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25th Oct 2023

Donegal named fourth best place to visit in the world next year

Simon Kelly

Donegal Lonely Planet

Great news for the Parish.

Donegal has been named the fourth best region in the world to visit next year, according to Lonely Planet.

Placing ahead of the likes of Southern Thailand, the Swahili Coast in Tanzania and Montana in the United States, Donegal sits proudly near the top end of the esteemed list for 2024.

Lonely Planet describes the county is as being as poetic as the beautiful Donegal coastline itself:

“With the longest coastline in Ireland and more than 100 beaches, you may find yourself the only person on a deserted strand in Donegal. The northernmost Irish county is purely wild with a big heart.

“Here you’ll find the highest sea cliffs in Europe and miles of unspoilt coastal hiking trails along the Wild Atlantic Way. Ancient forts, musical traditions and rich heritage of the Irish language also make it perfect for the curious visitor.”

Three of the most iconic spots in the county are listed by the long-running travel mag: Ireland’s highest sea cliffs at Sliabh Liag, which are noted to be taller than the Eiffel Tower, the beautiful Silver Strand beach, and the majestic Malin Head.

Donegal voted fourth best region to visit in the world for 2024

Just pipping Donegal to the top three regions were the Western Balkans’ Trans Dinarica; Kangaroo Island’s Cycling Route in Australia; and Tuscany, Italy.

Behind the Irish county in fifth and sixth place were País Vasco in Spain and Southern Thailand, with the Swahili Coast of Tanzania; Montana, USA; Saalfelden Leogang, Austria; and the far north of Scotland completing the list.

Lonely Planet has always highlighted Ireland as a great spot for tourists, with Dublin being declared the seventh-best city in the world to visit in 2022 and Galway being declared the fourth-best city in the world to visit in 2020.

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