It’s turned on Southwest Atlantic Coast of Ireland There is one of Ireland’s best secrets. Their sturdy coastline, dramatic scenery and familiarity that belongs only to small town people are all distinctive features of the Dingle Peninsula.
If you’re looking for that true Irish experience filled with endless adventures on small towns, lively country pubs and extended road trips, Dingle is the perfect place for your Irish adventure.
It takes at least a few days to explore the Dingle Peninsula, but if you’re traveling like that, you can easily fill it up for 5-7 days in this sturdy part of Ireland. Below is a complete guide to visiting Ireland’s Dingle Peninsula.
Dingle Peninsula, Kelly County
When I first visited Ireland five years ago, I only had a week to explore what I thought was the highlight of Ireland. I needed an Irish road trip adventure so I flew to Dublin and followed the road even when they took me. I had nothing booked – there were no plans, no hotels, no offline maps at the time (maybe they existed, but by then I was still a purist).
On that trip, I ended up with a random bed and breakfast, asking locals for recommendations on what to do in the area, and followed a paper map to the funny parts of the name. I was caught up in the West Coast, but in Srigo, I finally made my way to Galway and back to Dublin.
On that trip I fell in love with Ireland and vowed to come back one day. Meeting locals, traveling without a plan, and saying yes on every occasion was the very journey I loved. When I saw the photos of the Dingle Peninsula earlier this year, I loudly promised this is the year I’ll be back…and here I am in Dingle!
Stay: Dingle
If you are exploring the Dingle Peninsula, there are a variety of accommodation types, most of which are bed and breakfast guesthouses in this part of the country. This is a great opportunity to arrive without a plan, seek advice from locals and be undoubtedly side-tracked on these winding, scenic roads.
Dingle (the town itself) is a great base if you like a mix of cities and countries. I chose to base myself on this basis, so I was close to small boutique shops and cafes, but only a few minutes’ drive to the countryside and the coastline. The town is small, but is full of boutiques including cafes, pubs, hat shops and wool shops.
That’s what the B&B I booked last minute Above the slide shade. Kelly also has a small town with the same name, so be careful if you arrive using the map like I did. Save 2 hours of driving and simply put the place in Dingle (the accommodation is on the main strip). My room was about 200 times more than usual per night. It’s not cheap, but it’s one of the more affordable options and was really comfortable. The breakfast buffet is an extra $10, but for unlimited coffee, I’ve made my own yogurt parfait station so I definitely have my own money!
What to do with Dingle?
If you’re staying for more than a few days, there’s plenty of time to enjoy the town of Dingle in the evening. There are endless options for pubs, restaurants, cafes and even gourmet supermarkets! Here is my top pick, tested and tested:
Pantori Cafe
When we arrived at Dingle late in the evening after missing a 2 hour direction on a 4 hour drive from Dublin, there were not many options for dinner. The next day I decided to treat myself by finding the best cafes in town. Pantoli gives you the best cafe in town, but sadly closes at 4pm every day so be sure to go for lunch.
Dick Max Pub
Dick Max is one of the most beloved pubs in all of Kelly County. It has a truly lively atmosphere and is always full of locals, so this is the perfect place to go for your iconic Irish pub experience.
Crazy Hatters
I almost happened to come across this boutique, but it was still a fun place to discover it. A small boutique has hundreds, if not thousands of hats of all kinds.
Murphy’s ice cream
I’ve heard several times that Irish people say they’re traveling to Dingle just to get ice cream from Murphy. This little ice cream is so popular that people not only travel to dul, but are expanding to stores in Dublin. Think of my words – the flavors are incredible and you can tell that there are many ideas about making something worth traveling.
What to see on the Dingle Peninsula?
The Dingle Peninsula has a relaxed atmosphere indoors, but outside the pubs and cozy cafes there is a sturdy nature that requires adventure travelers. If you’re looking for ideas for scenic spots, day hiking or great road trips, see below.
Blastet Island Ferry
The iconic photo (above) is a drawing of me in Dingle in the first place. This narrow, winding road is used as an access point to the Blasket Island Ferry. It is one of the most scenic spots on the peninsula.
Dunmore Head
In the westernmost part of the Dingle Peninsula is Dunmore Head, one of the most photogenic spots in the area at sunset.
Mount Brandon
Looking for hiking enthusiasts is no longer a question of Mount Brandon. This is a great half-day hike that cleans up the peninsula and the ocean. The hike ranges from 9-15km depending on the length you choose and takes about 4-5 hours to complete.
Kelly’s Ring
If you’re more of a leisure enthusiast, drive yourself by sitting towards Kelly’s ring, commonly considered one of Ireland’s most scenic drives.
