Glendalough, Ireland

Glendalough

A monastic site with a round tower in a glacial valley with two lakes.

  • All year
  • 1 night
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Things to do

2 days in Glendalough

Day 1

  1. MorningVisit the 6th-century monastic city and its 30-metre round tower.
  2. AfternoonWalk the Spinc loop high above the Upper Lake, on boardwalks and through the old mining village.
  3. EveningStay in Laragh, or head back to Dublin, an hour away.

Day 2

Drive the Wicklow Gap or the Sally Gap road over the bogs.

What to eat

Irish stew and a pint in a local pub.

Local tips

Make the most of Glendalough

Beat the crowds

Weekends and summer days are busy. Arrive early.

Best photo spot

The round tower and the Upper Lake from the trails.

Getting there

A daily bus runs from Dublin. Easiest by car, about an hour.

Don't miss nearby

The Wicklow Mountains and Powerscourt Gardens.

Good to know

The Spinc loop walk gives the best views over the lakes. The car parks fill up on sunny weekends.

Secret spots

2 secret spots near Glendalough

Our most hidden places around Glendalough: fewer people, same wow. Unlock them with a route in Google Maps and a PDF guide of Glendalough to take with you.

45 km away
73 km away
Unlock the secret spots · €2.99+ VAT · one payment, valid for a year

Plan your visit

Getting to Glendalough

Getting there

  • Dublin Airport (DUB)45 km away
  • Dublin40 km away
  • Belfast180 km away

Reachable by car or public transport; a car gives you more freedom to explore the area. Distances are in a straight line.

At a glance

Best timeAll year
TypeNature spot
Good forNature, Old towns & architecture
Getting thereCar or public transport
Stay1 night
CountryIreland

Questions

Glendalough: good to know

Is Glendalough worth visiting?

Yes, especially if you like nature and historic old towns. A monastic site with a round tower in a glacial valley with two lakes.

How many days do you need in Glendalough?

Plan 1 night. Our free 2-day plan above shows how to spend your time.

When is the best time to visit Glendalough?

You can visit all year. Weekends and summer days are busy. Arrive early.

How do you get to Glendalough?

The nearest airport is Dublin Airport (DUB), about 45 km away. A daily bus runs from Dublin. Easiest by car, about an hour.

What is there to see near Glendalough?

Nearby hidden places include Dublin (38 km), Portmeirion (150 km) and Snowdonia (Betws-y-Coed) (169 km).

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