Activities & Wellness

Kissed by the waves of the Atlantic and hugged by the muscles of mighty mountains, Westport is a veritable smorgasbord of activities for lovers of the outdoors. Seriously, it’s amazing. From scaling sacred mountains to paddle boarding through sea caves, galloping like Legolas across the sand or swimming in crystal clear waters, there’s something for every thrill-seeker on the wild craggs and in the windy crannies of Westport.

Not a thrill-seeker & happier on the massage table than dangling from a cliff face. It’s all good, we’ve got you covered.

Conquer the mountain(s)

St. Patrick gave us lots of things - Catholicism, a wonderful lack of snakes, and most importantly, a bank holiday. It’s no wonder then, that Westport’s perfectly triangular mountain is named in his honour. This hike is not only one of the most exciting things to do in westport but it is also one of the best tourist attractions in Ireland.

If conquering the Croagh Patrick, or the Reek, as it’s locally known, is too tame for you, there are plenty of other hikes and trails that will test your mettle. Take your pick of Nephin Beg, Mweelrea, Slievemore, Diamond Hill, Croaghaun…the list is endless.

Zen Out

Westport is well known to be an oasis of calm and has everything a zen seeker is looking for. You could say that it even wrote the book on wellness breaks. Slide into savasana at a yoga class, vibrate at a higher frequency at a sound bath, sweat out your demons at a sauna or soothe your soul to the sound of the waves. Westport truly is one of the best places in Ireland that allows you to relax and get in touch with nature and the outdoors.

If RnR is high on your agenda for your trip west, treat yourself to a spa day at one of the many hotels dotted around the town. You might arrive in Westport a hot mess, but by the time you leave you’ll be a zen master, guaranteed.

Sail away, sail away, sail away

Ahhh, the high seas. Or low tides, as is the case twice a day, every day here in Westport where there is no better place to enjoy outdoor activities. Everything is better aboard a boat, and there are plenty of ways to hop on deck and test your sea legs on Clew Bay. Indulge in tourism on the world renowned Clew Bay Cruise, knuckle down like an islander on the ferry to Inis Turk or Clare Island, or get in with the Rosmoney locals at the Mayo Sailing Club.

Life’s a beach, baby

While our weather might be changeable, our beaches are beautiful and plentiful, especially in Westport. When people come here to holiday in Ireland they absolutely love to visit the Westport beaches. There are no fewer than 12 certified Blue Flag beaches in Mayo, many of them dotted around Clew Bay.

Old Head and Keem beach are just some of the west’s Blueways, coastal marine trails where you can snorkel and sea kayak, but there are plenty of other beaches to discover along Westport’s Wild Atlantic Way. We may not always get the weather, but when we do, there’s nowhere else you’d rather be. In Westport, life’s always a beach, baby.

Surf’s up, SUP’s down

They don’t call it the Wild Atlantic Way for nothing. The sea roars and slaps against the rugged coastline, inspiring fear and awe in equal measures. On a calm day, take the kids stand up paddle boarding at Old Head, or if the surf is pumping, rent a board and cruise the waves on Carrownisky Strand or Cross Beach.

On yer bike

Two legs not doing it for you anymore? Two wheels might be just the ticket! Hop on a bike and explore the many greenways that connect Westport to other towns, communities and natural wonderlands around Clew Bay.

The Great Western Greenway follows the region’s historic railway tracks all the way out to Achill Island, and a new greenway is in the works to take bike enthusiasts out to Louisburgh and beyond. If your are on your holidays in Westport you will love this fun family activity that provides plenty of enjoyment for the children and the adults.

Pick a still day for your bike ride, as the wind can blow out more than the cobwebs. The trails are suitable for all levels of experience and fitness, and there are a whole host of bike rental companies in Westport to choose from. They even offer shuttle bus services that will take you to Achill if you only want to do one leg of the journey. Trust us, your legs will thank you!