Should I spend 1, 2, or 3 days in County Donegal?

Should you spend 1, 2, or 3 days in County Donegal?

Most people spend at least 3 or as many as 7 days in County Donegal during their visit. The natural county offers amazing highlights such as the beaches, the hiking, the gorgeous scenery, and the cuisine.

County Donegal is in the northwest part of Ireland and it has a rugged coastline and impressive natural beauty. There are many beautiful walks and hikes that take you along the coast or through the mountains. Within the county you'll find Glenveagh National Park.

Do you have one or two days to visit County Donegal? Here's our comprehensive breakdown of how much time you might need for your trip along with some suggestions for things to do.

Is one day enough time in County Donegal?

As a popular county, County Donegal offers a large number of activities and attractions for visitors. Given only one day, you will likely find yourself hurrying to swim at the beach, get out into nature, take in the beautiful scenery, and sample the delicious cuisine. To truly savor all that the county boasts, a more generous amount of time is advisable. Many travelers opt for at least 3 or as many as 7 days to thoroughly relish the wonders of the county. However, if your schedule is tight, we have a handful of recommendations for making the most of your visit.

How to spend a day in County Donegal

The beautiful beaches await you in County Donegal, so spend the day (or several, if you can) relaxing on the sand or swimming in the water. There are sandy beaches and beautiful stretches of coastline to explore. Some of the top beaches in the county include Ballymastocker Bay, Portnoo Beach, and Fintra Bay.

County Donegal is known to be such a beautiful destination, so just exploring and taking it all in should be one of the top things to do on your list. The rugged landscape, dramatic cliffs, and beautiful beaches make this a beautiful region to explore.

Is a weekend (two to three days) enough time in County Donegal?

With only a weekend, you might feel a bit pressed for time when it comes to exploring the main attractions. After all, County Donegal is a small county that is quite popular with tourists. To fully embrace County Donegal, a longer visit is better. Most travelers tend to plan at least 3 or as many as 7 days to experience the beaches, the hiking, the gorgeous scenery, and the cuisine. Nevertheless, if your schedule is limited, we can provide some suggestions to maximize your visit.

Donegal Coast

How to spend 2 days in County Donegal

Having a weekend (two to three days) in County Donegal will provide you with more time to take in the best activities in the county.

Known for it's hiking, County Donegal sees plenty of visitors looking to get outdoors. Spend a day exploring the natural beauty and scenery on a nearby hike. The dramatic coastline, beautiful seaside cliffs, and beautiful mountains all offer a beautiful backdrop for hiking. Some of the best hikes in the county include the Inishowen Head Loop, Tory Island Loop, and the Garden Trail in Glenveagh National Park.

You can't miss out on tasting the fantastic cuisine at one of the best restaurants in town, so make sure you find somewhere special for lunch or dinner. This is the land of fish and chips, but you'll also find plenty of other seafood restaurants serving locally caught fish. There are also many pubs around where you can grab a fish dinner with a pint. Land lovers will also find plenty of meat dishes like roast beef or pork chops.

More Info

If you're looking for more information about County Donegal, we have even more advice to help you plan your journey.