Ireland itineraries: 5 routes that show off the best of the island

06.09.2024 - 15:28 / lonelyplanet.com

Sep 6, 2024 • 13 min read

Ireland may be small, but the towns, cities and coastlines provide endless things to do. Whether you want to road trip alongside the Atlantic or explore the island's most intriguing cities, these five itineraries will help you build the perfect trip. They range from 4- to 6-days long, but can be extended with longer stops and detours to different places, or combined to create a week-long or two-week itinerary. Whatever you choose, plenty of adventure awaits. 

Allow at least 6 days
Distance: 809km (502 miles) 

Ireland's wild Atlantic coast offers windswept adventures and craggy islands. This route will have you gazing over the precipice of towering sea cliffs, surfing waves or relaxing on pristine beaches, feasting on oysters washed down with creamy pints of Guinness, and catching trad sessions performed by some of the country's best musicians.

Start your wild west adventure in Bantry, where you can visit 18th-century Bantry House and its spectacular gardens and dine on Bantry Bay mussels. If you're up for a challenge, you can drive, cycle or climb the single-track road up to Priest's Leap for sweeping bay views. Next, take an afternoon drive to the scenic peninsulas of Mizen Head, Sheep's Head or Beara.

Next stop: Drive 2.5 hours from Bantry to Dingle. 

Make a stop in the colorful harbor town of Dingle, one of Ireland's largest Gaeltacht (Irish-speaking) spots. Pop into craft shops, take a seal-spotting boat trip or head out in a kayak or stand-up paddleboard before retiring with a pint in one of Dingle's pubs.

Detour: Take boat trip to the remarkable early Christian monastic island of Skellig Michael (3 hours, book well in advance). 

Next stop: Drive 3.5 hours from Dingle to the Cliffs of Moher. 

To beat the crowds, arrive early at the Cliffs of Moher for walks along a narrow path high above the Atlantic Ocean. Next, view the sheer cliff face from the water on a boat trip. In the evening, head to nearby Doolin to hear trad music and eat seafood.

Next stop: Drive 1.5 hours from the Cliffs of Moher to Galway City. 

Detour: Walk through the wildflowers, wildlife and karst limestone landscapes of the Burren (3.5 hours).

Start your day at one of Galway City's highly rated coffee shops for a flat white or espresso to fuel you as you explore the city on foot. Later, head out for oysters and other freshly caught seafood. In the evening, experience Galway's trad music scene on a pub crawl.

Next stop: Drive 1.5 hours from Galway City to Westport. 

Detour: Take in the savage beauty of the landscape on a road trip through Connemara National Park (1.5 hours). 

The picturesque planned town of Westport in County Mayo is packed with pubs and near some beautiful beaches. Take a surf lesson and then visit