“Once a year, go someplace you’ve never been before” - – Dalai Lama
Most people probably haven’t heard of the Isle of Man – and if you have, you probably know it as an International Finance Center, home to one of the most dangerous motorcycle races worldwide, or as the home to the tailless Manx cat.
But here’s a secret I’ve recently discovered: the Isle of Man is one of the best and most underrated spots for a beautiful and unique trip. Virtually untouched by tourists, my week at the Isle visiting local friends was a refreshing experience away from the maddening crowds of London, Edinburgh, and Dublin.
Nestled in the Irish Sea between Scotland, England, and Ireland, the Isle is the only nation in the world to be designated as a UNESCO Biosphere Reserve and is a must-see for lovers of nature, wildlife, and stargazing.
Beauty is everywhere: eye-soaring vistas, more than 100 miles of captivating coastlines, and pristine beaches – all accessible within a long walk or a short bike ride!
It's also surprisingly accessible by air – via Loganair, Easyjet, and Aer Lingus – or by ferry. For those who don't get seasick, I recommend the ferry, which I took from Liverpool to Douglas, the unofficial capital of the Isle of Man. Sipping on steamy Irish Breakfast tea, feasting on desserts (or “pudding” as the locals call it), and gulping in the fresh sea air, the three-hour ferry ride passed far too quickly.
I watched as the dramatic cliffs rose up from the rippling Irish Sea as the ferry approached, pinching myself in excitement: what was once a dot on a map was finally in front of me. Fast forward to the present… and I’m now bringing this off-the-beaten-path experience to you! Below is a list of the top 10 things to do in the Isle of Man.
For the lovers of natural beauty…
1. Snaefell Mountain – Climb to the top to see all “Seven Kingdoms”
Snaefell Mountain stands at 2,036 feet and is the highest summit on the Isle. It's the only place in the world where, on a clear day, you can see all of the “Seven Kingdoms” – England, Ireland, Wales, Scotland, the Isle of Man, and the kingdoms of Heaven & Sea.
It draws in hikers, bikers, and walkers with its steep inclines and trails of grass and gravel. But for those who aren’t up for the hike, fear not: you can also take the Snaefell Mountain Railway train, which connects the Laxey Station in town to the mountain. This tram has been operating since 1895 and is the only electric mountain railway in the British Isles. Sit back and enjoy the breathtaking view as the old, victorian-style train winds its way up to Snaefell’s peak.
To top it off, a cute cafe rewards you on the top with a warm cup of tea and steamy, freshly-made Irish scones smeared with delicious locally-churned butter and homemade jam. Tip: grab a seat by the window, and savor your well-deserved tea while taking in the mountainous vistas.
2. How to walk an ENTIRE Nation
1. Calf of Man over the shimmering Irish Sea | 2. Port St. Mary
Raad ny Foillan, Manx Gaelic for ‘The Way of the Gull,’ is a footpath over 100 miles in length (160 km) and provides a thrilling opportunity to walk around an entire Nation! (Bonus: major bragging rights). On your way, you’ll pass by serene beaches, farmlands, and stony cliffs and, if you’re lucky, get a glimpse of gray seals and seabirds such as kittiwakes, puffins, and Manx shearwaters.
3. Stargazing
What can be more romantic than a night under the stars? Sadly, light pollution makes it hard for most city people to see the stars. Fear not, for the Isle of Man boasts 26 official dark sky discovery sites – areas where the sky is completely dark and perfect for stargazing – and is the best place in the British Isles to stargaze.
For the animal lovers…
4. Tailless Cats!
You may also see cats with no tails – legend has it that the cats were late boarding Noah’s Ark, and as the gate closed, their tails were chopped off. The Manx are proud of this unique breed, and there’s even a pub – The Cat With No Tail – named after it, offering plenty of veggie and vegan options, including scrumptious Veggie chili, pizzas, nachos, and the deliciously sweet Sticky Toffee Pudding, all savored in their family-friendly, charming beer garden.
5. Females Have Horns?
A native Manx breed, the Loaghtan sheep are well-known for their horns: both males and females have two to three pairs, although female horns are smaller (spot the female Loaghtan sheep in the picture above!) They have recently been making a comeback from the brink of extinction but are still on the watch list of the Rare Breeds Survival Trust. However, if you’re lucky, you can catch sight of one during your stay.
For the foodies…
6. Queenies
Most abundant in the waters around the Isle of Man, savor freshly-caught, “Manx Queenies” – scallops with a delicate, rich, slightly sweet flavor. Crowned the Isle of Man’s national dish you can find them in eateries throughout the Isle, most commonly served with lemon, garlic, and herbs. They were awarded the European Union PDO status in 2012 (similar to Champagne, Blue Cheese…), solidifying the Isle of Man’s status as the queen of queen scallops.
Music and races…
7. World’s Most Thrilling Motorcycle Race - The Isle of Man TT
Every May and June, the world's greatest road racers gather at the Isle of Man for their annual Tourist Trophy races to test themselves against the beastly 38-mile (60 km) mountain course. Even if you don’t ride, it's still an excellent time to visit this Island as many festival events are hosted during this 2 week period, with over 40,000 enthusiasts pooling into the Isle from all corners of the world to watch the races and celebrate.
8. Who knew that the Bee Gees were born in the Isle of Man?
Last year, a statue of the Bee Gees brothers – the falsetto voices that earned global acclaim for classic songs such as “Stayin’ Alive” & “More Than A Woman,” both featured in Saturday Night Fever – was unveiled on the Isle of Man! Designed by Andy Edwards, who also designed the Beatles statue in Liverpool, the statue is located on the Loch Promenade. The lyrics to Ellan Vannin, the “alternative Manx national anthem,” appear at the base of the statue: “walking back into the town, coming back from across the sea.”
Lastly, food, sunshine, and a serving of history!
9. Cregneash: a living museum
Overlooking the Calf of Man, the Cregneash Folk Village is a charming “Living Museum” set up in 1938. Spread over 300 acres, it is the last stronghold of ancient Manx traditions, preserving the ways of life in 19th-century Manx villages. Actors in traditional clothing bring us back to the typical way of life at the time, when villagers lived a challenging yet self-sufficient way of life on this isolated plateau – weaving at night, fishing during the day from Port St Mary, and proud to be Manx.
At the end of the long tour, our stomachs were growling, and we popped by their lovely tea room with jaw-dropping vistas for some freshly baked cakes – so good!
Last tip: grab some traditional 3-legged Isle of Man chocolate Knobs from their gift shop on your way out!
10. Peel, Promenade & Whippys
To top off your Isle of Man holiday, my advice is to enjoy panoramic views on a sunset stroll around Peel, known to locals as the “sunset city” and the historic home of Christian missionaries, warriors, and kings. Built by the Vikings in the 11th century, the Peel Castle provides an intriguing walk through history as you explore the ruins of the Castle's Cathedral and Round Tower and study the cache of silver coins dating from about 1030 A.D. exhibited at the Manx Museum.
Pro tip: Don’t forget to grab a “Whippy” at Davison’s Ice Cream Parlor afterward. Churned from double cream freshly taken from local Manx cows and devoid of preservatives and fillers, you’ll never see soft-serve the same way again after tasting this luxurious ice cream (am I being sponsored by Davison’s? I wish).
Lastly, as dusk settles over the Irish Sea, stroll to the seaside promenade in historic Port Douglas for an evening of fine dining at Little Fish Cafe, where all the courses are to die for (note: not a place for the indecisive!) I inhaled my veggie entree of roasted cauliflower, tahini & dukka, served over oozingly rich, melt-in-your-mouth decadence of homemade creamy Greek yogurt. It was definitely one of the most intriguing and fulfilling meals I've had in Europe this year and a perfect end to my time at the Isle of Man…
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