2-Day Dingle Peninsula Itinerary: Top things to do and see
Who’s ready to explore one of the best parts of Ireland? With my Dingle Peninsula itinerary, you’re in for one awesome trip.
After 8 days in Ireland, one of our favorite parts of our adventure was exploring the Dingle Peninsula! Tucked down on the southwestern side of the country, the town of Dingle is charming and stunning.
My fiancée and I spent parts of two days driving the coastlines, holding baby lambs, cruising on a boat out to the Blasket Islands, seeing epic rock formations, and walking amongst 4,000-year-old ruins. It was an iconic place to visit.
The Dingle Peninsula should be on everyone’s itinerary, and you’ll have the best time in this beautiful corner of Ireland.
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Exploring Ireland’s Dingle Peninsula
What to know about the Dingle Peninsula
Is the Dingle Peninsula worth visiting?
The Dingle Peninsula is a magical part of Ireland and is so worth visiting. Getting out there is a bit of a drive, especially if you are starting in Dublin. Still, it’s a perfect addition to a southern Ireland road trip and not far from Killarney National Park.
I hope these photos and Dingle Peninsula itinerary convince you to visit and see the sights for yourself!
How far is it from Dublin and Galway?
The Dingle Peninsula is on the southwestern side of Ireland and is one of the most popular areas of the country. From Galway, it’s a 3.25-hour drive (though probably longer). And from Dublin, it’s a 4.25-hour drive.
Those driving estimates should be taken with a grain of salt. As a tourist, you’ll probably be driving below the speed limit on non-M roads.
And from Killarney, it’s about an hour’s drive. I think a lot of people will be doing this drive as most include both spots on their Dingle Peninsula/ Ireland itinerary.
Where to stay near Dingle
We stayed at the Dingle Skellig Hotel, and it was fantastic! It’s right on the water, giving us ocean views from our bedroom. The room was large, cozy, and had everything we needed. Due to our time constraints, we ended up having dinner and breakfast at the Coastguard Restaurant inside the hotel.
It was delicious! I got a Lamb Shank, while Jaimie went for the Monkfish.
Here are some other options for lodging in Dingle
- Dingle Benners Hotel
- Milltown House
- Ceann Sibeal Hotel (Outside of the town)
Book your stay at the Skellig Dingle Hotel and Spa
Take Slea Head Drive Clockwise
While you can technically drive both ways on the road, it’s not recommended, and the locals discourage it. Like many roads in Ireland, it is narrow and winding, which makes it easier for all to go in one direction: Clockwise.
The narrowest part and the section you should aim to drive clockwise are from the Beehive Huts until Dunmore Head. That section is extremely tight, and trying to fit two vehicles would be rough.
How many days should you spend here?
The sweet spot is between two and three days (one or two nights). As a photographer, I would love to return and check off a few more places that are a little harder to reach but look stunning.
But for general sightseeing, you can get a lot done in 36-40 hours. Plus, it’s also not a big area, and if you want a high-level overview, one night is perfect.
What’s the weather like in Dingle, Ireland, in May?
For us, it was perfect! I couldn’t have asked for more pristine weather. On average, May sees highs around 60 (15C) and lows in the upper 40s (9C). In mid-May, you’ll have sunsets after 9pm, giving you plenty of time to see the sights.
And as a reminder, 60F in Ireland feels more like 70. So, pack sunblock and breathable clothing.
Best Things to Do on the Dingle Peninsula
Here are the things I either did or recommend doing if you have more time in the area.
Check out all the tours available on the Dingle Peninsula.
1. Dingle Sea Safari
Hop aboard a high-speed rib boat for an unforgettable adventure around the Dingle Peninsula. The Sea Safari offers a thrilling way to explore sea caves, spot dolphins and seals, and get up close to the towering cliffs and rock formations around the Blasket Islands.
Our tour started at 4:20pm and wrapped up around 7:15pm. It was incredible and we saw epic views and wildlife. Highly recommend booking a tour.
Interested in the tour? Check it out here. Or Here
2. Drive the Slea Head Drive
This stunning loop around the western tip of the Dingle Peninsula offers jaw-dropping coastal views, charming villages, and ancient ruins—perfect for a leisurely day trip with plenty of photo ops. Plan to spend 2-4 hours exploring the sights. You could take longer going further west, but we stuck to the main road.
3. Get Murphy’s Ice Cream
A trip to Dingle isn’t complete without a scoop of Murphy’s Ice Cream—made from local Kerry cream and uniquely Irish ingredients like sea salt and brown bread. Not that ice cream is ever bad, but this one was A+ ice cream, and it’s local to Dingle!
4. Bee Hive Huts and Hold Baby Lambs
Step back in time at the Bee Hive Huts, ancient stone dwellings once used by monks, and enjoy the heart-melting experience of cuddling baby lambs at nearby farms during spring.
5. Dunquin Pier
One of the most photographed spots in Ireland, Dunquin Pier zigzags dramatically down the cliffs, with views of the Blasket Islands and crashing Atlantic waves. Be aware that it is very steep and not everyone will feel comfortable hiking down. There are also some food/drink/bathroom options here.
6. Coumeenoole Beach
This small but breathtaking beach is tucked beneath rugged cliffs and is famous for its golden sand and light blue water. If we had more time, I would have loved to jump in for a swim. It’s a must-visit on your Dingle Peninsula itinerary.
7. Dunmore Head
As the westernmost point of mainland Ireland, Dunmore Head offers panoramic views, wild sea cliffs, and the chance to stand at the very edge of Europe.
8. Blasket Center
This cultural center brings the stories of the now-abandoned Blasket Islands to life, showcasing islander history, literature, and traditional Irish ways of living.
9. Kruger’s Bar
Claiming the title of the westernmost pub in Europe, Krugers Bar is a cozy spot for a pint with unbeatable views and a friendly local atmosphere. We got fish and chips. And it was a massive chunk of meat. If you visit, come hungry!
10. Smerwick Harbour
A peaceful and scenic harbor framed by green hills and golden beaches, ideal for a quiet stroll or picnic by the sea.
11. Gallarus Oratory
This perfectly preserved early Christian church, shaped like an upside-down boat, has stood for over 1,000 years and is a marvel of ancient stone craftsmanship.
12. Conor Pass
Drive or hike this narrow, winding mountain pass for some of the highest and most dramatic views on the peninsula—foggy, wild, and unforgettable. It’s in the middle of the peninsula and not on the Slea Head Drive. Odds are you won’t have this in your Dingle Peninsula itinerary.
13. Annascaul Lake
A serene mountain lake surrounded by rolling hills, perfect for a peaceful walk or picnic. This is also not a standard place to visit. But if you get out here, it looks beautiful, and you can drive all the way to the lake.
14. Cross at Slea Head
This scenic pull-off features a stone cross with sweeping views of the Atlantic Ocean and the Blasket Islands, offering a moment of reflection on your drive. You can’t miss it on your right-hand side.
15. Riasc Monastic Settlement
Wander through the remains of this early Christian site, where weathered stone crosses and beehive huts speak to Ireland’s ancient spiritual roots.
Find Whale Watching Tours here. And Here.
Two-Day Itinerary for Exploring the Dingle Peninsula in Ireland
Day 1 of the Dingle Peninsula Itinerary
Head out of wherever you are (we were in Killarney) and begin making your way towards Dingle. On our trip, we stopped at the Gap of Dunloe and enjoyed the views and a quick four-mile hike before making our way towards the Dingle Peninsula.
The drive was pretty easy and gorgeous once you get along the water.
We stopped to stretch out our legs at a viewpoint above Inch Beach. (We were on a time crunch, so we didn’t go down to the water, but the beach was teeming with people on this sunny day.)
Twenty minutes later, we were in Dingle! It’s such a cute town, and we walked around a bit before checking in for our Sea Safari Tour!
This was a phenomenal day on the water. Clear skies, calm winds, and no waves. We saw a Puffin, a Basking Shark, Seals, a Minke Whale, jellyfish, and a dozen dolphins. I highly recommend this to anyone who wants to get out onto the ocean and see more of the region.
After the 3-hour tour, we checked into the Skellig Hotel, enjoyed a lovely dinner and wine, and fell asleep. It had been a long and busy day and we were pooped!
Day 2 Driving the Dingle Peninsula
Day two was a big driving day to see the Dingle Peninsula and then head out to Limerick for our lodging.
After a nice breakfast at the hotel, full of pastries and a traditional Irish breakfast of eggs, toast, and ham, we headed out to Slea Head Drive.
This is the crème de la crème for what to do in the area. You could probably do it in 70 minutes if you didn’t stop at all. For us, we did it in 4 hours.
Our first stop was the Beehive Huts(Tóchar Maothaithe). These are from 2,000 BC and were insanely cool to explore. Just a quarter mile down the road were more huts and a chance to hold Baby Lambs.
Don’t scoff at this one. They’re so cute and a fun thing to do. Both of these were four euros each.
After winding our way past Slea Head Cross, we parked at Coumeenoole Beach. This is a stunning beach; on our bluebird day, the water looked Caribbean-like. If you want a short walk, you can head up Dunmore Head.
Instead, we kept driving and made a stop at Dunquin Pier. This is a great photo spot. It’s a steep walk down to the water, so if you have balance issues, take it slow or just view from the top.
After working up an appetite, we headed out to lunch at Kruger’s, the most western pub in Ireland. The fish and chips were fantastic!
With the coastline at our backs, we continued our drive back to Dingle. We wanted more time exploring the town and grabbing Murphy’s Ice Cream. A short wait in line later, we had our ice cream and big smiles on our faces.
Dingle isn’t big by any means – maybe 1,800 people – and not more than a small downtown. So, once we had our sweets, we quickly moved throughout the main shopping area.
Thirty minutes of window shopping later, we were back at the car, beginning the 2.5-hour drive to Limerick.
Final Thoughts on the Dingle Peninsula Itinerary
I honestly can’t speak more highly of this area. It is a gem and offers an array of things to do for almost everyone. For those who want to relax and enjoy a small Irish town, for those looking for adventurous sea excursions, and for those wanting to drive and see the sights, the Dingle Peninsula is the place to be.
I hope my two-day Dingle Peninsula itinerary gives you some fun tips on places to see and go, and makes your trip as memorable as mine!
Until next time, adventurers, stay safe.
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