33 Best Things to do in Donegal (With Itineraries)

Welcome to Donegal – a county where a rugged landscape collides with heritage, history, tradition and some of Ireland’s most impressive scenery.

I have been visiting Donegal since around 1992. This guide is a collection of what I think are the best things to do in Donegal, based on 20+ visits.

The guide includes:

• The ‘must-sees’ like Slieve League and Inishowen
• Itineraries for those spending 1 – 3 days in Donegal
• Unique places to visit in Donegal that many overlook

The best things to do in Donegal

The tourist map of Donegal right above this text will give you a sense of the lay-of-the-land.

As you can see, the various places to visit in Donegal are well spread out (for context, to drive from Slieve League to Malin Head would take 3 hours).

1. The Sliabh Liag Cliffs and road trip

The Slieve League Cliffs reach a height of 1,972 feet/601 meters, which makes them nearly 3 times higher than the Cliffs of Moher.

From the viewpoint, you’ll be treated to views out across Donegal Bay and all the way to Sligo and beyond.

You can drive up to the viewpoint, tackle the Pilgrim’s Path walk from Teelin or take the shuttle from the visitor centre.

If you’re planning on exploring this corner of the county, I’d strongly recommend following the Slieve League Peninsula road trip outlined in the map above.

It’ll take you to many of the best things to do in Donegal on a nice, logical route.

Tip: During peak season, only those with limited mobility can drive up the viewpoint. If you don’t fancy the walk (steep and takes 35 minutes) you can park at the visitor centre and take the shuttle!

2. The Inishowen 100

The Inishowen 100 is arguably one of the most scenic drives in Ireland and you’ll want to allow at least 1/2 a day.

This is a 160km route loops around the windswept Inishowen Peninsula.

It takes in many of popular Donegal attractions (like Mamore Gap and Five Finger Strand) and it’ll have you ooohing and ahhing from start to finish.

Visitor tip: Make sure to take the short walk in to see Glenevin Waterfall. There’s also a handy spot for a coffee with a view at Fort Dunree!

3. Malin Beg Beach

There are some outstanding beaches in Donegal, but the one I find myself returning to the most is Malin Beg Beach (AKA ‘Silver Strand’).

You’ll find it finely plonked at the tip of the Slieve League Peninsula near Glencolmcille. When you arrive, you’ll park up in an elevated area, giving you a good eyeful of the horse-shoe-shaped-cliffs.

From there, you have to take 174 (yes, 174) steps down to the golden sand below.

Few Donegal attractions are as enjoyable to visit in the off-seasons as you’ll regularly have the whole place to yourself.

Fancy seeing more Donegal beaches? Carrickfinn Beach, Marble Hill, Kinnagoe Bay, , Ballymastocker Bay and Killahoey Beach, Pollan Bay, Tullagh Bay, Buncrana Beach, Downings Beach, Tra na Rossan ,Rossnowlagh Beach and Culdaff Beach are worth a visit, too!

4. Glenveagh National Park and Castle

Glenveagh National Park is home to 16,000 hectares of perfection and it’s one of the best places to visit in Donegal if you’re looking to stretch the legs.

Located a 25-minute drive from Letterkenny Town, it’s Ireland’s second largest park and it’s home to a waterfall, pristine lakes, rugged mountains and Glenveagh Castle, which was built between 1867 – 1873.

For those looking to get a lungful of fresh air, there are several walks you can choose from. One of the most popular walks here is the Derrylahan Nature Trail.

Visitor tip: If you visit during the summer months you can rent bikes on-site and spin around the park!

5. Grianan of Aileach

An Grianan of Aileach is a hillfort that sits on top of the 801 ft high Greenan Mountain on the Inishowen Peninsula.

This stone fort dates back to the 1st century and it’s situated on the site of an early Iron Age multivallate hillfort.

The drive up to Grianan of Aileach is worth the trip alone. When you reach the top you’ll be treated to a magnificent 360 view that takes in everywhere from Lough Swilly to Lough Foyle.

If you’re after places to visit nearby, there’s plenty of things to do in Letterkenny to keep you amused!

6. Glenevin Waterfall

I’ve always thought that Glenevin Waterfall is a little bit like something you’d expect to find on some remote island off the coast of South East Asia.

You’ll find the waterfall on the Inishowen Peninsula, not far from the village of Clonmany.

To get to it you need to walk through Glenevin Valley (the walk to the waterfall is handy and is around 1 km). The trail ends at the base of the 40-ft tall waterfall.

Visitor tip: This is one of the stops on the Inishowen 100 – you’ve heaps of things to do in Donegal a short spin from here!

7. Glengesh Pass

The bendy road at Glengesh Pass is one of the most unique roads in Ireland. It connects the towns of Glencolmcille and Ardara and it’s a joy to spin along.

It’s best approached from the Glencolmcille side as you can pull in at the viewing point and then head on down through the valley.

After taking in the view, make your way down along the high mountain pass. You can then do the looped drive that takes in the likes of Malin Beg, Assaranca Waterfall and more.

Drive with care: Walkers and cyclists use this road – always drive with care and vigilance

8. The Donegal road trip

If you know what do do in Donegal but you can’t get your head around how to formulate a route to follow, worry not.

If you follow the Donegal road trip outlined in the map above you’ll visit the main attractions over the course of 2-3 days.

9. Fanad Lighthouse

You’ll find Fanad Head Lighthouse stood proudly between Lough Swilly and Mulroy Bay on the Fanad Peninsula.

The drive to and from Fanad Lighthouse is worth the trip alone, as you pass through some beautifully quaint countryside to reach it.

The working lighthouse, which was nce voted one of the most beautiful lighthouses in the world, dates back to 1817 and has been open to visitors since 2016.

Good for those with limited mobility: You can park right next to the lighthouse and get an eyeful of it without ever leaving the car!

10. Ards Forest Park 

I’d argue that Ards Forest Park is one of the best places to visit in Donegal, but for some reason it gets overlooked by many.

Home to 1200 impressive acres, Ards encompasses saltwater lakes, beaches, sand dunes and plenty of gorgeous woodland.

Boasting some of the finest walks in Donegal, you’ll have 9 trails to choose from here, ranging both in difficulty and length (from 1 – 4 hours).

My favourite ramble: The Sand Dune trail is a handy, 1km/1.5 hour liner trail that takes in great views of Back Strand and Clonmass Bay

11. Malin Head

At Malin Head there’s no messing and no fancy visitor centres – just the Donegal coast in all its glory.

This is the most northerly point on the island of Ireland but, while it attracts the crowds, many leave feeling underwhelmed.

If you plan on visiting, it’s worth getting a sense of what there is to do (see here) before you arrive.

You’ll find toilets in the car park along with a little coffee cart. Just keep in mind that, as a visited here is listed as one of the best things to do in Donegal in many tourist guidebooks, it gets very busy during summer.

Aurora Borealis: It’s also one of the more notable places to see the Northern Lights in Ireland during certain conditions.

12. Assaranca Waterfall

You’ll find Assaranca Waterfall a stone’s throw from Ardara and it’s a handy one to pair up with a visit to Maghera Beach, as it’s only 1km away.

One of the beauties of Assaranca is how accessible it is – the parking area is on the side of the road and the waterfall is right next to it.

It’s most impressive after heavy rainfall and it’s a handy option for those of you wondering what to do in Donegal with someone that has limited mobility (it’s about 20 feet from the parking area).

13. Boyeeghter Bay

You’ll often hear Boyeeghter Strand near Melmore Head referred to as ‘Murder Hole Beach‘. Very sinister altogether!

When the tide is out, as is the case in the photo above, there are two beaches which then turn into one when the tide rolls back in.

In early 2022, a brand new trail and car park launched at the beach which makes getting to it a whole lot easier (info here).

Warning: There are very dangerous currents here. Never enter the water.

14. The Caves of Maghera

Maghera Strand is wild – wild in the best possible sense. It’s exactly as nature intended. Pure. Raw. Natural. Beauty.

You’ll find the Maghera Caves beneath Slievetooey mountain and some of the 20 caves are accessible when tides are low from Maghera Strand.

The beach is home to pristine white sand and, as you stroll, you’ll be surrounded by towering cliffs on either side.

This is another of several places to visit in Donegal in this guide that comes with a warning – only enter if you can read tide times, as they pose a real risk to your safety.

15. Glencolmcille Folk Village

The Glencolmcille Folk Village is a thatched-roof replica of a rural Irish village that offers a glimpse into what daily life was like in Ireland in years gone.

Each of the cottages in the village is an exact replica of a dwelling from the 18th, 19th and 20th centuries.

It’s perched in a scenic spit overlooking Glen Bay Beach in south-west Donegal. You can wander through the village at your leisure or take a guided tour.

If you’re after some of the best things to do in Donegal that offer an immersive insight into what ‘old Ireland’ was like, you won’t go wrong here.

16. Knockamany Bens and alpacas

If you’re looking for fun things to do in Donegal when the weather is cat, get yourself to the magnificent Inishowen Peninsula.

There are plenty of different places where you can admire a view without leaving the car. One of those places can be found on the Lagg road that leads to Malin Head.

When the road along the coast starts to rise around the Knockamany Bens, pull in at the car park. You’ll be treated to the view above on a clear day.

If you’re wondering what to do in Donegal with kids (or with animal lovers), the  Wild Atlantic Alpaca tour is based here, also. Visitors can can navigate the hills of Donegal with your very own alpaca as a guide.

Tourist tip: Although the photo on the left above looks like it was taken by a drone, that isn’t the case. You’ll get this view right from the car park.

17. Wild Ireland

You’ll find Wild Ireland in Burnfoot, a handy 15-minute drive from Derry City and less than an hour from the mighty Malin Head.

The sanctuary is one of the newest tourist attractions in Donegal, having only opened its doors to the public in 2019.

It’s here that you’ll find an ancient woodland that’s inhabited by some very exotic and wildlife, like brown bears, wolves, red deer, monkeys, wild boar and lynx.

Regarded as one of the best things to do in Donegal for families, Wild Ireland rescues and rehabilitates animals needing sanctuary while working to restore the natural environment through native planting.

18. Dunree Fort

Dunree Fort and its military museum is the perfect spot to absorb some history along with a serious bit of scenery.

The museum is positioned in a wonderful setting that overlooks Lough Swilly on the Inishowen Peninsula.

There are several weather-beaten barracks that you can have a gander at and, if you fancy, you can listen/watch an audiovisual presentation.

Tourist tip: If you’re exploring Inishowen and then heading to the Causeway Coastal Route after, take the Lough Foyle Ferry – it’s a very scenic time-saver!

19. Donegal’s ‘Hidden’ Waterfall

The secret waterfall in Donegal, as it’s often called, is located along the Slieve League peninsula on the coast at Largy village, between Killybegs and Kilcar.

To get to it, you need to follow a trail through a field and then continue along some very slippy stones before arriving to the opening.

This is one of several Donegal attractions that comes with a lot of safety warnings. ONLY visit if you’re 100% certain of the tide times.

If the tide comes in when you’re here, you’ll have nowhere to go. I’ve heard of people breaking arms and ankles on the walk to the waterfall.

20. Donegal Castle

If you like to plan your trip off tourist reviews scores, then a visit to our next stop is one of the best things to do in Donegal.

The ancient Donegal Castle was constructed by the O’Donnell chieftains during the 15th Century. Then it was burnt to the ground and rebuilt in the 16th century by Sir Basil Brooke.

If you fancy having a look around inside, tours leave every hour and they last for 30 minutes during the summer months.

There’s also plenty of fun things to do in Donegal Town, if you fancy exploring more of the area while your there (there’s also lots of great restaurants in Donegal Town if you fancy a feed).

21. Tory Island

Tory Island is one of the more unique places to visit in Donegal. It’s also the most remote inhabited island in Ireland!

You’ll find it around 14.5 km off the coast of Donegal where it’s home to a rugged landscape along with a number of archaeological and monastic sites.

The island’s remoteness has ensured that many of its ancient Irish traditions have remained intact. The most notable of these traditions is the appointment of a king of the island (also known as ‘Rí Thoraí’).

Those that visit can have a nosey around ancient sites, like the round tower that was used by monks to stay safe from Viking raids and explore the wild and beautiful landscape.

22. Horn Head

Horn Head is one of those places that tends to make you feel like the world has momentarily slipped off of its axis. 

The views, the fresh Atlantic air and the roar of the wind and waves combine to shock the senses all at once.

If you don’t fancy a ramble, there’s a nice looped drive from Dunfanaghy that’ll take you up to the viewing point above.

Horn Head is another of the many places to visit in Donegal that often gets missed. Grab some lunch in one of the restaurants in Dunfanaghy and tip up to the viewing point above after.

Tourist tip: If you visit Horn Head, take the spin to Marble Hill Strand and Doe Castle, after

23. Doagh Famine Village

The Doagh Famine Village near Ballyliffin is the perfect destination for those looking for educational things to do in Donegal.

It’s here that you’ll discover the journey of an Irish family from the 18th century to the present day.

You’ll get an insight into Famine times, the long road to peace in Northern Ireland, the economic collapse and more.

If you’re looking for places to visit in Donegal that’ll immerse you with a rich storytelling experience, Doagh Famine Village is a must.

24. Surf and strolls in Bundoran

The lively little seaside town of Bundoran is known and loved by surfers the island over. However, if you don’t fancy a dip, there are plenty of other things to do in Bundoran while you’re here.

Grab a coffee (Foam Cafe is a good shout!) and then tackle the Rougey Cliff Walk – it starts at the Bundoran Tourist Office and takes around 45 minutes to finish.

Over the course of the trail, you’ll be treated to glorious coastal views. When you finish up, there are a handful of restaurants in Bundoran for a post-walk feed.

25. Lough Salt 

One of the lesser-known places to visit in Donegal is Lough Salt – a small mountain lake located at the base of Lough Salt Mountain.

Keep driving until you come to the little parking area that’ll be on your left/right depending on which side you approach from.

From here, you can check out the lake to your left. When you’ve had your fill, take a look around to your right and you’ll see a small grassy hill (here on Maps).

Cross the road and climb up it. The 360 view that you’ll be treated to is just out of this world. 

26. Charming towns and villages

Before you decide on what to do in Donegal, it’s worth taking a bit of time to decided where you’ll base yourself on your Donegal road trip.

Some of the best places to visit in Donegal are the lovely little towns and villages that you’ll find dotted around the county. 

The ones I tend to stay in when visiting Donegal are Dunfanaghy, Buncrana, Downings and Portsalon. However, here are some others worth checking out:

• Gweedore
• Falcarragh
• Dungloe
• Greencastle
• Burtonport
• Ramelton
• Ballyshannon
• Carrick
• Rathmullan
• Glenties

27. Arranmore Island

If you’re wondering what to do in Donegal that’ll take you away from the crowds, take a trip to Arranmore Island, located around 5 km off the coast.

You can explore the island by day and chill by an open turf fire and listen to some traditional Irish music in one of the island’s lively pubs by night.

There’s a lighthouse, plenty of trails and the kind of raw, unspoiled beauty that you’ll only find on a sparsely populated island.

28. Doon Fort

Now, although Doon Fort is one of the more interesting Donegal attractions, you can’t, from what I can tell, get near it anymore (you used to be able to rent kayaks).

Doon Fort is located on a little island in the centre of Loughadoon, not far from the little coastal villages of Narin and Portnoo and the buzzy village of Ardara.

It’s thought that the fort was once the residence of the O’Boyle Chieftains.

29. Glamping and castle stays

There’s some excellent hotels in Donegal, regardless of whether you’re after a swanky night away or if you’re looking for family-friendly stays.

Some, like the Shandon, boast mighty views (from hot tubs!) while others, like Lough Eske, boast luxury throughout. Here are some guides to have a nosey at:

• 7 top spa hotels in Donegal
• 11 best hotels in Donegal near a beach
• 5 star hotels in Donegal
• Unique places to go glamping in Donegal
• The best places to go camping in Donegal
• Unique Airbnbs in Donegal