Ring of Kerry★★★
The Ring of Kerry is Ireland's most famous panoramic road — 179 kilometers around the Iveragh Peninsula, past rugged coasts, emerald green valleys, medieval ruins, and viewpoints that take your breath away. The route connects Killarney in the east with Kenmare in the south and passes through villages like Caherciveen, Waterville, Sneem, and Portmagee.
The highlights along the route:
- Ladies View — A viewpoint over the Lakes of Killarney, named because Queen Victoria's ladies-in-waiting squealed with delight here in 1861
- Moll's Gap — Dramatic mountain pass with views over the Black Valley
- Staigue Fort — A 2,500-year-old ring fort, one of the best-preserved Iron Age forts in Ireland
- Derrynane Beach — One of the most beautiful beaches in Ireland, with fine sand and turquoise water (yes, even in Ireland!)
- Valentia Island — Accessible by bridge, with the Skellig Experience Centre and views of the Skellig Islands
- Kerry Cliffs — Less known than the Cliffs of Moher, but similarly spectacular and with views of the Skellig Islands (€4)
Direction: The tour buses travel the route counterclockwise (from Killarney via Killorglin). For a more stress-free experience, drive clockwise (from Killarney via Kenmare) — this way you meet the buses on the wider road sections and have the narrow passages to yourself.
Plan a full day (at least 8 hours), better two, for the Ring of Kerry. The road is winding and narrow, and the temptation to stop for a photo every ten minutes is great. To avoid the crowds, take the Skellig Ring — a lesser-known loop off the main route via Portmagee and Valentia Island.
💡 Tipp
The Kerry Way (214 km long-distance hiking trail) roughly follows the route of the Ring of Kerry but leads over mountain passes and through valleys invisible from the car. Individual stages (Killarney–Black Valley, Caherdaniel–Sneem) can be done as day hikes and offer a completely different Kerry experience than the road version.
