Welcome to your Sligo journey information.
Sligo is a hidden gem on Eire‘s beautiful west coast and after simply spending a protracted weekend there, I’m so excited to share all the perfect spots and locations I’d suggest to your Sligo journey. On this weblog publish, I’ll share the perfect issues to do in Sligo, the perfect locations to eat and the perfect locations to take in the unbelievable Irish historical past and tradition.
Positioned 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 recent seafood, conventional Irish dishes, and a rising craft beer and whiskey tradition that can depart your coronary heart and tummy very blissful. However greater than that, Sligo is the proper base location for exploring the Wild Atlantic Means, 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 possibly 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 simple, no-hassle weekend break stuffed with a plethora of fantastic meals and journey.
Proceed studying for all my greatest issues to do in Sligo!
Different journey guides we predict you’ll love:
The perfect time to go to Sligo?
The perfect time to go to Sligo, Eire, will depend on your pursuits and motive for visiting. Summer season (June to August) presents delicate temperatures averaging round 15-20°C so in case you’re eager on hikes and out of doors actions, this might be a very good time to plan to go to. Nevertheless on the flip facet, 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 in case you pack effectively as there may be nonetheless loads to maintain you occupied (see remainder of publish!). Surfers are inclined to flock to Sligo within the autumn and winter months for optimum wave circumstances, although browsing is feasible year-round and for newbies – the summer time could also be a greater possibility.
Contemplate 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 positive know the best way 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 many of the actions on this information! Oh they usually have FREE underground parking too for resort visitors!
The perfect locations to eat and drink in Sligo
We skilled some unbelievable foods and drinks throughout our time in Sligo. I needed to make a little bit part right here for suggestions!
Eala Bhan £££
Positioned in an enthralling riverside setting, Eala Bhan presents a various menu centered on recent seafood and Irish delicacies. Elegant ambiance and attentive service. One for a memorable eating expertise.
Shell’s Café £
Positioned on Strandhill Seashore, Shell’s Café presents beautiful views and healthful dishes like do-it-yourself soups, gourmand sandwiches, and freshly baked items. Superb takeaway espresso and bakery within the store too!
Hargadon Bros £
A brilliant enjoyable pub with nice Guinness stew!
Lillie’s Cocktail Bar ££Â
A stunning 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 must be tried!
Milligram Espresso £
Superb little espresso store with candy treats too. Few indoor seats.
Baker Boys £
Recent baked good, want I say extra!
Stoked ££
Cocktails and tapas with mates vibes. We didn’t get time to go however had been extremely really useful by many individuals!
The Little Cottage Cafe £
Pretty little cosy cafe with an open hearth able to serve you scorching drinks and meals after a protracted stroll or out of doors exercise!
Hooked ££
Casual riverside restaurant with regionally 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 beautiful landscapes and a wealthy cultural heritage. Should you’re planning a go to, listed below are the perfect issues to do in Sligo:
1. Discover one of many Benbulben hikes / trails
Should you’re up for a problem and breathtaking views, don’t miss the chance to climb Benbulben Mountain, it’s among the finest issues to do in Sligo. Reaching the summit itself is a reasonably difficult hike however there are different choices (listed beneath) that can 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 beautiful 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 different terrain, together with lush forests and open moorland.
- Benbulbin Forest Stroll (5km loop): This mild stroll by Benbulbin Forest permits you to 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 mountaineering isn’t your factor, concern not. So a lot of Sligo’s unbelievable surrounding landscapes might 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 need to take into account 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 possibly can drive proper across the shoreline) after which the street again to Sligo provides fairly superior views of Benbulbin Mountain. You possibly can prolong the journey by driving by a few of the facet roads to get views just like the one pictured beneath!
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 web site that holds the secrets and techniques of historical rituals and beliefs.
Proceed your exploration on the historic Sligo Abbey, a medieval friary that provides a glimpse into the lifetime of the previous. You possibly can wander by 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 long-lasting and postcard backdrop of Benbulben Mountain provides an ethereal contact to your go to, as you are taking a second to mirror on his timeless phrases.
4. Benefit from the world-famous waves rolling in at Mullaghmore Head
The perfect time for browsing (in case you’re skilled) or watching the surf at Mullaghmore Head is throughout 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. Nevertheless, you may also benefit from the beautiful fantastic thing about Mullaghmore Head year-round by mountaineering alongside the coastal trails and marvelling on the majestic Classiebawn Fort (pictured beneath).
5. Expertise 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! Top-of-the-line issues to do in Sligo is to expertise The Sligo Reside Music Competition, held in October, bringing collectively famend musicians for an unbelievable 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 rejoice within the type of parades, music and events.
St. Patrick’s Day in Sligo was unbelievable!! They’d a stage within the centre of city with reside 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 among the finest 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 solution 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. Should you’re a newbie, you possibly can rent tools and take surf classes with native surf colleges (I extremely suggest Rebelle Surf in Strandhill). For the extra superior surfers, Mullaghmore is famend for its large waves!
Should you surf in Strandhill, make sure you 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 indisputably among the finest issues to do in Sligo.
Pattern native brews, tuck into an iconic Guinness, and absorb the nice and cozy and hospitable pub ambiance that Eire does so effectively. Hopping across the pubs in Sligo is a pleasant solution 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 stated to serve the perfect Guinness in Eire! You’ll should let me know! Shoot the Crows is one other good spot and Fiddlers Creek.
8. Calm down at Voya Seaweed Baths on Strandhill Seashore
For a singular and rejuvenating expertise, among the finest 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 leisure, 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 particular person spa room that had two seaweed baths and a steam room. We then had a 50-minute session to get pleasure from earlier than placing on our robes and heading to the comfort room the place we lay on the spa beds and loved views throughout the seashore with natural tea and water.
9. Chicken-Watching at Sligo’s Nature Reserves
Sligo is a paradise for chicken watchers with its various vary of habitats that appeal to quite a few chicken species. Should you love nature, visiting nature reserves like Lough Gill, the place you possibly can 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 look at raptors hovering within the skies.
- The Sligo Bay Estuary is one other good spot for bird-watching, particularly throughout migratory seasons when you possibly can see uncommon species passing by.
10. Guide a yoga class or sound bathtub at Salt And Soul Studio
There are such a lot of bodily demanding adventures and actions to have interaction in while in Sligo, you’re spoilt for alternative.
Should you’re seeking to steadiness out your physique, get a full-body stretch in and restore on an lively and religious degree, there’s a stunning little studio I’d extremely suggest – Salt and Soul.
The attractive studio the place you possibly can breathe transfer and play shouldn’t be too removed from Strandhill they usually supply a wide range of courses and immersions to go well with any degree of Yogi. This was the proper praise to a morning within the water! Guide a category right here.
11. Go to one in all Sligos Market
Should 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 a number of to discover throughout your time in Sligo:
- Head over to Rathcormac Nation Market, a hidden gem the place you possibly can 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 recent 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 among the finest issues to do in case you love a panorama and also you’re into your cold and hot remedy.
You possibly can guide 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 mix of intense warmth from the sauna and invigorating chilly plunges supplies quite a few well being advantages, together with improved circulation, decreased irritation, and enhanced psychological readability. It’s among the finest issues to do in Sligo as a result of it’s not climate dependant! Maybe a very good wet day exercise in case 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 blissful adventuring…Â