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- Cliff walk to the headland and castle ruins (personal favorite) — A short, scrambly walk up from the sand takes you along a raw Atlantic headland where the ruined tower sits. The views back down the crescent beach and out to sea are properly cinematic, and the place has a real off-the-beaten-place feel; best during daylight for photos, but at sunset or by a bright moon the silhouette of the ruin is unforgettable. Take a windproof layer and mind the edges at low visibility.
- Surfing and beach waves — Ballybunion gets consistent Atlantic swell and a long sandy bottom, so it suits learners and more experienced surfers alike. There’s an easy setup for lessons and rentals in season and lifeguards during summer; it’s mainly a daytime activity — night surfing is uncommon and only for experienced
- Cliff walk to the headland and castle ruins (personal favorite) — A short, scrambly walk up from the sand takes you along a raw Atlantic headland where the ruined tower sits. The views back down the crescent beach and out to sea are properly cinematic, and the place has a real off-the-beaten-place feel; best during daylight for photos, but at sunset or by a bright moon the silhouette of the ruin is unforgettable. Take a windproof layer and mind the edges at low visibility.
- Surfing and beach waves — Ballybunion gets consistent Atlantic swell and a long sandy bottom, so it suits learners and more experienced surfers alike. There’s an easy setup for lessons and rentals in season and lifeguards during summer; it’s mainly a daytime activity — night surfing is uncommon and only for experienced locals with the right kit.
- Coastal links golf experience (sea-side walking even if you don’t play) — The golflandscapes that fringe the beach are world-class for scenery: sweeping dunes, blind hollows and fairways that look straight out to the ocean. Even if you don’t tee off, walking the perimeter or stopping at viewpoints gives a real sense of why the coastline is special.
- Rockpooling, geology and beachcombing — The low tide exposes layered rock shelves, pools full of small marine life and bits of interesting stone and shell that tell the coast’s story. It’s the sort of place where kids and adults both get stuck for an hour or three; go at low tide, wear grippy shoes, and keep an eye on the incoming tide so you don’t get cut off.
- Sunset and night-sky watching from the dunes/headland — With its western exposure and relatively low town lights, Ballybunion is great for big Atlantic sunsets and, when the clouds part, solid stargazing. Bring a blanket and windproof layers — evenings can be surprisingly still and quiet — and pause to listen to the surf rather than trying to fill the silence with noise.
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Hi, I’m Johan (Netherlands 🇳🇱), the creator of TakeYourBackpack. Over the past 3 decades, I’ve backpacked through 90+ countries across six continents, gaining extensive experience with independent travel, long-term trips, and overland routes.