Best Things to Do in Dingle Town
Read our travel guide on the best things to do in Dingle Town in Ireland. Includes tips on how to get, where to stay, or when to go.
Dingle (Daingean Ui Chuis) is a small seaside fishing town situated in the southwest of the Dingle Peninsula in County Kerry.
It sits directly on the Wild Atlantic Way, which is one of the most scenic drives in the world.
And thanks to its fantastic location, it's a perfect place to base yourself for exploring the entire peninsula.
In case your Ireland road trip itinerary includes this stunning peninsula, you will most likely drive through this cute town whether you plan for it or not.
Luckily, there are a few exciting things to do in Dingle.
Without any further ado, here are things you should know about the town of Dingle before you go.
What to See and Do
Dingle is the largest town on the Dingle Peninsula (well, technically, it's the only town), but it still retains a quiet and serene atmosphere, at least for a major part of the year.
On the other hand, if you crave to see Dingle bustling with life, head out to this area during the peak season (usually July and August).
So here are a few tips on what to see and do in the town of Dingle and its surroundings.
Dingle Town
With colorful houses, great family-run accommodations, lively pubs, a busy harbor, and great views, we are not afraid to say that the town of Dingle is the epitome of cute Irish seaside towns.
For its size, there is definitely plenty of things to see and do in Dingle. Walk along the waterfront, explore the local harbor, visit the statue of Fungie, known as the Dingle Dolphin, join one of the organized boat trips, or just sample the local seafood.
And don't forget to explore the local pub scene, as Dingle is full of small pubs with great beer and live music.
There are plenty of events and festivals taking place on Dingle Peninsula, especially during the summer.
Either way, we believe you won't leave disappointed, but remember that the longer you stay in Dingle, the harder it will be to leave.
Once you are tired of summer crowds, head out to Slea Head Drive, visit some of the smaller settlements along the way, enjoy one of the finest of Ireland's coastal sceneries, or explore Star War filming locations.
Seafood Restaurants
Despite the increasing role of tourism in West Kerry, the town of Dingle is still a fishing town under its surface.
The main upside is that it is home to plenty of restaurants serving freshly caught fish.
Whether you grab fish and chips from a small stand on the side road or reserve a table in a fine restaurant having mussels and lobsters on the menu, there is something for every seafood lover.
Honestly, there are tons of similar towns and villages along the Wild Atlantic Way with seafood stalls and restaurants. And Dingle is just one of many.
So whether you are in Donegal, Galway, or Waterville, don't miss out on this delicious experience.
Dingle Oceanworld
There is also a centrally located aquarium named Dingle Oceanworld.
It's home to many different marine species and is popular with families with kids, especially on rainy days.
We prefer other activities, so we gave it a pass.
Beaches
Whether you come to Dingle in summer or winter, it's worth exploring some of the nearby beaches.
The walk along Inch Beach is beautiful any time of the year. Similarly, the views of Coumeenoole Beach will leave you in awe regardless of the season.
And Minard Beach also features medieval castle ruins.
In summer, some beaches also offer great water sports or swimming opportunities.
Before each season, check out which beaches gained the Blue Flag Beach award (usually Inch Beach, Ventry Beach, and Maharabeg Beach).
Some beaches are also popular with surfers of all ages and abilities.
Scenic Drives
If you've already been to the Ring of Kerry, Slea Head Drive might remind you of Skellig Ring.
It's less visited, there are no tour buses, and the scenery is out of this world.
There are plenty of amazing stops along the way, but our favorite has to be the Dunmore Head.
Another popular scenic drive on the peninsula is Conor Pass, which allows you to cross from the southern part of the peninsula to its northern side.
The views are dramatic, at least if you lucked out on the weather (unfortunately, that was not our case).
How Much Time Do I Need
Dingle is a small town, and you will need about an hour to walk around the waterfront and have fish and chips from the local stall.
However, if you plan your trip carefully, chances are you will stay in Dingle Town overnight.
While this is not obviously mandatory, it allows you to see the town from a completely different perspective.
When to Go
You can visit the town of Dingle any time of the year. Before you go, we suggest you should check when is the best time to visit Ireland.
Knowing the pros and cons of each season will allow you to plan your Ireland road trip better.
Obviously, summer is one of the most popular times to visit Dingle, but be prepared that some areas, such as this town, get busy. Like, really busy.
During the later spring and early autumn, everything slows down while the weather usually remains still relatively good.
In winter, the town can be described as sleepy, but that could be exactly what some travelers expect to find here.
Plus, you can save on accommodation, which is great if you're traveling around Ireland on a budget.
What to Pack
Bring comfy shoes, a rain jacket or a windbreaker, and your favorite daypack to store all your essentials.
Make sure that your Ireland packing list corresponds with the season you are traveling in.
How to Get There
The town sits on N86, and there are a few ways to get there. The easiest way to get to the town of Dingle is by car.
The road to Dingle has two lanes (unlike some parts of Slea Head Drive or Conor Pass), so it's very easy to get there, even if you're not the most confident driver.
Car
For starters, renting a car in Ireland is very easy. All things considered, driving in Ireland is easy as well.
Dingle is about a 50-minute drive from Tralee. The journey between this town and Killarney takes about an hour.
You will need about two and a half hours to travel from Limerick to Dingle, about the same amount of time required when departing from Cork.
Travel Resources
When renting a car, we use Rentalcars.com.
Public Transport
Bus 275, run by Bus Eireann, connects Tralee with Dingle.
The bus leaves from Tralee Bus Station, runs several times a day in the peak season, and the journey takes about an hour.
During the summer, bus 276, operated by the same company, might run between Killarney and Dingle.
By the way, you can also get first to Tralee or Killarney by train, and from there, hop on the bus that goes to Dingle. Dublin is about four and a half hours east of here.
Shuttle Bus
There is also a private Dingle Shuttle Bus that runs between the town and Kerry Airport.
Parking
Parking is always an issue whether you're in Dingle, Ballinskelligs, or Kinsale.
Luckily, the town of Dingle is an exception to this rule, as there are two centrally located and relatively large parking areas.
The first is next to the supermarket, and the other is beside the harbor.
As Dingle is small, both parking lots are very close to each other.
A small downside is that they are not free, but it's a small price for convenience.
Where to Stay
Due to its location beside the Atlantic Ocean, Dingle Town is a popular stop for tourists driving around the peninsula.
Therefore, Dingle Town has plenty of good accommodations for most budgets and preferences.
Don't forget that despite being the largest settlement on the peninsula, Dingle is still relatively small.
Therefore, the selection of hotels is not as good as, for example, in Killarney. And lastly, make sure to book early if you're visiting Dingle in the peak season.
Anyway, here are some of the best hotels in Dingle Town.
Mid-range | Murphy's Bed and Breakfast - Situated in the heart of Dingle, this family-owned pub, restaurant, and bed and breakfast is one of the most popular options in Dingle.
Mid-range | Dingle Bay Hotel - With a central location, cozy and clean rooms, a hearty Irish breakfast, and a stylish bar, this family-run hotel is one of the best choices in Dingle.
Mid-range | The Waterfront - With a harbor location, this charming guesthouse offers excellent rooms, lovely rooms, welcoming staff, a shared lounge, and luggage storage space.
Staying Safe
Despite its popularity, the town of Dingle is still relatively quiet and a very safe place to visit.
Make sure to wear proper clothing when exploring the outdoors. And don't leave your valuables in your car.
Also, the rural roads are very narrow, so drive carefully.
Here you will find more tips on staying safe in Ireland.
Travel Insurance
We never leave home without travel insurance that was designed to cover our expenses if something goes wrong during the trip.
Travel insurance protects against theft, flight delays, injury, illness, cancellations, and much more.
World Nomads provides travel insurance for travelers to cover their trip essentials, including sports and adventure activities.
SafetyWing is affordable travel insurance for backpackers, long-term travelers, and digital nomads.
Travel smarter and safer!
Is Dingle Town Worth Visiting?
If you like seaside towns with colorful houses, traditional pubs serving fish and chips, family-run accommodations, and a small fishing port, Dingle is worth seeing.
As mentioned several times in this blog post, Dingle Town has a great location for exploring Slea Head Drive and the rest of the peninsula, so you can use it as a strategic point.
And lastly, if you're road-tripping the Dingle Peninsula, chances are high that your journey will take you to Dingle Town either way.
Travel Resources
Here you can find links to all the travel resources we use and which you might find helpful when planning your next holiday.
Accommodation: When looking for accommodation, we usually search hotels via Booking.com or Hostelworld.
Tours: Although we love to travel independently, some places are better to visit with a guided tour.
We prefer GetYourGuide for its easy-to-use interface and solid reputation. Another great alternative is Viator.
Rental Cars: When going on a road trip, we always use Rentalcars.com, a reliable site for booking a rental car in advance.
Flight Tickets: When looking for flight tickets, you can search Skyscanner to find the best price.
Travel Insurance: World Nomads and SafetyWing cover against risks of travel.
