Sail in on a ferry, arrive by air from across the British Isles, then explore the island by vintage steam train, public bus or winding coastal road. Whether you're booking a spa hotel, tucking into local seafood or climbing the spiral steps of the island's famous waterwheel, the Isle of Man is the perfect place to spend a long weekend. Here's where to start planning.
How to get to the Isle of Man
Isle of Man Steam Packet offers car ferry and fastcraft crossings to Douglas from Heysham, Liverpool (Birkenhead during winter), Belfast and Dublin. Direct flights to the island are also available from many parts of the British Isles.
How to get around while you're on the Isle of Man
Bus Vannin’s public bus network covers much of the island, and the four heritage railways all double as ways of getting from A to B. Buying a Go Explore card allows travel across all scheduled bus and train services. Taxis and car hire are also available.
Best Isle of Man accommodation
Comis Hotel & Golf Resort, Mount Murray
Comis Hotel is a smart four-star hotel set in 101 hectares, around a 10-minute drive from Douglas. The rooms – of which there are more than 100 – are comfortable and look out across the grounds and the countryside. There’s a spa onsite and an 18-hole golf course.
Trail Lodge, Ballasalla
Occupying a 300-year-old water mill – and still powered by renewable energy from a refurbished waterwheel – the characterful Trail Lodge has eight rooms, all sleeping either three or four people. It’s popular with families and is located in the south of the island.
Albany House, Peel
This award-winning B&B is set in a redbrick Victorian terraced home in Peel, on the west coast. Albany House's three rooms have been carefully appointed and the breakfast menu makes a point of using Manx produce where possible.
Best restaurants on the Isle of Man
Vibe, Douglas
If you think of vegan food as humdrum, this friendly, colourful restaurant in Douglas will change your mind. Modish décor in Vibe Restaurant sets the scene for a delicious menu that includes everything from massaman curry to homemade sausages and mash. The drinks list is strong, too.
Kellas, Port St Mary
An excellent café-restaurant serving good coffee and classy brunches and lunches using local ingredients. Kellas's highlights include twice-baked truffle souffle and crab and mackerel croquettes. Its outdoor terrace sits high above Chapel Bay.
The Shed, Laxey
Proof that some of the best things come in small packages, this artisan beachside eatery on the east coast occupies what was once an old deckchair store. Today, it has great coffee, juices, pasties, paninis and breakfasts, as well as belting sea views.
Best cafes on the Isle of Man
Victory Café, near Snaefell
Set in a former Cold War radar station on the route of the Tourist Trophy (TT) motorcycle race course – and sitting in the shadow of Snaefell, the island’s highest peak – this large, quirky café is hugely popular for its tasty pies and range of motorcycling memorabilia. Book ahead to ensure a seat in Victory Café, and don’t miss the carrot cake.
Whistlestop Coffee Shop, Port Erin
A wonderfully traditional railway café at Port Erin Station, with wood-panelled rooms and vintage photos alongside teas, coffees, soups, quiches and more. It’s also opposite Port Erin Chippy, one of the best bets on the island for fish and chips.
Need activities? Best things to do in the Isle of Man
Isle of Man Steam Railway
There are four heritage railways on the island, and this wonderful Victorian-era steam service is arguably the pick of them. Dating back to 1873 and running between Douglas and Port Erin, it’s Britain’s longest narrow-gauge steam line still using its original locomotives and carriages.
Laxey Wheel
The world’s largest working waterwheel – resplendent in red paint – is one of the island’s most striking landmarks. Its vast, 22-metre diameter is an impressive example of 19th-century engineering, and a set of 95 dizzying spiral steps lead you up to a viewing platform directly above the wheel.
Peel Castle
An imposing coastal sight behind a rugged 700m-long curtain wall, this large fortress was originally built by the Vikings in the 11th century. It stands on St Patrick’s Isle, an important religious site that is also home to a cathedral, chapels and cemetaries, and overlooks the beaches at Peel.
Top image: The famous Historic Laxey Wheel tucked in between lush green summer trees (credit: Pete Rowbottom / Getty)
