Top 5 - Bantry
Framed by the beautiful Caha Mountains and the hills of Sheep’s Head, Bantry is one of Ireland’s most charming and attractive seascapes. It’s sheltered by islands at the head of Bantry Bay, Bantry is a lovely, picturesque and sparkling town. Plus, there are so many lovely shops and great places to eat, you’re going to fall in love with this town in seconds.
What to see and do
Bantry has it all and is a real gem in West Cork. Whether you’re into history, sightseeing, hiking, sailing, kayaking, pony-trekking, road trips or just enjoying your time with great food and lovely people, you found the right place to be. I wrote a blog post about my favourite things to see and do in Bantry here.
In case you don’t have the time to explore it all, here are my Top 5 for Bantry:
1 Bantry House and Gardens
Bantry House, built in the 18th century, has these melancholic vibes - it’s like a glimpse into a long gone world of aristocracy. I remember being fascinated by the magnificent artwork on show as a child and my feeling hasn’t changed since then.
The views from the gardens on Bantry Bay are amazing and it’s lovely to just wander through the gardens and enjoy this beautiful place.
The house has belonged to the White family (formerly Earls of Bantry) since the mid-18th century and they still live in it and manage the estate. If I remember it correctly, the owners even offer B&B accommodation in one of the wings.
2 Have lunch at The Stuffed Olive
I can’t recommend them enough. Go follow their instagram if you don’t trust me and you’re going to fall in love with their salads, cakes, sourdough and, of course, Marmelade the dog. Highly recommended for brunch, lunch or a cup of coffee and some cake.
3 Get lost in Forest & Flock
The BEST shop in West Cork, trust me. You’ll find Irish art, craft & design here.
If I could, I’d move in and spend all day looking through all the gorgeous things there.
4 Go on a kayaking or boat adventure in Bantry Bay
If you’re more into water sports and the sea, I can highly recommend taking a guided kayak adventure along the Blueway in Bantry Bay. There’s even the chance to go night kayaking in the area. One thing I’ve never done and definitely have to do soon!
5 Explore the beautiful Beara and Sheep’s Head Peninsulas
I’m obviously biased here, but don’t miss the Beara Peninsula when you’re in Bantry. It’s beautiful, it’s lonely, it’s the perfect place. Read more about the Beara Peninsula in my blog post >> here <<.
Don’t miss the beautiful ring drive starting outside Bantry along the Goat’s Path. The loop walks on Sheep’s Head are great but most of them aren’t dog friendly, so I haven’t done them myself yet.
To read more about the highlights of West Cork, check out my blog post about >> West Cork << here.
I can’t recommend Bantry enough. For me, Bantry has it all and it’s the start for a great time in West Cork. Let me know what you liked best!
Etta