Ireland is one of the most beautiful countries in Europe, with amazing landscapes and a very magical atmosphere. You won't be short of places to see in Ireland. You can combine cities and history, with rural routes, castles, mountains, cliffs...
If you are thinking of traveling to Ireland and you still do not have a clear route, here is the best route to visit Ireland and in this post I will tell you about the 25 most beautiful places to see in Ireland.
THE MOST BEAUTIFUL PLACES TO SEE IN IRELAND
1. Dublin, an essential thing to see in Ireland
Dublin is the capital of Ireland and the largest city in the country. It is a city with many places to visit in Dublin and a long history. You cannot miss Dublin Castle, the Beatty Library, Trinity College, Saint Patrick's Cathedral, Holy Trinity Cathedral, Temple Bar, Kilmainham Gaol, Docklands, among many more places.
Free tours to do in Dublin:
You have the opportunity to get to know the city with some of its free tours. There are several options and each one offers a different itinerary and history. I leave you here the links of the free tours so that you can choose the one you like the most:
Dublin articles you may be interested in:
2. Cork, one of the most beautiful cities to see in Ireland
Cork is one of the most interesting and beautiful cities to see in Ireland. It is the second largest city in the country, behind Dublin. The historic center is built on an island in the Lee River. You can not miss the Cathedral of San Finbar, the English Market and its surroundings. Its cobbled streets are full of charm.
Cork articles that may interest you:
3. Wicklow Mountains
It is one of the most beautiful areas in Ireland. The landscapes here are of great beauty. Several scenes from the movie Braveheart were filmed here. The landscape is full of valleys and green meadows, mountains... For lovers of nature and hiking, here there are many routes and several peaks (of low height) to climb to the top (Log Na Coille, Scarr, Camaderry Mountain...).
4. Cobh, the last port where the Titanic docked
This small seaside town is just 20 minutes from Cork city. Cobh is world famous for its port. It was the last port where the Titanic docked before sinking in the middle of the Atlantic in 1912. It was then known as Queenstown. Don't miss the Titanic Museum, located in the former offices of the White Star Line.
5. Kilkenny, a beautiful medieval town to see in Ireland
This beautiful medieval town in Ireland is located south of Dublin. Its main attraction is its castle, which dates back to the 12th century. Its historic center is beautiful, with cobblestone streets, pastel-colored facades, the cathedral, the river and its bridges...
6. Killarney and its National Park
Killarney is a very picturesque city. Its streets are very charming, although its main attraction and the reason thousands of visitors come here is its National Park, located on the outskirts of the city. It is a national park full of trails that will take you to waterfalls and movie landscapes. Other essential places to visit are Ross Castle, Muckross Abbey and Santa Maria Cathedral, located within the park.
7. Blarney Castle
Blarney Castle is on the outskirts of Cork city (about 10km away) and is one of the most beautiful castles to see in Ireland. It was built at the end of the 13th century and is currently in a half-destroyed state, although I think that fact adds a lot of charm to the place.
It is located in a privileged place, surrounded by beautiful gardens. Of the construction, only the Torre del Homenaje remains, some walls of common areas, some stairs...
The ticket price is 18 euros and discounts are applied to children, families and seniors. The hours are from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. in winter, and in summer they close at 7 p.m.
8. Rock of Cashel
This is another of the castles that you cannot miss in Ireland. It is a set of medieval buildings located in a privileged place, surrounded by an amazing landscape.
Ancient kings, patron saints and unparalleled beauty: the Rock of Cashel brings together Ireland's long heritage and stunning, distinctive landscape.
At its center is the 13th-century cathedral, anchored to the Rock, while the 15th-century vicars' choir room is where laymen sang the cathedral services and their voices could be heard for miles. away. In the dark and dank chapel of Cormac, 800-year-old frescoes line the arches. Despite years of decline, saints with golden heads, sapphire blue overlapping hands and blood red robes can be seen.
In the back you'll find hints of Ireland's Viking past. There is a sarcophagus that may contain the remains of Tadhg, brother of King Cormac, sculpted with an elegant carving of two intertwined beasts: a symbol believed to invoke the blessings of an eternal life.
The round tower, built in 1100 and rising 28 meters above the ground, is considered to be the oldest surviving building on the Rock. You can no longer climb the tower, but the views around it are simply sublime.
9. The Cliffs of Moher, one of the most beautiful places to see in Ireland
The Cliffs of Moher are one of the most beautiful landscapes to see in Ireland and an essential stop.
You can enjoy incredible views of the Atlantic Ocean from cliffs over 200 meters high. If you are thinking of taking a tour of Ireland, I recommend staying in Galway, a nearby city where you will find several places to stay, as well as many interesting places to visit.
Cliffs of Moher articles you may be interested in:
10. Visit Galway
Galway is one of the most beautiful cities to see in Ireland. It is a city full of colors, with a very pleasant atmosphere and many interesting places to visit. It is a city that you can visit in a single day, although I recommend that you spend the night here, to be able to visit the Cliffs of Moher the next day.
In Galway you cannot miss the Cathedral, the Spanish Arch, the Latin quarter, the medieval church of St Nicholas, Dunguaire Castle...
Galway articles you may be interested in:
11. Dunguaire Castle
This beautiful castle is located on the outskirts of Galway. It was built in the 16th century as the residence of the Hynes family. Currently, the castle belongs to a private company that manages several monuments in the country. The castle can be visited for 7.20 euros per person. There are reduced rates for families, children...
The Castle is in a privileged place, on the shores of the bay, with green meadows around it. It is the typical fairytale castle.
12. Ring of Kerry, one of the best routes to do in Ireland
Killarney National Park is the gateway to the Ring of Kerry, a beautifully landscaped road route. It crosses the Iveragh peninsula, to the southwest of the island. The road, about 180 kilometers long, runs along the coast passing through small coastal towns, cliffs, beaches and castles. It is a route that you must include in your itinerary for Ireland.
13. The Dingle Peninsula, one of the most beautiful landscapes to see in Ireland
The Dingle Peninsula is also known for its green landscapes with amazing cliffs and beaches. A narrow winding road, somewhat vertiginous, goes down to the sea. Some of the most beautiful places are Coumeenoole Beach and Dunquin Pier.
Dingle town is small, very artistic and bohemian and is popular for its hardware-pubs, something original that I have only seen here. The town is a burst of color, with small electric-colored houses clinging to each other. Do not miss the Murphy's ice cream, wow... you will want to repeat and repeat.
14. Discover Aillwee Cave
Aillwee Cave is one of Ireland's natural wonders that goes unnoticed on many walks. It sits below the incredible landscape of The Burren.
The guided tour costs 7 euros and during a 30-minute tour you will go through the narrow passageways full of stalactites and stalagmites, amazing rock formations, bridges... And of course, an underground river and a waterfall. It's really amazing, it doesn't look real.
15. Bunratty Castle
This beautiful castle is located near the Cliffs of Moher. It is a castle dating from the fifteenth century. The place where this castle is located has been occupied for more than 1000 years. From the Vikings to the Normans, through great Irish earls and noble lords and ladies. The entrance to the castle and its gardens costs 15.25 euros.
16. Kylemore Abbey
This abbey is located in Connamara, the Killary fjord. This castle was a gift from Mitchell Henry, a doctor, who gave his wife this castle after they spent their honeymoon in the area in 1840. Unfortunately, his wife died three years after the construction of the castle and the buried in a small mausoleum in the surroundings. Henry joined her years later. A love story that you can discover by visiting this beautiful castle. The entrance costs 8 euros.
17. Killary Fjord and Connemara
Connemara is one of the most beautiful and authentic regions of Ireland. Connemara National Park is an essential stop on any route through Ireland.
You will pass through quiet roads surrounded by incredible landscapes, full of very white sheep. I assure you that you will stop every 2 minutes to take many photos. One of the most beautiful places in Connamara is the Killary Glacial Fjord, the only glacial in Ireland.
18. Fowley Falls
In the county of Leitrim, in the middle of a natural area with rivers, canals and lakes are the Cascasas de Fowley. It is an idyllic place full of peace.
19. Cloughoughter Castle
This beautiful and secluded castle sits in the middle of Oughter Lake. The bastion has lost part of its structure, although its majesty can still be appreciated. It has a circular tower with thick walls about 15 meters in diameter and 18 meters high. To see it up close you have to go by boat or kayak. Its isolation gives it a certain magnetism, especially at sunset, when it gets dark and a gloomy landscape appears. This little place hides many stories and legends.
20. Ashford Castle
Ashford Castle was originally built in the 13th century. But its current appearance is due to a Victorian-era refurbishment. Throughout the 19th century it was inhabited by the Guinness family. Nowadays, it is a luxury hotel and you can stay in it.
21. The Slieve League Cliffs
These impressive cliffs are located in County Donegal and are the highest cliffs in Europe. In some areas they reach 600 meters above sea level. Almost three times the size of the Cliffs of Moher! If you are thinking of doing a route through Ireland you cannot leave it off your list.
22. Visit Limerick City
Limerick is the fourth largest city in Ireland and is one of the most important cities in the country due to its rich architecture and culture. If you are thinking of doing a route through Ireland, I recommend that you sleep one night here.
You cannot miss visiting the St. Mary's Cathedral, the fortified castle and some of its museums.
23. The Burren and Poulnabrone
The Burren National Park is another of Ireland's natural landscapes that will make you fall in love. Kilometers and kilometers of limestone, there is hardly any vegetation, and it is a beautiful contrast with the rest of the green landscapes of the country.
The most important monument within The Burren is the Poulnabrone dolmen. This funerary construction is one of the oldest in the country, dating from the Neolithic era, around 3600 BC. In 1985, more than 30 people were discovered buried under the dolmen along with some personal objects. Its location indicates that the Poulnabrone dolmen served as the center of rituals from the Bronze Age to the Celtic period.
24. Ballycuggaran, Lough Derg
It is a circular hiking route of 18.6 km. It is located near Carrowbaun, in County Clare. It is a difficult route with an elevation of 520m and although it is a bit tiring to do, it is one of the best things to do in County Clare. Along the route the landscapes are amazing. You will be 100% in contact with nature, living a unique experience in Ireland.
25. Carlingford
Carlingford is one of those places that is worth going out of the way to visit. It is a small fishing village on the Cooley Peninsula, north of County Louth. The ruins of King John's Castle are located here, do not miss them. Get lost in its medieval streets, enjoy the small corners of the city, such as its bars and pubs, visit the church... It is a very charming area.
PLAN YOUR TRIP STEP BY STEP
I hope you enjoy your trip to Ireland very much and that this article has been useful to you. You can continue reading many more related articles on the blog.
If you liked this article, subscribe to the blog so you don't miss the next destinations, curiosities, travel tips and inspiration for your trips.
A hug and see you soon!