Should I spend 1, 2, or 3 days in Killarney?

Should you spend 1, 2, or 3 days in Killarney?

Most visitors spend two to three days in Killarney when visiting. The local town offers so many things to see and explore, so you'll want to take full advantage of the limited time you have. Highlights include the hiking, the museums and landmarks, the small town charm, and the food.

Killarney is a town that is right by Killarney National Park. It's also part of the Ring of Kerry scenic drive and the starting and ending point for the 200 kilometer Kerry Way walking trail. The area offers wonderful natural beauty and many great walking trails.

Do you have one or two days to visit Killarney? 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 Killarney?

One day is generally not enough time to discover the nearby hiking trails, browse through museums, explore the small town, and taste delicious cuisine in Killarney. A shorter schedule may leave you with a sense of urgency to enjoy popular activities such as the hiking, the museums and landmarks, the small town charm, and the food. To genuinely appreciate the highlights of the local town, a more lengthy visit is typically recommended. Many tourists opt for two to three days here. After all, The town of Killarney boasts plenty of sights and attractions, making it a popular destination for tourists. However, if you're working with limited time, we have some great ideas for making the most of your stay below.

How to spend a day in Killarney

Don't miss Killarney National Park during your trip to Killarney, as it's one of this destination's most well-known attractions. You should make sure to set aside enough time to see it.

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. You'll find great local fish and chips shops as well as locally caught seafood and regional produce. There are cafes and other independent restaurants that provide a local taste of the area.


A few tour suggestions include:

  • Killarney Premium Irish Whiskey Tasting with Local Expert ($82)

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

The popular town of Killarney has many activities and attractions for visitors. Given only a weekend, you will likely find yourself hurrying to discover the nearby hiking trails, browse through museums, explore the small town, and taste delicious cuisine. To truly savor all that the town boasts, a more generous amount of time is advisable. Many travelers opt for two to three days to thoroughly relish the wonders of the town. However, if your schedule is tight, we have a handful of recommendations for making the most of your visit.

Muckross House, Killarney, Ireland Muckross House, Killarney, Ireland

How to spend 2 days in Killarney

If you have more than a weekend (two to three days) in Killarney, you'll appreciate the added time for everything the town has to offer.

Known for it's hiking, Killarney sees plenty of visitors looking to get outdoors. Spend a day exploring the natural beauty and scenery on a nearby hike. You'll find many great hiking trails both in and around Killarney National Park. The town is also the starting and ending point for the 200 km Kerry Way walking trail. Other hikes worth checking out in the area include the Knockreer Circular Walk, Muckross Lake Loop Walk, and Old Kenmare Road Walk.

Killarney 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. Located on the banks of Lough Leane and beside Killarney National Park, this town offers access to great natural beauty. It's also a stop on the famous Ring of Kerry scenic drive.


A few tour suggestions include:

  • Self-Guided Bike Tour of Killarney National Park, Muckross Gardens & Waterfall ($22)
  • Boat Only Ticket (Walk the Gap of Dunloe) ($35)
  • Bus, Boat & Jaunting Cart Tour (Jaunting Cart Paid Separately) ($64)

More Info

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

Budget Your Trip is all about finding out how much everything costs so that you can travel cheaper and longer. Created by avid travelers Laurie and Bryan, our goal is to help you plan your next trip on the right budget. With average daily travel costs that are calculated from the budgets of real travelers, plus an analysis of hotel and tour prices, you can find out how much money you need to plan your next adventure. We also have plenty of travel advice, accommodation reviews, and activity suggestions.

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