Ireland
Connemara
Lakes, bog and mountains; base in Clifden for 2 nights. Below: 1 sight, 1 activity and 4 outdoor spots, plus how Connemara fits into a longer trip.
- Places
- 9
- Curated routes
- 1
- Best season
- May – Sep
- Warmest month
- August
- Coolest month
- February
- Wettest month
- December
1 See · 1 Do · 4 Outdoors · 2 Eat · 1 Drink
Dublin to the Wild Atlantic Way
from our route notes
17°C / 62°F avg high
8°C / 47°F avg high
about 152 mm rain
Climate: NASA POWER 2001–2025 averages.
Things to do in Connemara
9 places from our curated routes, grouped by what you will do there. Each one has its own page with the address and full notes.
See
The landmarks we would not skip in Connemara in Letterfrack.
Photo: Alvesgaspar · CC BY-SA 4.0SeeKylemore Abbey
Lakeside castle-style abbey with a Victorian walled garden.
Tip Allow time for the 6-acre garden, a shuttle ride away.
Do
Hands-on ways to spend time in Connemara in Clifden.
Photo: Saulius · GoogleDoSky Road
Loop drive west of Clifden on high ground over Atlantic inlets and islands.
Tip Stop at the upper viewpoint car park.
Outdoors
Trails, views and open space in and around Connemara. 3 of them are free.
Photo: Misik Péter Neo7 · CC BY-SA 3.0OutdoorsConnemara National Park
Moorland park with free trails; Diamond Hill gives views to the islands.
Tip The full Diamond Hill loop takes 2.5–3 hours.
Photo: Killary Fjord Boat Tours · Google
Photo: Tomasz Gil · GoogleOutdoorsDog's Bay
White shell-sand beach curving around a narrow headland near Roundstone.
Tip Pair with lunch in Roundstone village.
Photo: Duncan Roe · GoogleOutdoorsDerrigimlagh Bog
Bog loop walk past the 1919 Alcock and Brown landing site and Marconi station ruins.
Eat
2 places to eat in Clifden, picked for groups who care about the food.
Photo: Christine D. · GoogleEatMitchell's Restaurant
Seafood restaurant with open fires; fish arrives daily from local boats.
Tip Closed in winter months; check dates.
Photo: Guys Bar Clifden · Google
Drink
1 bar or café in Clifden for coffee, a round or a nightcap.
Photo: Lowry's Music & Whiskey Bar · Google
How to fit Connemara into a trip
Connemara is stop 3 of 4 on our Dublin to the Wild Atlantic Way route. Follow it as-is or lift Connemara into your own plan.
Stop 3 of 4
Dublin to the Wild Atlantic Way
Pubs, bogland, sea cliffs and trad music
- Trip length
- 9 days
- Best season
- May – Sep
- Pace
- moderate
- Before: Galway
- Next: Doolin & the Cliffs of Moher
Getting here and onward
- Connemara to Doolin & the Cliffs of MoherDoolin & the Cliffs of Moher is about 68 km / 42 mi away in a straight line
- Galway to ConnemaraGalway is about 68 km / 42 mi away in a straight line
Distances are straight-line estimates between destination centers, not road distances.
Connemara month by month
Average daily highs run from 8°C / 47°F in February to 17°C / 62°F in August. December is the wettest month, with about 152 mm of rain. Outlined months fall in the best season on our routes.
- Jan9° / 48°F average high
- Feb8° / 47°F average high
- Mar9° / 48°F average high
- Apr11° / 52°F average high
- May13° / 56°F average high, in our recommended season
- Jun15° / 60°F average high, in our recommended season
- Jul17° / 62°F average high, in our recommended season
- Aug17° / 62°F average high, in our recommended season
- Sep16° / 60°F average high, in our recommended season
- Oct13° / 56°F average high
- Nov11° / 51°F average high
- Dec9° / 49°F average high
Average daily highs, NASA POWER 2001–2025 averages. Connemara weather and the best time to visit →
Near Connemara
3 other destinations from our guides within about 250 km (155 mi), measured in a straight line.
Connemara questions, answered
How many days do you need in Connemara?
Our route notes suggest 2 nights in Connemara. On our Dublin to the Wild Atlantic Way route it is stop 3 of 4 in a 9-day trip. The listed visit times for our 9 places add up to roughly 16 hours, before travel between them, so you will need to choose.
What is Connemara best known for?
Lakes, bog and mountains; base in Clifden for 2 nights. Standouts on our list: Kylemore Abbey (Lakeside castle-style abbey with a Victorian walled garden); Connemara National Park (Moorland park with free trails; Diamond Hill gives views to the islands); Killary Fjord (Long sea inlet between mountains; cruises run from Nancy's Point near Leenane).
When is the best time to visit Connemara?
Our Dublin to the Wild Atlantic Way route is best May – Sep. NASA POWER 2001–2025 averages put the warmest highs in August (17°C / 62°F), the coolest in February (8°C / 47°F) and the most rain in December (about 152 mm).
What are the best things to do in Connemara?
Start with Kylemore Abbey, Connemara National Park, Sky Road, Killary Fjord and Dog's Bay. Our guide lists 9 places in all, from 1 sight, 1 activity, 4 outdoor spots, 2 places to eat and 1 bar or café.
Where should a group eat in Connemara?
Our picks: Mitchell's Restaurant (Clifden); Guys Seafood Bar (Clifden). Closed in winter months; check dates (Mitchell's Restaurant).
What is near Connemara?
The closest destinations in our guides are Doolin & the Cliffs of Moher (about 68 km / 42 mi), Galway (about 68 km / 42 mi) and Dublin (about 250 km / 155 mi). Distances are straight-line estimates, not road distances.
Plan Connemara with your crew
Open the Dublin to the Wild Atlantic Way route in TripsCircle, invite friends with a link, settle which of these 9 places make the cut with a quick poll, then split costs and share one packing list.