Major city · Ireland
Strandhill
Give Strandhill one night, two if you surf: beach, Knocknarea and a seaweed bath. No car needed from Sligo town — bus S2 runs every 30 min.
Strandhill is a small seaside village 9 km west of Sligo town, on the south shore of Sligo Bay under the scarp of Knocknarea. It grew as a resort in the early 20th century and now runs on surfing, a long west-facing beach and a handful of bars and cafés. Most travellers see it as a half-day or one-night add-on to Sligo, not a base of its own.
More ways in
Local time, weather, currency, airports
- Weather
- see forecast
- Currency
- EUR
- Best months
- May–Sep
- avoid Nov–Feb (wind, rain, many places shut midweek)
- Airports
- NOC · DUB
- Nights
- 1–2
Rules in force · 8Non-EU visitors get 90 days in any rolling 180-day window…
- Europe ↗Non-EU visitors get 90 days in any rolling 180-day window, counted across all 29 Schengen states together — not per country; the Entry/Exit System now logs each crossing, so an overstay is detected automatically.
- Europe ↗On the first Schengen entry since EES began, non-EU travellers give four fingerprints and a face photo at the border instead of a passport stamp; there is nothing to apply for or pay in advance.
- Britain and Ireland ↗Neither the UK nor Ireland is part of Schengen: days spent here do not count towards the 90/180-day Schengen limit, and a Schengen visa does not admit you to either country.
- Britain and Ireland ↗The island of Ireland runs on two currencies: euro in the Republic, pound sterling in Northern Ireland and Great Britain. Carry a card that pays in both without fees.
- Britain and Ireland ↗Both islands drive on the left. Speed limits are in miles per hour in the UK (including Northern Ireland) and in kilometres per hour in the Republic of Ireland.
- Ireland ↗Ireland is in the EU but not in the Schengen area; it sets its own entry rules and a Schengen visa is not valid for Ireland. Check Irish immigration for your passport.
- Ireland ↗Ireland and the UK form the Common Travel Area, with no routine checks on the land border. Visitors who are not Irish or British must still meet UK rules (including the UK ETA where it applies) to enter Northern Ireland.
- Ireland ↗Driving is on the left; rural roads are narrow with hedges and few passing places.
What is in this basic guide9 covered · 4 not yet ▾
In this guide
Not in this guide yet
- Walking areas with bag rules
- Day plans checked against opening hours
- Airport-to-bed timings and the last safe connection
- Field-checked times and prices
Official sites
Emergency numbers for Strandhill112 ▾
- All emergencies (Gardaí, ambulance, fire, coast guard, mountain rescue)112
- Alternative emergency number999
Tap a number to call from your phone. These are the numbers listed in this guide; a row marked check has not been verified.
EssentialsQuick answers and what things cost
Essentials
Quick answers and what things cost
Quick answers
The questions people ask first about Strandhill, one line each. Tap a card for the full answer.
- Cash or card?Currency is the euro (EUR).Ireland-wide
- SIM or eSIMVodafone, Three and Eir run the networks; prepaid SIMs (also 48, Tesco Mobile, GoMo) sell in phone shops and newsagents, no registration fuss.Ireland-wide
- Tap waterTap water is safe; occasional local 'boil water' notices are posted by Uisce Éireann.Ireland-wide
- TippingRestaurant with table service: 10–15% if service is not included.Ireland-wide
- Plugs & powerSockets G. US/Canada (A/B): adapter · UK/Ireland (G): fits · Australia/NZ (I): adapter. 230 V: US 120 V-only devices (hair dryers) need a converter; most chargers are dual-voltage.Ireland-wide
- SafetyVery safe for a village of its size; the real risks are the sea, the weather and the tide.
Show all 12 answers
- RestroomsFree in shopping centres, museums, pubs (as a customer) and many petrol stations; some public toilets charge 50c.Ireland-wide
- Emergency numbers112 All emergencies (Gardaí, ambulance, fire, coast guard, mountain rescue) · 999 Alternative emergency number
- Sundays & holidaysShops open Sunday afternoons in towns; rural shops and some attractions close in winter (November–March).Ireland-wide
- Your embassyFind your embassy's 24-hour line before you fly.
- AirportNOC Ireland West Airport Knock (About 1 h by car; the usual arrival airport for this coast.).
- Getting aroundThe village is walkable end to end in about 15 minutes.
Cost cheat-sheet
Typical prices for the everyday things, as ranges. Your currency is shown next to the local price.
- Coffee€3–4.50 (≈ US$4–6)
- Sit-down mealPub main course€15–22 (≈ US$18–30)
- BeerPint of stout€5.50–6.50 (≈ US$7–8)
- Taxi, about 5 km (3 mi)Taxi, about 3 mi (5 km)Taxi from Sligo town€15–20 (≈ US$18–25) (check)
- Budget bedHostel or shared room bed, a night, per person€30 (≈ US$35)
- Mid-range bedB&B double room, a night, per room€130 (≈ US$160)
- High-end bedB&B double room, a night, per room€190 (≈ US$250)
A day, not counting the bed: Budget €60 (≈ US$70) · Mid €110 (≈ US$130) · High €200 (≈ US$250)
Local prices, with USD next to them (rates 2026-09 (approximate); change it in the header). Ranges are desk estimates: check locally. Every price and the budget calculator →
DecideWhat it is known for, and when the weather works
Decide
What it is known for, and when the weather works
At a glance
What the city is known for, how you fly in, and where to find the phrases.
- Airports
- NOC Ireland West Airport Knock (About 1 h by car; the usual arrival airport for this coast.) · DUB Dublin Airport (About 3 h by car or bus to Sligo, then bus S2.)
Best months at a glance
From the guide's best and avoid lists
Jan
Avoid
8°C (46°F)46°F (8°C)
Feb
Avoid
8°C (46°F)46°F (8°C)
Mar
not flagged
10°C (50°F)50°F (10°C)
Apr
not flagged
12°C (54°F)54°F (12°C)
May
Best
15°C (59°F)59°F (15°C)
Jun
Best
17°C (63°F)63°F (17°C)
Jul
Best
18°C (64°F)64°F (18°C)
Aug
Best
18°C (64°F)64°F (18°C)
Sep
Best
16°C (61°F)61°F (16°C)
Oct
not flagged
13°C (55°F)55°F (13°C)
Nov
Avoid
10°C (50°F)50°F (10°C)
Dec
Avoid
8°C (46°F)46°F (8°C)
Best: May–Sep. Avoid: Nov–Feb. Month by month →
Warmest Jul (18°C (64°F)64°F (18°C)), coolest Jan (3°C (37°F)37°F (3°C) low), wettest Jan (20 rain days), driest Jun (14). Averages, not a forecast.
Weather and climate
Strandhill: next 7 days
Loading forecast…
Forecast: Open-Meteo (CC BY 4.0), model data for this point.
Air quality
Loading…
Model estimate (CAMS via Open-Meteo), not a street-level station; readings near busy roads run higher.
Jan
8°C (46°F)46°F (8°C)
3°C (37°F)37°F (3°C)
20 rd
Feb
8°C (46°F)46°F (8°C)
3°C (37°F)37°F (3°C)
16 rd
Mar
10°C (50°F)50°F (10°C)
4°C (39°F)39°F (4°C)
18 rd
Apr
12°C (54°F)54°F (12°C)
5°C (41°F)41°F (5°C)
15 rd
May
15°C (59°F)59°F (15°C)
7°C (45°F)45°F (7°C)
15 rd
Jun
17°C (63°F)63°F (17°C)
10°C (50°F)50°F (10°C)
14 rd
Jul
18°C (64°F)64°F (18°C)
12°C (54°F)54°F (12°C)
16 rd
Aug
18°C (64°F)64°F (18°C)
12°C (54°F)54°F (12°C)
17 rd
Sep
16°C (61°F)61°F (16°C)
10°C (50°F)50°F (10°C)
17 rd
Oct
13°C (55°F)55°F (13°C)
8°C (46°F)46°F (8°C)
19 rd
Nov
10°C (50°F)50°F (10°C)
5°C (41°F)41°F (5°C)
19 rd
Dec
8°C (46°F)46°F (8°C)
3°C (37°F)37°F (3°C)
19 rd
High / low, both scales · rd = rain days
Arrive & moveAirports are listed under At a glance; this is how to move once you are in
Arrive & move
Airports are listed under At a glance; this is how to move once you are in
Getting around
The village is walkable end to end in about 15 minutes. Bus Éireann S2 links Rosses Point, Sligo town and Strandhill every 30 min daily, about 20 min from town. There is no local taxi — one has to come out from Sligo. A car helps for Knocknarea trailheads, Culleenamore and the Coney Island crossing.
Nearest full guides
Straight-line distance, not travel time
See & doDay-trips, door to door
See & do
Day-trips, door to door
Day-trips
Door to door: About 20 min
Bus Éireann S2, every 30 min
Base for Lough Gill, Glencar and Benbulbin.
Rosses Point
goDoor to door: About 45 min
Bus S2 north across the estuary
Same bus line; beach and the Metal Man.
Ballymote and Carrowkeel
goDoor to door: About 1 h
Car via N4 and R293, then a hill road
Carrowkeel megaliths need a walk in from the road.
Enniscrone
cautionDoor to door: About 1 h
Car via N59 and Ballina road
Better as a stop on a longer west-coast drive.
Eat & sleepWhich area to sleep in
Eat & sleep
Which area to sleep in
Where to sleep
Areas, not hotels: pick the one that fits your arrival time and plans.
Village centre (Top Road and Shore Road)
Walk to beach, bars and cafés; Strandhill Lodge and most B&Bs sit here.
Airport Road
Caravan and camping park; 10–15 min walk to the beach.
Sligo town
Cheaper and more choice; bus S2 takes about 20 min to Strandhill.
PracticalWhat a day costs, what to watch out for, and the pocket card
Practical
What a day costs, what to watch out for, and the pocket card
Cost per day
- Budget
- €60–90 (≈ US$70–110) excl. bed
- Mid
- €90–150 (≈ US$110–180) excl. bed
- High
- €150 (≈ US$180)+ excl. bed
Trip budget
| B&B double room1 × 1 night × €130 | €130 |
| Food, local transport, entries2 × 1 day × €110 | €220 |
| Bus S2, Sligo town to Strandhill, one way2 × €3 · check | €6 |
| Surf lesson with board and wetsuit2 × €40 · check | €80 |
| Seaweed bath2 × €35 · check | €70 |
| eSIM, about a week of data2 × €15 | €30 |
| Buffer 10%Price creep, a taxi you did not plan, one splurge | €54 |
| Trip total≈ €295 per person per day, bed included | €590≈ US$700 |
2026 estimate in euro; travel to Sligo excluded. Your choices stay in this browser.
Prices of common things
| Coffee | €3–4.50 (≈ US$4–6) |
| Pub main course | €15–22 (≈ US$18–30) |
| Pint of stout | €5.50–6.50 (≈ US$7–8) |
| Ice cream cone | €3–5 (≈ US$4–6) |
| Surf lesson with gear | €35–50 (≈ US$45–60) (check) |
| Seaweed bath | €30–40 (≈ US$35–50) (check) |
| Golf, visitors' round at Strandhill Golf ClubBook ahead. | €175 (≈ US$250) |
| Taxi from Sligo town | €15–20 (≈ US$18–25) (check) |
2026 estimate; check locally.
Watch out
Safety
- Do not swim at Strandhill Beach: strong currents and an outflow at the north end. Culleenamore, south of the golf course, is the sheltered paddling beach.
- Killaspugbrone church ruin is unsafe to enter; view from outside.
- Coney Island is a tidal crossing: go 2–3 hours before low tide and be back within an hour of the turn. Check tide tables first.
- The Strandhill People's Market was suspended in June 2025 — check before travelling for it.
- Sligo Airport has no commercial flights; it handles private aircraft and the coastguard helicopter.
Emergency numbers
- All emergencies (Gardaí, ambulance, fire, coast guard, mountain rescue)
- 112
- Alternative emergency number
- 999
Pocket card
Fill in, then print or save as PDF
Stays in this browser only; nothing is sent anywhere.
StrandhillStrandhill
Pocket card · Voykit
My bed tonight
—
—
—
Chuig an seoladh seo, le do thoilTo this address, please
Emergency
- All emergencies112
- Alternative emergency number999
Embassy
No embassies in Sligo; Dublin has the embassies and the US embassy. Consular help for most countries is in Dublin.
My embassy: —
Fare anchors (2026 estimate)
- Bus S2, Sligo town → Strandhill: about €3 (≈ US$4), 20 min, every 30 min (check)
- Taxi Sligo town → Strandhill: €15–20 (≈ US$18–25) (check)
- Caravan or tent pitch, per night: about €28 (≈ US$35) (check)
Say or show
- Dia duit — Hello (jeea gwit)
- Go raibh maith agat — Thank you (guh rev mah agut)
- Le do thoil — Please (leh duh hull)
- An trá — The beach (on traw)
- Cá bhfuil an stad bus? — Where is the bus stop? (kaw will on stad bus)
- Sláinte — Cheers (slawn-cha)
English is spoken everywhere; Irish is a courtesy, not a need.
Deep diveWhat this guide covers so far, and its sources
Deep dive
What this guide covers so far, and its sources
Not a trip line yet
This is a basic guide: no airport-to-bed contract, walking clusters or day plans are published for Strandhill. Airport, fare and schedule details are unverified; check the operators before you fly.
What we know, and what is coming
On this page
- Best months: May–Sep · avoid Nov–Feb (wind, rain, many places shut midweek) · month by month →
- 2 airports and 3 areas to sleep in
- Weather: a 7-day forecast and monthly averages
- Cost per day in 3 bands
- 4 day-trips, door to door
- 5 things to watch out for, with emergency numbers
Coming as the guide grows
- Airport-to-bed contract for NOC and DUB: last bus and car-hire cutoffs, taxi fallback, overnight rung.
- Walking clusters with rescue anchors: village centre, beach and dunes, Knocknarea trailheads, Culleenamore.
- Place pages with verified cutoffs (Killaspugbrone, Dolly's Cottage, Knocknarea cairn) and eat pages with last orders.
- Tide-window fixture for the Coney Island crossing so the day plan can go green or red.