Banna Strand

Top choice in Tralee


A favourite weekend getaway for Tralee residents, Banna is one of the biggest and best Blue Flag beaches in Ireland, a 6km stretch of fine golden sand backed by 10m-high dunes, with fantastic views southwest to Mt Brandon and the Dingle hills. The beach is 13km northwest of Tralee, signposted off the R551 Ballyheigue road.

A monument 500m south of the main car park marks the spot where the Irish revolutionary leader Roger Casement was landed from a German U-boat, shortly before the Easter Rising of 1916.


Lonely Planet's must-see attractions

Nearby Tralee attractions

1. Ardfert Cathedral

2.33 MILES

The impressive remains of 13th-century Ardfert Cathedral are notable for the beautiful and delicate stone carvings on its Romanesque door and window…

2. Blennerville Windmill & Visitor Centre

7.01 MILES

Blennerville, 3.4km southwest of Tralee's centre on the N86 to Dingle, used to be the city's chief port, though the harbour has long since silted up. A…

3. Tralee Bay Wetlands Centre

7.32 MILES

A 15-minute nature-safari boat ride is the highlight of a visit to Tralee's wetlands centre. You can also get a good overview of the reserve's 3000…

4. Kerry County Museum

7.37 MILES

An absolute treat, Kerry's county museum has excellent interpretive displays on Irish historical events and trends, with an emphasis on County Kerry. The…

5. Glanteenassig Forest Recreation Area

11.82 MILES

Southeast of Castlegregory, these 450 hectares of forest, mountain, lake and bog are a magical, off-the-tourist-trail treasure. There are two lakes; you…

6. Loop Head Lighthouse

15.91 MILES

On a 90m-high cliff, this 23m-tall working lighthouse, complete with a Fresnel lens, rises up above Loop Head. Guided tours (included in admission) take…

7. Listowel Castle

16.41 MILES

Standing between the town square and the river, this 12th-century castle was once the stronghold of the Fitzmaurices, the Anglo-Norman lords of Kerry. It…

8. Kerry Writers' Museum

16.43 MILES

The Writers' Exhibition in this Georgian building celebrates Listowel's heritage of literary observers of Irish life. Rooms are devoted to local greats…