Under $100: Galway, Ireland

Galway might not have the have instant recognition of a place like Dublin, or the atmosphere of Cork, but this bohemian playground holds a certain charm unlike anything else you might find in Ireland, making it certainly worth a daytrip.

Begin your visit with breakfast or brunch at Ard Bia, a beautiful restaurant nestled into a stone wall (just look for the bright yellow and red sign) that serves up a delicious plate of buttermilk pancakes and French toast with pears, or go full American with the Full Fry plate that’s sure to clog your arteries for less than $15.

© Gunold Brunbauer | Dreamstime

After filling up make your way to the Galway Museum to check out many local artifacts and a moving archive of the felled men from the Connaught Rangers. There’s also a giant boat suspended from the ceiling, which is pretty cool. Admission here is free, so it’s a fun way to save a little cash in case there’s a festival going on you want to attend. Galway is known for having quite a few of them.

For lunch, you won’t want to miss on some of the best pizzas to be found in Europe — even better than in Italy, some say. Dough Bros has been pushing out excellent pies for years and have some of the thinnest pizzas you’ve ever seen. A meal here will cost you around $15.

Connemara in Galway © Altezza | Dreamstime

The afternoon should be reserved for sightseeing at some of the most beautiful spots in town. Be sure to check out the Galway Cathedral and the Salmon Weir Bridge, as well as the Spanish Arch.

When you’re ready for dinner, head to the pier and try out O’Grady’s, a beautiful seafood restaurant tucked away at the end where you can dine on delicious crab and steamed mussels for less than $30.