10 AWESOME Reasons to Visit the Dingle Peninsula, Ireland

Last updated: 17 July 2023

Are you are planning a visit to Ireland soon? Will you be hiring a car and taking in some of the incredible natural scenery? If so, then it is definitely worth making an effort to visit the Dingle peninsula! Dingle’s rugged beauty, dramatic coastlines, captivating and awe-inspiring views are truly something to behold and will make you feel like you’ve been transported to another place and time.

One of the best things about planning a visit to Dingle Ireland and taking a self-drive tour of the Dingle Peninsula is that there is an abundance of scenic viewing spots where you can pull over and step out to admire the captivating views. And, of course, take as many photos as you wish.

Places to Visit in the Dingle Peninsula

When you’re driving the Dingle Peninsula there are so many places to stop and take photos that you could quite easily spend the entire day just driving around admiring the views. This post is intended to highlight 10 of our favourite stops during our self-drive tour of the Dingle Peninsula. However, this list is by no means exhaustive as there’s just so much to see and enjoy in this beautiful part of the world. This list will give you a good route to follow on Google Maps.

Where is the Dingle Peninsula?

The Dingle Peninsula juts out from the mainland, north of Kerry and to the west of Tralee, stretches out into the North Atlantic ocean. The peninsula’s namesake, Dingle, is a small coastal town situated halfway along the peninsula.

Why Visit the Dingle Peninsula?

One thing we noticed during our road trip through Ireland was that every time we spoke to the locals about where we were planning to visit next, Dingle was mentioned time and time again as one area that we just HAD to make time for. It was only after taking the time to go explore that could appreciate why everyone has insisted, the views are utterly mesmerising. Rugged, dramatic, and incredibly beautiful. And without further ado, here’s 10 outstanding places to see when planning to visit the Dingle Peninsula.

#1 – Inch Beach

There are a couple of different ways to start your Dingle Peninsula drive but if you drive north from Killorglin (perhaps just after completing the Ring of Kerry scenic drive) then turn on  to the R561 at Castlemaine then you can ensure that you have ocean views all the way to the first stop, Inch Beach.

Filming Location: Did you know that the sandpit of Inch Beach was used as a filming location in Ryan’s Daughter, a WWI romance drama starring Robert Mitchum and Sarah Miles, and for The Playboy of the Western World, a drama based on the 1907 play by John Millington Synge.

#2 – Roadside Stop

They don’t call it The Emerald Isle for nothing 💖 I took this photo just after we left Inch Beach, it’s just a field but seriously it was so green that we just had to pull over and take a photo. The only word that I can use to accurately describe the view is humbling.

Oh, and in case you’re wondering, I haven’t touched the saturation levels on this photo – it really was THAT green!

#3 – Slea Head Drive

One of the most popular things to do in Dingle is to take a drive along the scenic Slea Head Drive. The drive which starts in Dingle and winds around the outer edges of the peninsula provides some spectacular views.

One thing you’ll discover during your drive around Slea Head Drive is that there are photo opportunities around every corner. Drive slow because you will find yourself suddenly looking for a place to park to capture that view, just like we did in the below photo. A real highlight and reason to visit the Dingle Peninsula.

#4 – Slea Head Viewpoint

If you’re unfamiliar with the Wild Atlantic Way then here’s a brief overview; the Wild Atlantic Way is a tourist route which covers the majority of Ireland’s rugged west coast running from the top of Northern Ireland all the way to southern tip. How long is the drive? An incredible 2500 km (1553 mi)!

Now, if you’re like us and LOVE the idea of driving the entire Wild Atlantic Way but timing probably prohibits it, then not to worry because Slea Head Drive forms a small part of the entire Wild Atlantic Way, just one more reason to visit the Dingle Peninsula.

At certain stops along Slea Head Drive you will encounter large sign posts, as below, which display the symbol of the Wild Atlantic Way. This photo was taken at Radharc na mBlascaodar.

#5 –  Slea Head Viewpoint

Located only a 3 min drive from Radharc na mBlascaodar is Dunmore Head, not only is it ideal to take photos of a powerful coastline but it was also a filming location used in Star Wars: Episode VIII – The Last Jedi.

#6  – Clogher Strand

If you’re looking for the place to capture some real rugged and wild photos then Clogher Strand is the place to take visit!

The best way to think of this place is it’s where an unstoppable force meets an immovable object (AKA where the ocean meets the rocky inlet). We must have stood there for an age, in awe, watching the ocean. It was mesmerising.

Fun Fact: Clogher Strand was a filming location for the 1992 romantic adventure film – Far and Away (starring Tom Cruise and Nicole Kidman)

Did You Know: Located 2km away is Clogher Head, a filming location for Ryan’s Daughter (the bus stop scene) but it’s also an ideal location to view the headland of Ceann Sibéal, another filming location for Star Wars: Episode VIII – The Last Jedi, this is where Rey started to receive her training from Luke Skywalker.

#7 – Gallarus Oratory

If you love history then you’re in for a treat because Ireland has some incredible historic ruins and one of our favourites was the Gallarus Oratory, a 1300 year old Oratory (a small chapel, generally built for private worship).

This Oratory is the only perfectly remaining example of this type of chapel built on a rectangular block. A visit here includes a short film which provides historical insight into the area.

Whilst you’re in Ireland then don’t miss the AMAZING Ring of Kerry Scenic Drive

#8 – Dingle

Descending from the incredible Conor Pass (see #9), Dingle Town is the peninsula’s beating heart.  The ‘capital’ of the region, Dingle is charming and provincial with a friendly close-knit community based around a busy fishing port and marina.

Fiercely independent and artisanal, the local distillery produces superb whiskey and even better gin.  Stop in for a tour. Failing that, head down to the Marina for a boat tour with a difference.  Fungie is the town’s most famous resident, a bottle-nosed dolphin who has called the bay home since 1983. Local tour operators used to run boat trips to visit Fungie, providing holiday-makers with a unique and fun experience but unfortunately it’s now understood that Fungie has either moved to new waters or has now passed away, as he was seen daily in the 37 years he called Dingle home.

However, Dingle is home to a large variety of marine eco tours which take visitors out into Dingle Bay and the surrounds to view wild and marine life, including whales, birds, seals, and dolphins.

The first weekend in October sees the quaint town transform into a bustling lively hamlet with an influx of local and international visitors to experience the annual Dingle Food Festival.  The nonprofit festival showcases the incredible produce and products the Peninsula has to offer. It’s certainly worth considering timing your visit to coincide with this festival.

#9 – Connor Pass

Connor Pass is a 456m (1496 ft) high mountainous scenic drive which is considered one of the most beautiful drives in all of Ireland.

Connor Pass is definitely an adventure and we absolutely recommend it when you’re driving the Dingle Peninsula! The drive provides a very unique view over Dingle PLUS it gives you a story for life. That said, there’s a price to be paid for a good story and here it is; the roads are narrow, winding, and have more blind corners than I can recall accurately.

Top Tip: Top tip we have for driving Connor Pass – take your time, enjoy the view, and if someone is driving too close behind you then just pull over and let them pass. 

#10 – Brandon Point

As you drive along Connor Pass, you will have the opportunity to turn off onto Lisnamovaun which will take you Brandon Point, the northernmost edge of the Dingle Peninsula. What a view!

When we visited we experienced all four seasons in the space of 10 minutes so make sure you wear layers, waterproof layers, during your visit! The view alone is worth taking the detour off Connor Pass.

Final Thoughts

A visit to the Dingle Peninsula in Ireland is an absolute must for anyone who loves stunning scenery and wants to experience nature at its most awesome.

We took a drive along the Dingle Peninsula following a suggestion from a local and it turned out to be one of the best things we did during our time in Ireland. Looking for more local tips, try Dublin-based Sidewalk Safari who have a post driving to Dingle.

You must go visit the Dingle Peninsula when in Ireland, you won’t regret it!

Looking for more things to do in Dingle, Ireland?