Living a memorable adventure in Ireland should definitely be on your bucket list. The Emerald Island has everything: good food, stunning natural landscapes, all the pubs and pints you can imagine, rich history, and some cool cities such as Dublin, Cork, and Galway. This picturesque country has something for everyone and warm-hearted locals that are looking forward to welcoming you. With a bit of planning, you can make unforgettable memories during your time here without breaking your budget - every part of Ireland can be easily accessible from the capital, with daily tours in different price ranges. Here’s your complete guide to the must-visit places and tours across the country that are worth your money and time:
Cliffs of Moher
The iconic Cliffs of Moher are usually the first place everyone wants to visit in Ireland (after Guinness Storehouse, of course), but we are here to say that a tour of this amazing place is definitely worth the hype. These majestic cliffs stretch for 8 kilometers along the Atlantic coast, offering panoramic views on any side you walk to. It is located on the West side of the Island but can be visited on a full-day tour leaving from Dublin early in the morning, with tickets starting at €65 per person. You can book it directly at the reception of your hotel, or at our website where you can check out all the available options.
Another cool alternative is getting a day tour with a stop at Galway City after the Cliffs of Moher, this way you can check one more place out of your bucket list and explore one of Ireland’s coolest cities on the west coast.
Glengalough National Park, Co. Wicklow
Just one hour from Dublin is located one of the pretties national parks in the country, Glendalough. With many lakes, hike trails, and outdoor spaces with stunning views, this is definitely a place to visit when spending some time in Ireland. There are hourly busses leaving from Dublin to Glendalough daily, but another option is to take a day tour from the Irish Capital to the park, avoiding the hassle of having to worry about transportation to and from the area.
Leaving at 8:30 AM from Dublin’s city center, this day tour will bring you to the National Park and through a walk around the main spots, such as the Viewing Tower, the Monastery, and the Glendalough lakes with knowledge guides that will tell all the history behind these amazing grounds. The tour ends with a visit to a local sheep farm in county Wicklow, where a farmer will explain how is the process of caring for the flock, and give a sheepdog demonstration. Tickets start at €33 (half day tour) or €40 (full day tour) and you can book them on our website, or at our reception.
Connemara, Co. Galway
If you want to explore some of Ireland’s countryside, a good option is taking a day tour to Connemara, a beautiful national park surrounded by nature and untouched lands.
The tour also includes a stop at Kylemore Abbey, said to be one of the most romantic castles in the country, and Inagh Valley, where you can catch some views of the park from above. At the end of the day the group head to Galway City for some exploring before going back to Dublin. To join this tour you will need to secure a ticket (start at €75) and be ready to board the bus at 6:30 am for a day full of adventures.
Belfast + Giant's Causeway
Why not take advantage of your time in Ireland to visit its northern neighbor? Belfast, the capital of Northern Ireland, is located just one hour and a half from Dublin and can be easily explored in a one-day tour to the city. Explore Belfast’s politically charged murals in different neighborhoods, visit the Titanic Museum, and other important landmarks in the city before heading to the coast where Giant’s Causeway is located. This natural rock formation originated 60 million years ago by a series of volcanic eruptions, being one of the most popular touristic spots in the Emerald Island - you will definitely understand why once you arrive there.
There are many options of day-tours to take if you want to visit Northen Ireland’s most iconic spots with tickets starting at around €75, and busses leaving dayli from Dublin at 6:30 am. You can look for more options on the agency website, or asking one of our staff members at reception.
Cork + Cobh
Cork is the third largest city in Ireland and home to some of the best food spots in the country. The city is full of historical sights and shoppings streets and won’t take you more than a few hours to explore it’s main areas. Cobh, located just 40 minutes from Cork, is a charming coastal town, famous for it collorfull houses and for being the last stop of the Titanic before heading to America. You can take a stroll around the town’s long beach and grab a coffee or soft drink from one of the vendors in surroundings. Because it’s proximity it’s a great idea to visit the two places in the same day.
Tours to Cork and Cobh leave daily from Dublin at a range of €130 per person or single tours on our website. However, you can make a tour by yourself and save some euros. There are trains leaving to Cork every hour from Heuston Station in Dublin, if you grab the fist train in the morning (7 am) you will make it to Cork in around 3 hours. Tickets ranges around €33 each leg and you can book in advance at the Irish Rail website. From the same station that you will arrive at, you can take a train to Cobh (€3.50), just 30 minutes away. Spend as much time as you want in Cobh and then take a train back to Cork, there you can explore the city and hop on a late train back to Dublin.
How to prepare for a day tour around Ireland:
After leaning about the best tours to take around Ireland, it’s time to prepare for all these adventures. Keep in mind that most of the tours we shared here lasts a full day, with the busses leaving before 9 am and only returning after 8 pm. When talking about Ireland the weather is always unpredictable, so make sure to prepare well for the days of exploring, a light backpack should be enough to carry all you’ll need. Here are some things that can’t be missing from your bag:
🔸 suncream
🔸 raincoat
🔸 very comfortable shoes
🔸 a portable battery for your phone
🔸 umbrella
🔸 some snacks for the trip
Make sure you are at the meeting point for the tour around 10 to 15 minutes before departing time, this way you can avoid any inconveniences and be ready to leave when the driver decide.
I hope you’ll have the best time exploring this magical island and all it has to offer :)
