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After living in Ireland, and playing tourist as often as I could, I saw most of the island’s best attractions. It wasn’t all planned, some places I stumbled across and can’t wait to share.
By the end of my time in Ireland, I built a serious list of what attractions and places are worth your time. This list will be much more comprehensive than the normal tourist attractions, it covers all of Ireland and tons of variety of activities.
Here you’ll find a mix of the big and iconic attractions, and a few you probably haven’t heard of. Either way, you should try to work all of it into your trip.
If this is your first trip to Ireland, then you’re going to want to start here for the most well-rounded, unique experience. If you’ve already been before, make sure to fill in what you might have missed.
I’ve grouped everything by region, so you can see what experiences you can do together. Keep in mind that a lot of these attractions are book ahead, and can definitely sell out, so be proactive.
If you’re still in the middle of planning your trip, I have a full Ireland road trip itinerary that shares my favorite loop and stops. Then if you’re planning to base yourself near Galway, you can check out these best day trips from Galway for your trip.
Dublin: the biggest cluster of must-dos in one city
Since most people start by flying into Dublin, we are going to start there too. Here is the city where you can knock out most of those “big name” Ireland experiences the fastest.
Before you book anything, make sure to look into Go City Dublin Pass. It helps you save on attractions by bundling them. I use this pass anytime I explore a city and want to visit major attractions since it saves me a ton of money.
That being said, here are my favorite activities in Dublin:
1. Visit the Guinness Storehouse
Yes, it’s touristy. Yes, you should still go to the Guinness Storehouse. The tour is self-guided and it is super interactive and interesting.
It is well worth the low price that includes tastings and the freshest Guinness of your life at the top. There, you’ll also find the Gravity Bar, which offers a 360-degree view over Dublin.
I was super skeptical the first time I visited, but now I’ve visited a few times and always have the best time. And this is still the best spot get a Guinness in the entire world, so that’s worth mentioning.
While you’re in the area, you need to visit this famous distillery. Jameson’s original Bow St. distillery is a bit more intimate than the tour of Guineness, which is a nice change. At the end, you do a whiskey tasting and compare Jameson against a Scotch and a bourbon. It’s really cool to be able to make the distinction and taste the difference.
If you only want to do one of Dublin’s “drink tours,” then you should do whichever one you enjoy drinking. On the bright side, these two spots are close enough to do them both in one day.
3. See the Book of Kells and Trinity College Library
This was one of my favorite activities in Dublin… but that’s coming from a book nerd. The Book of Kells seriously surprised me with an incredibly comprehensive exhibit. If you’ve never heard of it, it is a 9th-century manuscript of the Gospels. In person, it is awe-inspiring to witness this book created by Celtic Monks in 800 AD.
My favorite part of this tour was visiting the library, which was established in 1592. The famous “Long Room” that you might’ve seen was built in the 1700s.
That’s the room in Trinity College that showcases shelves and shelves of ancient books, and a huge globe holographic in the middle.
Right now is actually a super rare time to visit because most of the books have been removed for cleaning. This process will never happen again in your lifetime, so it’s a really cool thing to see. They expect the books to be returned in 2028-2029, and there are still a few shelves full so you can see the full effect.
This tour at Trinity Library is a short visit; around an hour or so, maybe longer if you want to read more about the Book of Kells. Trinity Library is one of the most must-visit places on this list.
I didn’t expect to be so surprised by an old prison, but I really was. Kilmainham Gaol was the spot where the leaders of the 1916 Easter Rising were held and executed. The guided tour through it is one of the most moving historical experiences in Europe.
While it isn’t exactly a “fun” stop en route to a different attraction, it is incredibly interesting. If you want to actually understand Irish independence a lot deeper, then this needs to be on your list. Tickets are super limited and they go on sale 28 days in advance, so don’t expect to just walk-up, especially in peak season.
Glasnevin’s National Botanic Gardens is a nice break from most of the touristy attractions in Ireland. If you want to take a little break, this is a good spot to spend a morning.
These free gardens are gorgeous to visit in any season, and it’s a great way to spend a morning without spending a cent or booking anything.
6. Visit Farmleigh House and Estate
If you want another cool and mostly free activity, you can visit this Victorian estate house and grounds. Farmleigh House is tucked inside Phoenix Park. There are walking trails, a walled garden, and a lot fewer tourists here than most of Dublin’s big attractions.
The grounds are free to walk around, and if you want to enter the house, there are paid tours. These only happen on certain days, so make sure to plan ahead if you want to go inside.
Now let’s head south to Ireland’s ‘Ancient East’
When you head south from Dublin, you’ll find more of medieval Ireland.
7. Explore Kilkenny Castle
Ireland has many towns, but Kilkenny is one of the prettiest medieval ones. The castle is located right on the River Nore, which is the main attraction I would recommend visiting. The gardens here are free to walk, but the interior tour is the interesting part.
This tour takes you through over 800 years of history in this Victorian styled estate. There are beautiful rooms, tons of paintings, and a notable Moorish staircase.
The architecture inside is incredibly interesting as well, and you can learn more about why castles are designed as such on the tour.
The best Kilkenny Castle tickets are bundled with showcasing the Wicklow Mountains and learning the history of Glendalough valley.
I heard about this attraction through word of mouth, and it was not disappointing. It’s a little off the path from driving Dublin to Cork, but well worth the detour.
The Rock of Cashel is a group of medieval buildings that are on top of a rock outcrop. You can even see it from the road before you arrive. This cluster was once the seat of the Kings of Munster for many centuries. It is one of the most photographed sights in Ireland too, so you might recognize it.
You can also bundle this tour with the Blarney Castle, so you can visit two attractions at once. I’ll talk more about Blarney Castle in the next section. All of these tours are available from Dublin too, so you don’t need to rent a car to make them happen!
Blarney Castle was one of my favorite attractions, given the history, and what a lot of people don’t mention: the grounds. It is worth noting that this castle is one of the best preserved in Ireland.
You’ve probably heard about the folklore surrounding kissing the Blarney Stone, but you don’t have to visit for a smooch (although I did). This attraction has a ton of interesting history, and the view from the top of the castle lets you see all the grounds.
There are Poison Gardens, and huge paths that you can walk with waterfront views that will blow you away. I could realistically spend the whole day at Blarney Castle, but I did it in a couple of hours.
The most notable attraction in Ireland that you really can’t see anywhere else is the Cliffs of Moher. These cliffs offer a 700 foot drop off into the Atlantic (don’t worry there are lots of fences)
On a clear day, you can even see all the way to the Aran Islands. And if you’re lucky, you can see Puffins while you’re out there.
Try to get there early if you can, since the light is way better and it’s a bit less busy. It’s best to stay in Galway and book a tour from there to get there for the easiest experience. You should also bundle your tour with a trip to Aran Islands since you’re already out there.
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11. Tour Bunratty Castle and Folk Park
Bunratty Castle is another classic that you can visit on the west coast of Ireland. It’s dated back to the 15th century and you can walk through the whole thing. They also recreated a 19th century village there with cottages, an active forge, and animals.
I’d recommend doing the full experience if you’re going to visit, including the medieval banquet and the multi-course dinner. They have entertainment throughout the whole thing too.
This experience is actually a lot of fun, not just designed for tourists. It’s definitely super unique, so it’s worth considering.
My favorite area of Ireland is in and around Galway, which is why I talk about it the most. If you plan to be over there, make sure you look at the 9 best day trips from Galway. It covers a whole lot more information and attractions in this area than I have space for here.
If you are planning to visit that area, you’ll need a place to stay. Make sure you take a peek at where to stay in Galway for the best area and places for your visit.
12. Listen to trad music at Galway’s Crane Bar
Listening to trad music isn’t something you can book ahead, but there are plenty of schedules that tell you when and where to go. My personal favorite is Galway’s Crane Bar, which has musicians upstairs and downstairs (depending on the day), and gets lively very quickly.
This old traditional pub is often lively with music. Keep in mind, it can get very busy and on evenings, finding a seat here can be impossible. If you’d rather wing it, just walk through Galway’s downtown with your ears open and you’ll find a place.
Most Irish pubs with traditional music probably won’t be selling food by then, so plan ahead for dinner.
You won’t need tickets or reservations, usually just order a pint and try to find a seat near the musicians.
13. Take a day trip to the Aran Islands
As I mentioned earlier, the Aran Islands are a really cool and unique place to visit. You can even bundle them with the Cliffs of Moher. There are three of these islands, and they’re located right off the coast.
Most residents there still speak Irish as the everyday language, and the pace of life is totally different. Inis Mór is the biggest and usually the most popular to visit for a day, although exploring it properly would probably be much longer.
The best way to see these islands is to rent a bike when you arrive and ride around to find the different landmarks here. Just taking the ferry over is a cool part of the trip, but the waters can get a little choppy, so stay prepared.
Kylemore Abbey is home to an extremely cool church located inside of one of Ireland’s most beautiful National Parks. The ride over there from Galway is incredible, and worth doing on its own to see Connemara National Park.
I loved visiting this Abbey, but you definitely need to plan most of your day around it.
The Kylemore Abbey includes a Benedictine abbey with a lot of history explained within, and a 19th century church. Plus, you can’t miss the massive walled Victorian garden.
The walk between the Abbey and the garden is about 20 minutes, and there is also a shuttle but the timing sometimes makes walking faster. This is another reason to make sure you save yourself enough time to explore all of the grounds.
The Abbey is located about an hour and a half from Galway, and it is usually combined with finishing the Connemara loop.
My favorite drive in Ireland is located around the Southwest corner of Ireland in the Dingle Peninsula. If you add this to your plan, then you will probably agree. This drive is a 30 mile loop around the tip of the peninsula.
On the Slea Head Drive loop, you’ll find flower fields, beautiful cliffs, clochans (or beehive huts), and beaches. The Blasket Islands are also in view for most of the journey as well.
While the road is pretty narrow, most of the traffic goes in one direction, so you shouldn’t have to deal with traffic much.
Give yourself plenty of time to explore this, and plan to stop a LOT! I talk about the full route and where to stop more in my Ireland road trip itinerary. You can use that to plan other details for an Ireland road trip as well.
16. Hold a lamb on the Slea Head Drive
I almost left this off the list because it sounds ridiculous written down, but it was super cute. It was also one of my favorite unplanned moments. I can’t exactly pin down where it is, although I can guarantee you’ll find it along the drive.
When you drive along the Slea Head Drive route, particularly in the spring, there are a lot of working sheep farms. You might see a sign, or you can probably just pop in to see it up close.
That’s where I discovered that some farmers will let you (for a small tip) come to hold a lamb or just take a peek at the flock.
Keep in mind, this isn’t a bookable experience, just a bit of cute fun that you should keep an eye out for.
County Mayo: wild, dramatic, and still underrated
17. Hike out to Downpatrick Head
North of Galway, you’ll find yourself along the Wild Atlantic Coast. Around this area there are tons of beautiful hikes.
One of the most famous ones is the hike to Downpatrick Head. This features a dramatic cliff top walk to Dún Briste, which is a sea stack that broke off from the mainland a long time ago. There is a blowhole nearby that also shoots water into the air when the tide is at a certain point.
This point also happens to be where part of Star Wars: The Last Jedi was filmed, if that’s something you’re interested in.
Downpatrick Head is free to visit, just make sure you bring your walking shoes! It’s also a great spot to watch the sunrise.
18. Visit Westport, the Cruise and the House
This underrated estate is probably one you haven’t heard of before, which means it’s even more important it goes on your list. The Westport House is a Georgian estate that is right along Clew Bay.
This estate features gardens, a beautiful lake, and one of the coolest historic houses in the west of Ireland. The history of this place is almost as cool as the incredible architecture inside.
The Westport House is a great addition to visiting the town of Westport as well, which is a cute little classic Irish town. This area is a bit out of the way for a shorter trip, but if you want to go beyond the basics, it’s worth including.
You are not doing all 18 of these in one week, and I’d genuinely tell you not to try. Realistically:
7 to 10 days is enough to hit most of this list if you’re doing a full loop of the country, without spending too much time in any one place. My Ireland road trip itinerary lays out exactly how I’d plan these if you want to see the best of the island.
If you’re short on time and based around Galway, you can hit Cliffs of Moher, the Aran Islands, Kylemore Abbey, Bunratty Castle, and the Crane Bar without ever needing to change hotels. Check out my Galway day trips guide for the logistics.
Renting a car is genuinely the best way to see most of this list, but most of these tours include transportation, so you don’t need to rent one if you’re worried. If you want to try it and you haven’t driven in Ireland before, I’ve got a full guide to driving in Ireland for first-timers. The guide covers roundabouts, narrow roads, and offers helpful tips for renting.
If your goal is to keep costs down for this trip, or build your itinerary a bit more from scratch, then I can help! I share the best ways to keep costs down and visit Ireland without overspending here.
Don’t forget to use the Go City Dublin pass if you plan to visit a few attractions in Dublin too! No need to spend more for the same activities.
Frequently asked questions
How many days do you need to see the best of Ireland?
I’d plan to visit for at least 7 full days for a full loop if you want to visit Dublin, the south, west, and Connemara. If you are willing to move faster, you can do a solid highlights versions in 5 days. It can be hard to hit more of the west coast that way, but you’ll still get some of the best attractions with that version.
What’s the number one thing to do in Ireland?
If I could only pick one thing, it would be the Cliffs of Moher since they are incredibly unique and very cool. The more honest answer though would be the more unplanned moments, like holding a lamb on Slea Head Drive or listening to trad music at the Crane Bar while it was pretty empty. These moments are exactly bookable though, and the bookable moments are incredibly cool too.
Do you need a car to see everything on this list?
While you can technically do all of this by utilizing tour buses or maybe public transportation (barely), I wouldn’t recommend it. When you leave Dublin and Galway, these locations are super hard to visit without a car, unless you book tours with transportation. If you are going to drive in Ireland, read through my Ireland driving guide.
Is Ireland expensive to visit?
Ireland definitely isn’t the cheapest place to visit, but there are a lot of ways to make the trip much cheaper. Using things like the Go City Dublin pass to help bundle attraction costs definitely helps, and mixing in free activities. More details on how to make your visit to Ireland more affordable here.
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