Galway has been named as one of the best places in the world to visit in 2020 by a leading travel site.
Lonely Planet named the ‘city of tribes’ as the fourth most essential destination for tourists thanks to the vast array of entertainment, creativity and nightlife on offer.
The site came up with its list by surveying writers, editors and readers of their pages.
The Lonely Planet states: “Amid fierce debate, the list is whittled down by our panel of travel experts to just 10 countries, 10 regions, 10 cities and 10 best value destinations. Each is chosen for its topicality, unique experiences and ‘wow’ factor.”
Salzburg was named the most essential city in the world, with Washington DC, Cairo and Bonn making up the rest of the top five.
Galway was one of only three European cities to make the top 10 and anyone who has been before will surely say it is worth its place.
Lonely Planet said: “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.”
Lonely Planet’s Top 10 must visit cities for 2020
1 – Salzburg, Austria
2 – Washington DC, USA
3 – Cairo, Egypt
4 – Galway, Ireland
5 – Bonn, Germany
6 – La Paz, Bolivia
7 – Kochi, India
8 – Vancouver, Canada
9 – Dubai, UAE
10 – Denver, USA
Galway has also been voted Ireland’s most romantic city and is set to be crowned European City of Culture for 2020, so it is as good a time as any to pay a visit.
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Written by Michael Kehoe @michaelcalling