10 Top-Rated Attractions & Things to Do in Tralee, Ireland
It’s hard to beat Tralee as an all-weather location, on Ireland’s Southwest Shore, in the foothills of the sprawling Slieve Mish Mountains. An ideal base on Ireland’s Wild Atlantic Way!
You’ll be spoiled for choice when it comes to finding a fun way to spend your time. So after being voted as the Best Family Restaurant in Ireland, we said we’d better give our own tips on Things to Do in Kerry!
Tralee is packed with fun things to do (like a day at one of Ireland’s best beaches, visiting the wetlands centre, and a wander around Kerry’s Capital town).
Tralee is the gateway town to the Dingle Peninsula, and with a choice of great hotels is an ideal base for exploring the spectacular countryside of County Kerry. The Ring of Kerry, Killarney National Park, and Ballybunion Beach are all easy places to visit from this central position in the heart of Kerry.
You cannot beat wandering the mix of new and old street of Tralee with an ice-cream in hand when you have the likes of Denny Street, which is lined with elegant Georgian buildings, and the more modern “Mall”, Square and Manor West Retail Park which feature large open spaces and some retail therapy!
Plan your sightseeing with our list of the top attractions and things to do in Tralee – and if you find something else that makes your trip to Kerry – let us know by tagging us on Facebook!
1. Tralee Bay Wetlands Centre
Tralee Bay Wetlands Centre is an impressive nature reserve with plenty of paths to wander (or cycle) while looking at the wildlife and natural plant species you’ve come to see.
In addition to these, the Wetlands has a 20-meter-high viewing and observation tower with spectacular scenic views, as well as guided nature boat tours and fun water activities (pedalo boats, water zorbing, and a climbing wall).
A perfect mix of fun, activity and outdoors!
Address: Ballyard, Tralee
Official site: https://www.traleebaywetlands.org/
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2. Catch a Show at Siamsa Tíre
The official National Folk Theatre of Ireland nestles into Tralee Town Park in the heart of Tralee and has been entertaining for over 30 years. This is the National Folk Theatre of Ireland!
Through various art forms (storytelling, musical performances, and dance shows are all performed here), this beloved theatre and arts centre boasts a packed calendar of events from May to September.
The performers are local, hailing from either from Tralee or the surrounding towns in County Kerry, and they’ve all been trained in the style of Siamsa Tíre through the National Folk Theatre Training Academy.
Location: Town Park
Official site: https://www.siamsatire.com/
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3. Banna Strand – The Local’s Favourite Beach
Visited year round by locals and visitors alike, Banna Strand is like no other. This beach has been recognised as a Blue Flag beach for its cleanliness and safety, and is a consistent Top10 Beach in Ireland.
Only 11 kilometers away from Tralee, Banna Strand is a popular place to visit to surf, body board, and windsurf. Families also love its shallow waters and the sand dunes, which rise up from the soft shore.
During low tide, more beach is exposed, allowing walkers to traverse even farther.
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4. Let Yourself Go at the Aqua Dome
No visit to Kerry is ever complete without a Trip to the Aquadome – a must for families! Under its gigantic glass dome lies everything you’ll need for an unforgettably fun day out.
Looking for a wave pool? Zip down the flume slides! Want to relax in a lazy river? How about the Spa!
The amazing Aqua Dome also features indoor river rapids, a sky-high flume, a water fall to plunge down, a children’s pool, and whirlpool spas.
Not a fan of getting wet? There’s an 18-hole mini putt course to help while away the time. Or you can head to the gym to get fit while the kids splash about.
When you’ve had enough of hearing the happy screams of children, head to the Vitality Spa for the ultimate pampering experience. It’s an adults-only venue, so rest assured that tranquillity will be found here.
Address: Dan Spring Road, Tralee
Official site: https://aquadome.ie/
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5. Get Lost at Ballyseedy Wood
Ballyseedy Woods lies a stone’s throw from Tralee near Ballygarry Estate, Hotel and Spa and Ballyseede Castle Hotel, plus it boasts woodland nature trails for all abilities.
The ancient Ballyseedy Wood Walk trail was created for Sir Edward Denny in the 16th century. Today, it leads modern day walkers through a historic woodland peppered with varieties of native species, hiding places, meandering walks, bridge crossings and bucket loads of nature!
Surrounded by magnificent ancient trees featuring warped trunks, giant knots, and overarching branches, it’s easy to get lost in this wonderland. Like something from a Hobbit movie, it’s charming and beautiful.
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6. Fenit – A beach and so much more!
Fenit lies just a few miles west and features a beach, harbour and a pier popular with visitors and sea-swimmers. A must is to climb the steps up to St. Brendan and to soak up the remarkable view across Tralee Bay!
The Fenit Lighthouse (a.k.a. Little Samphire Lighthouse) is visible on nearby Samphire Island, a small isle that lies just off Fenit Pier. To reach it, you’ll need to board a boat for the quick trip.
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7. Tralee to Fenit Greenway!
Seeing as we’re talking about Fenit, you must take the kids on a trip along the brand new Tralee Fenit Greenway!
10Km of purpose built Greenway spanning along the old railway lines from Tralee town centre right into the heart of Fenit Village. And with the new Cockleshell Greenway/Blueway on the way it makes for the best looped Greenway track on the Wild Atlantic Way!
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8. The Iconic Blennerville Windmill
Get your phone ready – the Blennerville Windmill offers views you won’t want to forget. Ireland’s largest working windmill, this stunning building is a must visit. Located a mere five minutes out the ‘canal’ from Tralee, its bright white cone and giant blades move slowly against a backdrop of lush rolling hills, nestled right at the edge of Tralee bay.
For the best photo, you should really take the Canal Walk, on the bank of Tralee Bay. This is where the town officially meets the Dingle peninsula, and it offers the most picturesque view of the windmill, and its astounding natural background. A must visit seeing as you’re there is to visit the Canal Lock Gates, still working to this day (well kind of).
Although the windmill itself is a worthwhile attraction, there’s more on display at this pretty site. The Kerry Model Railway, a miniature replica of the Tralee Dingle narrow-gauge, will delight the kid in all of us and is based in the Windmill Visitor Centre
Address: Windmill Lane, Blennerville
Official site: www.blennerville-windmill.ie/
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9. Visit Tralee Town Park
Ireland’s largest Urban Park outside of Dublin, the ‘Park’ is right in the heart of Tralee at the top of Denny Street. As you’d expect in the home of the Rose of Tralee, the park boasts an impressive and vast rose garden, which is home to 35 varieties of the flower covering three acres of land.
The rose garden also houses the Rose Wall, which boasts large glass plaques honouring each contestant in the Rose of Tralee International Festival since its beginnings in 1959.
With bike and walking paths, a sensory garden, community garden, acres of well-manicured lawns, and a kids’ play area, there are plenty of entertaining things to do in Tralee’s 35-acre urban parkland.
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10. Step Back in Time at the Kerry County Museum
Capping off Denny Street, and at the entrance to the Town Park is Kerry County Museum – the most popular tourist attraction in Tralee for good reason. The space is filled with interactive exhibits highlighting the history and culture of County Kerry.
With specific exhibits just for kids including the Archaeology Hall. This unique and fascinating area uses medieval artifacts (found during the excavation of Tralee’s Dominican Priory) to show visitors how modern-day tools and technology are used to reveal secrets of the past.
The award-winning museum offers plenty of kid-friendly activities to get even the fussiest of kids interested. A must visit in the lower floor of the museum, is the Geraldine Experience – a walk-through recreation of old medieval Tralee, the exhibit is so realistic, you’ll even experience the sounds and smells of that era.
Address: Ashe Memorial Hall, Denny Street, Tralee
Official site: http://kerrymuseum.ie/
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