The seaside resort town of Bundoran sits to the very south of County Donegal. Surfers have been visiting here for many years to catch the world famous waves at Tullan Strand, while young families descend upon Bundoran Adventure Park each summer. These two activities dominate social media posts about this buzzy place, but does it only cater towards adrenaline junkies?
Read on to find out!
How to Get to Bundoran
Public Transport: The town has been inaccessible by train since Bundoran Railway Station closed down in 1957. The nearest station (Sligo Mac Diarmada) is a 45 minute bus ride away.
Bus Eireann services connect the town to Sligo, Derry & Galway among others. Their 30 and 30x routes carry you from Dublin to Ballyshannon and the cheap TFI Local Link service (routes 982 or 983) will take you the rest of the way to Bundoran.
Food and Drink in Bundoran
Food
We adore pub grub so it’s no surprise that Madden’s Bridge Bar and Restaurant is our pick of the eateries here. Family run and ideally located on Main Street, this is a supremely relaxing spot to grab some Irish cuisine. The bridge bar pie, at €25, is a little pricey but my word is it delicious! They also plate up incredibly fresh fish dishes landed at nearby Killybegs. Come for the atmosphere, stay for the food!
If it’s takeaway you are after then look no further than Zezzes in Bundoran Retail Park. The menu is vast and the pizza is famous among locals. It’s one of the prettiest takeaways we’ve ever visited, so we usually choose to sit in.
Drink
Hot Beverages: Take a quick amble up the town to find plenty of good cafés, with Foam being the stand-out. These guys are really passionate about coffee and the elegant interior is ideal for enjoying a specialty roasted brew. They serve very tasty food and treats too, with plenty of gluten free and vegan options. Foam has an upbeat feel to it and they have outdoor seating available for sunny days.
If time is an issue then grab a nice coffee from one of the many coffee trailers, such as the Tullan Tin Can near Tullan Strand.
Alcohol: There is an abundance of good (if not great) pubs here and The Chasing Bull on Main Street is the best of them. They serve tasty grub (try the steak loaded fries) which can be washed down with immense cocktails. Three massive screens make The Chasing Bull the best sports bar in town and there is a constant flow of great live music on their stage. There is always a buzzy vibe here and it’s dog friendly!
Alternatively, the aforementioned Maddens Bridge Bar is a traditional Irish pub dating back to 1908. They serve lovely breakfast and dinners but it’s the cosy atmosphere that we love. You can enjoy a great selection of local beers and spirits while reveling in the chilled vibe around the place.
Beauty and Atmosphere
Rougey Cliff Walk
The Rougey Cliff Walk is a 3km long looped route from the town along the promenade to Tullan Strand. The 1 hour stroll takes you around the outskirts of the Great Northern Hotel via a flat walking path, offering views towards Killybegs and Slieve League. Along with magnificent views out over the Atlantic Ocean you will encounter popular tourist spots like the Fairy Bridges (sea stacks) and the legendary Wishing Chair.
Rougey Cliff Walk Visitor’s Information
Beach
The blue flag Bundoran Beach, known locally as “Main Beach”, is just 500 metres long but ample parking and the presence of lifeguards during the summer mean it’s the best beach in the area for children hoping to paddle. It’s centrally located next to Bundoran Adventure Park and the famous Thrupenny Tidal Pool.
Follow the Rougey Cliff Walk around the headland to find the gorgeous 2km sandy stretch that is Tullan Strand. Lined with awesome sand dunes, National Geographic ranked it as one of the best spots in the world for surfing, although swimming is not permitted here due to dangerous rip currents.
Atmosphere
Bundoran is worth visiting at any time of the year for the striking views of the Atlantic Ocean. Come here for a romantic walk during the winter, when the ferocious waves hammer the cliffs of the headland.
During the summer it transforms into a resort town. On hot days the main beach can become overcrowded but the larger Tullan Strand is much more spacious. The amusements are in full swing, as the place becomes an upbeat hub of happiness. Festivals like Sea Sessions crank the mood up another gear, catering towards older visitors.
The resort vibe may not be to everyone’s taste but we love the joyous mayhem brought about by hordes of happy children descending upon the place, with towns like Buncrana a little too laidback for us.
Check out our Buncrana Travel Guide
Things to Do in Bundoran
Bundoran Amusements
This town is all about fun, as evidenced by the number of indoor and outdoor arcades and amusements here. The best of these is the outdoor Bundoran Adventure Park situated along the beach. Rides including bumper cars, rollercoasters and a ferris wheel cater to all ages here until 9pm each evening.
The streets of the town are lined with indoor arcades, with Mack’s Amusements the best of them. We are usually sceptical of the prizes in these places but at Mack’s they are genuinely winnable – check out the volume of PS5 consoles won here on their facebook page! It opens until 11pm each night so it’s a good activity to try after hitting the adventure park.
Water Sports
It’s hardly surprising that the best amenities here are water based given the town’s location along the Wild Atlantic Way. Paddling is popular at Bundoran Beach and its outdoor pools, whereas surfing takes centre stage at Tullan Strand. Plenty of schools like Bundoran Surf Co offer lessons on what is possibly the top beginner surfing beach in Ireland. Check out the tide times below before catching the swells!
When the weather is less suitable for outdoor activities head to Waterworld near the beach. Wave pools and awesome slides like the Tornado and the Twister make this one of the premier swimming complexes in Ireland. Tickets begin at €11.50 and are worth it for hours of watery fun.
View Information about Bundoran Tide Times
Attend a Music Festival
While there’s seldom a quiet time to visit during the summer, visit during one of the annual music festivals to truly see the place in full swing.
Sea Sessions is undoubtedly the most famous of these. Each June a sell-out crowd descends upon Tullan Strand to watch massive acts play along the beach, with the ocean offering a beautiful backdrop. The town transforms into one huge party as the masses gather for massive acts like Jake Bugg, Cian Ducrot and Kasabian.
Tackle the Donegal Bay Drive
You can have an excellent holiday here without ever heading further afield but there are some terrific road trips on your doorstep! Whilst there are pretty drives around the Gleniff Horseshoe and Mullaghmore nearby, Bundoran is famously the starting point for the fantastic Donegal Bay Drive.
Head north, through Killybegs and Donegal Town and out onto the headland towards the majestic cliffs at Sliabh Liag. Allow a full day for making regular stops at unmissable places including Rossnowlagh Beach, Muckross Head and the meandering Glengesh Pass (Col Glengesh). Leave your maps at home and follow the unmistakable brown Wild Atlantic Way signs for the drive of a lifetime!
Check out our Donegal Town Travel Guide
Check out our Killybegs Travel Guide
Is Bundoran for You?
Check out our Irish Guides for some excellent alternatives!