Connemara's Killary Fjord Named Among Lonely Planet's Top Global Destinations for 2027
Killary Fjord - Ireland's only fjord, located in Connemara between counties Galway and Mayo - has earned global recognition after being named among Lonely Planet’s top destinations to visit in 2027.
The leading travel media company announced the accolade today (23rd September) in its highly anticipated Best in Travel 2027 guide – which showcases 25 exceptional destinations and 25 unforgettable experiences around the world for the year ahead.
Killary Fjord is described in Lonely Planet's Best in Travel 2027 as “visually arresting” and “achingly beautiful”. The guide also says that “As a visitor, it’s a slower pace here. Tranquil. The landscape doesn’t ask anything except that you respect it, imparting a feeling that you have no place to be that’s better than where you are; nothing much more pressing than deciding what to eat later on.”
Welcoming the news, Aidan Power, Tourism Ireland’s Director of Marketing, said: “This is a superb recognition by ‘Lonely Planet’ of Killary Fjord and the wider Connemara area as a must-visit tourism destination in 2027. This accolade reflects its unique appeal as a special destination for overseas visitors – the breathtaking scenery, rich history and the ability to slow down and spend time in nature. Congratulations to all our tourism partners who work so hard to ensure Killary Fjord and the wider Connemara area delivers that memorable visitor experience.”
Daniel Bolger, Destination Editor for Lonely Planet, said: “Exploring Killary Fjord has been recognised as one of the best experiences for 2027 because it’s one of those rare places that genuinely takes your breath away. As Ireland’s only true fjord, it combines dramatic scenery with a sense of peace and stillness. Whether you’re walking the historic trails, cruising the waters, or simply pausing to soak in the views, there’s something so special about this place. Being there lets you slow down, reconnect with nature and appreciate the singular beauty of this island.”
Mícheál Ó Cionna, Killary Fjord Boat Tours, said: "We are absolutely delighted to see Killary Fjord recognised by Lonely Planet as one of the world's best places to visit in 2027. Every day, we have the privilege of sharing Ireland's only fjord and the surrounding Connemara landscape with visitors from around the world. Guests are always struck by the area's natural beauty, heritage and sense of tranquillity, and this accolade highlights exactly what makes Killary and Connemara so special. It is a proud moment for the entire local tourism community."
Tourism Ireland will take every opportunity to maximise this accolade for Killary Fjord and Connemara. Promotional activity will include:
Global media outreach: a major PR and publicity push targeting top travel and lifestyle journalists around the world;
Social media promotion: sharing the news with Tourism Ireland’s millions of fans and followers worldwide;
Air connectivity: promotion in countries with direct flights to nearby Shannon Airport and Ireland West Airport – Great Britain, France, Germany and Italy – which offer easy access to Killary Fjord and Connemara.
Spotlighting the accolade in Belgium and the Netherlands: a strong focus on promoting the accolade in these markets, given that both countries are ‘twinned’ with Galway as part of Tourism Ireland’s ‘twinning’ initiative, which links or ‘twins’ each overseas tourism market with a specific part of Ireland, to drive growth in regional tourism revenue;
Ireland.com: a page on Tourism Ireland’s international website, Ireland.com, with the Lonely Planet Best in Travel logo; and
B2B travel fairs: highlighting the accolade at major travel fairs like World Travel Market in London in November – the largest B2B event in the global travel and tourism calendar.
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