Bundoran

Bundoran has been a seaside resort since the Victorian period and has the fabric of one - an amusement park, arcades, chip shops and a promenade - alongside a surf industry that is genuinely serious. The Peak, a left-hand reef break off the town, was ranked among the best surf spots in Europe by National Geographic and draws experienced surfers from abroad; Tullan Strand north of the town has a beach break for learners, and several schools operate. The rock coast between them holds the Fairy Bridges, natural sea arches, and the Wishing Chair, a seat-shaped rock formation, reached by a clifftop walk from the west end. Waterworld, a swimming complex with a seaweed bathhouse, sits on the seafront. It is a busy holiday town in July and August and much quieter otherwise, and the town's two characters - family resort and surf destination - sit side by side without mixing much.

What you actually see

• The Peak - a left-hand reef break rated among Europe's best.
• Tullan Strand - the learner beach break north of the town.
• The Fairy Bridges - natural sea arches on the clifftop walk west.
• The resort strip - arcades, amusements and promenade from the Victorian era.

When to go

May to September for the beach and the town at full stretch; September to April for the surf, in cold water. The town is very quiet outside summer.

Honest expectations

The Peak is an experienced surfers' reef, not a learner wave - people underestimate it. Strong rips along this coast. Bundoran is a busy amusement-arcade resort in summer, which is not to everyone's taste.

Nearby

Mullaghmore is south in Sligo; Ballyshannon and Donegal town are north.