Slea Head Drive: Best Stops & Route in Dingle

If you’re looking for one of the most scenic drives in Ireland, the Slea Head Drive should be at the top of your list!

Located on the Dingle Peninsula in County Kerry, this stunning coastal route will have you driving past rugged cliffs, sandy beaches, historic sites, and some of the most breathtaking views in southwest Ireland.

The Slea Head Drive is one of the best ways to experience the beauty of the Dingle Peninsula, and there are so many incredible stops to make along the way. Make sure to check out my Ultimate Guide to the Dingle Peninsula so you feel fully prepared before you visit!

In this guide, I’ll take you through the best Slea Head Drive stops, the route and map, how long you need, and all my favourite spots!

Let’s go! 🇮🇪

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Slea Head Drive Map & Route

The Slea Head Drive is one of my favourite drives in Ireland! When we set out for this adventure, I honestly didn’t know much about the drive or Dingle in general; I just knew it was supposed to be pretty lol.

What I found was a stunning drive that has stuck with me, and it’s now the first place I recommend people visit during their time in Ireland.

Located on the western end of the Dingle Peninsula in County Kerry, the Slea Head Drive is a scenic loop that takes you along some of the most beautiful coastline in Ireland!

The route begins and ends in Dingle Town. The full loop is around 44-47 km (27-29 miles), depending on the exact route and stops you include. Don’t let the relatively short distance fool you, there is SO much to see along the way, so you’ll want to give yourself plenty of time to explore.

I’ve included my Slea Head Drive route below so you can get a better idea of how the loop works and where the main stops are located.

I recommend driving the Slea Head Drive clockwise, starting in Dingle and heading towards Ventry.

The roads get narrow in places, so following the marked route and taking your time is important. Trust me, you’re going to want to take your time anyway because there are views around practically every corner that will have you wanting to pull over for another photo!

If you’re planning on driving the Slea Head Drive, I recommend renting a car so you have the freedom to stop wherever you like along the route. You can look at cars here.

Best Stops on the Slea Head Drive

This is where the Slea Head Drive starts to shine. There are so many beautiful stops along the route. One of our favourite things was just picking random spots on Google Maps around the peninsula and seeing what was there!

I wouldn’t recommend trying to see everything in one go, especially if you’re only spending one day on the Dingle Peninsula. Instead, these are the stops I’d prioritise on your Slea Head Drive…

1.) Ventry Beach

Your first major stop after leaving Dingle is Ventry Beach, a beautiful long stretch of sand overlooking Ventry Harbour.

I loved the sauna overlooking the beach, and if you’re visiting in the summer, I would defiantly recommend going for a little sea swim/sauna mix! This is a great place to relax and settle into the drive.

Don’t miss stopping at Penny’s Pottery as you drive into town. Penny’s not only has an adorable café with delicious treats, but also sells handmade pottery, making the perfect souvenir and a great way to support local art!

2.) Fahan Beehive Huts

As you continue west from Ventry, you’ll come across the Fahan Beehive Huts. This is a collection of ancient dry stone structures built using the traditional corbelling technique.

Make sure to bring €4 in cash for the entrance fee. They have a card reader, but sometimes the signal can be a little unreliable. They also have a little parking lot across from the entrance for a safe place to pull over.

This is a cute historic stop that makes you feel like you have stepped back in time! You won’t need too long here, but it’s still worth the visit.

About two minutes down the road you’ll also see signs to “Hold a baby Lamb.” If holding a lamb is on your Ireland bucket list, this is a great place to do so!

3.) Slea Head

Obviously, you can’t drive the Slea Head Drive without stopping at the Slea Head itself!

My personal favourite lookout point is Ceann Sléibhe. It’s right on the point and is a beautiful and safe spot to get good photos of the coastline and cliffs.

This will be one of the most dramatic viewpoints on the entire route, with incredible views across the Atlantic towards the Blasket Islands. The area has also been used as a filming location for Star Wars!

If you want to visit the Blasket Islands, I recommend this boat tour! It’s a great way to see the island and local wildlife!

4.) Coumeenoole Beach

Coumeenoole Beach is probably one of the most recognisable stops on the Slea Head Drive, and for good reason! Coumeenoole Beach was the place where I realised just how powerful and kind of scary the ocean can be.

This tiny beach is tucked beneath the cliffs on the western tip of the peninsula. The beach has an incredible view of the Atlantic and the islands.

I’d definitely recommend getting out of the car and spending some time here. Carefully make your way down to the beach and witness the power of the ocean and just how tall the cliffs are for yourself!

Just be careful here and remember that the Atlantic can have very strong currents and waves. I’d treat Coumeenoole more as a scenic stop than a swimming beach.

5.) Dunquin Pier

If you know me, then you’ve probably heard me rave about how much I love the Dunquin Pier!

The famous winding dock leading down towards the water is such a magical feeling. It’s so rugged and wild, making you really embrace the Wild Atlantic Way feeling.

This is also a great place to grab a coffee and a treat from Cúpan, where the views are beautiful and on clear days you can see the Blasket Islands!

I have over 500+ hidden gems across Ireland in my Full Hidden Gem Map, if you want to find more local favourite around the Dingle Peninsula make sure to check it out!

6.) Clogher Strand

After Dunquin, continue around the coast towards Clogher Strand.

This is another gorgeous stretch of beach where you can take a break from the more popular attractions. This would be a great example of why you can’t treat the Slea Head Drive like a checklist. Some of the best moments come from stopping at smaller places like this!

I would pack some snacks or a lunch to have a little picnic here. This is the perfect place to slow down for a second and just take in the vastness of the ocean.

7.) Gallarus Oratory

Further along the route, you’ll reach Gallarus Oratory, one of the most famous early Christian sites on the Dingle Peninsula.

This is a small, boat-shaped stone building thought to date back to the early medieval period. The Slea Head route will take you through this area on the way back to Dingle, so this makes a nice little stop to add to your itinerary.

I loved how much early history is found in this area of Ireland. Even if you’re not a huge history buff, it’s still quite impressive and worth learning a bit about the history of Dingle!

8.) Brandon Creek

If you still have time and energy towards the end of your drive, Brandon Creek is another worthwhile stop!

This is a quieter stop than some of the other famous viewpoints, which makes it a nice way to finish the scenic portion of the drive before heading back into town.

Carrying on with our history theme, local tradition says this was the legendary starting point for St. Brendan’s voyage to America centuries before Columbus!

Slea Head Drive Itinerary

Wondering how to fit this all into one itinerary? Don’t worry, let’s break it down!

For me, the perfect Slea Head Drive itinerary is less about sticking to a strict schedule and more about giving yourself enough time to stop whenever something catches your eye. That being said, this is how I would plan my day…

Planning two days in Dingle? I’d use the first day for the Slea Head Drive itself, then use your second day to explore some of the other incredible places around the Dingle Peninsula!

If you have time in Ireland, make sure to check out my full 10-Day Ireland Itinerary where I naturally work Dingle into your road trip!

What You Need to Know Before Driving the Slea Head Drive

Before you set off, there are a few important things I wish every first-time visitor knew about driving the Slea Head Drive. Here are things everyone should know before hitting the road…

Where to Stay for the Slea Head Drive

If you’re planning to do the Slea Head Drive, I’d recommend staying in Dingle Town. This makes a very easy starting point, especially if you’re only visiting for a couple of days.

Dingle Town is also a convenient base for exploring the rest of the peninsula, with restaurants, pubs, and accommodation all close by!

I go in depth on accommodation in my full Where to Stay in Dingle Guide!

Do be aware that bookings can fill up fast during peak seasons, so I recommend booking your hotel as soon as you know your travel dates. Here are a couple of my favourite places to stay…

Don’t know where you want to stay yet? This map will let you compare prices and locations to find the best fit for your needs! You can even adjust the dates/times or book directly through the map.

Slea Head Drive FAQ

Final Thoughts

The Slea Head Drive is easily one of my favourite ways to experience the Dingle Peninsula! It’s the place I recommend everyone add to their Ireland itinerary, and the place I love to return to.

My biggest piece of advice: truly try not to rush! There’s so much to see along the drive, and it can almost feel overwhelming. Just pick a handful of your favourite things and take the time to enjoy the journey!

If you’re planning a trip to Dingle, make sure to check out my Ultimate Guide to Dingle for more ideas on where to stay, what to do, and how to plan your time in one of my favourite places in Ireland!

Now all that’s left is to start planning! 🇮🇪

Safe Travels! – Olive Grace

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