What are the best things to do on the Isle of Man?

Barney Cotton

Consumer Editor

10 minute read|9th Dec 2025

If you are looking to take a UK road trip this year, why not visit the Isle of Man?

With a wealth of history and some incredible attractions, it is a great place to take a holiday.

Here, we look at some of those locations and what you can expect to see on do on your Manx adventure.

Read our full guide on getting to the Isle of Man before setting of on your journey.

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Peel Castle

Perched on St Patrick’s Isle, this medieval fortress built by Vikings in the 11th century was originally as a place of worship, but it later became a royal residence and then a military stronghold.

Its extensive curtain walls enclose ruins of St German’s Cathedral, chapels, and monastic buildings that are open to the public.

Visitors to Peel Castle (pictured above) can walk the grounds, explore the crypt, and enjoy panoramic views of Peel Bay.

The castle has a blend of Norse, Celtic, and Christian heritage – making it one of the Isle of Man’s most iconic and historic sites.

Castle Rushen

Located in Castletown, it is one of Europe’s best-preserved medieval castles.

Built around 1200 for a Norse king, it later served as a royal residence, mint, law court, and a Victorian prison.

Visitors can explore furnished chambers, climb its famous spiral staircases to the ramparts, and learn about sieges, rulers, and daily life within its walls.

Manx Electric Railway

Opened in 1893, it is the longest narrow-gauge vintage electric railway in Britain.

Stretching 17 miles from Douglas to Ramsey, it passes through glens, villages, and coastal areas of the island.

It still uses its original Victorian and Edwardian tramcars.

The railway is also helpful to visit other attractions including the Snaefell Mountain Railway and the Great Laxey Wheel.

Manx Museum

Found in capital of Douglas, this is the national museum of the Isle of Man.

Showcasing over 10,000 years of history, the museum has been open to the public for over 100 years, and houses Viking silver hoards, Celtic relics, and exhibits on natural history, art, and the island’s famous TT motorcycle races.

Cheaper than AA Price Promise^

Roadside cover from £5.29 a month*
We get to most breakdowns in 60 mins or less
Our patrols fix 4/5 breakdowns on the spot

Buy now

*At least 10% of new customers pay this for single-vehicle Roadside (Basic). ^ T&Cs apply.

Great Laxey Wheel

Also known as Lady Isabella to the locals, this is the world’s largest working waterwheel.

Built in 1854 to pump water from the Laxey mines, it is 72 feet tall and is an iconic piece of Victorian engineering.

Visitors can climb 95 spiral steps to its viewing platform for views of Glen Mooar Valley.

The site also has mining trails and exhibits on the lives of 19th century miners for visitors to enjoy.

Curraghs Wildlife Park

This wildlife area spans 40 acres and is home to over 350 wild animals.

Visitors can see penguins, capybaras, meerkats, wallabies, red pandas, monkeys, and owls in immersive and informative habitats.

On site, there is also a miniature railway, woodland play areas, and much more for visitors of all ages.

Snaefell Mountain Railway

Opened in 1895, the five-mile journey is the only electric mountain railway in the British Isles.

The summit of Snaefell is over 2,000 feet tall, and it offers views of the surrounding area.

At the summit, visitors can see the Seven Kingdoms – Mann, England, Scotland, Wales, Ireland, heaven, and the sea.

Douglas Bay Horse Tramway

This attraction is the oldest surviving horse-drawn tramway in the world.

Running along Douglas Promenade for 1.6 miles, Clydesdale and Shire horses pull restored Victorian and Edwardian tramcars for holidaymakers.

House of Manannan

An immersive museum exploring the Isle of Man’s Celtic, Viking, and maritime past that is guided by the mythical sea god Manannan, is a unique attraction.

Visitors walk through reconstructed Iron Age roundhouses, Viking longhouses, and Peel’s 19th-century port.

Cheaper than AA Price Promise^

Roadside cover from £5.29 a month*
We get to most breakdowns in 60 mins or less
Our patrols fix 4/5 breakdowns on the spot

Buy now

*At least 10% of new customers pay this for single-vehicle Roadside (Basic). ^ T&Cs apply.

Isle of Man Motor Museum

Based in Jurby, this museum has a collection of over 500 vehicles, including 300 motorcycles, and displays everything from classic sports cars to TT-winning superbikes.

As the island has a history of motorsport, this is unsurprisingly a popular attraction for visitors.

Tower of Refuge

Built in 1832 on Conister Rock in Douglas Bay, this isolated structure was designed to shelter shipwrecked sailors during storms.

The tower provided food and refuge until rescue arrived from the port nearby.

Visible from Douglas Promenade, it also serves as a warning to ships of the dangerous reef under the waves.

Peel Beach

This sandy bay can be found near Peel Castle and is immensely popular with families and locals during the summer months.

Offering classic British seaside attractions, food, and fun – it is a great place to spend time with the family.

Map of Isle of Man

Below is a map of the Isle of man, with major towns and cities identified – including the capital of Douglas, as well as the Calf of Man, Peel, Castletown, Cranstal, Laxey, and Port St Mary.