Come, discover the beauty of Ireland’s dramatic coastline in this epic 7 Day Ireland Itinerary
When you dream of Ireland, you often picture green rolling hills, expansive coastline, gloomy weather, historic castles and pubs & cafes. While all of these truly exist in the country, Ireland is so much more than you can ever imagine!
Ireland isn’t just a place where you go and discover a few locations, hop on some tours, and get back home. It’s a destination that needs to be experienced with every day you spend in the country.
You can do much more than simply touring around, and that’s precisely what we want to show you on this fantastic Ireland itinerary for 7 days.
Ireland boasts beautiful parks, admirable castles, medieval splendours, gorgeous cliffs and lakes, and roads that take you on a magical journey. The best way to tick off all the bucket-list experiences is to self-drive around Ireland. Rent a car, map your route, list down the places you want to cover – and boom, you already have a perfect itinerary ready!
But, it isn’t as easy as it sounds because we want to make sure you nail every planning checklist for your Ireland trip. Right from hitting the best corners of the city to road-tripping ideas and accommodation, we cover everything you need to know in this epic 7 day road trip around Ireland.
This guide will come in handy when you start planning for your Ireland trip – so make sure you keep it bookmarked somewhere, or skip to the guide’s important section to grab some notes quickly.
So without any further ado, let’s get started!
Overview of the Ireland itinerary for 7 days
The itinerary designed for your 7 days in Ireland is one of the most thoughtful and well-researched road trip layouts. Considering that you only have a week to spend in Ireland – we want to bring out the best of the highlights and landmarks you could see while driving around.
This includes exploring Ireland’s famous attractions, visiting popular cities, discovering Irish cafes & pubs, and getting to know more of the country’s backstory. It thus gives you a perfect chance to witness Ireland’s beauty in just 7 days.
Moreover, this isn’t only about exploring certain places or iconic locations within each city. As you take this 7 day road trip around Ireland, you’ll be treated to panoramic lookouts, coastal cliffs, and county villages. In the end, it’s all about experiencing and admiring Ireland’s extraordinary beauty.
Road Trip Layout for Ireland Itinerary 7 Days
Day 1: Arrive in Dublin
Day 2: Cork
Day 3: Blarney, Cahir & Rock of Cashel
Day 4: Ring of Kerry Experience
Day 5: Galway
Day 6: The Cliffs of Moher & Aran Islands
Day 7: Fly Home
Note: This itinerary can be undertaken by any age group. All the activities & optional tours suggested below compliments our 7 day driving tour of Ireland.
Detailed Ireland Itinerary for 7 days
Day 1: Dublin
Dubin, the capital of Ireland, is blessed with incredible Georgian architecture, award-winning restaurants, world-class museums, libraries, high-end stores, and beautiful public parks. It’s a small city packed with Ireland’s most charming gems.
Dublin is known for its history. While the influence of Vikings has washed away, its traits and cultural influence remain at the heart of this capital city. The whole of Dublin is a living museum, celebrating heritage and hedonism in the best possible way. The medieval-style castles, the old building structures, and its beautifully carved alleyways – are standing examples of architectural splendours Dublin boasts.
But it isn’t history that only brings out the charm of Dublin. The Irish pubs and cafes popularize the modern setting of this teensy city, and the local’s relationship with Ireland’s bars and restaurants is quite a story. At night, these social meeting places become a perfect social lubricant of what Dublin’s energy is. You meet new people, hear fascinating stories, and get to know the city’s most iconic tales in a rather funny way.
So while you’re here, we want to showcase the best of Dublin in this fantastic Ireland itinerary for 7 days. Below are some of the suggested things to do in Dublin –
Drink like the Irish
The best way to indulge in a country’s authentic experience is to try out what the locals love. And there’s nothing like visiting one of Ireland’s most iconic bars – the Temple Bar. Tourists love this place as much as the residents do, and you’ll find all sorts of travellers jumping on their drinking game and enjoying their life to the fullest.
The Temple Bar’s history dates back to the 1300s. It is one of the oldest bars in Dublin but has modernized well enough to attract tourists worldwide. Its typical red exterior is as famous as its history, and you’ll find fantastic nightlife scenes on weekends.
If you want to get started on your bar-hopping experience in Ireland, then the Temple Bar is where to get started.
Visit Trinity College
An example of architectural wonder and a place most readers would dream of exploring, Trinity College is a must-visit attraction in Ireland.
Founded in 1592, the place has become a tourist hub to attract all bibliophiles and architectural lovers. The college has many corridors, rooms, and seating areas to discover. Mainly, its famous section – the Long Room – is home to over 200,000 books, which have also been featured in Star Wars and Harry Potter films.
Trinity College also houses the Book of Kells – a richly illustrated, well-manuscript document featuring the word of all four Gospels present in the New Testament. It is Ireland’s most important cultural treasure, widely popular globally.
Day 2: Cork
Fringed by lush green mountains and evergreen plantations, Cork is Ireland’s largest county. The beauty of Cork lies in the diversity it presents – boasting a dramatic coastline, unspoiled beaches, harbour areas, and a lively urban atmosphere.
Along with the things to see in Cork, there are plenty of magical activities to do. Right from exploring its restaurants, cafes, and lively food markets – the city sets itself a high culinary mode for the tourists and residents to keep up. Its shopping centres and exciting music scenes lit up the nightlife every day!
Check out our recommended things to do in Cork below –
Drive the Ring of Beara
You might’ve already heard about the famous Ring of Kerry (which we have included in our itinerary), but not many visitors make it a point to explore the Ring of Beara.
This is one of the hidden, most stunning places to explore, with absolutely gorgeous views and narrow minor roads alongside the cliffs. The place is wild, unexplored, and less-ventured – thus making it an excellent spot to detour.
If you’ve rented your car at the start of this tour, perhaps you can even think of camping overnight near Beara Peninsula.
Explore the English Market
Exploring markets in Ireland is one thing, but visiting the English Market is one of the best things in Cork. Being one of the world’s oldest municipal markets, the site has gained popularity for over a decade with its overall culinary speciality.
Sellers/resellers come from different parts of the country to sell their share of unique products to travellers. Artisan loaves of bread, fresh fruits & vegetables, local meat produce, and other dairy items are just a few things you’ll commonly find in the English Market.
In addition to the products you get, tourists can sample Irish coffee in one of the cafes or sample local cuisine at Farmgate Restaurant. Other stalls regularly sell farm produce goods and snacks (with local flavours).
Visit the town of Cobh
A 30-minute drive from Cork will introduce you to the cute little town of Cobh. It’s nothing fancy, and it isn’t on the top things to do – but what makes Cobh a great place is its Titanic Ticket Office.
Yes, Cobh was where Titanic last left before the tragedy struck. It was this very official ticket counter where passengers booked their pass to journey across the Atlantic via the famous Titanic.
When you visit Cobh, you can book a guided tour to experience all of Titanic’s story and background. You get to know the passengers who boarded, what was it like on the ship and how the whole event occurred. Moreover, there are some interesting stories to hear from the expert guides (which I won’t spoil for you). These tours take 1 hour and can cost you between 10-and 15 euros per person.
Excursion to Ballycotton Cliff
Cork’s beauty isn’t only restricted to its nearby towns and villages and places located within some distance. A 40-minute drive from Cork will take you to one of the stunning fishing villages of Ireland – Ballycotton. Known for its beaches and excellent sea-food restaurants, visiting this lovely town has to be included in your Ireland itinerary for 7 days.
One of the best ways to admire Ballycotton’s beauty is to walk the five-mile trail. Staring from the town itself, the trail leads you to unimaginable hideouts and scenic viewpoints till you reach Ballyandreen beach. You don’t necessarily have to walk the entire course, but gather some strength to hike a specific portion to enjoy East Cork’s countryside and beaches.
Day 3: Blarney, Cahir & Rock of Cashel
It’s time to take this Ireland itinerary to its authentic experience – by visiting some of the country’s finest castles. Today, opt to take a guided experiential tour of Ireland’s three popular attractions – Blarney Castle, Cahir Castle, and Rock of Cashel.
Start your day by visiting Blarney Castle first. It’s one of the most visited places in Ireland, housing the iconic ‘Blarney Stone’. Built nearly 600 years ago, Blarney still holds the charm of its old-appealing fortress – pleasing tourists with its massive area to explore. Once inside the castle, climb up the tower to kiss the Blarney Stone for a “gift of the gab”. Soak in the splendid views of the surroundings, and then explore the castle’s historic dungeons, stone structures, and powerfully built pillars.
You also explore Blarney Castle’s lush green surrounds and gardens – the Witch’s Kitchen, Badger’s Cave, and the Wishing Steps. If you want to purchase souvenirs, head to Blarney Woollen Mills.
Post your exploration at the Blarney, and get your private vehicle ready to journey north of Cork. Arrive at County Tipperary, and explore one of Ireland’s seven wonders – the Rock of Cashel. The site has played a significant role in shaping the history and religion of the country. It’s also associated with legendary names, such as St. Patrick and King Aengus.
Exploring the Rock of Cashel is a must-do activity in Ireland. Aside from the history, the locations within the castle are stunning. Ensure to visit the Hall of Vicars, the Round Tower, the Celtic Cathedral, and the surrounds bordering the court. Inside, Ireland’s oldest wall painting is inspired by Romanesque architecture.
Finally, head your way to the last stop of the day – Cahir Castle. Amongst the many remarkable castles Ireland already boasts, Cahir is one of my personal favourites to visit. The authorities have beautifully preserved it to date, with many structures and spaces inside the walls still intact.
Overnight at Cork.
Day 4: Killarney
Get ready for another exciting adventure as you drive along with one of Ireland’s most famous routes.
So far, the places we discovered, the cities we visited, and our experiences were just an introduction to what Ireland boasts. Your 7 day road trip around Ireland gets even better by taking the scenic route of the Ring of Kerry.
Whilst driving the admirable roads of the county, you’ll witness the timeless beauty of the Iveragh Peninsula flow in motion. The entire stretch is filled with picturesque villages, weather-worn cliffs, medieval castles, and historic churches. It’s a surreal experience for those visiting Ireland for the first time.
Start your journey from Killarney, home to the country’s first national park and other important landmarks. Continue driving down the peninsula, and make stops at intervals to soak in splendid views of the surroundings. Head south of Killarney to explore the quirky towns of Kenmare and Sneem before driving further into the coastal towns of Waterville and Caherdaniel. This was the place where Charlie Chaplin loved to spend holidays.
Explore the shops, stalls, and evergreen markets that line up these charming towns. You’ll also find a good collection of bars and cafes across the region, where you can relax and spend some time.
After your exploration, continue your journey exploring the Ring of Kerry. Some of the prominent stops you need to see & visit include Ross Castle (15th-century castle), Torc Waterfall, Cahersiveen (known for panoramic views), Cahergal Stone Fort, and Skellig Rocks.
Read this article to find a detailed version guide on what to see along the Ring of Kerry.
Day 5: Galway
Galway is known to house some of Ireland’s bold attractions – the stunning Cliffs of Moher, the astonishing Wild Atlantic Way route, and the charming Aran Islands. The rugged beauty of Galway is everything you need when you explore its surroundings.
Many visitors who travel to Galway use the city as their base to travel to other notable locations. Some of the best Ireland tours indeed depart from the city – making other attractions accessible and convenient.
However, Galway isn’t just known for the opportunities it presents for full-day excursions. The activities are brims with upscaled energy of nightlife, pubs, theatres, and musical shows within the city. There’s never a day where you don’t see an event buzzing across the street. Be it any time of the day, Galway won’t disappoint you with the abundance of things to discover.
And while we’re here, we would recommend taking up the below-guided tour –
Excursion to Connemara & Cong
This full-day tour of Connemara and Cong is a perfect chance for you to witness Galway’s unique attractions in action. This is ideal for all travellers who only stay up in the city for a day.
As you venture into a typical Irish countryside, you’ll be dazzled with plenty of stops you will experience. The first on the list is the famous Cong Abbey, known for its striking ecclesiastical architecture. The surrounding area is just as beautiful as the Abbey itself, so make sure you get many photos.
Walk inside the village, and explore the lush green gardens that hem the wooden blockhouses. Interestingly, Cong Abbey has been featured in many classic films, especially in ‘The Quiet Man’ back in the 1950s. Continue your exploration of the village, stroll around, and marvel at Ireland’s largest lake – Lough Corrib.
Enter the Lough Nafooey route, and discover some of Connemara’s hidden valleys. The more you venture inside these pathways, the more you’ll feel lost admiring the views. Later, take a well-deserved break and grab a lunch to re-energize.
Suppose you wish to continue more, head to Kylemore Abbey and Gardens. Please note that you’ll need to purchase tickets for this particular entry in advance. Post your tour, take a scenic circuit tour of Lough Corrib by visiting Oughterard, Inagh Valley, and Maam Cross.
Overnight at Galway.
Day 6: Cliffs of Moher & Aran Islands
On the final day of your 7 days in Ireland, we experience two of the country’s most iconic gems – Cliffs of Moher and Aran Islands.
No visit to Ireland is complete without visiting the attractions of the Wild Atlantic Way. It’s a dream for many tourists to at least explore these blockbuster places once in their lifetime. And we made sure that we included these towards the end of our itinerary as a cherry on top.
The Cliffs of Moher are truly dramatic and imposing in every way. The beauty of the rugged coastline makes this place deeply appreciated by travellers. But it isn’t only the Cliffs of Moher that takes the big slice of your experience, but also its expansive views that steal the game.
The primary viewing experience comes during sunset when the sun takes a dip across the horizon of the Atlantic Ocean. It’s again a surreal moment, having to witness such a beautiful glimpse. The views extend up to Aran Islands and the Dingle Peninsula on a bright sunny day. Moreover, you’ll spot Twelve Pins mountain and the coastline of Galway Bay from the cliffs themselves.
With over 600 metres of exploration trails and scenic platforms, Cliffs of Moher expands your discovery to multiple places within its location. Many of these platforms are spread across the Main, North and South arenas. If that’s not enough, you can head to the Cliffs of Moher visitor centre. You get a few choices to select your viewing platform, all offering 360-degree panoramas. You also do not want to miss out the O’Brien’s Tower to catch the Cliffs of Moher from a new angle.
The ideal experience of touring the Cliffs of Moher isn’t only limited to these platforms and visitor centres and the exploration trails you discover at your leisure. While you admire the coastline, you also want to make sure to grab a binocular to spot different species of birds. The cliffs are home to the mainland seabird colony, housing more than 20 unique species of nesting birds.
While we want you to stay at the Cliffs of Moher for as long as you can, you also do not want to miss out on a short detour to the Aran Islands. You can board a 30-minute ferry ride to the islands to spot marine life in action. Bottlenose dolphins often dock near the island shore, making them relatively easy to spot.
This boat ride also allows you to grab a glimpse of the Cliffs of Moher from below. Make sure to allow yourself some time to relax at both these attractions.
Day 7: Dublin
Depart from Dublin.
Recommended: Want to get the best of Europe in 10 Days? Read our popular guide on – the 10 Day Europe Itinerary.
Essential Planning Tips for 7 Days in Ireland
Below are some of the useful planning tips for the Ireland trip itinerary.
How to Plan a Road Trip Around Ireland
Ireland’s transportation is vast and pretty efficient. Also being relatively affordable, the transport network in and around the major cities makes it convenient for travellers to visit across. But, let’s list down all the possible ways of exploring Ireland:
Rent a Car – Since our itinerary for Ireland is a pure road trip based experience, renting a car is the option to look out for. This mode gives you the maximum freedom to travel across Ireland’s gorgeous countryside by yourself. Surprisingly, renting a car in Ireland isn’t that expensive.
Travel Tip: If you’re looking to rent a car for an Ireland road trip, then Rentalcars is the best in the service. You can compare different prices offered by tour operators and then snag the best deal.
Travel by Train: Traveling by train to Ireland is one of the most affordable transport modes. The connectivity isn’t excellent, especially when you want to visit idyllic villages in the county, but it still makes a great choice to save some money on tour.
Travel by Bus: The bus is the option to go for for the places where the train connectivity is an issue. There’s a decent network of these buses that operate regularly between major cities and small towns.
Useful Drivings Tips for Ireland Road Trip
Here are some handy driving tips to help you travel safe and smooth:
- People in Ireland drive on the left side of the road. You’ll need to get used to this transition, especially if you’re not habitual to driving on the left.
- Some roads in Ireland can be very narrow. Driving down these beautiful roads seems beautiful and romantic, but you need to take it slow in certain places.
- Go for a small rental car. There’s no need for a large-spaced vehicle if you aren’t travelling with a group. Get a smaller car for yourself, saving money on gas and rental duration.
- Take your time. Ireland’s countryside and coastal highways are meant to be appreciated, so make sure you give them the time to really admire the views.
- Make sure you have travel insurance for the entire duration of your trip.
For more driving tips in Ireland, check out this amazing guide.
Book your Flights
One of the most crucial stages of planning any trip is booking cheap flights. Yes, we all look for the cheapest to & fro flights when it comes to arranging our holiday. Often, we check multiple platforms and flight operators for rates and get disappointed with the rates they offer. However, with Skyscanner, you can be assured of booking the cheapest flight to your holiday destination.
It’s one of my favorite engines to search flights, compare rates from different airlines, and find the lowest fare for a travel destination. The detailed comparison of the rates gives you a comprehensive idea of what to expect, how to budget your trip, and how to fly with the correct airline.
Lonely Planet for Ireland
Lonely Planet is a leading pioneer in curating travel guides for various destinations. There’s nothing quite like using their own book, to get excellent travel tips & advice. I have been using their guidebooks for all my travel-related essentials, and it has helped me to a great extent. I recommend buying one of these guidebooks to smoothen out your Ireland road trip itinerary –
Best Time to Visit Ireland
Most travellers aim to travel to Ireland between June and August (summer months), but for me, the best time to visit Ireland is around late May. The temperatures are mild, the city attractions aren’t much crowded, and the green countryside and rolling hills bloom with bright colours.
Travelling during the summer also provides you with a pleasing experience of less traffic during your road trip. Alternatively, you can also plan a trip to Ireland from September to November.
Accommodation for Ireland Itinerary 7 Days
Accommodation is plenty when you travel to Ireland. Right from luxury hotels, to budget rooms, and hostels – Ireland does cater to all sorts of travellers staying in the country.
Since there are so many hotels and budgeted stays in each of Ireland’s cities – it’s difficult for us to post the entire list here. However, these below links will help you select the right hotel at the right price.
Note: You will need to filter down your selection criteria by the cities drafted in our Ireland itinerary. Doing so will ensure that the hotels you select will complement the layout of our road trip.
Budget Hotels in Ireland – Check out a catalogue of pocket-friendly hotels in Ireland. While cities like Dublin and Galway are a bit expensive to stay in, especially within the city centre – you can still find some decent properties for a good budget.
Mid-range Hotels in Ireland – Need to find hotels with a good set of amenities and services? Here’s our recommended list for the mid-range category hotels.
Luxury Hotels in Ireland – Want to book a luxurious stay in Ireland? Check out these fancy hotels.
Guided Tours for 7 Day Ireland Itinerary
Apart from the activities, we suggested in the itinerary above – we also want to recommend some guided tours. These full-day trips & excursions give you great flexibility to explore Ireland’s main attractions in a timely manner. With the help of experts & tour guides, you can be sure of spending some quality experience.
Further Readings & Resources
London Paris Amsterdam – London Paris Amsterdam Itinerary: Epic 10 Days in Europe
London Paris Barcelona – London Paris Barcelona Itinerary: Ultimate 10 Days in Europe
Paris Itinerary – 3 Days in Paris: The Perfect Paris Itinerary for First-Time Travelers
Experiential Europe – 10 Day Europe Trip: Germany, Belgium & France to Ireland
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