Brimming with waterways and canals, a majority of County Fermanagh's sights are along its lakelands, made up of Upper and Lower Lake Erne. Craggy hills cut by glaciers give way to plains and bog land in the surrounding landscape. Among caves, dolomite bluffs, and escarpments, the popular town of Enniskillen (Inis Ceithleann) sits as a literal bridge between land and lake.

For travelers wanting to truly explore the lakelands, Enniskillen makes the perfect base. The town is quaint, the pubs mesmerizing, the locals proud yet humble. The central road in town changes its name no less than six times in its 1.6km (1-mile) stretch.

Following are the best places to check out while in and around Enniskillen.

Enniskillen Castle and Museums

One of the most famed sites about town is Enniskillen Castle and Museums (028 6632 5000, www.enniskillencastle.co.uk). Throughout the 1500s and 1600s, the castle changed hands multiple times. The museums are dedicated to the area's history; great memorabilia makes up the Inniskilling Fusiliers Museum (www.inniskilling.com), which houses honorary medals, guns, uniforms, and more from various eras, including World War I. Open all year Monday, 2 P.M.–5 P.M., and Tuesday–Friday, 10 A.M.–5 P.M.; May–September, 2 P.M.–5 P.M. on Saturday; July–August, 2 P.M.–5 P.M. on Sunday. Admission 2/3.

Castle Coole

The coolest Neoclassical castle in Ireland is Castle Coole (028 6632 2690), now under the care of the National Trust (www.nationaltrust.org.uk). The mansion has furnishings from the late eighteenth and early nineteenth centuries, accompanied by original portraits, paintings, and the ornate ballroom and brilliant State Bedroom designed for King George IV. Located 2.4km (1.5 miles) outside of Enniskillen off of the A4. Grounds open daily, 10 A.M.–4 P.M. Castle open 1 P.M.–6 P.M. on Sunday in April and September; daily, 1 P.M.–6 P.M.; and every day except Thursday, 1 P.M.–6 P.M., May–August. Also open Easter weekend. Castle admission 2/5, parking 2.

Belleek Pottery

Northwest of Enniskillen and on the upper tip of Lower Lough Erne, the village of Belleek (Beal Leice) would sit picturesque but unpronounced if it were not for its pottery. The porcelain is known as Parian ware for its attempt to match the allure of Ancient Greece's fine, white marble. On location are a visitor center (028 6865 9300, www.belleek.ie), restaurant, museum, audiovisual presentation, and showroom. Days and hours of operation vary throughout the year. Closed December 24 to the first Monday in January. Guided visit 2/3/4.