Westport Wonders: The Best Things to Do in Westport Without Growing a Beard or Writing Poetry

The Absolutely Essential, Occasionally Exhausting, Best Things to Do in Westport

Westport may appear quaint and sleepy at first glance, but don’t be fooled by its pastel-colored facades and flower boxes. This town demands physical exertion, cultural appreciation, and an elasticated waistband – occasionally all in the same day. The best things to do in Westport range from sacred mountain climbs to secular pub crawls, with enough variety to satisfy both the energetic adventurer and the dedicated lounger – all of which can be organized into a comprehensive Westport itinerary for maximum enjoyment.

Climb Croagh Patrick (Without Requiring Medical Evacuation)

Rising 2,507 feet above Westport stands Croagh Patrick, Ireland’s holy mountain where St. Patrick allegedly spent 40 days fasting, praying, and banishing snakes – a triple threat of saintly multitasking. Today, thousands make the pilgrimage annually, with the truly devout (or possibly unhinged) climbing barefoot on Reek Sunday, the last Sunday in July. For Americans whose feet have evolved to require memory foam and arch support, shoes are strongly recommended.

The 3.5-mile round trip hike typically takes 2-3 hours up and 1.5 hours down, with the final section resembling a stone-covered slip-and-slide tilted at 45 degrees – a challenging experience that pairs well with exploring other Connemara highlights on a Clifden itinerary. The terrain becomes increasingly challenging near the summit, where hands often become as necessary as feet. Weather at the peak operates by its own mysterious rules – clear blue skies at the base can transform into pea-soup fog at the summit in minutes, making those panoramic photos of Clew Bay’s islands more aspirational than guaranteed.

Cost: Free to climb (though you may pay later in muscle soreness), with parking at the visitor center running about €3. Bring water, proper hiking shoes, weather-appropriate layers, and a healthy respect for a mountain that has humbled countless visitors who mistook “pilgrimage site” for “casual stroll.”

Cycle the Great Western Greenway (While Questioning Your Fitness Level)

The Great Western Greenway presents 26 miles of traffic-free cycling bliss between Westport and Achill Island, built on an abandoned railway line – perfect for those who want to explore beyond the city before heading to nearby Galway for a complete Galway itinerary experience. Think of it as America’s rail trails but with more sheep encounters, castle ruins, and sudden Atlantic gusts that somehow always blow directly into your face regardless of direction. The path offers a merciful lack of significant hills, making it accessible to cyclists whose training regimen has primarily involved Netflix marathons.

Bike rentals are widely available from multiple outfitters in town from €20 per day, with many offering the salvation of shuttle services that allow you to cycle one way and avoid the shame of turning back halfway. The route passes through picturesque villages like Newport and Mulranny, each conveniently equipped with pubs positioned for strategic rehydration. Insider tip: start early morning to avoid the afternoon Atlantic winds that have caused many cyclists to question their life choices around mile 15.

Explore Westport House (Where Elegance Meets Zip Lines)

Marketed as “Ireland’s most beautiful historic home” (a title contested by approximately 47 other Irish estates), Westport House delivers 18th-century elegance built atop the foundations of a castle once owned by Grace O’Malley, Ireland’s legendary 16th-century “Pirate Queen.” The resulting architectural mashup is like finding a Renaissance painting atop a Viking shield – unexpected but undeniably interesting.

Inside, visitors find elegant period rooms filled with antiques and artwork that shouldn’t be touched. Outside, the same historical reverence apparently doesn’t apply, as the grounds feature pedal boats, zip lines, and carnival rides in what can only be described as “aristocracy meets amusement park.” This jarring juxtaposition is either brilliant marketing or evidence that the current owners couldn’t decide between preserving heritage and installing a log flume.

Admission costs €13 for adults and €6.50 for children, with family passes available for €35. The house opens from 10am-5pm March through October, with last admission at 4pm. After touring, hungry visitors can refuel at Gracy’s Pizzeria and Bistro on the grounds, where pizzas range from €12-16 – because nothing complements Georgian splendor like pepperoni.

Shop and Stroll on Bridge Street (Wallet-Lightening Operations)

Bridge Street forms the colorful heart of Westport’s retail therapy district, lined with shops housed in perfectly maintained Georgian buildings painted in colors that would make a box of crayons jealous. The overall effect is like Charleston’s King Street with fewer college students and significantly more wool products per square foot.

Standout shopping experiences include Carraig Donn for Irish knitwear (where Aran sweaters range from €60-120), O’Reilly and Turpin bookshop for literary browsing, and Marlene’s Chocolate Haven for artisanal chocolates that somehow taste better because they’re Irish. The Carrowbeg River flows through town with its tree-lined promenade (The Mall) and Victorian bridges providing convenient places to rest when shopping bags become too burdensome.

Shopping here means weighing luggage limitations against the sudden conviction that you absolutely need handcrafted Irish jewelry (€25-75), ceramic pottery, and woolen items despite living in a climate where wool induces immediate heat stroke. Budget accordingly or bring an extra suitcase.

Savor the Local Food Scene (Elastic Waistbands Advised)

Westport’s food scene has undergone a renaissance that would make Irish grandmothers simultaneously proud and suspicious. Leading the charge is An Port Mór, where upscale Irish cuisine transforms local ingredients into dishes worth the €24-32 price tag for dinner mains. For more casual fare, JJ O’Malley’s serves pub classics (€12-18) in portions that suggest they’re feeding people for hibernation.

Seafood dominates many menus, with Clew Bay providing a bounty of oysters, mussels, and Atlantic salmon that typically traveled fewer miles to your plate than you did to your table. Breakfast deserves special attention at Cian’s on Bridge Street, where the Full Irish breakfast (€12) includes black and white pudding – which, despite the name, is not dessert but rather sausage made with blood and oatmeal, a distinction American visitors discover with expressions ranging from curiosity to horror.

For those seeking more than sustenance, Irish coffee at McGing’s (€7) offers the perfect combination of caffeine and whiskey, prepared traditionally without the American innovation of aerosol whipped cream. The insider move is dinner at The Creel restaurant at Westport Quay, where harbor views complement seafood that was likely swimming that morning – but booking ahead is essential in summer unless you enjoy hunger as a dining companion.

Experience Traditional Irish Music (Without Requesting “Danny Boy”)

Westport’s traditional music scene operates with an authenticity that makes Nashville’s honky-tonks look like carefully scripted theater. Leading venues include Matt Molloy’s (owned by The Chieftains’ flutist), McGing’s, and Cobblers Bar, where sessions typically ignite around 9:30pm when musicians appear and begin playing with seemingly telepathic coordination.

These sessions aren’t performances so much as musical conversations that visitors are privileged to overhear. The unwritten etiquette involves maintaining reverent silence during tunes, not requesting “Danny Boy” unless you enjoy subtle Irish contempt, and understanding that tipping isn’t required but offering to buy musicians a drink is always appreciated. The experience features fewer cowboy hats than American venues but significantly more instruments requiring intricate finger movements executed at improbable speeds.

Day-Trip to Achill Island (America’s Big Sur with Sheep)

Ireland’s largest island sits just 40 minutes from Westport, connected to the mainland by bridge and offering landscapes that would make California’s Big Sur envious – if Big Sur were given to sudden dramatic weather shifts and populated by more sheep than people. Keem Bay presents a stunning beach with sand so perfect it appears Photoshopped, though the Atlantic waters remain stubbornly, teeth-chatteringly cold even in August.

The abandoned village at Slievemore provides a ghostly reminder of famine times, with stone cottages slowly returning to the earth in a scene both beautiful and haunting. The Atlantic Drive offers a scenic route that delivers oceanic drama with every turn – each vista demanding photography but making parking a adventure sport on narrow roads where sheep claim right of way with absolute confidence.

Weather warning: Even in summer, bring layers as Atlantic winds can transform a pleasant 65°F day into a scene from “The Perfect Storm” with remarkable speed. The island operates on a simple principle: if you don’t like the weather, wait five minutes; if you do like the weather, take a picture quickly because it won’t last.

Visit Clare Island (The Pirate Queen’s Fortress)

A 20-minute ferry journey (€20 round trip) from Roonagh Pier transports visitors to Clare Island, Grace O’Malley’s former stronghold and a place where time moves with distinctly less urgency than the mainland. The island features the ruins of the Pirate Queen’s castle, which, while not exactly Versailles in scale, occupies a strategic position that explains how one woman controlled shipping throughout the region in the 16th century.

Hiking options abound with well-marked trails ranging from gentle coastal walks to the more ambitious climb up Knockmore (1,520 feet). For those seeking unique accommodations, Clare Island Lighthouse offers rooms from €180 per night, including dinner – a splurge justified by the experience of sleeping in a functioning lighthouse with views that make hotel artwork unnecessary.

Practical advice: facilities are limited, shops close unexpectedly, and the last ferry waits for no one. Planning ahead isn’t just recommended; it’s the difference between a day trip and an unplanned overnight stay where accommodation options range from “someone’s spare room” to “field with particularly soft grass.”

Where to Rest Your Head (At Various Price Points)

When deciding where to stay in Westport, accommodation spans the full spectrum from budget hostels to luxury hotels, with price points reflecting both quality and proximity to town center. Budget travelers can find respite at Westport Town Hostels (from €25 per night) or Old Mill Holiday Hostel (from €22 per night), where the international mix of guests ensures conversation topics beyond American politics.

Mid-range options include Hotel Westport (from €120 per night) and Clew Bay Hotel (from €100 per night), both offering comfortable rooms and strategic locations for town exploration. Luxury seekers gravitate toward Knockranny House Hotel (from €180 per night) or Westport Plaza Hotel (from €160 per night), where spa facilities help soothe muscles angry about Croagh Patrick climbs.

Unique stays include Castle Hag BandB in a restored stone building (from €90 per night), offering charm, character, and occasionally plumbing that requires a relationship with physics to operate. Location considerations include staying in town center (convenient but lively until late), near Westport Quay (quieter with harbor views), or countryside (peaceful but requiring transportation for dinner unless you enjoy very long walks in possibly very wet conditions).

Seasonal Considerations (When to Visit Without Drowning)

Summer (June-August) brings 16+ hours of daylight, festivals including Westport Folk and Bluegrass Festival in June, and the highest likelihood of seeing sunlight reflect off Clew Bay. These benefits come with 30% higher prices, advance booking requirements, and crowds that transform quiet pubs into standing-room-only experiences.

Shoulder seasons (April-May, September-October) offer the ideal balance of milder weather, fewer tourists, and businesses still operating with regular hours. September brings the Westport Food Festival while October features the Westport Arts Festival – both excellent reasons to visit when the Atlantic has slightly less attitude, especially if you’re planning a 1 week Westport itinerary to fully experience the area.

Winter visitors (November-March) find shorter days but authentic local experiences where you’re more likely to chat with residents than other tourists. Many attractions operate limited hours, but accommodations offer lower rates and restaurants have actual availability. The best things to do in Westport during winter involve more indoor pursuits – pub conversations, bookshop browsing, and developing a connoisseur’s appreciation for various methods of warming whiskey.