Kerry is a beautiful part of Ireland with sweeping panoramic views. No wonder it is one of the top staycation locations in Ireland. Luckily, there is no shortage of great places to stay in Kerry. When cycling the Ring of Kerry, we alternated between wild camping and B&B’s to maximise comfort as it rained throughout the trip. We made that decision the day our tent got saturated and we couldn’t face sleeping in a wet tent in damp clothes while it was lashing rain outside! No judging please!
I won’t give too much away about our wild camping spots, however, as part of the beauty of wild camping is the adventure of finding a spot to perch your head for the night. If you’re a wild camper, you probably won’t want spoilers! My only advice is not to leave it too late to start looking for a spot, as it can actually take some time. Also, ensure you have enough water to last you from early evening until you get to your first town the next day. Quenching your thirst, cooking and washing uses quite a bit of water.
Check out our top tips for cycling the Ring of Kerry here and we also have a cycling itinerary for the Ring of Kerry.
If you’re wondering where to stay on the Ring of Kerry, here are our top places including hotel, B&B, apartment and campsites:
Reenglas House, Valentia Island
We had a lovely one-night stay in Reenglas House, and would have loved to stay longer. Kieran the host was very obliging, especially with our last-minute booking and our muddy bikes! He also drove us to the centre for dinner as it was lashing rain. This 18th Century house is full of history which the host shared with us. Our full Irish and vegetarian breakfast while overlooking the sea was wonderful. The house is about a 10-minute walk from the main port area which makes it attractive both in the quietness at night-time and accessibility to the centre for dinner. A true hidden gem.
The Lodge, Kenmare
We stayed one night in The Lodge hotel in Kenmare. This was the last night on our Ring of Kerry trip and we were tired and achy. The huge four-poster bed and comfortable room was exactly what we needed! The dark décor may not be everyone’s cup of tea, but the comfort level is great, it was spotlessly clean and the receptionist was very friendly. Unfortunately, we had booked room only, so I recommend trying to book bed and breakfast. We ventured into Kenmare the next morning and found a wonderful spot – the Tom Crean Brewery and Café which served both full Irish breakfast and a vegan equivalent which was delicious. They also have outdoor seating which is handy if you are cycling.
Copper Kettle Townhouse
This guesthouse is a private apartment with bedroom, sitting room and fully equipped kitchen. It was modern, warm and comfortable, and felt like luxury after camping! The Copper Kettle Townhouse is an extension of The Fairview Hotel, so breakfast was included the following morning in the hotel which is just around the corner from the townhouse. Check-in is in the hotel which was very straightforward. We will definitely stay here again when we return to Kerry.
Campsites
Fossa Camping
We spent our first night cycling the Ring of Kerry here in Fossa Camping. It is situated a little outside of Killarney, which was perfect for us heading off the next morning. Luckily, they also allowed us to park our car in their carpark for the five days we spent cycling the Ring of Kerry. This campsite has great facilities, with every precaution taken for Covid-19. Showering and toilet facilities are kept very clean. They also have a camper’s kitchen, drying room, games room, tennis court and playground. You can also purchase camping gas on site which would come in handy if you run out. We pitched a tent in the section of the park designated to tents, and they also rent caravans and motorhomes with electricity points in a separate section.
Glenbeg Caravan and Camping Park
We arrived at Glenbeg Caravan and Camping Park with no booking, and they were pleased to find space for our tent. Luckily, we camped away from the main hub of campervans. Our pitch was up on a height, but sheltered from the winds. They offer tent pitches, caravan pitches, showers, laundry and ironing facilities and also have a self-catering house. This campsite also has beautiful views overlooking Derrynane Harbour, Scariff and Deenish Islands, Kenmare Bay and the Atlantic Ocean. There is also a restaurant and bar onsite. O’Carroll’s Cove restaurant and bar served a good selection of food with sizeable portions and they do a great Guinness! We thoroughly enjoyed this spot.
Killarney Flesk Caravan & Camping
This campsite is situated at the start of the Kerry Way and one of the most popular bike rentals Killarney Bike Rental is right on site. The location is central and perfect for a day bike ride or to start the Ring of Kerry. It is actually the closest camping area to the centre of Killarney. They have plenty of facilities, like a camper’s kitchen, laundry, accessible toilets and showers, restaurant, bar, bike rental and a supermarket just 100m away. This is highly recommended due to its proximity to the centre of Killarney, a supermarket nearby and bike rental.
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