The Best Ireland Road Trip Itineraries

Are you looking for ideas for your next visit to Ireland by car? Well, you’re in the right place: we want to give you inspiration on the best itineraries in Ireland, best enjoyed with a car. We love jumping on a car and leave Dublin to discover the countryside, and all the following itineraries and car routes have been personally tried and tested, multiple times, by us. Don’t worry: we also suggest you where to sleep and useful tours in the area, if you’re up for something special.

You can use the following Table of Contents to navigate through the paragraphs if you don’t want to read the whole article (but you will miss important information!).

Ireland by Car, a Dream!

In fact, visiting Ireland by car is a dream for many travelers, fascinated by the opportunity to visit the Emerald Isle with tranquility, reaching places that are not accessible by public transport and that require organization and, often, adaptability. Ireland is a paradise for those who love road trips and for those who like to stay in typical accommodation, to make the most of the experience.

With its miles and miles of pristine coastline, incredible landscapes, ruins, and beaches that cut out a space under the cliffs, Ireland is really easy to get around by car, but you must always use a GPS to avoid problems, Also, take into consideration that very often the roads are so tight that you need to plan a few extra hours.

Whether you’re planning your Ireland trip or you’re just looking for information about Ireland, in this article you’ll find insights on some of the most beautiful car routes in Ireland, those to be included during a classic tour or to be planned separately.

The Best Ireland Road Trip Itineraries

Once you’ve learned all about renting a car in Ireland and you’re ready to rent one, make sure you plan your itinerary well. These are the best Ireland road trip itineraries you should steal from us now.

Causeway Coastal Route

The route along the Causeway Coastal Route is among the most beautiful in Ireland, and it is no coincidence that very often, especially in summer and high season, it is flooded with cars and tourist buses. It connects Belfast to Derry through some of the many attractions that make you dream: the Giant’s Causeway, the Old Bushmills Distillery, The Gobbins, and the famous suspension rope bridge of Carrick-a-Rede, without forgetting the fantastic Dark Edges. It is also the road that crosses the locations where Game of Thrones has been filmed, and it is not unusual to run into signs reminiscent of the scenes of the television series, without forgetting the possibility of visiting some of them.

On this route, you’ll find impervious cliffs, golden beaches, and the nine peaks of the Glens of Antrim.

Wild Atlantic Way

The Wild Atlantic Way is so famous that there are tourists who only want to visit this part of the country, leaving out all the others. It connects several Irish counties, winding all over the west coast of Ireland and connecting Donegal to Cork. It is 2500 kilometers long and if you want you can go all along the coast, without passing by any of the main roads. It is the itinerary with some of the best-known attractions: the Ring of Kerry, the Cliffs of Moher, Galway, and Connemara. The more you go towards the Northern part, the more you find traditional villages where there are very few tourists, and the authenticity is master, especially in the Donegal and Connemara area less traveled by tourism.

Recommended experiences

• We recommend booking a 4-Course Medieval Banquet at Dunguaire Castle if you are driving through the Wild Atlantic Way or The Burren: click here and book now. Limited availability;
• During your road trip to the Wild Atlantic Way, plan a visit to the Aran Islands: check this Aran Islands & The Cliffs Cruise departing from Doolin.
• This Cliffs of Moher 1-Hour Cruise from Doolin will allow seeing the Cliffs from a very different and fascinating perspective.

Ring of Kerry

Part of the Wild Atlantic Way, the Ring of Kerry, is a circular route of 170 kilometers, loved by tourists from all over the world, and offering fantastic views. It starts from Killarney and goes through Killorglin, Cahirsiveen, Waterville, Sneem, and Kenmare until you return to Killarney again.

Recommended experiences

• This 1-Hour Lakes of Killarney Boat Cruise will definitely complete your experience in the Ring of Kerry. Click and book now.
• Enjoy Killarney from a different perspective with this 1-Hour Jaunting Car Tour through the town. Click and book now.

Copper Coast

An itinerary by the car among the least famous in Ireland, the Copper Coast embraces part of Ireland’s Ancient Eat in the county of Waterford, between Tramore and Dungarvan. It is renowned for the beaches of Clonea and Bunmahon and the villages of Bunmahon, Boatstrand, Dunhill, Annestown, and Fenor, not to mention the cliff overlooking the Comeragh Mountains. In the area, we recommend the Forest Ballyscanlon and Kilfarrasy Beach. Plan a stop in Kilkenny, an unmissable stop where to spend (at least) a night.

Ards Peninsula

The Ards Peninsula separates the Strangford Lough from the Irish Sea and runs between villages and seascapes only for a stretch of coastline. Ideal for a half-day visit, it is to be scheduled if you are looking for peace. From Newtownards walk along the lakeside promenade of Portaferry Road before boarding the ferry to Portaferry and Strangford.

Dingle Peninsula

Nothing is fascinating more than this small peninsula, located in the South of Ireland, and also part of the Wild Atlantic Way. There is about 140 km of narrow streets overlooking the sea, mountain passes, ancient ruins overlooking the bay and the surrounding islands. The Dingle peninsula is unique, one of the best places to visit in Ireland.

Burren

It starts from Ennis and runs along the whole area where the Cliffs of Moher are perched. The Burren is part of an itinerary that will allow you to discover the entire region. You can also visit the Burren by feet, skirting the famous Cliffs Coastal Trail from Doolin to the entrance of the Cliffs of Moher, lasting about 3 hours. You can spend the night in Loop Head lighthouse. After the Cliffs of Moher and Doolin, a stop at Kinvara and Dunguaire Castle is mandatory.

Visiting Ireland by Car is absolutely incredible!

Get ready for your Irish road trip and enjoy the best time of your life. If you’re looking for more information on Ireland, for customized image lazy photo tours and packages get in touch via email: we’re here to assist you in planning and finding the best things to do in Ireland. Subscribe to our newsletter to receive free exclusive travel to Ireland content!

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