The best months to visit Galway are May, June, July and August, when average highs sit in the mildest range of the year — from 15.9 °C in May up to 18.6 °C in July — and daylight is long, with 10.5 hours of sunshine a day in May. July and August are peak season, filling the Latin Quarter with school-holiday crowds and busy festival weeks. Winter is the quiet low season, cool and often wet, with December averaging just 3 hours of sunshine and 18 rain days.
Best months MayJuneJulyAugust
Galway month by month
Average highs and lows (°C), 2016–2025. Highlighted bars are the best months.
| Month | High | Low | Rain days | Sun / day |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| January | 8.5 °C | 4.1 °C | 16 | 3.7 h |
| February | 9.2 °C | 4.5 °C | 17 | 4.8 h |
| March | 10.4 °C | 4.5 °C | 16 | 6.1 h |
| April | 12.8 °C | 5.9 °C | 13 | 8.4 h |
| May | 15.9 °C | 8.8 °C | 14 | 10.5 h |
| June | 17.6 °C | 11.4 °C | 17 | 9.6 h |
| July | 18.6 °C | 12.7 °C | 17 | 9 h |
| August | 18.4 °C | 12.9 °C | 19 | 8.6 h |
| September | 16.6 °C | 11.1 °C | 17 | 6.8 h |
| October | 13.7 °C | 9.1 °C | 18 | 5.3 h |
| November | 10.6 °C | 6.2 °C | 16 | 4 h |
| December | 9.1 °C | 5.2 °C | 18 | 3 h |
How the months are picked.A month qualifies when its average high sits in the comfortable 20–28 °C band (scored down towards 9 °C and 37 °C), rain days are few and sunshine hours are high — at least 78 % of the city's best-scoring month. July and August are then set aside as peak season (school-holiday crowds and prices) whenever at least three other months qualify; where summer is the only comfortable window they stay. Figures are ten-year averages (2016-01-01 to 2025-12-31) from ERA5 reanalysis data via Open-Meteo (CC BY 4.0) for the city centre coordinates.
When to go, and what to expect
Spring (Mar–May)
The sweet spot for mild weather and thinner crowds — ideal for walkers and sightseers.
Summer (Jun–Aug)
Best for atmosphere and events if you accept crowds and showers.
Autumn (Sep–Nov)
Good for early September warmth; increasingly wet and dim later.
Winter (Dec–Feb)
Only for those wanting a low-key, cosy city break.
Notable events
- July
- Galway International Arts Festival
- Late July / early August
- Galway Races (Summer Festival)
- March
- St. Patrick's Day
- November–December
- Galway Christmas Market
Frequently asked
Is Galway too hot in August?
No — August averages a high of 18.4 °C, comfortably mild, though it is the wettest month with 19 rain days, so pack for showers.
What is the rainiest month?
August is the wettest with 19 rain days; December and October follow with 18 each, and even summer months like June and July see 17 rain days.
Is winter worth it?
Only for a quiet, cosy visit. Highs sit at 8.5–9.2 °C, with 16–18 rain days and just 3 hours of sunshine a day in December.
Know when to go? Now decide where to stay — our Galway area guide →
Areas of Galway
Best time to visit near here
Sources
- Open-Meteo historical weather API — monthly climate normals, 2016–2025 (CC BY 4.0)
- ERA5 reanalysis (ECMWF / Copernicus) — the underlying temperature, precipitation and sunshine data
- ReasonStay methodology — how the best months are computed and checked
An independent guide to Galway — honest, verified, no invented data. Climate figures: ERA5 via Open-Meteo, 2016–2025 averages; the best months are computed from them, not opinion.