Aran Islands

Travel Guide

Aran Islands
Aran Islands
Aran Islands
Photo by Milestone Travels
Photo by Rokas Gau
An undoubted highlight of the Wild Atlantic Way are the Aran Islands, and places don’t come much more wild, or immersed in the Atlantic waters, than this chain of three dramatically isolated land masses. Set just off Galway Bay in the west of Ireland, and visible from the coastline for miles around, the islands exert an irresistible lure to those with a taste for adventure and act like sirens of the sea to those with an urge to escape from it all.

Adrift from the mainland, and buffeted by the crashing waves and winds of the Atlantic, the islands have a grandeur all of their own, and the locals still feel a very strong, proud identification with their Celtic past. Stepping onto the islands is like stepping back in time into a mythical land of Celtic folklore, an impression helped by the widespread use of Gaelic interspersed with the English tongue.

A day trip to the islands gives you just a taste of their desolate beauty, but those who can stay longer can feast on the multifaceted charms that these tiny islands will gradually reveal.

The Aran Islands seem much further removed from the mainland than the 45 minute ferry ride or 10 minute flight might suggest. Their surprisingly temperate microclimate, uniquely shallow topsoil that is strewn with wildflowers and their daunting, almost defensive, cliffs all help to set the islands apart. But, it’s the ancient forts such as Dún Aengus on Inishmór and Dún Chonchúir on Inishmaan, some of the oldest archaeological remains in Ireland, that suggest another world entirely.

The islands are perfect for walking or cycling and their small size encourages exploration. You can follow the trail of ancient stone walls that still line the archipelago to discover places of mystical beauty, pilgrimage sites steeped in Celtic myth and plenty of clocháns, or drystone beehive huts dating back to the early Christian periods.

Each of the islands has its own character, and their distinctness is reinforced by the fact that for most of the year the only way to travel between them is to take the ferry back to the mainland and start again.

Inishmór

Inishmór is the largest and most popular. Its wealth of archaeological sites and accommodating choice of pubs and restaurants is a benefit that is somewhat counterbalanced by the number of day-trippers who are drawn to visit them.

Inishmaan

In Inishmaan you can escape all this and stay amongst a culture that has determinedly preserved its age-old traditions, nurtured artists and romantics but still welcomes anyone wishing to share in its solitude, staying in isolated bed and breakfasts amidst the stark and uncompromising timeless beauty of its landscape.

Inisheer

Inisheer promises traditional music and a small-town sense of living it up as night sets in. You can feel the warmth of the local community as it sings traditional songs at night and watch its fishermen repairing their nets by day.

How can you best experience the distinct charms of the Arran Islands? Why not allow yourself time to stay on each and leave no stone unturned?

Lahinch Coast Hotel & Suites
Lahinch Coast Hotel & Suites
4 out of 5
Main St, Lahinch, Clare
The price is P6,817 per night from 27 Apr to 28 Apr
P6,817
P7,738 total
includes taxes & fees
Apr 27 - Apr 28
Stay at this 4-star family-friendly hotel in Lahinch. Enjoy free WiFi, free parking, and breakfast (surcharge). Our guests praise the helpful staff in our reviews. ...
8.6/10 Excellent! (563 reviews)
"Lovely hotel near beach front. Pleasant and helpful staff. Rooms very clean."

Reviewed on Apr 15, 2025

Lahinch Coast Hotel & Suites
Connemara Coast Hotel
Connemara Coast Hotel
4 out of 5
Spiddal Road, Galway, Galway
The price is P9,056 per night from 23 Apr to 24 Apr
P9,056
P10,278 total
includes taxes & fees
Apr 23 - Apr 24
Stay at this 4-star beach hotel in Galway. Enjoy free WiFi, free parking, and 2 restaurants. Our guests praise the breakfast and the helpful staff in our reviews. ...
8.8/10 Excellent! (861 reviews)
"Beautiful property. Love to return to this property."

Reviewed on Apr 14, 2025

Connemara Coast Hotel
The Waters Country House
The Waters Country House
3.5 out of 5
Newtown, Ballyvaughan, Ireland
The price is P9,284 per night from 29 Apr to 30 Apr
P9,284
P10,537 total
includes taxes & fees
Apr 29 - Apr 30
Stay at this 3.5-star guesthouse in Ballyvaughan. Enjoy free breakfast, free WiFi, and daily housekeeping. Our guests praise the breakfast and the helpful staff ...
9.6/10 Exceptional! (339 reviews)
(New) Old-World Charm!
"If you are looking for old-world charm, this is the place! You cannot beat the charm, or the lovely couple who own the property. There is even a fresh spring fountain that the property was built around. The most delicious and pure spring water ever! The property is beyond gorgeous, as are the views! ..."

Reviewed on Apr 18, 2025

The Waters Country House
Lowest nightly price found within the past 24 hours based on a 1 night stay for 2 adults. Prices and availability subject to change. Additional terms may apply.
Citypoint Apartments
Citypoint Apartments
4 out of 5
Eyre Square, Galway, Galway
Stay at this 4-star aparthotel in Galway. Enjoy free WiFi, free parking, and breakfast (surcharge). Popular attractions Eyre Square and Quay Street are located ...
8.4/10 Very Good! (407 reviews)
"Great value and location"

Reviewed on Feb 28, 2025

Citypoint Apartments
Madison House
Madison House
3.5 out of 5
Forster St, 21, Galway, Galway
Stay at this 3.5-star vacation home in Galway. Enjoy free WiFi, hydromassage showerheads, and housekeeping. Popular attractions Eyre Square and Quay Street are ...
7.4/10 Good! (7 reviews)
"Room was tiny. No reception. We never saw anyone that worked for the hotel. This was especially a problem when some people staying at the hotel got locked out at 3am and spent half an hour banging on the door trying to get someone to let them in."

Reviewed on Jan 1, 2024

Madison House
Cúirt na Coiribe Self Catering
Cúirt na Coiribe Self Catering
2.5 out of 5
Headford Rd, Galway, Galway
Stay at this aparthotel in Galway. Enjoy free WiFi, parking (surcharge), and a 24-hour front desk. Popular attractions Eyre Square and Quay Street are located ...
7.8/10 Good! (39 reviews)
"Good value. The doors are really loud no matter how gently you try to close them. The walk to city centre is on a very busy road, but the upside is there plenty of shopping close to the hostel."

Reviewed on Sep 5, 2024

Cúirt na Coiribe Self Catering
Lowest nightly price found within the past 24 hours based on a 1 night stay for 2 adults. Prices and availability subject to change. Additional terms may apply.

Popular places to visit