Welcome to your Sligo journey information.
Sligo is a hidden gem on Ireland‘s stunning west coast and after just spending a long weekend there, I am so excited to share all the best spots and places I’d advocate to your Sligo journey. In this weblog submit, I’ll share the very best issues to do in Sligo, the very best locations to eat and the very best locations to take in the unimaginable Irish historical past and tradition.
Located 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 can depart your coronary heart and tummy very glad. But greater than that, Sligo is the right base location for exploring the Wild Atlantic Way, 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 can immerse your self within the native traditions, native delicacies, discover historical Celtic websites, and go to landmarks related 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 stuffed with a plethora of fantastic meals and journey.
Continue studying for all my greatest issues to do in Sligo!
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The greatest time to go to Sligo?
The greatest time to go to Sligo, Ireland, is determined by your pursuits and purpose for visiting. Summer (June to August) affords gentle temperatures averaging round 15-20°C so should you’re eager on hikes and outside actions, this might be an excellent time to plan to go to. However on the flip aspect, spring and autumn present fewer crowds and you may get higher offers on flights and lodging.
Winter could be chilly with temperatures round 5-10°C however nonetheless gratifying should you pack nicely 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 situations, although browsing is feasible year-round and for newbies – the summer time could also be a greater choice.
Consider timing your go to with an annual occasion just like the Sligo Live Music Festival, Sligo St. Patrick’s Day and Fleadh Cheoil. Many others all year long add cultural appeal to your go to! The Irish certain know how one can throw a celebration!
Ultimately, for the very best 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, outside adventures, or experiencing native festivities.
We stayed at The Glasshouse Hotel throughout our keep in Sligo. It was an insane location to have as a base. Right on River Sligo, strolling distance from all the very best 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 lodge company!
The greatest locations to eat and drink in Sligo
We skilled some unimaginable foods and drinks throughout our time in Sligo. I needed to make just a little part right here for suggestions!
Eala Bhan £££
Located in an enthralling riverside setting, Eala Bhan affords a various menu centered on contemporary seafood and Irish delicacies. Elegant environment and attentive service. One for a memorable eating expertise.
Shell’s Café £
Located on Strandhill Beach, Shell’s Café affords gorgeous views and healthful dishes like home made soups, gourmand sandwiches, and freshly baked items. Amazing takeaway espresso and bakery within the store too!
Hargadon Bros £
An excellent enjoyable pub with nice Guinness stew!
Lillie’s Cocktail Bar ££
A stunning cosy spot to seize a cocktail and a few stay music! Pornstar martinis had been fab!
Otto Pizza ££
Best pizza on the town! Wow. Sexy vibes, Neapolitan pizzas and small plates. Great date night time spot!
Thomas Connolly Bar £
Supposedly the very best Guinness in Ireland! It must be tried!
Milligram Coffee £
Amazing little espresso store with candy treats too. Few indoor seats.
Baker Boys £
Fresh baked good, want I say extra!
Stoked ££
Cocktails and tapas with mates vibes. We didn’t get time to go however had been extremely advisable by many individuals!
The Little Cottage Cafe £
Lovely little cosy cafe with an open hearth able to serve you scorching drinks and meals after an extended stroll or outside exercise!
Hooked ££
Informal riverside restaurant with regionally sourced and scrumptious meals! I might say they do their Asian dishes greatest! The slow-cooked pork and Korean fried hen had been the show-stoppers!
Sligo, Ireland is a hidden gem on the west coast, providing gorgeous landscapes and a wealthy cultural heritage. If you’re planning a go to, listed below are the very best issues to do in Sligo:
1. Explore one of many Benbulben hikes / trails
If you’re up for a problem and breathtaking views, don’t miss the chance to climb Benbulben Mountain, it’s top-of-the-line issues to do in Sligo. Reaching the summit itself is a reasonably difficult hike however there are different choices (listed beneath) that can mean you can benefit from the views at a extra leisurely tempo.
- Benbulben Summit (6km spherical journey): The hottest hike to the summit of Benbulbin is by way of the Gortarowey Trail. From the summit, you’ll be rewarded with gorgeous panoramic views of the encompassing 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 affords breathtaking views of Benbulbin and the encompassing valleys. The path is reasonably difficult and takes you thru different terrain, together with lush forests and open moorland.
- Benbulbin Forest Walk (5km loop): This mild stroll by way of Benbulbin Forest lets you immerse within the woodland and revel in epic views of Benbulben as a backdrop. Typically takes 1.5-2 hours.
2. Take the scenic drive as much as Eagles Rock
If mountaineering isn’t your factor, concern not. So lots of Sligo’s unimaginable surrounding landscapes could be loved from the consolation of your automotive and easily driving across the lush inexperienced landscapes is among the greatest issues to do in Sligo.
You ought to think about taking the scenic route alongside the Dartry Mountains, passing Eagles Rock viewpoint, which affords panoramic views of Benbulbin and the encompassing panorama.
Another choice is to drive round Mullaghmore Head (you may drive proper across the shoreline) after which the street again to Sligo provides fairly superior views of Benbulbin Mountain. You can lengthen the journey by driving by way of a few of the aspect roads to get views just like the one pictured beneath!
3. Explore Sligo’s Culture and History
Immerse your self in Sligo’s wealthy cultural heritage while you’re right here! There’s SO a lot to see and study.
Begin your journey by stepping again in time at Carrowmore Megalithic Cemetery, an expansive web site that holds the secrets and techniques of historical rituals and beliefs.
Continue your exploration on the historic Sligo Abbey, a medieval friary that gives a glimpse into the lifetime of the previous. You can wander by way of 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 iconic and postcard backdrop of Benbulben Mountain provides an ethereal contact to your go to, as you are taking a second to replicate on his timeless phrases.
4. Enjoy the world-famous waves rolling in at Mullaghmore Head
The greatest time for browsing (should you’re skilled) or watching the surf at Mullaghmore Head is in the course of the winter months when Atlantic swells are at their peak.
Experienced surfers journey from world wide to take in the towering cliffs right here, the rugged surroundings, and the highly effective Atlantic waves. However, you may as well benefit from the gorgeous fantastic thing about Mullaghmore Head year-round by mountaineering alongside the coastal trails and marvelling on the majestic Classiebawn Castle (pictured beneath).
5. Experience St. Patrick’s Day in Sligo!
Sligo is famend for its vibrant festivals and there are a number of to select from within the calendar! One of the very best issues to do in Sligo is to expertise The Sligo Live Music Festival, held in October, bringing collectively famend musicians for an unimaginable week of stay performances throughout varied venues within the metropolis.
Another one which I simply skilled myself, is St. Patrick’s Day. Every 12 months on March 17, throughout Ireland you’ll discover cities and communities coming collectively to rejoice within the type of parades, music and events.
St. Patrick’s Day in Sligo was unimaginable!! They had a stage within the centre of city with stay music all weekend, the entire city bought concerned with the St.Paddys Day parade, pubs had been stuffed 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 top-of-the-line issues to do in Sligo is to time your go to with Paddy’s Day!
6. Surf the Wild Atlantic Waves
Surfing is among the greatest issues to do in Sligo as its shoreline is a haven for surfers of all talents.
There’s no higher option 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. If you’re a newbie, you may rent tools 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 big waves!
If you surf in Strandhill, you’ll want to seize breakfast at Shell’s Cafe afterwards!
7. Enjoy Pub-Crawling in Sligo
Immerse your self in Ireland’s beer tradition by occurring a pub crawl, it’s definitely top-of-the-line issues to do in Sligo.
Sample native brews, tuck into an iconic Guinness, and take in the nice and cozy and hospitable pub environment that Ireland does so nicely. Hopping across the pubs in Sligo is a pleasant option to meet new individuals, 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 very best Guinness in Ireland! You’ll should let me know! Shoot the Crows is one other great place and Fiddlers Creek.
8. Relax at Voya Seaweed Baths on Strandhill Beach
For a singular and rejuvenating expertise, top-of-the-line issues to do in Sligo is to go to Voya Seaweed Baths.
Immerse in pure wellness and restore your power after an evening in town or a giant hike. Their baths, infused with hand-harvested Irish seaweed, present therapeutic advantages for the pores and skin and physique, selling deep rest, remineralisation and detoxing. Seaweed remedy is a centuries-old custom that can depart 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 seaside with natural tea and water.
9. Bird-Watching at Sligo’s Nature Reserves
Sligo is a paradise for fowl watchers with its numerous vary of habitats that appeal to quite a few fowl species. If you’re keen on nature, visiting nature reserves like Lough Gill, the place you may spot a wide range of waterfowl and wading birds is among the greatest issues to do in Sligo.
- Head to the Caves of Kesh to watch raptors hovering within the skies.
- The Sligo Bay Estuary is one other great place for bird-watching, particularly throughout migratory seasons when you may see uncommon species passing by way of.
10. Book a yoga class or sound bathtub at Salt And Soul Studio
There are so many bodily demanding adventures and actions to have interaction in while in Sligo, you’re spoilt for selection.
If you’re seeking to stability out your physique, get a full-body stretch in and restore on an lively and non secular degree, there’s a beautiful little studio I’d extremely advocate – Salt and Soul.
The stunning studio the place you may breathe transfer and play will not be too removed from Strandhill they usually supply a wide range of courses and immersions to swimsuit any degree of Yogi. This was the right praise to a morning within the water! Book a category right here.
11. Visit one among Sligos Market
If you’re looking for an genuine style of Sligo and need to strive some native produce, don’t miss the Sligo Markets! Here’s a number of to discover throughout your time in Sligo:
- Head over to Rathcormac Country Market, a hidden gem the place you may uncover home made items and native crafts. From freshly baked pastries to stunning artisanal merchandise, this market exudes appeal and heat.
- Beltra Country Market, located within the picturesque village of Beltra, affords 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, home made treats, and distinctive crafts.
12. Enjoy a sundown sauna and sea dip at Hot Box Saunas
Hot Box Saunas in Sligo are top-of-the-line issues to do should you love a panorama and also you’re into your cold and hot remedy.
You can ebook a slot to benefit from the wood-fired saunas they usually even have additionally a chilly plunge (pictured beneath). The saunas are situated proper on the water so there may be quick access to the ocean to alternate your temperature immersion.
The mixture 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 top-of-the-line issues to do in Sligo as a result of it’s not climate dependant! Perhaps an excellent wet day exercise should you’re caught with issues to do in Sligo!
Have you been to Sligo?
What are the very best issues to do in Sligo? Anything you’d add to this Sligo bucket checklist?
Love as at all times and glad adventuring…