Best Places to Visit in Ireland
Ireland is small enough to cross in a day and deep enough to spend a lifetime on. Every region has a claim on your time, and the honest answer to "Where should we go?" depends entirely on what you love.
So here is the guide we would give a friend, region by region, with the drive times and the reasons. When you know what you want, we will build the itinerary and drive every mile of it.
Dublin and the East
Your likely landing point and a genuinely great city to explore. Working distilleries inside the city limits, the Guinness Storehouse, Georgian squares, a food scene with Michelin Star restaurants, and the iconic Temple Bar. Base yourself here and the whole east coast is a day trip.
Wicklow and Ireland's Ancient East
Forty minutes from Dublin and you'll enter a different world: mountain passes, the monastic city at Glendalough, Powerscourt, and country roads that make hiring a private driver feel like a good decision. Push further south and you are into Kilkenny, the Rock of Cashel and castle country.
Cork and the South
Three hours from Dublin. The food capital of Ireland, the home of Irish whiskey at Midleton, Blarney Castle and its famous stone, and the harbour town of Cobh where the Titanic made its last call. Cork people will tell you it is the real capital. Let them have it, they've earned it.
Kerry and the Southwest
The scenery everyone pictures. The Ring of Kerry, the Dingle Peninsula, Slea Head Drive, mountain passes and island views. Roughly four hours from Dublin, so worth more than one night, and worth doing with a driver so you can actually look out of the window.
Belfast and the Causeway Coast
Two hours north of Dublin. A city with a rich history and a serious foodie scene, the Titanic Quarter, and beyond it the Causeway Coast: the Giant's Causeway, clifftop castles, Bushmills and roads that were made for slow driving. It is a different jurisdiction but you do not need anything special, like a visa, to cross.
THE MOST COMMON
QUESTIONS
How can I put together visiting multiple destinations in Ireland?
Our expert experience coordinators can help you figure out the best way to explore Ireland based on your travel dates and interests. Five days? Likely Dublin plus one region. Seven to ten days? A proper island crossing. Two weeks? The possibilities are endless. Tell us your dates and your interests and we will draft the route.
What is the best part of Ireland to visit?
For first time visitors, Dublin plus the west coast around Galway and the Cliffs of Moher is the classic and it earns its reputation. For scenery, Kerry is unbeatable. For whiskey, Cork and Dublin. For a quieter trip with fewer tourists and crowds, Wicklow and the Ancient East.
How many days do you need in Ireland?
Seven to ten days lets you cross the island without rushing. Five covers Dublin and one region well. Under four days, pick one area and do it properly rather than rushing from stop to stop.
Can you visit Northern Ireland on the same trip?
Easily. The border is open and simple to cross, and Belfast and the Causeway Coast are around two hours from Dublin. Many of our itineraries include both.
Do you need a car in Ireland?
You need transport if you plan on exploring outside of Dublin. That is precisely what our private driver-guides are for. With Ireland Whiskey Tours, your driver will handle all of the logistics and timing so you can enjoy your time exploring Ireland.
If your question is not here, call us. USA toll free 1-844-204-7470, Ireland +353 87 708 5947, or email info@irelandwhiskeytours.com.