14 Best Things to do in Connemara (With Itinerary)

When you travel west of Lough Corrib and Galway City, you’re transported into a different Ireland – one shaped by mountains, bog, beaches, culture, and a coastline that feels like the edge of the world. This is Connemara.

It’s a place where Kylemore Abbey sits mirrored in still water, where Ballynahinch Castle watches over salmon-strewn rivers, and where the road threads through the wilds of the Inagh Valley and over the famous Sky Road.

Below, you’ll discover the best things to do in Connemara along with an itinerary and several maps. Enjoy – a magical place awaits!

The best things to do in Connemara

Where’s Connemara, you ask? It’s that beautiful bump on the west coast of Ireland, north of Galway Bay, and almost severed from the mainland by Lough Corrib and Lough Mask.

Connemara is a rugged corner of the Wild Atlantic Way, steeped in Irish culture and history, and home to many of the best places to visit in Galway, from hikes and drives to megalithic tombs, beaches, and winding coastal roads.

1. Try the Connemara road trip

If you’re wondering what to do in Connemara but you can’t figure out a route, follow the Connemara itinerary in the map above. This tried-and-tested itinerary covers a lot in 2 days, but you’ll never feels rushed.

You’ll follow a loop that kicks off from Galway City and weaves through valleys, along coastlines, and into postcard-perfect villages. Day 1 mixes castles, fjords, and beaches with stops at places like Leenaun, Roundstone and Mannin Bay, before finishing in Clifden.

Day 2 brings coastal drives, optional hikes, and visits to Cleggan, Kylemore Abbey, and more. I’ve done this Connemara road trip many times now and it never disappoints.

2. Head for a Wander Around Kylemore Abbey

Many of the more popular things to do in Connemara revolve around natural sights, unsurprisingly enough, but Kylemore Abbey is a worthy exception.

Nestled at the foot of a green mountain overlooking Pollacapall Lough, this fairytale castle has a romantic history and, tragically, a not-so-happy-ever-after ending.

Mitchell Henry and his wife fell in love with this spot on their honeymoon. When he later inherited a sizeable fortune, he had the castle built in 1868 as a gift for his wife.

When she passed, he added a Neo-Gothic Church as a memorial. It became a Benedictine Abbey for a community of nuns in 1920 and they still inhabit this beautiful abbey-castle with rooms and gardens open for public tours.

3. Explore Connemara National Park

Connemara National Park sits just outside the village of Letterfrack, covering nearly 3,000 hectares of bog, woodland, and mountain. Despite what many think, there’s no road through the park – you’ll need to explore it on foot.

It’s shaped by more than 50 peaks, part of the Twelve Bens, the Maumturks, the Partry, and the Sheeffry ranges. The standout experience is the Diamond Hill Hike: a well-maintained trail that leads to one of the best viewpoints in Galway, with panoramic views over the coast, the surrounding mountains, and Kylemore Abbey below.

4. Take a Boat Ride to Inishbofin Island

Inishbofin Island is one of a handful of places to visit in Connemara that tends to get left out of many itineraries, which is a shame, as this island really is beautiful

Just seven miles offshore from Connemara, Inishbofin is a scenic destination at the end of a breezy ferry trip from the fishing village of Cleggan.

Step aboard the Island Discovery and enjoy the passing scenery of white-sandy beaches, craggy cliffs and towering mountains.

On arrival, there’s plenty of time to enjoy a meal and a loop walk in this Special Area of Conservation before returning to the real world again.

5. Spin along the Sky Road

The Sky Road is one of the standout drives in Connemara. This is a 16km loop that starts and ends in Clifden, taking you out along the windswept Kingston Peninsula.

It’s a narrow, winding route that climbs high above the Atlantic, with jaw-dropping views over Clifden Bay, the Twelve Bens and the scattered offshore islands.

Along the way, you’ll pass the ivy-clad ruins of Clifden Castle and curve past sheep-dotted hills and glinting coves.

Take the Upper Road for the best views.  There’s a dedicated viewing point about halfway around with ample parking. It’s a short spin, but it’s one of the top attractions in Connemara for good reason!

6. Stretch Your Legs on the Omey Island Walk

Omey Island is one of the most unique places to visit in Connemara. This is a tidal island near Claddaghduff that you can walk or drive to at low tide.

Once cut off and home to a now-buried famine village, its quiet lanes and windswept beaches offer a rare sense of stillness. The ruins of 7th-century Teampaill Feichín and the holy well nearby mark its deep history.

But timing is everything – get the tide wrong and you’ll be stranded. Plan carefully, stick to the marked route across the strand, and leave enough time to get back safely.

7. Do the Connemara Loop

If you’re stuck for time and wondering what to do in Connemara over the course of 1/2 a day, tackle the Connemara Loop – one of Ireland’s most rewarding drives.

This is a 93km scenic drive through northwest Galway that starts and ends at Maam Cross (though you can join it at Clifden or Leenaun). The route takes you past Killary Fjord, Kylemore Abbey, the Inagh Valley, the Twelve Pines viewpoint, and three of Galway’s best beaches – Glassilaun, Lettergesh and Renvyle.

You’ll drive through valleys framed by the Maumturks and the Twelve Bens, with regular pull-ins for photo stops and short walks. The road is narrow in places but easy to follow, and there are clear points to stop for food, fuel and coffee.

8. Head for a Saunter Along the Sand at Gurteen Beach

Gurteen Bay Beach is a bright, white-sand beach just 2km from Roundstone in Connemara. Formed from crushed seashells, not sand, its colour and clarity are striking, especially on a sunny day.

There’s decent parking along the gravel track behind the beach, though it fills up fast in summer. Outside peak season, it’s quiet, peaceful, and ideal for a paddle. The water is crystal clear but unsupervised, so caution is needed.

Keep off the dunes – there are signs in place to protect this rare machair habitat. While here, take in views of Errisbeg Mountain, wander between the rocky outcrops, or walk the short stretch across to our next attraction…

9. Or Take a Dip in the Crystal Clear Water at Dog’s Bay

Next up is Dog’s Bay – one of the most striking beaches in Connemara. This horseshoe-shaped bay sits directly behind Gurteen Beach, separated only by a narrow strip of sand.

It’s slightly shorter, stretching around a mile, but what it lacks in length it makes up for in scenery. With calm, turquoise water and shelter from the wind, it’s ideal for a paddle on a fine day.

10. Drive the Inagh Valley

The Inagh Valley drive is short, sweet, and easily one of the best things to do in Connemara. It kicks off at point A on my map of Connemara above, just off the N59, where you’ll leave the busier road behind and ease into the wild.

As you cruise between the Maumturks and the Twelve Bens, Lough Inagh mirrors the peaks above it, giving you one of the most scenic views in Connemara.

There’s a small pull-in halfway along the drive where you can stop and take it all in. When you reach the junction at the end of the road, turn left for Kylemore Abbey or right for Leenaun.

11. Explore the Renvyle Peninsula

The Renvyle Peninsula is where Connemara spills into the Atlantic in dramatic fashion. With golden beaches out front and Mweelrea Mountain towering across the water in Mayo, it’s one of the region’s most striking coastal stretches.

Down at sea level, Renvyle Beach steals the show – a long, sandy stretch backed by low dunes and open views out to Inishturk and Inishbofin. It’s quiet, exposed, and wild in the best way.

On clear days, you can spot Croagh Patrick in the far distance, while the Doolough Valley hides quietly behind the peaks. Tucked between the sea and the hills, you’ll find the villages of Tully and Tully Cross, the ruins of Grace O’Malley’s castle, the Church of the Seven Daughters, and the historic Renvyle House hotel.

12. Climb Diamond Hill

Diamond Hill is arguably one of the most rewarding hikes in Ireland when it comes to the scenery from its summit.

The trail climbs through Connemara National Park with open views of the Twelve Bens, Kylemore Lough, and the Atlantic coastline stretching to the horizon. There are two trails:

• The Lower Trail (2.8km / 45 mins): A moderate loop with steady climbs and wide views over Letterfrack and the surrounding hills
• The Upper Trail (6km / 2 hours): A tougher, steeper climb that rewards you with a 360° summit view

13. Spend a Rainy Day Exploring the Glengowla Mines

If you’re wondering what to do in Connemara with hard-to-amuse kids, look no further than the brilliant Glengowla Mines, just outside Oughterard.

Descend into a 19th-century silver and lead mine on a guided tour that takes you through narrow shafts and cavernous chambers carved deep into Connemara rock.

Above ground, there’s plenty to keep you busy. You can watch skilled sheepdogs in action, learn the traditional craft of turf cutting, or stroll the farm’s scenic trails.

Gold panning and a geology display keep things interactive, and the on-site museum adds context to the mine’s working past.

14. Spend the night in Ballynahinch Castle

Tucked away on a 700-acre estate, Ballynahinch Castle is one of the finest castle hotels in Ireland. Once home to Grace O’Malley’s descendants and later the Blake family, its history runs as deep as the river that winds past its doors.

Today, it’s pure Connemara: ancient woodland, trout- and salmon-filled waters, and the Twelve Bens rising in the distance.

Walking trails begin at the doorstep, and the grounds are a joy to explore. Inside, it’s all heritage charm, from wood-panelled rooms, open fires, and big sash windows framing views that shift with the weather.

Ballynahinch is arguably one of the most impressive castles near Galway City and it’s well worth a visit even if you just admire it from the outside.

Can’t decide what part of Connemara to stay in? Hop into my guide on where to stay in Connemara – it gives the pros and cons of the different areas.

Map of Connemara attractions

The map above is packed with the many different things to do in Connemara outlined in this guide, along with some places that I didn’t cover.

Bookmark this page and you’ll have the Google Map along with the individual maps on hand when needed.

What a mini Connemara road trip looks like

Deciding which of the various places to visit in Connemara to visit can be tricky, as the area is so spread out.

It’s well worth following a logical road trip route like the one above, as it takes in the best of the region in one smooth spin.