The Dingle Peninsula in Ireland is undoubtedly one of Europe’s most breathtakingly scenic regions—a place where dramatic landscapes, rich culture, and ancient history come together in perfect harmony.
Over my 35 years in Ireland, I’ve visited the Dingle Peninsula 14 times, each visit deepening my love for this remarkable region.
In this guide, you’ll find:
- A map of the Dingle Peninsula with attractions
- Advice on which areas to stay in
- Maps of the Dingle Loop and the Slea Head Drive
Dingle Peninsula map and key area information
The map above should give you a better sense of the lay-of-the-land on the Dingle Peninsula.
It shows the main towns/villages along with the most notable landmarks.
If you’d prefer to plan your trip with an interactive Google map, I’ve created a map of Dingle with all of the various attractions plotted.
1. Location
The breath-taking Dingle Peninsula is the northernmost peninsula in County Kerry and it attracts hundreds of thousands of visitors every year. It’s a 70-minute drive from Killarney and a 1-hour and 45-minute drive from Kenmare.
2. Getting there
The convenience of getting to the Dingle Peninsula will be entirely dependant on where you’re leaving from. Here are some options:
- Driving: The drive to the Dingle Peninsula is nice and easy to follow
- By train + bus: Tralee, Killarney and Farranfore as the closest train stations to Dingle. You can then get a bus to Dingle
- Tour from Killarney: This tour takes you on a day trip to Dingle
3. A historically significant peninsula
The Dingle Peninsula is a treasure trove of archaeological sites, with countless monuments, castles and nuggets of history dotted around the area. These range from ancient stone forts, like Cahergall, to castles, like Minard.
4. Language and culture
The Dingle Peninsula is one of a number of Gaeltacht regions that exist in this part of Ireland. A Gaeltacht is an area where the Irish language is still spoken in everyday life. The peninsula boasts a vibrant culture with a rich traditional music scene and a number of festivals, musical and otherwise, take place throughout the year.
The different areas on the Dingle Peninsula
The map above is taken from my guide on where to stay in Dingle, and it outlines the main towns/villages that I tend to recommend to people.
Each area has its pros and cons:
- If you want to be in the thick-of-it: Stay in the town in one of the hotels in Dingle or one of the B&Bs in Dingle
- For a quieter experience: The hometown of Artic explore Tom Crean (Annascaul) is a must
- For stupendous scenery: Stay along Slea Head
How to Explore the Dingle Peninsula
Photos via Shutterstock
So, there are many things to do in Dingle and you’re arguably best off exploring via one of two drives:
- The Slea Head Drive
- The Dingle Peninsula Loop
The Slea Head Drive
The Slea Head Drive is a 38km (24-mile) loop starting and ending in Dingle Town, offering stunning views of the Dingle Peninsula’s coastline, ancient sites, and quaint villages.
Best tackled clockwise, the drive takes 2-3 hours with stops and is packed with history, scenery, and charm.
Highlights on the drive include:
- Ventry Beach: A peaceful, sandy Blue Flag beach perfect for a stroll
- The White Cross: Iconic viewpoint with coastal and Blasket Islands views
- Coumeenoole Beach: Rugged cliffs and Ryan’s Daughter filming location
- Dun Chaoin Pier: Scenic ferry point with views of the Blasket Islands
- The Blasket Centre: Fascinating history of island life and culture
- Ceann Sibéal Viewpoint: Star Wars filming location with dramatic vistas
- Gallarus Oratory: 12th-century stone church with an interesting history
The Dingle Peninsula Drive
The Dingle Peninsula Drive is a 93km (58-mile) loop showcasing one of Ireland’s most breathtaking landscapes.
Starting at Inch Beach, this full-day adventure combines stunning coastal views, historical sites, and hidden gems along the scenic Dingle Peninsula.
Highlights on the drive include:
- Inch Beach: A 5.5km sandy peninsula with mountain views
- Minard Castle: A hilltop ruin overlooking a rugged coastline
- Slea Head: It takes in the whole of this route
- Conor Pass: Ireland’s highest mountain pass with sweeping valley views
- The Maharees: A 5km tombolo boasting pristine beaches
- Caherconree Scenic Route: A scenic, narrow route that many miss
Explore Kerry beyond Dingle
Once you’re finished up exploring the Dingle Peninsula, it’s time to see more of Kerry (if you’re debating between Killarney and Dingle, my Ring of Kerry vs Dingle Peninsula guide will come in handy).
There are endless places to visit in Kerry, including:
Keith O’Hara has lived in Ireland for 35 years and has spent much of the last 13 creating what is now The Irish Road Trip guide. Over the years, the website has published thousands of meticulously researched Ireland travel guides, welcoming 40 million+ visitors along the way. In 2022, the Irish Road Trip team published the world’s largest collection of Irish Road Trip itineraries. Keith lives in Dublin with his dog Toby and finds writing in the 3rd person minus craic altogether.