Hugging Ireland’s north-west coast, striking County Donegal is a wonderfully off-the-beaten-track destination for a rugged, outdoorsy escape. Accommodation options are wide-ranging, with country house hotels and B&Bs to suit a broad range of budgets. Whether you’re on the lookout for a fabulous family-friendly castle or a cosy Georgian house for a foodie feast, our pick of the best places to stay in County Donegal promises beautiful views and lots to explore.
The second-largest county in Ireland, County Donegal boasts an impressive array of dramatic landscapes. The legendary Wild Atlantic Way begins in this remote region, ideal for coastal walks and scenic drives. Discover the Derryveagh Mountains in Glenveagh National Park, hike up the Bluestack Mountains near Lough Eske, or head out to the Slieve League Peninsula to look down onto Donegal Bay from the clifftops.
Donegal is a seriously cool spot for surfing, too, with a buzzing surf vibe at Bundoran, and great waves at Dunfanaghy, Rossnowlagh and on the Fanad Peninsula. Surfing aside, there’s diving to be done in Donegal Bay, rock-climbing out on the islands, and salmon fishing in the region’s rivers. For an even more secluded escape, look to Tory Island, still further to the north-west, or venture north along the winding roads of the isolated Inishowen Peninsula, site of myths and legends aplenty.
Home to ancient customs, mysterious shipwrecks, sheer cliffs, crashing waves and cosy seaside taverns, County Donegal is a fantastic destination for adventurous travellers looking to escape the crowds. Hide away in some of the best places to stay in County Donegal as you soak up the charm of one of Ireland’s most wild, enchanting and far-flung destinations as a couple or with the kids.