Mayo beach crowned Ireland’s best beauty spot
Achill's Keem Bay continues to rank extremely high as a visitor location
Keem Bay on Achill Island has been named Ireland’s best destination for a scenic autumn getaway, beating out iconic beauty spots like the Cliffs of Moher, Connemara and the Giant’s Causeway.
Travel insurance experts at CompareNI.com have created the 2026 Irish Beauty Spot Index to build the ultimate bucket list for a visit Ireland, uncovering unmissable natural wonders from towering coastal cliffs and idyllic lakes to stunning beaches and picturesque forest trails.
The index looked at prominent visitor destinations across the island of Ireland, ranking them based on factors such as traveller ratings, accommodation reviews, affordability and accessibility from the nearest major airport.
Surprisingly, the results suggest that Ireland's most famous natural landmarks aren't necessarily the ones travellers love the most.
Taking the top spot is the secluded paradise of Keem Bay, a breathtaking horseshoe shaped sandy bay tucked away beneath soaring cliffs at the tip of Achill Island.
The remote beauty spot is loved by visitors for its golden beach – recently named one of the world’s best - and clear turquoise waters, which lend it an almost tropical look.
Nearby accommodation in the scenic village of Keel is also rated higher on average than any other destination on the index, while prices come in at an affordable €199 a night, the third cheapest overall.
Coming in second place is Curracloe Beach in Wexford, best known as the filming location for the D-Day landing scenes in ‘Saving Private Ryan’.
Up next in third place is spectacular Slieve League in Donegal, where visitors can stand on dramatic sea cliffs and soak up sweeping panoramic views of the Atlantic Ocean.
Soaring to 1998ft, these sheer marine cliffs are among the tallest in Europe, standing over three times higher than the more famous Cliffs of Moher in Co Clare. But they are not as tall as the Croaghan cliffs located just behind Keem Bay on Achill Island!
In fourth place is the first Northern Irish beauty spot on our list, the awe-inspiring Marble Arch Caves in County Fermanagh.
Rounding out the top five is another Donegal destination, the hauntingly beautiful wilds of Glenvenagh National Park.
Interestingly, one of Ireland’s most famous natural beauty spots, the Cliffs of Moher on the coast of Co Clare, came in just 16th place. Visitors raved about the majestic landscape, but reports of high entry costs and large crowds moved it further down the rankings.
“This year’s results show Keem Bay leading the way, outperforming many of the more well-known destinations. It is perhaps Keem Bay’s remoteness and sense of isolation that visitors love the most, keeping it from feeling overly crowded or commercialized,” said Ian Wilson, travel insurance expert and Managing Director at CompareNI.com.
