Where to Stay on the Wild Atlantic Way: 8-County Guide
Short on time? Doolin (Clare) is the strongest single base for the Cliffs of Moher and the Burren, Dingle or Killarney (Kerry) for the Ring of Kerry and Dingle Peninsula, and Westport (Mayo) for Croagh Patrick and Achill Island. Galway city is the best hub if you want nightlife alongside day trips into Connemara. Full county-by-county picks and specific hotels follow below.
The Wild Atlantic Way is Ireland’s signature coastal route a 2,500 kilometres hugging the Atlantic from Donegal in the north down to Cork in the south. I’ve spent over thirty years writing about travel and food and have lived in ten countries across Europe, including years based here in Ireland, and this route rewards patience: the coastline changes character every hour or two, from Donegal’s Slieve League cliffs and Glenveagh Castle to Connemara’s bog and mountain, the Burren’s limestone, and Kerry’s peninsulas. This guide breaks the route down county by county so you can choose a base that matches what you actually want from each stretch, rather than defaulting to the same handful of towns everyone books.
A companion piece covers Ireland’s Ancient East and Heartlands for the counties east of this route.
- Where to Stay on the Wild Atlantic Way: 8-County Guide
- At a Glance: Best Base by County
- County Donegal: the Cliffs and the Lakes
- County Sligo: Yeats Country
- County Mayo: Islands and Croagh Patrick
- County Galway: City and Connemara
- County Clare: the Cliffs of Moher and the Burren
- County Limerick: Adare and the Shannon Estuary
- County Kerry: the Ring of Kerry and Dingle Peninsula
- County Cork (West Cork): the Gourmet Coast
- FAQs
- Exploring the fascinating regions of Ireland
At a Glance: Best Base by County
| County | Best for | Signature stay |
| Donegal | Cliffs, lakes, digital detox | Lakeside resort near Lough Eske |
| Sligo | Yeats country, surfing | Central spa hotel in Sligo town |
| Mayo | Islands, Croagh Patrick | Westport town-centre hotel |
| Galway | City culture, Connemara wilds | Castle or station-house hotel in Clifden |
| Clare | Cliffs of Moher, the Burren | Village hotel in Doolin |
| Limerick | Heritage villages | Adare heritage-village hotel |
| Kerry | Ring of Kerry, Dingle Peninsula | Lakeside hotel in Killarney or Kenmare |
| Cork (West) | Gourmet coast, Mizen Head | Harbourside hotel in Kinsale |
County Donegal: the Cliffs and the Lakes
Where to stay in County Donegal: the Lough Eske area outside Donegal Town for a lakeside resort base within easy reach of Slieve League Europe’s highest sea cliffs or a small lodge in Carrick village for a base right at the cliffs themselves. Further north, Fanad Head and the Inishowen Peninsula reward a slower, multi-night loop.
Harvey’s Point — best for a lakeside splurge
A resort hotel on Lough Eske with a fine-dining restaurant, wine bar, and lake views, a short drive from Donegal Town.
Lough Eske Castle — best for a spa break with history
A historic castle-hotel on the same lake, with a spa, pool, and gym alongside its restaurant and bar.
Hegarty’s Slieve League Lodge, Carrick — best for a base right at the cliffs
A lodge with an on-site bar and restaurant in Carrick village, about a 10-minute drive from the Slieve League cliff path.
The Abbey Hotel, Donegal Town — best for a central, walkable base
Set on the Diamond in the town centre, with a restaurant and two bars, handy for exploring the town on foot. You will find lots of great pubs with live music within walking distance and some fine restaurants and cafe.
County Sligo: Yeats Country
Where to stay in County Sligo: Sligo town itself puts you within reach of Benbulben, Strandhill’s surf beach, and Mullaghmore Head, with a good choice of central hotels right by the river and train station. You can hike the areas around Benbulben or visit Yeat’s Grave and don’t forget to enjoy great seafood in town.
Sligo Southern Hotel & Leisure Centre — best for a spa-and-pool stay near the station
An indoor pool, steam room, sauna, and gym, a few minutes’ walk from Sligo’s train and bus station.
Riverside Hotel — best for river views close to town
Rooms overlooking the Garavogue River, a short walk from Sligo town centre.
The Address Sligo — best for a boutique spa stay
A central hotel with a thermal suite (sauna, steam room, cold plunge, jacuzzi) and an on-site spa.
County Mayo: Islands and Croagh Patrick
Where to stay in County Mayo: Westport is the obvious hub a walkable heritage town with a strong choice of hotels for climbing Croagh Patrick or exploring Clew Bay. For a wilder base, Achill Island’s hotels put you among cliffs, blue-flag beaches, and the Atlantic Drive.
The Wyatt Hotel, Westport — best for a central town-centre base
In the heart of Westport’s Octagon, within walking distance of the town’s bars, cafés, and shops.
The Castlecourt Hotel, Westport — best for families and a leisure pool
A larger hotel with an on-site pool, a popular choice for families basing themselves in Westport.
The Mariner Hotel, Westport — best value close to the centre
Centrally located with nearby parking, a straightforward, well-kept base for exploring the town.
Achill Cliff House Hotel & Restaurant — best for scenery on Achill Island
A small hotel-restaurant in Keel with sea views, handy for Achill’s beaches and the Atlantic Drive.
County Galway: City and Connemara
Where to stay in County Galway: Galway city’s Eyre Square or Latin Quarter puts you among its famously lively pub and music scene, with the Aran Islands ferry a short trip away. Head further west into Connemara and Clifden becomes the natural base, with castle and heritage hotels set against mountains and coastline.
Skeffington Arms Hotel, Eyre Square — best for nightlife and central location
Attached to a well-known live-music bar right on Eyre Square, walking distance to Shop Street.
The Snug Townhouse, Quay Street — best for a boutique stay in the Latin Quarter
Small, characterful rooms right on Quay Street, in the middle of Galway’s pub and restaurant strip.
Clifden Station House — best for a Connemara base
A recently refurbished hotel built around the town’s old railway station, in the centre of Clifden.
Abbeyglen Castle Hotel, Clifden — best for a castle stay with grounds
A castle hotel on the Sky Road above Clifden, with tennis courts and grounds overlooking the Owenglin estuary. One of the nicest castle hotels to stay in.
Foyles Hotel, Clifden — best for historic character on Main Street
A family-run Victorian-era hotel in the centre of Clifden, known for its restaurant and long-standing hospitality.
County Clare: the Cliffs of Moher and the Burren
Where to stay in County Clare: Doolin is the classic base for the Cliffs of Moher walking trail, the Burren, and the ferry to the Aran Islands, with a strong trad-music scene of its own. For a quieter alternative, Kilkee and the Loop Head Peninsula offer cliffs and beaches without the coach-tour crowds.
Hotel Doolin — best for a village base with live music
Set in Doolin village with a restaurant, café, and wine bar, and separate self-catering suites nearby.
Doolin Inn — best for walking the Cliffs of Moher trail
A short walk from both the village and the Cliffs of Moher walking trail, with a modern boutique feel.
Ballinalacken Castle Country House Hotel — best for a countryside stay with ruins on-site
A family-run country house beside a 13th-century castle ruin, a short drive from Doolin with Atlantic and Aran Islands views.
Bay View Hotel, Kilkee — best for a quieter Loop Head base
On Kilkee’s main street, close to the beach and a good jumping-off point for the Loop Head Peninsula drive.
County Limerick: Adare and the Shannon Estuary
Where to stay in County Limerick: the thatched heritage village of Adare is the standout base, a short drive from Limerick city and the Shannon Estuary, with period hotels and guesthouses right on its main street.
Dunraven Arms Hotel, Adare — best for a heritage-village splurge
A long-established hotel on Adare’s main street with a spa and fine-dining restaurant, surrounded by the village’s thatched cottages.
Adare Country House — best for a B&B a few minutes from the village
A small, family-run guesthouse a short walk from Adare’s centre, with parking on site.
County Kerry: the Ring of Kerry and Dingle Peninsula
Where to stay in County Kerry: Dingle town is the best base for the Dingle Peninsula’s beehive huts and Slea Head Drive; Killarney puts you inside the National Park for lake and mountain access; Kenmare is the quieter southern gateway to the Ring of Kerry.
Dingle Skellig Hotel — best for a family resort with a pool
On the edge of Dingle town overlooking the bay and Skellig Michael, with a swimming pool and gym alongside its restaurant.
Dingle Benners Hotel — best for a central heritage stay
A long-standing hotel on Dingle’s Main Street with a well-regarded restaurant and bar.
The Lake Hotel, Killarney — best for lakeside National Park views
Directly on the Lakes of Killarney within the National Park, with spa and thermal-suite facilities.
Gleneagle Killarney — best for families and entertainment
A large hotel complex on the Muckross Road with extensive leisure and dining facilities.
Kenmare Bay Hotel & Resort — best for a family resort on the Ring of Kerry
A resort hotel just outside Kenmare with a pool, kids’ club, and gardens.
Sheen Falls Lodge, Kenmare — best for a luxury splurge by a waterfall
A five-star lodge beside the Sheen Falls outside Kenmare, with grounds, a pool, and cottage-style suites.
County Cork (West Cork): the Gourmet Coast
Where to stay in West Cork: Kinsale is the food-and-harbour hub and if you are a foodie check out the English Market in Cork along with a mix of spa hotels and boutique townhouses; Clonakilty and Skibbereen make good bases further west for the Mizen Head and Sheep’s Head peninsulas.
Kinsale Hotel & Spa — best for a spa break above the harbour
A hotel with pool, jacuzzi, sauna, and steam room, set on a hill overlooking Kinsale (a shuttle bus runs into town).
Trident Hotel Kinsale — best for waterfront views
Right on Kinsale harbour, with rooms looking straight out over the water.
Perryville House, Kinsale — best for a boutique townhouse stay
A small, well-regarded guesthouse on Kinsale’s Long Quay, known for its breakfasts and personal service.
Emmet Hotel, Clonakilty — best for a central Clonakilty base
On Emmet Square in the middle of Clonakilty, walking distance to the town’s restaurants and shops.
The West Cork Hotel, Skibbereen — best for a riverside base near Mizen and Sheep’s Head
On the River Ilen in Skibbereen, a good jumping-off point for both the Mizen Head and Sheep’s Head peninsulas.
FAQs
How many counties does the Wild Atlantic Way cover?
The official route runs through nine coastal counties from Donegal to Cork, including a short stretch of Leitrim coastline — this guide covers the eight with the widest choice of accommodation.
How long do you need to drive the whole Wild Atlantic Way?
Most visitors take 7–14 days to drive it end to end at a comfortable pace, though it can be done in sections over multiple trips.
Which county is best for a first-time visitor with limited time?
Clare and Kerry pack the most into a short trip the Cliffs of Moher, the Burren, and the Ring of Kerry or Dingle Peninsula are all within a few hours of each other.
Is it better to base in one town or move around?
Both work: Killarney, Westport, and Galway city all make good multi-night hubs for day trips, while a slower trip moving county to county suits those who want to see more coastline.
Do I need to book accommodation far in advance?
Yes, especially May to September popular bases like Dingle, Doolin, Kinsale, and Westport book out well ahead in peak season.
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