Ulster district, Ireland

Places to visit near Donegal

Donegal is a town in Ulster district, Ireland, home to about 2,607 people. Within 50 km by road there are 146 places to visit — 53 lakes, dams & reservoirs, 38 hill stations & viewpoints, 12 forts & heritage and 18 churches. The must-see places are Donegal Castle (1 km), Lough Eske (9 km) and Barnesmore (16 km).

Updated · Distances are road estimates · Open Donegal on the map

Donegal, Ireland
Donegal, Ulster district, Ireland. Photo: Wikimedia Commons.

Donegal at a glance

Location
Ulster district, Ireland
Population
about 2,607
Coordinates
54.6538° N, 8.1113° W
Places within 50 km
146 (22 must-see)
Best time to visit
August to December when reservoirs are full and gates may open for lakes, dams & reservoirs; October to February for cool, clear air for hill stations & viewpoints; year-round for churches

Top places to visit near Donegal

Ranked by how worth the drive they are from Donegal: must-see places and the closest well-loved spots first. Open a place for photos, today’s visitor status, timings and directions.

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Things to see near Donegal, by type

Lakes, dams & reservoirs near Donegal

65 lakes, dams & reservoirs within 100 km of Donegal. The closest is Banagher Lough (7 km); the best-known is Lough Eske (9 km). Best time: august to december when reservoirs are full and gates may open.

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Hill stations & viewpoints near Donegal

52 hill stations & viewpoints within 100 km of Donegal. The closest is Banagher Hill (10 km); the best-known is Barnesmore (16 km). Best time: october to february for cool, clear air.

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Forts & heritage near Donegal

42 forts & heritage within 100 km of Donegal. The closest is Four Masters Memorial (1 km); the best-known is Donegal Castle (0 km). Best time: october to february.

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Churches near Donegal

29 churches within 100 km of Donegal. The closest is Donegal Parish Church (1 km). Best time: year-round.

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Rivers, islands & mangroves near Donegal

23 rivers, islands & mangroves within 100 km of Donegal. The closest is Ballyboyle Island (3 km). Best time: september to february.

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Beaches & coast near Donegal

9 beaches & coast within 100 km of Donegal. The closest is Harvey's Point (8 km); the best-known is Rotten Island Lighthouse (27 km). Best time: october to march.

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A one-day trip from Donegal

5 of the best places within 60 km, in driving order so you don’t double back: about 35 km on the road.

  1. Start in Donegal
  2. 1 km Four Masters Memorial · monument, Ulster
  3. 1 km The Diamond · park, Ulster
  4. 16 km Barnesmore · viewpoint, Ulster
  5. 8 km Lough Eske · lake, Ulster
  6. 9 km Donegal Castle · heritage site, Ulster
  7. 0 km Back to Donegal

Plan a longer trip from Donegal — the planner adds a place to stay each night and keeps the route to one loop.

From travellers near Donegal

No traveller has reported from around Donegal yet. Been to one of these places recently? Open it and post what you found — is the waterfall flowing, how crowded was the temple, is the beach safe — so the next visitor knows before they drive.

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How to reach Donegal

    All places near Donegal by distance

    Within 15 km of Donegal

    15–50 km — half-day trips

    50–100 km — one-day trips

    Count by type (within 100 km)

    Places near Donegal by type
    TypeWithin 50 kmWithin 100 kmNearest
    Lakes, dams & reservoirs5365Banagher Lough (7 km)
    Hill stations & viewpoints3852Banagher Hill (10 km)
    Forts & heritage1242Four Masters Memorial (1 km)
    Churches1829Donegal Parish Church (1 km)
    Rivers, islands & mangroves923Ballyboyle Island (3 km)
    Beaches & coast49Harvey's Point (8 km)
    Other attractions35Tetunny Well (23 km)
    Wildlife, forests & gardens24Pettigo Plateau (15 km)
    Parks13The Diamond (1 km)
    Treks13Bluestack Way (14 km)
    Caves33Dermot & Grania's Bed (15 km)
    Museums11Donegal Railway Heritage Centre (1 km)
    Waterfalls11Assaroe Falls (22 km)

    Donegal: questions travellers ask

    What are the best places to visit near Donegal?

    Donegal Castle (heritage site, about 1 km), Lough Eske (lake, about 9 km), Barnesmore (viewpoint, about 16 km), Four Masters Memorial (monument, about 1 km), The Diamond (park, about 1 km), Donegal Parish Church (church, about 1 km).

    How many tourist places are there within 50 km of Donegal?

    146 places on Spotwander: 53 lakes, dams & reservoirs, 38 hill stations & viewpoints, 12 forts & heritage, 18 churches, 9 rivers, islands & mangroves.

    Which is the nearest lake to Donegal?

    Banagher Lough, about 7 km by road; Saint Peter's Lough (8 km) is next.

    Which is the nearest viewpoint to Donegal?

    Banagher Hill, about 10 km by road; Oughtdarnid (10 km) is next.

    Which is the nearest fort to Donegal?

    Four Masters Memorial, about 1 km by road; Donegal Castle (0 km) is next.

    What is a good one-day trip from Donegal?

    Start in Donegal, visit Four Masters Memorial, then The Diamond, then Barnesmore, then Lough Eske, then Donegal Castle, and drive back — about 35 km by road in all.

    What is the best time to visit places near Donegal?

    August to December when reservoirs are full and gates may open for lakes, dams & reservoirs; October to February for cool, clear air for hill stations & viewpoints; year-round for churches.

    Towns near Donegal

    Sources: places from OpenStreetMap contributors, Wikidata and GeoNames; Donegal’s location and population from GeoNames; see also Donegal on Wikipedia. Data sources & credits.