Discover Donegal’s most beautiful beaches
A comprehensive guide to Donegal beaches — from Blue Flag strands to quiet coves, walking beaches, family beaches, surf spots and hidden places you may otherwise miss.
County Donegal features the longest mainland coastline in Ireland, stretching approximately 1,235 kilometres (767 miles). This highly rugged and scenic stretch makes up a massive portion of the Wild Atlantic Way and includes as many as 100 spectacular beaches. You can explore many of those beaches here, but better still, come and visit. We’d love to see you.
How to choose the right beach to visit…Choosing a Beach to visit
Featured beaches
A few featured Donegal Strands. See them all on the Beaches page here... OR view by map here...,
Port Arthur
Port Arthur is more than just a beautiful beach and pier. The main beach is clean and crystal clear, making it perfect for families…
View beachLisfannon & Buncrana Beach
As you enter Buncrana you pass the beaches at Lisfannon and Buncrana which are situated on the banks of Lough Swilly and overlooking the…
View beachTranarossan Bay
Tranarossan Bay is between two headlands on the Rosguill Peninsula. It is the only sign posted beach on the peninsula and is a lovely…
View beachRosbeg
A few miles west of Portnoo is Rosbeg. There are two beaches at Rosbeg in sheltered coves. Both have golden sand and rock formations…
View beachMurvagh-Beach
Murvagh is a blue flag beach in South Donegal. The long sandy beach is flanked by sand dunes and forestry. It is safe for…
View beachTramore Downings
This is a beautiful long sandy beach about 7km long. Ideal for walkers. From the beach you can enjoy views to the Muckish mountains…
View beachAt the northern tip of the Wild Atlantic Way lies County Donegal, a place where rugged beauty meets warm hospitality. Many say if you travel the route from south to north, you’ve saved the best until last. It’s a bold claim, given all the wonders along Ireland’s western coast, but Donegal more than holds its own. Here, the people cherish their land deeply and are eager to share it with everyone who comes.
Donegal is famed for its golden beaches, dramatic landscapes, thrilling adventures, world-class food, and unbeatable craic. Its coastline currently boasts 11 Blue Flag beaches and 5 Green Coast awards—a number matched only by Kerry—together making up more than 30% of Ireland’s finest shores. This website is dedicated to those beaches, not as glossy postcards, but as places you can truly stand on, wander through, and fall in love with. It’s a living project, growing as new photographs and hidden coves are added. Beaches without access are left aside, but there are still plenty to explore—and if you know of a secret strand we’ve missed, we’d love to hear your story.
What we’ve discovered in building this site is that no two beaches are alike. Some are perfect for families—safe for swimming and ideal for sandcastles. Others invite long walks, quiet paddling, or the thrill of surfing Atlantic waves. On a few you can ride horseback, and on others, you can even drive your car across the sand. Yet every beach, no matter its character, shares one thing: that moment when you gaze out at the ocean, the wind in your hair, the Donegal cliffs at your back, and feel the modern world slip away.
Donegal isn’t just a place—it’s an experience. Come and see for yourself. Wander its shores, breathe its wild air, and you’ll understand why so many visitors leave a piece of their heart behind. We promise—you will too.
Beach Safety
Beaches are a great family day out but to stay safe understand the risks and how to avoid them. See our guide to Beach Safety courtesy of the RNLI.
