Best places to visit in Ireland
Green hills, Atlantic cliffs, lively towns and pubs with live music. Here is our guide to planning a holiday in Ireland.
Dublin
Most trips to Ireland start in Dublin, a friendly capital with a big personality and a lively pub culture.
Ireland holidays: green, wild and welcoming
Ireland is a country best enjoyed slowly. Narrow roads wind between stone walls and green fields, villages gather around their pubs, and the Atlantic coast throws up some of the most dramatic scenery in Europe. Add a famously warm welcome and you have the recipe for a memorable holiday.
Choosing the best places to visit in Ireland depends on how much time you have. A long weekend suits Dublin, while a week or more lets you explore the west coast. Ireland is also one of the easiest destinations to reach from the UK, by short flight or ferry.
Dublin: the lively capital
Dublin is the natural starting point. Trinity College and the Book of Kells, the Guinness Storehouse and the pubs of Temple Bar are classic sights, but it is the atmosphere that people remember: the conversations at the bar, the live music and the humour.
The city also has a fast-growing food scene. Read our pick of five restaurants you will not want to miss in Dublin for steak, modern Asian cooking and dinner with traditional music and dance.
Johnnie Fox's
One of the oldest pubs in Ireland, in the hills just outside Dublin, serves dinner with traditional music and dance.
The west coast and the Wild Atlantic Way
The Wild Atlantic Way is a long, signposted coastal route along the west of Ireland, and it passes many of the country's most famous landscapes.
Galway: a bohemian university city with colourful streets, busy pubs and a strong music scene.
The Cliffs of Moher: towering sea cliffs in County Clare and one of Ireland's best-known sights.
Connemara: wild bogs, lakes and mountains to the west of Galway.
The Ring of Kerry: a scenic loop around the Iveragh Peninsula, with mountains, beaches and small villages.
Dingle: a lively harbour town on a beautiful peninsula, known for seafood and traditional music.
Hiring a car gives you the most freedom on the west coast. Allow plenty of time, as roads are narrow and the views tempt you to stop every few minutes.
More things to do in Ireland
Within an hour of Dublin, the Wicklow Mountains and the monastic site of Glendalough offer great walking. Further south, the medieval city of Kilkenny and the food lovers' city of Cork are well worth a visit, as is Killarney National Park in County Kerry.
On the same island, Northern Ireland is part of the UK, and combines well with a trip to the Republic. Its highlights include Belfast and the basalt columns of the Giant's Causeway on the north coast.
Dining out in Dublin
Irish cities have a much more varied restaurant scene than many visitors expect, from modern Asian kitchens to fine dining.
Irish food and drink
Irish cooking is built on excellent produce: grass-fed beef and lamb, fresh seafood, creamy butter and farmhouse cheeses. Try a bowl of seafood chowder with brown soda bread, a traditional Irish stew or a full Irish breakfast.
Of course, there is also Guinness and Irish whiskey. Distillery tours are popular across the country, and every town seems to have a pub claiming to pour the best pint. For more ideas across the continent, see our guide to the best places to visit in Europe.
When is the best time to visit Ireland?
The best time to visit Ireland is from May to September, when the days are long and the weather is at its mildest. June is often a lovely month, with long light evenings and fewer crowds than July and August.
Whatever the season, Irish weather is changeable, and rain can come and go several times a day. Pack layers and a waterproof jacket. March is lively around St Patrick's Day, while winter is quiet and cosy, perfect for pubs and city breaks.
Frequently asked questions about Ireland
Is Ireland part of the UK?
No, the Republic of Ireland is not part of the UK. It is an independent country and a member of the EU, with Dublin as its capital and the euro as its currency. Northern Ireland, in the north-east of the island, is part of the UK and uses the pound sterling.
Do you need a passport to go to Ireland from the UK?
British and Irish citizens do not legally need a passport to travel between the UK and Ireland, thanks to the Common Travel Area. However, airlines and ferry operators normally require valid photo ID, and many only accept a passport. Check with your carrier before you travel.
What side of the road do they drive on in Ireland?
In Ireland, you drive on the left-hand side of the road, as in the UK. In the Republic, speed limits and distances are shown in kilometres, while Northern Ireland uses miles. Roads in rural areas can be very narrow, so take your time and watch out for tractors and sheep.
How many days do you need in Ireland?
You need at least a week to see the highlights of Ireland, for example a few days in Dublin followed by a road trip along the west coast to Galway, the Cliffs of Moher and the Ring of Kerry. For a short break, two or three days in Dublin with a day trip into the countryside works well.