Charming cities, picturesque fishing villages, fairytale castles and captivating landscapes. A list that will make you want to pack your bags for Ireland!
It is impossible to visitIrelandand not fall in love with it. This small country boasts colorful cities, picturesque villages, impressive historic sights, wind-lashed rugged cliffs and landscapes that leave you speechless. Are you thinking of visiting? To help you, we have prepared a list of places in Ireland that deserve your attention.
Dublin
Irelands capital, theDublin of 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, you certainly wont get bored on this trip. At the same time it is a city with a great cultural heritage. Dublin boasts a vast wealth of museums and art galleries worth visiting, while along its streets buildings of medieval, Georgian, Victorian and modern architecture coexist. You can easily explore the city on foot and see many interesting sights, such as the beautiful Trinity College Library, St. Stephens Green park and the Guinness Brewery Museum.
Galway
Built on Irelands west coast, close to the Aran Islands and the Connemara region, theGalwaywith itscobbled lanes, intriguing architecture and numerous festivals, isone of the most charming cities in Ireland.In 2018, Galwaywas named a European Region of Gastronomy, while in 2020 it was the European Capital of Culture (together with Rijeka in Croatia). Set aside a little time to also see the fishing village ofCladdagh, beside Galway Bay, with the colorful buildings and the swans swimming in front of them.
Cliffs of Moher
The Cliffs of Moher, in the Burren region of southwestern Ireland, are one of the most impressive landscapes and also one of the countrys most popular attractions. They have stunning views toward the Atlantic Ocean and rise to heights that reach 214 meters above sea level.
Giants Causeway
The «Giants Path» (Giants Causeway) is a spectacular attraction consisting of 40,000 symmetrical hexagonal columns that look like screw nuts. According to scientists, these rocks, located in the Antrim area of Northern Ireland, were created by the rapid cooling of hot lava. In many places their symmetry is such that it is hard to believe the area is natures creation.
Killarney National Park
You can spend a whole day exploring Killarney National Park, from the towering Torc Waterfall to 15th-century Ross Castle. One of the parks greatest treasures is the population of wild red deer, which lived in Ireland since the last Ice Age, but now survive only in Killarney.
The Dark Hedges
This tree-canopied and eerily beautiful road made famous by Game of Thrones is called Dark Hedges (Dark Hedge) and is located between Armoy and Stranocum, in County Antrim in Northern Ireland. The beech trees 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 that stands like a guardian over the harbor, this small town is one of the most picturesque places in Ireland. This placealso has an interesting history, as it was the last embarkation-disembarkation port for some Titanic passengers before it sank. Today, theCobhis a particularly popular stop for cruises, with about 60 ships stopping there every year.
Kylemore Abbey
Mountains, valleys and lakes create a distinctive setting in Connemara, one of the most beautiful regions of Ireland. Kylemore Abbey is one of the most impressive places you can see there. It was built in 1868 and was one of the great Neo-Gothic castles of the period. Today it is a Benedictine abbey run by nuns.
Skellig Michael
Thisrugged island, 12 km from the coast of southwestern Ireland, is home to the ruins of a 6th-century monastery, which you can explore after climbing 600 steep steps. If the place feels familiar, its 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 is a 180 km. route around the Iveragh Peninsula that will give you the opportunity to see many beautiful places. The route passes through Killarney National Park, Skellig Michael and other locations that are 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 attracts both adventure lovers and those who simply want to enjoy the beauty of the landscape and the enchanting viewof Rathlin Island, Scotland and the Irish Sea.
