GALWAY has been voted the 9th best city in all of Europe in Condé Nast’s new travel guide.
Nearly a million people voted in the magazine’s readers’ choice awards, which ranked the best countries, cities and hotels in the world.
Ireland was ranked the 14th best country in the world, with Portugal taking the top spot, and New Zealand, Japan, Morocco and Sri Lanka making up the top five.
Galway meanwhile was ranked as ninth best city in Europe, having been voted the continent’s friendliest city by Condé Nast earlier this year, for being a "worthy destination in its own right" and a base for day trips to the Aran Islands and Cliffs of Moher.
Condé Nast Traveller said: "The bustling university town in western Ireland blends the historic - you’ll see remnants of medieval stone walls weaving through downtown - with the contemporary, and its thriving art and music communities earned the city the title of European Capital of Culture in 2020.
Derryclare Lake, Connemara, Galway, Ireland."Its vibrant food scene spans from pubs to Michelin-starred restaurants, with plenty of fresh seafood thanks to the city's location between the River Corrib and Galway Bay, and it's wide range of lodging options includes cosy B&Bs and the avant-garde Hotel and Spa.
"Galway is Ireland’s alternative city – more boho and leftfield than Dublin and Cork, a place that draws buskers and artists, dreamers and schemers like a magnetic force."
It's the third year in a row that Galway has been ranked Ireland's best city, and 14th place marks an improvement on last year's awards, where Galway was ranked Europe's 27th best city.
Galway was also voted the 35th best city in the world, with Tokyo taking the top spot in 2021's list.
To view the entire list of 2021 award winners, click here.
