10 of the Best Road Trips in Ireland

People frequently believe that because Ireland is small, they can see everything in a few days. We can vouch for the fact that this is just not feasible.

This is a common tale: a tourist stops in a charming village to have a quick cup of coffee. Suddenly, they’re being escorted to the neighborhood drinking hole by Tom “from down the road,” who wants to get to know you and tell you fascinating (and drawn-out) stories about Irish history.

Ireland’s essence is in these social ties, and that’s only the breathtaking natural beauty of the island. How can one maximize the benefits of both approaches? Take a deep breath and head out on that (country) road.

You should get some inspiration from our list of the top ten road trips in Ireland.

The Wild Atlantic Way

Best road trip for the ultimate Irish experience
Inishowen Peninsula–Kinsale; 2600km (1600 miles), 2 weeks

The ultimate Irish road trip is this one. The Wild Atlantic Way will reveal to travelers Ireland’s unadulterated fun as well as its stunning natural surroundings. Experience the Emerald Isle at its most striking as you wind your way through rocky karst landscapes, boglands, and mountains on this route.

Every place of interest along the route has Wild Atlantic Way markers to help you make the most of your journey; to ensure you don’t get lost, follow the symbols on nearly all of the road signs.

Planning advice: To really enjoy every second of this amazing adventure, allow yourself at least two weeks.

The Mayo Coast

Best less-traveled road trip
Ballina–Killary; 543km (337.5 miles), 1 week

Mayo boasts one of Ireland’s most stunning coasts, although many visitors overlook it. It is the location of Connacht’s tallest mountain, hidden bathing holes, and breathtaking cliff treks.

As you travel down the coast, budget for a lot of stops. It is easy to complete this vacation on a budget thanks to the abundance of free activities, hostels, and campsites.

Planning advice: You can participate in the yearly Reek Sunday pilgrimage if you schedule your road trip to the holy mountain Croagh Patrick for the final Sunday in July. Some even make barefoot attempts at this trip as a part of their spiritual quest.

The Old Military Road

Best road trip for mountain landscapes
Rathfarnham–Aughavannagh; 60km (37 miles), minimum 1 day

Traveling down the spine of the Wicklow Mountains, you’ll encounter a narrow road with a shadowy past.After the 1798 revolt in Ireland, the route was built between August 1800 and October 1809 to provide the British Army with access to the highlands.

Currently, the road is home to some of the most stunning and difficult trails in Ireland. If you’re not into trekking, there are plenty of top-notch eateries, lodging options, and activity centers along the path. The real gem of this journey? You are free to finish it whenever you choose. It’s impossible to be bored with all there is to see and do in such a short amount of time.

Planning advice: Make sure you pack for every type of weather if your trip will take several days to finish. The Wicklow Mountains are infamous for their abrupt weather shifts.

The Copper Coast

Best road trip in the east
Tramore–Dungarvan; 40km (25 miles), 1 day

With so many places to stroll and cool off in the surf along the Copper Coast, you won’t run out of things to do along this quick but jam-packed trip. The fact that a portion of the Copper Coast is a UNESCO Global Geopark will further appeal to amateur geologists because of the unusual mix of habitats that are contained in such a short space.

Deviation: Visit the adjacent Comeragh Mountains and go on the Coumshingaun Loop, one of Ireland’s most rewarding walks.

The Ring of Kerry

Best road trip to experience old Ireland
Starts and ends in Killarney (travel clockwise); 179km (111 miles), 2–3 days

The Ring of Kerry is a breathtaking road trip that will leave you speechless from beginning to end. It is home to towering mountains, shimmering lakes, and magical forests. It can be challenging to visit everything on this itinerary in a single trip because there are so many landmarks to view. The allure of this drive, though, is that you’ll see some of Ireland’s most stunning locations even if you don’t get out of the car very often.

Deviation: This path passes close to Carrauntoohil, the highest peak in Ireland. Attempting the hike via the Devil’s Ladder is worthwhile dedicating a full day for.

The Burren Loop

Best road trip for beautiful barren landscapes
Starts and ends in Ballyvaughan; 150km (93 miles), 1–2 days

Among the routes on this list, this is the only figure-eight route that lets you finish the course in two days while staying at the same lodging.The Burren, which spans around 250 sq km (96.5 sq miles), is known for its distinctive karst environment, earning it recognition as a UNESCO World Heritage site.You will travel along winding roads that wind through the desolate terrain and lead to breathtaking vistas of the cliffs.

Planning advice: Allow enough time to include the Cliffs of Moher Cliff Walk, if not the entire one. If you have time, think about taking a boat ride from Doolin to observe them from the water.

Slea Head Drive

Best road trip for experiencing true “Irishness”
Starts and ends in Dingle Town (travel clockwise); 46km (28.5 miles), 1–2 days

Hardware stores that are also pubs. beaches with white sand. You can hold lambs. For a road trip of 46km (28.5 miles), what more could you want?

Slea Head Drive is situated on the magnificent peninsula of Dingle, Ireland’s most popular peninsula offering a plethora of activities such as island getaways, coastal treks, and some of the best nightlife the nation has to offer. All of this is set against the stunning backdrop of the untamed Atlantic Ocean, sandy beaches, and green hills.

Detour: Since you’ll be driving anyhow, you might as well make the pilgrimage to Ireland’s highest pass, the Conor Pass. It’s a fantastic addition to this itinerary and is situated just outside of Dingle Town.

Sky Road Loop

Best short road trip
Starts and ends in Clifden; 16km (10 miles), 1 day

This quick road journey offers some of the most expansive and spectacular vistas of the Connemara coastline. A full flavor of Ireland in a single day can be expected, including castles, charming villages with delectable cuisine, and distant views of rough mountains.

Take a detour and bring your swimming gear and camera to explore the shore along Sky Road. Eyrephort Beach is the ideal spot for a break, including gorgeous golden sand and crystal-clear waters.

The Ring of Beara

Best road trip for unspoiled scenery
Starts and ends in Glengarriff (travel clockwise); 148km (92 miles), 2–3 days

Situated in the Ring of Kerry, this looping road journey in the southern region of Ireland is definitely deserving of a spot on our list.There are plenty of mountain passes, charming towns with mouthwatering local cuisine, and walks and treks all along the route, so you’re sure to find something that suits you.

Detour: At the very top of the Ring of Beara, pause to ride the cable car to Dursey Island, which provides a convenient means of navigating the rough seas below.

10. The “Four Peaks” Challenge road trip

The best challenge of a road road trip
Carrauntoohil–Mweelrea–Slieve Donard–Lugnaquilla; 865km (540 miles), 1 day to 1 week

Most road vacations are mostly about the travel. This one differs slightly from the others. Hiking the highest mountains in each of Ireland’s four historic provinces is the Four Peaks Challenge. The majority approach the task slowly, but some (extremely ambitious) people want to finish it in a single day.

From each of these peaks, you will be rewarded to some of the most breathtaking vistas of Ireland, but the trip is undoubtedly not for the faint of heart. It is advisable to schedule a single hike per day to experience the stunning Irish landscape while challenging your physical abilities.

Planning advice: If at all possible, have someone else drive you. Without having to drive for 12 hours in between summits, your legs will already be extremely tired.