In 10 days you’ll see the best attractions in Ireland as well as off-the-beaten-path gems. This private tour is the ideal way to explore the cities, countryside and coastline of the Emerald Isle. You get to choose what you prefer each day with the insider knowledge and stories of your very own guide. Wander through the cities of Dublin, Belfast and Galway as well as see the top coastal highlights of the Wild Atlantic Way including the Cliffs of Moher.
Just a few of the majestic sights you’ll take in during your trip.
A day-by-day plan to guide your journey.
Upon your arrival in Dublin, you will be greeted by a private driver who will take you directly to your accommodation. Then it’s time to immerse yourself in the eclectic mixture of heritage sites, museums and historic pubs.
Take a stroll along the cobbled streets of the Temple Bar district and grab a pint at the Guinness Storehouse for a taste of the world-famous beer. Or visit the historic Trinity College to see the ancient Book of Kells. You could enjoy an afternoon tea sightseeing tour of the city on a vintage bus or walk along the characterful O’Connell Street filled with interesting shops and landmark buildings.
Spend the night in Dublin.
Included:
• One private airport transfer from Dublin Airport
Today, your private guide picks you up to start your adventure around Ireland. On your way to Northern Ireland, you can decide where to stop with your guide. You could pass by the charming 12th-century Malahide Castle near Dublin. Or visit the UNESCO World Heritage Site of Newgrange, where you can see megalithic passage tombs which are believed to be older than the Great Pyramids of Egypt. This is one of Ireland’s most popular and fascinating attractions. Further, you could even admire the high crosses of Monasterboice, the historic ruins of a Christian settlement.
Spend the night in Belfast.
Average driving distance: 191 km / 121 miles.
Average travel & exploration time: 7-8 hours
Today you have a full day to explore Belfast, an exciting city with a mix of Victorian grandeur, industrial grit and living history. You can discuss with your guide how best to discover the Northern Irish capital.
Don’t miss out on the city’s leading attraction, the Titanic Belfast. Experience the story of the world’s largest and most luxurious ship, which was constructed here in 1909.
You can also see the Peace Walls and their famous murals and admire the architecture of the City Hall. Or opt to visit the Ulster Folk Museum, a complete recreation of an early 1900s traditional Northern Irish town.
Spend the night in Belfast.
Your private road trip continues along the beautiful Antrim Coast. First, your guide will pass by the atmospheric Dark Hedges, a striking Game of Thrones filming location. Then, you can decide if you’d like to enjoy a scenic coastal walk at Carrick-a-Rede. Here you can cross its rope bridge swaying 30 metres (98 feet) above the sea and providing stunning views of the cliffs below.
Then your guide will take you to the highlight of the day, the jewel of Northern Ireland and World Heritage Site, the Giant’s Causeway. Nearby, you could pop into Bushmills Distillery, the world’s oldest whiskey distillery.
Spend the night in the Donegal area.
Average driving distance: 257 km / 160 miles
Average travel & exploration time: 8-9 hours
Today you head south to County Sligo. Your guide will drive past the stunning Ben Bulben, one of Ireland’s most recognisable mountains.
You’ll make a stop in Westport before going through the striking region of Connemara with its rugged mountains, white sand beaches, picturesque lakes and heathlands. Stop by Killary harbour, Ireland’s only true fjord with a length of 16 kilometres (9.9 miles). These will be your introduction to the incredible route of the Wild Atlantic Way. Further along, visit Kylemore Abbey where you can admire spectacular Gothic architecture and take a stroll in the Victorian Walled Garden.
If time allows, your guide may drive the circular Sky Road near Clifden for broad views of the Atlantic. Later, you’ll arrive in Galway, a lively and colourful city.
Spend the night in the Galway area.
Average driving distance: 223 km / 138 miles
Average travel & exploration time: 8-9 hours
Start the day with a visit to Dunguaire Castle. Sitting on a rocky outcrop overlooking Galway Bay, it is one of the most photographed castles in Ireland. Further ahead, your guide will take you to a beautiful spot to experience the surreal landscape of The Burren.
Then you will arrive at the jewel of Ireland, the breathtaking Cliffs of Moher. This is the top attraction in the country, showcasing some of the most iconic coastal scenery of the island. On a sunny day the views are expansive, but even a stormy day can be exhilarating with the powerful Atlantic below.
If time allows, your guide might also stop by the 15th-century Bunratty Castle. Here you could visit the Bunratty Folk Park, where you can experience Irish rural life from the 1800s.
Spend the night in the Killarney area.
Average driving distance: 269 km / 167 miles
Average travel & exploration time: 8-9 hours
The Ring of Kerry is a highlight in Ireland and today your private guide takes you around this must-do scenic drive. Your first stop will be at Kells Bay House, to see its primeval forest of planted giant ferns. You’ll also pass by the ancient stone forts of Caherdaniel and Staigue, and Derrynane Bay with its beautiful white sand.
When you complete the circle, you’ll have a chance to see the picturesque Torc Waterfall. If you prefer, today you could also take an optional boat tour from the coast to see the Skellig Islands from up close.
Spend another night in the Killarney/Tralee area.
Average driving distance: 198 km / 123 miles
Average travel & exploring duration: estimated 7-8 hours
You have a full day of historic visits ahead of you. The first stop on your journey will be Blarney Castle, a legendary medieval stronghold that houses the Blarney Stone, surrounded by many myths and tales. Then you might decide with your guide to spend some time in Cork, Ireland’s “second city”, which has a vibrant cultural scene.
You’ll then continue on to explore the spectacular Rock of Cashel, a historic site containing a collection of medieval buildings that span over 1000 years of history. Later, you’ll arrive in Kilkenny, a medieval town nestled around a majestic 12th-century castle.
Spend the night in the Kilkenny area.
Average driving distance: 241 km / 150 miles
Average travel & exploration time: 7-8 hours
Today you can decide with your guide what you prefer. You could head straight back to Dublin to spend more time exploring the capital. Or you could check out a few more sights along the way by taking the scenic route. This way you’ll pass through the scenic Wicklow Mountains to visit Glendalough, a 6th-century monastic settlement, and the Powerscourt Estate, featuring the restored mansion Powerscourt House.
Then your guide will drop you off at your accommodation in Dublin. You’ll have the rest of the evening to spend at your leisure, perhaps with a fine Irish dinner to top off your amazing journey.
Spend the night in Dublin.
Driving distance via Wicklow Mountains: 165km / 102 miles
Average travel & exploring duration: estimated 7-8 hours
On your day of departure, a private driver will pick you up from your hotel to take you directly to Dublin Airport. If your flight is in the afternoon, you can spend the morning enjoying some last-minute shopping or sightseeing in the city.
Included:
• Private airport transfer to Dublin Airport
Customise your adventure with these Optional Extras.
We recommend adding your extra activities to the tour now for the best booking experience and to secure your spot, as activities are likely to sell out.
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Here’s a map of your travel route, to help put things in perspective.
Don’t worry, we’ve got this covered.
We recommend that you read carefully through the following information before booking this self-drive tour in Ireland. We’ve answered the most frequently asked questions here so you know what to expect. You’ll also find more practical advice and attraction recommendations in our online Ireland Travel Guide.
On a private tour with Nordic Visitor, you can sit back and enjoy a curated itinerary, led by your personal driver-guide.
Your guide will be an expert in Irish history and culture. They’ll share their local knowledge and stories with you and take you to hidden gems across the country. They will also be happy to tailor your journey to your unique needs and interests along the way.
Your experience will also begin and end with private airport transfers.
Depending on availability and on the size of your travelling party, we can offer a range of vehicles, such as premium executive cars, 4-wheel drives and touring vans.
Travelling with your kids? No problem! Just let your travel consultant know during the booking process. We’ll arrange any cots needed at your accommodation.
If you need multiple rooms, please note that we can't guarantee family rooms or interconnecting rooms at all accommodation. You may even have rooms on different floors.
If you'd like us to arrange for a car seat to be provided for your trip, please let us know ahead of time. This will incur a small extra cost.
While Ireland isn’t known for its heat, summers on the Emerald Isle usually feature plenty of warm days. It’s also the driest time of year to visit.
Between May and September, you can expect temperatures of around 13°C–18°C (55°F–65°F). Due to humidity, this can feel a lot warmer, especially in cities like Dublin.
That said, the weather is also very changeable, so you’ll want to come prepared for anything. Rain is always a possibility, and when the sun sets you might need a warm jumper or jacket. We’ve prepared a useful packing guide to help you decide what to bring with you.
Please note that sightseeing is dependent on weather and road conditions. This means that your itinerary might need to be altered if these conditions are not favourable during your visit. If something unexpected occurs, you can call our 24/7 helpline to speak directly with a Nordic Visitor staff member.
Whatever time of year you’re in Ireland, you’re likely to see lots of different types of weather. As you’ll be spending a lot of time outdoors it’s a good idea to come prepared for a combination of weather conditions.
Here is a recommended packing list for a summer trip:
For more information, check this packing list suggestion.
During your tour, you’ll spend some time in Northern Ireland. This is a separate region from Ireland, and in fact is one of the 4 nations that make up the United Kingdom. This means that UK law applies here, and their currency is the British Pound.
Just like their Celtic neighbours, the official language of Northern Ireland is English, though you may hear Irish Gaelic or other dialects spoken here. The capital of Northern Ireland is Belfast, a port city with plenty of its own history and culture.
There are limited laundry facilities in Ireland’s countryside, but you will find some laundrettes in Dublin. Some hotels do offer dry cleaning for an additional cost.
Your breakfast is included at all your accommodation in Ireland. For the rest of your food, your spending money will depend on the standard of restaurants you decide to go to.
Budget between €15–€20 per person for each day’s lunch. Dinners at casual restaurants might cost between €20–€25. Meanwhile at upscale restaurants, you can expect to pay €40–€50 or more. This does not include the cost of alcoholic beverages.
If you enjoy your experience with your guide, it’s a nice idea to give them a tip.
By booking with Nordic Visitor, you’ll have peace of mind knowing that there’s always someone there for you throughout your trip.
For support and advice during the day, you can ask your guide or call our office. And if anything unexpected happens outside working hours, you can reach us on our 24/7 helpline.
The Edinburgh-based travel expert on call will handle any unforeseen situations for you, such as unusual weather or events.
If you’re arriving from the UK, Canada, the United States, Australia or the European Union, you won’t need a visa to visit Ireland.
Visiting from another country? You can find the complete list of countries whose nationals require a visa to enter Ireland on the website of Ireland’s Citizens Information Board.
If you are not an EU citizen, your passport will need to be valid for at least 6 months after the date of your departure from Ireland. It’s a good idea to check your passport expiry date early in case you need to renew it.
Yes, you can customise this tour online. During the booking process, you can easily add extra nights to your itinerary as well as optional day trips, excursions and upgrades.
It’s best to book as soon as you can to secure your preferred travel dates. Once you have picked your tour, check the availability calendar to see which months are open for booking. Then, select the date you want and complete your booking.
Nordic Visitor offers 10–20% deposits so you can reserve your trip as early as it’s convenient for you. The remaining balance is due 30 days before you travel.
Many tours are also open for the following year if you like to plan well ahead. And if you have any questions or need advice, you can always contact us.
After booking your tour package online, you will be contacted within 2 business days by your own dedicated travel consultant. They will be your point of contact for all your travel needs before, during and even after your trip.
At that time, they’ll confirm the availability of your tour. Then the booking process starts, which may take a few weeks. Once this is done, your travel consultant will provide you with all the details of your trip. You will also receive more information about what to expect during your trip.
No need! Nordic Visitor is already working on offsetting the estimated carbon footprint of your package. We’ve partnered with an environmental fund in Iceland to carbon offset all our tours.
Carbon offsetting your international flights is not included, but we highly recommend you look into possibilities with your airline or directly through a local environment fund.
You can get in touch with our Ireland travel experts ahead of your trip if you have any questions. The live chat option is useful for getting a quick reply as someone answers live every day during office opening hours.
Once you’ve booked, we’ll provide you with a travel guide packed full of local tips and top attractions for your visit. You can also check out our online Ireland Travel Guide where we’ve compiled useful information about topics, including:
After you have booked your tour, it will only take a few days to confirm its availability. But it may take a few weeks to create your itinerary and book everything. Once your trip details are finalised, we’ll send you e-copies of your travel documents.
Upon your arrival in Ireland, you’ll receive a welcome bag with hard copies of your itinerary, attraction and tour vouchers, the Nordic Visitor Ireland Travel Guide and more.
So when do you check in? And what can you expect upon landing in Ireland?
After picking up your luggage, make your way to your accommodation in the Dublin city centre. We recommend one of the airport buses or to hop in a taxi directly to your hotel.
Check-in times vary between hotels and guesthouses, but it normally starts between 2–4 PM.
You are welcome to request an early check-in for an additional fee. Although this isn’t always available, you’ll be able to store your luggage at the hotel if you have to wait. Please contact your travel consultant well in advance of your arrival if you’d like an early check-in.
When you depart may depend on the time of your return flight. Check out early if you’re heading to the airport for a morning flight. On the other hand, if you’re flying home later in the day, you might like to enjoy a leisurely day or visit one more attraction.
You will need to check out from your room, but will be able to store your luggage at the hotel reception. Simply return later to collect your bags before catching public transport or a taxi to the airport.
All packages starting in Ireland are billed in Euros (EUR), the local currency.
Prices displayed in other currencies are indicative only and based on the daily exchange rate. This means conversions from EUR to other currencies will fluctuate from day to day.
These should tide you over until you’re in Ireland to take your own pictures.
We don’t like to brag, so we’ll let our happy customers do it for us.
We toured the highlights of Ireland via private vehicle and guide. All of our accommodation were very nice and what we requested. Our guide/driver was excellent! He went the extra mile for us in every way. The Nordic Visitor representative listened to what we wanted for our trip and delivered a great package. I was sent in depth details of the sites we could see at each stop and suggestions as to their top three choices. All the information provided was very helpful. I will use this company again!
Sleep soundly, in the accommodation type of your choice, and wake up ready to enjoy another day of exploration.
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