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 one of the best spots and locations I’d advocate in your Sligo journey. On this weblog put up, I’ll share one of the best issues to do in Sligo, one of the best locations to eat and one of the best locations to absorb the unbelievable 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 can go away your coronary heart and tummy very glad. However greater than that, Sligo is the proper base location for exploring the Wild Atlantic Manner, 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’ll be able to immerse your self within the native traditions, native delicacies, discover historic 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 crammed 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 motive for visiting. Summer time (June to August) affords gentle temperatures averaging round 15-20°C so if you happen to’re eager on hikes and outside actions, this might be time to plan to go to. Nevertheless on the flip facet, spring and autumn present fewer crowds and you will get higher offers on flights and lodging.
Winter will be chilly with temperatures round 5-10°C however nonetheless satisfying if you happen to pack nicely as there may be nonetheless loads 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 circumstances, although browsing is feasible year-round and for newcomers – the summer season could also be a greater possibility.
Contemplate timing your go to with an annual occasion just like the Sligo Dwell Music Competition, Sligo St. Patrick’s Day and Fleadh Cheoil. Many others all year long add cultural appeal to your go to! The Irish positive know how one can throw a celebration!
In the end, for one of the 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 Resort throughout our keep in Sligo. It was an insane location to have as a base. Proper on River Sligo, strolling distance from all one of the 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 resort friends!
The most effective locations to eat and drink in Sligo
We skilled some unbelievable food and drinks throughout our time in Sligo. I needed to make just a little part right here for suggestions!
Eala Bhan £££
Situated in an enthralling riverside setting, Eala Bhan affords 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 Seaside, Shell’s Café affords beautiful views and healthful dishes like selfmade soups, connoisseur sandwiches, and freshly baked items. Wonderful takeaway espresso and bakery within the store too!
Hargadon Bros £
A brilliant enjoyable pub with nice Guinness stew!
Lillie’s Cocktail Bar ££
A beautiful cosy spot to seize a cocktail and a few dwell music! Pornstar martinis have been fab!
Otto Pizza ££
Greatest pizza on the town! Wow. Horny vibes, Neapolitan pizzas and small plates. Nice date evening spot!
Thomas Connolly Bar £
Supposedly one of the best Guinness in Eire! It needs to 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 advisable 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 outside exercise!
Hooked ££
Casual riverside restaurant with domestically sourced and scrumptious meals! I’d say they do their Asian dishes finest! The slow-cooked pork and Korean fried hen have been the show-stoppers!
Sligo, Eire is a hidden gem on the west coast, providing beautiful landscapes and a wealthy cultural heritage. In case you’re planning a go to, listed below are one of the best 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 among the best issues to do in Sligo. Reaching the summit itself is a reasonably difficult hike however there are different choices (listed under) that can will let 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 by way of 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 assorted terrain, together with lush forests and open moorland.
- Benbulbin Forest Stroll (5km loop): This light stroll by means of Benbulbin Forest means that you can 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 mountaineering isn’t your factor, worry not. So lots of Sligo’s unbelievable surrounding landscapes will be loved from the consolation of your automobile and easily driving across the lush inexperienced landscapes is without doubt one of the finest issues to do in Sligo.
You need to contemplate 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’ll be able to drive proper across the shoreline) after which the street again to Sligo provides fairly superior views of Benbulbin Mountain. You’ll be able to prolong the journey by driving by means of a few of 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 study.
Start your journey by stepping again in time at Carrowmore Megalithic Cemetery, an expansive web site that holds the secrets and techniques of historic 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’ll be able to wander by means 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 enduring and postcard backdrop of Benbulben Mountain provides an ethereal contact to your go to, as you’re taking a second to replicate on his timeless phrases.
4. Benefit from the world-famous waves rolling in at Mullaghmore Head
The most effective time for browsing (if you happen to’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 all over the world to absorb the towering cliffs right here, the rugged surroundings, and the highly effective Atlantic waves. Nevertheless, you may as well benefit from the beautiful fantastic thing about Mullaghmore Head year-round by mountaineering alongside the coastal trails and marvelling on the majestic Classiebawn Citadel (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! Probably the greatest issues to do in Sligo is to expertise The Sligo Dwell Music Competition, held in October, bringing collectively famend musicians for an unbelievable week of dwell 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 fun within the type of parades, music and events.
St. Patrick’s Day in Sligo was unbelievable!! That they had a stage within the centre of city with dwell music all weekend, the entire city received concerned with the St.Paddys Day parade, pubs have 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 among the best issues to do in Sligo is to time your go to with Paddy’s Day!
6. Surf the Wild Atlantic Waves
Browsing is without doubt one of the finest issues to do in Sligo as its shoreline is a haven for surfers of all talents.
There’s no higher method 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, make sure to seize breakfast at Shell’s Cafe afterwards!
7. Get pleasure from Pub-Crawling in Sligo
Immerse your self in Eire’s beer tradition by occurring a pub crawl, it’s indubitably among the best 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 nicely. Hopping across the pubs in Sligo is a pleasant method 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 one of the best Guinness in Eire! You’ll should let me know! Shoot the Crows is one other great place and Fiddlers Creek.
8. Calm down at Voya Seaweed Baths on Strandhill Seaside
For a singular and rejuvenating expertise, among the best 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 can 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 comfort room the place we lay on the spa beds and loved views throughout the seaside 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 entice quite a few chicken species. In case you love nature, visiting nature reserves like Lough Gill, the place you’ll be able to spot a wide range of waterfowl and wading birds is without doubt one of the finest 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’ll be able to see uncommon species passing by means of.
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 have interaction in while in Sligo, you’re spoilt for alternative.
In case you’re trying to steadiness out your physique, get a full-body stretch in and restore on an brisk and non secular 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 is just not too removed from Strandhill they usually supply a wide range 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 looking for an genuine style of Sligo and need 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 selfmade 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, selfmade 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 best issues to do if you happen to love a panorama and also you’re into your cold and hot remedy.
You’ll be able to e book 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 may be easy accessibility 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 among the best issues to do in Sligo as a result of it’s not climate dependant! Maybe wet day exercise if you happen to’re caught with issues to do in Sligo!
Have you ever been to Sligo?
What are one of the best issues to do in Sligo? Something you’d add to this Sligo bucket record?
Love as all the time and glad adventuring…
