Where to Stay in Kerry (The Best Areas to Explore From)

For those of you visiting Kerry for the 1st or 2nd time, deciding where to stay is fairly easy to narrow down.

For the vast majority of people, the Iveragh Peninsula and the Dingle Peninsula are the two areas of Kerry to stay in if you’re looking to tackle the main sights.

Now, both of these areas are home to a clatter of towns and villages, so you’ll need to weigh up the pros and cons of each, which you’ll find below.

What to be aware of before deciding where to stay in Kerry

It’s worth taking 20 seconds to have a look at my map above along with the points below, as they’ll help you pick the perfect areas of Kerry to stay in for your trip:

1. Tourist towns versus quaint villages

One of the biggest dilemmas people face when deciding where to stay in Kerry is convenience versus character. Places like Sneem, Waterville and Portmagee have the kind of setting that many people picture when they imagine rural Ireland.

The trade-off is accessibility. If you’re driving from Dublin, for example, you’ll reach Killarney in around 3 hours and 45 minutes (traffic permitting). Sneem adds another 35 minutes or so, while Waterville can push the journey closer to 4 hours and 40 minutes.

For some, that’s a small price to pay. For others, especially those visiting for a short trip, a more central base often makes better use of limited time.

2. One base versus two

In an ideal world, you’d unpack once and stay put for your entire trip. However, Kerry is a large county with a huge amount to see and do, and moving accommodation once can often make a trip much more enjoyable.

If you’re visiting for three nights, for example, I’d strongly recommend spending two nights in either Killarney or Kenmare and one night in Dingle. It cuts down on driving, gives you more time exploring and allows you to experience two very different sides of the county.

3. The argument for/against Killarney

Killarney is Kerry’s busiest tourist town and it can be exceptionally busy during the summer months. However, it does tourism extremely well. Killarney is one of the best areas to stay in Kerry thanks to its:

• Huge range of accommodation across every budget
• Excellent restaurants, cafés and traditional pubs
• Setting beside Killarney National Park/at starting point for the Ring of Kerry
• Easy access to the Ring of Beara and Dingle
• Kerry’s main train station is located here
• Many organised tours depart from the town
• The main downside is that it lacks the quieter atmosphere you’ll find in many of Kerry’s smaller towns and villages.

4. Why trust this guide

I’ve been visiting Kerry for more than 35 years. During this time I’ve stayed everywhere from busy tourist hubs like Killarney and Dingle to quieter corners of the county that many visitors never make it to.

The best areas to stay in Kerry

Above you’ll see a map that outlines where to stay in Kerry if you’re looking for a practical base that’s close to plenty of things to see and do.

I use these locations for my 2-3 day Kerry road trip, and each works very well whether it’s your first visit to the county or you’re returning to explore more of it.

1. Kenmare

Kenmare strikes a nice balance between convenience and character. Sitting between the Ring of Kerry and the Ring of Beara, it’s where to stay in Kerry if you’re looking to pack plenty into a trip without staying somewhere overly busy.

The town itself is compact and colourful, with a lively centre filled with traditional pubs, independent shops and some of the best restaurants in Kerry.

Unlike Killarney, which can feel hectic during peak season, Kenmare tends to move at a gentler pace while still offering plenty of atmosphere.

It’s also hard to beat from a location perspective. Moll’s Gap, Killarney National Park, the Beara Peninsula and countless scenic drives are all within easy reach, making it an excellent choice for a 2 to 3-day stay.

The pros and cons to staying here

• Pros: Manages to retain a small town vibe despite being a busy tourist spot. Great selection of places to eat, sleep and sip. Scenic setting. Great start point for the Ring of Kerry. Hard to fault
• Cons: Busy during summer

Recommended accommodation

• Budget: Fáilte Lodging and Neidin House
• Mid-range: O’Donnabhain’s, The Lansdowne and House 15
• Upper-end: Park Hotel

2. Killarney

Killarney is the most popular base in Kerry and, despite the crowds it attracts during summer, there’s a good reason for that.

The town sits beside the 26,000-acre Killarney National Park and is perfectly positioned for exploring the Ring of Kerry, the Dingle Peninsula and much of southwest Kerry. If you’re visiting the county for the first time, it’s hard to beat from a convenience perspective.

Unlike many smaller towns in Kerry, Killarney has a huge range of accommodation, from budget-friendly guesthouses to some of Ireland’s finest luxury hotels. Personally, I always stay in Killarney, regardless of what time of year I visit. 

Add in excellent restaurants, lively traditional pubs, a train station and countless organised tours, and you have a base that makes exploring Kerry exceptionally easy – especially if you won’t be driving.

The pros and cons to staying here

• The pros: Really well set up for tourism with a wide mix of lodging, pubs and restaurants. Close to endless things to see/do
• The cons: Packed during the summer season. Reasonably priced accommodation tends to book out quickly

Recommended accommodation

• Budget: Killarney Railway Hostel
• Mid-range: Killarney Towers Hotel and the Killarney Avenue Hotel
• Upper-end: Great Southern and Muckross Park Hotel

3. Dingle

The Dingle Peninsula is one of Kerry’s biggest draws, thanks to its dramatic coastline, mountain scenery, golden beaches and lively villages. Dingle Town is the obvious choice for first-time visitors.

It’s packed with pubs, restaurants and accommodation, and it’s perfectly positioned for exploring Slea Head, Conor Pass and the rest of the peninsula.

If you’d prefer somewhere quieter, consider Ballyferriter, Annascaul or the Maharees. Each offers a more relaxed pace, spectacular scenery and fewer crowds.

Personally, I always stay in Dingle Town. It’s a great base to explore the peninsula from and it’s a mighty town to head back to for an evening of pints, live music and great seafood!

The pros and cons to staying here

• Pros: Good mix of areas to stay, from lively Dingle Town to much quieter locations. Loads of good lodging, hotels and pubs. Plenty of walks/hikes, drives + attractions
• Cons: Dingle Town is very busy in summer. Smaller villages can be limited when it comes to dining

Recommended accommodation in Dingle Town

• Budget: Grapevine Hostel
• Mid-range: Base Dingle, Dingle Bay Hotel and Dingle Benners Hotel
• Upper-end: Dingle Skellig Hotel

4. Portmagee

Portmagee is one of Kerry’s smallest villages, but what it lacks in size it more than makes up for in location. Perched on the edge of the Iveragh Peninsula, beside the bridge to Valentia Island, it’s where to stay in Kerry if you’re looking to explore the Skellig Ring.

You’ll have the Kerry Cliffs, Valentia Island, Bray Head and several Skellig Islands tours on your doorstep. The village itself is tiny, with just a handful of pubs, restaurants and places to stay, but there’s a real charm to it.

The downside is that accommodation is limited as are the evening dining options. For scenery and location, however, it’s hard to fault.

I tend to stay in Portmagee if I’m driving the Ring of Kerry and I want an overnight stop around the 1/2 way point.

The pros and cons to staying here

• Pros: Scenic rural Irish village with a tiny main st. Limited but good eating/lodging. It’s a good 1/2 way point if you’re driving the ROK and Skellig ring. Skellig tours departure point
• Cons: Extremely quiet during the off season

Recommended accommodation

• Budget: Atlantic Sunset
• Mid-range: The Moorings

Now you know where to stay in Kerry, here’s what to do

Now that you have a handle on the best areas to stay in Kerry, it’s time to decide what to see and do.

I’ve created a bumper guide on things to do in Kerry if you’re just looking for the main attractions.

I also have a handy Kerry itinerary that covers 2 and 3 day trips to the county.