Where To Stay In Connemara (Best Areas + Map)

Deciding where to stay in Connemara is one of the biggest conundrums faced by those planning a visit to the area, as it’s so vast.

I’ve visited this corner of County Galway over 20 times, from childhood trips with my mam and dad to countless visits with friends as an adult.

In my opinion, the best places to stay in Connemara are:

• My go-tos: Clifden Town and Leenaun Village
• Other great options: Roundstone and the Renvyle Peninsula

Where to stay in Connemara map

The map of Connemara above will help you choose where to stay in Connemara based on your likes and dislikes. I’ll guide you through each area below with accommodation suggestions.

There are plenty of towns and villages that work well as a base in Connemara, but this guide focuses on the ones I keep coming back to. In my opinion, they’re the best spots to stay when exploring the region.

1. Clifden Town

One of the best places to stay in Connemara is its capital – Clifden! The town sits where the Owenglin River meets Clifden Bay, and it’s framed by Connemara’s towering Twelve Bens.

Founded in the early 1800s, it’s famous for the Sky Road drive, the Alcock and Brown transatlantic landing, and Marconi’s pioneering wireless station nearby.

Clifden is compact and easy to explore on foot, with cosy pubs like Lowry’s where live music fills the air each evening. There’s also plenty of great restaurants in Clifden for a post-walk feed after you conquer nearby Diamond Hill.

The pros and cons to staying here

• The pros: The town has an excellent variety of accommodation along with great pubs and restaurants. It’s also close to many of the best things to do in Connemara
• The cons: This is a tourist town that’s hugely popular with both domestic and international visitors. As a result, it’s very busy during peak season

Recommended accommodation

• Budget: Vaughan’s Pub and The Old Exchange
• Mid-range: Abbeyglen Castle Hotel and the Station House Hotel
• High-end: None

2. Leenaun

If you’re wondering where to stay in Connemara that’ll treat you to a real sense of rural Irish living, look no further than the village of Leenaun.

Leenaun is a tiny village at the head of Killary Harbour (Ireland’s only fjord) where the Maam Valley spills into the Atlantic, flanked by towering peaks like Mweelrea and Ben Gorm.

It’s home to Gaynor’s Bar, the famous pub where Jim Sheridan’s ‘The Field‘ was filmed, making it a must-visit for movie buffs and pint lovers alike.

The pros and cons to staying here

• The pros: As scenic a setting as you could hope for. Quiet, unspoiled and isolated
• The cons: Limited places to stay. Extremely quiet during the off-season

Recommended accommodation

• Budget: Portfinn Lodge
• Mid-range: The Leenane Hotel
• High-end: None

3. The Renvyle Peninsula

Renvyle is a rugged peninsula in northwest Connemara, wrapped on three sides by the Atlantic and dotted with sandy coves, ancient ruins, and sweeping mountain views.

It’s home to the remains of Grace O’Malley’s castle, the medieval Church of the Seven Daughters, and Tully Mountain, which rises 356m above the coast.

The villages of Tully and Tully Cross add charm with traditional pubs, while nearby Kylemore Abbey, Inishbofin and the Connemara Loop offer easy day trips.

With its wild beauty and rich history, Renvyle is one of the best places to stay in Connemara, especially if you want a mix of outdoor adventure, cultural heritage, and peaceful seascapes.

The pros and cons to staying here

• The pros: An outdoor lovers paradise. Rural, remote and breathtaking with numerous accommodation options
• The cons: Accommodation tends to be remote so a car is needed

Recommended accommodation

• Budget: Castlehouse B&B
• Mid-range: Rowan Beg Retreat
• High-end: Renvyle House Hotel

4. Roundstone

The last area in my guide on where to stay in Connemara is Roundstone – a colourful harbour village on the west coast of Connemara, overlooking Roundstone Bay and the island of Inishnee.

Established in the 1820s by Scottish engineer Alexander Nimmo, it quickly became a thriving fishing hub and later a magnet for artists like Paul Henry and Jack B. Yeats.

With its traditional pubs (like King’s!), summer regattas and seafood spots, like Dowd’s, there’s a lot to like about Roundstone. It’s also close to two of Connemara’s best beaches – Dog’s Bay and Gurteen Bay.

The pros and cons to staying here

• The pros: Charming little Irish village with a small but mighty mix of lodging, restaurants and pubs
• The cons: Extremely busy during summer. Personally, I wouldn’t stay here during the summer months

Recommended accommodation

• Budget: Tati’s
• Mid-range: Roundstone House Hotel
• High-end: None

Now you know the best places to stay in Connemara, here’s what to do

Now that you know where to stay in Connemara, it’s time to give you something to do while you’re there.

The Connemara itinerary pictured on the map above is one that I’ve been following and giving to visitors for many years now.

You’ll visit many of Galway’s top attractions and you can easily shorten or lengthen it if needed. Cheers!