Face it – Donegal’s been on your bucket list forever. Now that 2026 is here, it’s time to do something about it and get booking that trip. But what is there to do? Lots! Here’s 26 things to do in 2026 in Donegal.
1. Stand on the edge of Europe at Sliabh Liag – the jewel in our crown and the highest accessible sea cliffs in all of Europe and one of the 3 signature discovery points on Donegal’s stretch of the Wild Atlantic Way! Come and take a hike through one man’s pass or just enjoy the view with a coffee!
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Sliabh Liag - courtesy Gareth Wray
2. Drive the full Wild Atlantic Way (Donegal stretch) – so while we would recommend this, we would also not recommend it! Firstly, the Donegal stretch is over 570km long and it’s gonna take a while. Secondly, by just driving the route, you miss out on a lot of the nooks and crannies which make the Wild Atlantic Way so special – the small villages, the cliff walks, the cosy coffee shops, the live music – we could go on. Driving the Wild Atlantic Way should be on your bucket list but take it bit by bit and immerse yourself in Donegal!
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3. Catch sunset at Fanad Lighthouse - Another of the signature discovery points on the Wild Atlantic Way and possibly one of Donegal’s most recognisable landmarks – this working facility is one of the Great Lighthouses of Ireland and as well as being extremely instagrammable – it also offers tours and accommodation. Staying in a lighthouse – how cool is that?
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Fanad Lighthouse at sunset - courtesy Fearghus Foyle
4. Explore Glenveagh National Park + Castle - The second largest national park in the country is home to epic flora and fauna, wild deer, golden eagles, Lough Veagh, the Derryveagh mountains and of course the magnificent Glenveagh Castle and Gardens. Take a tour of the historical castle which dates back to 1873, stroll around the beautifully manicured gardens or walk or cycle on the many paths that traverse the park. The park is open all year round.
The Dining Room at Glenveagh Castle - Courtesy Gareth Wray Photography
5. Take the ferry to one of Donegal’s offshore islands - Remote, rugged, unforgettable. Toraigh, Árainn Mhór, Inis Bó Finne, Gabhla, Uaigh and others accessible from the mainland. Experience Donegal Island life with many Gaelic cultures and traditions still thriving. Day trips and overnight stays are possible with a wide variety of ferry options.
A traffic jam on arranmore Island - Courtesy Gareth Wray Photography
6. Learn to speak like a native – Irish (or Gaelic) is the living language in much of Donegal, particularly in the Gaeltacht areas in the west of the county and on the islands. Donegal is home to one of the strongest Gaeltacht regions in the country and you’ll hear the dialect from Gweedore to Glencolmcille. There are lots of options from learning the “cúpla focal” (a few words) to going all in immersive with intensive language courses at the likes of Oideas Gael in Glencolmcille.Tá a lán focail le foghlaim I ngach áit sa chontae! (There are a lot of words to be learnt all over the county).
Bád Eddie i nGaeltacht Dún na nGall
7. Attend a Festival – Here in Donegal we love a festival! Whether it’s music, arts, drama, sport or culture we’ve got you covered from Summer Sessions to the Allingham Festival to the Donegal Bay & Bluestacks Festival to the Earaigail Arts Festival and Sult – keep an eye on our festivals and events page for the latest news and festival updates.
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Rory Gallagher International Tribute Festival, Ballyshannon - Courtesy Keery Irvine Photography
8. Take a sea dip – sea swimming has become more and more popular in recent years and nowhere more so than Donegal. Up and down the coastline regular swimmers and occasional dippers take the plunge all year round – yes even in the winter! From outdoor pools to piers to the rolling Atlantic waves there’ll be conditions to suit the beginner to the more seasoned swimmer. (An abundance of caution should be exercised if you’re swimming in a new area – please seek local advice and check tide times before hitting the water)
9. Feel tiny under Errigal – Donegal’s highest peak stands 751 metres tall and attracts all levels of hikers. Depending on your level, it’ll take around 1 hour and 40 minutes to 2 hours to climb the 4km trail but the views from the top make it worth it. Climbing Errigal at sunrise is a popular activity but care should be taken in the dark hours. Alternatively, there are lots of spots in the vicinity at ground level which will offer a decent photograph of Donegal’s iconic mountain!
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10. Compare hair dos with an Alpaca - The Wild Alpaca Way at Malin Head is one of the county’s most popular visitor attractions with almost 40 alpacas at this family run business. Visitors can take part in unique walks and experiences with these photogenic animals who just love getting their photo taken and comparing hairstyles!!
Donegal social media star Eric Roberts meets his hairstyle match at Wild Alpaca Way, Malin Head.
11. Kayak through the caves at Owey - Calm waters + secret coves = bliss. Kayaking is possible in multiple locations across county Donegal. Do it solo or with a group from a kayak club or school. Get yourself out on the water and leave the stresses of day to day life behind (for an hour or two at least!)
Kayaking at Owey - courtesy Hannah Lene
12. Follow the Inishowen scenic drive - Clockwise or anti-clockwise – whichever way you decide to drive around the peninsula, a day (or a few days) of “wow” moments, one after the other is guaranteed. From Amazing Grace country to the Mamore Gap to Malin Head (Ireland’s most northerly point), to Fort Dunree and villages like Carndonagh, Moville and Redcastle, take a day or two to discover all that Inishowen has to offer!
The Mamore Gap - courtesy Shane Smyth
13. Stroll through the fairy-tale scenery of Ards Forest Park - Woodland, dunes, shoreline — whether you want a casual or strenuous stroll or cycle or just some time with the family, Ards Forest Park in the north of the county offers forest, dune and coastal views as well as golden sandy beaches for paddling or swimming and a playground for the younger members of the family. Take a picnic and make a day out of it.
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Family time at Ards Forest Park
14. Surf at Rossnowlagh or Bundoran - Winter waves or summer stoke — Donegal always delivers. Bundoran prides itself as the “Surf Capital of Ireland” boasting waves for beginners right up to the pro surfer – many of whom can be seen shredding at the Peak on a normal surfing day or during one of the many national and international competitions held regularly in the seaside town.
Hitting the surf at Bundoran - courtesy Fáilte Ireland
15. See the Northern Lights (if you’re lucky!) - Donegal has some of the darkest skies in Europe and they make for some spectacular sightings of the world famous Northern Lights (Aurora Borealis). Gone are the days when you need to travel to Iceland or Scandinavia to view this beautiful natural phenomenon – now the lights have been known to be seen as far south in the county as Sliabh Liag. Malin Head, being the most northerly point in the country, is undoubtedly the best place to view the Aurora Borealis when it is on show but the lights can also be viewed at Dunree, Mamore Gap and Ballyliffin. Read more about the phenomenon here.
Linsfort Church during the northern lights by Adam Rory Porter
16. Explore Donegal’s Garden Trail – From Oakfield Park (Raphoe) to Bruckless House to Glenveagh National Park, the Donegal Garden Trail, founded in 2006, highlights the beautifully manicured gardens of the county from north to south and east to west. All sorts of flowers and plants are on display in these calm and tranquil gardens where a short stroll is sure to leave you feeling at peace!
Sea View Garden Mountcharles
17. Photograph Assaranca Waterfall after rainfall - A powerful wall of white water — and easy roadside access. Just outside of the town of Ardara, Assaranca is a powerful sight at any time of year but certainly more spectacular after heavy rain with thousands of litres of water falling and creating this amazing natural attraction.
Assaranca Waterfall - Shane Smyth
18. Walk the Bluestack Way - One of the most peaceful long-distance trails in Ireland. This 65km route starts in Donegal Town, goes through Lough Eske, Eglish Valley, past Glenties and ends in Ardara with a mix of country lanes, old roads, mountain bog and river paths (including some challenging muddy sections). It can typically be completed in 2-3 days.
19. Explore the ruins of Doe Castle – Doe Castle was once the medieval stronghold of the MacSweeneys and for almost 200 years from the 1420s it served as home, refuge and bastion for at least 13 MacSweeney chiefs – many of whom were party and witness to some of the most seismic events of Irish history including giving shelter to survivors of the 1588 Spanish Armada fleet. The grounds are open daily all year round with guided tours available by appointment only at doecastlecreeslough@outlook.com
Doe Castle - pic Gareth Wray
20. Enjoy a trad session in a cosy Donegal pub – Donegal is famous for its 200 pubs and for its trad music – available in many pubs seven nights a week all year round. Pubs like The Reel Inn (Donegal Town), McGinleys (Letterkenny) Teach Hiúdaí Beag (Bunbeg), Teac Jack (Derrybeg) and the Oyster Bar (Dunfanaghy) are just some of the many pubs that should be on your list if experiencing a genuine taste of Irish music is on your bucket list this year.
A music session at the Olde Glen Bar
21. Cycle the Donegal Cycle Network – whether you do it on a traditional push bike or an electric bike, Donegal’s greenways give you that feeling of freedom and most importantly, safety, as these pedestrian and cycle centred amenities offer the chance to explore Donegal on foot or on two wheels. Check out the Lifford to Castlefinn Greenway (7.5km), the Strabane to Lifford Greenway, the Derry to Muff Greenway, the Muff to Quigley’s Point Greenway (5km) or the Dungloe to Glenties Cycleway.(28km)
22. Discover the craft studios of Donegal - Pottery, weaving, glasswork — bring home something handmade. Up and down the county you’ll find an abundance of local crafts and handmade items carefully and lovingly produced right here in the county. Tours are offered in many locations including Triona Design (Ardara) and Hanna Hats (Donegal Town) while crafters can be observed in their working studios at Local Hands (Ballyshannon), Glendowen Craft Shop (Clonmany) and the Donegal Craft Village (Donegal Town)
Hanna Hats, Donegal Town - Courtesy Fáilte Ireland
23. Ride the waves on a boat tour around Donegal Bay - Enjoy a covered boat trip from Donegal Pier on the Waterbus with bar and live music on board or give your sea legs a run with Paddy and his team from Teelin Pier with Sliabh Liag Boat Trips – they’ll go right under Sliabh Liag cliffs and give you a unique perspective of Donegal’s epic coastline – chances are that dolphins will make an appearance too – and there’s no extra charge for this!
Sliabh Liag Boat Trips - Courtesy Fáilte Ireland
24. Visit Fort Dunree – this riverside fort sitting on Lough Swilly has had an immense significance in Irish history and its museum and facility are well worth a visit for any history buff. Following the establishment of the Irish Free State in December 1922, the fort remained under British sovereignty as a “treaty port” until October 1938. Fort Dunree is open 7 days a week.
25. Follow in the footsteps (literally) of Donegal’s Walking Ambassadors – in 2025 we invited 10 ambassadors to show us their favourite walks in the county and they took great pride and pleasure in showing us routes from An Mhucais, An Earagail and Sliabh Liag mountains to Drumboe Woods, An Clochan Liath and Oileán Gabhla. Check out the full suite of walks recommended by our ambassadors below!
Jason Black at Errigal
26. Tick off all 12 Blue Flag Beaches - A summer challenge you’ll never regret. Donegal is proud to fly the prestigious Blue Flag at 12 of its beaches across the county and 2 more at the marinas of Rathmullan and Greencastle. All Blue Flag sites must meet strict standards for water quality (excellent EU bathing water), environmental education, safety and management. Blue Flags fly on these lifeguarded beaches from June/July to Mid-September.
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The 2025 Blue Flag at Rossnowlagh