Off the west coast of Ireland, just a boat ride from Galway, lie the exceptional Aran Islands — Inis Mór, Inis Meáin, and Inis Oírr. These three remote islands are some of the last strongholds of the Irish language, a place where traditions live on, and where visitors can step back in time to experience Ireland as it once was.
People have visited and inhabited the islands for over 3,000 years, leaving behind prehistoric forts, monastic sites, and shipwrecks.
Whether you’re drawn here by the rugged beauty, sacred sites, or iconic knitwear, the Aran Islands offer a truly unforgettable journey into Ireland’s past and present.
Lally Tours visits here as part of our Day Tours from Galway, offering an unparalleled exploration of the Wild Atlantic Way. We’ve created this guide to the Aran Islands to help you learn more about this exceptional place and your options for Aran Island boat tours from Galway. If you have any questions as you read, don’t hesitate to contact us!
While Inis Mór is the largest island, it only spans 31 square kilometres. Yet this island has a lively and rugged atmosphere, offering an authentic taste of island life. It’s the most visited of all the islands, home to iconic landmarks such as Dún Aonghasa, a prehistoric cliffside fort, and the ancient Christian ruins of the Seven Churches.
The island’s stunning landscapes are also begging to be explored, with its Blue Flag beaches like Kilmurvey. An unmissable site is the Worm Hole, a natural rectangular pool which you can discover on an easy hike.
Kilronan Village is at the centre of life on Inis Mór, where you’ll find seafood restaurants, traditional Irish pubs, shops, and accommodations, making it the perfect place to situate yourself for your island adventure.
This island is also where the filmed approx 50% of “The Banshee’s of Inisherin”
The quietest and least visited of the three islands, Inis Meáin is perfect for those seeking an escape from modern life. Known for its untouched landscapes and traditional way of life, this island allows you to get back in touch with both nature and culture.
Highlights of Inis Meáin include Dún Chonchúir, an ancient stone fort, and Synge’s Cottage, where the playwright John Millington Synge found inspiration. For the best views on the island, you can sit in Synge’s chair, perched on the edge of the cliffs.
The charming and picturesque Inis Oírr is an extension of the Burren, featuring unique limestone pavement that creates the most rugged landscape imaginable. Amid this rocky terrain, you’ll encounter stunning beaches, historic ruins, and even a sunken church.
It’s an artisan’s haven, where traditional crafts like basket making, stone wall building, and sweater knitting live on. Inis Oírr is also a hub for traditional Irish music, with pubs coming alive to the sounds of folk tunes. While you’re here, don’t forget your camera, because you’ll want to capture a shot of the iconic Plassey Shipwreck!
Reaching the Aran Islands is an adventure in itself, with options to travel by ferry or plane. The islands are accessible from multiple locations along Ireland’s west coast, with boat trips operating to the Aran Islands from Galway, Doolin, and Rossaveal, and flights departing from Connemara Airport. We also offer a fantastic day tour which also includes other incredible sights within the area.
Several ferry companies operate routes to the Aran Islands, with services running more frequently in the summer months. The most popular are Aran Island day trips from Galway, so it’s advisable to book your tickets in advance in the peak season!
For a quick and unique way to reach the islands, Aer Arann Islands operates small plane flights from Connemara Airport, about 30 minutes west of Galway City. The flight takes just 8 to 10 minutes and lands on any one of the islands, offering incredible aerial views of the Atlantic and the wild coastline.
If you want to go island hopping, there are ferries available between each island. These trips typically take about one hour, making it easy to see all three of the Aran Islands in one day.
One thing you’ll need to know about the Aran Islands is that you cannot rent a car, nor can you bring one across by ferry. Thankfully, the islands are small and easy enough to get around on foot, by bicycle, or by mini-bus tours.
The Aran Islands can be visited year-round, with each season offering a unique experience. For the best weather, you can’t go wrong with summer. The warm temperatures and long daylight hours are perfect for cycling, hiking, and hitting the beach. However, this is also peak tourist season, so accommodations and ferries can book up quickly.
Winter offers the complete inverse, but perhaps one of the more stark and authentic experiences of the island.
You’ll enjoy near solitude with the sparse visitors and see the islands at their most wild and dramatic. Make sure to plan advance if you want to visit in the winter, since many places may be closed.
For the ideal in-between, spring and autumn present fewer tourists and stunning landscapes. However, the weather may be slightly unpredictable, so pack in layers and bring a raincoat!
(Source: Aran Islands Camping and Glamping)
On each island, you’ll find a range of accommodation options, from rustic glamping and bed and breakfasts to 4-star hotels.
Inis Mór has the most options, including the unique Aran Islands Camping and Glamping site. Set right along the shoreline, you can set up camp here to get close to nature or choose to stay in their cosy glamping units. There are a number of bed and breakfasts to choose from, as well as the Aran Islands Hostel. For a unique stay, book yourself into Kilmurvey House, an 18th-century stone house with traditional charm.
On Inis Oírr, you’ll find an excellent selection of accommodation, including the scenic Rua Camping site nestled between ancient ruins and the sea, and Tigh Ruairí (Rory’s), a family run guesthouse that has its very own Irish pub. Ostan Inis Oirr is another family run hotel with live music in the hotel bar, a regular fixture.
Of course, Inis Meáin has the least amount of accommodation options, but they are certainly worthwhile for a secluded escape. For a truly unparalleled vacation, you can check into one of the houses by Inis Meáin Island Stays. These luxury self-catering accommodations form part of the farm, allowing you to experience island life in its true essence. It’s also based out of a former restaurant, and you can request fulsome and delicious dinners to be delivered to your house.
The Aran Islands offer a rich selection of cozy cafés, traditional pubs, and charming restaurants, each with a focus on local ingredients. With stews, freshly-caught seafood, and soda bread all on the table, your taste buds and your soul will be satisfied.
On Inis Mór, take your pick of dining options from the likes of Joe Watty’s Pub & Seafood Bar, which serves up live music alongside its delicious menu. For a cozy atmosphere no matter the weather, Teach Nan Phaidi offers delectable bites from its charming thatched cottage decorated in flowers.
When you’re on Inis Oírr, Tigh Ned offers a classic Irish pub experience, while ‘Teach an Tae’, Café Aran & Tea Rooms provides the perfect hot drink and scone. And if you have a sweet tooth, make sure you visit Man of Aran Fudge for some mouth-watering homemade fudge! Tigh Ruairi and Ostan Inis Oirr also offer full lunch menus year round.
Despite the small size of the Aran Islands, there is no shortage of things to do, whether you want to enjoy an outdoor adventure, immerse yourself in local culture, or uncover Irish history.
Across the islands you’ll find intriguing fortresses and ruins dating back thousands of years. Dún Aonghasa perches dramatically on the cliffs of Inis Mór, providing views of the Atlantic and into prehistoric life on the islands. The Seven Churches, or Na Seacht Teampaill, is another major attraction on the island, having been a place of pilgrimage for Christians centuries ago.
On Inis Oírr, O’Brien’s Castle offers stunning panoramic views of the island and makes for the perfect photo stop. An unmissable site is the Teampall Caomhán, which dates back to the 10th century. Known as the sunken church, it was hidden beneath sand for decades until it was uncovered, remaining dug into the earth.
The Aran Islands are teeming with natural wonders, from the Worm Hole to the beaches of Inis Oírr. You can enjoy outdoor activities as varied as hiking, swimming, kayaking, stand-up paddleboarding, and even scuba diving, exploring the islands from above and below!
With limited traffic and well-maintained paths, cycling is one of the best ways to explore the islands. Bike rentals are available on all three islands, and on Inis Oírr, you can join our partners at WeWheel for a self-guided e-bike tour!
For a different way of getting around, you can take a classic pony and trap tour, letting your trusty steed guide you along the way people did years ago.
From enjoying live music in pubs to partaking in artisanal workshops, there is plenty to learn and experience about island culture. As part of the Gaeltacht, the Aran Islands is one of the last strongholds of the Irish language. You can hear it spoken daily, or even take part in language classes at places like Coláiste Ó Direáin.
And while you’re here, you have to buy traditional Aran sweaters, known for their intricate patterns and warmth. Visit local shops for authentic hand-knitted woolens you won’t find anywhere else!
The Aran Islands are an unmissable part of Ireland’s West Coast, and one that you can visit as part of our Aran Islands day trips from Galway! Join us for an unforgettable journey along the coast during our Cruise to the Cliffs of Moher and Aran Islands, discovering the most scenic and breathtaking sections of the Wild Atlantic Way. If you have any questions for us about our tours, don’t hesitate to contact us!
