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Bantry itineraries

Bantry Itineraries

Half a day or a full weekend. Here are the best ways to spend your time in Bantry, planned step by step.

Whether you have a few hours or a full weekend to explore, these itineraries give you a local’s route through Bantry. Each one links directly to the restaurants and activities along the way.

A Half-Day in Bantry Town·Half dayA Full Day: Sheep's Head Way and the Friday Market·Full dayGateway Day: Glengarriff and Garnish Island·Full day

A Half-Day in Bantry Town

Half dayYear-round

Bantry House and the hundred steps, a walk down to the harbour, and lunch in town. A compact introduction if you only have a morning or afternoon.

First timersHistory loversCouples
  1. 1
    Morning·1.5 to 2 hours

    Bantry House & Gardens

    Start at Bantry House, on the hill just west of the town centre. Tour the house, walk the formal gardens, and climb the hundred stone steps for the best view over the bay to Whiddy Island. Estate opens 10am, last admission 4:30pm.

    View Bantry House & Gardens
  2. 2
    Midday·30 minutes

    Down to the harbour

    Walk or drive back into town and down to the Quay, where the working harbour and the fishing boats give a real sense of Bantry as a working town rather than a museum piece.

  3. 3
    Lunch·

    Lunch on the harbour or New Street

    Eat at The Quays Bar or The Brick Oven right on the water, or head to New Street for Teasy's Bistro or Wild Garlic at Fado.

    View The Quays Bar

A Full Day: Sheep's Head Way and the Friday Market

Full dayspring-to-autumn

The first stage of the Sheep's Head Way in the morning, the Friday market in the afternoon if the timing lines up, and dinner in town.

WalkersFood loversActive visitors
  1. 1
    Morning·2 to 5 hours depending on distance

    Walk out along the Sheep's Head Way

    Start at the trailhead near Wolfe Tone Square and walk out along the first stage toward Glanlough for as long as suits your fitness and time, then turn back the way you came unless you have arranged transport at the far end. Even an hour or two out and back gives real bay views.

    View Sheep's Head Way (Bantry to Glanlough stage)
  2. 2
    Midday·1 hour

    Bantry Market (Fridays only)

    If your visit lands on a Friday, spend an hour at the market on Wolfe Tone Square, said to be the biggest in County Cork, for cheese, baking, produce and crafts. On other days, spend the time at Bantry House instead.

  3. 3
    Evening·

    Dinner in town

    Round off with dinner at The Ocean Restaurant at The Maritime Hotel for something more formal, or The Brick Oven for a relaxed finish.

    View The Ocean Restaurant at The Maritime Hotel

Gateway Day: Glengarriff and Garnish Island

Full dayspring-to-autumn

Use Bantry as a base for a day trip north: Glengarriff's woodland walks and the ferry out to Garnish Island's gardens, back to Bantry for the evening.

Day trippersGarden loversFamilies
  1. 1
    Morning·1 hour

    Drive to Glengarriff

    A short drive north from Bantry on the N71 to Glengarriff. Walk part of Glengarriff Nature Reserve's sessile oak woodland trails, such as the Riverside Walk, before the ferry crossing.

  2. 2
    Late morning·2 to 3 hours including the crossing

    Ferry to Garnish Island

    Take the ferry from Glengarriff Pier out to Garnish Island for its Italianate gardens and Martello tower, keeping an eye out for seals around Seal Island on the crossing. Ferries run roughly every half hour in season.

  3. 3
    Afternoon·30 minutes

    Back to Bantry

    Return to Bantry for the evening. If time allows, stop at the Wild Atlantic View lookout above Seskin on the way back into town for a last look over the bay.

    View Wild Atlantic View, Seskin

Ready to plan your visit?

Check tide times and the weather forecast before you head out.

Planning Tips & Packing GuideGetting to Bantry