The Best Things to Do in Donegal, Ireland

The Fanad Lighthouse offers breathtakingly beautiful views
The Fanad Lighthouse offers breathtakingly beautiful views | © imageBROKER / Alamy Stock Photo
Naomi Chadderton

A trip to Donegal, in northwest Ireland, encourages you to reconnect with nature and dive deep into history. Culture Trip shows you why – curating the best things to do in the area.

With its remote mountain passes, glass-like lakes, rugged headlands, promontories and peninsulas, Donegal must be seen to be believed. One-third of the county is Irish speaking, and its rich heritage attracts adventure seekers, hikers and history lovers from across the globe.


Did you know – Culture Trip now does bookable, small-group trips? Pick from authentic, immersive Epic Trips, compact and action-packed Mini Trips and sparkling, expansive Sailing Trips.

Hike around Glenveagh National Park

Kayak around the Arranmore coastline

Donegal’s best hotels offer a comfortable perch from which to explore the scenic surroundings, like Arranmore Island

The waters of Arranmore, the largest of Donegal’s islands, offer a unique way to marvel in the all-encompassing scenery that the county is so famous for. The coastline features hidden caves and plenty of sea arches ready for exploring, and you may see seals, dolphins, basking sharks, porpoises, otters and plenty of sea birds. Just keep in mind that the weather along the west coast can be unpredictable at the best of times, so be prepared.

Explore Letterkenny Cathedral Quarter

A town steeped in rich Irish history, the fascinating Letterkenny boasts connections with famous literary figures such as Jane Austen, whose niece is buried in a church cemetery above Church Lane. It’s also home to numerous local eateries, plush hotels, bars, shops and historical landmarks, and now, it’s possible to explore the Cathedral Quarter via an app. Simply download the Heritage Map App onto your mobile and wander through 20 points of interest around the area at your leisure.

Discover historic sites around Inishowen peninsula

At Ireland’s most northerly point, this dramatic peninsula is strewn with ancient sites, such as Grianán Ailigh, and monuments, including prehistoric burial chambers and rock art, Celtic crosses, forts and the ruins of several castles. You can explore it all in one very fascinating day. It’s also been a place of inspiration for many over the years – Amazing Grace was written by John Newton after he took refuge near Buncrana on the Inishowen peninsula in 1748, having survived a shipwreck.

Learn about traditional Irish culture at Glencolmcille Folk Village

In southwest Donegal, the Glencolmcille (Glencolumbkille) Folk Village is home to a small group of replica cottages, or a clachan, where you can experience life as it was in the 1700s, 1800s and 1900s. Here, you can discover how our Irish ancestors lived and cooked and learn about the beds they slept on, the tools they used and their means of lighting and heat. Afterwards, you can enjoy afternoon tea at its on-site teahouse and peruse the craft shop to pick up locally made arts and crafts.

Cycle around the Donegal coast

With its varied mix of coastal and highland landscapes, hopping on a bike is the best way to explore the Donegal coast while burning off all those indulgent Irish stews. Kicking off in Donegal Town, the main cycle route is approximately 200km (124mi), but there’s still plenty of shorter sections where you’ll pass through various landscapes, including the hedgerow-lined roads of agricultural lowlands and towering cliffs with their sprawling vistas.

Take in views of the Atlantic Ocean from Fanad Lighthouse, Fanad peninsula

It’s not hard to see why the Fanad Lighthouse, a highlight on the Wild Atlantic Way, has been voted one of the most beautiful lighthouses in the world. Climb to the top to take in spectacular views of the Atlantic Ocean, and if you’re lucky, you might be able to spot whales, porpoises and dolphins. If you’re interested in a little history, its tours can teach you about its former light-keepers and light and aids to navigation past and present.

landscape with balloons floating in the air

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Since you are here, we would like to share our vision for the future of travel - and the direction Culture Trip is moving in.

Culture Trip launched in 2011 with a simple yet passionate mission: to inspire people to go beyond their boundaries and experience what makes a place, its people and its culture special and meaningful — and this is still in our DNA today. We are proud that, for more than a decade, millions like you have trusted our award-winning recommendations by people who deeply understand what makes certain places and communities so special.

Increasingly we believe the world needs more meaningful, real-life connections between curious travellers keen to explore the world in a more responsible way. That is why we have intensively curated a collection of premium small-group trips as an invitation to meet and connect with new, like-minded people for once-in-a-lifetime experiences in three categories: Culture Trips, Rail Trips and Private Trips. Our Trips are suitable for both solo travelers, couples and friends who want to explore the world together.

Culture Trips are deeply immersive 5 to 16 days itineraries, that combine authentic local experiences, exciting activities and 4-5* accommodation to look forward to at the end of each day. Our Rail Trips are our most planet-friendly itineraries that invite you to take the scenic route, relax whilst getting under the skin of a destination. Our Private Trips are fully tailored itineraries, curated by our Travel Experts specifically for you, your friends or your family.

We know that many of you worry about the environmental impact of travel and are looking for ways of expanding horizons in ways that do minimal harm - and may even bring benefits. We are committed to go as far as possible in curating our trips with care for the planet. That is why all of our trips are flightless in destination, fully carbon offset - and we have ambitious plans to be net zero in the very near future.

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