Fodor's Expert Review Fanad Lighthouse

One of the brand-new attractions along the Wild Atlantic Way, Fanad Lighthouse offers accommodations in a remote and spectacular area, as well as a unique tour for visitors. Three different-size houses, Inishtrahull View, Dunree View, and Tory View, are available beside the tall lighthouse tower with a minimum two-night stay. Included in the price is a tour of the visitor center and tower, which involves climbing 79 steep and narrow steps (it is not for the fainthearted and you will need a head for heights). The accommodation and lighthouse are sited within the Donegal Gaeltacht (Irish-speaking area) on the eastern shore of the Fanad peninsula. Enjoy a glass of wine by the roaring fire, settle down to drink in the views, and you may be lucky enough to catch sight of the aurora borealis in the night sky, or a glimpse of the whales, porpoises, and dolphins that thrive among the white-capped waves in this part of the ocean. If you don't wish to stay here, you can organize a separate tour of the lighthouse (€10 per person). Advance booking is required. A newly opened café in the grounds is open to all visitors for snacks and lunches.