IDEAS FOR WILD ATLANTIC WAY TOURS
Imagine yourself walking along high sea cliffs and taking in the sweeping views of the Wild Atlantic Way route. You could also wander through ancient Celtic monuments, walk along green hills, and learn about Gaelic culture. Sit in a typical pub tasting the local brew and listen to live Irish music.
Pick one of our tailor-made tours of Ireland to immerse yourself in the stunning scenery and historic sights. The ideal Irish holiday consists of exploring the cities as well as the seaside, to take in the culture, history and beauty of the Emerald Isle.
Good to know: All of Nordic Visitor’s Ireland self-drive tour packages can be tailored by our regional experts. They can add extra nights at select locations or modify the driving routes if you have any particular attractions in mind. Just ask!
What is the Wild Atlantic Way and its points of interest?
The Wild Atlantic Way route is a 2,600-kilometre-long (1,616 miles) scenic itinerary starting in County Donegal in the north of Ireland. From Malin Head, Ireland’s northerly point, it follows the Atlantic coast down to Kinsale in County Cork.
This driving route is characterised by sweeping sea views, high cliffs, sandy beaches, and quaint fishing villages. Feel the power of the Atlantic and get a real taste of Ireland along the way.
You can make this journey in a few days, or take longer to explore as much as you wish. You’re sure to find plenty of stops to catch your interest to fill your days.
Here are the top 10 things to do during your Wild Atlantic Way drive:
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Hike and take in the sea views at the Slieve League cliffs
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Drive one of Ireland’s most iconic drives along the Ring of Kerry
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Photograph the stunning Cliffs of Moher
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Sail to Skellig Michael to see the out-of-this-world Star Wars filming location
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Tour the sandy beaches and historic villages of Achill Island
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Visit the religious site founded by St Patrick at Downpatrick Head
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Wander along the beach at Mullaghmore Head
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Try watersports on Ireland’s only fjord at Killary Harbour
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See the most northerly and southerly points of Ireland
Want to go on a Wild Atlantic Way and Ireland road trip?
Are you even more intrigued by the Wild Atlantic Way and Ireland’s coast? A road trip is the perfect way to discover the different regions and attractions at your own pace.
For a round trip around the country, we recommend at least 6 to 8 days to make the most of your time here. While you won’t explore the whole coast, you’ll have time to take in some of the bigger highlights of the Wild Atlantic Way. This includes the Cliffs of Moher and the Ring of Kerry.
With 10 days in Ireland, you could travel the famous coastal route. Drive from Dublin to the northernmost county, Donegal, before following the coast south. Here’s our suggestion for a 10-day Wild Atlantic Way road trip itinerary:
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Day 1 – Arrive in and explore Dublin.
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Day 2 – Pick up your rental car and drive to the north-west. Spend the night in Donegal.
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Day 3 – Start your Wild Atlantic Way journey along the coast. Overnight in Westport.
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Day 4 – Explore the Connemara National Park and Killary Harbour. Overnight in Galway.
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Day 5 – Sail to the Aran Islands or explore the Galway Bay. Overnight in Galway.
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Day 6 – See the Cliffs of Moher in County Clare. Overnight in Killarney.
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Day 7 – Discover the Ring of Kerry and Killarney National Park. Overnight in Killarney.
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Day 8 – End the Wild Atlantic Way route by visiting Mizen Head and Kinsale. Overnight in Cork.
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Day 9 – Visit historic sites and drop off your rental car. Spend your last night in Dublin.
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Day 10 – Depart from Dublin Airport.
The best part? You won’t have to worry about where you’re going or sleeping. Your Nordic Visitor travel consultant will reserve your accommodation, rent a car, and book your activities or day tours to fill your itinerary with adventures.
We cater to all tastes, whether you want to visit a whiskey distillery, go hiking in the national parks, or sail to windswept islands.
You can also rest assured that we’re with you every step of the way. Call us on our 24/7 helpline should you need support at any point.
Want to stay longer?
If you want to take in more Irish attractions, we highly recommend extending your self-drive tour to 14 days or more.
For example, if you spend 2 weeks in Ireland, you could take a longer trip along the Wild Atlantic Way. Explore County Donegal, Achill Island, the Dingle Peninsula and Slea Head as well as other highlights. Or add Northern Ireland to your itinerary. The possibilities are endless.
All of Nordic Visitor’s Ireland self-drive tour packages can be tailored by our Ireland experts. They can add extra nights at select locations or modify the driving routes if you have any particular attractions in mind. Just ask!
Interested in visiting Northern Ireland?
As you may already know, the island of Ireland is separated in 2 entities. The Republic of Ireland, which is 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 could get to know the Emerald Isle and see all its beauty in depth.
You won’t want to miss the capital Belfast, the Antrim Coast, and the Giant’s Causeway. You could also have a longer seaside road trip by adding Northern Ireland’s Causeway Coastal Route to your itinerary.
When is the best time to visit Ireland to see the coast?
Ireland is a beautiful island to visit all year long. This means you can’t go wrong when you book your Irish getaway. That said, we recommend the summertime or its shoulder months for the best experience.
The summer, consisting of the months of June, July and August, is the high season. It is marked by long daylight hours and the best (and most stable) weather of the year. Attractions also operate under longer hours and more availability than in winter.
All of this means you can discover Ireland to your heart’s content.
However, you may find that top attractions are very popular at this time. Indeed, Ireland attracts visitors from around the world especially in summer.
If you would rather have a quieter holiday, visit during the spring or autumn. These shoulder months include April, May, September and October. During this time, you’ll find the best of both worlds: quieter attractions but plenty of good weather and daylight to explore.
Are you keen to explore Scotland too?
Combine a tour of Ireland with a road trip around Scotland for an epic Celtic itinerary. We recommend a minimum of 10 days for this, so you can have enough time to have a taste of both countries.
Spend the first 4 to 10 days driving around the rugged Highlands and islands of Scotland. Then follow that up with another road trip around Ireland to take in all the jaw-dropping coastal landscapes and historic landmarks.
The bonus? All these tours include the Ring of Kerry and the Cliffs of Moher, signature points of the Wild Atlantic Way!
Scotland is a great destination to complement a tour to Ireland. Their cultures and history are so closely linked and you’ll be able to meet the locals and get immersed in both.
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