Westport: Ireland’s Hidden Gem Voted Best Place To Live But Overlooked By Tourists

Published on November 17, 2025

Westport is recovered successful Westport, Ireland successful County Mayo*. While this marketplace municipality has astonishing views, a rich | culture, and precocious marketplace rankings, it is often overlooked because it is overshadowed by its much celebrated tourer destinations. Guests do not usually sojourn this quiet municipality because it is known for being clean, and apical classed for being nan champion spot to live. Westport is simply a awesome spot to flight nan touristy locations, and offers a relaxing break.

Westport: A Clean, Picturesque Town pinch an Exceptional Reputation

Westport, known for its pristine beauty, has many times topped Ireland’s Tidy Towns competition. The charming municipality centre, pinch its Georgian architecture and scenic riverside, continues to seizure nan hearts of those who task here. Despite its accolades and beautiful surroundings, it has yet to pull nan crowds that flock to much celebrated Irish destinations for illustration Galway aliases Dublin. The town’s quaint streets and serene ambiance connection a cleanable retreat for those seeking a slower gait of life.

The Beauty of Clew Bay and Surrounding Islands

One of Westport’s top draws is nan adjacent Clew Bay, known for its crystal-clear waters and 120 islands. Clare Island, nan largest of these, provides visitors pinch spectacular stepping trails and abundant birdwatching opportunities. Just a short ferry thrust from Roonagh Pier, Clare Island offers stunning views of nan surrounding mountains and sea, making it a must-visit for quality lovers. Visitors tin besides research smaller islands, each offering unsocial features, specified arsenic sandy beaches, uncommon flora, and oversea cliffs.

Outdoor Adventures and Scenic Views

Westport’s location astatine nan ft of Croagh Patrick, Ireland’s “Holy Mountain,” adds to its allure. This ineffable peak, celebrated pinch hikers and pilgrims alike, offers panoramic views of nan surrounding landscape. For those not willing successful a strenuous climb, Westport has plentifulness of replacement outdoor activities, including cycling on nan Great Western Greenway, a well-known way that extends complete 40 kilometres done scenic countryside and coastal views.

Westport: A Town for Foodies and Socialites

The town’s section pub civilization is different awesome highlight. Westport has a assortment of welcoming pubs, wherever visitors tin bask accepted Irish music, a cleanable measurement to unwind aft a time of exploring. Matt Molloy’s, MacBride’s, and JJ O’Malley’s are among nan apical spots for some locals and visitors, often hosting unrecorded accepted bands. In summation to pubs, nan municipality is besides location to exceptional restaurants, including nan Clew Bay Hotel and Madden’s Restaurant, known for their delicious section fare.

Perfect for a Peaceful Getaway

Unlike Ireland’s much tourist-heavy destinations, Westport offers visitors a serene getaway pinch less crowds. Whether it’s stepping on nan tree-lined Carrowbeg River aliases enjoying nan quiet streets, Westport provides a serene situation for relaxation. It’s an perfect spot for those seeking a break from nan tourer hustle and bustle. The municipality offers an array of section shops and independent boutiques, wherever visitors tin acquisition handcrafted equipment and section produce, enhancing nan small-town charm.

How to Get There and What to Do

Reaching Westport is easy, pinch nonstop flights to Ireland’s Knock Airport from awesome UK airports, including London and Manchester. From there, it’s conscionable an hour’s thrust to Westport. Visitors tin research nan municipality connected ft aliases rent a motorcycle to recreation on scenic routes. The municipality is well-connected, pinch section carrier options that make exploring nan surrounding areas straightforward.

For those seeking adventure, Westport offers ample opportunities for hiking, cycling, and exploring nan stunning landscapes of County Mayo. The surrounding mountains and coastal views supply endless exploration possibilities. Visitors tin besides indulge successful h2o activities, including kayaking and swimming successful nan shallow waters of Clew Bay.

A Town Steeped successful History and Tradition

Westport’s history is reflected successful its architecture, culture, and practice sites. As a designated Heritage Town, it boasts humanities sites specified arsenic nan Westport House, an 18th-century mansion group amidst stunning gardens. The town’s rich | history is besides celebrated successful section museums and taste events, making it an perfect spot for history enthusiasts.

Despite its acclaim arsenic nan champion spot to unrecorded successful Ireland, Westport’s slower gait and distant location person kept it comparatively untouched by wide tourism, making it a hidden gem waiting to beryllium discovered. The town’s committedness to maintaining its taste and biology practice ensures that it remains an charismatic action for those seeking an authentic Irish experience.

Why Tourists Are Missing Out connected Westport

The truth that Westport remains mostly unnoticed by visitors speaks volumes astir nan town’s charm. While destinations for illustration Dublin and Galway are ever connected nan radar for world tourists, Westport softly thrives, offering a much authentic and little commercialised Irish experience. The town’s immaculate cleanliness, friends locals, and stunning landscapes make it a cleanable prime for those looking to research Ireland without nan crowds.

Travel Tips for Visiting Westport

For those readying to visit, it’s basal to beryllium prepared for nan town’s much relaxed atmosphere. Westport is not overrun pinch tourer shops aliases large hotels, truthful booking accommodation successful beforehand is recommended, particularly during highest seasons. Cycling nan Great Western Greenway aliases visiting adjacent islands is simply a awesome measurement to research nan area. If you’re a instrumentality of outdoor activities, nan adjacent mountains supply ample opportunities for hiking.

Conclusion: Westport – A Hidden Gem Worth Discovering

In summary, Westport is ”the best-kept secret” of Ireland, arsenic it features nan charm, culture, and beauty of different globally-renowned tourer attractions, sans nan ample tourer influx. If you are wanting immoderate relaxation, are a history buff, aliases are a quality lover, Westport is nan spot for you. With nan charismatic scenery, organization warmth, and hospitality of nan pubs, Westport is nan perfect spot for a getaway.