Deciding where to stay in Dingle can be tricky if you’re not familiar with the area.
I’ve visited this corner of Kerry over 15 times, from childhood trips with my parents to visits as an adult.
In my opinion, the best places to stay in Dingle are:
- In Dingle Town: Town Centre, The Wood and John Street
- Around the Dingle Peninsula: Ballyferriter, the Maharees and along Slea Head
Where to stay in Dingle Town
The map above will help you choose where to stay in Dingle Town based on your likes and dislikes. I’ll guide you through each area below with accommodation suggestions.
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1. Dingle Town Centre

Photos via Shutterstock
One of the best areas to stay in Dingle is smack bang in the town centre as it places you at the heart of the action.
You’ll be able to saunter around with ease and all of the best restaurants in Dingle (along with Dingle’s top pubs) will be minutes away.
I always tend to recommend the Town Centre to first-time-visitors, in particular, as it makes a lively and convenient base to explore the Peninsula from.
The pros and cons to staying here
- The pros: The heart of the action. Short walk from all pubs, restaurants and amenities
- The cons: The town is always busy (painfully so, at times, during summer)
Recommended accommodation
- Budget: Grapevine Hostel
- Mid-range: Barr Na Sraide, Base Dingle and Dingle Bay Hotel
- High-end: None
2. The Wood

Photos via Google Maps
If I visit the area during the summer, I always try and stay outside of the town centre, as it’s far too hectic.
My go-to area is The Wood, a 10-minute stroll from the town along the beautiful Dingle Bay.
This is one of the best places to stay in Dingle if you want to be close to all of the conveniences of the town, yet far enough away to avoid the crowds.
The pros and cons to staying here
- The pros: 10-minute walk from town. Close to the hustle and bustle but in a quiet, scenic setting
- The cons: None
Recommended accommodation
- Budget: Coastline House and Harbour Lodge B&B
- Mid-range: Heatons
- High-end: None
3. Grove

Photos via Google Maps
Grove is one of the more central areas in Dingle Town. It encompasses part of busy Main St. along with the area right behind it (where the Dingle Bypass runs).
I’ve stayed on Dingle Main St. a lot over the years and I’ve never had anything but positive experiences.
You’re an easy walk from everything, there’s a great choice of restaurants nearby (The Fish Box is the highlight!) and pubs (like Foxy John’s!) and there’s always a buzz about it.
The pros and cons to staying here
- The pros: Huge amount of accommodation options and the area has a quiet and a busy section
- The cons: Some accommodation only has on-street parking
Recommended accommodation
- Budget: None
- Mid-range: Hillgrove Guesthouse and Dingle Garden Townhouse
- High-end: Dingle Benners Hotel
4. Gortonora and John Street

Photos via Google Maps
If you’re wondering where to stay in Dingle Town that 1, has a scenic setting and 2, is within easy walking distance of the town, look no further than John St. and Gortonora.
Both of these areas benefits their elevated position that offers either mountain or Dingle Bay views.
There’s plenty of accommodation on offer here and each is around a 5-minute walk to Main St.
The pros and cons to staying here
- The pros: 5-minute walk to Main St. Some lodging offer sea views
- The cons: On a hill so may not suit those with limited mobility
Recommended accommodation
- Budget: None
- Mid-range: Greenmount House and Seaview Heights
- High-end: Fab View
5. Emlagh West

Photos via The Dingle Skellig on FB
Emlagh West is a lovely little area between a 5-and-10-minute walk from town, depending on which hotel/B&B you choose.
Some lodging, like the Dingle Skellig (one of the best hotels in Dingle), offer rooms with spectacular views out over Dingle Bay and beyond.
Location wise it’s arguably the best area to stay in Dingle if you want to avoid the crowds but still be close to everything (it’s a 10-minute walk to the harbour).
The pros and cons to staying here
- The pros: Offers a peaceful retreat a 5-10 minute walk from the town’s centre
- The cons: None
Recommended accommodation
- Budget: None
- Mid-range: Bambury’s Guesthouse
- High-end: Dingle Skellig Hotel
Where to stay on the Dingle Peninsula outside the town
So, now that you have a sense of where to stay in Dingle Town, it’s time to look at the wider Dingle Peninsula.
Now, you’ll see on the map above that I have the best area to stay in Dingle as the town centre, but as I’ve already discussed that above, I’ll move straight to the number 2 spot.
1. Along Slea Head

Photos by The Irish Road Trip
The Slea Head Drive is the most popular of the many things to do in Dingle, and for good reason.
This is a wild and rugged corner of the county that takes in spectacular beaches, gorgeous sea/mountain views and many-a-charming rural village.
While accommodation here is relatively limited, what is available tends to make the most of the Atlantic views right on their doorstep.
The pros and cons to staying here
- The pros: One of the most scenic parts of the peninsula
- The cons: Limited accommodation
Recommended accommodation
- Budget: Gleann Loic Farmhouse
- Mid-range: Old Irish farmhouse
- High-end: None
2. Annascaul

Photos via Google Maps
Annascaul is famous as the birthplace of Antarctic explorer Tom Crean and for its lake and hiking trails. It’s close to Inch Beach and a 20-minute drive from Dingle town.
The town is a great option for those wondering where to stay on the Dingle Peninsula that’ll 1, give them a taste of rural Irish living while 2, being close to all of the areas attractions.
Annascaul can also be a good base for day trips – Killarney is a 1-hour drive and you can start the Ring of Kerry Route from nearby Killorglin (35-minute drive).
The pros and cons to staying here
- The pros: Small, scenic town with a few great pubs (South Pole Inn) and endless walking trails nearby
- The cons: Quiet during off-season
Recommended accommodation
- Budget: Inspiration Lodge
- Mid-range: Railway Cottage and Dingle Way Glamping
- High-end: None
3. Ballyferriter

Photos via Google Maps
Another great area to stay on the Dingle Peninsula is Ballyferriter. It was nearby that scenes from Star Wars: The Last Jedi were filmed.
It’s located in a scenic spot along the Slea Head Drive, famous for its dramatic coastal landscapes, endless beaches, and numerous walking trails.
Accommodation in the area tends to be in the town (you can walk to pubs etc.) or in remote areas outside of it.
The pros and cons to staying here
- The pros: Scenic location along Slea Head. Immerses visitors in breath-taking scenery
- The cons: Limited accommodation. Some areas outside of the town are not within walking distance of amenities.
Recommended accommodation
- Budget: None
- Mid-range: Sheelagh’s Kitchen and Hotel Ceann Sibeal
- High-end: None
4. Around the Maharees

Photos via Murphy’s on FB
The Maharees is a peninsula that juts off the northern side of the Dingle Peninsula and it’s home to some of the finest beaches in the county.
There are several towns and villages here that make a great base to explore from, including Castlegregory, Stradbally, Camp, Cloghane and Brandon.
The beauty is that, by staying here, you’ll have a scenic, rural setting while still being a handy, 25-minute drive to the town via Conor Pass.
The pros and cons to staying here
- The pros:Exceptionally scenic area. Home to several small towns. Away from hustle and bustle
- The cons: None
Recommended accommodation
- Budget: O’Connors Guesthouse
- Mid-range: The Cé Hideout and Atlantic View
- High-end: None
Now you know the best areas to stay in Dingle, it’s time to explore
Hopefully you’ll have a good sense of where to stay on the Dingle Peninsula after reading the guide above.
Now you know where to stay, here’s what to do:
Still struggling to decide on the best places to stay in Dingle? Ask in the comments and I’ll do my best to help!
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.