The Perfect Ireland Itinerary

The Republic of Ireland is widely regarded as one of the most beautiful island nations on the planet, and is a frequent holiday destination for millions across Europe and further across the world. From rolling hills to wild, rugged coastlines, traditional pubs to windswept island tours, Ireland is a nation that's captured the hearts of many thanks to its free spirit and its rich and magnetic culture.

Regardless of whether you enjoy Irish dancing, the odd pint of Guinness, or just want to take a pilgrimage to the Blarney Stone, there are a million and one reasons to build your own Ireland itinerary and to explore the Emerald Isle on your own terms. 

Now - unfortunately, we don't have the time or space right here to break down each of those million and one reasons to come to Ireland, but what we can do is offer you a few great starting points on what to include in your next trip here.

And, before you take off to the airport or ferry, you should always make sure your smartphone or tablet is ready loaded with an eSIM for Ireland. That way, any mobile data you use is already budgeted and paid for, and you can always be sure that you'll connect to the fastest and most reliable network available.

Ireland itinerary overview

Ireland is an absolutely fabulous nation to explore if you really want to get back in touch with nature, enjoy wild and breezy island hopping, or to dip into traditional European culture. Much of it you can enjoy as part of a longer road trip, as the island only extends around 300 miles from north to south. That said, it's well-connected with rail links, too, if you'd prefer not to get behind the wheel yourself.

The great thing about setting up an Ireland itinerary, too, is that there are tons of different places you could set a “home” base in. While those of us in the SIMOVO team who have visited Ireland will always recommend starting off in Dublin, you can also choose to go a little further south to Shannon, out west to Knock, or right down on the South coast in Cork. As mentioned, Ireland's road-trip-friendly size means you shouldn't ever be too stretched getting from one place to another.

Think carefully, too, about the sort of holiday you're looking for from Ireland. Many people choose to go the city break route and stick to the mainland, while others choose to go all around the rugged coast, or to dive deep into the countryside. Regardless, make sure you dress comfortably and take footwear to match the terrain you're likely to traverse! We'll talk a little bit about the best time of year to visit Ireland a little further down in the guide.

Speaking of itineraries, the templates we've set up for Ireland are based around our favourite locations to visit. That means there are certainly more sights and attractions you can add along the way - just use our ideas as starting points, particularly if you've never been here before.

It's also a good idea to check out our Ireland cost guide so you can get a feel for how much you'll need to budget for the activities you'd like to do and the sights you want to see. Traveling to and exploring Ireland is probably cheaper than you might think, but it still pays to be prepared!

Best places to visit in Ireland

Even though Ireland is fairly small compared to a lot of the countries we've written itinerary guides for, there are tons of things to see and do up and down the country. For this guide, however, we've rounded up four specific points of interest you should prioritize, regardless of how long you're traveling for - the team recommends checking out Dublin, Galway, the Cliffs of Moher, and the Ring of Kerry.

In our itinerary templates below, you'll see that we've built schedules around these main ports of call, but you can certainly feel free to add others!

Dublin

Dublin, as Ireland's capital, is the heart of the nation, welcoming millions of visitors every year as the top tourist destination nationwide. Dublin is a quaint but still thriving city that's immensely proud (and rightly so) of its literary roots, its historic buildings, parkland spaces, and, of course, its burgeoning pub scene.

It is, of course, the home of Guinness, with the Storehouse being the heart of the fermentation. It's also well worth exploring the stunning cathedral and church architecture here, along with Dublin Castle, which has stood since the 13th century. On top of that, there are free museums, guided tours, and regular festivals to enjoy throughout the year.

Galway

Galway is world-famous and immensely loved for its traditional, live music scene and busking, its harbor atmosphere, and its cozy, traditionally Irish pubs.

Like Dublin, it's very much a festival area, with theatre, arts, literature, and seafood all getting their own celebrations here across the year (and why not?). It's also a great base for exploring natural walks and hikes around the Connemara National Park, and you can easily get to the stunning Cliffs of Moher from here – speaking of which…

Cliffs of Moher

When we talk about Ireland's famously rugged coast, the Cliffs of Moher really demonstrate the concept best. Overseeing the West Clare coastline, the cliffs stand more than 214 meters above the water, with elevated viewpoints and guided tours available to help you spy the Aran islands and the wild Atlantic beyond.

Ring of Kerry

The Ring of Kerry is a fantastic road trip opportunity, which you'll find in the heart of the Iveragh Peninsula. It's home to a famous cycling route, and the 111-mile journey will take you around sights such as the Gap of Dunloe, Rossbeigh, and the Torc Waterfall. This rugged trail is an absolute must if you're really keen to see Ireland at its most beautiful and natural best. 

Ireland itinerary templates

As mentioned, here are some Ireland itinerary templates that you can use for inspiration, based on our top places to visit. Feel free to extend or shorten your journey as you wish!

Ireland itinerary for 7 days

• Days 1-3: Start on the East Coast in Dublin and explore the city.
• Days 4-5: Head across the country with Galway as your destination and enjoy the West Coast.
• Day 6: Travel down towards Clare and the Cliffs of Moher.
• Day 7: Take on one last road trip down towards the Ring of Kerry. 

Ireland itinerary for 10 days

• Days 1-3: Establish your base in Dublin, again, but be prepared to shift base as your itinerary continues.
• Days 4-6: Travel cross-country, visiting towns along the way, and end up in Galway.
• Days 7-8: Find somewhere to stay in Clare and marvel at the Cliffs of Moher.
• Days 9-10: Head South and explore the Ring of Kerry, taking in Cork a little further along.

Ireland itinerary for 14 days

• Days 1-4: For longer trips, we suggest you really make the most of Dublin first!
• Days 5-7: Take a leisurely drive across the heart of Ireland and base yourself in Galway.
• Days 8-11: Head South and base yourself in Cork or Killarney, exploring the coast and the Ring of Kerry.
• Days 12-14: Finish your journey in historic Clare and by tracing the Cliffs of Moher.

Best time to visit Ireland

Ideally, we recommend visiting Ireland in late spring or early fall, when the weather is likely to be fairly mild, and the crowds are unlikely to be too large. Spring visits, in fact, are a must if you really want to start seeing Ireland's natural landscape bursting into bloom. It's busiest in summertime, but of course, you'll get the best weather.

Ireland is an absolute gem - an emerald, in fact - that everyone deserves to enjoy at least once. If you're building an Ireland itinerary off the back of this guide, be sure to download an eSIM for Europe, too, so your mobile data is completely covered for your adventure.