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Where to Stay in County Wicklow

County Wicklow sits on Dublin’s doorstep yet feels a world apart. Granite mountains, wooded glens, long sandy beaches and a string of handsome market towns make it one of the most rewarding corners of Ireland’s Ancient East. Whether you are after a luxury country-house weekend, a family self-catering cottage in the Wicklow Mountains National Park, or a simple B&B near the ferry port at Rosslare, this guide to wicklow accommodation covers every base.

Wicklow Town and the Coastal Strip

Wicklow town itself is a working harbour settlement with a Norman castle ruin overlooking the sea. Accommodation here ranges from modest guesthouses on the main street to larger hotels catering to business travellers and walkers tackling the Wicklow Way. The coastal road north and south of town passes a sequence of sandy coves — Silver Strand, Brittas Bay — where holiday parks and self-catering bungalows fill up every summer.

Brittas Bay is the most popular beach in the county and a perennial favourite with families driving down from Dublin. Advance booking is essential from June onwards; many holiday-home owners here rent exclusively by the week in July and August. If you prefer flexible check-in, a holiday park with on-site facilities is a safer option. See our guide to self-catering in Ireland for tips on what to look for before you book.

Bray and Greystones: Urban Comforts on the DART Line

Bray, at Wicklow’s northern tip, is connected to Dublin city centre by the DART coastal railway — a journey of roughly 40 minutes. This makes it an excellent base if you want to split your time between the capital and the countryside, without paying Dublin hotel prices. The seafront promenade has a good range of mid-market hotels and guesthouses, and the walk south along the cliffpath to Greystones (about 6 km) is one of the most celebrated coastal walks in Leinster.

Greystones has transformed over the past decade into one of the most desirable small towns in Ireland, with a marina, independent coffee shops and an increasingly strong food scene. Accommodation is more limited than Bray, but a handful of guesthouses and boutique rentals make it worth searching. For visitors based in Dublin exploring the county as a day trip, check our where to stay in Dublin guide first.

Wicklow Mountains National Park: Where to Stay for Walkers

The heart of the county is the Wicklow Mountains National Park, covering more than 200 square kilometres of blanket bog, glacial lakes and mixed woodland. The key visitor node is Glendalough, the sixth-century monastic city set between two lakes in a steep glacial valley. It is genuinely one of the most atmospheric sites in Ireland.

Laragh and Glendalough Village

The village of Laragh, a five-minute drive from the Glendalough monastic site, has a cluster of B&Bs and small hotels that fill quickly at weekends. Staying here puts you on the trailhead for the Upper and Lower Lake walks as well as the longer Wicklow Way routes. Book well ahead for bank holiday weekends — day-trippers from Dublin make the car park chaotic by mid-morning, and having accommodation within walking distance is a genuine advantage.

Roundwood and the Northern Uplands

Roundwood, at roughly 238 metres above sea level, claims to be the highest village in Ireland. It is a quieter base than Laragh, with a good village pub and a scattering of farmhouse B&Bs on surrounding lanes. The roads here are narrow and beautiful. A self-catering cottage hidden in the hills above the Sally Gap rewards those willing to drive carefully.

Enniskerry and the Powerscourt Estate Area

The village of Enniskerry, with its stone cottages clustered around a small square, is frequently described as one of the prettiest in Ireland. The Powerscourt Estate — with its formal Italian and Japanese gardens, waterfall and mountain backdrop — is a five-minute walk away. Several country-house hotels and boutique guesthouses operate in the surrounding estate lands, some with spa facilities; see our round-up of spa hotels in Ireland if wellness is a priority on your trip.

Enniskerry is also an easy 30-minute drive from Dublin, making it popular for romantic weekend breaks. Couples looking for something more lavish may want to consider one of the castles you can stay in dotted across the broader Leinster region.

Arklow and the South Wicklow Coast

Arklow is a substantial town at the southern end of the county with a heritage based on boat-building and fishing. It is less visited than Glendalough or Greystones but offers genuinely affordable accommodation and useful access to the Wicklow Way’s southern stages. The Avondale Forest Park and the Vale of Avoca — immortalised by Thomas Moore’s poem “The Meeting of the Waters” — are both within a short drive.

Types of Wicklow Accommodation at a Glance

Hotels: Concentrated in Bray, Wicklow town and near the Powerscourt Estate. Range from three-star business hotels to luxury five-star country houses.
B&Bs and guesthouses: The backbone of rural Wicklow. Family-run, typically excellent breakfast included. See our guide to bed and breakfasts in Ireland.
Self-catering: Cottages, holiday homes and converted farm buildings throughout the mountains and coast. Ideal for families or groups. Our holiday homes guide explains the booking platforms.
Glamping: A handful of operators near the national park offer bell tents, geodomes and shepherd’s huts — check glamping in Ireland for the full picture.
Hostels: Limited in the county proper, though Glendalough has a well-regarded hostel popular with hikers on the Wicklow Way.

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When to Book

Wicklow accommodation peaks sharply in July and August, particularly around Glendalough and Brittas Bay. Bank holiday weekends (including the June and August bank holidays) sell out within days for the most sought-after properties. If you are planning a summer trip, January to March is the ideal window to secure the best choice at reasonable rates. The shoulder seasons — April to early June and September to October — offer excellent walking conditions and noticeably easier availability.

FAQ

Is County Wicklow easy to visit from Dublin without a car? Bray and Greystones are directly accessible by the DART rail line from Dublin city centre, and Bus Éireann services reach Wicklow town. However, Glendalough and the mountain areas are much more convenient with your own transport; a hire car opens up the full county. Our driving in Ireland guide covers everything a first-timer needs to know.

What is the best village to stay in for walking the Wicklow Way? Laragh is the most practical base for the central Glendalough section, while Tinahely and Shillelagh serve the southern stages. If you are walking the full route from Marlay Park to Clonegal, many walkers pre-book a mix of B&Bs and hostels along the way; accommodation is spread thinly in places so planning ahead matters.

How far is County Wicklow from Dublin Airport? Wicklow town is roughly 65 kilometres south of Dublin Airport via the M11/N11, typically 60–75 minutes by car depending on traffic through the city. Bray is significantly closer at around 40 kilometres and roughly 45 minutes.