Set between the Twelve Bens mountains and the Atlantic Ocean, Clifden is one of those towns that feels like the perfect base for exploring the west of Ireland. Often described as the Capital of Connemara, it's the largest town in this part of County Galway and sits right in the middle of some of Ireland's most spectacular scenery. Colourful streets, traditional pubs, independent shops, seafood restaurants, live music and mountain views — and within a short drive you've got castles, beaches, national parks and one of Ireland's most famous scenic roads.

Clifden is a relatively young town by Irish standards. It was founded in 1812 by John D'Arcy, a local landowner who wanted to establish a commercial centre beside the natural harbour. He laid out the streets, encouraged businesses to settle and developed Clifden into an important regional hub. His own home stood west of town — today we know it as Clifden Castle, a roofless Gothic Revival ruin overlooking Clifden Bay that makes for one of the best free walks in Connemara. The walk from the Sky Road car park is approximately 2km each way and the setting — Gothic stonework, open bog, Atlantic views — is genuinely spectacular.

The Sky Road is the one drive you absolutely cannot miss. The route forms a roughly 16km loop around the coastline west of town and provides spectacular views across Clifden Bay and the surrounding islands. The road climbs high above the Atlantic before splitting into upper and lower routes — take the upper road for the best views. On a clear evening, this is also one of the finest sunset spots in Connemara. Clifden is also an official cycle hub, and the Sky Road Loop is one of its main cycling routes.

Around 20 minutes from Clifden you'll reach Connemara National Park near Letterfrack, covering roughly 3,000 hectares of mountains, bog, grassland and woodland. The best-known walk is Diamond Hill, which climbs to around 445 metres and offers superb views across the Twelve Bens and Atlantic coastline. The main route is around 6.2km — go early, climb while your legs are fresh, then return to Clifden for lunch.

Continue beyond Letterfrack and you'll reach Kylemore Abbey — one of the most recognisable buildings in the west of Ireland, sitting beside Pollacapall Lough beneath the mountains. The estate includes the Victorian Walled Garden, Gothic Church and woodland walks. If you're staying in Clifden, Diamond Hill and Kylemore Abbey together make an excellent full day out.

A few kilometres south of Clifden lies Derrigimlagh Bog, one of the most fascinating historical landscapes in Connemara. This was the location of Guglielmo Marconi's major transatlantic wireless station, and in 1919 John Alcock and Arthur Whitten Brown completed the first non-stop transatlantic flight and crash-landed here after flying from Newfoundland. Today you can walk through the landscape and see interpretation connected with both extraordinary stories.

North of Clifden, head towards the Renvyle Peninsula for Glassilaun Beach — one of the most beautiful beaches in Connemara, with pale sand, clear water and a dramatic mountain backdrop. It's roughly half an hour from Clifden. South of town near Roundstone, Dog's Bay and Gurteen Bay sit back-to-back on either side of a narrow strip of land, with white sand largely made from tiny shell fragments. Clifden to Roundstone and back makes a fantastic coastal trip on a sunny day.

For traditional music in Clifden, Lowry's Bar on Market Street is the obvious choice. The family-run pub has been in the Lowry family since 1949 and is particularly well known for its Irish music and whiskey selection. During the main visitor season, live music takes place regularly — a day around the Sky Road followed by traditional music in Clifden is difficult to improve upon.