Dingle

The Irish town I never wanted to leave (and you won’t either)

Dec 14, 2025

Dingle was hands down my favorite place we visited in Ireland. If I could redo the trip, I would skip our day and night in Kinsale and add that extra time here instead. There was so much to explore plus endless restaurants and pubs to try. One of the pubs even had a framed article about Dingle with the headline “Staggering profusion of pubs, one bar for every 10 men”. At the time it was written, Dingle had 52 pubs which worked out to one for every 27 people in town. Today there are still more than 50, many of them dating back to the 1800s. Every spot had so much character and almost all of them had live music tucked inside.

The scenery was unbelievable. Between the coastline, the cliffs, and the rolling green hills, Dingle felt like a movie set. It actually was for a bit since Star Wars filmed several scenes here, including parts of The Last Jedi and The Force Awakens. I really loved our time in Dingle so much that I got emotional when we had to leave for our next stop lol.

How to Get There

The easiest way to get here is to drive. It took us about two and a half hours to get from Kinsale to Dingle. The drive is beautiful and takes you mostly on local roads that wind through the greenest farmland, tiny lanes, and coastal cliffs. Keep an eye out for animals on the road! We even saw a little fox pop out along the way. We stopped at Inch Beach on the way which is a long stretch of sand with rugged coastline. It was stunning even on an overcast day, so I can only imagine how magical it looks on a sunny summer afternoon.

Where to Stay

Pax Guest House - This bed and breakfast was the best place we stayed on the entire trip. It came recommended by friends (thank you Gabby and Collin!) and completely lived up to the hype. Our room was gorgeous. It was spacious, beautifully designed, and had a balcony with sweeping views of Dingle Bay and hills, plus a lovely bathroom that felt like a little spa.
The owner John and his staff were incredible. They were warm, welcoming, and had the kind of local tips that made our time in Dingle feel even more special. And of course there was Jules, the adorable house pup who greeted us every time we walked in. Breakfast was phenomenal and changes daily (do not skip this!). We would come back from breakfast to a room that was already freshened up and spotless which felt like magic.
We also loved spending late afternoons in the cozy living room with tea, then coming back after dinner for a glass of wine. John personally curates the rotating in house wine selection and he always had something interesting open.
The house is about a ten minute walk down a hill into town. They provide reflective vests and lanterns if you walk to dinner, which we were very grateful for. The roads are narrow and not well lit at night so you really do need them.
Dingle Skellig Hotel - This is a great option if you prefer a hotel setting. It is family friendly, has a full service spa, and sits right on the water. The walk to town is flat and easier, which is helpful if you are traveling with kids or luggage. The small beach in front of the hotel is worth a stroll. I found some really cool shells along the shore to add to my collection at home.

What to Do

Slea Head Drive - This is the main event in Dingle and it is absolutely worth setting aside an entire day if you can. Make sure you drive it clockwise when leaving town since the roads are narrow and this direction keeps you on the inside lane rather than the cliff edge. We drove over Conor Pass, which is Ireland’s highest mountain pass, and it was one of the most incredible roads I have ever been on. The views stretch from the mountains to the ocean in every direction. We were lucky with oncoming traffic but be prepared for very tight turns and pull-offs.
John and his team from the Pax House gave us a binder with the best route for the drive and all their recommended stops (another reason why I love this place!). We brought it along with us and it was so helpful to have all the info in one place while exploring. Along the route you will find so many stops that make the journey worth it:
- Sheepdog herding demos, lamb feeding, and beehive huts - There are working farms along the drive that offer sheepdog demonstrations, lamb cuddling experiences (lambs biting your pants may or may not be included for 4 euros), and access to ancient stone beehive huts. Most open around 11 AM so keep that timing in mind if you start early.
- Dunquin Pier - One of the most photographed places in Ireland and another Star Wars filming location. The path that winds down to the pier is steep but beautiful. Stop by Cupán Sé for a hot chocolate or their famous gluten free brownie. It hit the spot on a chilly day.
- Ceann Sibéal (Slea Head and Sybil Head) - This headland is where parts of Star Wars: The Last Jedi were filmed. You cannot access the exact cliffs where the set was built, but the surrounding views are stunning. You can also play a round of golf on the most westerly golf course in Europe at Dingle Golf Links.
- Stops for food and pints - There are plenty of casual gems along the route. Favorites include:
  - Páidí Ó Sé’s Pub which celebrates Gaelic football history
  - Caife na Trá overlooking the dramatic Coumeenole Beach (only open seasonally, so check their IG for latest hours)
  - Kruger’s Bar often called the most westerly bar in Europe
Boat Tours - In warmer months you can book a Dingle Sea Safari which takes you around the Blasket Islands to spot dolphins, seals, puffins, and sea caves. There is also a ferry that takes you directly to the Great Blasket Island where you can hike and wander through the old abandoned village. I would love to do this next time we visit!
Dingle Oceanworld Aquarium - Perfect for a rainy day. Family friendly with sharks, otters, penguins, and touch pools.
Distillery and Brewery Tours
- Dingle Distillery produces award winning whiskey, gin, and vodka. Tours explain the distilling process and end with tastings. Book ahead because they fill up.
- Dick Mack’s Brewhouse sits behind the famous pub. We booked a one hour tour and our guide may or may not have slept through it, so we ended up just enjoying the pub which honestly was not a bad outcome.
Relax - Dingle is one of the most relaxing places I have ever visited. Slow mornings with tea and views of the farmlands felt like a dream. It is the kind of place where you can wander into town, sit by the water, or curl up with a book each afternoon. I can only imagine how perfect the beaches are on warm summer days.
Explore the Town - Dingle is colorful, walkable, and full of charming shops. A few favorites:
- Dingle Art Works - Great spot to pick up a print or small piece of art to remember your trip.
- Dingle Surf Shop - The only surf shop in town. They carry local brands and big surf labels, plus they offer year-round surf lessons and SUP tours around the harbor. Dingle is quietly an amazing surf town. The surrounding beaches get consistent Atlantic swells and you’ll see surfers out even on chilly days.
- Crinkle Stores - A curated mix of Irish foods, crafts, and giftables. I grabbed Dingle Sea Salt and spent way too long debating honey and handmade candles.
- The Little Cheese Shop - A tiny gourmet cheese shop that smells heavenly. I wanted to sample everything.
- Dingle Bookshop - The sweetest independent bookstore. I loved the local children’s books like The Dingle Sheep Who Could Not Sleep and The Dog from Dingle Who Lost His Bark.
- Local Events - Check the town calendar before you go. The weekend before we arrived was the Dingle Food Festival which takes over the entire town. Many places were closed for a few days afterward to recover. There is also the Other Voices Music Festival which brings in big artists. Most recently Dermot Kennedy stepped in as the headliner when Olivia Dean had to cancel due to scheduling issues.

Where to Eat and Drink

Land to Sea - Locally sourced Irish ingredients with a European touch. We did the tasting menu and I am still thinking about it. The chicken Caesar soup sounded questionable at first, but ended up being the best soup of my life (I swear it did not taste like dressing). The filet mignon medallions were buttery and came with an amazing horseradish cream. Dessert was a Dingle honey and Dingle whiskey mousse with honeycomb and sea salt ice cream that was *chefs kiss*. (Beli rating: 9.1)
The Fish Box - Walk in only. You can put your name in and then go grab a pint somewhere while you wait for the text that your table is ready. I ordered the smashburger which was delicious, but a lil thicker than your average smashburger. Garret got the fish tacos. Hours change often so follow them on Instagram before you go. It is very worth it! (Beli rating: 8.1)
The Boatyard - A casual spot right on the harbor with great water views. Garret went classic with fish and chips, while I got a goat cheese salad that came with surprisingly good pickles. Simple, easy, and great for a relaxed lunch. (Beli rating: 7.8)
Murphy’s Ice Cream - I will dream about this ice cream forever. The locally made flavors are so unique and include Irish brown bread, Dingle sea salt, chocolate whiskey, honeycomb caramel, and so many more. You can sample everything, which is dangerous. Murphy’s started in Dingle but now has shops in Dublin, Galway, Killarney, and Cork. (Beli rating: 10)
Doyle’s - A more upscale seafood restaurant with a cozy, candlelit vibe. They build the menu around the day’s catch which keeps everything fresh and interesting. There are also great options for non seafood eaters (my pasta was delish!). Make a reservation ahead of time if you can. (Beli rating: 8.7)
Dick Mack’s - Half leather shop, half pub, all charm. You can literally get a custom leather belt made while having a pint. Behind the pub is their brewhouse and there is a big outdoor beer garden that must be so fun on warm days. Fun fact: Fred Again did a pop up party here last year. (Beli rating: 9.3)
Foxy John’s - Half hardware store, half pub, and somehow it works perfectly. There’s live music at night, a cozy fireplace, and a great pint of Guinness. We could have stayed here for hours. (Beli rating: 9.2)
The Dingle Pub - This place is casual and fun and good for a quick pint. Loved the handwritten sign on the door that said “kitchen closed today! chef is gone ~~drinking~~ i mean, fishing :)” (Beli rating: 7.7)
J. Curran’s Pub - This pub took us a minute to find, but it was a hidden gem. It is full of antiques and odd treasures on the shelves and has little snugs (even a church pew) tucked around the bar. It feels very locals only in the best way. (Beli rating: 8.5)
O’Flaherty’s Bar - Traditional, cozy, and full of history. There are old newspaper clippings and historical photos covering the walls. This is actually where I learned about Dingle’s wild pub to population ratio. (Beli rating: 8.0)
Bob Griffin’s Bar - One of the older bars in town and it feels like it. We found a cute snug where we enjoyed a pint. Garret had to chug his Guinness for his weekly fantasy football punishment (last place problems) but at least the pint was good. (Beli rating: 8.2)
Paddy Bawn Brosnan’s Bar - A sports pub with a friendly crowd. We popped in while waiting for The Fish Box to text us and our table was ready faster than expected. Otherwise we would have stayed for another round because the Guinness was delicious. (Beli rating: 7.8) **could be rated higher if we were here for more than 5 mins**
My Boy Blue - A popular coffee shop with great pastries and something for everyone. I grabbed a latte and picked up the award winning West of Dingle Sea Salt while I was there. (Beli rating: 8.0)

On our list for next time: Out of the Blue, Reel Dingle Fish, and Kennedy’s. We ran out of meals before we ran out of recommendations, which is the best and worst problem to have.