Take in the Wild Atlantic Way
Fanad Head is one of three Signature Discovery Points on the Wild Atlantic Way in Donegal. The cliffs, the open Atlantic and Lough Swilly are the main event, and photographers come for the light at dusk.
Fanad Head Lighthouse
4.7 (2,771)
About
An 1817 working lighthouse at the mouth of Lough Swilly, voted one of the most beautiful in the world, with guided tower climbs, restored keeper's cottages to stay in and a cliff-edge café.
Things to Do
Climb the Tower on a Guided Tour
Local guides tell the story of the keepers and the shipwrecks of Lough Swilly before you climb 76 steps (59 spiral granite and 17 ladder steps) to the top for 360° views of North Donegal. Audio guides are available in Irish, English, French, German, Italian and Spanish. Children must be at least 1.2m tall to climb.
Explore the Exhibitions and Multi-Sensory Spaces
The grounds and exhibition spaces are self-guided with no time limit. Step aboard the Saldanha for the virtual reality experience 'The Storm, The Sea, The Saldanha', sit with the sounds of Gaeltacht lighthouse life in Éist, and watch sea-life and birdlife at AMHARC.
Coffee at the Lighthouse Café
The on-site café serves teas, coffees, snacks, ices and home-baking, with dairy-free coffee and vegan ices in stock. Bring your own mug for 20% off hot drinks, and sit at the wheelchair-accessible outdoor seating watching the Atlantic.
Browse the Craft Shop
The shop stocks locally sourced, eco-friendly and handmade goods: Donegal soaps and tweed, prints, jewellery, books, clothing and soft toys, with a small range also sold online.
Stay Overnight in a Keeper's Cottage
Three restored lightkeepers' homes sleep 2 to 4 people and are available all year, from €318 per house with a two-night minimum. There is no wifi or TV, so it is a proper digital detox under the beam, with a chance of the Northern Lights.
Explore the Fanad Peninsula
Nearby are the Great Pollet Sea Arch, Ireland's largest rock arch, a few miles east, and the Blue Flag beach at Ballymastocker Bay, famously voted second most beautiful in the world. Portsalon has an 18-hole links course, pier-jumping and places to eat.
Plan Your Visit
- Hours: 10:00-16:00 Mon-Fri and 10:00-17:00 Sat-Sun in January-February (last tour 3pm/4pm); 10:00-17:00 daily March-May and September-December; 10:00-18:00 daily June-August. Opening times may change, so check before travelling.
- Admission: Adults €12, children €6
- Parking: Free car parking at the visitor centre, plus bus parking and ample bicycle parking.
- Food: The on-site Lighthouse Café offers teas, coffees, snacks, ices and home-baking, with dairy-free and vegan options. Restaurants and bars are a short drive away in Portsalon, Kerrykeel, Downings and Rathmullan.
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