back to approximately 1100 BC, with additional fortifications added during the Iron Age.
To reach the fort, visitors walk uphill for about 15–20 minutes over uneven terrain, followed by a short but steep climb. If you have mobility concerns, this portion may be challenging. Once at the top, the views are breathtaking. The cliffs stretch for miles along the Atlantic. There are no guardrails along the edge, so visitors should use extreme caution. I actually crawled on my stomach to get close to the edge to feel safe.
Inside the fort, you can see restored stone walls and the remains of ancient structures. The semicircular design ending at the cliff edge makes it one of the most unique historic sites in Ireland.
Other Things to Do on the Aran Islands
If you have extra time during your Aran Islands day trip from Galway, make sure to check out the following stops:
- Visiting the Seven Churches (Na Seacht d’Teampaill)
- Exploring the main village of Kilronan (Cill Rónáin)
- Stopping at local craft shops
- Enjoying a scenic coastal bike ride
- Relaxing in one of the island’s pubs or cafés
There are several small restaurants and pubs near Kilronan where you can enjoy a meal before catching your ferry back to Galway. Make sure to return to the ferry pier with plenty of time before departure. Ferries leave on schedule, and you do not want to accidentally miss the last one back to the mainland.
Final Thoughts
An Aran Islands Day Trip from Galway is absolutely worth it. Between the dramatic cliffs, ancient forts, Irish-speaking communities, and rugged Atlantic scenery, it feels like stepping into another era of Ireland. Next time, I would love to stay overnight and explore Inis Meáin and Inis Oírr as well. One day gives you a wonderful introduction, but there is so much more to discover. Make sure to spend time exploring Ireland, especially Galway, Cork, and Dublin.
