The Wild Atlantic Way – Where To Stay
Planning to explore the Wild Atlantic Way? With 2,500km of sea-lashed cliffs, narrow sheep-packed lanes, and enough “Discovery Points” to keep your camera busy, it’s the trip of a lifetime.
But let’s face it: an incredible journey depends on where you rest each night. Whether you’re driving a large campervan, trying to find that famous Irish B&B breakfast, or seeking a castle where you can act like 18th-century royalty, we’ve got you covered. From Donegal’s rugged coast to West Cork’s historic scenery, here are some of the best places to stay in every county along the route!
If you’re still deciding whether this route is right for you, start with our Wild Atlantic Way overview first. If you’re ready to plan, you’re in the right place!
Essential Tips for Your Wild Atlantic “Stay”
- Book Ahead: Between June and August, the Wild Atlantic Way is busy. The best B&Bs and campsites fill up months in advance.
- The Customary Wave: When you’re driving those narrow coastal roads or country lanes, it’s courteous to give a wee wave to oncoming drivers!
- Check Opening Dates: Some campsites and smaller B&Bs operate seasonally (Easter to October). Always check their websites before showing up at the gate.
- The Breakfast Rule: In an Irish B&B, “Full Irish” means eggs, bacon, sausage, black and white pudding, tomato, and toast. Wear loose trousers!
County Donegal: The Rugged Frontier
Donegal is where the Wild Atlantic Way begins (or ends, depending on your direction), and it sets a high bar for dramatic landscapes.
Accommodation & Parking
- Campervans/Motorhomes: Wild camping (responsible parking) is often tolerated in very remote areas (e.g., Slieve League parking), but designated sites are safer and recommended. Look for sites near Bundoran or Rossnowlagh for facilities. The legality of overnight parking often depends on the specific local council – always check signage and respect private land.
- Car/Hotel Stays: Accommodation ranges from large hotels in Letterkenny and Donegal Town to charming, family-run B&Bs in smaller villages like Dunfanaghy and Portnablagh. Booking B&Bs directly often yields the best local advice.
Where To Stay
- Lough Eske Castle: A five-star retreat near Donegal Town, offering luxurious spa facilities and historic grandeur for a splurge night!
- Sandhouse Hotel & Marine Spa: Located right on Rossnowlagh Beach – perfect for coastal views and an easy-access base for surfing or beach walks.
- Bundoran Campers: A well-equipped site that caters specifically to campervans, offering essential services (including dumping and electric hookups). It’s perfect for either a single overnight stop or a base for longer stays and surfing exploits!
- The Gateway Lodge (Donegal Town): Exceptionally friendly B&B with a modern-meets-traditional vibe. It’s the perfect base for exploring the town before heading north to the Fanad Peninsula.
- Wild Atlantic Camp (Creeslough): This is a masterpiece of a site. It offers fully serviced motorhome bays, stunning views of Sheep Haven Bay, and great coffee and pizza on-site!
County Sligo: Poetry and Surf
Sligo is the land of Yeats and world-class swells. It’s laid-back, creative, and rugged.
Accommodation & Parking
- Campervans/Motorhomes: Campsites are available near popular coastal spots like Strandhill and Rosses Point, offering essential services like waste disposal and electric hook-ups. Informal overnight stops are sometimes found near specific surf spots, but check local regulations.
- Car/Hotel Stays: Sligo Town has major hotels. For a more authentic experience, consider B&Bs near the coast or inland towards Drumcliffe, offering quieter stays with views of Benbulben.
Where To Stay
- Sligo Park Hotel: For a grand, historic experience, known for its comfort and location.
- Strandhill Caravan and Camping Park: Excellent facilities right near the famous surfing beach, ideal for campervan travellers.
- Strandhill Lodge and Suites: Perched right above the famous surf beach, this spot offers hotel-level luxury with a guesthouse feel. Perfect for watching the sunset over the Atlantic after a seaweed bath at Voya nearby.
- Benbulben Farmhouse: It’s a working farm, so expect the warmest of welcomes and a B&B breakfast that will fuel you for a three-hour hike.
- Mullaghmore: Look around this charming seaside village for authentic local B&B hospitality!
County Mayo: Isles and Peaks
Mayo is massive and wonderfully wild, home to the haunting beauty of Achill Island and the majesty of Croagh Patrick.
Accommodation & Parking
- Campervans/Motorhomes: Key campsites are located near Westport and on Achill Island (especially close to the bridge). Due to the area’s popularity, booking ahead, especially in summer, is advisable. Wild camping can be possible in remote parts of the Nephin Beg range, but be prepared for isolation.
- Car/Hotel Stays: Westport is an excellent base with plenty of boutique hotels and guesthouses. Castlebar is a larger urban centre. For scenic beauty, consider a guesthouse overlooking Clew Bay or on Achill Island.
Where To Stay
- Ashford Castle (Cong): The ultimate luxury splurge – a magnificent 13th-century castle offering an unparalleled, five-star experience.
- Westport Coast Hotel: Offers stunning views over Clew Bay, perfect for a mid-range, comfortable stay with easy access to Westport Town.
- Old Head Beach Caravan and Camping Park (Louisburgh): A highly-rated spot right by the water, perfect for campervans looking for a scenic and well-equipped base!
- Belleek Castle (Ballina): For a genuinely authentic experience, look no further: The Armada Bar is built from timber salvaged from a 16th-century Spanish shipwreck. It’s the ideal destination if you enjoy four-poster beds and suits of armour.
- Brooklodge B&B (Westport): Westport is the “Best Place to Live in Ireland” for a reason. Brooklodge is tucked away just enough for peace but close enough to the vibrant town centre for a pint at Matt Molloy’s.
- Westport House Caravan & Camping: Set on the grounds of one of Ireland’s most beautiful historic estates. It has all the bells and whistles (hook-ups, hot showers, even a pizzeria) and is within walking distance of the town.
County Galway: Connemara Magic
Galway is where the Wild Atlantic Way starts to grow “wilder.” Expect dry-stone walls, turquoise waters, and the Irish language (Gaeilge) being spoken in every shop!
Accommodation & Parking
- Campervans/Motorhomes: Campsites are spread throughout Connemara, often in highly scenic locations near towns like Clifden or Letterfrack (near Connemara National Park). Overnight parking in Galway City is highly restricted and challenging; park at a site outside the city and use public transport.
- Car/Hotel Stays: Galway City offers everything from budget hostels to luxury hotels, whilst in Connemara, accommodations are typically B&Bs and smaller hotels. Renting a traditional cottage offers a unique experience in the more remote regions!
Where To Stay
- The g Hotel & Spa (Galway City): For stylish, modern luxury. This iconic hotel is known for its excellent spa facilities – perfect for a post-Connemara relaxation treat.
- Renvyle House Hotel & Resort (Connemara): A historic country house set on a beautiful 150-acre estate overlooking the Atlantic. It offers a genuine sense of escape and old-world charm, ideal for traditional touring.
- Clifden Eco Beach Camping & Caravanning Park (Clifden): An award-winning, eco-conscious site perfect for campervans. Located right on the beach with stunning views, providing essential facilities in a naturally beautiful setting.
- Ballynahinch Castle Hotel (Connemara): This 450-acre estate in the heart of Connemara is the stuff of dreams. It’s the kind of place where you sit by a roaring turf fire with a whiskey after a day of salmon fishing or hiking.
- Camillaun Lodge (Oughterard): Situated on the banks of Lough Corrib, this B&B is famous for its hospitality and its hot tub overlooking the river.
County Clare: Traditional Tunes
Clare is the home of the Burren’s lunar landscape and the world-famous Cliffs of Moher.
Accommodation & Parking
- Campervans/Motorhomes: Excellent campsites are located near Doolin and Lahinch, offering facilities for extended stays and easy access to the Cliffs of Moher and the Aran Islands ferries. Due to the sensitive ecosystem of the Burren, wild camping/parking is generally discouraged.
- Car/Hotel Stays: Doolin, Lahinch (for surf), and Ennis offer various accommodation types. For a peaceful, remote stay, look for B&Bs tucked into the Burren landscape.
Where To Stay
- Dromoland Castle (Newmarket-on-Fergus): If Mayo has Ashford, Clare has Dromoland – experience five-star, regal luxury in a historic castle setting with estate activities like falconry and golf.
- Vaughan’s Anchor Inn (Liscannor): A highly-rated, family-run guesthouse and pub just minutes from the Cliffs of Moher; offers comfortable rooms and outstanding food in a genuinely authentic coastal setting.
- Fanore Beach Caravan and Camping Park: Situated perfectly between the coast and the Burren landscape. A fantastic, well-maintained site for campervans and tents, offering breathtaking views right outside your door (or tent-flap!).
- Glasha Meadows (Doolin): Doolin is the capital of Irish traditional music, and Glasha Meadows offers incredible views and easy access to local nightlife!
- O’Connor’s Riverside Camping & Caravan Park (Doolin): Right in the heart of Doolin village. You can park the van and walk to the pubs for a night of fiddles and flutes without worrying about who’s driving home.
County Limerick: A Brief Accord
While only a short section of the WAW passes through historic Limerick, the county itself is well worth a detour!
Accommodation & Parking
- Campervans/Motorhomes: Options are limited directly on the coastal WAW route in Limerick. The main sites are usually found closer to Limerick City or further south near the Kerry border.
- Car/Hotel Stays: Limerick City offers a range of hotels. Adare is a popular spot for boutique hotel stays.
Where To Stay
- The Savoy Hotel (Limerick City): Located centrally, it’s the ideal base for exploring the city’s historic sites, shopping, and nightlife. Known for its stylish design, excellent dining, and urban luxury.
- Adare Manor (Adare): A truly magnificent, Gothic-style manor house offering an unparalleled, world-class five-star resort experience. Located in the picturesque village of Adare, it’s perfect for a major splurge or special occasion.
- Curraghchase Caravan and Camping Park (Kilcornan): Set within a beautiful 642-acre forest park, this is an excellent, peaceful, and fully equipped site for campervans looking to escape the city while remaining close enough for day trips!
County Kerry: The Iconic Kingdom
Kerry is arguably the most famous stop on the route, home to the Ring of Kerry and the Dingle Peninsula.
Accommodation & Parking
- Campervans/Motorhomes: Campsites are abundant, particularly around the major tourist routes (Ring of Kerry, Dingle Peninsula). Popular sites include those near Killarney, Glenbeigh, and Dingle. Due to the narrow roads on the peninsulas, large motorhomes must exercise extreme caution.
- Car/Hotel Stays: Killarney is a central hub with a wide range of accommodation. Dingle and Kenmare offer charming boutique options. For breathtaking solitude, look for coastal B&Bs off the main Ring of Kerry road.
Where To Stay
- Old Weir Lodge (Killarney): A highly-rated, welcoming guesthouse offering comfortable rooms and a legendary breakfast. It’s a great base for exploring Killarney National Park without the massive hotel price tag!
- The Dingle Skellig Hotel (Dingle Peninsula): Located right on Dingle Bay, fantastic for families and traditional tourists, offering stunning coastal views and easy access to Dingle Town’s pubs and restaurants.
- Mannix Point Camping and Caravan Park (Cahersiveen): Often ranked as one of Ireland’s best campervan sites. Right on the coast, it’s famous for its friendly atmosphere, excellent facilities, and perfect location for tackling the Ring of Kerry.
- Muckross Park Hotel & Spa: Located inside Killarney National Park. You have miles of hiking trails and lakes on your doorstep, with a spa that feels like an ancient Roman bathhouse.
- Castlewood House (Dingle): Overlooking Dingle Bay, this is widely considered one of the best B&Bs in Ireland. Their breakfast menu is longer than most dinner menus, featuring local kippers and homemade preserves.
- Wave Crest Caravan Park (Caherdaniel): This is widely cited as the most scenic campsite in Ireland. It’s tiered, meaning almost every pitch has a panoramic view of Kenmare Bay.
County Cork: The Climactic Coast
We finish in West Cork, a region of hidden coves, colourful villages, and gourmet grub.
Accommodation & Parking
- Campervans/Motorhomes: Many quality campsites are located throughout West Cork, especially near popular coastal towns such as Clonakilty, Bantry, and Skibbereen. Wild camping/parking is often easier on the Mizen and Sheep’s Head peninsulas, but respect local communities.
- Car/Hotel Stays: Kinsale has beautiful boutique hotels. Cork City offers large, urban hotels. In West Cork, B&Bs and self-catering cottages are the norm, providing unparalleled access to the coastal scenery.
Where To Stay
- Inchydoney Island Lodge & Spa (Clonakilty): Located right on the beach with Atlantic views, this is a beautiful spot for a splurge – perfect for relaxation, beach walks, and enjoying high-quality dining.
- O’Donovan’s Hotel (Clonakilty): A charming, family-run, traditional hotel in the heart of Clonakilty town, known for its warm atmosphere and location, ideal for exploring West Cork.
- Eagle Point Caravan and Camping Park (Bantry): A highly sought-after, scenic campervan site situated directly on Bantry Bay. Offers stunning waterside pitches and top-class facilities, perfect for exploring the Sheep’s Head and Beara peninsulas.
- Perryville House (Kinsale): this overlooks the harbour in Ireland’s gourmet capital. It’s elegant, filled with fresh flowers, and serves a breakfast that will make you never want to leave.
- Kilcatten Lodge (Timoleague): A beautiful country home near the Seven Heads Peninsula. It’s quiet, impeccably clean, and perfectly situated for exploring the Wild Atlantic Way’s southern “islands” like Garnish.
Want Help Planning Your Trip?
If you’d like a second opinion or help tailoring the route to your exact needs, we offer personalised trip planning calls.
These are ideal if:
It’s your first time on the route
You’re short on time
You’re travelling by campervan
You want reassurance before booking
You’ll speak directly with people who’ve driven the Wild Atlantic Way themselves and understand what works in practice – not just in theory!
Ready to Take the Next Step?
You don’t need to have everything figured out at once. Start with a clear understanding of the route, choose a pace that feels comfortable, and build from there.
From here, you can:
👉 Explore Wild Atlantic Way Itineraries