3 Days in Dingle: Top Things to Do on the Dingle Peninsula

The scenic Dingle Peninsula should be on everyone’s Ireland bucket list. This, Ireland’s western-most peninsula, is full of remote serenity, incredible views, and ancient tradition. There is so much to see and do on the Dingle Peninsula; I recommend setting aside a 3-day weekend to make sure you explore it all.

The Dingle Peninsula is a captivating corner of Ireland that will take your breath away. With its rugged coastline, charming villages, and vibrant cultural heritage, this enchanting region offers an unforgettable taste of authentic Irish beauty.

From historic castles to sailing the Dingle Harbour, the Dingle Peninsula has something to offer everyone.

In this post, I’ll guide you through a perfectly curated itinerary for three days in Dingle, highlighting the must-see attractions, hidden gems, and delightful activities that will make your visit to the Dingle Peninsula an unforgettable adventure.

Get ready to embark on a journey of awe-inspiring landscapes, warm hospitality, and memories that will last a lifetime.

Dingle Peninsula 3 Day Itinerary

If you find yourself with three days to explore this captivating peninsula, this comprehensive itinerary will tell you what to do and see during your visit.

From scenic drives along the Wild Atlantic Way to encounters with friendly dolphins, prepare to embark on an unforgettable journey through the heart and soul of the Dingle Peninsula.

How to Get to Dingle

The best way to get to Dingle is by car. This is because the Dingle Peninsula has limited public transportation, and you’ll likely need your own car to get around. You can rent a car in Dublin, Galway, Killarney, or Tralee. There are also some guided tours that will take you to Dingle, and I’ll touch on those more later.

How to Get to Dingle from Dublin

If you’re coming to Dingle from Dublin, you’ll have about a 4 hour drive that passes through towns like Limerick and Tralee.

You can also take a train from Dublin to Tralee and then either rent a car, take a bus, or hail a cab from Tralee to Dingle.

How to Get to Dingle from Killarney

If you’re coming to Dingle from Killarney, you’ll have about a 1 hour drive that passes sights like Killarney National Park, Muckross House, and Ring of Kerry.

You can also take a train from Killarney to Tralee and then either rent a car, take a bus, or hail a cab from Tralee to Dingle.

This private full-day Dingle Peninsula / Slea Head Drive Tour also has the option to depart from Killarney.

How to get to Dingle from Galway

If you’re coming to Dingle from Galway, you’ll have about a 3 hour drive that passes by some great sights like Bunratty Castle, Limerick, and Adare. This is the route I took, and it was such a wonderful drive with these added stops.

The train from Galway to Dingle is less ideal, a 7.5 hour trip with a stop in Portarlington and then in Tralee, and you’ll then have to rent a car, take a bus, or hail a cab from Tralee to Dingle.

Dingle Guided Tours

Most guided day tours of the Dingle Peninsula depart from Dingle Town. I’ve listed the top tours below:

• Dingle Peninsula Four Hour Private Tour
• Private Dingle Peninsula Full-Day Tour
• Dingle Peninsula and Slea Head Drive Group Tour
• Half-Day Electric Bike Around Dingle Peninsula
• 4 Hour Slea Head Drive Tour – Personal Chauffeur Guided Tour (pick-ups available from Dingle and Cork, Dublin, Kerry, and Shannon airports)
• Private Full-Day Dingle Peninsula Slea Head Drive Tour (pick-ups available from Dingle and Killarney)
• Dingle Peninsula Tour from Dingle

Things to Do When Visiting Dingle

Dingle is so full of endless beauty with so many adventures, like boating, fishing, dolphin-watching, and exploring the historical sights along the coast.

Here are the best things to add to your 3-day Dingle Peninsula Itinerary.

Explore Dingle Town

When you arrive in Dingle, take some time to explore this cute fishing town.

Grab a bite to eat (maybe some clam chowder, seafood pasta, or fish and chips; you’re in a classic Irish fishing village, after all) or take a food tour.

Then go pub-hopping to check out the local watering holes! Dingle is small and walkable, and there are pubs all up and down the streets.

And in front of Dick Mack’s Pub, you can walk in the footsteps of the famous. Dingle’s own “Walk of Fame” has been immortalizing Dingle’s famous visitors since the filming of Ryan’s Daughter in 1968.

Meet Fungie the Dolphin

Fungie, the Dingle Dolphin, is a male bottlenose dolphin who loves hanging out with humans. Fungie first appeared in Dingle Harbour in 1984; he would escort fishing boats to and from the port.

You can catch a boat trip from Dingle Harbour to see Fungie all year around. Dolphin-watching with Fungie is probably the best way to spend an afternoon in Dingle!

Dingle Dolphin Tours

See Fungie, the Dingle Dolphin, on one of these wildlife-viewing tours:

• Dolphin and Whale Watching Tour from Dingle
• Dingle Dolphin Blasket Adventures

See the Beehive Huts

A beehive hut, or clochán, is a stone hut that was probably used as dwellings.

The Fahan Beehive Huts along the Slea Head Drive west of Dingle Town are some of the most popular huts to see.

These five huts in a group are attached to each other by doorways and form a circular group of single family dwellings.

Walk Along Coumeenoole Beach

Coumeenoole Beach is a small, secluded strip of beach that all but disappears when the high tide comes in. This is one of the most popular spots along the Dingle Peninsula.

It’s great for a stroll and to dip your toes in the water. This definitely isn’t a place you want to go swimming, though, as there are strong and unpredictable currents here.

Visit the Blasket Islands Cultural Center

The Blasket Islands have been uninhabited since they were evacuated in 1953. The Blasket Centre on the mainland honors the unique community that struggled to maintain a life of fishing and farming on a remote island that can be completely lost in the fog. They kept alive the Irish language and traditions and left behind a literary legacy by writing about their lives on the island.

You can still take a ferry out to the Great Blasket Island when the weather is good; but when the weather is bad, you won’t even be able to see the island, much less cross to it.

The fog was so bad when I visited that I wasn’t able to get a single picture of the islands!

Visit the Gallarus Oratory

The Gallarus Oratory is the best example of a preserved unmortared early Christian church. Because of its sloping side walls, it’s often compared to an upturned boat.

The date of its construction is unknown, and there are various theories for when it could have been built and what it might have been used for. An early Irish church, a 12th century Romanesque church, a private funerary chapel, and a shelter for pilgrims are all theories.

Visit Kilmalkedar

Kilmalkedar is a medieval Christian site associated with St Brendan and the local St Maolcethair, who may have founded the site.

This church has an Ogham Stone, an example of the earliest form of writing in Ireland.

Other stones of interest at Kilmalkedar include an alphabet stone, a sundial, and a stone cross.

Top Dingle Tours

With so much to see, the Dingle Peninsula can be overwhelming for any first-time traveler. To take some of the stress out of planning your visit, opt for a guided tour! Check out this list of the top Dingle tours to help you make the most of your time in this beautiful part of Ireland.

• Dingle Dolphin Blasket Adventures
• Exhilarating Rib Experience – Dingle Sea Safari
• Dingle Tasting Tour

Dingle Peninsula FAQ

More Ireland Itineraries

Looking for more things to do on your Ireland vacation? Check out these fun Ireland itineraries and guides!

• 10 Breathtaking Day Trips from Galway, Ireland
• 6 Amazing Day Trips From Dublin, Ireland
• A Magical Connemara Day Trip
• An Amazing Cliffs of Moher Day Trip
• 20+ Incredible Experiences You Can Have in Galway, Ireland

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Ready to visit Dingle, Ireland? Plan your trip with these tips.

• Book your flight: Find the cheapest flights using Skyscanner, my favorite flight search engine.
• Find Accommodation: You can find top hotels in Dingle using Booking.com.
• Get a Guide Book: Check out the guide books from Fodor’s, Lonely Planet, or Rick Steves for in depth info about traveling to Ireland.

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Cheers!

Paige

What are your favorite things to see on the Dingle Peninsula? Let me know in the comments!