Day 1: Dublin — Gateway to Ireland
Most journeys begin in Dublin, the nation’s capital. Start with a walk through Trinity College to see the legendary Book of Kells, explore the Guinness Storehouse, and finish your evening in the lively Temple Bar district, where every pub becomes a stage.
Tip: If you arrive early in the morning, keep your first day gentle — stroll through museums, enjoy a hearty Irish stew for dinner, and save the nightlife for later.
Day 2: Wicklow Mountains and Glendalough
Just outside Dublin, the Wicklow Mountains offer a cinematic escape. The valleys and lakes here have been backdrops for films like Braveheart and PS I Love You. A walk in Glendalough takes you through serene trails and the haunting ruins of a medieval monastic settlement.
Day 3–4: Galway and Connemara
Head west to Galway, the so-called City of the Tribes. The streets hum with music, festivals, and endless energy. Spend the evening hopping between pubs filled with fiddles and folk songs.
The next day, explore Connemara National Park — a landscape of heather-covered hills, shimmering lakes, and rugged mountains. Don’t miss Kylemore Abbey, a neo-Gothic wonder nestled by the water, often called one of the most romantic places in Ireland.
Day 5: Cliffs of Moher and the Burren
The Cliffs of Moher are Ireland’s postcard to the world: towering 200 meters above the Atlantic, they leave visitors breathless. Nearby, the Burren reveals a surreal limestone landscape dotted with wildflowers, ancient tombs, and rare plants.
Day 6: The Ring of Kerry
Ireland’s most iconic driving route, the Ring of Kerry, delivers ocean views, mountains, castles, and charming villages. Along the way, stop at Killarney National Park and stroll the gardens of Muckross House. Every bend in the road feels like a painting.
Day 7: Cork or Belfast
Choose your finale:
- Cork in the south — Ireland’s culinary capital, famous for its English Market and vibrant arts scene.
- Or Belfast in Northern Ireland — a city of murals, history, and transformation, home to the award-winning Titanic Belfast museum.
Food, Music, and Culture
Irish culture is built on three pillars: hospitality, music, and food. Along the way, indulge in:
- Irish stew — rich and comforting,
- Boxty — traditional potato pancakes,
- fresh oysters from Galway Bay or smoked salmon from Connemara.
Evenings mean music: fiddles, bodhráns, and voices rising together in pubs, turning strangers into friends.
How to Get to Ireland
Ireland is well connected by air and sea:
- From the UK: Frequent flights with Ryanair, Aer Lingus, and British Airways. Ferries from Wales to Dublin and Rosslare.
- From Europe: Direct flights from Paris, Berlin, Amsterdam, Madrid, Warsaw, and beyond.
- From North America: Nonstop flights to Dublin and Shannon from New York, Boston, Chicago, Toronto.
- From Asia & the Middle East: Connections via London, Amsterdam, or Frankfurt.
- From Eastern Europe: Ryanair and Wizz Air link Ireland with Warsaw, Budapest, Vilnius, and more.
Why 7 Days?
A week is the sweet spot: enough time to see Dublin, the west coast, and iconic routes like the Ring of Kerry — without rushing. Add extra days if you’d like to venture further north to Donegal or deeper into Northern Ireland.
Conclusion
Seven days in Ireland is a journey through contrasts: cities and villages, history and modern life, the quiet of mountains and the laughter of pubs. Each day brings new sights, new sounds, and new flavors. And when it’s time to leave, you’ll find that Ireland is not a country to cross off your list — it’s a place that calls you back again and again.