Killarney Travelers Recommend

Two days in Killarney is enough time to explore both Killarney National Park, a 24,700-acre (10,000-hectare) expanse of lakes, woodlands, and mountains, and the Ring of Kerry, a scenic driving route around the Iveragh Peninsula. Take advantage of 48 hours in Killarney with the following itinerary. 

Day 1: Killarney National Park

**Morning:**Use a hop-on hop-off bus to reach the Lakes of Killarney—Lough Leane, Muckross Lake, and Upper Lake—which together cover about a quarter of Killarney National Park. Then embark on a sightseeing cruise, private boat tour, or kayaking excursion to Innisfallen Island, where the ruins of a 12th-century priory stand.

**Afternoon:**Head for the Gap of Dunloe, a remote and scenic mountain pass. Go as part of a tour that includes a boat transfer and jaunting car (pony and trap) ride, or prebook round-trip transport and walk the valley solo. Adventurous travelers can scale the crags here on a rock-climbing excursion.

**Night:**Back in Killarney town, it’s time to experience the local nightlife. Along High Street and College Street you’ll find a range of traditional Irish pubs, many of which have dining rooms serving comforting pub grub such as lamb stew, bacon and cabbage, and fish and chips. 

Day 2: The Ring of Kerry

**Morning:**Dedicate a full day to this scenic driving route, where every twist and turn of the winding road reveals a new and beautiful beach, mountain, lake, or rugged coastline view. Drive yourself or leave that to a professional with a guided sightseeing tour by coach or bike. 

**Afternoon:**By afternoon you should be about halfway around the loop route, somewhere near the fishing village of Portmagee. Have lunch here, then drive or take the ferry across to Valentia Island, where the Skellig Experience Visitor Centre documents the history of Skellig Michael, a remote island once inhabited by monks.

**Night:**Stick around for a seafood dinner in Cahersiveen, then head out to stargaze. Parts of the Iveragh Peninsula have been designated an International Dark Sky Reserve. While you can bring a telescope if you have one, it’s possible to see loads of twinkling stars with the naked eye. 

Killarney is the ideal base for exploring County Kerry, a rugged, rural, and beautiful corner of southwest Ireland. See below for a 3-day itinerary that incorporates visits to three of the county’s scenic highlights: the Dingle Peninsula, the Ring of Kerry, and the sprawling and lake-scattered Killarney National Park.

Day 1: Explore Killarney National Park

On your first day, turn your attention to Killarney National Park, a 24,700-acre (10,000-hectare) expanse encompassing island-dotted lakes, ancient forests, and historical heritage properties. Join a guided highlights tour of key sights such as Ladies’ View lookout, the 19th-century Muckross House mansion, and the 15th-century Ross Castle. For a little more flexibility, use a hop-on hop-off park bus service to plan your own sightseeing itinerary, incorporating shorter guided excursions, such as jaunting car (pony and trap) rides, walking tours, lake cruises, or guided paddles in Lough Leane. 

As the day draws to an end, return to town and head for High Street, where you’ll find a concentrated cluster of restaurants. Menus tend to make use of local produce, with Kerry lamb and beef, and Skellig Coast seafood, commonplace.

Day 2: Drive the Ring of Kerry

This 110-mile (178-kilometer) loop drive hugs the coast of the Iveragh Peninsula, west of Killarney. You could drive yourself around the winding, 2-lane circuit, but if you want to tear your eyes away from the road and give in to the attention-grabbing scenery out the window, opt for a guided coach tour instead. Bike tours are an option too.

Alternatively, choose a private tour that allows you to dictate where and when you want to stop, and how active or gentle your experience should be—think an adrenaline-charged coasteering adventure or a quiet stroll along a white-sand beach. Either way, don’t miss Derrynane Beach, Valentia Island, and the UNESCO World Heritage–listed Skellig Michael.

If possible, linger until late. Dine in Caherdaniel, Cahersiveen, or Portmagee as darkness falls, then turn your head up to the star-filled night sky. Much of the region is a designated International Dark Sky Reserve, and on a clear night the stargazing opportunities are unrivaled in Ireland.  

Day 3: Discover the Dingle Peninsula

Though smaller in size than the Iveragh Peninsula, the Dingle Peninsula is no less spectacular and warrants a full day’s exploration. Embark on a coach tour from Killarney and cruise along the craggy Atlantic coast, pausing at scenic locales such as the edge-of-the-world Slea Head promontory and the village of Dingle, a small yet cosmopolitan town packed with colorful storefronts and characterful pubs. Private guided tours of the peninsula offer customizable itineraries, meaning you call the shots. 

For a different perspective on County Kerry, take a food and drink–themed day tour from Killarney to Dingle, visiting artisan producers such as the Dingle Whiskey Distillery and the Killarney Brewing Company along the way. Back in Killarney, pull up a stool at one of the city’s many traditional pubs, where you can dine, drink, and—depending on the night—listen to live trad music being performed.

A short hop from Shannon Airport, Killarney in southwest Ireland serves as the jumping-off point for the scenic, sprawling, and lake-dotted Killarney National Park—which, if you have only one day to explore the region, is where you’ll want to focus your attention. Here are some ideas on the best way to spend 24 hours in Killarney. 

Morning: Historic Houses and Castles

Get off to an early start at Killarney National Park’s two biggest crowd-pullers: the 19th-century Muckross House mansion and the 15th-century Ross Castle. These heritage properties are situated in the eastern part of the park, about 15 minutes from town by car. If you don’t have access to a car, a hop-on hop-off bus gets you to both. For a more traditional method of transport, clip-clop your way past Ross Castle on a jaunting car (pony and trap), or—if you don’t mind working up a sweat—on a bike.

Afternoon: Soaking Up the Scenery

Having explored the historical houses this morning, devote the afternoon to soaking up the scenery. Take a sightseeing cruise or go kayaking on the Lakes of Killarney, admiring views of the MacGillycuddy’s Reeks range. Opt for a private lake cruise to disembark at Innisfallen Island, where you can view the remains of a old monastery. 

Alternatively, explore on foot. Join a guided walking tour or trek solo along the Gap of Dunloe, a picturesque glacial valley propelled into the spotlight after a visit from Queen Victoria in 1861. Some guided afternoon tours combine lake cruises with free time at the Gap of Dunloe. 

Night: Dining and Drinking

Back in town, it’s time to kick your feet up for a night of dining and drinking. Sample Irish delicacies such as boxty (potato cakes) and lake-caught fish at a local restaurant, then head to one of Killarney’s many pubs for a post-dinner pint or two. With any luck, you may even get to witness a traditional Irish music session. Killarney Brewing Company, which produces small-batch beers inspired by Irish legends, is a must-visit for craft beer enthusiasts.

Snaking through a glacier-carved valley in Ireland’s County Kerry, the narrow Gap of Dunloe is surrounded by pretty lakes and high mountain peaks. For hikers, cyclists, horse riders, and photo-seeking tourists, the mountain pass’s dramatic scenery makes it a must-visit. Here’s what you need to know about touring from Killarney.

Highlights

• Travel along the mountain pass on foot or by traditional jaunting car (pony and cart).

• Marvel at the majestic peaks of MacGillycuddy’s Reeks, Purple Mountain, and Bull Mountain.

• Pass by five scenic lakes along the winding pathway. 

• Pause at Wishing Bridge, a gray-stone arch bridge located around the halfway point of the pass.

• Some tours from Killarney include a boat ride to or from the Gap of Dunloe via Gearhameen River.

• Combine a trip to the Gap of Dunloe with a visit to nearby Killarney National Park to view sights such as Ross Castle, Muckross House, and the Lakes of Killarney. 

Things to Know

• The Gap of Dunloe is about 10 miles (16 kilometers) from Killarney town center. The drive takes about 30 minutes. 

• Gap of Dunloe tours from Killarney typically last between five and six hours. 

• The gap itself stretches for just under seven miles (11 kilometers), running between Kate Kearney’s Cottage at the north end to Lord Brandon’s Cottage at the south end. A one-way hike should take about 90 minutes.

• The narrow road through the gap is paved, though it can be uneven in parts. Those who aren’t able to hike can opt to go by jaunting car instead. 

• Wear sensible shoes and layers, and bring a camera and water.