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3 Day Summer Itinerary

As the only whole nation UNESCO Biosphere, The Isle of Man really comes into its own in the summer. Endless opportunities for adventure can be found on this hidden gem of an Island, so we've packed in as many as we can in this three day summer itinerary! 

Day 1 

Begin your first day with brunch at The Cafe at The Sound, overlooking one of the Isle of Man's most scenic spots, the Calf of Man. The Calf is a 600 acre island that is located half a mile off the southern tip of the Isle of Man, it's a wildlife paradise for seals and seabirds, many of which can be spotted from the cafe's position at The Sound.

Next, check out the preserved traditional Manx crofting village of Cregneash, as well as the Chasms, a dramatic cliffside rock formation that features large crevices. From this location you can see the sugarloaf rock, a towering crag that houses hundreds of nesting seabirds.

Grab some lunch in the idyllic beachside town of Port Erin. Head to the Foraging Vintners x Noa pop up at The Cosy Nook, where you can enjoy local artisan wines, beverages, and tasty treats on the beach. What's more, you can get active and take part in some watersports in the calm waters of Port Erin Bay, options include; paddleboarding, aquabiking, and windsurfing. 

Hop aboard the traditional Isle of Man Steam Railway and head from Port Erin to Castletown, where you can explore Castle Rushen, a wonderfully preserved fortress that dates back to the 1200s.

Once you're finished exploring, head back to Douglas on the steam train, where you can spend your evening catching a show at the stunning Gaiety Theatre or enjoying local food and drink at one of the capital's many bars and restaurants. To sample the Island's incredible seafood offering we'd recommend Little Fish Cafe, and for unique cocktails we recommend Kiki Lounge, both located on the cosmopolitan North Quay. 

Day 2 

Start your second day in Laxey with a relaxing coffee on the pebbly beach from one of the much-loved beachside cafes; The Shed or Laxey Beach Stop Cafe. If you fancy a bite to eat you can grab a selection of delicious homemade goodies, The Shed even has a gelato and crumble shed! 

Next, check out the Great Laxey Wheel, the world's largest working water wheel. You can take the spiral stairs to the top of the wheel for panoramic views over the valley and village of Laxey, as well as explore the mine trail to find out about the lives of those who worked in the Laxey Mine that's connected to the Great Laxey Wheel. 

After this, hop aboard the Snaefell Mountain Railway, the only electric mountain railway in the British Isles. The journey will take you from Laxey village to the top of Snaefell, the Island’s only mountain. On a beautiful summer day you'll be able to take in breathtaking views as the tram trundles up to the summit, and once you reach the top you'll be able to see what locals refer to as the Seven Kingdoms; England, Ireland, Scotland, Wales, the Isle of Man, Heaven, and the sea.

Head from Laxey to Ramsey, you can choose to do so by boarding the Manx Electric Railway, the longest narrow gauge vintage electric railway system in the British Isles. For a bite to eat, you can choose from a variety of cafes and restaurants based in Ramsey, including the cafe at Milntown Estate, the Island's beautiful stately home with magnificent gardens.

In the evening, head to The Fynoderee Distillery where you can sample their premium Manx spirits; gins, rums and vodka, alongside a Manx mezze plate that features tasty local produce. 

Day 3 

Start your third and final day in South Barrule Forest, where you can take in the luscious greenery with a coffee in hand from The Coffee Cottage as you walk around the beautiful forest. What's more, you can try your hand at a multitude of activities; mountain biking, Laser Mayhem, Ape Mann and quad biking.  

Afterwards, travel to Peel where you can enjoy a yummy lunch from one of the promenade cafes, such as Roots by the Sea or Peel Beach Kiosk. Why not make the most of being by the seaside with ice cream from Davison's Ice Cream Parlour, or fish and chips from The Cod and Castle.  

Take time to wander around Peel Castle, an 11th century castle created by the Vikings, or enjoy the coastal footpath behind Peel Castle and the pretty Fenella Beach, which is covered in thousands of shells. For the most impressive view of the castle and the beautiful bay of Peel we recommend walking up Peel Hill to Corrin's Folly. 

Continue your adventure with a trip to the Knockaloe Centre for WW1 Internment, where you can learn about the Knockaloe Internment Camp, the largest WW1 Internment Camp that held over 30,000 German, Austro-Hungrian and Turkish civilians during the war. It's also the birthplace of pilates, founded by internee Joseph Pilates. 

End your final day with a visit to one of Peel's lively restaurants, for local seafood we suggest visiting The Boatyard or The Creek Inn, both located on the scenic East Quay. 

Check out our other itineraries for more ideas of how to spend your time on the Isle of Man!