According to my opinion here, you will find the top 15 best places to visit in Ireland. If you want to know where to go in the country, just keep reading.
Ireland has many amazing places to see, which can make it hard to decide which ones to see. But don’t worry, this list has a bunch of options for all types of travelers.
In Ireland, you can see fantastic coastal routes, beautiful national parks, charming coastal towns with scenic cliff walks, and many more. And no matter where you go, you’ll meet friendly locals who’ll make you feel at home.
There are a lot of things to do and places to enjoy in Ireland, which are enough to keep you busy for months.
Go through the button below each destination to find out more about them — like where to stay, how to get around, the cost, the best places to eat and drink, and the top things to see and do.
DUBLIN
Dublin is the capital city of Ireland, which is full of beautiful natural spots. Dublin is located on the east coast of Ireland, and it is one of the best tourist attractions on any trip over to Ireland.
Truly, Dublin is one of my favorite city. It’s really beautiful, with a river called the Liffey running all over it, and it’s got an old-time feel that’s really charming. The people there are also very nice and friendly.
Dublin is a great home base as you can easily take a day trips to other cool places like Belfast, Wexford and Galway by train. And there is so much to do in Dublin. There is a really old pub called the Brazen Head and you can visit breweries such as the Jameson Distillery and the Guinness Storehouse.
But don’t worry if you don’t drink. There are many other things to do around the city such as hiking and plenty of indoor activities for rainy days.
While you’re in Dublin, check out the Temple Bar area, relax on St Stephen’s Green, have a pint at The Brazen Head and check out the Book of Kells at Trinity College Dublin.
I think you have to spend at least three days traveling Dublin, but even a weekend trip is definitely worth it.
GALWAY CITY
Galway City is famous for its art and culture and it is one of the top places to visit in Ireland. It is known for its lively music scene and delicious seafood. You can also find the Claddagh symbol here, which is a popular Irish item for souvenirs.
When you visit Galway, check out Quay Street, Eyre Square, and the other nearby beaches. It’s a great base for a day trip to the beautiful Cliffs of Moher.
Galway is the perfect city for all types of travelers, and even though it’s a city, it has a relaxed feel. I visited Galway many times when I was in Dublin. You can easily check out Galway City in a weekend.
Exactly on the west coast, Galway City is close to the Aran Islands and Doolin. It is a popular vacation spot along the beautiful Wild Atlantic Way coastal route. Don’t miss a visit to Galway City when you’re in Ireland.
DINGLE
Dingle has some of the most beautiful places to visit in Ireland, but it would be great if you could take a car to visit them. The town of Dingle is quite beautiful and the main site of the peninsula of the same name. They hosts a cool festival every October called the Dingle Food Festival.
On the Dingle Peninsula, you can visit places like Inch Beach (which is over an inch long), Slea Head Drive, Clogher Strand and Brandon Point. If that’s what you’re looking for, check out Connor Pass, one of the most beautiful drives in the entire country.
Dingle sits just off the coast in the westernmost part of Ireland. There’s a lot to do in a few days, but if you want to see more of the peninsula, I think you should plan to stay there for three to five days.
This area is great for all types of travelers, specially if you love the outdoors and adventure. The Dingle Peninsula is full of natural attractions that reflect the beauty of Ireland. Check out the best places to stay in Dingle and start planning your trip.
ARAN ISLANDS
If you want to step back in time to Ireland, visit the famous Aran Islands. There are three islands: Inishman, Inishire and the largest, Inishmore.
These islands are special because they are not like your ordinary islands. They are famous for their vast green spaces, amazing scenery, ancient ruins and peaceful atmosphere. Also, most people here speak Irish Gaelic as their main language.
For a truly Irish experience, the Aran Islands are one of the best places to visit.
Some cool places to visit in the Aran Islands include Kilmurvey Beach, Seven Churches, Pollassie Shipwreck and Wormhole, which is like a treasure trove. The easiest way to get to each island is to rent a bike. Yes bike is the best for the trip.
To get to the Aran Islands, you need to take a ferry from Rosaville, which is a short drive or bus ride from Galway city. I think two days is sufficient time to spend here. The islands are located off the west coast of Ireland. Easily, you can find them on Google Maps.
BELFAST
Belfast is the capital of Northern Ireland and it’s just a short train ride away from Dublin. This city is full of history, especially about the Titanic, and it’s where the famous author C.S. Lewis lived and wrote The Chronicles of Narnia series.
When you’re in Belfast, don’t miss the Peace Walls, where you can see artwork about the Troubles of Northern Ireland. A good idea is to take a tour with a local guide who knows and can explain all about Belfast’s history.
There are lots of other cool things to do and places to see in Belfast, like Titanic Belfast, Belfast City Hall, St. George’s Market, and the Botanic Gardens. You can get around the city easily using public transportation because it’s very walkable.
You can see all of Belfast in just a weekend. It’s on the eastern coast of Northern Ireland.
SLIGO
The Sligo Wild Atlantic Way is well known for its breathtaking natural beauty along the coastal path. But it’s not just about nature, There is also a lot of interesting history and a strong focus on literature and art. No matter what type of traveler you are, you’ll find something to enjoy in Sligo.
There are lots of fun things to do in Sligo. You can explore the Kesh Caves, relax on Streedagh Beach or hike the Benbulben Forest. And don’t miss a visit to Sligo Abbey, Yeats Building, and Caromore Megalithic Cemetery right in the city.
Sligo is in northwest Ireland, just close to the Northern Ireland border. It’s a good idea to plan at least three days here so you can experience all the great things it has to offer.
CLIFFS OF MOHER
The Cliffs of Moher is definitely one of the best places to visit in Ireland because it is so beautiful. Many movies like Leap Year, Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince and The Princess Bride have been filmed here.
These cliffs perfectly showcase the natural beauty of Ireland. They are 700 feet tall and stretch about 9 miles long. It is best to visit in the morning to avoid large crowds from tour groups.
Be sure to have lunch at the Cliffs of Moher Visitor Center. Inside, there is a place where you can get great views of the mountains, as well as a cafe and a shop for souvenirs. You can also bring your own snacks if you want.
The Cliffs of Moher are on the west coast of Ireland and are a very easy day trip from Galway to take a look at. You can easily see the mountains in just half a day.
CORK CITY
As we know, Cork is the second largest city in Ireland, after Dublin. It is famous for the best food scene in the country, which makes it one of the top places to visit.
In Cork, there is a lot to do. Make sure you visit Blarney Castle and Gardens, English Market and Cork City Gaol. Also, every October Cork hosts the Guinness Cork Jazz Festival, It is Ireland’s largest jazz festival.
It’s a good idea to spend at least a weekend in Cork, but you can easily stay longer and take day trips to places like Cobh and Kinsale. Cork is located in Southern Ireland.
SKELLIG ISLANDS
The Skellig Islands have two parts: Skellig Michael and Little Skelling. Skellig Michael became famous after appearing in the Star Wars movies and is now a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
When you visit the Skellig Islands, be sure to see St. Fionn’s Monastery and Skellig’s Lighthouse. Keep an eye out for Puffins too. To reach the Skellig Islands, you’ll need to take a boat from Portmagee.
Remember to book your trip in advance and choose the right boat. Only some boats let you step onto the islands, while others just go around them.
You can explore the Skellig Islands in just one day. They’re located on the west coast of Ireland.
WICKLOW MOUNTAINS NATIONAL PARK
Wicklow Mountains National Park is a beautiful part of Ireland covering over 50,000 acres. You will find a lot of hiking trails, lakes, and more. It is a great place to visit whether you are alone or with your family.
This is one of the best places to explore in all of Ireland, and hiking here is something you definitely don’t want to miss.
For the best views of the national park, check out the Glendalph “White” Route, the Lough Olar Loop and the Lugnaquilla Ridge Trail. Some of the best hikes in Ireland are in this national park. You can even go swimming, paddle boarding, jet-skiing or water-skiing on Glendolph’s Upper Lake.
Wicklow Mountains National Park is in eastern Ireland, a short drive south of Dublin. Spending two days exploring the park is ideal, but you can visit some of the top spots in just one day.
Wicklow City is the perfect place to stay when you are visiting the Wicklow Mountains National Park. It is at the edge of the park and easily accessible.
WATERFORD
Waterford is famous for its unique Waterford Crystal and a long history of glassmaking that can be traced back to the 18th century. It is Ireland’s oldest city, so there’s quite a bit of history to find out about.
While you’re in Waterford, make sure you visit the House of Waterford Crystal, Waterford Treasures, Reginald’s Tower, and the Bishop’s Palace. The Medieval Museum is also worth checking out – it’s the only medieval museum in the country.
Waterford is located in southeast Ireland. It is best to spend at least two days here to see all the wonderful things. Waterford City is a great place to stay if you want to explore the rest of the Viking Triangle.
For a special experience, stay at Waterford Castle! It is on its own island, has a golf course, a tennis court, an archery range and is 800 years old.
BRAY
Truly, Brae is one of the best places to visit in Ireland and it is just a short bus or train ride south of Dublin. It’s a beautiful coastal town that many people miss when visiting Ireland.
In Bray, don’t miss Garden House, Mermaid Arts Centre, Kilruddery House and Gardens and Bray Promenade. But the most popular thing to do in Bray is the Bray Head Cliff Walk, where you’ll see some of the best coastal views around.
Bray is located on the east coast of Ireland. You can easily see everything in just one day, but you can stay longer if you want to explore more.
KILKENNY
If you want to visit a medieval city in Ireland, visit Kilkenny. It is full of old churches, lovely gardens, the oldest brewery in the country and a magnificent castle.
Some of the most fun things to do in Kilkenny include visiting St Canice’s Cathedral Church, Roth House and Gardens and Kilkenny Castle.
You should also check out the Smithwick experience—it’s a brewery that’s been around since the 16th century!
Kilkenny was the medieval capital of Ireland. If you’re into history, walk the medieval mile. It runs through the old part of Kilkenny and passes many historic buildings.
Kilkenny is in southeast Ireland, just an hour and a half south of Dublin. To really enjoy this city, my opinion, spend at least a weekend there, maybe even three days.
HOWTH
Howth is a stunning fishing village just 30 minutes north of Dublin city. It’s just off the coast and is one of Ireland’s hidden gems that not enough people know about!
Howth’s coastal views are amazing—you can see them from almost anywhere I loved going on day trips from Dublin to Howth. I highly recommend it!
While you’re in Howth, be sure to visit Howth Harbour, Balscadden Bay Beach and Howth Market. And don’t miss the Howth Cliff Walk—it’s the best part of town. There are different routes for all levels of hikers.
You can explore Howth in just one day, especially if you day trip from a nearby city like Dublin. But if you really want to soak up Howth’s peaceful atmosphere, you can easily stay longer.
KILLARNEY
When you think about a classic, beautiful Irish town, you probably picture somewhere like Killarney. This town is full of outdoor fun and sits right on the edge of Killarney National Park.
There is so much to do in Killarney. You can explore Muckross House, hike the Tork Waterfall Loop, play golf at the magnificent Killarney Golf and Fishing Club and visit Ross Castle.
If you have a car you can get out and see more of Killarney National Park.
You only need a day or two to explore the city of Killarney. But Killarney is a great starting point for the Ring of Kerry drive. If you do, you may want to add an extra day or two for stops along the way.
Killarney is in the West of Ireland, in County Kerry. It is only an hour from both Dingle and Cork.