This section is dedicated to take away all your "I wish someone had told me that before I went!" experiences. This way, you can spend less time settling in, and more time making new friends in your chosen hostel. We share our insider knowledge of tips, tricks and important things to look out for in Westport.
Westport not only attracts holidayers from outside of Ireland, but also Irish people, who like to pass a weekend here. That's why it is not too difficult to find a place to stay here. It is recommended, though, to check in advance if Westport hostels are open and if they have free beds.
Located at Clew Bay, a natural ocean bay, Westport sets a good example for the wild, romantic, and typical coastlines of west-coast Ireland. According to legend, Clew Bay has three hundred sixty five islands, one for each day of the year. Also located in and around Clew Bay (and therefore very close to Westport) are Newport, another beautiful harbour village, and Achill Island, with outstanding beauty with popular surfing beaches and dramatic sea cliffs.
Very famous as well is the holy mountain Croagh Patrick. Each year on the last Sunday in July, throngs of people do the pilgrimage up to the chapel on top of the mountain (which is more than seven hundred meters high). But it is worth doing this walk any day of the week; the view from its top is overwhelming.
Westport is a feat of urban planning. The main streets are well worth seeing, whether day or night. While by day you can have a look around the shops and restaurants, you can pass the night in one of the great pubs, bars, and nightclubs.
Westport provides the best location as a base camp to explore the area around as well. Whether you have your sights on Clew Bay, Mayo, or Connemara, nothing is too far for a day trip from here. A perfect way to get around is by bicycle. You can rent them in nearly every hostel or hotel. Additionally there is a hop-on/hop-off bus driving from Westport over Newport to Achill Island, so you can choose individually which way to drive by bike and which by bus.
Written by local enthusiast for Westport hostels
RebeccaM