Tucked between the brooding Caha Mountains and the calm waters of Bantry Bay, the town of Bantry has been a crossroads of history for thousands of years.
Ancient settlers left their mark in nearby stone circles and burial sites, while the bay itself once braced for a French invasion in 1796.
In the centuries since, Bantry has weathered rebellion, famine, and prosperity, all while holding fast to its maritime roots.
Today, it strikes a fine balance between old-world charm and modern bustle, and it makes a great base to see the best of West Cork. Below, you’ll discover what to do in Bantry and nearby!
The best things to do in Bantry
Photos via Shutterstock
These days, Bantry is one of the more popular towns in Cork due to its proximity to endless things to see and do.
I’ve included an itinerary from Bantry at the end of this guide but first, lets tackle the different things to do in Bantry Town and beyond!
1. Bantry House and Gardens
Step inside one of Ireland’s finest stately homes, built around 1710 and still occupied by the White family more than 250 years later. Bantry House and Gardens is a rare glimpse into the life of the Anglo-Irish aristocracy, with elegant rooms filled with antiques, tapestries, and artworks gathered on lavish 19th-century Grand Tours across Europe.
Outside, the gardens are just as impressive. Designed by the 2nd Earl of Bantry and his wife Mary, they unfold across seven terraces overlooking Bantry Bay.
Wander beneath towering rhododendrons, scale the 100 stone steps for a postcard-worthy view, and unwind with coffee and cake in the west wing tearoom.
2. Garnish Island
Hop on the ferry from Glengarriff (20-minute drive from Bantry) and enjoy a scenic spin across the bay, including a detour to Seal Island where a resident colony of seals often laze about on the rocks.
From there, it’s on to Garnish Island (also known as Ilnacullin) a subtropical oasis that owes its rare plant life to the warm currents of the Gulf Stream.
Once a barren rock, the island was transformed in the early 20th century by architect Harold Peto and owner Annan Bryce into one of Ireland’s most unique gardens.
Today, visitors can stroll through formal planting schemes, winding woodland paths, and exotic displays of ferns and palm-like trees. If you’re in search of adventurous things to do in Bantry and nearby, you can’t go wrong with a trip over to this unique little island.
3. Bantry Blueway Trail
Photo licensed from Phil Darby
If you’re in search of active things to do in Bantry, then the Bantry Blueway Trail should be right up your street. This an enticing water-based trail that’ll tempt you out onto the waters of Bantry Bay.
Alongside the Sheep’s Head Peninsula on its northern side, the trail offers loads of activities, from kayaking to sailing and is suitable for all levels of experience.
If you’re kayaking, there are three trails categorised for beginners, intermediate and advanced kayakers. The trail is well signposted, and the consensus is that you should stick to the signposts and not custom-make your own route.
Related read: Check out our guide to the best hotels in Bantry (with something to suit most budgets)
4. Whale Watching with Bere Island Sea Safari
Photos via Shutterstock
Yes, you can go whale watching in Cork! Running from July to December, this exhilarating RIB tour is one of the most exciting wildlife experiences in West Cork.
Departing from either Castletownbere or Glengarriff, the tours take you out into the rich feeding grounds of Bantry Bay and the waters around Bere Island, where sightings of marine life are frequent and often spectacular.
Expect to encounter pods of common and bottlenose dolphins, curious harbour porpoises, and, if you’re lucky, giant basking sharks gliding near the surface.
5. Whiddy Island
Just a 10-minute ferry ride from Bantry Pier, Whiddy Island feels a world apart. This quiet spot in Bantry Bay has only around 20 permanent residents but a surprisingly rich past.
Once a key naval stronghold, the British built fortified batteries here to defend the bay during the Napoleonic Wars. Today, you can ramble a scenic loop walk past ruins, farmland, and quiet shores, or grab a pint and a bite at the island’s only pub, Bank House.
6. The Sheep’s Head Way
Photos courtesy Failte Ireland
If you’ve ticked off the various places to visit in Bantry and you fancy a stroll, head for the nearby Sheep’s Head Peninsula.
This rugged finger of land stretches between Bantry Bay and Dunmanus Bay, offering over 200km of walking trails stitched together by local effort.
The routes cross hillsides, farmland, and cliff edges, always with the Atlantic close by. Whether you fancy a 30-minute loop or a full-day hike, you’ll find jaw-dropping scenery and a real sense of peace.
7. Mizen Head
Perched on Ireland’s most southwesterly point, Mizen Head delivers wild coastal drama in spades. Start at the visitor centre and follow the path down 99 steps and across an arched bridge suspended over a sea-carved gorge.
Then head for the old signal station, with exhibits on shipwrecks, lighthouses, and communications history.
On clear days, you can see out to Fastnet Lighthouse, and during late summer, whales and dolphins are regularly spotted from the viewing platforms. This is the Atlantic at its most untamed.
8. Gougane Barra
Tucked into a wooded valley and wrapped around a glassy lake, Gougane Barra is as tranquil as it is scenic. The forest park has walking trails for all abilities, from gentle lakeside strolls to more demanding hill climbs with sweeping views.
After rain, the place comes alive with waterfalls tumbling through mossy glens. It’s also home to St Finbarr’s Oratory, a tiny chapel on an island linked to Cork’s patron saint.
With its mix of nature, history, and serenity, it’s one of the most popular places to visit in Cork for good reason.
What to do in Bantry if you have several days
So, as you can tell from the guide above, there aren’t a huge number of things to do in Bantry – the beauty of the town is that it makes a scenic base to explore from.
One of the best ways to see the area is on the Sheep’s Head and Mizen road trip, pictured on the map above. This takes in endless things to see and do. You can also add on a day trip around the Ring of Beara.
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.