Ultimate One Week Travel Itinerary For Ireland [With Pics!]
This one week travel itinerary for Ireland is all you need for your next trip to the Emerald Isle!
Ireland is one of the most stunning countries in the world.
The sprawling green fields, lakes, and mountains offer spectacular views. Not only is the landscape appealing, but the people are incredibly friendly and welcoming too.
Ireland is rich in culture, traditions, and history so there is something for everyone. From museums to traditional pubs and beaches to mountain peaks, Ireland is full of interesting things to see and places to visit.
I’ve lived in multiple countries, including Ireland, and I have to say it’s possibly my favorite place in the world!
One Week Travel Itinerary For Ireland:
Day 1: Arrive In Dublin + Explore The City
Day 2: Head West To Galway
Day 3: Check Out The Cliffs Of Moher
Day 4-5: Visit Killarney + The Ring Of Kerry
Day 6-7: Explore Cork City + Kinale
Northern Option:
Day 1: Arrive In Dublin + Explore The City
Day 2-3: Galway City + Westport
Day 4: Donegal + Sliabh League
Day 5: Derry, The Walled City
Day 6-7: Belfast + The Titanic
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Photo Credit: @cupofkee
One Week Travel Itinerary For Ireland:
Day 1: Arrive In Dublin + Explore The City
Arrive in Dublin, drop your bags, and get ready to see the city!
Stop 1 is The Guinness Storehouse, which is the number 1 most visited attraction in Ireland. It’s a very cool experience where you can learn about how they make the famous stout.
You can even try a pint of Guinness at the end of the tour.
Stop 2 is Kilmainham Gaol a really cool museum in Dublin where you can learn a great deal about Ireland and Dublin’s past. The word gaol is the old version of jail so Kilmainham Gaol was originally a jail or prison but it is now a museum.
You can learn about the 1916 Rising and Ireland’s struggle for independence from Britain.
Stop 3 is Temple Bar. This is a neighborhood in Dublin that’s famous for its nightlife. You can find some amazing restaurants and bars with live music in this area.
It’s a great place to finish your day in Dublin with lots of people out and about enjoying the atmosphere.
You can stay in Dublin on night 1.
Here are some popular places to stay:
Value: Jacobs Inn Dublin
Luxury: The Shelbourne, Autograph Collection
Photo Credit: @danieltmalone.jpg
Day 2: Head West To Galway
Get up early and make the journey west to Galway City.
Stop 1 is Kylemore Abbey and Victorian Walled Garden. This is the ideal location for a day out. You can see some beautiful architecture, landscapes and the amazing walled garden.
Stop 2 is The Spanish Arch. This is part of the Norman city walls and extends to the dock. It is believed the Spanish Arch was built to protect ships from looting.
Nowadays it is a popular spot to hang out or walk around on a nice day in Galway. There are lots of popular shops, bars, and activities close by so it’s a great place to check out.
Stop 3 is the Galway City Museum, where you can learn all about the Medieval city of Galway along with its deep connection with the sea, sailing, and merchant traders.
You enter the museum through the iconic Spanish Arch and you get to see some of the remains of the old city wall.
You can stay in Galway on Night 2.
Here are some popular places to stay:
Value: Kilbree House B&B
Luxury: The G Hotel & Spa
Day 3: Check Out The Cliffs Of Moher
Make the journey into county Clare.
Stop 1 is the Burren National Park which is an area of incredible natural beauty. Entry is free and there are free guided walks during the summer.
Stop 2 is the famous Cliffs Of Moher. This is one of the most visited, and most photographed places in Ireland.
Busloads of tourists flock to this stunning area every day. It really is worth the visit to see these amazing cliffs.
You can stay in Adare, in County Limerick on Night 3.
Here are some popular places to stay:
Value: Hazelwood Country House
Luxury: Adare Manor
Day 4-5: Visit Killarney + The Ring Of Kerry
On Day 4 you can explore the Dingle Peninsula on your way to Killarney.
Stop 1 is of course the Dingle Peninsula where you can check out some incredible stops such as Mount Brandon, the Slea Head Drive, and Dunquin Pier.
Stop 2 is the tourist town of Killarney. If you have time after your Dingle adventure, you can visit some incredible locations such as Ross Castle, the Gap Of Dunloe, and Muckross House, Gardens & Traditional Farms.
On Day 5 you can drive around the Ring of Kerry. There are some amazing viewpoints, beaches, and towns to see around the Ring of Kerry.
You can check out Derrynane Beach, and Kenmare Town and even go stargazing at Kerry International Dark Sky Reserve!
You can stay in Killarney on nights 4 and 5.
Here are some popular places to stay:
Value: The Parkavon Hotel
Luxury: The Killarney Park
Photo Credit: @palantje
Day 6-7: Explore Cork City + Kinale
On Day 6 you get to see some beautiful coastal towns in Cork.
Stop 1 is the beautiful town of Glengarrif in West Cork! You can explore the town or even head out to Garnish Island!
Stop 2 is another coastal own called Clonakilty. It has a beautiful beach and some brilliant restaurants.
Stop 3 is one of the most colorful towns in Ireland. Kinsale is a great place to visit for a day trip or even go for a night out! The buildings are painted bright colors and there is a great atmosphere around the town.
You can stay in Kinsale on Night 6
On Day 7 you can explore Cork City. There are so many amazing cafes, bars, and restaurants around the city. This is a great place to wander around, it has a rich history, great people, and a great buzz.
You can either stay in Cork on night 7 or head back to Dublin for your journey home, depending on your flight.
Here are some popular places to stay:
Value: Leonardo Hotel Cork
Luxury: Hayfield Manor
Photo Credit: @thephoenixpark
One Week Travel Itinerary For Ireland – Northern Option:
Day 1: Arrive In Dublin + Explore The City
Both options start the same by arriving in Dublin, and exploring the city.
Here are some other options for places to visit in Dublin:
- Check out EPIC The Irish Emigration Museum
- Go for a tour of the historical Glasnevin Cemetary
- Visit Phoenix Park and see the herd of deer!
Here are some more accommodation options for Dublin:
Value: Motel One Dublin
Luxury: The Merrion Hotel
Photo Credit: @ourlovelyireland
Day 2-3: Galway City + Westport
The next stop is Galway City on Day 2.
Here are some more places to see in Galway:
- Explore the landscape of Connemara National Park
- Check out the heart of the city at Eyre Square
- Visit the beautiful Galway Cathedral
Here are some popular places to stay:
Value: Woodquay House
Luxury: Glenlo Abbey Hotel
Day 3 you can head to Westport in County Mayo. It’s a beautiful town with nice bars, restaurants and local attractions.
Places to visit in Westport:
- Check out Westport House & Gardens
- Go horse riding at Carrowholly Stables & Trekking Centre
- Cycle along The Great Western Greenway
Here are some popular places to stay:
Value: Cloneen House
Luxury: Knockranny House Hotel & Spa
Day 4: Donegal + Sliabh League
On Day 4 you will start your adventure of the North of Ireland. Donegal is part of the Republic of Ireland, despite the most northerly part of Ireland being in Donegal.
Places To Visit In Donegal:
- Visit the massive cliffs of Slieve League
- Explore the breathtaking Glenveagh National Park
- Check out the most northerly point of Ireland, Malin Head
Here are some popular places to stay:
Value: The Gateway Lodge
Luxury: Lough Eske Castle
Photo Credit: @donegal_to_everywhere
Day 5: Derry, The Walled City
After Donegal, you can head into Northern Ireland. The first stop will be Derry, also known as Londonderry.
Places To Visit In Derry:
- Go for a tour along the City Walls
- Learn about the Battle of the Bogside at the Museum of Free Derry
- Learn about the colonization of Ulster at the Guildhall
Here are some popular places to stay:
Value: Everglades Hotel
Luxury: Bishops Gate Hotel
Day 6-7: Belfast + The Titanic
The final stop on the North of Ireland Trip will be Belfast, the capital of County Antrim and the capital city of Northern Ireland.
Places To Visit In Antrim:
- Check out the unique rock formations of the Giants Causeway
- Learn about the history of the famous ship at the Titanic Museum
- Check out Dunluce Castle on the northern coastline!
Here are some popular places to stay:
Value: Amica Guesthouse
Luxury: The Merchant Hotel
Self-Drive Option
The best way to explore Ireland is by driving a car yourself. Many of Ireland’s most incredible sites are off the beaten track and difficult to get to using public transport.
It can be expensive to use taxis to get to some locations and takes a lot of time to use buses and trains.
I recommend renting a car from DiscoverCars. With a rental car, you will have the freedom to explore where and when you want. This will give you the best chance to see as much of Ireland as possible on your trip!
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Public Transport Option
It is possible to see a lot of Ireland’s main attractions using public transport, especially the ones in Dublin and other cities.
However, if you want to explore more rural areas like Kerry, Donegal, and Antrim, a rental car is best, but the next best option is joining a tour group.
This will give you a structured plan for visiting the top tourist attractions while also keeping costs lower than trying to navigate public buses and trains.
What To Eat In Ireland?
Ireland is not famous for specific dishes but it produces some of the best food in the world. Irish meat, dairy, fruit, and veg are very high quality and are exported worldwide.
Some popular Irish dishes you should try include Beef Stew, Seafood Chowder, Bacon and Cabbage, and a Full Irish Breakfast.
What To Bring On Your Trip To Ireland?
The most important thing to bring on your trip to Ireland is a raincoat. No matter what time of year it is, there’s a good chance it will start raining.
Ireland has very unpredictable weather and you can experience wind, rain, sunshine, and clear skies all within 24 hours.
FAQs On One Week Travel Itinerary For Ireland:
Is 7 Days Enough To See Ireland?
Ireland is too big to see the whole country in seven days. However, having a car makes it possible to drive around and visit different areas more efficiently. The best way to plan a seven-day Ireland itinerary is by either focusing on the Southern part of the Island or the North for the trip.
Is Ireland Cheap Or Expensive?
Ireland is a fairly expensive place to visit as a tourist. The cost of accommodation and rental cars can make it quite expensive to visit. Food and drinks can be costly too, especially in Dublin. You would need about €1,000 for a one-week trip to Ireland, roughly €143 per person per day.
Do You Tip In Ireland?
Plan to tip around 10-15% in Irish restaurants. Tipping is not compulsory in Ireland but is appreciated by service staff. It is not common to tip taxi drivers or bartenders in Ireland but this is at your discretion. Usually, tips are given to service staff in restaurants, porters in hotels, and hairdressers.
Can You Drink Ireland Tap Water?
It is safe to drink the tap water in Ireland in general. According to Irish Water, the state-owned water utility company, 99.6% of households currently receive a water supply that is safe to drink. If you’re unsure about the water then you can ask a local in the area if it’s safe to drink.
With this one week travel itinerary for Ireland, you will be prepared to visit all the main tourist attractions. This one week itinerary packs a lot into your trip but it is definitely manageable.
With a longer trip, you could spend more time in each location or even add on a few extra stops like Connemara, Limerick, and Meath, or even go on a few hikes!
Ireland has so much to offer from incredible surfing beaches to quiet little farming villages. The cities are also vibrant and interesting with a lot of history and culture.
If there’s any place in the world I would recommend people to visit, it’s Ireland!
If you want more information about Ireland, then check out these articles.
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