Galway the 4th best city in the world according to Lonely Planet

Mad_maxx · 23-10-2019 07:53AM

derrymcorry wrote: »

Galway has been ranked the 4th best city in the world by Lonely Planet who described it as 'brilliantly bohemian' and 'Ireland's most engaging city'.

I don't know what's particularly 'bohemian' about awful buskers and foreign tourists but it's going to be designated European Capital of Culture next year.

It's a nice city with Gaelic roots and it feels very Irish, but I wouldn't rank it amongst the best in the world. Think about it, Galway has 80000 people and the top three are Salzburg, DC and Cairo. No comparison really.

It has produced some good songs such as Galway Girl:

It's not even the fourth best city in Ireland

Mad_maxx · 23-10-2019 07:54AM

Jolene Strong Virtuoso wrote: »

Galway with 1/3 more rain than the East coast.
Also on the list is WashDC, which is in the upper 20% for the highest homicide city rate in the US, double that of Boston or LA.
Cairo? Likely would have load of travel advisories to consider, before heading out for a walkabout.

Galway gets twice as much rain as Dublin

Edgware · 23-10-2019 08:52AM

Lonely Planet! Some gob****e paid to come up wih this ****e every few months. Two streets, a square and everywhere full of pissheads

biko · 23-10-2019 09:09AM

Salzburg, Austria
Washington DC, US
Cairo, Egypt
Galway
Bonn, Germany
La Paz, Bolivia
Kochi, India
Vancouver, Canada
Dubai, UAE
Denver, USA

nkl12xtw5goz70 · 23-10-2019 09:18AM

Very misleading thread title there, OP.

The Lonely Planet didn't rank Galway the "4th best city in the world." It ranked it one of its top tourist destinations for next year because it will be the 2020 European Capital of Culture.

Similarly, Washington DC makes the list because next year marks the centenary of the 19th Amendment, which granted women the right to vote. The city will host celebrations and events to mark that milestone. Similarly, Bonn makes the list due to events organized to mark 250 years since Beethoven's birth.

There's a big difference between recommending visiting a city in 2020 due to specific events taking place there, and ranking it the "Xth best city in the world."

begsbyOnaTrain · 23-10-2019 10:05AM

Isn't the whole 2020 European Capital of Culture mired in sh!te and controversy? I spent a fair whack of my life there, it's grand like but the absolute number one thing I don't miss is the rain. It definitely physiologicaly affected my mood. Number one thing I miss is walking the prom.

ben.schlomo · 23-10-2019 10:25AM

blueshade wrote: »

There really isn't anything to do in Galway city. Walk from Eyre Square to the bottom of Shop Street and you're done. I visit maybe 6 times a year and that's really just to go to M&S. The ban on busking is shooting themselves in the foot though, that's a really unique feature of Galway city and it's going to cost businesses, there's feck all reason to go down Shop Street. Uncomfortable pubs, too many people advertising local cafes and most of the shops seem to sell overpriced tourist tat.

The traffic is appalling, the weather is dreadful, a lovely place to spend 2 hours on a sunny day, but certainly not a place to feature in the top 10 cities in the world. Possibly pushing the 2020 Capital of Culture angle, is the ban on busking meant to coincide with the COC? Do the powers that be think it's too low brow and plan to replace it with the God awful dreary poetry of the likes of Miggledy or the pretentious and dull local drama? There's a real buzz on Shop Street and it'll be sad to see it go.

Wonderful generalisations and misinformation. There's no ban on busking, read up on it and not just what a FB headline/post told you.

the.red.baron · 23-10-2019 10:26AM

Jolene Strong Virtuoso wrote: »

Galway with 1/3 more rain than the East coast.
Also on the list is WashDC, which is in the upper 20% for the highest homicide city rate in the US, double that of Boston or LA.
Cairo? Likely would have load of travel advisories to consider, before heading out for a walkabout.

DC actually is class

When people visit Dublin do you reckon its to go out to see Darndale or Ballyer

the.red.baron · 23-10-2019 10:32AM

Stefan CoolS Ramrod wrote: »

Very misleading thread title there, OP.

The Lonely Planet didn't rank Galway the "4th best city in the world." It ranked it one of its top tourist destinations for next year because it will be the 2020 European Capital of Culture.

Similarly, Washington DC makes the list because next year marks the centenary of the 19th Amendment, which granted women the right to vote. The city will host celebrations and events to mark that milestone. Similarly, Bonn makes the list due to events organized to mark 250 years since Beethoven's birth.

There's a big difference between recommending visiting a city in 2020 due to specific events taking place there, and ranking it the "Xth best city in the world."

Well the lonely planet is a tourist guide after all, id say everyone knows that at this stage, hardly need to qualify that

Mad_maxx · 23-10-2019 10:42AM

begsbyOnaTrain wrote: »

Isn't the whole 2020 European Capital of Culture mired in sh!te and controversy? I spent a fair whack of my life there, it's grand like but the absolute number one thing I don't miss is the rain. It definitely physiologicaly affected my mood. Number one thing I miss is walking the prom.

The prom is also overrated

begsbyOnaTrain · 23-10-2019 10:54AM

Mad_maxx wrote: »

The prom is also overrated

Saturday morning, doing the full thing and even venturing out to Mutton Island. Hoping the winds were in your favour. Ah the best start to a weekend imo.

Necro · 23-10-2019 10:58AM

Arghus wrote:

The best thing about it is how much it'll annoy people on here.

Yep. The Dubs thinking Dublin is some sort of cultural mecca because they've become immune to the junkies lining the streets and the general filth.

Not from Galway but it's a far nicer place to go than Dublin.

Cheaper too.

MrAbyss · 23-10-2019 11:11AM

Necro wrote: »

Yep. The Dubs thinking Dublin is some sort of cultural mecca because they've become immune to the junkies lining the streets and the general filth.

Not from Galway but it's a far nicer place to go than Dublin.

Cheaper too.

Your comment reeks of classic Irish insecurity "Jaysus what will the Yank tousrist think of us!!!"

"Nice" does not equal culture or interesting. In fact, the best cultural cities in the world are the ones rough about the edges.

Sorry, but there is more going on in Capel Street in Dublin than the entire city of Galway. Get real.

Necro · 23-10-2019 11:14AM

MrAbyss wrote:

Sorry, but there is more going on in Capal Street in Dublin than the entire city of Galway. Get real.

Sounds like a person who has never ventured outside the M50

Dublin has some nice features but is overshadowed by filthy streets and creatures on said streets.

London has the same problem.

Both are massively overpriced and expensive to stay in too, give me Galway any day of the week

bcklschaps · 23-10-2019 11:19AM

Fair play Galway.

and to hell with the boards begrudgers

Spent plenty of time in Galway ... my favourite Irish city without a doubt. Plenty to do ... check out the top 10 on tripadvisor.

https://www.tripadvisor.ie/Attractions-g186609-Activities-Galway_County_Galway_Western_Ireland.html

PS.

Weather in Galway no worse or better than anywhere else in Ireland ... FFS some of the posters on here must live in that sun drenched part of Ireland the "Island for Ireland" that that wanker in the Lottery ad buys ?

John_Rambo · 23-10-2019 11:20AM

I was wondering when this thread would turn in to a thread about Dublin. Obsessed!!!

Such a shame people can't talk about the merits of Galway without having to resort to putting Dublin down to make Galway look better.

I'll have a go.

Great city, very much a party city, but a gateway to the West and Connemara, the Burren etc... Literally at the cities doorstep if you need a bit of peace and quiet. Lots of really good restaurants have popped up in the last few years, a good foodie scene from casual to fine dining.

begsbyOnaTrain · 23-10-2019 11:21AM

bcklschaps wrote: »

Spent plenty of time in Galway ... my favourite Irish city without a doubt. Plenty to do ... check out the top 10 on tripadvisor.

https://www.tripadvisor.ie/Attractions-g186609-Activities-Galway_County_Galway_Western_Ireland.html

Ah here.

Number 3: Quay Street

Number 5: Galway's Latin Quarter

:pac:

realdanbreen · 23-10-2019 11:24AM

MrAbyss wrote: »

Two hours is enough. You have seen and done everything. I'm serious.

Hear Hear. It's not like Dublin where it takes a whole day to see everything! (and then 2 hours to get back on the Naas road)

Edgware · 23-10-2019 11:24AM

Stefan CoolS Ramrod wrote: »

Very misleading thread title there, OP.

The Lonely Planet didn't rank Galway the "4th best city in the world." It ranked it one of its top tourist destinations for next year because it will be the 2020 European Capital of Culture.

Similarly, Washington DC makes the list because next year marks the centenary of the 19th Amendment, which granted women the right to vote. The city will host celebrations and events to mark that milestone. Similarly, Bonn makes the list due to events organized to mark 250 years since Beethoven's birth.

There's a big difference between recommending visiting a city in 2020 due to specific events taking place there, and ranking it the "Xth best city in the world."

Capital of Culture 2020. The only culture they know about is agriculture

topper75 · 23-10-2019 11:24AM

The trick with being a tourist in ANY Irish urban area is to keep your expectations low. That way, when they show you the 'Spanish' arch, you can ooh and aah and enjoy your trip.

Most genuine Galwegians are A1 and quite grounded I've found in my 4 years living there, however a few eejits among them seem to have their hands on the city's steering wheel. It is they who have brought us the 'morketing' gems such as The Latin Quarter and cultural capital. Liars and morketer types live everywhere I suppose.

Edgware · 23-10-2019 11:28AM

topper75 wrote: »

The trick with being a tourist in ANY Irish urban area is to keep your expectations low. That way, when they show you the 'Spanish' arch, you can ooh and aah and enjoy your trip.

Most genuine Galwegians are A1 and quite grounded I've found in my 4 years living there, however a few eejits among them seem to have their hands on the city's steering wheel. It is they who have brought us the 'morketing' gems such as The Latin Quarter and cultural capital. Liars and morketer types live everywhere I suppose.

Hopes its better than Mick Wallaces Latin Quarter. A few dumps flogging garlic bread and Carbonara and we are sooooo sophisticated

chrissb8 · 23-10-2019 11:43AM

Necro wrote: »

Sounds like a person who has never ventured outside the M50

Dublin has some nice features but is overshadowed by filthy streets and creatures on said streets.

London has the same problem.

Both are massively overpriced and expensive to stay in too, give me Galway any day of the week

London is a fantastic city. Living there I can tell you that there is always something to see or do. Always something hidden, an amazing history that spans thousands of years and is a worldwide cultural and iconic institution.

Generalising it as filthy and there are creatures on the street is just wrong. It's a city of 8 million people. Maybe you can't wrap your head around that but it would stand to reason that there would be a little more in it than just "filthy streets". No it isn't overwhelmed by scum and filth, it isn't a dystopian city's from blade runner or something. They just have areas that aren't as nice as others. Even then that is changing with the threat of ever increasing gentrification.

Dublin. I'd agree that too many people make a bigger deal out of it than they need to but it is far better than Galway city. Horrible streets and all because yet again, there is much more to the city than Rathmines to Parnell st.

Galway "city" is fine and that's it. It has a fraction of what Dublin has going on and a decimal point of what's going on in London.

It is good for a good hearty p*** up after the 2 hour walking tour which takes in everything and leaves nothing to the imagination. The romantic notion it's a city of culture or a bohemian vibe is a laughable joke. Just because you have a pottery farm and have an act from half way across the world every once in a while does not make it a cultural hubspot.

There is no world in which Galway city is better than either London or Dublin. If that's your personal preference than so be it but as a city it is not a patch on any actual city with a large population.

23-10-2019 11:52AM

Tourists love Galway, that's all that matters for a thing like this, not the old fart opinion of Boards. It's the one city I always recommend to people visiting and they always enjoy it.

jimwallace197 · 23-10-2019 12:03PM

God, people are awful bitter in this country.

Galway is a fantastic city, easy to get around, plenty to do, great nightlife, warm people, relatively safe & secure, great scenic spots on its doorstep. What more could you ask for? That's probably why its doing so well.

For the people saying there is feck all to do in it, it doesnt matter where you are, all that matters is that you make the most of it & there is plenty to do, you just need to get off your arse & explore.

I've lived in bigger cities, doesnt matter where you are, if you go around with a **** attitude and a face like a smacked arse, your going to be miserable.

valoren · 23-10-2019 12:08PM

biko wrote: »

Salzburg, Austria
Washington DC, US
Cairo, Egypt
Galway
Bonn, Germany
La Paz, Bolivia
Kochi, India
Vancouver, Canada
Dubai, UAE
Denver, USA

Definitely some Germans posting similarly about the inclusion of Bonn.

"Bonn?!? Das ist völliger unwin LL!"

Mad_maxx · 23-10-2019 12:10PM

Necro wrote: »

Yep. The Dubs thinking Dublin is some sort of cultural mecca because they've become immune to the junkies lining the streets and the general filth.

Not from Galway but it's a far nicer place to go than Dublin.

Cheaper too.

Galway is extremely expensive for a place of it's size but then Galway folk are the greediest in the land

Mad_maxx · 23-10-2019 12:14PM

jimwallace197 wrote: »

God, people are awful bitter in this country.

Galway is a fantastic city, easy to get around, plenty to do, great nightlife, warm people, relatively safe & secure, great scenic spots on its doorstep. What more could you ask for? That's probably why its doing so well.

For the people saying there is feck all to do in it, it doesnt matter where you are, all that matters is that you make the most of it & there is plenty to do, you just need to get off your arse & explore.

I've lived in bigger cities, doesnt matter where you are, if you go around with a **** attitude and a face like a smacked arse, your going to be miserable.

How is Galway " easy to get around"?

The traffic does not move!

ancapailldorcha · 23-10-2019 12:24PM

Necro wrote: »

Sounds like a person who has never ventured outside the M50

Dublin has some nice features but is overshadowed by filthy streets and creatures on said streets.

London has the same problem.

Both are massively overpriced and expensive to stay in too, give me Galway any day of the week

Barely see any beggars and junkies in London.

London's a fantastic city. Far cleaner and safer than Dublin and there is almost an unlimited number of things to do. Great parks anywhere, world leading museums many of which are free and some of the best pubs and restaurants around which cater to all tastes.

Yeah, it's bloody pricey but you get what you pay for.

saabsaab · 23-10-2019 12:32PM

Galway is a great city. One of the best places to go on a night out. Tourists won't be robbed at gunpoint in broad daylight too!

Mad_maxx · 23-10-2019 12:50PM

ancapailldorcha wrote: »

Barely see any beggars and junkies in London.

London's a fantastic city. Far cleaner and safer than Dublin and there is almost an unlimited number of things to do. Great parks anywhere, world leading museums many of which are free and some of the best pubs and restaurants around which cater to all tastes.

Yeah, it's bloody pricey but you get what you pay for.

London is in the top two in the world, comparing Dublin, Auckland, Copenhagen or any other city of a million people is silly and pointless

Dublin is pretty great for it's size

Galway the 4th best city in the world according to Lonely Planet

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