Welcome to your Sligo journey information.
Sligo is a hidden gem on Eire‘s gorgeous west coast and after simply spending a protracted weekend there, I’m so excited to share all the perfect spots and locations I’d advocate to your Sligo journey. On this weblog submit, I’ll share the perfect issues to do in Sligo, the perfect locations to eat and the perfect locations to take in the unimaginable Irish historical past and tradition.
Situated within the province of Connacht, Sligo is a coastal city surrounded by breathtaking landscapes and a wealthy cultural heritage. Sligo boasts a vibrant meals scene, providing contemporary seafood, conventional Irish dishes, and a rising craft beer and whiskey tradition that may go away your coronary heart and tummy very comfortable. However greater than that, Sligo is the proper base location for exploring the Wild Atlantic Approach, browsing the world-famous surf breaks and the grand landscapes surrounding it.
Sligo’s tapestry of tradition and historical past is wealthy, alive and well-preserved. You may immerse your self within the native traditions, native delicacies, discover historical Celtic websites, and go to landmarks linked to the famend poet W.B. Yeats, whose affect can nonetheless be felt all through the area.
Being solely a one-hour flight from the UK and a 2.5-hour drive from Dublin, Sligo makes for a straightforward, no-hassle weekend break crammed with a plethora of wonderful meals and journey.
Proceed studying for all my greatest issues to do in Sligo!
Different journey guides we expect you’ll love:
The very best time to go to Sligo?
The very best time to go to Sligo, Eire, relies on your pursuits and cause for visiting. Summer season (June to August) presents delicate temperatures averaging round 15-20°C so should you’re eager on hikes and out of doors actions, this could possibly be time to plan to go to. Nonetheless on the flip aspect, spring and autumn present fewer crowds and you may get higher offers on flights and lodging.
Winter might be chilly with temperatures round 5-10°C however nonetheless pleasing should you pack properly as there may be nonetheless a lot to maintain you occupied (see remainder of submit!). Surfers are likely to flock to Sligo within the autumn and winter months for optimum wave circumstances, although browsing is feasible year-round and for rookies – the summer time could also be a greater choice.
Take into account timing your go to with an annual occasion just like the Sligo Reside Music Competition, Sligo St. Patrick’s Day and Fleadh Cheoil. Many others all year long add cultural allure to your go to! The Irish certain know methods to throw a celebration!
Finally, for the perfect time to go to Sligo, take into consideration what your precedence is to expertise and select the time that aligns, whether or not its for browsing, out of doors adventures, or experiencing native festivities.
We stayed at The Glasshouse Lodge throughout our keep in Sligo. It was an insane location to have as a base. Proper on River Sligo, strolling distance from all the perfect eating places and pubs and solely a 20-minute radius from a lot of the actions on this information! Oh they usually have FREE underground parking too for resort visitors!
The very best locations to eat and drink in Sligo
We skilled some unimaginable foods and drinks throughout our time in Sligo. I needed to make a bit of part right here for suggestions!
Eala Bhan £££
Situated in a captivating riverside setting, Eala Bhan presents a various menu targeted on contemporary seafood and Irish delicacies. Elegant environment and attentive service. One for a memorable eating expertise.
Shell’s Café £
Situated on Strandhill Seashore, Shell’s Café presents gorgeous views and healthful dishes like do-it-yourself soups, connoisseur sandwiches, and freshly baked items. Superb takeaway espresso and bakery within the store too!
Hargadon Bros £
An excellent enjoyable pub with nice Guinness stew!
Lillie’s Cocktail Bar ££
A beautiful cosy spot to seize a cocktail and a few reside music! Pornstar martinis had been fab!
Otto Pizza ££
Finest pizza on the town! Wow. Attractive vibes, Neapolitan pizzas and small plates. Nice date evening spot!
Thomas Connolly Bar £
Supposedly the perfect Guinness in Eire! It needs to be tried!
Milligram Espresso £
Superb little espresso store with candy treats too. Few indoor seats.
Baker Boys £
Contemporary baked good, want I say extra!
Stoked ££
Cocktails and tapas with associates vibes. We didn’t get time to go however had been extremely beneficial by many individuals!
The Little Cottage Cafe £
Pretty little cosy cafe with an open fireplace able to serve you scorching drinks and meals after a protracted stroll or out of doors exercise!
Hooked ££
Casual riverside restaurant with domestically sourced and scrumptious meals! I’d say they do their Asian dishes greatest! The slow-cooked pork and Korean fried hen had been the show-stoppers!
Sligo, Eire is a hidden gem on the west coast, providing gorgeous landscapes and a wealthy cultural heritage. In case you’re planning a go to, listed here are the perfect issues to do in Sligo:
1. Discover one of many Benbulben hikes / trails
In case you’re up for a problem and breathtaking views, don’t miss the chance to climb Benbulben Mountain, it’s the most effective issues to do in Sligo. Reaching the summit itself is a reasonably difficult hike however there are different choices (listed under) that may help you benefit from the views at a extra leisurely tempo.
- Benbulben Summit (6km spherical journey): The most well-liked hike to the summit of Benbulbin is through the Gortarowey Path. From the summit, you’ll be rewarded with gorgeous panoramic views of the encircling countryside, together with Sligo Bay and the Atlantic Ocean. Pack for the climate – it may be windy and uncovered up there!
- Gleniff Horseshoe (10km loop): This looped path presents breathtaking views of Benbulbin and the encircling valleys. The path is reasonably difficult and takes you thru diverse terrain, together with lush forests and open moorland.
- Benbulbin Forest Stroll (5km loop): This light stroll via Benbulbin Forest means that you can immerse within the woodland and luxuriate in epic views of Benbulben as a backdrop. Sometimes takes 1.5-2 hours.
2. Take the scenic drive as much as Eagles Rock
If climbing isn’t your factor, concern not. So a lot of Sligo’s unimaginable surrounding landscapes might be loved from the consolation of your automobile and easily driving across the lush inexperienced landscapes is among the greatest issues to do in Sligo.
It is best to think about taking the scenic route alongside the Dartry Mountains, passing Eagles Rock viewpoint, which presents panoramic views of Benbulbin and the encircling panorama.
An alternative choice is to drive round Mullaghmore Head (you’ll be able to drive proper across the shoreline) after which the street again to Sligo provides fairly superior views of Benbulbin Mountain. You may lengthen the journey by driving via among the aspect roads to get views just like the one pictured under!
3. Discover Sligo’s Tradition and Historical past
Immerse your self in Sligo’s wealthy cultural heritage while you’re right here! There’s SO a lot to see and study.
Start your journey by stepping again in time at Carrowmore Megalithic Cemetery, an expansive website that holds the secrets and techniques of historical rituals and beliefs.
Proceed your exploration on the historic Sligo Abbey, a medieval friary that gives a glimpse into the lifetime of the previous. You may wander via the well-preserved ruins and let your creativeness transport you to a bygone period of knights and monks. Then there’s the pilgrimage to Drumcliffe Churchyard, the place legendary poet W.B. Yeats rests in everlasting peace. The enduring and postcard backdrop of Benbulben Mountain provides an ethereal contact to your go to, as you’re taking a second to mirror on his timeless phrases.
4. Benefit from the world-famous waves rolling in at Mullaghmore Head
The very best time for browsing (should you’re skilled) or watching the surf at Mullaghmore Head is through the winter months when Atlantic swells are at their peak.
Skilled surfers journey from around the globe to take in the towering cliffs right here, the rugged surroundings, and the highly effective Atlantic waves. Nonetheless, you can too benefit from the gorgeous great thing about Mullaghmore Head year-round by climbing alongside the coastal trails and marvelling on the majestic Classiebawn Fort (pictured under).
5. Expertise St. Patrick’s Day in Sligo!
Sligo is famend for its vibrant festivals and there are just a few to select from within the calendar! Among the finest issues to do in Sligo is to expertise The Sligo Reside Music Competition, held in October, bringing collectively famend musicians for an unimaginable week of reside performances throughout varied venues within the metropolis.
One other one which I simply skilled myself, is St. Patrick’s Day. Yearly on March 17, throughout Eire you’ll discover cities and communities coming collectively to have a good time within the type of parades, music and events.
St. Patrick’s Day in Sligo was unimaginable!! That they had a stage within the centre of city with reside music all weekend, the entire city received concerned with the St.Paddys Day parade, pubs had been crammed with native Irish expertise and the city was 50 shades of inexperienced! There was enjoyable and conventional Irish dancing round each nook and it was so superior to expertise.
I’d say the most effective issues to do in Sligo is to time your go to with Paddy’s Day!
6. Surf the Wild Atlantic Waves
Browsing is among the greatest issues to do in Sligo as its shoreline is a haven for surfers of all talents.
There’s no higher approach to begin the day than immersing your self within the ocean after which grabbing a freshly roasted espresso!
Head to Mullaghmore, Strandhill, Easky, or Streedagh to get out within the surf and expertise the Wild Atlantic waves. In case you’re a newbie, you’ll be able to rent gear and take surf classes with native surf colleges (I extremely advocate Rebelle Surf in Strandhill). For the extra superior surfers, Mullaghmore is famend for its enormous waves!
In case you surf in Strandhill, you should definitely seize breakfast at Shell’s Cafe afterwards!
7. Get pleasure from Pub-Crawling in Sligo
Immerse your self in Eire’s beer tradition by happening a pub crawl, it’s unquestionably the most effective issues to do in Sligo.
Pattern native brews, tuck into an iconic Guinness, and absorb the nice and cozy and hospitable pub environment that Eire does so properly. Hopping across the pubs in Sligo is a pleasant approach to meet new folks, chat with the locals and expertise the colourful pub tradition.
Connolly’s Bar is a well-liked spot for an genuine Irish pub expertise – it’s additionally mentioned to serve the perfect Guinness in Eire! You’ll need to let me know! Shoot the Crows is one other great place and Fiddlers Creek.
8. Chill out at Voya Seaweed Baths on Strandhill Seashore
For a singular and rejuvenating expertise, the most effective issues to do in Sligo is to go to Voya Seaweed Baths.
Immerse in pure wellness and restore your vitality after an evening in town or an enormous hike. Their baths, infused with hand-harvested Irish seaweed, present therapeutic advantages for the pores and skin and physique, selling deep rest, remineralisation and cleansing. Seaweed remedy is a centuries-old custom that may go away you glowing and nourished from the within out.
We booked a 2 individual spa room that had two seaweed baths and a steam room. We then had a 50-minute session to take pleasure in earlier than placing on our robes and heading to the relief room the place we lay on the spa beds and loved views throughout the seashore with natural tea and water.
9. Hen-Watching at Sligo’s Nature Reserves
Sligo is a paradise for hen watchers with its numerous vary of habitats that entice quite a few hen species. In case you love nature, visiting nature reserves like Lough Gill, the place you’ll be able to spot quite a lot of waterfowl and wading birds is among the greatest issues to do in Sligo.
- Head to the Caves of Kesh to look at raptors hovering within the skies.
- The Sligo Bay Estuary is one other great place for bird-watching, particularly throughout migratory seasons when you’ll be able to see uncommon species passing via.
10. Ebook a yoga class or sound tub at Salt And Soul Studio
There are such a lot of bodily demanding adventures and actions to interact in while in Sligo, you’re spoilt for selection.
In case you’re seeking to stability out your physique, get a full-body stretch in and restore on an lively and religious stage, there’s a stunning little studio I’d extremely advocate – Salt and Soul.
The gorgeous studio the place you’ll be able to breathe transfer and play isn’t too removed from Strandhill they usually supply quite a lot of courses and immersions to swimsuit any stage of Yogi. This was the proper praise to a morning within the water! Ebook a category right here.
11. Go to one in all Sligos Market
In case you’re in search of an genuine style of Sligo and wish to strive some native produce, don’t miss the Sligo Markets! Right here’s just a few to discover throughout your time in Sligo:
- Head over to Rathcormac Nation Market, a hidden gem the place you’ll be able to uncover do-it-yourself items and native crafts. From freshly baked pastries to stunning artisanal merchandise, this market exudes allure and heat.
- Beltra Nation Market, located within the picturesque village of Beltra, presents a pleasant mixture of native produce, baked items, and handmade crafts. Don’t miss the chance to discover the stalls and meet the pleasant distributors.
- Drummartin Market, nestled within the serene countryside, is a real gem. It options contemporary produce, do-it-yourself treats, and distinctive crafts.
12. Get pleasure from a sundown sauna and sea dip at Sizzling Field Saunas
Sizzling Field Saunas in Sligo are the most effective issues to do should you love a panorama and also you’re into your cold and warm remedy.
You may ebook a slot to benefit from the wood-fired saunas they usually even have additionally a chilly plunge (pictured under). The saunas are positioned proper on the water so there may be easy accessibility to the ocean to alternate your temperature immersion.
The mix of intense warmth from the sauna and invigorating chilly plunges gives quite a few well being advantages, together with improved circulation, decreased irritation, and enhanced psychological readability. It’s the most effective issues to do in Sligo as a result of it’s not climate dependant! Maybe wet day exercise should you’re caught with issues to do in Sligo!
Have you ever been to Sligo?
What are the perfect issues to do in Sligo? Something you’d add to this Sligo bucket checklist?
Love as at all times and comfortable adventuring…