One of the great things about the Isle of Man is nothing is too far away. An island of 33 miles in length and 11 miles wide full of interesting and different places to visit and stay!
Douglas, the island's capital certaintly does come alive during the TT. With the largest population it is going to be the busiest place during the TT and MGP periods, however other areas of the island prove popular with our visitors. Here we run through some of the other areas of the island that are worth considering.
Ramsey
Ramsey is a large town in the north of the island, and a great place to stay. With a large choice of pubs, bars and restaurants it has a lively nightlife during the road racing events. Not only that, but the course runs right through the centre of the town before heading up the mountain, with Parliament square being a popular vantage point. Easy access to Douglas over the mountain course when the roads are open mean you can be in the capital in just a few minutes.
Other benefits are great public transport links. make sure you enjoy a ride on the Manx Electric Railway to Laxey, where you can get the tram up onto Snaefell to watch the action on the mountain.
Kirk Michael & Ballaugh
A small village on the west coast of the island, it offers a number of homestay properties. With Glen Wyllin campsite nearby the place comes alive during the TT in particular, as visitors watch the bikes tear through the village, as Kirk Michael is also right on the course. The village pub The Mitre, is located on the course with a large beer garden vantage point.
5 mins north up the course is Ballaugh village and the famous Ballaugh bridge and The Raven pub.
Peel
The sunset city on the west coast, offers lots of places to stay. Just 5-10 mins on a bike or car away from the course at Ballacraine, or Kirk Michael you are nearby to the action. In addition a regular bus serves Douglas meaning you can enjoy a night out in the capital before returning to your Homestay easily. During TT last buses leave Douglas around midnight.
Peel itself offers a great selection of pubs, restaurants and takeaways as well as stunning scenary and a great beach where you can enjoy some of the finest ice cream from Davisons.
Laxey
Over on the east coast, Laxey is only around 10 mins drive from Governors Hill and the Grandstand on the TT course so is a very popular place to stay.
Easy access into Douglas when the racing is on via the Manx Electric Railway, which you can also catch up to the Bunglalow makes this a great place to stay.
Castletown
The home of the Southern 100 and the Pre-TT classic bikes, Castletown is the ancient capital of the Isle of Man. Located beside Ronaldsway airport if you are flying into the island this could be a good place to base yourself if you don't have a car. A regular bus service runs to Douglas every 20 minutes (takes about half an hour). The Isle of Man Steam Railway also stops in the town too which is highly recommended.
Castletown offers a range of pubs, restaurants and coffee shops. During the TT there is often a large screen in the square streaming the racing.
Port Erin / Port St Mary
The southern villages are the furthest away from the course, but offer a great place to stay if you want to experience a scenic coastal part of the island. Port Erin beach is a firm favourite with locals and visitors alike. Most evenings during TT you'll find bands playing on the beach outside the Bay Hotel. This part of the island is definitely the place to stay if you want to enjoy a chilled out relaxed atmosphere.
