Fermanagh is Northern Ireland's water county — a third of it is lake — with show-caves, monastic islands, grand estates and the famous Cuilcagh boardwalk. Here are the fifteen best days out.
Built around the lakes — Lower and Upper Lough Erne all but split the county in two, dotted with monastic islands and estates. Enniskillen sits on its own island in the middle, the perfect base for a day (or three) exploring.
Every entry has a full guide. Tap through any place below for our complete guide with prices, opening times, parking and the local know-how — and it's all on the free map. For a deeper dive, see our days out around Lough Erne guide too.
Some need a boat. Devenish and White Island are reached by ferry (summer sailings), and the Marble Arch Caves include an underground boat ride — all weather-dependent, so it's worth checking sailings and cave conditions before you travel.
Wettest county, so pack for it — Fermanagh is famously green because it's famously rainy. The Marble Arch Caves, Enniskillen Castle and Belleek Pottery all keep the weather out on a wet day.
Deep history in the water — the mysterious carved stone figures on White Island and Boa Island are among the oldest and strangest in Ireland, and Devenish has one of the finest round towers you can climb.
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Marble Arch Caves
Florencecourt · Ticketed · book ahead
One of Europe's finest show-caves, deep beneath the Cuilcagh mountains — a guided tour takes you through a wonderland of underground rivers, waterfalls, high chambers and glittering stalactites, including a glide across a subterranean lake by boat. It sits at the heart of a UNESCO Global Geopark, with woodland trails and a café above ground. Bring a warm layer (it's cool below) and book ahead in summer.
1.5–2 hoursTicketed · underground boatTours book out & can close after heavy rain — check ahead
The walk that went viral — a long timber boardwalk that floats out across the blanket bog toward Cuilcagh Mountain, climbing a dramatic final staircase to a viewing deck with the whole lakeland laid out below. It's a proper hike (allow three to four hours there and back, and it's exposed), but the boardwalk makes the bog accessible and the views are worth every step. Free — but arrive early, as the car park fills fast.
3–4 hours returnFree · big hike · huge viewsExposed & strenuous — proper boots, layers & water · not for little legs
The old waterside castle at the heart of the island town, home to the Fermanagh County Museum and the museum of the Inniskillings regiments — with a picture-book Watergate of twin turrets reflected in the river. Family-friendly exhibitions on the county's history and heritage, all indoors, make it the perfect wet-day anchor to a day exploring lively Enniskillen.
1–2 hoursTicketed · indoor · in the townClosed some days off-season — check hours first
The finest of Lough Erne's monastic islands — a short ferry hop delivers you to a beautifully preserved 12th-century round tower (you can climb inside), a ruined abbey, a high cross and an old graveyard, all scattered across a peaceful green island. Magical, atmospheric and a proper little adventure by boat. Summer sailings only, so check before you set off.
A grand 18th-century house beneath the Cuilcagh mountains, cared for by the National Trust — beautiful rooms and rococo plasterwork inside, and outside a walled garden, a working water-powered sawmill, an adventure playground and miles of woodland and parkland walks. A lovely full family day, with the famous Florence Court Yew and the mountains as your backdrop.
Half a dayNT members free · house & playHouse tours are seasonal — grounds & playground open more widely
One of the finest Palladian mansions in Ireland — a great neoclassical palace of pale stone in a sweeping parkland estate on the edge of Enniskillen. Tour the grand state rooms in season, then roam the landscaped grounds and lakeside walks under the big Fermanagh sky. Elegant, calm and just a mile from the town — an easy pairing with a day in Enniskillen.
2–3 hoursNT members free · mansion & parklandHouse opening is seasonal — the parkland is open year-round
One of the National Trust's most beautiful and tranquil places — a vast 2,000-acre estate of ancient woodland, islands and tower ruins on the quiet shores of Upper Lough Erne, home to rare wildlife and some of the oldest trees in Ireland. Nature trails, a visitor centre, boat hire and hides make for a gentle, wild, away-from-it-all day. A real hidden gem.
Half a dayNT members free · woodland & loughRemote & big — download the trail map before you lose signal
A big lakeside country park on Lower Lough Erne with woodland and lough-shore trails, a deer enclosure, a marina and a countryside centre, plus a moving WWII museum (this was a wartime flying-boat base). It's also the jumping-off point for the ferry to White Island. Bike hire, a caravan park and easy family walks make it an active, all-ages day right by the water.
Half a dayFree park · trails, deer & boatsMuseum & White Island ferry have their own seasons — check ahead
The world-famous home of Belleek's delicate ivory china, on the River Erne at the county's western edge — take the guided tour to watch craftspeople hand-make and decorate the pieces, browse the museum of historic ware, and stop in the café and showroom. Fascinating, indoors and genuinely local, it's a lovely wet-day stop right on the Donegal border.
1–2 hoursTour ticketed · indoor · working potteryTours run weekdays mainly — showroom & café open more widely
Drive the scenic forest road up through Lough Navar to the Magho Viewpoint — one of the greatest views in Ireland, out over the whole of Lower Lough Erne to the mountains of Donegal and Sligo beyond. There are waymarked forest walks, viewpoints and picnic spots along the way. Free, dramatic and unforgettable on a clear day.
1–3 hoursFree · epic viewpoint · forest driveThe forest drive is long & narrow — best kept for a clear day
A tiny monastic island reached by ferry from Castle Archdale, famous for a row of eight mysterious carved stone figures set into the wall of a ruined church — brooding, ancient and quite unlike anything else, their meaning still debated. A short, atmospheric boat trip and a genuinely strange and wonderful little site. Summer sailings only.
1–2 hoursFerry ticket · ancient carvingsSummer sailings from Castle Archdale — confirm times & weather
On Boa Island in Lower Lough Erne — reached by road across a causeway — the old Caldragh graveyard holds the famous Janus figure, a two-faced stone idol carved perhaps 2,000 years ago, and its smaller companion the Lusty Man. Free, easy to reach and deeply atmospheric, these are among the oldest and most enigmatic carved stones in all of Ireland.
30–60 minsFree · ancient Janus idolA short walk from the roadside lay-by — can be muddy underfoot
A ruined 17th-century plantation castle and fortified house on the shores of Lower Lough Erne, with a lovingly recreated period garden of clipped hedges and herbs. Free, quiet and scenic, with lough views and a dark story behind its ruin, it's a lovely, easy heritage stop on the western shore. The grounds are open access, with seasonal opening of the tower itself.
30–60 minsFree · plantation castle & gardenThe tower interior opens seasonally — grounds are open all year
One of Ireland's leading outdoor activity centres, on the shores of Upper Lough Erne — kayaking, canoeing, sailing, banana-boat rides, a giant swing, climbing, bushcraft and more, all designed to be genuinely inclusive and accessible for every ability. A brilliant, active day on the water for families and groups. Activities are booked in advance, so plan before you go.
Half/full dayPaid · watersports · accessibleBook activities ahead — some have age or ability minimums
A friendly family farm just outside Enniskillen — meet and feed the animals, let the little ones loose on indoor and outdoor play, and enjoy tractor rides and go-karts, with a café for the grown-ups. Small, welcoming and great value, it's a lovely, easy day for younger children and a handy rainy-day option close to the town.
2–3 hoursPaid · farm animals & playOpening days vary out of season — check before you set off
What are the best things to do in County Fermanagh?
The lakeland's highlights are the Marble Arch Caves, the Cuilcagh 'Stairway to Heaven' boardwalk, Enniskillen Castle, Devenish Island, Florence Court and Castle Coole, plus Crom Estate, Belleek Pottery and the Lough Erne islands.
What can you do for free in County Fermanagh?
The Cuilcagh boardwalk, Lough Navar's Magho viewpoint, Castle Archdale Country Park, Tully Castle, and the carved figures on White Island and Boa Island are all free (some reached by ferry).
What is there to do in Fermanagh on a rainy day?
The Marble Arch Caves, Enniskillen Castle and its museums, and Belleek Pottery's factory tour all keep the weather out.
What are the best family days out in County Fermanagh?
The Marble Arch Caves' underground boat, Florence Court's playground, Castle Archdale, Share Discovery Village's watersports and Fermanagh Fun Farm are all great with children.
Make a day of it
Three ready-made Fermanagh days
Caves & mountains: the Marble Arch Caves in the morning, a picnic, then the "Stairway to Heaven" boardwalk (for the willing) beneath Cuilcagh.
Islands & estates: Enniskillen Castle and the ferry to Devenish Island, then the grounds and playground at Florence Court.
The lake life: woodland and boats at Castle Archdale, the carvings on White Island, and a paddle at Share Discovery Village.
Keep exploring
Every place in this list — and about 2,000 more across Northern Ireland — is on our free map, with full guides, live events and what's-on near you.
