Tralee is best known for its breathtaking scenery and natural beauty which is steeped in history.
With thousands of people raining down on the town every August for the Rose of Tralee Festival, it can be easy to overlook the stunning beaches, delicious food and relaxing hotels found in the area.
Radio Kerry’s Elaine Kinsella has shared how visitors arriving in Tralee should spend 48 hours - with suggestions for where to stay, restaurants to eat at and the best attractions to stop by.
Read more: Spotlight on Kerry: Four fabulous experiences from around The Kingdom
Where to stay
Set in 180 acres of land overlooking the stunning Slieve Mish Mountains, Ballygarry Estate and Spa is the perfect place to stay for a trip to the Kingdom.
Gorgeous rooms, delicious food and the most exquisite Nádúr Spa make Ballygarry the ideal destination for a romantic break or a luxurious pampering weekend.
Where to eat
Tralee has lots of great dining options with The Ashe Hotel in the centre of town being one of my favourites.
As well as seafood, steak and burgers, they have vegetarian and vegan options and an extensive cocktail menu. The decor is fabulous - glamorous and sophisticated.
Ask for a table on the cute terrace for an atmospheric dining experience (outdoor heaters and blankets are provided so you’ll always be cosy).
After dinner, I like to make the short hop across the road to Roundy’s Bar. Named after football legend Tim Roundy Landers, it’s the perfect mix of traditional and chill, with wine, prosecco, craft beers and a vast cocktail menu curated by mixologists who really know their stuff.
The Meadowlands Hotel is a great choice too with the cosiest bar for pints and really delicious food (including an excellent full vegan menu).
For a mouth-watering takeaway you can’t beat Quinlan’s Seafood Bar at The Horan Centre. The freshest Atlantic seafood and scrumptious hand-cut chips are the business and don’t forget some of the best tartar sauce I’ve ever had!
We are spoiled for choice with coffee shops in Tralee. Maddens is about much more than just coffee – it’s a beautiful creative space for designers and artists (oh and dogs are always welcome too!)
For the most amazing sweet treats, get yourself to Rustic Boowa, a multi award winning artisan bakery! Their signature sweet boowa is possibly my favourite pastry of all time.
What to visit
Don’t forget to pay a visit to Kerry County Museum where you can take a stroll through the Medieval Experience and see for yourself what the streets of Tralee looked like in 1450.
To round off your trip to Tralee you can take your pick of our wonderful beaches – Fenit, Banna and Derrymore are all within a 10 minute drive so don’t forget to pack your togs!
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