If you enjoy cozy vibes, lush greenery, and stunning views, Ireland should be on your travel list. The Ring of Kerry is a whimsical 100-mile-long circuit through some of Ireland’s most enchanting landscapes. Only a 3.5-hour drive (without stopping of course), it runs along the Iveragh Peninsula, through rolling hills, rivers, and ancient woodlands. The Ring of Kerry was my first taste of the Irish countryside, and now I’ll forever be on the hunt for the next road trip I can plan in Ireland. Below you’ll find our 4-day itinerary in the Ring of Kerry and a few tips on how to best discover this region of Ireland.
When to Visit the Ring of Kerry
We took our trip in late September, which in my opinion, offered perfect weather. Autumn is a great time to visit and the slight drizzles (sometimes heavy rain, but it doesn’t last long) and colder weather add to Ireland’s charm and coziness. Additionally, September to November and March to May are off seasons for the Ring of Kerry, meaning it won’t be crowded during your visit. Part of the reason I think we were able to fit so much in just 4 days is because we had virtually no traffic during our trip — the roads were totally clear! Below I’ve listed high and low temperatures for the recommended months when visiting the Ring of Kerry.
- March: High of 52ºF/11ºC and low of 41ºF/5ºC
- April: High of 54ºF/12ºC and low of 43ºF/6ºC
- May: High of 59ºF/15ºC and low of 46ºF/8ºC
- June: High of 63ºF/17ºC and low of 52ºF/11ºC
- July: High of 64ºF/18ºC and low of 54ºF/12ºC
- August: High of 64ºF/18ºC and low of 54ºF/12ºC
- September: High of 63ºF/17ºC and low of 52ºF/11ºC
- October: High of 52ºF/14ºC and low of 48ºF/9ºC
- November: High of 54ºF/12ºC and low of 44ºF/7ºC
Where to Stay in the Ring of Kerry
We took this Airbnb next to Kells Bay Beach. We also wanted to go to Dingle (technically not within the Ring of Kerry) so this Airbnb was a nice middle ground between Dingle and the Ring of Kerry. Depending on what your budget is, I’ve listed a few options for lodging below. If you’re trying to stay on the lower end, I recommend checking out Airbnb as hotels were on the pricier side. Beware though: the windy, twisty roads of the area tend to make some of these Airbnbs a little harder to get to than your standard hotel. Convenience is the tradeoff you have between Airbnbs vs hotels in this part of Ireland. Below are a few options for you, wherever you are in your budget for this trip:
- This Ring of Kerry Retreat on Airbnb – $$ (~$120 a night, 3 night minimum)
- Traditional Cottage on Airbnb – $$ (~$100 a night, no minimum)
- Quinlan & Cooke Boutique Townhouse and QCs Seafood Restaurant – $$$ (~$175 a night)
- Sheen Falls Lodge – $$$$ (~$300+ a night)
Transportation in the Ring of Kerry
Rental Cars in the Ring of Kerry
We booked our rental car through Rentalcars.com, specifically with Sixt, but any of the companies offered through the Rentalcars site will do. We recommend getting a car on the smaller side because the roads are sometimes so small that you’ll find yourself on two-way roads that can only fit one car at a time. The smaller your car, the easier it’ll be to navigate this.
I highly recommend renting a car when exploring the Ring of Kerry. It is a driving route after all! You’ll be able to enjoy the trip at your own pace and stop whenever you want for a photo op (and trust me, there are plenty).
Guided Tours in the Ring of Kerry
If you don’t want to rent a car to explore the Ring of Kerry, there are guided tours that stop at some highlights on this scenic route. We saw many buses filled with tourists, particularly in Killarney National Park, so guided tours seem to be relatively popular methods of exploring at least some parts of the Ring of Kerry. Many of these guided tours are only day trips, however, so don’t expect to be able to see everything I’ve listed in this blog in just one day. This full-day tour has great reviews on GetYourGuide, which makes stops in Waterview, Killarney National Park, and Dingle all in one day. This other full-day tour through Viator makes stops in Killarney National Park, Dingle Bay, Molls Gap, and Sneem.
Driving in the Ring of Kerry
Yes, if you come from a country where you drive on the right side of the road, be prepared to drive on the left during your trip to Ireland. It was a little nerve-racking at first, but the rep at the car kiosk gave us a few pointers (like hugging the left side of the road vs. the right) which helped us adapt quickly. After about a few hours, you get used to it!
Our 4-Day Ring of Kerry Itinerary
Day 1 – Fly to Cork + Drive to Killarney National Park
We flew from Paris to Cork, picked up our rental car, and made our way to Killarney National Park for our first day exploring the Ring of Kerry. Stretching across ~25,000 acres, Killarney National Park was the first national park in Ireland. Home to diverse flora and fauna, the park is home to the Lakes of Killarney and a few cultural landmarks such as Muckross House, Ross Castle, and Muckross Abbey. There is a TON to do in Killarney National Park, and we spent the entire day here! Some highlights include:
- Torc Waterfall
- Ladies View
- Gap of Dunloe
- Muckross Abbey (fun fact – there are rumors Muckross Abbey is haunted and it is considered the most haunted place in Killarney!)
- Muckross House
- Ross Castle
Day 2 – Kerry Cliffs + Ballycarbery Castle + Waterville
Our 2nd day was spent exploring stone forts, stopping for a lot of photos along the road, and the Kerry Cliffs. The Kerry Cliffs are non-negotiable on any trip to the Ring of Kerry, and it only takes about 2 hours to visit. Around the area, you’ll find stone forts (which I’ve listed below), endless green pastures, and beautiful views. I recommend stopping when you can to take photos since there are plenty of shoulders along the roads that facilitate this. If you’re visiting during the off-season, pulling over should be easier since the roads will be much less crowded. Below is our full list of everything we did during 2nd day of our 4-day Ring of Kerry Itinerary.
- Ballycarbery Castle
- Cahersiveen Town
- Lecanabuile Stone Fort
- Cahergall Stone Fort
- Waterville for lunch at The Lobster Bar
- Staigue Stone Fort
- Ballaghbeama Gap – highly recommend this, this is one of my favorite things we did in the Ring of Kerry! You can read more about it here.
Day 3 – Dingle + Dunquin Pier
Technically Dingle is not a part of the Ring of Kerry, but with 4 days, we thought we could easily fit a day trip exploring Dingle in our itinerary. Dingle is a captivating coastal town in southwest Ireland, which lies on the stunning Dingle Peninsula. Known for its rugged cliffs, pristine beaches, and rich cultural heritage, the area is a must-stop. Dingle’s colorful streets house traditional pubs, seafood restaurants, and craft shops, offering an authentic Irish experience. Below are our stops for our day in Dingle + the surrounding area:
- Dingle: make sure to stop by Murphy’s Icecream & Bean In Dingle Coffeeshop
- Dunquin Pier
- Hold a Baby Lamb (as the title reads)
- FairyFort Ring Fort (where you can also feed the farm animals)
- Check out the Beehive Huts
- Cashel Murphy
- Conor Pass (we actually missed this, which was a big regret — Conor Pass is one of the highest mountain passes in Ireland and one of the most well-known scenic drives in the area.)
Day 4 – Flight Home + Cobh
Cobh, Ireland is a picturesque harbor town famous for its maritime heritage and as the last port of call for the Titanic in 1912. We drove to Cobh on our 4th day on our way to Cork, where we were flying out. Cobh was a cute, charming little city but I wouldn’t spend more than half a day exploring here. Visitors can explore the Titanic Experience, stroll along colorful waterfront streets, and visit the historic St. Colman’s Cathedral, all while enjoying stunning coastal views.
