Westport might be one of the best places in Ireland for a weekend away. Sitting on the west coast in County Mayo, this colourful town combines traditional Irish pubs, live music, excellent restaurants and independent shops with some of the best scenery along Ireland’s Wild Atlantic Way.
What really stood out to us was the atmosphere. Westport isn’t a huge town, but there always seemed to be something going on. You can spend the afternoon wandering between independent shops and cafés before heading into a pub where live traditional music, Guinness and even spontaneous Irish dancing can carry on well into the evening.
And while the pubs are undoubtedly a big part of the experience, there’s much more to Westport than a good night out. You can start the morning with a dip in the Irish Sea at The Point, explore the shores of Clew Bay, head towards Croagh Patrick or take a short drive along the Mayo coastline.
Food was another highlight of our trip. We ate at some excellent restaurants, including Arno’s Bistrot and An Port Mór, discovered proper Irish brown bread ice cream at KREM and found one of our favourite coffees in town at This Must Be The Place. And after a particularly good night exploring Westport’s pubs, there’s always the considerably less sophisticated option of a huge SuperValu breakfast roll or chicken fillet sandwich the following morning.
In this Westport Ireland travel guide, we’ll share the places we actually enjoyed, including our favourite pubs, where we ate, where to find live music, the shops worth visiting and some easy day trips from Westport. We’ll also cover the major attractions around the town so you can put together your own Westport itinerary.
| Location | County Mayo, Ireland |
| Best For | Traditional pubs, live music, food and coastal scenery |
| Ideal Stay | 2–3 nights |
| Best Time to Visit | May to September |
| Car Needed? | No for Westport town, but useful for exploring County Mayo |
| Don’t Miss | Westport’s traditional pubs and live music |
| Our Live Music Pick | The Porterhouse |
| Our Restaurant Pick | Arno’s Bistrot |
| Our Day Trip Pick | Old Head and The Tavern |
A quick note from us
This isn’t a list of every pub, restaurant or attraction in Westport. It’s based around our own time in Westport and the places we’d genuinely recommend, alongside the major attractions you should know about when planning a trip.
We particularly loved the contrast. One minute you can be drinking a carefully made cocktail in a stylish bar, and not long afterwards you can be squeezed into a traditional pub listening to live Irish music while people in the crowd get up and start dancing.
For us, that’s a huge part of Westport’s appeal.
Why Visit Westport, Ireland?
Westport is the kind of place that works just as well for a relaxed couple of days away as it does as a base for exploring County Mayo and Ireland’s west coast. The town itself is compact and easy to explore on foot, yet you’re never far from the mountains, coastline and scenery that make this part of Ireland so special.
For us, though, Westport’s atmosphere is the biggest reason to visit.
The town has a brilliant pub culture, and live traditional music isn’t something reserved for tourists late at night. At weekends, you can walk into pubs during the day and find musicians already playing. At The Porterhouse, we even watched people from the crowd get up and join in with some Irish dancing – something that gives you a good idea of what a weekend in Westport can be like.
There’s also much more to the town than pubs. Westport has a surprisingly good food scene, independent cafés, craft and gift shops, galleries and plenty of places selling Irish art. Rather than feeling dominated by the same shops you’d find on almost any high street, wandering around and seeing what you discover is genuinely part of the experience.
Then there’s the location.
Westport sits close to Clew Bay, with Croagh Patrick rising prominently nearby. The Great Western Greenway begins in Westport, while beaches, swimming spots and small coastal villages are within easy reach. If you have a car, Westport also makes an excellent starting point for exploring more of County Mayo.
That’s what makes Westport particularly good for a two or three-night break in Ireland. You don’t need an enormous itinerary. Spend some time exploring the town, eat well, experience the pubs and live music, and then use part of your trip to see the coastline and countryside surrounding it.
For us, Westport manages to offer a lot without feeling like somewhere you need to rush around ticking attractions off a list.
Best Pubs in Westport: Where We Drank
One of our favourite things about Westport was its pub scene. There’s a brilliant mix of traditional Irish pubs, live music and more modern places for a cocktail, all within easy walking distance of each other.
These are the pubs in Westport we visited and would recommend.
The Porterhouse – Our Favourite for Live Music
The Porterhouse was probably our favourite pub in Westport for atmosphere. At weekends there is live music throughout the day, and during our visit punters would routinely get up and join in with some Irish dancing.
If you want traditional music, a lively crowd and a proper Irish pub atmosphere, put this high on your list.
Henehan’s & An Ór
Henehan’s is well worth a visit, but make sure you also check out its stunning new cocktail bar, An Ór.
It offers something completely different from Westport’s traditional pubs and is a great place to swap the Guinness for a well-made cocktail later in the evening.
The Old Grainstore
Don’t be fooled by the entrance – The Old Grainstore is huge.
There are several areas inside as well as a lovely courtyard, making it particularly good when the weather is on your side. It’s an easy place to settle in for a few drinks.
Matt Molloy’s
Probably the most famous pub in Westport, Matt Molloy’s is owned by Matt Molloy of The Chieftains and is renowned for traditional Irish music.
It’s popular for good reason and somewhere we’d recommend experiencing at least once during your stay.
J.J. O’Malley’s
Another famous name in the centre of Westport, J.J. O’Malley’s is a great addition to an evening exploring the town’s pubs.
Its central location makes it particularly easy to include if you’re spending the evening moving between several different places.
Our Pick
If we had to choose just one, The Porterhouse was our favourite. The live music throughout the weekend and people spontaneously joining in with Irish dancing gave us exactly the kind of atmosphere we’d hoped to find in Westport.
Want to Experience Westport’s Pubs with a Local?
If you’d rather explore Westport’s pub scene with someone who knows the town, you can also book a guided Westport pub tour. It’s a great option for first-time visitors who want to discover some of the town’s pubs while learning more about Westport and its drinking culture.
Where We Ate in Westport
Westport has a surprisingly good food scene for a relatively small town, with everything from traditional pub food to more upmarket restaurants. For our evening meal, we booked Arno’s Bistrot, a small and intimate restaurant tucked away on Market Lane in the centre of Westport.
Arno’s Bistrot – Our Pick for Dinner in Westport
If you’re looking for somewhere a little more special to eat in Westport, Arno’s Bistrot would be our pick.
The restaurant combines locally sourced Irish ingredients with French influences, with a small menu focused on seasonal produce. The atmosphere is intimate and relaxed rather than overly formal, making it a great choice for a date night or a nicer meal during a weekend in Westport.
Before the starters arrived, we were served bread, which was phenomenal and immediately set the standard for the meal. It’s a small detail, but it was genuinely some of the best bread we’ve had served at a restaurant.
We decided to share a few starters so we could try more of the menu, ordering the McCormack’s bacon and cabbage croquettes, Bluebell Falls goat’s cheese and mushroom faux gras.
Perhaps surprisingly for us, the Bluebell Falls goat’s cheese was the star of the starters. We expected the bacon and cabbage croquettes to be our favourite, but the goat’s cheese ended up being the dish that impressed us most.
The croquettes were still very good and offered a clever take on the traditional Irish combination of bacon and cabbage, while the mushroom faux gras gave us something completely different to try.
If you’re sharing starters at Arno’s, the Bluebell Falls goat’s cheese would be the one we’d make sure you order.
Before our mains arrived, we were also given a small serving of rhubarb ice cream as a palate cleanser. It was sharp, fresh and refreshing, and another little touch that made the meal feel that bit more special.
For our mains, we ordered the boeuf bourguignon and the monkfish special.
The boeuf bourguignon was rich and full of flavour, although our only criticism was the portion size – we would have happily eaten a little more of it.
The monkfish, however, was the standout of the two mains. It tasted extremely fresh and was exactly the sort of seafood we hoped to find while travelling along Ireland’s west coast.
If we were eating at Arno’s again, we’d probably make one change to our meal: we’d both be tempted to order the fish special for our main. The exact special will naturally depend on what’s fresh and available, but based on the monkfish we had, we’d definitely pay attention to the specials before ordering.
Rather than going for a traditional dessert, we finished with a cheese board and a magnificent red wine. It was a simple but excellent way to end the meal and suited the French-Irish feel of Arno’s perfectly.
Would We Recommend Arno’s Bistrot?
Absolutely. Arno’s was one of our favourite food experiences in Westport and somewhere we’d happily eat again.
The combination of Irish produce, French influence and an intimate setting makes it particularly good for couples or anyone looking for a more upmarket restaurant in Westport.
Our order if we went back? Bluebell Falls goat’s cheese to start, whatever fresh fish special was available for the main, followed by the cheese board and another bottle of red.
We’d recommend booking ahead, particularly if you’re visiting Westport over a busy weekend.
Another Restaurant to Consider: An Port Mór
Although we didn’t eat there during this trip, An Port Mór is another highly regarded restaurant in Westport and one we’d consider for our next visit.
It specialises in modern Irish cooking with an emphasis on local produce and seafood. If you’re looking for another more upmarket restaurant in Westport – or can’t get a table at Arno’s – An Port Mór would be high on our list to try next time.
Coffee, Ice Cream & Quick Eats in Westport
Not every meal in Westport needs to involve booking a restaurant. We found a few places around town that are well worth knowing about, whether you’re looking for a strong coffee, something sweet or a cheap breakfast after enjoying Westport’s pubs the night before.
This Must Be The Place – Excellent Coffee
If you’re serious about your coffee, This Must Be The Place is worth seeking out.
The coffee here was excellent and, importantly for us, properly strong. It’s a great place to stop while exploring Westport town centre, particularly if you prefer your coffee with plenty of flavour rather than something mild.
KREM – Try the Brown Bread Ice Cream
For something much more Irish, head to KREM and try the brown bread ice cream.
It might not immediately sound like the most obvious ice cream flavour, but brown bread ice cream is a traditional Irish dessert and one we’d definitely recommend trying while you’re in Westport.
The combination works far better than you might expect, and it ended up being one of those small food experiences from Westport that we remembered afterwards.
SuperValu – Our Budget Hangover Recommendation
After a night working your way around Westport’s pubs, sometimes you don’t need a fancy brunch.
Head into SuperValu and get yourself a large breakfast roll or chicken fillet sandwich.
Both are filling, relatively inexpensive and about as far removed from our meal at Arno’s as you can get – but that’s part of the appeal.
If you’re visiting Ireland from overseas, we’d particularly recommend trying a chicken fillet roll at least once during your trip. And after several pints and a late night listening to live music in Westport, you’ll probably appreciate it even more.
Best Things to Do in Westport
One of the things we liked about Westport is that you don’t need to fill every hour with organised activities. The town itself is part of the experience, and some of our favourite moments came from simply walking around, stopping at independent shops and enjoying the atmosphere.
There are also plenty of things to do around Westport if you want to explore more of County Mayo.
1. Explore Westport Town Centre
Start by simply exploring Westport on foot.
The town centre is compact and very walkable, with colourful buildings, traditional pubs and the Carrowbeg River running through the town. You can comfortably explore the centre without a car, stopping for coffee, shopping or, inevitably, a pint along the way.
We particularly enjoyed Westport later in the day when the pubs began getting busier and live music started spilling into the streets.
2. Browse Westport’s Independent Shops
Shopping was actually one of the things that surprised us most about Westport.
Rather than being dominated by the same large chains, the centre has plenty of small independent boutiques, craft shops and gift shops. We also noticed a lot of locally produced artwork for sale, making Westport a good place to look for something more interesting to take home from Ireland.
Even if you aren’t planning on buying anything, we’d leave some time just to wander around the shops.
3. See the LEGO Collection at McGreevy’s Toy Shop
One particularly unusual stop is McGreevy’s Toy Shop.
It’s worth having a look inside even if you’re travelling without children, mainly because of its huge LEGO collection. It’s one of those quirky little places that you could easily walk past without knowing what was inside.
You don’t need long here, but it’s an easy addition while exploring the town centre.
4. Go for a Morning Swim at The Point
If you don’t mind cold water, one of our favourite ways to start the day was a morning dip at The Point.
The Point is just outside Westport town centre and gives you the chance to swim with views across the surrounding coastline and Clew Bay.
The water is certainly refreshing, but that’s part of the experience. If you’ve spent the previous evening exploring Westport’s pubs, it is also a pretty effective way of waking yourself up.
We’d recommend bringing something warm to throw on afterwards – this is the west coast of Ireland, after all.
5. Visit Westport House
One of Westport’s best-known attractions is Westport House, a historic country house and estate close to the town.
The estate has extensive grounds and family attractions, making it particularly worth considering if you’re visiting Westport with children or looking for something beyond pubs, restaurants and outdoor activities.
We didn’t make Westport House a major part of our trip, so we’d view this as an additional option rather than one of our personal must-dos.
6. Cycle the Great Western Greenway
Westport is also the starting point for the Great Western Greenway, one of the best-known cycling and walking routes in the west of Ireland.
The route stretches from Westport towards Newport, Mulranny and Achill, passing through some fantastic County Mayo scenery along the way.
You don’t necessarily need to tackle the entire route. Hiring a bike and completing a shorter section can be an excellent way to see more of the countryside surrounding Westport.
7. See Croagh Patrick and Clew Bay
It’s difficult to spend much time around Westport without noticing Croagh Patrick dominating the surrounding landscape.
The mountain is one of Ireland’s most famous pilgrimage sites and a popular climb, but you don’t have to hike to the summit to appreciate the area. The drive towards Murrisk alone takes you into some beautiful scenery, with views across Clew Bay along the way.
If climbing Croagh Patrick is one of the main reasons for your visit, we’d dedicate a good portion of a day to it rather than trying to squeeze it between other Westport attractions.
For everyone else, we’d still recommend getting out of the town centre and seeing this part of County Mayo.
Our Favourite Way to Experience Westport
Don’t feel like you need to race between attractions.
For us, Westport was at its best when we explored it slowly – wandering around the independent shops, stopping for a strong coffee, having a swim at The Point and then heading back into town as the pubs and live music started getting going.
Save the bigger adventures for the surrounding area.
Best Tours and Activities in Westport
If you’d prefer to explore with a local guide, there are also some excellent tours and activities in Westport that you can book in advance.
Westport Guided Walking Tour
A great option for your first day in Westport. This 1.5-hour guided walking tour explores the town’s Georgian architecture, colourful streets, local history and pub culture with a local guide.
👉 Book the Westport Guided Walking Tour
Westport Beach & Countryside Horse Ride
For something completely different, this guided horse ride near Westport takes you through the countryside and along the coast, with views across Clew Bay towards Croagh Patrick. The experience lasts around 1–2 hours and caters for different experience levels.
👉 Book the Westport Beach & Countryside Horse Ride
Want to See More Westport Tours?
If neither of these takes your fancy, GetYourGuide has several other bookable Westport experiences, including cycling, food and pub tours.
👉 See All Tours & Activities in Westport
Best Day Trips from Westport
Westport is a great base for exploring more of County Mayo. If you have a car, you can quickly swap the pubs and colourful streets of the town centre for beaches, mountains and some spectacular stretches of Ireland’s west coast.
You could easily spend several days exploring the surrounding area, but these are the day trips from Westport we’d prioritise.
Old Head – Our Recommended Trip from Westport
If you only have time for one easy trip outside Westport, we’d recommend heading to Old Head.
Around a 20-minute drive from Westport, Old Head is a beautiful coastal spot with a small harbour, beach and views across Clew Bay. It’s close enough that you don’t need to sacrifice an entire day either.
We’d recommend heading here during the day, spending some time around the harbour and coastline and simply enjoying the scenery. When the weather is good, it’s a lovely contrast to spending the previous day exploring Westport town.
Combine Old Head with Lunch at The Tavern
This is the combination we’d particularly recommend.
On your way back towards Westport, stop at The Tavern Bar & Restaurant in Murrisk for a late lunch or early dinner.
It’s located close to Croagh Patrick and makes an easy addition to a trip to Old Head without requiring a major detour.
For us, a simple Westport → Old Head → The Tavern → Westport route makes for an excellent half-day trip.
Croagh Patrick & Murrisk
If you want something considerably more active, dedicate a day to Croagh Patrick.
Ireland’s famous pilgrimage mountain rises above Clew Bay near Murrisk and is one of the defining sights around Westport.
Climbing it isn’t something to casually squeeze into your itinerary. If you intend to reach the summit, treat it as the main activity for that day and come prepared for quickly changing Irish weather.
If you don’t want to climb, Murrisk and the surrounding coastline are still worth exploring for the views.
Achill Island
If you have a full day available, Achill Island is one of the bigger trips we’d consider from Westport.
Achill is known for its rugged mountains, Atlantic coastline and spectacular beaches, particularly Keem Bay. It’s considerably further than Old Head, so we’d only recommend it if you can dedicate most of the day to exploring rather than rushing there and back.
Drive Part of the Wild Atlantic Way
You also don’t necessarily need a specific destination.
Westport’s location makes it easy to spend a day exploring part of the Wild Atlantic Way, stopping at beaches, viewpoints and small villages as you go.
This is one of the biggest advantages of having a car in Westport. You can keep your time in the town itself completely car-free, then use it when you want to explore more of County Mayo.
Which Day Trip Would We Choose?
For a shorter stay, Old Head followed by The Tavern would be our pick. It’s close to Westport, gives you some beautiful coastal scenery and doesn’t consume your entire day.
If you have longer in Westport, we’d then consider Croagh Patrick or a full day exploring Achill Island, depending on whether you’d rather hike or road trip.
How Many Days Do You Need in Westport?
We’d recommend spending at least two nights in Westport, although three nights would be even better if you want to explore more of County Mayo.
Two nights gives you enough time to explore the town, experience Westport’s pubs and live music, enjoy a good meal and visit somewhere nearby such as Old Head.
With three nights, you can take things at a more relaxed pace and add a longer day trip, such as Achill Island or Croagh Patrick.
For a first visit, we think 2–3 nights is the sweet spot. It’s enough time to experience what makes Westport special without needing to rush from place to place.
Our 2-Day Westport Itinerary
Two days is enough to experience the best of Westport while still giving yourself time to enjoy the town rather than rushing between attractions. Here’s how we’d spend it.
Day 1 – Explore Westport, Eat Well & Experience the Pubs
Spend your first day exploring Westport town centre on foot. Wander along the colourful streets, browse the independent craft and gift shops and have a look at the huge LEGO collection inside McGreevy’s Toy Shop.
Stop at This Must Be The Place for a strong coffee and try the traditional brown bread ice cream at KREM during the afternoon.
For dinner, book a table at Arno’s Bistrot before spending the evening exploring Westport’s pubs. We’d make sure you visit The Porterhouse for live music, before trying Matt Molloy’s, The Old Grainstore and finishing with a cocktail at An Ór.
Day 2 – Morning Swim, Old Head & The Tavern
Start the morning with a refreshing dip at The Point. If the previous night’s pubs have taken their toll, follow it with a big breakfast roll or chicken fillet sandwich from SuperValu.
Later, drive out to Old Head and spend some time exploring the harbour and coastline.
On the way back towards Westport, stop at The Tavern in Murrisk for a late lunch or early dinner before returning to town for one final evening.
If you have a third day, we’d use it for a bigger adventure such as Croagh Patrick or Achill Island.
Where to Stay in Westport
If you’re spending a couple of nights in Westport, we’d recommend staying either in the town centre for easy access to the pubs and restaurants or slightly outside if you’d prefer a more luxurious and relaxing stay.
Here are two Westport hotels we’d recommend considering.
Castlecourt Hotel – Best for the Town Centre
The Castlecourt Hotel is a great option if you want to be close to the action. This 4-star hotel is right in Westport, putting the town’s pubs, restaurants and shops within easy reach.
There’s also an indoor swimming pool, gym, sauna and steam room, making it a good all-round choice for a weekend in Westport.
Best for: Exploring Westport on foot.
👉 Check Prices & Availability for Castlecourt Hotel on Expedia
Knockranny House Hotel & Spa – Best for a Luxury Stay
For something a little more luxurious, consider Knockranny House Hotel & Spa.
Set above Westport with views towards Croagh Patrick and Clew Bay, this 4-star hotel is particularly appealing if you want to combine exploring Westport with some downtime. There’s also an extensive spa, making it a great option for couples.
Best for: Couples, spa breaks and a more luxurious stay.
👉 Check Prices & Availability for Knockranny House Hotel & Spa on Expedia
Getting to Westport & Getting Around
Westport is relatively easy to reach, particularly if you’re travelling from Dublin. Direct trains run between Dublin Heuston and Westport, making it possible to visit without hiring a car.
Driving gives you considerably more freedom if Westport is part of a wider trip around the west of Ireland. From Dublin, expect the journey to take roughly 3.5 hours, depending on traffic.
Once you arrive, Westport itself is very walkable. The pubs, restaurants, cafés and independent shops we’ve recommended are concentrated around the town centre, so you certainly don’t need a car for exploring Westport itself.
A car becomes much more useful if you’re staying for several days. It gives you the freedom to visit Old Head, Croagh Patrick, Achill Island and other parts of County Mayo without having to plan your day around public transport.
Our recommendation: If you’re only visiting Westport for the town, you can comfortably travel by train. If you want to explore the surrounding Mayo coastline as well, we’d hire a car.
Hiring a Car in Westport
You don’t need a car to explore Westport itself, but we’d definitely recommend hiring one if you want to discover more of County Mayo. Having your own car makes trips to Old Head, Croagh Patrick, Achill Island and the surrounding coastline considerably easier.
👉 Compare Car Hire Prices in Ireland
Best Time to Visit Westport
We’d recommend visiting Westport between May and September, when you’ll have longer days and generally better conditions for exploring County Mayo, swimming, hiking and spending time outdoors.
Summer is naturally the busiest period, but it also suits Westport particularly well. The town has a brilliant atmosphere when the pubs are busy and live music is in full swing.
If experiencing the pubs and traditional Irish music is a big reason for your visit, we’d recommend including a Friday or Saturday night in your stay.
Just remember that this is the west coast of Ireland – even in summer, we’d pack a waterproof jacket and be prepared for the weather to change quickly.
Final Thoughts: Is Westport Worth Visiting?
Yes, Westport is absolutely worth visiting, particularly if you’re looking for a lively weekend away on Ireland’s west coast.
For us, the biggest highlight was the atmosphere. Listening to live music at The Porterhouse while people spontaneously got up to Irish dance is exactly the sort of experience we’d hoped to find in the west of Ireland.
But Westport isn’t just about the pubs. We had an excellent meal at Arno’s Bistrot, tried traditional brown bread ice cream, explored the independent shops and started the morning with a cold swim at The Point. Add in places such as Old Head, Croagh Patrick and the wider County Mayo coastline, and there’s plenty to keep you busy beyond the town itself.
What we particularly liked was that Westport never felt like somewhere we needed to rush around ticking attractions off a list. It’s a place to explore slowly, eat well, enjoy the pubs and use as a base for discovering County Mayo.
For a first visit, we’d recommend two to three nights in Westport, ideally including a weekend.
Would we go back? Definitely.
Westport Ireland FAQ
Is Westport, Ireland worth visiting?
Yes. Westport is well worth visiting for its traditional pubs, live music, independent shops, restaurants and easy access to the scenery of County Mayo. We particularly recommend Westport for a two or three-night break combining time in the town with a trip along the Mayo coastline.
What is Westport famous for?
Westport is known for its traditional Irish pubs, live music, colourful town centre and location near Clew Bay and Croagh Patrick. It’s also a popular starting point for exploring the Great Western Greenway and wider County Mayo.
How many days do you need in Westport?
We recommend spending two to three nights in Westport. Two nights is enough to explore the town, experience its pubs and restaurants and take a short trip to somewhere such as Old Head. Three nights gives you time for a longer day trip or Croagh Patrick.
What are the best things to do in Westport?
Some of the best things to do in Westport include exploring the town centre, visiting its independent shops, experiencing the pubs and live music, swimming at The Point, visiting Westport House and cycling part of the Great Western Greenway. Croagh Patrick and Clew Bay are also nearby.
What are the best pubs in Westport?
Our recommended Westport pubs include The Porterhouse, Matt Molloy’s, The Old Grainstore, Henehan’s and J.J. O’Malley’s. For something different, An Ór is a stylish cocktail bar and a good alternative to Westport’s traditional pubs.
Where is the best live music in Westport?
The Porterhouse was our favourite place for live music in Westport. At weekends, we found live music taking place throughout the day, with punters even getting up and joining in with Irish dancing. Matt Molloy’s is another famous choice for traditional Irish music.
Is Westport good for nightlife?
Yes. Westport has an excellent nightlife scene, particularly if you enjoy traditional Irish pubs and live music. One of the advantages of Westport is that the town centre is compact, making it easy to visit several pubs during the same evening.
What is the best restaurant in Westport?
Of the restaurants we tried, Arno’s Bistrot would be our recommendation for a more upmarket dinner in Westport. We particularly enjoyed the Bluebell Falls goat’s cheese and extremely fresh monkfish special.
An Port Mór is another highly regarded Westport restaurant we’d consider trying on a future visit.
Do you need to book restaurants in Westport?
We’d recommend booking popular Westport restaurants in advance, particularly for Friday and Saturday evenings. Smaller restaurants such as Arno’s Bistrot have limited tables, so we wouldn’t rely on getting a table without a reservation during a busy weekend.
Where can you get good coffee in Westport?
We recommend This Must Be The Place. The coffee was excellent and particularly good if, like us, you prefer your coffee strong.
What food should you try in Westport?
Alongside Westport’s restaurant scene, we’d recommend trying Irish brown bread ice cream at KREM. After a night exploring the pubs, a large breakfast roll or chicken fillet sandwich from SuperValu is another considerably less sophisticated – but very Irish – option.
Can you swim in Westport?
Yes. The Point is our recommendation for a morning dip close to Westport. The water can certainly be cold, but swimming here was one of our favourite ways to start the day.
Can you walk around Westport?
Yes. Westport town centre is very walkable, and you don’t need a car to explore its main streets, pubs, restaurants, cafés and shops. We found walking the easiest way to get around the town.
Do you need a car in Westport?
You don’t need a car for Westport town centre. However, we’d recommend having one if you want to explore Old Head, Achill Island and more of the County Mayo coastline independently.
Can you get to Westport from Dublin by train?
Yes. Direct trains operate between Dublin Heuston and Westport, making Westport possible to visit without driving. Once you arrive, much of the town can be explored on foot.
What are the best day trips from Westport?
There are several excellent day trips from Westport, including Old Head, Croagh Patrick and Achill Island. For an easy half-day trip, our recommendation is to visit Old Head before stopping at The Tavern in Murrisk for lunch or an early dinner.
Is Old Head worth visiting from Westport?
Yes. Old Head is one of our favourite easy trips from Westport. It has a beautiful coastal setting, beach and small harbour and is close enough to Westport that you don’t need to dedicate an entire day to visiting.
How far is Croagh Patrick from Westport?
Croagh Patrick is approximately 10 km from Westport, near the village of Murrisk. The drive generally takes around 15 minutes, making it very easy to combine the area with a stay in Westport.
Do you have to climb Croagh Patrick?
No. You can visit Murrisk and the area around Croagh Patrick without climbing to the summit. The surrounding area and views across Clew Bay are still worth seeing if hiking isn’t part of your plans.
Is Westport a good base for exploring County Mayo?
Yes. Westport is an excellent base for exploring County Mayo because you can enjoy its restaurants and pubs in the evening while being within easy reach of Clew Bay, Croagh Patrick, Old Head, the Great Western Greenway and Achill Island.
What is the best time to visit Westport?
We recommend visiting between May and September for longer daylight hours and generally better conditions for exploring outdoors. If Westport’s pubs and live music are important to you, try to include a Friday or Saturday night in your stay.
Is Westport good for couples?
Yes. We’d particularly recommend Westport for couples looking for a weekend break combining good food, pubs, live music and outdoor activities. Restaurants such as Arno’s and cocktail bars such as An Ór also give you options for a more relaxed date night.
Is Westport good for a weekend break?
Yes. In fact, we think a weekend is one of the best ways to experience Westport. Arrive for two or three nights and you’ll have enough time to explore the town, experience the pubs and restaurants and take at least one trip into the surrounding County Mayo countryside.
What can you do in Westport when it rains?
Westport still has plenty to do when the Irish weather doesn’t cooperate. Explore the independent shops and galleries, visit McGreevy’s Toy Shop, stop for coffee, enjoy a long lunch or take advantage of Westport’s pubs and live music.
And given that you’re on Ireland’s west coast, we’d recommend bringing a waterproof jacket regardless of what the forecast says.
What are the best tours in Westport, Ireland?
Some of the best tours in Westport include a guided walking tour of Westport, a guided pub tour and a beach and countryside horse-riding experience. Which one is best depends on whether you want to learn about the town, experience its pub culture or explore the surrounding countryside.
Is there a walking tour of Westport?
Yes. You can book a guided walking tour of Westport that explores the town’s history, architecture and local culture. It’s a particularly good activity for your first day because it gives you an introduction to Westport before exploring independently.
Can you book a pub tour in Westport?
Yes. There are guided pub tours in Westport, making them a good option if experiencing the town’s famous pub culture is one of the main reasons for your visit. You can also explore independently – The Porterhouse, Matt Molloy’s, The Old Grainstore, Henehan’s and J.J. O’Malley’s are among the pubs we’d recommend.
Is a Westport pub tour worth booking?
A Westport pub tour can be worth booking if it’s your first time in the town and you want a local introduction to its pub culture. If you’d rather explore independently, Westport town centre is compact enough to easily create your own pub crawl using our recommendations above.
Can you go horse riding in Westport?
Yes. You can book a guided beach and countryside horse ride near Westport, combining the surrounding countryside with views across Clew Bay. It’s a good alternative to Westport’s walking and cycling activities if you’re looking for something different.
Should you book Westport tours in advance?
We’d recommend booking any Westport tours or activities you definitely want to experience in advance, particularly when visiting during summer or over a busy weekend. Walking tours, pub tours and guided outdoor activities can have limited spaces.
What is the best tour for first-time visitors to Westport?
A Westport guided walking tour is probably the best starting point for first-time visitors because it introduces you to the town, its history and local culture. You can then spend the rest of your stay exploring independently.
What are the best outdoor activities in Westport?
Popular outdoor activities around Westport include horse riding, cycling the Great Western Greenway, swimming, walking and hiking Croagh Patrick. Westport’s location beside Clew Bay also makes it an excellent base for exploring the Mayo coastline.
Do you need to book a tour to explore Westport?
No. You can easily explore Westport independently, particularly the compact town centre. Guided tours are better viewed as an optional addition if you want more local knowledge, a structured activity or an experience such as horse riding that would be difficult to organise independently.
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