Travel to Port Erin on a Sunday was a little bit tricky, but we managed to get there via bus from Castleton, and then back to Douglas on the last steam train of the day. It is a cute seaside town on the southeast coast of the Isle of Man. We enjoyed walking around the town, eating some local Davison’s ice cream and enjoying the beautiful beach views. Some locals stopped to talk to us and asked where we were visiting from. It turned out that they were friends of the owner of the hotel my friend was staying at. People really are so friendly and helpful on the Isle! I guess they also know who the tourists are, since they seem to know most of the other locals! If we went back again, I would like to go for some of the hikes around the coast and hills. We just didn’t have time that day!
Highlights
- Raglan Pier
- Port Erin Beach
- Bay Hotel
- Port Erin to Sound Coastal Walk
- Walk to Milner’s Tower and The Eye of Bradda, or admire them from the beach
- Isle of Man Steam Railway Museum
Before you go
- Weather is changeable so prepare for all seasons, especially rain
- Museums, shops and cafes close early, and often on Sunday so check times
- Trains run less often on Sundays so check schedules
- People are generally very friendly so don’t be afraid to ask for directions or help
Transport
- Luckily, the Go Card covers all of the Isle of Man railways including the steam railway towards Port Erin via Castletown. Check the link to get the most up to date schedules
- Also, Bus 11 goes to Port Erin from Castletown so that’s an alternate to the trains
Accommodation
- We were able to travel to Port Erin and back from Douglas on the same day, so we did not stay over
- As usual I recommend checking reviews on Booking.com or using AirBnB
Food
Scoops was the busiest shop we saw, and they were selling many flavours of the local Davison’s ice cream. In fact, they were already out of some flavours by the team we reached the front of the queue. The scoops are generous and the ice cream is creamy and tasty. I had Turkish delight and white smarties flavours. Yum!
Although we didn’t get to eat at this food stand, Wrapper’s Delight has to be one of the best names I have seen. We were sad that it was closed and would try their sandwiches next time!
If you are waiting for the train, you can pop into the nearby The Station pub for a drink or snack. It’s open even on Sundays!
FAQs
Q: Do I need a tour guide?
A: No, it is easy to find places of interest and get around by public transport
Q: Do people speak English?
A: Yes, everyone speaks English
Q: Is it a walkable city?
A: Yes, the centre of Port Erin is small and easily walkable from the rail station or bus stops
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