Ireland will always hold a special place in my heart. It’s where I studied abroad and spent four months exploring. This is where my wanderlust developed. Regardless of my own feelings for this beautiful country, there is so much to see and do here. Yes, you should see Dublin and explore its cities, but you’ll find that the best parts of Ireland are not in its cities. From the dramatic cliffs on the western coast, the endless fields of green, and its cute small towns are where you’ll find the real Irish charm.
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Best of Ireland
Ireland: Best Things to Do on Your Visit
This is one of my favorite countries and it has so much to offer visitors. Learn about the very best things to do in Ireland so you can plan the best possible trip. See the dramatic Cliffs of Moher, drive the Ring of Kerry, and tour the top sights of Dublin.
Itineraries
One Week Ireland Road Trip Itinerary
On this road trip, visit some of the best spots of Ireland, including the Cliffs of Moher, Galway, the Dingle Peninsula, the Ring of Kerry and even more. While this itinerary was designed for seven days, I’ll give some suggestions for those with more time.
Ireland Without a Car: A One Week Itinerary
Ireland is ideal to visit by rental car, but not everyone can, or wants to, rent a car for their trip. On this itinerary, visit the highlights of the country all without the use of a rental car.
Photo Tours
A Photo Tour of Ireland
Do you want to visit Ireland but aren’t able to? Are you looking for some travel inspiration for an upcoming trip? Check out this photo tour for a virtual tour.
Ireland’s Cliffs of Moher: A Photo Tour
The cliffs of western Ireland, including the famous Cliffs of Moher, was one of my favorite areas in the entire country. The views were absolutely incredible and I don’t think a visit to Ireland is complete without visiting this area.
Know Before You Go
Currency – Euro. Credit and debit cards are widely accepted.
Language – There are two official languages: English and Irish Gaelic. While everyone speaks English, you’ll find signs in both Gaelic and English.
Power – 230V and 50hz. Type G.
Tipping – Your service charge is typically include in the cost of your meal, so tipping is generally not expected. However, if you had a fabulous experience, a small tip is appreciated.
Water – The tap water is safe to drink, so bring a reusable water bottle.
Traveling Around Ireland
By Bus – Buses are available throughout the country to help connect the bigger towns. While buses (and trains) exist, you may find schedules frustrating and limiting. That said, during my four month study abroad, I used buses almost exclusively. I filled in the gaps (for things like the Ring of Kerry) with one day guided tours.
By Rental Car – A rental car is going to be the best option. A rental car will give you the most freedom, which you’ll need since a lot of the top sights are in the countryside, away from the cities and public transportation.
When to Go
Low Season – Winter is low season when the weather is coolest and crowds are at their lowest. Expect major sights to have more limited hours at this time of year.
High Season – Summer is high season when crowds are at their peak. However, this is when you’ll likely have the best weather. Since so much of Ireland’s beauty is found in the countryside and outdoors, consider a visit during the summer months.
Shoulder Season – Spring and fall are shoulder season. Crowds are lower, but the weather can be a bit more unpredictable. That said, you could get lucky. My parents visited me during the spring and they had a total of ten minutes of rain for their entire week long visit. The week after they left, it rained constantly.