Discover the Emerald Island with our guide
With this Ireland Travel Guide, you’ll be perfectly prepared for your next adventure! Explore vibrant cities, stunning nature, and majestic cliffs.
Everything you need to know about traveling to Ireland
| Ireland Travel Requirements Since March 2022, travelers no longer need to be vaccinated, provide a PCR test, or need to hand in a passenger locater form on arrival. You can find current information here. Ireland Entry Requirements Visa requirements are different for different countries. Ireland is part of the EU but not of the Schengen Agreement. Please check if you require a visa beforehand here. | Currency Euro € $1 = 0,92€ £1 = 1,14€ |
| Best time to visit Ireland The best time to travel to Ireland is between March and May or September to October. And, of course, on St Patrick’s Day (17th of March)! | Timezone Greenwich Mean Time (GMT) |
Frequently asked questions
You might wonder how much does a trip to Ireland usually cost. Is it safe to travel here, and what do I need to keep in mind or pack when coming here? Let us answer all of your questions here!
How much does it cost to travel to Ireland?
For a trip here, you should plan a daily budget of €110 ($119), which includes accommodation, transport, activities, and food. Hotels, hostels, and Airbnbs in cities are a bit more expensive. However, you can share the costs if you travel to Ireland in a group to save some money. Find your next trip on JoinMyTrip.
Is it safe to travel to Ireland?
Yes! Ireland is the perfect country for solo travelers. The Irish are friendly and helpful; you’ll quickly make new friends and have local support everywhere you go. Like all European cities, you should keep your belongings close and not be careless. But, all in all, Ireland is a safe destination for travelers.
What to do in Ireland?
There are many things to do in Ireland. You can explore cities like Dublin and Galway or hike alongside majestic cliffs. Check out our Ultimate Guide to Dublin to learn more about Ireland’s fantastic capital.
What language is spoken in Ireland?
The official languages in Ireland are Irish and English. So, don’t worry. Everyone speaks English, but you’ll also find all signs written in Gaelic. Irish people learn Gaelic in school, but many never use it. However, some small regions and villages only speak Gaelic on the country’s west coast.
What should I pack for a trip to Ireland?
Weather in Ireland can sometimes be unpredictable, so don’t forget to pack a raincoat and a sweater. It can also get windy here, so an umbrella won’t get you too far. Furthermore, don’t forget to pack comfortable shoes to walk around cobblestone streets in the city. If you’re planning to go on a hike, don’t forget to pack your hiking shoes and some comfortable clothes.
Ireland Travel Tips
What would an Ireland Travel Guide be without some travel tips? Here are our top tips to make the best of your next trip to the emerald island.
Rent a car
You should rent a car to make the best of your trip. This way, you can discover beautiful hidden gems all over the country and be more flexible regarding sights. A rental car will cost you about €300 for a two-week trip. Also, keep in mind that you drive on the left in Ireland, and if you’re not used to that, you should consider getting an automatic car instead of a stick shift.
Enjoy nature
The best way to discover Ireland’s beautiful nature is through hikes. Here are our top hikes in Ireland:
- Slieve League, Co. Donegal
- Carrowkeel Passage Tombs, Co. Sligo
- Glendalough, Co. Wicklow
- Mount Gable Walk, Co. Galway
Discover spots off the beaten track
While exploring Dublin, Galway, and the Cliffs of Moher is lovely, you should discover many beautiful spots around the country. Get away from the crowds with our Ireland Hidden Gems.
17-Day Itinerary – An authentic Irish Road Trip
In this Ireland Travel Guide, we have compiled an authentic road trip to discover the island’s beauty and see stunning spots off the beaten track. Start your journey in Dublin. Dublin has a significant international airport (DUB) with good public transport connections to the city center.
You can jump on the Dublin Express (9€ return ticket). These buses will take you to the city center every half hour and leave directly outside the arrival hall. You can find more information here.
Day 1 & 2 – Dublin
After spending your first night at your hotel in Dublin, explore the city the next day. If you have a hotel somewhere in the city center, go to Temple Bar to take some photos of the iconic bar without the crowds being there. Walk around the city and find the best sights. An excellent way to spend a rainy day is to visit the Guinness Store House or one of the distilleries to learn about famous Irish drinks. We would recommend getting tickets for this in advance.
Day 3 – Drive to Sligo
On your third day, pick up your rental car and drive to Sligo. On this drive, you can stop at many points of interest. We recommend a short walk at Clara Bog and a hike up to Carrowkeel Passage Tombs. This is an excellent start to Irish nature before heading to the rugged cliffs on the coast. After a day in nature, drive to Sligo and check in to your hotel or accommodation. You can find some excellent restaurants in the town center to grab dinner and relax. Restaurant Tip: Flipside, the best burger in town!
Day 4 – Drive to Slieve League
On the next day, head up north to Slieve League. Park your car in the car park at the bottom of the cliff walk and take a beautiful hike to the viewpoint. If you’re feeling extra adventurous, you can hike along the cliffs from the viewpoint. On your way back to Sligo, visit Gleniff Horseshoe, a unique mountain formation shaped like a horseshoe. If you feel like moving a bit more, you’ll also find lovely waterfalls and hikes in this area.
Day 5 – Drive to Galway
On your fifth day, you’ll be driving down to Galway. Take the scenic road on the Wild Atlantic Way and follow the R335 for exceptional views at Doo Lough. Continue on the road to Aasleagh Falls, where you see wild salmon trying to jump a waterfall. Drive to Clog and continue your journey through Connemara National Park past Kylemore Abbey to Galway on the N59.
Day 6 & 7 – Galway
Galway is the perfect city for pub hopping and enjoying Irish culture and music. You’ll find the best parties and live music in Latin Quarter. During the day you can walk around town and explore or shop. If you feel like spending some time at the beach, head to Salthill, where you’ll find a nice beach walk and some restaurants.
Day 8 – Drive to Dingle
After spending time in Galway, drive along the Wild Atlantic Way to Dingle. On your way there, you can stop at the Cliff of Moher (€10 entry fee per person), take the Killimer Ferry (5€ per car), and drive through Connor Pass on Dingle Peninsula.
Day 9 & 10 – Dingle Peninsula
There are plenty of things to do on the Dingle Peninsula. It is one of the most rugged and beautiful areas in Ireland. You can explore Dingle Town, grab a drink at one of the many pubs, go on a boat tour (go whale watching, learn more about the history of the Dingle coast, or go to the Blasket Islands for a day), drive along Slea Head Drive and head down to Dunqin Pier.
Day 11 – Drive to Killarney
After some relaxing and adventurous days on the Dingle Peninsula, you’ll drive to Killarney, your base for the Ring of Kerry. On your way there, go through Killorglin, one of the most colorful towns in Ireland. Find your accommodation in Killarney and some food and drinks in the lovely town center.
Day 12 – Ring of Kerry
Is it even an Ireland Travel Guide if you don’t make your way to one of the most famous roads on the island? The next morning follow the signs to the Ring of Kerry and discover beautiful landscapes and sights along the way. We also recommend driving to the Kerry Cliffs for spectacular views of the Atlantic. If you have more time, you can also head to Valentia Island and hike around the area. After your day, head back to Killarney for some sleep.
Day 13 – Drive to Cork
On your 13th day in Ireland, drive along the coast to Cork. While going there, you should stop at Mizen Head, an old signal station on a cliff connected to the mainland by a bridge. After getting blown away by the wind at the cliffs, continue your journey along the coast and stop anywhere you think might be interesting. Our Secret Tip: Nohoval Cove, a small grass-covered street, leads to this hidden gem which is excellent for swimming and relaxing.
Day 14 – Cork
The Irish would probably disagree with us, but there’s not much to see and do in Cork. You’ll need about half a day to explore the town center. After exploring Cork, you can also head to Cobh. The small town was the last stop of the famous Titanic before heading toward New York. There’s a museum focusing on the history of the Titanic and the history of emigration from Ireland. When going back to Cork, make sure parking is possible at your accommodation. Parking tickets can be expensive, and there are special city parking rules.
Day 15 – Cashel
After your day in county cork, head back north to Cashel. The main attraction here is the Rock of Cashel, the ruins of a limestone cathedral and a Viking fort. The tower on the grounds is dated back to the 10th century and is one of the oldest buildings in Ireland. Around County Tipperary, you’ll find some nice and cozy BnBs to spend your night.
Day 16 – Wicklow Mountains
An Ireland travel guide wouldn’t be complete without a proposed hike in Wicklow Mountains National Park. You can find some of the best hikes in Co. Wicklow here, and we would recommend visiting Glendalough for some extraordinary views.
Day 17 – Drive back to Dublin
On your last in Ireland, drive back to Dublin. Before heading back to the city, head to Ticknock Forest and hike up to the Fairy Castles. From here, you have a beautiful view of Ireland’s capital. After your hike and enjoying nature for the last time, drop off your car and make your way back to the airport or your hotel for the previous night in Dublin!
We hope you enjoyed this Ireland Travel Guide and are ready for your next adventure on Emerald Island.
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