Westport, Mayo – An Essential Travel Guide for 2025

The town of Westport sits on the shores of Clew Bay in west County Mayo. Tree-lined streets and pretty stone bridges that span the Carrowbeg River bring a certain charm to one of Ireland’s few planned towns. Blue Flag beaches, a vibrant pub scene and the looming Croagh Patrick attract visitors in droves to this tourist hub. Does Westport have anything else to offer beyond all of this?

Keep reading to find out!

Public Transport: Westport Railway Station sits at the terminus of the Dublin to Westport train line. The journey from Heuston Station takes 3 hours 20 minutes.

There are no direct buses from Dublin but Bus Eireann do link Westport to Galway and Clifden. The 456 service from Galway takes 1 hour 40 minutes and the 423 from Clifden takes 1 hour 30 minutes. Travelling by rail is easily the preferred method if heading further afield.

Westport is a relatively large town so accommodation is not hard found. The cheapest option will always be to book a B&B or a hostel. The Old Mill Hostel occupies a stunning converted mill in the centre of the town. It’s a great place to stay, with the only negative being that there are no single or double rooms. If you don’t mind sleeping in a bunk then this is a solid option for you!

Book the Old Mill Hostel

We’ve stayed in plenty of nice hotels for different occasions here, each catering for specific needs. The Wyatt Hotel’s central location makes it a top choice for hen and stag groups. Possibly the nicest 3 star we have ever stayed in, it has a delightful interior, a bustling bar and dog-friendly rooms!

On our most recent foray we stayed at the Westport Woods Hotel. Although not in the middle of the town, it’s still handily located nearby. We read reports of the hotel being run down for a 4 star but we didn’t find this to be the case at all. There’s a lovely spa on site with a nice swimming pool. The sizeable bar admittedly lacks a little in atmosphere, which isn’t an issue with so many great pubs nearby.

Find Hotels in Westport

Westport has an impressive collection of outstanding restaurants to choose from. As suckers for pub grub, Covey’s Gastrobar at the Westport Plaza Hotel is our pick of the bunch. The modern New York Italian-inspired interior is hardly ‘traditional’, yet it’s fabulously comfortable. The menu itself is as Irish as it gets however, with gorgeous fish or chicken dishes and a tantalizing pork belly option.

If you enjoy Italian fare as much as us then check out La Bella Vita on High Street. From 5pm to 9:30pm daily (except Mondays and Tuesday when they are closed) they serve linguine and ravioli dishes that make our mouths water just thinking about them.

We love Bucho’s Burrito Bar for something quick and tasty. It’s somewhat hidden in a carpark near the town centre, but is well worth finding. The owners are stand up guys and the burritos are very delicious!

Hot Beverages: Curry’s Cottage on James Street is the most authentically charming café in Westport. Something about the tea-room style interior makes it an unbeatably comfortable place to enjoy a coffee. The baked goods are tremendous and the family-run atmosphere really stands out.

McHugh’s Café is another strong option, although we’ve only ever had coffee-to-go here. The sandwiches are famously good and the brew was top notch.

Alcohol: The pub scene here is world famous, with haunts like Matt Molloy’s and The Old Grainstore known far and wide. We had no choice but to dedicate a complete guide to these pubs, which can be checked out below.

There are more than enough legendary pubs to visit in the town itself but if you plan on visiting Croagh Patrick then there are two must-see places to try nearby.

T. Staunton’s is one of the greatest pubs in Ireland. We were too obsessed with the mesmerising interior to hardly notice the incredible views of the mountain outside! A 15-minute drive from town, Staunton’s layout is more like that of a house than a pub. We adored the feel of this 100-year old pub, the friendly dogs that graced it and the cracking pint of Guinness.

Campbell’s at the Reek is another smashing option, right at the foot of Croagh Patrick. Another of Ireland’s oldest pubs, the vibe here is amazing on a warm day.

Our essential Westport Pub Crawl

It’s a foregone conclusion that any visit to Westport will be met with rain at some stage. July and August are generally the best months to visit, when crowds descend upon Croagh Patrick or the nearby beaches. You’ll be looking at average highs of 19 degrees, although this can vary massively. Winters can be stormy on Ireland’s Atlantic Coast so October through February tend to be the worst months to visit.

Travel on Foot: Westport itself is perfectly suited for exploring on foot. Those staying in the Quays area will have a 25-minute stroll back into the town. Almost everybody else will find themselves staying more centrally, make it even easier to reach the town on foot. However, the problem is that most of the must-see attractions are a distance away from the town. Unless you enjoy cycling, you are going to need a set of wheels to explore sites like Achill Island.

Public Transport: There isn’t much need for public transport within the town as it is very manageable on foot. The TFI Local Link bus service is also on hand should you need to travel to the outskirts. There are plenty of street taxis to be found in the evenings so getting home is never an issue either.

Vehicle Hire: As we said above, you are going to need a vehicle to explore further afield. You won’t find car hire companies here but there are plenty in nearby Castlebar or at Ireland West Airport, in Knock.

A more fun alternative for active visitors is to rent a bike and tackle the Great Western Greenway. There are plenty of business to hire a bicycle from here so take your pick. We have only ever used Westport Bike Hire.

Rent a Bicycle in Westport

Westport House is a stunning Georgian mansion overlooking Clew Bay, set amid gorgeous grounds and gardens that you can wander for free. Tours of the house itself are ticketed at €15 for adults, and the onsite pirate-themed adventure park for kids starts at €25 depending on activities.
We thoroughly enjoyed the meandering walking trails and there is plenty to see here without paying for the house tour if you don’t want to. Dogs are welcome on a leash and there’s plenty of space to soak in the scenery and enjoy a relaxed family day out.

Westport rests against Clew Bay, a breath-taking inlet scattered with 141 named islands. Most lie untouched, while a few hold private dwellings. Whether viewed from the town, the Greenway, or atop Croagh Patrick, the bay’s scattered islands create one of Ireland’s most captivating and unique coastal panoramas.

Westport doesn’t have its own beach but it’s a short drive from some of the best in Ireland. Many visitors head 12km west to Bertra Beach, the closest to the town and a beautiful option with plenty of parking and toilets available.

We recommend driving an extra 3 minutes to hit Old Head Beach instead. Nestled at the gateway of the Doolough Valley Drive, it has held Blue Flag status since 1989 and boasts crystal-clear waters backed by dramatic cliffs. Hugely popular for swimming and SUP, it’s bordered by one of Ireland’s only coastal sessile oak woods (Ireland’s native tree) which makes it uniquely scenic.

The Blueway snorkeling and kayaking trails here suit both beginners and experienced paddlers, with caves, small beaches and abundant marine life to explore. There is extensive underwater life here that can be floated over in high tide, so grab yourself a snorkel and keep an eye out for anemones and shoals of fish.

With views of Croagh Patrick and easy access to nearby nature reserves, Old Head is unmissable for outdoor lovers.

Westport buzzes year-round with a warm, welcoming energy that blends small-town charm with a lively cultural scene. Its colourful streets hum with traditional music from cozy pubs, laughter from bustling cafés and the hum of visitors exploring shops and galleries.

These vibes are magnified during the many festivals that run here. In late June, the Sea Angling Festival draws anglers from across Ireland for friendly competition on Clew Bay’s waters. September’s Seafood Festival celebrates the region’s incredible fresh catch with tastings, markets, and cookery demos. October brings Westival, a vibrant celebration of arts, music, and literature, filling the town with performances, workshops, and exhibitions.

The mix of friendly locals, scenic surroundings, and a packed events calendar fosters an irresistibly joyful atmosphere.

This Georgian mansion overlooking Clew Bay is set amid gorgeous grounds and gardens that can be wandered for free. Tours of the house itself are ticketed at €15 for adults and the onsite pirate-themed adventure park for kids starts at €25, depending on activities.

We thoroughly enjoyed the meandering walking trails and there is plenty to see here without paying for a house tour if you don’t want to. Dogs are welcome on a leash and there’s plenty of space to soak in the scenery and enjoy a relaxed family day out.

When most people think of Westport they think of Croagh Patrick. Rising 765 metres above sea level, Ireland’s holiest mountain has drawn pilgrims for centuries. The last Sunday in July, known as Reek Sunday, sees tens of thousands of people make the climb, some even barefoot. Tradition says St. Patrick fasted on its summit for 40 days and nights in 441 AD, hence its name.

At the summit sits a small white church, built in 1905 by 12 local men over just six months. The most popular ascending route is a 7km trail that starts in Murrisk and takes about 2.5 hours up and 1.5 hours down. We struggled more with the descent than the climb because of the loose rocks underfoot! A new stepped path has been opened since our climb to ease this problem but we have yet to try it.

The Great Western Greenway is Ireland’s longest off-road cycling and walking trail. It stretches 42km from Westport to Newport, Mulranny and on to Achill Island. Following the former route of the Midland Great Western Railway which closed in 1924, it offers traffic-free paths through the stunning Mayo countryside and along the Wild Atlantic Way.

The greenway can be traversed on foot or by cycling, so we rented ourselves some wheels. We were taken past mountains, bogs, and coastal views that made frequent photo stops irresistible. It’s well signposted and easy to follow, with plenty of spots to hop on or off. You can choose to tackle the whole route or shorter sections at your own pace.

Great Western Greenway Route

Many people use Westport as a base from which to explore Achill Island, which is exactly what we did. We’ll cover some highlights here but we strongly encourage you to check out our complete travel guide below.

Although an island, Achill is reachable via a land bridge which means it can be explored by car. The island is famous for its rugged scenery and much of The Banshees of Inisherin was filmed here for that reason.

It’s home to some of the most famous beaches in Ireland. Keel Beach and Keem Bay are world famous, with Keem being particularly magnificent due to its unique position between sheer cliffs.

The island is part of the Wild Atlantic Way, which means there are viewpoint signs dotted along the route. We stopped at each of these, with our favourite being the Cloughmore Viewpoint for its views across to the White Cliffs of Ashleam. We also loved our stop at Lynott’s Pub, an energetic place to hide away with a pint of Guinness when the weather turned sour!

Our Complete Guide to Achill Island

The 5km long and 3km wide Clare Island sits at the mouth of Clew Bay. It can be easily reached via a 25-minute ferry from Roonagh Pier, 25 minutes west of Westport. The island is packed with history, with its big draw being Grace O’Malley’s medieval tower house, once home to the Pirate Queen herself. There’s a hostel if you fancy staying over, plus beaches and lovely coastal walks.

Further south lies Inishbofin, off the coast of County Galway’s and reached by ferry from Cleggan, northwest of Clifden. Once part of County Mayo before the famine, it’s now a peaceful escape with sandy beaches, walking loops, and rich history — perfect for slowing down and soaking up island life.

2km northwest of town, Westport Golf Club is a lovely parkland course with five par 5 holes to test your swing. Summer green fees cost about €100 for visitors, with Golf Ireland members getting a large discount on that. It’s not exactly a budget round, but you are getting to play a course that has hosted prestigious events like the Amateur Close Championship, among others.

The Doolough Valley Drive is one of the most spectacular stretches of the Wild Atlantic Way. This oft-missed gem was easily our favourite activity from our trip. The short 31km-long route doesn’t take much more than an hour including stops.

Head west from Westport and be sure to stop at Old Head Beach if you haven’t already visited it on your trip. These crystal clear waters are a snorkeler’s paradise. 5 minutes south of here you’ll hit the small town of Louisburgh, from where the drive begins. We highly recommend popping into the lovely Louisburgh 74 café for a coffee before setting off.

From here, the road winds south through dramatic mountain scenery towards Connemara. Make plenty of stops to appreciate the scenery as you hit points including Aasleagh Falls, where you may spot Atlantic salmon navigating their journey up the Erriff River.

You’ll also skirt Killary Fjord — Ireland’s only true fjord — 15km of glacial beauty that’s home to dolphins, seals, harbour porpoise and an array of sea life.

The drive finishes in Leenane (also called Leenaun), a scenic village at the edge of the Killary Harbour, with a backdrop recognisable from the movie The Field. On a sunny day, this route is simply unbeatable.