Skip to Content

MUST READ – Where to Stay in Killarney (Best Hotels)

If you are searching for where to stay in Killarney, you have come to the right place! We totally love Ireland and have been countless times.

Killarney was also one of the most enjoyable places we visited on our Ireland road trip. The town is full of history and culture. Many beautiful buildings and churches fill the city.

The city is also well-known for its green surroundings. Killarney is a rather compact city, so most hotels in Killarney City are near both cafes and shops, but also near the national park and Ring of Kerry route.

However, two villages surrounding Killarney are also good options, especially for families and couples, and each of these areas offers something that the others don’t.

Depending on which is most important to you, certain places will be much more appealing than others. 

If you want to stay somewhere where there is always something happening in the streets, then you might want to stay in Killarney City Center.

If instead, you want to stay somewhere that is a retreat from the bustle of the city, Aghadoe is a good option. Muckross is where to stay in Killarney if you are a lover of the outdoors.

No matter what you are looking for, there is an area in Killarney that will fit your needs for your upcoming trip.

Where to stay in Killarney – budget overview

Before we jump into the best hotels and what they have to offer, we will briefly talk about the average price of accommodation in Killarney.

Mind you, Ireland is by no means a cheap country, and since the town is often the base for those who venture on the Ring of Kerry, hotel prices are slightly on the high side.

To ensure you save some money while booking your hotel, you will want to book it months in advance.

Where to stay in Killarney, Ireland

  • Budget: Around $30-40 per night for a dorm bed or around $60 for a double.
  • Mid-range: Around $60-120
  • Luxury: Around $150 per night or more

Best places to stay in Killarney

In a hurry? Then read about the best Killarney hotels below. However, for detailed information, you will need to scroll further in the article.

  • Where to stay in Killarney for first-time visitors -> Killarney City Center
  • The best area to stay in Killarney for families with kids and couples -> Muckross
  • The best place to stay in Killarney for families -> Aghadoe

Our top picks for where to stay in Killarney

These hotels in Killarney are our top picks because of their facilities and location.

Best hotel in Killarney: The Ross

With a stylish design, this lovely boutique hotel in Killarney has all the amenities you could wish for.

It features a restaurant and a bar on-site, where you can get some delicious drinks.

On top of that, the rooms are equipped with tea/coffee makers, WiFi, and air conditioning.

All of that right in the heart of Killarney, minutes walk from most attractions and venues, meaning it is the perfect place to stay for first-time visitors.

Best hotel near Killarney: Muckross Park Hotel & Spa

There is nothing better than relaxing in a spa after a day hiking in the park or driving the long Ring of Kerry driving route.

The lavish and award-winning spa of Muckross Park features everything you need to have a relaxing vacation in Ireland, such as a swimming pool, fitness center, and even a massage center.

Beyond that, this luxury hotel has rooms featuring a minibar, bathtub, air conditioning, and laptop safe, among others.

In terms of comfort, Muckross Park is one of the best hotels near Killarney.

Shops at Killarney in Ireland
Killarney is a cute little town

Killarney neighborhood guide

Killarney isn’t a big city. In fact, it basically has a city center and adjoining areas, Muckross and Aghadoe, which are lovely places to stay near Killarney.

Killarney City Center First time
Killarney City Center is the bustling heart of town. This area is ideal for first-timer visitors and for those who want to enjoy the nightlife and eating venues.
Muckross Couples & Travelers w/ Kids
Muckross is a quaint calm area surrounded by green where visitors can enjoy pleasant walks outdoors. Next to Killarney National Park, tourists can spend connect with nature in Muckross.
Aghadoe Families & Spas
Aghadoe is a peaceful area overlooking the Lough Leane that is perfect for families who want a relaxing place to stay in the countryside of Ireland.

City Center: With a local vibe, Killarney City Center is filled with colorful façades and plenty of pubs and restaurants.

It is the ideal area to stay in Killarney for first-time visitors, but also for those who want to enjoy the Irish nightlife and food scene.

Needless to say, this neighborhood is perfect for sightseeing, and you can find plenty of places to visit and keep you busy while vacationing in Ireland.

Muckross: Muckross is nothing like Killarney City Center. The place is directly among nature, a national park, and a couple of lakes in a calm setting.

With several walking paths and routes, couples and families with kids will enjoy spending time outdoors in this calm setting.

The village, which is just 7 minutes by car of Killarney, is mostly famous for Muckross House. This Tudor manor is a beautiful museum, shop, and cafe with well-maintained gardens.

Aghadoe: While Muckross is just south of Killarney, Aghadoe is north of town.

The village lies at the beginning of the Ring of Kerry, which makes an excellent base for those who want to ride this scenic driving route.

Aghadoe is also a great place to recharge and relax with family, even if you have been to Killarney before, as the village overlooks the beautiful Lough Leane. It’s a relaxing place, for sure!

While you can always take a bus to Killarney (it’s a 20-minute trip), Aghadoe also has excellent pubs and restaurants to enjoy the local food with your family.

Map of Killarney hotels
Map of Killarney hotels – Map Data ©2020 Google

Best areas to stay in Killarney, Ireland

Here, we will talk about the best B&B and hotels in Killarney. They are divided by region so that you can choose the one that suits your needs the most.

Killarney City Center: the best place to stay in Killarney for first-time visitors

Irish Franciscans is near one of the best Killarney hotels
Irish Franciscans

Killarney City Center is by far the most lively area of all the sites mentioned in this guide.

The city is filled not only with excellent traditional pubs but also with some, let’s say, quirky venues. For example, The Shire Bar & Cafe is a bar inspired by J.R.R. Tolkien’s most famous fiction, The Lord of the Rings.

While you have several exciting and interesting places to visit in the heart of the city, the highlights of Killarney are in the surrounding region.

Go for a walk in the woods, take in the beautiful Lough Leane, or visit the nearby castles.

More importantly, if you want to drive the Ring of Kerry, staying in a hotel in Killarney City Center will be an excellent base for your trip.

Things to see & do in Killarney City Center:

  • Visit the 19th-century St. Mary’s Cathedral
  • Go pub crawling in style
  • Photograph the beautiful Irish Franciscans Monastery
  • Sample local whiskeys at the Irish Whiskey Experience
  • Shop for classic Irish sweaters

Best B&B in Killarney City Center: The Garden B&B

This family-run B&B is perfect for tourists who want to enjoy the city of Killarney and venture on the famous driving route Ring of Kerry.

Only a 2-minute walk from the town center, this B&B has free parking and comfortable rooms in a calm setting.

Rooms are quite cozy and feature a tea/coffee maker.

Best hotel in Killarney City Center: The Ross

With a stylish design, this lovely boutique hotel in Killarney has all the amenities you could wish for.

It features a restaurant and bar on-site, where you can get some delicious drinks.

On top of that, the rooms are equipped with tea/coffee makers, WiFi, and air conditioning.

All of that right in the heart of Killarney, minutes walk from most attractions and venues, meaning it is the best location to stay in Killarney for first-time visitors.

Muckross: the best neighborhood in Killarney for couples, families with kids, and nature lovers

Where to stay in Killarney near the Muckross Manor
Muckross Manor

Muckross is a quiet and relaxing area surrounded by natural spots.

Here, couples (or only nature lovers) can hike through Killarney National Park and even around Muckross Lake.

The highlights of the area include the Torc Waterfall and the magical surroundings, which look straight out of a fairytale book. Kids will love to spend some time outdoors in the park.

Beyond that, Muckross House in the region is a 19th-century lakeside mansion where you can visit for the museum or for the coffee–both are worth the trip.

Oh, and take some time to stroll in the garden too. It’s beautiful!

Things to see & do in Muckross:

  • Relax in Killarney’s best spas
  • Take in the lakes in Killarney
  • Visit the sumptuous Muckross House
  • Photograph the roofless Muckross Abbey
  • Wander through Killarney National Park

Best B&B in Muckross: O’ Sullivan’s B&B

If you’re looking for accommodation near Killarney, O’ Sullivan’s B&B is an affordable option adjoining many green areas.

Outdoor lovers will find an excellent base here since the venue is in the heart of Killarney National Park, where you can go for lovely hikes.

This B&B also offers excellent breakfast, as well as free parking and WiFi.

Best hotel in Muckross: Muckross Park Hotel & Spa

There is nothing better than relaxing in a spa after a day hiking in the park or driving the long Ring of Kerry driving route.

The lavish and award-winning spa of Muckross Park features everything you need to have a relaxing vacation in Ireland, such as a swimming pool, fitness center, and even a massage center.

Beyond that, rooms feature a minibar, bathtub, air conditioning, and laptop safe, among others.

In terms of comfort, Muckross Park is one of the best hotels near Killarney.

Aghadoe: the best neighborhood in Killarney for families

Dawn at Lough Leane one of the best places to stay in Killarney
Dawn at Lough Leane

Right at the beginning of the Ring of Kerry, Aghadoe is a village north of the Killarney. It overlooks the beautiful Lough Leane, making it a lovely retreat from the bustle of the city.

As for accommodation, Aghadoe has excellent hotels near Killarney, so if this isn’t your first time in the area, you might consider staying here.

Beyond that, Aghadoe has several pubs and restaurants where you can enjoy the local cuisine with your family. Still, shall you prefer to hit the city, you can always take a bus to Killarney. It’s a 20-minute trip by bus, but even shorter by car.

Things to see & do in Aghadoe:

  • Visit the ruins of a Norman Castle, the Parkavonear Castle
  • Relax in Aghadoe’s best spas
  • Try your hand at golfing
  • Prepare for driving the Ring of Kerry

Best guesthouse in Aghadoe: 19th Green Guesthouse

This guesthouse is the perfect accommodation for families traveling together because of its spacious rooms, welcoming atmosphere, and relaxing surroundings.

Also, the large country-house rooms are equipped with tea/coffee maker, free WiFi, and a bathroom with complimentary toiletries.

Beyond that, the guesthouse also has free parking on-site, which is right at the Ring of Kerry.

Best hotel in Aghadoe: Innisfallen Hotel

While Innisfallen is as welcoming as the 19th Green Guesthouse, this hotel near Killarney has a more modern and clean decoration.

Some rooms are pretty spacious and even have kitchenettes, which is perfect for families staying together.

Killarney is only a 5-minute drive. Still, a bar and restaurant are also available on site.

The property also offers free parking, WiFi, and toiletries.

Best hotels in Killarney, Ireland

Many tourists staying in Killarney look for a balance between a city trip and an outdoor vacation.

Others look for nothing but green surroundings, and others want to stay in a hotel near the best Irish pubs in town. What do you want for your vacation in Killarney?

Once you decide the “theme” of your trip, you can select among the regions and accommodations we mentioned above.

Either way, The Ross Hotel is ideally located in Killarney City Center and just at the N71 road, which is a direct connection to the Ring of Kerry.

The location, together with the comfort they offer, makes it the best Killarney hotel for us.

On the other hand, Muckross Park Hotel & Spa is a unique getaway in the Irish landscape.

This hotel & spa has top-notch facilities to ensure guests can relax and connect with nature while experiencing the ultimate comfort. This hotel is up-runner!

Killarney travel resources

First time in Killarney? Oh, that’s exciting! We want you to have a fantastic time in town and experience the best of Killarney, which turns out is one of the best places to visit in Ireland.

Thinking of that, we wrote several handy guides to plan your trip to Ireland.

For instance, our guide on things to do in Killarney might be handy to you.

Also, we are guessing you are also stopping by Dublin, right? If so, you will want to check out our one day Dublin itinerary or even or itinerary for two days in the Irish capital city.

Moreover, this article on the best places to stay in Dublin might also come in handy. Still, if you want to have a royal treatment for a day, you will want to stay in one of the fantastic castle hotels in Ireland.

They are all to die for!

If you’re visiting other cities in Ireland, which we highly recommend you do, you might want to consider visiting towns like Galway, Doolin, and Cork, which are lovely and jam-packed with exciting things to do.

We also wrote a couple of guides on where to stay in Galway and the best hotels in Cork.

And, last but not least, be sure you read our fun and informative post on facts about Ireland. Because, who doesn’t love fun facts?

That’s it for today, gals and guys! Happy travels!

Did you like this article about Killarney Ireland hotels? Then share it with a friend who might like it too!

Our best travel tips & resources:

Here're our all-time favorite travel tips & resources so that you can save money and plan your travel logistics hassle-free! For more travel resources, check out our travel tips.
  • Saving money: Fly on offseason, winter (not Xmas or NYE), Tuesday, or Wednesday! According to experts, these are the cheapest days to fly.
  • Travel insurance: Before you leave for your trip, make sure you have a valid travel insurance policy because accidents happen on the road. We have been paying for Safety Wing travel insurance for a little over a year now, and we happily recommend them to our family and friends.
  • Accommodation: We usually stay in mid-range comfy hotels or private rooms in hostels. These are the sites we use to book accommodation: Booking.com for hotels (excellent flexible cancellation policy) and Hostelworld for hostels (low deposit and easy cancellation).
  • Tours:We absolutely love booking guided tours with locals to get a history lesson while sight-seeing, especially food tours and walking tours! We book all of our tours using Viator and GetYourGuide.
  • Transportation: We use Google Maps to figure out how to get around a place using public transport. When we book a rental car, we always use Discover Cars to find the best deal.