You don’t always need to travel far to feel like you’ve escaped.
Sometimes it’s a really good coffee on the way into town, a leisurely lunch with someone you love, a walk along the River Shannon with nowhere to be or an afternoon spent switching off at the spa.
In Athlone, there are plenty of little luxuries waiting to be discovered. From feel-good food and peaceful wellness experiences to scenic walks, boat trips and evenings spent enjoying great food and good company, it’s easy to make an ordinary day feel a little more special.
Whether you’re planning a weekend away, meeting a friend or simply looking for an excuse to treat yourself, here are a few ways to enjoy the softer side of Athlone.
Start with Something Delicious
There’s no better way to start a day than with something good to eat.
Whether you’re grabbing coffee before a day of exploring, meeting a friend for breakfast or sitting down for a proper lunch, Athlone has plenty of places where food becomes part of the experience.
If you’re looking for great coffee and something delicious to take with you, The Wandering Elk is a local favourite.
Known for its excellent coffee and freshly made sandwiches, it’s very much a grab-and-go spot. Seating is limited, so pick up your coffee and sandwich then head out and enjoy them as part of your day around town.
Whether you’re starting your morning, grabbing lunch between plans or simply need a caffeine fix, The Wandering Elk is the kind of place that makes even a quick stop feel like a treat.
For something a little more wholesome, Bastion Kitchen is all about fresh, feel-good food in a relaxed setting.
Tucked away on Connaught Street, it’s the kind of place where you can settle in for breakfast or lunch without feeling like you’re rushing through your meal. With its healthier approach and colourful, welcoming atmosphere, it’s perfect when you want something satisfying and fresh.
It’s a great place to meet a friend, catch up over lunch and take your time.
Some little luxuries are all about comfort.
Savoury Fare at Fernhill Garden Centre is one of those places. Known for hearty lunches, generous portions and homemade-style food, it’s the kind of café that feels familiar from the moment you walk in.
It’s also the perfect place for a proper catch-up — the sort of spot you can bring your granny for lunch, settle in together and enjoy a good meal without any hurry.
Once you’ve finished eating, take a wander around Fernhill Garden Centre and enjoy a browse among the plants and flowers before heading back into town.
For something fresh and energising, Bridge Fifty One is known for its coffee, açai bowls and feel-good food.
Located inside House Fitness, it has become a popular spot for those looking for something nutritious, with protein balls, smoothies and other protein-packed options available too.
While it’s attached to a gym, you definitely don’t need to be a gym member to visit. Everyone is welcome, making it a great stop whether you’re heading in after a walk, meeting a friend for coffee or simply fancy an açai bowl.
Make Time to Switch Off
One of the greatest little luxuries is simply making time for yourself.
Put the phone away, forget about the to-do list and give yourself a few hours where the only thing on the agenda is relaxing.
For a proper escape, head to Cedarwood Spa at Wineport Lodge.
Set on the shores of Lough Ree, Cedarwood Spa is tucked into the peaceful surroundings of Wineport Lodge and offers an intimate escape from everyday life.
From relaxing treatments to the outdoor baths and beautiful lakeside surroundings, it’s the kind of place where you can feel the pace slow down as soon as you arrive.
Make a day of it with a treatment, time spent taking in the views and something delicious to eat afterwards.
It’s a little taste of luxury that feels like a holiday without having to go very far.
For something a little different, spend some time at Contrast Wellness.
The experience combines sauna and cold plunge sessions, giving you the opportunity to step away from the everyday and try something completely different.
There’s something wonderfully refreshing about moving from the heat of the sauna into the cold plunge, then taking a moment to simply sit, breathe and reset.
It’s not your typical spa afternoon — but that’s exactly what makes it a little luxury worth trying.
If you’d rather explore from the water, climb aboard with Hidden Heartland Tours and see Athlone and the surrounding Shannon region from a completely different perspective.
Settle in, watch the landscape drift by and let someone else take care of the journey. Their boat trips are a lovely way to slow down and experience Ireland’s Hidden Heartlands at a more leisurely pace.
Sometimes exploring isn’t about how much you can fit into a day. It’s about taking your time and enjoying where you are.
Make Time to Explore
Luxury doesn’t always mean five-star hotels and spa treatments. Sometimes it’s having the time to explore somewhere at your own pace.
Take a stroll along the River Shannon, browse somewhere you’ve been meaning to visit or spend an afternoon discovering a different side of Athlone. Whether you’re exploring on foot, by the water or with a good book in hand, there’s something special about having nowhere else to be.
Sometimes the best way to discover Athlone is simply to take your time and walk.
The Golden Mile takes you through the heart of Athlone, bringing together historic streets, independent businesses, cafés, pubs and riverside views. It’s the perfect excuse to put away the map, wander at your own pace and see where the afternoon takes you.
Take in the River Shannon, browse the shops, stop for a coffee or find somewhere to sit and watch the world go by. There’s no schedule required.
Take some time to explore Luan Gallery, located right beside the River Shannon.
With a changing programme of exhibitions and a beautiful riverside setting, it’s the perfect place to spend a quiet afternoon soaking up a little culture.
Whether you’re a regular gallery visitor or simply looking for somewhere different to spend an hour, it’s an easy addition to a day exploring Athlone.
For something a little slower, spend some time browsing Athlone Bookstore.
There’s something wonderfully indulgent about finding a new book, picking up a coffee and giving yourself an afternoon to simply browse and unwind.
You never know what you might discover among the shelves — and finding a new book to take home is a pretty good souvenir from a day in Athlone.
Stay for Dinner
After a day of exploring, relaxing and indulging, there’s only one thing left to do — find somewhere good for dinner.
There’s a new reason to make the short trip to Glasson.
The Fatted Calf has returned to the village, bringing its relaxed approach to modern Irish dining to a beautiful setting just outside Athlone.
With a focus on fresh, seasonal ingredients and locally sourced produce, it’s the kind of restaurant that makes dinner feel like an occasion without being overly formal.
Settle in, order something delicious and enjoy a long evening over good food.
For something a little more special, Thyme Restaurant is the place to make an occasion of it.
Right in the heart of Athlone, it offers thoughtful food and an experience that encourages you to sit back and enjoy the evening.
This is the restaurant to book when you don’t want dinner to simply be dinner — you want it to be part of the night.
If you’re looking for something vibrant and full of flavour, settle in at Kin Khao.
Its Thai-inspired menu brings something different to the Athlone dining scene, making it a great choice when you want to try somewhere new rather than stick to your usual order.
It’s the perfect way to finish a day of exploring with something colourful, comforting and full of flavour.
One More Drink
And then there are the evenings where you’re not quite ready to go home.
Start with a pint in Sean’s Bar, where more than 1,000 years of history gives even an ordinary drink a little extra character.
Then head to Peddler Mac’s, where the atmosphere picks up with food, drinks and entertainment. It’s the kind of place where a quick drink can easily turn into staying for one more.
Because sometimes the best nights are the ones where you have nowhere else to be.
The Little Things Make the Biggest Difference
A little luxury doesn’t have to mean a five-star hotel or a faraway getaway.
It can be a great coffee and a sandwich picked up on the way into town. A hearty lunch with someone you love. An afternoon at the spa. A walk beside Lough Ree. A boat trip along the Shannon. Finding a new favourite restaurant. Or one more drink before calling it a night.
These are the little moments that make a day feel special.
So take your time, try somewhere new and make an ordinary day a little more luxurious.
Your next little luxury could be closer than you think.
We’ll see you in the heart of Ireland.
