Captivating cities, picturesque fishing villages, fairytale castles and breathtaking landscapes. A list that will make you want to pack your bags for Ireland!
It's impossible to visit Ireland and not fall in love with it. This small country boasts colorful cities, picturesque villages, striking historic sights, wind-swept rugged coasts and landscapes that will leave you speechless. Thinking of visiting? To help you we have prepared a list of places in Ireland that deserve your attention.
Dublin
Ireland's capital, Dublin, in the emerald land of the Celts, Guinness beer and James Joyce, is a youthful, friendly city full of positive energy. With hundreds of pubs and restaurants and plenty of music events, one thing's for sure, you won't get bored on this trip. At the same time it's a city with a rich cultural heritage. Dublin offers a wealth of museums and art galleries worth visiting, and along its streets medieval, Georgian, Victorian and modern architecture coexist. You can easily explore the city on foot and see many fascinating sights, such as the beautiful Trinity College Library, St. Stephen's Green and the Guinness Brewery Museum.
Galway
Set on Ireland's west coast, close to the Aran Islands and the Connemara region, Galway with its cobbled streets, intriguing architecture and numerous festivals, is one of Ireland's most charming cities. In 2018, Galway was named a European Region of Gastronomy, while in 2020 it was the European Capital of Culture (together with Rijeka in Croatia). Take some time to see the fishing village of Claddagh, beside Galway Bay, with its colorful buildings and swans gliding past them.
Cliffs of Moher
The Cliffs of Moher, in the southwestern Burren region of Ireland, are among the most dramatic landscapes and one of the country's most popular attractions. They offer stunning views of the Atlantic Ocean and soar to heights of up to 214 meters above sea level.
Giant's Causeway
The «Giant's Causeway» (Giant's Causeway) is an impressive attraction made up of 40,000 symmetrical hexagonal columns that resemble bolt heads. According to scientists, these rocks, located in the Antrim area of Northern Ireland, were formed by the rapid cooling of molten lava. In many places their symmetry is such that it's hard to believe the area is nature's creation.
Killarney National Park
You can spend an entire day exploring Killarney National Park, from the towering Torc Waterfall to 15th-century Ross Castle. One of the park's greatest treasures is its population of wild red deer, which have lived in Ireland since the last Ice Age but now survive only in Killarney.
The Dark Hedges
This tree-canopied, eerily beautiful road made famous by Game of Thrones is called the Dark Hedges (Dark Hedges) and lies between Armoy and Stranocum, in County Antrim, Northern Ireland. The beeches were planted in the 18th century by the Stuart family to impress visitors arriving at their manor, Gracehill House.
Cobh
With its charming colorful houses and the soaring cathedral standing like a sentinel above the harbor, this small town is one of the most picturesque places in Ireland. This place also has an interesting history, as it was the last embarkation-disembarkation port for some passengers of the Titanic before it sank. Today, Cobh is a particularly popular stop for cruises, with around 60 ships calling there every year.
Kylemore Abbey
Mountains, valleys and lakes create a distinctive setting in Connemara, one of Ireland's most beautiful regions. Kylemore Abbey is one of the most impressive sites you can see there. It was built in 1868 and was one of the grand neo-Gothic castles of the period. Today it's a Benedictine abbey run by nuns.
Skellig Michael
This craggy island, 12 km off the coast of southwest Ireland, is home to the ruins of a 6th-century monastery, which you can explore after climbing 600 steep steps. If the place looks familiar it's because scenes from Star Wars were filmed here.
Ring of Kerry
Driving (or hiking) the Ring of Kerry is an excellent activity for first-time visitors to Ireland. It's a 180 km route around the Iveragh Peninsula that lets you take in many beautiful places. The route passes Killarney National Park, Skellig Michael and other locations featured on this list.
Carrick-a-Rede
Suspended almost 30 meters above sea level, the Carrick-a-Rede bridge was built by salmon fishermen more than 200 years ago. Today, this rope bridge draws both thrill-seekers and those who simply want to enjoy the beauty of the landscape and the enchanting views of Rathlin Island, Scotland and the Irish Sea.
