Which is better — Slea Head Drive or the Ring of Kerry?
Both loops are outstanding, but they suit different travellers. If you want a half-day of instant Atlantic drama with minimal faff, pick Slea Head Drive. If you've got a full day and want variety — mountains, lakes, beaches, castles, and villages — it's got to be its famous cousin, the Ring of Kerry. Forced to name one winner, for its scenic beauty and time-efficiency, Slea Head just about takes it.
At a glance:
| Route | Best For |
|---|---|
| Slea Head Drive | Short trips Idyllic coastal views |
| Ring of Kerry | Variety Historic ruins |
All about time
If you've only got half a day and just want endless coastal views, Slea Head Drive is your best bet. With a full day, the Ring of Kerry offers the complete tourist experience, while Slea Head is a more authentic Irish road trip — perfect if you've done the Ring before or just want a quieter drive.
Slea Head Drive shorter and sweeter
- Total length: Approx. 30 miles (48 km)
- Time needed: 3.5 to 5.5 hours, depending on stops
- Best start/end point: Dingle Village
- Tip: Traffic on Slea Head Drive tends to go clockwise
This loop takes the outer edge of the Dingle Peninsula. You'll be close to the Atlantic for much of the route. Here, it's all about coastal delights — coves, cliffs, and island views without too much distance between them.
Highlights
- Ventry Beach — Sheltered bay for a stroll or a dip
- Dunmore Head — Mainland Ireland's most westerly point — stunning 360° views towards the Blasket Islands and a Star Wars filming location
- Dunquin Pier — Zig-zag path out to iconic sharp sea stacks, and a ferry terminal for Great Blasket Island
- Clogher Strand — Small, rugged beach with lush, soft sand
- Gallarus Oratory — One of Ireland's best-preserved early Christian churches
Drawbacks
- Narrow roads and sharp bends may unnerve some drivers
- Less variety than the Ring of Kerry — pretty much all coastal views
- After leaving Dingle, amenities become scarce
Ring of Kerry Ireland with all the trimmings
- Total length: 111 miles (179 km)
- Time needed: 7 to 9 hours, depending on stops
- Start/end point: Killarney Town
- Tip: Clockwise helps avoid sitting behind buses
Ireland's best-known loop encircles the Iveragh Peninsula. It's a long day, but the range is superb — beaches, mountains, lake country, forests, cliffs, castles, abbeys and lively villages.
Highlights
- Killarney National Park — Ross Castle, Muckross Abbey, Torc Waterfall and the panoramic Ladies View
- Skellig Ring & Valentia Island (optional) — Remote side-loop with Kerry Cliffs, Portmagee and views towards Skellig Michael
- Derrynane Beach — Wide sandy arc near Daniel O'Connell's historic home
- Coomanaspig Pass — Sweeping Atlantic vistas
- Villages — Sneem's pastel houses, Waterville's Chaplin statue, and the market town of Cahersiveen
Drawbacks
- Peak season on the Ring is not for the faint-hearted — huge crowds and heavy traffic
- Unless you have a full day to dedicate to the route, it can feel rushed
- The highlights are spaced out; some sections are less inspiring than Slea Head's
Side-by-side comparison
| Feature | Slea Head Drive | Ring of Kerry |
|---|---|---|
| Length | 28 miles (45 km) | 111 miles (179 km) |
| Time needed | 3–6 hours | 7–9 hours |
| Scenery style | Endless coastal beauty | Mixture of: mountains, lakes, beaches, coast |
| Historic sites | Gallarus Oratory, Beehive huts | Castles, abbeys, stone forts, stone circles |
| Crowds/traffic | Lighter | Heavier (esp. summer) |
| Driving difficulty | Narrow, tight bends | Longer day, generally wider roads |
| Amenities | Mostly in Dingle | Spread across multiple towns |
Which should you choose?
| Pick Slea Head Drive if… | Pick the Ring of Kerry if… |
|---|---|
| You've only got half a day | You can spare a full day |
| You want endless sea views | You want a broad mix of landscapes and attractions |
| You prefer fewer crowds | You enjoy stopping in several towns for food and browsing |
| You'd like a taste of Gaeltacht culture. | You don't mind heavier traffic and larger crowds |
Suggested itineraries & maps
Half-day: Slea Head Drive
Dingle → Ventry Beach → Dunmore Head short hike → Dunquin Pier viewpoint → Clogher Strand → Gallarus Oratory → back to Dingle.
Slea Head map
Full day: Ring of Kerry
Killarney → Ross Castle & Muckross Abbey → Torc Waterfall & Ladies View → Sneem → Derrynane Beach → Glenbeigh → back to Killarney.
Ring of Kerry map
Final thoughts
There's no real right or wrong here — it really comes down to time and personal preference. The Ring of Kerry offers the big-ticket, jaw-dropping tourist experience, while Slea Head Drive feels more intimate and "authentic". Since the Ring of Kerry usually gets the acclaim and attention, our final answer is: Slea Head Drive.
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