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 very best spots and locations I’d suggest in your Sligo journey. On this weblog put up, I’ll share the very best issues to do in Sligo, the very best locations to eat and the very best locations to absorb 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 joyful. However greater than that, Sligo is the right base location for exploring the Wild Atlantic Method, 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 simple, no-hassle weekend break stuffed with a plethora of fantastic meals and journey.
Proceed studying for all my finest issues to do in Sligo!
Different journey guides we expect you’ll love:
The most effective time to go to Sligo?
The most effective time to go to Sligo, Eire, depends upon your pursuits and purpose for visiting. Summer time (June to August) affords delicate temperatures averaging round 15-20°C so should you’re eager on hikes and outside actions, this may very well be a very good time to plan to go to. Nonetheless on the flip facet, spring and autumn present fewer crowds and you will get higher offers on flights and lodging.
Winter may be chilly with temperatures round 5-10°C however nonetheless gratifying should you pack effectively as there’s nonetheless lots to maintain you occupied (see remainder of put up!). 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 inexperienced persons – the summer time could also be a greater possibility.
Contemplate timing your go to with an annual occasion just like the Sligo Reside Music Pageant, Sligo St. Patrick’s Day and Fleadh Cheoil. Many others all year long add cultural appeal to your go to! The Irish certain know throw a celebration!
Finally, 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.
The most effective locations to eat and drink in Sligo
We skilled some unimaginable food and drinks throughout our time in Sligo. I needed to make just a little part right here for suggestions!
Eala Bhan £££
Situated in a captivating 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 £
Situated on Strandhill Seaside, Shell’s Café affords beautiful views and healthful dishes like home made soups, gourmand sandwiches, and freshly baked items. Wonderful 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 stay music! Pornstar martinis have been fab!
Otto Pizza ££
Finest pizza on the town! Wow. Horny vibes, Neapolitan pizzas and small plates. Nice date evening spot!
Thomas Connolly Bar £
Supposedly the very best Guinness in Eire! It must be tried!
Milligram Espresso £
Wonderful little espresso store with candy treats too. Few indoor seats.
Baker Boys £
Recent baked good, want I say extra!
Stoked ££
Cocktails and tapas with pals vibes. We didn’t get time to go however have been extremely really helpful by many individuals!
The Little Cottage Cafe £
Beautiful little cosy cafe with an open fireplace able to serve you scorching drinks and meals after a protracted stroll or outside exercise!
Hooked ££
Casual riverside restaurant with regionally sourced and scrumptious meals! I might say they do their Asian dishes finest! The slow-cooked pork and Korean fried rooster have been the show-stoppers!
Sligo, Eire is a hidden gem on the west coast, providing beautiful landscapes and a wealthy cultural heritage. For those who’re planning a go to, listed here are the very best issues to do in Sligo:
1. Discover one of many Benbulben hikes / trails
For those who’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 under) that may can help you benefit from the views at a extra leisurely tempo.
- Benbulben Summit (6km spherical journey): The preferred hike to the summit of Benbulbin is through the Gortarowey Path. From the summit, you’ll be rewarded with beautiful 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 Stroll (5km loop): This light stroll via Benbulbin Forest lets you immerse within the woodland and revel 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, worry not. So lots of Sligo’s unimaginable surrounding landscapes may be loved from the consolation of your automobile and easily driving across the lush inexperienced landscapes is likely one of the finest issues to do in Sligo.
You need to take into account taking the scenic route alongside the Dartry Mountains, passing Eagles Rock viewpoint, which affords panoramic views of Benbulbin and the encompassing 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 offers fairly superior views of Benbulbin Mountain. You may prolong the journey by driving via among the facet 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 be taught.
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 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 are taking a second to mirror on his timeless phrases.
4. Benefit from the world-famous waves rolling in at Mullaghmore Head
The most effective 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.
Skilled surfers journey from around the globe to absorb the towering cliffs right here, the rugged surroundings, and the highly effective Atlantic waves. Nonetheless, you too can benefit from the beautiful fantastic thing about Mullaghmore Head year-round by climbing alongside the coastal trails and marvelling on the majestic Classiebawn Fortress (pictured under).
5. Expertise St. Patrick’s Day in Sligo!
Sligo is famend for its vibrant festivals and there are a couple of to select from within the calendar! Among the best issues to do in Sligo is to expertise The Sligo Reside Music Pageant, held in October, bringing collectively famend musicians for an unimaginable week of stay performances throughout numerous 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 fun within the type of parades, music and events.
St. Patrick’s Day in Sligo was unimaginable!! They’d a stage within the centre of city with stay music all weekend, the entire city acquired concerned with the St.Paddys Day parade, pubs have 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
Browsing is likely one of the finest issues to do in Sligo as its shoreline is a haven for surfers of all talents.
There’s no higher strategy 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. For those who’re a newbie, you’ll be able to rent tools and take surf classes with native surf faculties (I extremely suggest Rebelle Surf in Strandhill). For the extra superior surfers, Mullaghmore is famend for its enormous waves!
For those who surf in Strandhill, remember to seize breakfast at Shell’s Cafe afterwards!
7. Take pleasure in Pub-Crawling in Sligo
Immerse your self in Eire’s beer tradition by happening a pub crawl, it’s no doubt top-of-the-line issues to do in Sligo.
Pattern native brews, tuck into an iconic Guinness, and take in the nice and cozy and hospitable pub environment that Eire does so effectively. Hopping across the pubs in Sligo is a pleasant strategy 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 very best Guinness in Eire! You’ll need to let me know! Shoot the Crows is one other great place and Fiddlers Creek.
8. Loosen up at Voya Seaweed Baths on Strandhill Seaside
For a novel 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 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 get pleasure from 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. Chook-Watching at Sligo’s Nature Reserves
Sligo is a paradise for chicken watchers with its numerous vary of habitats that appeal to quite a few chicken species. For those who 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 likely one of the finest 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. 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.
For those who’re trying to stability 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 gorgeous studio the place you’ll be able to breathe transfer and play is just not too removed from Strandhill they usually supply quite a lot of courses and immersions to swimsuit any degree of Yogi. This was the right praise to a morning within the water! Guide a category right here.
11. Go to one among Sligos Market
For those who’re looking for an genuine style of Sligo and need to strive some native produce, don’t miss the Sligo Markets! Right here’s a couple of to discover throughout your time in Sligo:
- Head over to Rathcormac Nation Market, a hidden gem the place you’ll be able to uncover home made items and native crafts. From freshly baked pastries to stunning artisanal merchandise, this market exudes appeal and heat.
- Beltra Nation 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. Take pleasure in a sundown sauna and sea dip at Scorching Field Saunas
Scorching Field Saunas in Sligo are top-of-the-line issues to do should you love a panorama and also you’re into your cold and warm remedy.
You may guide a slot to benefit from the wood-fired saunas they usually even have additionally a chilly plunge (pictured under). The saunas are situated proper on the water so there’s 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! Maybe a very good wet day exercise should you’re caught with issues to do in Sligo!
Have you ever been to Sligo?
What are the very best issues to do in Sligo? Something you’d add to this Sligo bucket listing?
Love as at all times and joyful adventuring…
