Things to do in Glendalough
Glendalough brings an early Christian monastic settlement and two lakes together in a glacial valley in County Wicklow. Start with the kind of day you want: churches and a guided explanation, a walk beside the water, or a longer mountain route. The ruins, lakes and national park are free to enter; the OPW visitor centre charges admission, and parking can cost extra. A Dublin excursion pays for transport and the stated tour services rather than a compulsory ticket to the ruins.
The round tower, cathedral and St Kevin’s Church give a first visit a clear focus without committing you to a mountain walk. Follow the monastic-site route for the buildings and access details, then decide whether to continue towards the lakes. The cemetery has uneven surfaces and is very difficult for wheelchair users; the visitor centre is fully accessible. These are different parts of the visit, so choose a route around the people travelling with you.
Our picks: Glendalough trips
For a shorter outing, choose the half-day coach trip; for guided walks, consider Glendalough and Kilkenny. The riding trip adds an outdoor activity in Wicklow.
Hand-picked tours, booked through GetYourGuide and Viator. Prices are indicative starting prices in euros (as of October 2026). Tap a tour for live availability and the current price in your currency.
Glendalough trip with riding in Wicklow
- Horse Riding in Wicklow
- Local guide
- Live commentary on board
The riding activity takes place in Wicklow; consider the weather when planning your day.
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Glendalough sightseeing and whiskey tasting
- Entrance fees
- English-speaking tour guide
- Whiskey tasting
Travel by air-conditioned midi coach on a sightseeing trip; hiking is not included.
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Glendalough and Kilkenny from Dublin
- Walking tour of Glendalough
- Walking tour of Kilkenny
- Round-trip transportation
Wi-Fi and USB charging are available on board. Entry to Kilkenny Castle costs extra.
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Glendalough and Powerscourt Waterfall
- Entry to Powerscourt Waterfall
- Live commentary
- Transportation during the tour
Some buses have Wi-Fi and USB ports; the waterfall entry does not include the gardens.
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Glendalough and sheepdog demonstration
- Tour with a local guide
- Sheepdog demonstration
- Round-trip transportation
A day trip from Dublin is an alternative to staying locally. Kilkenny Castle entry is extra; Wi-Fi depends on network coverage.
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Glendalough half-day trip from Dublin
- Local guide
- Air-conditioned coach
A guided excursion offers an alternative way to reach Glendalough from Dublin.
Check availability →Glendalough outings from Dublin
Choose a half-day introduction, a Kilkenny combination, sightseeing with whiskey tasting, a waterfall visit or a Wicklow horse-riding outing.
Explore the valley and plan your visit
Dublin day trips
Half-day visits, Kilkenny combinations and the Powerscourt Waterfall option.
Private routes
Compare vehicle capacities, group prices and garden or waterfall stops.
The monastic settlement
A practical route past the round tower, cathedral and stone church.
Visitor centre admission
Separate OPW opening hours and charges from the free ruins.
The two lakes
Plan a visit to Upper Lake and Lower Lake with water safety in mind.
Walking routes
Trail colours, Spinc works and the difference between a stroll and a hike.
Buses and parking
Independent travel from Dublin and the three distinct parking areas.
Stay near the valley
Laragh, Cullentragh and Roundwood as bases for an overnight visit.
Seasons and weather
Regional climate context, winter opening and outdoor planning.
History and legends
Understand the settlement’s development and the stories of St Kevin.
Choose between a day trip and an overnight stay
A half-day Dublin trip combines a local guide, coach transport and a visit to the valley. Longer combinations add other stops, so their total duration is not time spent in Glendalough. The Kilkenny outing with guided walks includes walks in both places; another combination adds a sheepdog demonstration. Read the day-trip comparison for the distinction between an organised route and independent bus travel.
An overnight stay around Laragh, Laragh East, Cullentragh or Oldbridge near Roundwood can separate a walking day from the journey out of Dublin. Choose the actual accommodation location in relation to your bus stop or parking plan. A regional place name alone does not establish a convenient walk to the ruins. The accommodation guide explains the areas without treating the entire valley as one hotel district. For a private vehicle with Powerscourt combinations, compare the private tours.
Lakes, walking and useful boundaries
Upper Lake and Lower Lake occupy the valley floor. NPWS’s May 2026 parking notice gives about 20 minutes from the OPW car park to Upper Lake using Green Road or the Lower Lake Boardwalk. Treat that as an orientation figure, allowing for stops and your own pace. A lakeside visit and a complete Spinc circuit are different plans. The walking guide covers route grades and current diversions; Bronze is closed, while Orange and Pink are diverted.
The sightseeing outing with a complimentary whiskey taste uses a midi coach and pickup points near hotels in North and South Dublin. It is a sightseeing trip with hiking excluded, rather than a guided mountain walk or a distillery tour. Horse riding on the separate Wicklow outing is an activity in Wicklow; it should not be read as a ride along the lakeshores. Match the activity to the day you want instead of choosing only by the photograph.
National park, Sally Gap and Lough Tay
Glendalough lies within Wicklow Mountains National Park. Some Dublin itineraries add mountain-road scenery and a Lough Tay photo stop. Lough Tay itself has no visitor access, and the private Luggala estate has no general right of way. A view from a public viewpoint is different from entry to the estate. For the wider landscape, use Wicklow Mountains guide.
Combining Glendalough with Kilkenny
Kilkenny combinations suit a day divided between the monastic valley and a city visit. The guided-walk combination includes a Kilkenny walk, while castle admission is extra. Keep this broader itinerary separate from a day devoted to Glendalough’s trails. Kilkenny visitor guide covers the city itself.
Good to know before setting out
St Kevin’s Bus 181 leaves Dublin from St Stephen’s Green North and uses separate summer and winter timetables. Independent drivers can choose the free Laragh car park, the OPW visitor-centre car park or the paid Council Upper Lake car park. These have different locations and arrangements; use the travel guide before choosing a parking destination.
Bring rainwear and suitable footwear even if your main aim is the ruins. Keep dogs on leads, take litter away and avoid fires; camping of any kind is prohibited in Glendalough. At the lakes there are no lifeguards, and cold water and sudden depth changes create hazards. A lakeside stop does not require entering the water. Plan the return journey and daylight before extending a short visit into a longer walk.
Questions about visiting Glendalough
Is this an independent guide?
Yes. This website is an independent visitor guide, separate from OPW, NPWS and tourism authorities. The centre, park services and commercial excursions have their own arrangements.
Do I need a ticket for the ruins?
The monastic ruins and lakes are free to visit. The OPW visitor centre charges admission, while parking and commercial excursions are separate expenses.
Can a Dublin excursion include a full Spinc walk?
Allow your walk to fit the actual stop and return time. A sightseeing itinerary is not a commitment to a complete Spinc circuit; use the walking guide for route difficulty and diversions.