Best of Kenmare

Top itineraries and travel advice in and around Kenmare
Plan your trip to Ireland
Chat with a local specialist who can help organize your trip.
Skellig Michael
Map of Southwest Ireland Family Adventure - 7 Days
Southwest Ireland Family Adventure - 7 Days

Explore villages, islands, peninsulas, and coastlines on this weeklong Irish family adventure through Kinsale and Kenmare. Learn about ancient pirate legends, smugglers, and monks of times past, from Charles Fort to the Skellig Islands. Your personal guide will help you to make the most of your journey by sharing ancient myths and legends and introducing you to local characters. Experience an authentic, off the-beaten-track version of Southwest Ireland together.

Dingle Peninsula and the Blasket Islands
Map of Hiking & Island Hopping in Cork & Kerry - 7 Days
Hiking & Island Hopping in Cork & Kerry - 7 Days

Explore the islands and peninsulas of Ireland's southwest side on this 7-day itinerary. Start out in the former smuggler's landing port at the village of Baltimore, then head out for hikes along the coastline, up the stone steps of the island of Skellig Michael, and out on the Blasket Islands. Meet the local puffins and basking sharks along with dairy products and musical pub traditions as you travel along the Cork and Kerry Way.

A beach on the Ring of Kerry route
Map of Classic Ireland Adventure - 7 Days
Classic Ireland Adventure - 7 Days

This guided road trip is the perfect introduction to Ireland for newbies. Over a week, you'll visit both classic icons and some off-the-beaten-path sites—paired with beautiful landscapes and gentle walks to breathe in the fresh air of Ireland's spectacular Wild Atlantic Way. In the evenings, partake in the local pub experience with a pint of Guinness and traditional Irish music. The tour starts and ends in Dublin, where you can bike and kayak to some of the capital's best sites.

Snap those family pics as you explore Ireland's great outdoors
Map of Family Outdoor Adventure in Ireland - 10 Days
Family Outdoor Adventure in Ireland - 10 Days

This charming 10-day family tour of Ireland introduces kids, big and little, to a taste of Irish rural life as they explore the country's stunning natural beauty. Let screens and email become a distant memory as you journey from Dublin to the breathtaking scenery of Wicklow and onward to Kinsale, Kenmare, and Doolin. Make memories as you learn bushcraft with the kids, experience the 3,000-year-old Celtic sport of hurling, and discover the myths and legends of the mysterious Cliffs of Moher.

Biking the Ring of Kerry
Map of Self-Guided Ring of Kerry Cycling Trip - 7 Days
Self-Guided Ring of Kerry Cycling Trip - 7 Days

With the highest mountain range in Ireland as a backdrop, this self-guided cycling tour follows the world-famous Ring of Kerry. Starting and ending in Killarney National Park, the journey traces the coastline of the Iveragh Peninsula, taking you through picturesque villages and natural wonders on a mix of inland and coastal routes.

Explore County Kildare and see idyllic sights like the old ruins of Ballinafagh Church
Map of Self-Drive Southern Loop of Ireland: Dublin to Kildare - 12 Days
Self-Drive Southern Loop of Ireland: Dublin to Kildare - 12 Days

See Ireland's beautiful scenery on this epic 12-day self-drive tour, which will take you on a loop from Dublin to Kildare. Explore Dublin's attractions and Medieval Quarter, hike in Wicklow Mountains National Park, and relax on the Copper Coast Beaches. Then head to Cork for a food tour and castle visit, drive the picturesque Ring of Kerry, and see the Irish-speaking Aran Islands before finishing your journey in Kildare and returning to Dublin.

Killarney National Park, Ireland
Map of Ring of Kerry Self-Guided Cycling Tour - 8 Days
Ring of Kerry Self-Guided Cycling Tour - 8 Days

Explore the Emerald Isle's beauty and historic villages by bicycle on this 8-day trip. Mórchuaird Chiarraí (Ring of Kerry) is a 111-mile circular route on Ireland's southwestern coast, encompassing Muckross, Killarney National Park, and picturesque Kenmare. Discover local treasures as you cycle in and around the eastern part of the Iveragh Peninsula.

Coastal view, Dingle Peninsula
Map of Discover the Dingle Peninsula - 10 Days
Discover the Dingle Peninsula - 10 Days

With countless routes traversing one of Ireland's most treasured peninsulas, Kerry is a walker's paradise. This tour combines the charming Irish towns of Dingle, Killarney, Sneem, and Kenmare with stunning hikes along Slea Head, Kenmare Bay, and the famous Dingle Way. You'll cycle in Killarney National Park, take the ferry to the Blasket Islands, stroll through oak forests, and enjoy views of grassy bogland, dramatic cliff drops, and the picturesque Slieve Mish Mountains.

Spend a night at this stunning five-star hotel in County Clare
Map of Ireland's Luxury Road Trip - 13 Days
Ireland's Luxury Road Trip - 13 Days

This nearly two-week adventure in Ireland is perfect for couples seeking more luxury during a road trip. Your scenic route meanders through several western counties—Clare, Cork, Galway, Kerry, and Leitrim—where you'll partake in activities that range from hiking at a national park to horseback riding on a beach. Of course, there'll also be opportunities to relax at a spa. Start and end the trip with free time to explore Dublin, perhaps with a tour of Trinity College to see the Book of Kells.

Make memories with your family as you explore Ireland's the Ring of Kerry
Map of Action-Packed Ireland Family Road Trip - 14 Days
Action-Packed Ireland Family Road Trip - 14 Days

Starting in historic Dublin, get ready for a two-week road trip that immerses your family in the best of Ireland. Drive onward to Kinsale, Kenmare, Tralee, Doolin, and Birr to experience unbeatable natural beauty, stately castles, rich history, friendly locals, and cultural experiences. You and the kids will be falconing one minute, sailing the next, whale watching, and hiking—and that's all just in the first few days. Buckle up and prepare to make some memories!

Kerry County countryside
Map of Ring of Kerry Self-Guided Hike - 8 Days
Ring of Kerry Self-Guided Hike - 8 Days

Explore the southwest corner of Ireland at your own pace on this 8-day walking itinerary of the Kerry Peninsula. This popular driving route is even better on foot as you cover the countryside from cliffs to beaches across rolling pastures, peat bogs, and mountain ranges. Start in Killarney, walking through Kenmare, Sneem, and Caherdaniel. Veer west through Waterville and Cahersiveen to your final village in Glenbeigh.

Beara Peninsula
Map of Beara Peninsula Guided Hike - 8 Days
Beara Peninsula Guided Hike - 8 Days

Explore the southwestern corner of Ireland on this 8-day guided hike of the Beara Peninsula, one of Ireland's "toes". Few roads cross this massive landscape, and those which do wind in hairpin turns through the rocky mountains. Follow trails between historic and natural landmarks, notably Bere Island, Dursey Sound, and Gleninchaquin Valley. Learn about local lore, from the prehistoric stone circles to the ancient tales of the Hag of Beara and Four Children of Lír.

Panoramic view of Killarney National Park
Map of Self-Guided Ring of Kerry Bike - 8 Days
Self-Guided Ring of Kerry Bike - 8 Days

Cycle the historic Ring of Kerry on this 8-day biking tour, staying at night in cozy B&Bs. Trace the coastline of the Iveragh Peninsula, explore Killarney National Park, and visit the historic villages of Sneem and Kenmare. See 6th-century ruins on Skellig and Valentia Islands, and enjoy sweeping views of the wild Atlantic Ocean. You'll cycle along quiet country roads, take in the serene countryside, and hear local stories and legends in the neighborhood pub.

Ireland's Wild Atlantic Way
Map of Road Trip Adventure on Ireland's Wild Atlantic Way - 15 Days
Road Trip Adventure on Ireland's Wild Atlantic Way - 15 Days

Explore Ireland's famous Wild Atlantic Way on this adventurous 15-day road trip. Start in Dublin, where you'll walk the River Liffey and visit historic Trinity College. Then, it's off to Cork and Kenmare for a drive of the scenic Sheep's Head Loop and the ancient stone circles of Bonane Heritage Park. Travel via cable car over the ocean to Dursey Island, drive the rugged coastlines of the Ring of Kerry, and hike to the top of the majestic Sliabh Liag before returning to Dublin for museum visits and whiskey tastings.

See Northern Ireland's natural wonder, the Giant's Causeway
Map of Emerald Isle Self-Drive Adventure - 15 Days
Emerald Isle Self-Drive Adventure - 15 Days

This epic 15-day road trip covers the best of Ireland, from the cities to the countryside. It begins with walking tours of Dublin, then you'll hop in a car and drive south to the castles and colorful towns of gorgeous County Cork. Among the other highlights of this unforgettable trip, you'll drive the Wild Atlantic Way, visit the Cliffs of Moher, tour whiskey distilleries, and cross over to Northern Ireland to discover vibrant Belfast and explore the scenic Antrim Coast.

the sea cliffs at Downpatrick Head on the coastline of County Mayo, Ireland
Wild Atlantic Way Self Drive Adventure - 14 Days

Get ready for mile after mile of unforgettable memories. On this road trip along the Wild Atlantic Way— the longest defined coastal route in the world—you'll enjoy rugged scenery, gorgeous coastline, and off-the-beaten-path adventures from County Donegal’s remote Northern Headlands down to the picturesque southern peninsulas.

Along the trail in Kerry
Map of Ring of Kerry Self-Guided Hike - 11 Days
Ring of Kerry Self-Guided Hike - 11 Days

Hike the Ring of Kerry at your own pace on this 11-day self-guided itinerary. The iconic Ring route is a loop of the Iveragh Peninsula on Europe's westerly edge. With the Atlantic and mountains ever-present, you'll follow the trail between some of Ireland's most charming towns and beauty spots, like Kenmare Bay, Caherdaniel, and Glencar. The start and end point of Killarney is easy to reach from a host of airports in Ireland.

Cycle around the rugged coastline of Inishmore, the largest of Ireland's Aran Islands
Map of Ireland Self-Guided Cycling Tour: Dublin, Galway, Doolin & Dingle - 12 Days
Ireland Self-Guided Cycling Tour: Dublin, Galway, Doolin & Dingle - 12 Days

Soak in western Ireland's inspiring coastal landscape on this 12-day itinerary, which features both two and four wheels. Flying into Dublin, you'll head directly west to Galway and journey down the Wild Atlantic Way. Between short drives, you'll cycle around striking scenery, from the lunar-like Burren region to a host of awesome peninsulas. There'll be time to discover key sites on foot, too, from the Cliffs of Moher to Muckross House, as well as Dublin's highlights.

The trail to Dunquin
Map of Ultimate Southwest Ireland Hiking Adventure - 15 Days
Ultimate Southwest Ireland Hiking Adventure - 15 Days

Explore Ireland's most picturesque locations on foot with this rugged 15-day itinerary. Begin your adventure in Dublin, a city steeped in history, before moving on to Killarney for a cruise through its lakes and a hike along the ancient "butter road" to Kenmare. Head to Sneem to learn about the area's rich history and explore its natural beauty. Enjoy a walk around Slea Head, trek along the wild Cliffs of Moher, and end your journey with a night at the medieval Kinnity Castle.

Skellig Cliffs on the Ring of Kerry
Map of Ring of Kerry Guide Assisted Hike - 8 Days
Ring of Kerry Guide Assisted Hike - 8 Days

This 8-day assisted hike combines the best of the Ring of Kerry and the Dingle Peninsula, a land that's famous for its beauty, culture, and friendly locals. Hike through a series of spectacular mountains, deep-sea inlets, between ancient archaeological sites and through green sheep pastures. Hike through these wild stretches of uninhabitable coastline, enjoy spectacular views, and stay at night in comfortable village accommodations.

Other popular travel destinations in Ireland
Dublin · County Kerry · Killarney · Galway · Dingle Peninsula · Doolin · Dingle Town · Northern Ireland · Belfast · Cork · Killarney National Park · County Cork · Kinsale · Westport · Donegal · Birr · Tralee · Ballycastle · Letterkenny · Laragh · Clifden · Sligo · Limerick · Aran Islands · Kilkenny · Waterford · Donegal town · Portmagee