What To Do In Killarney, Ireland: A Vagabond Guide

👋 Hey, how's it going? Sean here from Vagabond Tours of Ireland.

Killarney has to be up there with one of the best places to explore in Ireland.

Breathtaking mountain views, lakeside walks, and many other activities tell us how much Killarney has to offer. It's clear to see why our guests absolutely love exploring here during our small group tours of Ireland.

Our advice for exploring Killarney is simple: leave a little breathing room in your itinerary and have a camera ready at all times... trust me you're gonna need one.

Read on to learn more about what to do in Killarney, Ireland.

🗺️ Where Is Killarney?

Killarney is located in the south-west of Ireland at the base of the Macgillycuddy Reeks mountian range in County Kerry.

The town sits within Killarney National Park and is a popular starting point for exploring the famous Ring of Kerry. Unlike Kerry’s coastal towns, the scenery here centres on freshwater lakes, woodland vibes and mountains views.

🏞️ Mountains, Lakes And Cycling

From mountain views, lakeside walks and horse & carriage rides, Killarney has a bit of everything. We have narrowed down our list of favourite things to do in Killarney.

Explore Killarney National Park

Killarney National Park is one of the most picturesque areas in Ireland. You don’t have to tackle a mountain to enjoy it. Choose a Vagabond or Driftwood tour that suits your energy levels, whether that means a gentle ramble or a longer outing.

There's so many great photo opportunities around Killarney National Park including one of our favourite at Ladies View (pictured above)

Visit Killarney National Park on our 12 Day Vagabond Giant Irish Adventure Tour.

Cycle Around Muckross Park

If you're coming to Ireland on one of our Ireland adventure tours, we highly recommend you take a guided bike tour around Muckross Park.
On this tour, you will learn about the history or Muckross Park and take in the beautiful flora and fauna as you cycle around the park's lakes.

We highly recommend the biking tour on our 5 Day Vagabond Edge Of The World Adventure Tour.

Take A Jaunting Ride

Rather rest your legs? Then why not take a Jaunting ride around Muckross Park. This horse and carriage journey let's you relax and truly take in the beautiful scenery around Killarney.

You can try Jaunting on one of our Driftwood tours of Ireland.

Visit Torc Waterfall

If you're in Killarney on tour, you must visit Torc Waterfall. Water tumbles over rocks, moss covers the surrounding woodland and the main waterfall is reached by a short walk from the nearby car park. You can find the waterfall on many walking routes from the Muckross area for a longer adventure.

🍦 Where To Eat In Killarney?

After all that exploring and site seeing, you'll definitely have worked up an appetite. Lucky for you, I've compiled a short list of some of the best food spots in town.

The Tan Yard

Located on Kenmare Place, this stylish restaurant puts local produce centre stage, with grilled steaks and fresh seafood among the highlights. It’s a tempting spot for a leisurely dinner after a day of exploring.

(Photo from the Tan Yard website)

The décor takes inspiration from the town’s historic tanning yards, adding a little local heritage to your evening out.

The Porterhouse

Prefer a hearty dinner and a cosy spot to settle in for the evening? Head to The Porterhouse on Plunkett Street, right in the heart of Killarney. This family-run restaurant champions local ingredients, with Irish beef and fresh seafood among the highlights. There are vegetarian and vegan options too.

Bricín Restaurant and Boxty House

Head to Bricín on High Street, where local brothers Johnny and Paddy McGuire have been welcoming diners since 1991. Antique furniture, stained glass and artwork give this restaurant plenty of charm.

(Photo from TripAdvisor)

The house speciality is Killarney Boxty, Bricín’s take on the traditional Irish potato pancake. Choose from fillings such as chicken in a creamy tarragon sauce, gently spiced Irish lamb or vegetable ratatouille.

Murphy's Ice Cream

If you've ever been to Kerry, you probably have come across Murphy's Ice Cream. If not, pop into the shop on Main Street for a sweet treat after your Killarney adventures.

Murphy's is known for crafting ice cream using fresh Irish milk and cream, with many of the flavours inspired by the local landscape. Alongside classics like Vanilla and Chocolate, you'll find uniquely Irish creations such as Dingle Sea Salt, Brown Bread, Irish Coffee and Kerry Cream.

🍻 Best Pubs In Killarney

An evening in the pub can be about much more than what’s in your glass. Killarney’s pub scene includes traditional music, great food and great spots to meet the locals.

J.M. Reidy's

A sweetshop and a pub? Now you’re talking!

J.M. Reidy’s on Main Street is full of character, with cosy snugs, old weighing scales and memorabilia telling the story of its shopkeeping past.

(Photo from TripAdvisor)

Wander through to the fairy-lit cobbled courtyard, where live music adds to the atmosphere. There’s also a cocktail bar too, while coffee and pastries from the in-house bakery make this a tempting daytime stop.

O'Connor's Traditional Pub

Fancy rounding off your day with a few tunes? Head to O’Connors on High Street, a cosy traditional pub with old-world charm and live music.

Courtney's Bar

Like your pubs with a little history? Courtney’s on Plunkett Street has been welcoming visitors since 1891 and remains in the Courtney family. (Photo from Courtney's Bar site)

Behind its distinctive frontage, wooden interiors and an open fire set the scene for a cosy evening.

🏨 Where To Stay In Killarney?

Killarney is filled with great accommodation options. Here is two of our favourite hotels to stay in while on one of our small group tours of Ireland.

Fairview Hotel

Nestled in the heart of Killarney, The Fairview Hotel combines elegant interiors with a welcoming atmosphere.

This central hotel offers guests the perfect base to explore Killarney National Park, the Ring of Kerry and the vibrant town centre.

Guests on our 15 Day Driftwood All Ireland Tour can enjoy their stay here.

The Ross Hotel

The Ross is a family-owned luxury boutique hotel in the heart of the Killarney town centre. The Ross offers the ideal blend of modern luxury and warm Irish hospitality.

Guests can relax at the Ross Hotel on our 5 Day Edge of The World Tour.

Want to know more about the Driftwood and Vagabond small-group tours that visit Killarney?

Contact us today!