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Major city · Ireland

PortmageeAn Caladh

Base here one night only if you have a Skellig Michael boat booked; otherwise pass through on the Skellig Ring and sleep in Caherciveen or Waterville.

Weather
see forecast
Currency
EUR
Best months
May–Sep
avoid Nov–Feb (boats stop, many places shut)
Airports
KIR · ORK · DUB
Nights
1
Not field-verifiedbasic guide
Print / PDF guide
3 pages, for the metro and roaming-off days
Map
Google Maps Apple Maps Street View
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.

Portmagee is a 116-person fishing village on the Iveragh Peninsula, on the Skellig Ring side-loop off the N70 Ring of Kerry. The bridge at the foot of the village crosses to Valentia Island. Almost everyone comes for one thing: a boat to Skellig Michael, a UNESCO World Heritage Site 12 km offshore. Crossings run in calm summer weather only, so a booking is a bet, not a plan. Without a boat ticket the village is a 1–2 hour stop: harbour, bridge, the Skellig Experience across the water.

Essentials

Quick answers and what things cost

Quick answers

The questions people ask first about Portmagee, one line each. Tap a card for the full answer.

Cost cheat-sheet

2026 desk estimate · check

Typical prices for the everyday things, as ranges. Your currency is shown next to the local price.

  • CoffeeCoffee or tea€3–4.50 (≈ US$4–6)
  • BeerPint of stout€5–6.50 (≈ US$6–8)
  • SIM or eSIM, a weekeSIM or data SIM, about a week€15–30 (≈ US$18–35)
  • Museum or sight ticketSkellig Experience entryMarch to November, daily 10 am–5 pm.Adult €6 (≈ US$7), concession €5 (≈ US$6), child €3.50 (≈ US$5)
  • Budget bedHostel or shared-room bed, a night, per person€30 (≈ US$35)
  • Mid-range bedB&B or guesthouse double room, a night, per room€140 (≈ US$170)
  • High-end bedB&B or guesthouse double room, a night, per room€200 (≈ US$250)

A day, not counting the bed: Budget €55 (≈ US$65) · Mid €95 (≈ US$120) · High €170 (≈ US$200)

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 →

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.

Skellig Michael boat tripsValentia Island bridgeThe Skellig Experience visitor centreKerry Cliffs and the Skellig Ring drive
Airports
KIR Kerry Airport, Farranfore (About 1 h 45 min by road via Killarney; check current routes) · ORK Cork Airport (About 2 h 45 min by road; check current routes) · DUB Dublin Airport (About 4 h 30 min by road; rail to Killarney then road)

Weather and climate

Forecast from Open-Meteo · averages rounded

Portmagee: 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

9°C

4°C

18 rd

Feb

9°C

4°C

15 rd

Mar

11°C

5°C

16 rd

Apr

12°C

6°C

13 rd

May

15°C

8°C

13 rd

Jun

17°C

11°C

12 rd

Jul

19°C

13°C

14 rd

Aug

19°C

13°C

15 rd

Sep

17°C

11°C

15 rd

Oct

14°C

9°C

18 rd

Nov

11°C

6°C

18 rd

Dec

9°C

5°C

18 rd

High / low °C · rd = rain days

Arrive & move

Airports are listed under At a glance; this is how to move once you are in

Getting around

The village and the bridge to the Skellig Experience are walkable. There is no public transport along the Skellig Ring road, so a car is the practical way to see Kerry Cliffs, St Finian's Bay and Ballinskelligs. Local Link bus 287 runs from Caherciveen to Portmagee and Knightstown, Monday to Saturday, with a second run on some weekdays. Bicycles can be hired in Caherciveen. Valentia Island Ferry sails from Renard's Point near Caherciveen to Knightstown, a 5-minute crossing, roughly April to October, no booking.

See & do

Day-trips, door to door

Day-trips

Door-to-door, not ride time

Valentia Island

go

Door to door: 10 min

Walk or drive across the bridge from Portmagee

North coast has the cliffs, the Grotto and the Tetrapod Trail; Bray Head is a breezy walk west of the Skellig Experience.

Kerry Cliffs

go

Door to door: 15–20 min

Drive the Skellig Ring south of the village

Cliff viewpoint on the lane; the same road continues to St Finian's Bay and Ballinskelligs.

Ballinskelligs

go

Door to door: 30–35 min

Skellig Ring lane over the ridge, then inland

Irish-speaking village with a sandy beach, ruined abbey and castle, and the Cill Rialaig arts centre.

Caherciveen

go

Door to door: 20–25 min

N70 east, or Local Link bus 287

Birthplace of Daniel O'Connell, two ringforts, shops and the ferry to Knightstown.

Waterville

go

Door to door: 35–40 min

Skellig Ring rejoining the N70

Seafront village between Lough Currane and the sea; two golf courses and McGill's Brewery 2 km north.

Skellig Michael

caution

Door to door: Half a day

Boat from Portmagee or Caherciveen harbour

Landing depends on calm summer seas; book ahead and keep a spare day for a cancellation.

Eat & sleep

Which area to sleep in

Where to sleep

Areas, not hotels: pick the one that fits your arrival time and plans.

Portmagee village

Walk to the harbour, the bridge and the pubs. Few beds; book weeks ahead in summer.

Knightstown, Valentia Island

Across the bridge; hotel, guesthouses and a camping and caravan site.

Caherciveen

20–25 min by road; more beds, shops and the ferry at Renard's Point.

Waterville

30–40 min by road along the Skellig Ring; hotels, guesthouses and two golf courses.

Practical

What a day costs, what to watch out for, and the pocket card

Cost per day

2026 estimate, excluding the bed unless stated
Budget
€55–85 (≈ US$65–100) excl. bed
Mid
€85–140 (≈ US$100–170) excl. bed
High
€140 (≈ US$170)+ excl. bed

Trip budget

2026 estimate · converts to your currency
B&B or guesthouse double room1 × 1 night × €140€140
Food, local transport, entries2 × 1 day × €95€190
Skellig Michael landing trip, per person2 × €130 · check€260
Non-landing cruise round the Skelligs, per person2 × €40 · check€80
Skellig Experience entry, adult2 × €6€12
eSIM, about a week of data2 × €20€40
Buffer 10%Price creep, a taxi you did not plan, one splurge€72
Trip total≈ €397 per person per day, bed included€794≈ US$950

2026 estimate in euro; car hire and Skellig Michael boat tickets excluded. Your choices stay in this browser.

Prices of common things

Coffee or tea€3–4.50 (≈ US$4–6)
Seafood chowder or a pub main€14–22 (≈ US$17–30)
Pint of stout€5–6.50 (≈ US$6–8)
Fish and chips from the harbour trailerHours vary; usually out of season Thursday to Saturday, summer daily 5–10 pm.€10–15 (≈ US$12–18)
Skellig Experience entryMarch to November, daily 10 am–5 pm.Adult €6 (≈ US$7), concession €5 (≈ US$6), child €3.50 (≈ US$5)
eSIM or data SIM, about a week€15–30 (≈ US$18–35)

2026 estimate; check locally.

Watch out

Safety

A very safe village; the real risks are Atlantic weather, the narrow Skellig Ring lane and cliff edges with no barriers. Watch the sea state before any boat trip.
  • Skellig Michael landings need calm seas: trips are cancelled often, sometimes at the pier. Keep a spare day and a Plan B.
  • Landing is only for agile adults; the steps are steep and exposed. Non-landing cruises are the fallback.
  • The Skellig Ring is a narrow lane with passing places; drive it in daylight and expect sheep and coaches.
  • Mobile coverage is patchy on the approach roads and on Valentia Island; download offline maps.
  • Village food options are limited out of season; check opening before you count on dinner.

Emergency numbers

Police, ambulance, fire, coast guard (Gardaí)
112 or 999
Skellig Experience visitor centre
+353 66 947 6306
Kennedy Taxi, Portmagee
+353 87 264 8646

Pocket card

One page · print or save as PDF

Fill in, then print or save as PDF

Stays in this browser only; nothing is sent anywhere.

PortmageeAn Caladh

Pocket card · Voykit

My bed tonight

—

—

—

Chuig an seoladh seo, le do thoilTo this address, please

Emergency

  • Police, ambulance, fire, coast guard112 or 999
  • Skellig Experience visitor centre+353 66 947 6306
  • Kennedy Taxi, Portmagee+353 87 264 8646

Embassy

No embassies in Kerry; the US Embassy and most others are in Dublin. The nearest Garda station is in Caherciveen (check hours).

My embassy: —

Fare anchors (2026 estimate)

  • Valentia Island Ferry, Renard's Point → Knightstown: 5-min crossing, roughly April to October, no booking (check fare)
  • Local Link bus 287, Caherciveen → Portmagee: about 50 min, Monday to Saturday (check fare and times)
  • Skellig Michael landing trip: about €130 (≈ US$160) per person, weather dependent (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)
  • Gabh mo leithscéal — Excuse me (gov muh lesh-kayl)
  • Cé mhéad é? — How much is it? (kay vade ay)
  • Sláinte — Cheers (slawn-cha)

Irish is spoken in this part of Kerry; English works everywhere.

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 Portmagee. Airport, fare and schedule details are unverified; check the operators before you fly.

What we know, and what is coming

On this page

  1. Best months: May–Sep · avoid Nov–Feb (boats stop, many places shut) · month by month →
  2. 3 airports and 4 areas to sleep in
  3. Weather: a 7-day forecast and monthly averages
  4. Cost per day in 3 bands
  5. 6 day-trips, door to door
  6. 5 things to watch out for, with emergency numbers

Coming as the guide grows

  1. Boat-day contract for Skellig Michael: weather call, cancellation fallback, non-landing cruise rung, pier cutoff times.
  2. Four walking clusters with rescue anchors: the harbour and bridge, the Skellig Experience, Knightstown, Kerry Cliffs.
  3. Place pages with verified hours (Skellig Experience, Cill Rialaig, Portmagee Whiskey) and eat pages with last orders.
  4. Storm and hostile-arrival fixtures so the Skellig Ring can go green.

Meanwhile

Back to Ireland

Sources