Ireland has always been a highly coveted travel destination, even when global tourism wasn’t as developed as it is today, and visiting the country was a luxury to many due to the restrictive transportation costs and limited infrastructure. In the tech-driven modern age of travelling, the accessibility and frequency of air travel have put Ireland on the map as one of the most sought-after places to visit.
If anyone had a doubt about its unyielding tourist appeal, we’ll let you know that Ireland won the Best Destination in Europe for American travellers for 12 years in a row, proving just how eager people are to visit the Emerald Isle and explore its many hidden and not-so-hidden treasures.
So, where should one begin? There are so many interesting places to see and so many quintessentially Irish experiences that you can enjoy all across the country that it’s going to be very hard for you to decide how to spend your trip, especially if it’s going to be just a quick escape or if you’re on a budget. Just in case you need a little help organising yourself and narrowing down your options, here are some recommendations you might want to keep in mind.
Spend some time in Dublin
Some people prefer to avoid Dublin when planning their Irish adventure, thinking that just like all other capital cities, it might be a bit overrated and overpopulated with tourists. While there’s no denying that Dublin can be crowded and chaotic, it’s still much more compact and easier to get around compared to other large European cities, so you should definitely give it a chance for the numerous experiences it can deliver.
If you do make your way to Dublin, make sure you check out the Trinity College Library, Kilmainham Gaol, Saint Patrick’s Cathedral, and the Guinness Storehouse. These are some of the most popular landmarks in the city, so if you don’t have much time on your hands, you should at least visit these sites before leaving. Also, it makes sense to choose Dublin as a starting point for your journey, considering that it’s the most accessible destination in the country and is also well connected to other cities and areas you might want to explore later.
Rent a car and go on a road trip
If you want to see more of Ireland and enjoy more freedom while you’re out exploring, renting a car is probably the smartest thing you can do. You might not be thrilled with the idea because you’ll have to adapt to driving on the other side of the road, but that can easily be solved with a bit of practice. Soon enough, you’ll become more confident and begin to appreciate the flexibility of travelling at your own pace.
The beauty of the Irish scenery is hard to put into words, and going on a road trip is certainly the best way to take it all in. The Wild Atlantic Way is probably the most popular route for road trippers, and it’s easy to see why: you’re in for 2,500km of rugged landscape, with dramatic cliffs, mesmerizing beaches, and charming little villages, perfect for a truly immersive outdoor escape.
Visit a pub (or several)
If there’s one thing that Ireland and the Irish are known for all around the globe is their unparalleled passion for beer: making it, talking about it, celebrating it, and finding all kinds of reasons to drink it. So, when in Ireland, you should follow the locals’ lead and get in the habit of frequenting pubs.
Some Irish pubs, especially those in Dublin, like The Brazen Head or The Temple Bar, are famous around the world, so if you want to enjoy the best brews ever, you know where to head. However, make sure you don’t drink more than you can handle, because you don’t want your pub venture to turn into a medical emergency. Slips, trips, and falls are quite a common cause of injuries in public spaces like pubs and bars, so drink responsibly and enjoy your outings safely.
Take a cliffside walk
A trip to Ireland wouldn’t be complete without a walk along its iconic cliffs. Covered in lush green grass and towering over vast coastal areas, these rugged formations have long been representative of the wild scenery that the country is so famous for.
The Cliffs of Moher, which line the west coast of Ireland, along the Atlantic Ocean, are probably the most recognizable of all, but there are many other stunning cliffy areas you can visit if you can’t include them in your itinerary. The Slieve League Cliffs, the Kerry Cliffs near Portmagee, and the cliffs at Loop Head are some of the best alternatives to consider.
Choose B&Bs over hotels
For a cosier and more authentic travel experience, we suggest you skip hotels and choose B&Bs instead. This will give you the chance to experience the true Irish hospitality and immerse yourself in the local lifestyle. Besides, outside of large cities, B&Bs are the most common accommodation option anyway, so it’s going to be both more convenient and more pleasant to choose a unique lodging and enjoy a warmer atmosphere than to stay in a standard hotel room.
Visit a castle (and stay the night)
From Medieval fortresses to 12th-century Norman strongholds, Ireland boasts no less than 30,000 castles and ruins, many of which are visitable and some of which also offer accommodation. So, it would be a pity not to take advantage of this unique opportunity and book at least one night at a castle hotel. While the costs can be quite hefty with some of them, you’ll also find plenty of budget-friendly options to choose from if you take the time to do a bit of research.
About the Author
