The Ring of Kerry is one of the most famous driving routes in Ireland, known for the rugged coastline, cute villages and green landscapes along the way. When visiting Ireland, the Ring of Kerry drive should be part of your itinerary. On that note, check out my 1-week Ireland itinerary (COMING SOON). If you’re looking for the perfect way to experience this stunning region in a day, this itinerary will guide you through the must-visit spots. Additionally, I recommend an additional day to explore all the sights in Killarney National Park, which are not included in this itinerary. The best way to complete this Ring of Kerry itinerary is by rental car.
If you like the Ring of Kerry, you will 100% like the Slea Head Drive in Dingle Peninsula!
Prefer to join a tour to explore the Ring of Kerry? Book one from Killarney or from Cork!
O'Sheas Ceol Na Habhann B&B, Davitt's Guesthouse, Kingdom Lodge, The Brehon Hotel & Spa
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1. Kenmare
2. Sneem
3. Derrynane Beach
4. Waterville
5. Kerry Cliffs & Skellig Ring (detour)
6. Kell’s Bay House & Gardens
7. Rossbeigh Beach
More stops are included in my Killarney National Park Guide, such as the:
– Gap of Dunloe
– Ladies Viewpoint
– Ross Castle
– Muckross Abbey
First of all, this 1-day Ring of Kerry Itinerary leaves out some amazing spots that can best be visited from Killarney. During our trip to Ireland, we decided to split exploring the area around Killarney in two days. One of these days was completely focused on driving the official Ring of Kerry. The other day was focused on the sights around Killarney, such as the amazing Gap of Dunloe. At the end of this guide, you will find a snapshot of what else there is to explore!
We have used Kenmare as our base to explore the Ring of Kerry and Killarney National Park, as the accommodations are slightly cheaper and there are great places to explore. Some of the spots that should be on your list in Kenmare:
When leaving Kenmare and starting your Ring of Kerry road trip, you will first arrive in Sneem. At first, I didn’t get why this village was recommended as one of the key stops on the route until I grabbed my camera and started walking around. The charming painted houses offer a great opportunity for photography. Also, if you are in for a sweet treat, you should visit the amazing Kelly’s bakery or The Village Kitchen. Alternatively, depending on the hour of the day you are arriving in Sneem, D. O’Shea’s Bar is a nice and classic Irish pub.
As you continue your drive along the Ring of Kerry, you will find Derrynane Beach, which is one of the most beautiful beaches in Ireland. You’ll see that one side of the beach is also used for surfing. It is great to spend some time strolling on the beach. Furthermore, if you are interested in history, you can also find the Darrynane House. To explore the best parts of the beach, I would recommend parking at Darrynane Beach Car Park near Keating’s Bar.
When continuing your road trip, you will arrive in the seaside town of Waterville. I felt this city was slightly overrated, however, we used it as a welcome stop for a cup of coffee and a sweet treat at Beachcove Café. Perfect for refuelling before hitting the road!
Soon, you will arrive at a point where you can choose to detour to the Skellig Ring. This is something I would highly recommend, as this less-traveled route (excluded from most of the tours!), takes you to the amazing Kerry Cliffs, providing amazing views over the Atlantic and Skellig Islands. In my opinion, the Kerry Cliffs are more worth visiting than the Cliffs of Moher themselves. (However, the cliff walk from Doolin to Cliffs of Moher is worth it!). Due to the crazy wind, the Kerry Cliffs are only open in the summer season. Always check their official website before visiting. If you like some chocolate, step by the Skelligs Chocolate Factory for some chocolate tasting. After the visit, you can enjoy a nice lunch at The Moorings Guesthouse in Portmagee.
If you’re feeling adventurous, you can take a ferry to Valentia Island and hike to Bray Head afterwards, however, it will be a long day. Therefore, we decided this was not worth it.
If you still have sufficient time left and feel like exploring more, you can return to the main route and make a stop at Kells Bay House & Gardens, a hidden gem with lush gardens where you can get tea and light bites in the on-site cafe. Afterwards, you could make a final stop at Rossbeigh Beach, a scenic beach to end your day. Of course, this is quite weather-dependent. We decided to head back to Kenmare after Portmagee and enjoy an afternoon and evening in the pub!
Curious about the best travel route to explore Ireland? Check out my 7-day Ireland itinerary.
To get the most out of your trip to Ireland, I would highly recommend spending a separate day exploring the highlights around Killarney National Park. However, if you don’t have an additional day, I would add Gap of Dunloe to your one-day itinerary, as this is one of my highlights!
During your extra day, you might consider exploring:
Read the full article about exploring the Killarney National Park area.
If you plan to stay overnight, I would recommend staying in either Killarney or Kenmare. This allows you to execute this 1-day Ring of Kerry itinerary as well as the sights around Killarney National Park the next day before continuing your journey.
O’Sheas Ceol Na Habhann B&B in Kenmare: We stayed for two nights at this B&B and loved it! It is slightly outside Kenmore (30 minutes walking) and the owner is so incredibly nice! You can book a room starting at €120 a night.
Davitt’s Guesthouse in Kenmare: If you want to stay in Kenmare town, this is a great option! Rooms start from €155 per night.
Kingdom Lodge in Killarney: An affordable option right in the city centre of Killarney offering rooms for 2 persons or a family room for 4. Prices start at €130 a night.
The Brehon Hotel & Spa near Killarney: A luxury hotel offering beautiful views of Killarney National Park and great spa facilities while also being near Killarney town. You can book a room for €225 a night.
