IDEAS FOR WILD ATLANTIC WAY TOURS
Take the wheel for Ireland’s most iconic road trip and soon you’ll be soaking up sweeping Atlantic views. Spend your days visiting charming coastal villages, strolling along clifftop paths and touring ancient Celtic monuments. Come evening, you could grab a pint of local beer and listen to toe-tapping traditional music in a cosy Irish pub.
Pick one of these expert-curated itineraries to immerse yourself in the country’s beautiful scenery, buzzing cities and Gaelic culture. A warm Irish welcome awaits!
Good to know: You can extend your self-drive tour of Ireland with additional nights. For instance, consider spending more time in cities like Dublin, Belfast and Galway where there are lots of things to see and do. You can also customise your trip with optional activities and day tours.
What is The Wild Atlantic Way and Its Points of Interest?
The Wild Atlantic Way is a 2,600-kilometre-long (1,616 miles) road trip, running from north to south along Ireland’s west coast. It starts from Malin Head in County Donegal and ends at Ireland’s most south-westerly point, Mizen Head in County Cork.
This route is characterised by towering sea cliffs and rugged islands, as well as sandy beaches and hidden coves. You’ll also uncover colourful fishing villages and lively harbour towns. Get ready to feel the power of the Atlantic and enjoy a real taste of Ireland along the way.
Here are some of the top places to go on the Wild Atlantic Way:
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Glimpse the lochside ruins of Dunguaire Castle on the shores of Galway Bay
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Marvel at the mighty Cliffs of Moher in County Clare
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Glimpse the now uninhabited Blasket Islands from the dreamy Dingle Peninsula
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Wander Galway’s Latin Quarter and listen to live music in the city’s pubs
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Check out Ross Castle and go hiking in Killarney National Park
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See the UNESCO-protected island of Skellig Michael from the Ring of Kerry
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Discover mountains and beaches on Achill Island, Ireland’s largest island
How to Plan Your Wild Atlantic Way and Ireland Road Trip
If you’re intrigued by the Wild Atlantic Way and Ireland’s coast, a self-drive road trip is the perfect way to experience it. Get ready to discover the distinct regions and top attractions at your own pace.
Around 1-week is enough to explore the west coast. To get the most out of your visit, we recommend 10 days to 2 weeks in Ireland or more. This way, you’ll have time to combine the best of the Wild Atlantic Way with other must-see sights across the Emerald Isle.
With 10 days, you could tour Dublin, visit Northern Ireland, and travel the famous coastal route. Here’s our suggestion for a Wild Atlantic Way road trip itinerary:
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Day 1 – Arrive in Dublin and spend time exploring the Irish capital.
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Day 2 – Pick up your rental car and drive to Belfast via Malahide Castle and Newgrange Neolithic site. Overnight in Belfast.
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Day 3 – Spend the day visiting attractions in Belfast, such as the Titanic Quarter. Overnight in Belfast.
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Day 4 – Set out along the stunning Antrim Coast, where you’ll find the Giant’s Causeway. Overnight in County Donegal.
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Day 5 – Drive Connemara’s west coast before arriving in the colourful city of Galway. Overnight in Galway.
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Day 6 – Head south through the Burren, passing the Cliffs of Moher. Overnight in Killarney.
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Day 7 – Travel the scenic Ring of Kerry and spend another night in Killarney.
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Day 8 – Soak up history at the likes of Blarney Castle and the Rock of Cashel. Overnight in Kilkenny.
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Day 9 – Explore the Wicklow Mountains and stop off at Powerscourt Estate on your way back to Dublin.
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Day 10 – Depart Dublin.
The best part about booking with Nordic Visitor? You don’t need to worry about where to go or stay. Choose us, and a travel consultant will reserve your accommodation, rental car, and arrange optional activities for you. Plus, you’ll get a personalised itinerary, detailed travel guide, and hand-marked route map for your trip.
Plus, you can relax knowing that we’re with you every step of the way. Call us on our 24/7 helpline should you need support at any point.
Add Northern Ireland to Your Wild Atlantic Way Tour
As you may already know, the island of Ireland is made up of two countries. The Republic of Ireland, an independent nation, and Northern Ireland, which is part of the United Kingdom (along with England, Scotland and Wales).
While they are two different countries, they share many similarities in their history, culture and, of course, their geography. For a complete tour of the island, we recommend including Northern Ireland in your itinerary. This way you’ll get to know the Emerald Isle even better.
Don’t miss the capital Belfast, the Antrim Coast, or the Giant’s Causeway when you’re there. And why not add Northern Ireland’s Causeway Coastal Route to your itinerary?
When is The Best Time to Visit Ireland?
While the Emerald Isle is beautiful year-round, we recommend travelling in spring, summer or autumn – between April and October – for the best experience.
The summer months of June, July and August, are the high season. This time of year is marked by long daylight hours and the year’s most stable weather. Attractions also operate longer opening hours and tend to have more availability than in winter.
All of this means you can discover Ireland to your heart’s content. That said, the country’s top attractions will have their highest visitor numbers at this time of year.
For a quieter experience, with fewer visitors around, consider exploring Ireland during spring or autumn when there’s still plenty of daylight. These shoulder months include April, May, September and October.
Visit Scotland and Ireland on One Unforgettable Trip
Combine a tour of Ireland with a road trip around Scotland for an epic Celtic itinerary. We recommend 12 days or more for this, so you have enough time to get a taste of both countries.
Spend the first week driving around the rugged Highlands and islands of Scotland. Then follow that up with another week-long road trip around Ireland taking in all the jaw-dropping coastal landscapes and historic landmarks.
What’s more, all these self-drive tours of Scotland and Ireland include the Ring of Kerry, Cliffs of Moher, and other signature points on the Wild Atlantic Way.
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