WE CAN'T say we're surprised!
Gorgeous County Galway in the West of Ireland, home to the wilds of Connemara and a thriving Gaeltacht community, has now had its city recognised as being one of the best on the planet.
Galway city is one of the coolest, friendliest and unique places in Ireland, and it seems that travel guide Lonely Planet agrees as they named it as the 4th best city in the world, beating out international destinations such as Vancouver and Dubai.
The travel website's 'Best in Travel 2020' awards described the town as "brilliantly bohemian" and said it is "arguably Ireland's most engaging city".
"Here brightly painted pubs heave with live music and cafes offer front-row seats to watch buskers perform. And this year all that creative exuberance is being supercharged by events marking the Galway region's role as a 2020 European Capital of Culture – the city’s calendar is as packed with activity as the bars are with locals on a Saturday night.
"Expect street spectacle, live and digital art as well as world-class music, theatre and dance. Sleep might have to wait – in Galway even the buskers play late into the night. Vivid and vibrant, brimful of imagination, Galway in 2020 is home to a year-long, city-wide, arty party. And you’re invited too."
Taoiseach Leo Varadkar tweeted his congratulations to the very much deserving city of Galway, saying "No visitor to Ireland should miss it".
Really pleased that Galway has been listed by Lonely Planet as the 4th best city in the world to visit. It’s a beautiful, bustling, cool, historic city with friendly people and great food & drink. No visitor to Ireland should miss it. #Galway2020 #LonelyPlanet #Galway
— Leo Varadkar (@LeoVaradkar) October 22, 2019
Lonely Planet's top 10 cities in the world are as follows:
10. Denver, USA
9. Dubai, United Arab Emirates
8. Vancouver, Canada
7. Kochi, India
6. La Paz, Bolivia
5. Bonn, Germany
4. Galway, Ireland
3. Cairo, Egypt
2. Washington DC, US
1. Salzburg, Austria
Anyone who has been Galway will agree with Lonely Planet's decision-- but if you've never had the pleasure of visiting, why not read our very own guide to Galway?
