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10 Incredible Places to Visit in Ireland

These are hands-down the most beautiful and mind-blowing places to visit in Ireland that you can’t afford to miss!

With a rugged coastline, lively towns, and incredible landscapes, Ireland is a country like no other.

We have been numerous times to the Emerald Isle, and still, many places in Ireland take our breath away. Also, it is not a secret this is our favorite country in Europe. Shh!

In today’s article, we will take you on a trip through fantastic Irish attractions and spots that will surely spark your wanderlust.

Whether you’re wondering where to visit in Ireland or only looking for inspiration, this post will give you incredible ideas!

10 Best Places to Visit in Ireland

These are the ten best places to go in Ireland in no particular order.

Cliffs of Moher

Cliffs of Moher in Ireland
Cliffs of Moher, one of the best places to visit in Ireland

Running for about 9 miles and reaching 509 feet at its highest point, the Cliffs of Moher are hands-down one of the best places to visit in Ireland!

Located on the west coast along Ireland’s famous Wild Atlantic Way, the sea cliffs offer breathtaking views of the Atlantic Ocean and horizon ahead, and on a clear day, you can even spot the Aran Islands.

It is a lovely place to wander around and take in the incredible vistas nature offers us!

Besides, the landscape is so dramatic that one of Harry Potter’s movies was shot here (Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince), among other films, of course.

To visit the Cliffs of Moher, you can easily take a day tour from Dublin, or who knows, add it to your Ireland road trip.

Galway City

Galway University
Galway University

Vibrant and unique, Galway City is one of the top Ireland destinations. While the city has several tourist attractions spread across its center, we can safely say Galway itself is an excellent point of interest.

Stroll along the Salthill Promenade, enjoy the fantastic food scene, take in a festival, or sample the pub culture—Galway has something for all tastes!

Beyond that, this harbor city is packed with historical sites, such as the Spanish Arch, St. Nicholas’ Medieval Church, and Eyre Square. After visiting these spots, it won’t be difficult to imagine Galway in its medieval heyday.

But whatever you do, you can’t miss a traditional Irish folk music session. Besides being one of the best places to stay in Galway, the city center also houses some of the most fantastic pubs for an unforgettable night.

Donegal Town

Annals Donegal Franciscan Abbey in Ireland
Donegal Abbey

Donegal is a fairytale town featuring a charming harbor, serene beaches, and historical places such as the 15th-century Donegal Abbey ruins.

Not only that, but the town also has one of the prettiest castles in the Emerald Isle, the Donegal Castle–very originally named!

It’s a lovely place with guided tours and furnished rooms, but if you would like to feel like royalty, you might want to stay in a castle hotel in Ireland—it’s the ultimate experience in the country, and Lough Eske Castle is right next to Donegal!

Slieve League Cliffs

Slieve League Cliffs
Slieve League Cliffs

Far less famous than its counterpart, the Cliffs of Moher, Slieve League Cliffs are just as incredible!

Majestic, wild, and dramatic, the towering Slieve League is among the highest sea cliffs in Europe, reaching 1,999 feet at its highest point.

Standing at the top of this place, it genuinely feels like you are on the very edge of the world or at least in the Game of Thrones set. It’s incredible!

Ireland facts: The highest cliffs in Ireland aren’t Moher, but Sliabh Liag, also known as Slieve League Cliffs.

Cork

Colorful houses next to Colman Cathedral in Cobh near Cork, Ireland
Colman Cathedral in Cobh, Cork County

All the way south, in the province of Munster, Cork is one of the best places to visit in Ireland. Although Cork is the second-largest city in Ireland, it has a charming small-town feel.

Home to incredibly fabulous pubs, excellent food venues, and quirky museums, the city is a place you can’t afford to miss when traveling to Ireland.

We visited this place on a few occasions, and in all of them, we felt as if we were at home. The friendly locals made us feel very welcome, no matter where property we were staying in Cork.

Not far from here, Cobh and Blarney (where Blarney Stone and Castle are) are two major tourist spots that you will want to add to your list of things to do in Ireland.

Dublin

Trinity College Dublin, Ireland
Trinity College Dublin

No list of places to visit in Ireland will ever be complete without the Irish capital, of course!

From the Trinity College to Molly Malone Statue and St. Patrick’s Cathedral, Dublin is packed with exciting things to see and do (and excellent places to stay too).

Whether you have one day or 2 days in Dublin, be sure to have some Irish drinks in the lively pubs, hunt colorful doors, or marvel at one of the world’s oldest books—these are just some of the incredible things to do in Dublin.

Not only that, but you can go shopping in style as the city has great shops, bookstores, souvenir shops, and obviously excellent restaurants!

Downpatrick Head

Downpatrick Head Sea Stack in Ireland
Downpatrick Head Sea Stack

Imagine a scenic peninsula from where you can see a massive, narrow sea stack rising out of the ocean.

That’s exactly the view from the Downpatrick Head in Mayo County.

While the grassy cliffs are unique, do be careful when visiting the coastal viewing point as the area is not fenced, and it can be quite windy on the Irish coast.

Take your time to stroll along the coast and take as many photos as you can of this offbeat spot in Ireland—it’s incredibly majestic!

Dingle Peninsula

Dunquin Pier in Dingle Peninsula
Dunquin Pier at Dingle Peninsula

With dramatic views, a unique setting, and wildly beautiful landscapes, the Dingle Peninsula is one of the most popular places to visit in Ireland!

Many visitors going on a road trip in the Dingle Peninsula also include the Slea Head Drive in their itinerary, which is a 30 miles road trip that covers the western tip of the peninsula.

Moreover, the area is filled with historical sites, so this spot isn’t only ideal for outdoor lovers but also for history buffs!

Killarney

Muckross Manor in Killarney
Muckross Manor

Killarney is not only one of the most enjoyable places to visit in Ireland, but it also is a good base for anyone who wants to ride the Ring of Kerry.

While the town is full of history and culture, Killarney is well-known for its green surroundings. Neighboring a lake, waterfalls, and a national park, this town should be on everyone’s bucket lists.

The town is relatively compact, so most hotels in Killarney City are perfectly located near cafés, shops, and the national park.

Doolin

Pink cottage in Doolin
What to do in Doolin Ireland: spot cute cottages

A tiny village a few miles ahead of the Cliffs of Moher, Doolin is the perfect place to spend a night and wake up and feel the salty breeze of the ocean!

Although small, the village has excellent pubs and lively Irish music sessions you won’t want to miss!

From here, you can take a ferry to the Aran Islands or even see the Cliffs of Moher from the sea—which is one of the best things to do in Doolin!

Besides, you can hike about 6.5 miles along the coastline to the cliffs passing by the Doolin Pier, where you can walk on the limestone pavement that makes up most of the Burren.

Take in the view and spot the wild animals–it’s an unforgettable experience!

Ireland Best Places to Visit

While many places in Ireland deserve to be on this list, we decided to pick our favorites for the sake of keeping it short.

Still, we promise to update this article with more incredible places to see in Ireland as we go.

Where to Visit in Ireland – Planning

Planning a trip to Ireland? You might want to read a few of our guides to have the perfect Irish vacation!

Since you’re probably beginning your trip in the capital, you might want to read how to get from Dublin Airport to the city center. It’s a practical guide with a few possible transportation options.

We also wrote an itinerary for one day in Dublin and a guide for incredible day trips from Dublin once you have scratched the surface of this town.

Last but not least. You might want to craft your Ireland packing list in advance to avoid any last-minute hassle.

That’s it for today. We hope you have a fantastic trip!

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Don’t Forget About Travel Insurance!

Before you leave for Ireland, make sure you have a valid travel insurance policy because accidents happen on the road. We have been paying for Safety Wing travel insurance for a little over a year now, and we happily recommend them to our family and friends.

If you get sick, injured, or have your stuff stolen, you'll be happy to have the ability to pay for your medical bills or replace what was stolen.

Because, for just a couple of dollars a day (depending on how long your policy is for), you're going to get lots of things covered. Be smart and get travel insurance.