Top Killarney Outdoor Activities

Explore Killarney National Park the traditional way, by horse and carriage, which is known locally as a “Killarney jaunting car.” You’ll ride in the carriage with woollen blankets to keep you warm on cooler days, and enjoy a scenic route around the Muckross Park Estate to the historic Muckross Abbey. Even better: The experience is private, so you’ll ride with just your personal group.

Discover Killarney National Park at your leisure with a half-day self-guided bike tour. Pick-up your bike rental and a map guiding the way to popular park landmarks including Muckross House and Gardens, Muckross Abbey, Torc Waterfall, and Muckross Traditional Farms. Enjoy maximum flexibility to explore the countryside at your pace with this self-guided bike tour.

Panoramic views of Killarney National Park and Lakes on board our Carriage With history and foklore and local knowledge of our Carriage Driver who are known locally as the Jarvey

Do as the tourists of bygone years did, and explore Killarney by horse and carriage. The equivalent to a modern taxi, the jaunting car was popular in Ireland through the 19th and early 20th centuries. On this tour, you’ll learn about the area’s history, hearing tales of the Gaelic chieftains as you ride around Killarney National Park. Ross Castle, St. Mary's Cathedral, and Killarney House Gadens are a few of the landmarks on the route.

Skip a tour by foot, and saddle up for a horseback ride through Killarney National Park, that’s suitable for all abilities. You’ll be at one with nature, as you ride past scenic Lough Lein, along trails that lend themselves to rugged mountain views. Led by a guide, the ride is limited to just 16 people for a small-group experience where assistance is always close by.

See the best views hidden inside the Nation Park! We bring you on routes closed to motor traffic. A must do as part of your visit to Killarney! The Jaunting cars are an iconic part of Killarney, these historic tours feature some of the best views of Killarney National Park

Get up close and personal with Killarney National Park's spectacular scenery on a horseback riding tour. Pick between morning and afternoon tour times, and make your own way to the stables near Killarney Town. Grab your helmet and boots, saddle up, and head into nature. You'll ride along Lough Lein, will admire soaring mountains and rolling hills, and can learn more about the highlights of Ireland's first national park.

Get a fuller experience of Killarney than would be possible with a single form of transportation on this combination tour by boat and jaunting car. Sail across Lough Lein in a glass-covered boat then hop aboard a jaunting car to travel through Killarney National Park, to places inaccessible by motor vehicle.

The Ring of Kerry and the Killarney National Park take pride of place on the Iveragh Peninsula, with some of Ireland’s finest coastal scenery—but the 110-mile (177-kilometer) journey makes sightseeing a challenge. This convenient full-day coach tour from Killarney makes it possible to complete the route in a day. Plus, take in traditional coastal villages such as Cahersiveen, Derrynane, and Glenbeigh. Visit the historic Bog Village with a guide, and discover top natural attractions including the Killarney Lakes, Rossbeigh Beach, and Macgillycuddy's Reeks.

Experience the rugged beauty of Ireland’s southeast coastline on a coach tour of the Dingle Peninsula and Slea Head from Killarney. Travel through scenic mountain regions and along Ireland’s rocky beaches without having to drive yourself. Stop for lunch in Dingle Town (own expense) and get a splendid view of Slea Head—the most westerly point in Ireland. Learn more from your driver’s commentary than you would going alone.

Explore the scenic lakes of Killarney with a small-group boat tour to Innisfallen Island. Meet your boat captain for a guided tour focused on scenery and history. At Innisfallen Island, visit one of Ireland’s oldest monastic settlements. Cruise along the lake and learn about the heritage and nature of County Kerry from a local guide.

Discover the beauty of Killarney’s lakes with a guided kayaking tour suitable for all levels. Meet your guide for a safety tutorial and then paddle out on a gentle tour with mountain and lake views. See Ross Castle, a local landmark, and learn about its history. Keep an eye out for wildlife during this small-group kayaking trip limited to 15 people, available mid-February to November.

Don't waste precious vacation time trying to coordinate various activities across County Kerry. Book this hassle-free tour that includes a hike (or pony ride), scenic cruise, and transfers through Killarney National Park and beyond. Traverse the rugged Gap of Dunloe, discover five connected glacial lakes, cross the legendary Wishing Bridge, and cruise scenic waterways straight to historic Ross Castle.

Explore Killarney at your own pace and avoid the stress of planning when you book a hop-on, hop-off bus pass. In addition to navigating for you, your bus driver provides useful background information about each stop on the bus route, including Ross Castle, Torc Waterfall, Muckross House, Aghadoe Viewing Point, and the city center.

The light horse-drawn carriages known as “jaunting cars” used to be key to getting around Ireland, and today they add a uniquely Irish flavor to both photos and excursions. See the sights the traditional way when you book these private jaunting car tours. One route centers the Lakes of Killarney; the other focuses on Kenmare House grounds and Ross Castle. Both collect and drop off at central Killarney hotels.

Cruise with us through Killarney's lower and middle lake to the Meeting of the waters, passing Dinis cottage, the Rustig bridge, the old weir bridge and also Inissfallen island along with Ross Castle and the beauty of all the mountains and magic that comes with this breathtaking trip.

Lough Leane is the largest lake in Killarney. Travel across its deep blue and green waters while taking in scenes of the 15th-century Ross Castle from the deck of your covered heated vessel on this lake cruise. Spy Innisfallen Island as you sail, home to a medieval monastery that used to house scholar-monks.

Experience Ireland’s stunning Gap of Dunloe mountain pass and beautiful Killarney National Park by bus and boat on this tour from Killarney. Skip the planning involved in exploring independently, and admire the scenery on a bus to Kate Kearney’s Cottage at the gap entrance. Then, choose to walk or take a horse-drawn carriage ride (own expense) through the pass before enjoying a guided boat tour around Killarney's lakes and rivers.

Explore Killarney at your own rhythm, from quick town loops to full-day lake adventures. With your choice of bike and insider route suggestions, it’s easy to discover gems like Ross Castle and Muckross Lake—in the open air, exploring Ireland right. You could also navigate dedicated cycling paths through the national park. However you do it, you’ll skip the parking hassles and tourist snapshots for authentic Irish adventure.

Experience Killarney’s old-time charms the old-fashioned way in a horse carriage, or jaunting car, with your own personal “jarvey” driver/guide. Trot through the grounds of 15th-century Ross Castle, get a taste of Killarney National Park, and see sights including the cathedral and Lough Leane lake. Wrap up with a quintessentially modern experience: pizza and craft beer at the Killarney Brewing Company.

The Killarney National Park is one of the highlights of the Ring of Kerry, but you don’t have to put on your hiking boots to enjoy its stunning scenery. This Lakes of Killarney cruise is the perfect introduction, offering spectacular views of Ross Castle, Innisfallen Island, Tomies Wood, and the wildlife of the Killarney Valley.

Summit Ireland's highest mountain—and challenge yourself to an active and adventurous day in nature—on this personalized hiking excursion. In the morning, come prepared with outdoorsy gear, make your own way to the start point, and meet your guide. Then, set off on a full-day hike up to Carrauntoohil's summit and back. As you go, soak up the dramatic scenery, and learn all about the region's history from your guide.

Discover the best of Killarney National Park's dramatic, UNESCO-preserved scenery—and enjoy a new way to explore the park—on this small-group horseback riding tour. Make your own way to the departure point in the morning, grab your helmet and boots, and set off. Over the course of several hours, you immerse yourself in the landscapes, see highlights like Lough Lein, admire the rolling mountains, and more.