Buncrana Beach | Donegal’s stunningly beautiful seaside beach

If you search for Buncrana Beach, you may be surprised to find that there’s no single place to go and visit to see the beach.

When planning a trip to County Donegal, you want a recommended list of the best swimming areas, parking and a list of scenic trails without having to read through all the disjointed travel blogs.

In this article four different beaches, all of which surround the town of Buncrana on the Inishowen Peninsula, are broken down in a complete and practical manner. You’ll learn where to find Blue Flag waters and how to take the Shore Path for a walk down to the amazing waterside views of Lough Swilly and where to find the best sunset.

What to know before you visit Buncrana Beach?

A visit to the shore here is easy, but it is important to have a number of practical issues to consider for a successful visit. Note that the safety of water around the peninsula is very uneven and it is important to read local safety notices and to check the official website for up-to-date coastal swimming advice.

There is ample free parking on the main town fronts, but peak summer weekends are busy.

Also, if you travel with your pets, you will find excellent beach access on these shores where you can take your pets. However, note seasonal restrictions on designated bathing areas (such as nearby Lisfannon, where dogs are not allowed on-site in the summer at certain times) 

The beaches in Buncrana 

The sandy parts of this section of Donegal vary greatly, from the very developed area of the town shoreline to more remote and wild coves further north. 

Lisfannon Beach

Lisfannon Strand is possibly the largest and most popular family beach around. It has prestigious Blue Flag status and clean waters, plus 5km of golden sand, perfect for a long ramble or a safe swim.

It’s a 5-min drive from Buncrana town centre, next to the Buncrana Golf Club, with glorious views across Lough Swilly. It is very functional because of the good parking and public toilet facilities, although getting there early during peak summer hours may be recommended in order to ensure a spot.

Lady’s Bay

The most central and easy-to-reach beach in Buncrana is Lady’s Bay, which is a few steps from the lively street. This sheltered sandbank, a stone’s throw from Buncrana Pier, is a local favourite to take a brisk stroll for a morning walk.  

It is also the official starting point of the traffic-free Buncrana shore path. To help you craft a perfect local itinerary, you can stop by the nearby coffee shop, Tank and Skinny’s, for a coffee or a hearty breakfast burrito. 

Porthaw Beach

Surrounded by more rural landscape, Porthaw Beach is a more tranquil and secluded spot about 4km from the centre of town. The cove is a lovely place to relax, surrounded by trees and not often visited.  

Porthaw is easily accessible by foot through the coastal walking trail and is difficult to access by road and parking. When you’re on the shore, enjoy the waters of Lough Swilly, and you’ll be able to catch sight of dolphins, porpoises and many different species of seabird.  

Stragill Bay Beach

Stragill Bay Beach is located about 6 km to the north of Buncrana and is the end of the main coastal path. A wide-open beach with spacious sand with clusters of rocks for children to climb and explore.  

There is a dedicated car park close by but it is much more worthwhile to do the coastal trail. Arriving in the late afternoon is strongly recommended, as Stragill is a wonderful place to see a Donegal sunset over the Swilly. 

The Buncrana shore path walk

The Buncrana Shore path is a beautiful and well-kept, traffic-free coastal path which connects together the three areas of Lady’s Bay, Porthaw and Stragill Bay in one continuous walk. The walk is approximately 6 km from one side to the other and is mostly flat, suitable for walkers of almost any fitness level.  

If you’d like your car at the pier, park it by Lady’s Bay and pick it up either in town or walk the lovely path to Stragill and back. Still one of the more underrated in the area, with uninterrupted views through historic landmarks like Ned’s Point through to the sea. For those who need some inspiration for longer walks, you should check out some of the best hikes in Ireland for inspiration. 

What else to do near Buncrana Beach

After a day at the water, you won’t be disappointed by the Inishowen’s wealth of iconic sights for a day trip. A short drive up the cliffs north is the military museum at Fort Dunree.  

Or drive 20 minutes to Glenevin Waterfall for peaceful trails. Buncrana is an ideal place from which to depart to travel all the way up the Wild Atlantic Way to Malin Head, Ireland’s most northerly point on the Inishowen 100 scenic route.

FAQs

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