9 best places to visit on your road trip in Ireland

Jumping into your motor from the UK and driving to Ireland sounds like a dream. Road trips have gained a lot of popularity in recent years, giving people the opportunity to discover brand-new locations and experiences at their own pace. The Emerald Isle is a great destination, where you’ll easily find something to see around every bend.

To make planning your road trip easier, we’ve put together this handy guide to the 9 best places to visit on your road trip in Ireland.

Here’s a little travel tip – on the road, Wise’s international card and account are a convenient and low-cost way to spend money in the local currency. With 150+ countries and 40+ currencies supported (including Ireland and euros), it makes for a great travel buddy!

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Is Ireland good for a road trip?

As we’ve mentioned above, Ireland undoubtedly makes for a great road trip destination. You can plan your drives as long or as short as you’d like, because in general, the driving times are not too long.

You might find some narrow roads here or there, so opt for a compact vehicle, if possible.

PS. If you are considering Ireland to be your permanent country of residence, check out our guides to buying a property in Ireland and moving to Ireland.

When to visit Ireland for a road trip?

The peak season for tourism and warm weather is from June to August. If you’re looking to avoid crowds while still getting mostly sunny weather, the shoulder season during May and September might be the best option for you. March and April also make for great months to visit cultural and historic sites.

Travel tip number two is to always pack layers, no matter the season. Irish weather is famously unpredictable, and you can easily experience all four seasons in a single day!

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9 best places to visit on your road trip in Ireland

Now, let’s jump right in with our list of the must-see places to visit during your road trip in Ireland.

1. Dingle Peninsula Drive

Known for some of the most amazing beaches in Ireland, you’ll love this part of the country for its breathtaking nature, amazing seafood and historic locations. And, if you’re a fan of Star Wars, you’ll be excited to hear that Dingle Peninsula is where Luke Skywalker’s hideout scenes in The Last Jedi were filmed.

The Dingle Peninsula Drive is roughly 56 miles long and you can start from either side of the route, from near Tralee or Killarney. Take at least two days for this road trip, but if you plan to really explore the area, extend that by a few more days, depending how much you want to see!

Dun Chaoin Pier is one of the most famous stops on the Dingle Peninsula drive. With its quirky road snaking down the mountain, it’s the perfect photo stop.

If you want to visit the Star Wars filming location, stop by Ceann Sraithe.

Stop in Dingle Town, a charming little city, where you’ll find the Dingle Distillery and the Dingle Aquarium. It’s also a great spot to take a boat trip to the Blasket Islands.

Don’t miss the viewpoints! Make sure you know where they are in advance, because many of them will be hidden behind bends.

2. The Slea Head Drive

Often confused with the Dingle Peninsula Drive, the Slea Head Drive is a part of the Dingle Peninsula Drive. This is a perfect destination for a day trip and will reward you with amazing views and locations. In the summer take this route clockwise in order to avoid meeting large tourist buses.

The road starts in Dingle and you’ll head to Ventry, where you can enjoy the beach.

Visit the historic Dunbeg Fort and the Fahan group of Clocháns or Beehive Huts. These Beehive Huts were actually reproduced for the Star Wars films and you’ll recognize them from The Last Jedi.

Onwards from Baile you can see several ancient monuments, like the excavated early Christian site at Reasc and Gallarus Oratory.

3. The Copper Coast

The Copper Coast is located between Tramore and Dungarvan and it’s one of the most beautiful, unspoilt scenic drives in Ireland. It’s also recognized as a UNESCO Global Geopark. You might want to take it slow on this (short) drive, so you don’t miss any of the tucked away treasures, like Stradbally Cove, which is hiding behind a forest.

Newtown and Guillamene, often thought to be the best two beaches in Waterford, offer scenic views. And if you feel like it, why not go for a quick dip? Afterwards, head to see the Metal Man statue in Tramore.

Take your camera to Kilfarrasy Beach for some Instagram-worthy pictures. You’ll find several other beaches to visit, like Stradbally, Clonea Strand and Bunmahon Beach.

Stop by Fenor Bog, where you can view the wildlife, and don’t forget to visit Dunhill Medieval Castle & Church.

You’ll find so many activities in the area. You can go horse riding or visit petting farms, and there’s no shortage of water sports. Surfing, kayaking and paddleboarding are all available as well.

4. Comeragh Drive

The Comeragh Drive takes you up to the gorgeous Comeragh Mountains. The mountains themselves are absolutely beautiful and the scenic drive there is undoubtedly one of the best you’ll find. This is a short one, great for a day trip.

The road up to the mountain is a single lane loop from the main Waterford to Cork road to the scenic Mahon Falls.

You’ll also find a Magic Road here. There's a small section of the drive that's marked with a boulder that says "Magic Road". If you stop at the marked line, put your car in neutral, and take your foot off the brakes, your car will go up the hill backwards! Just a bit of Irish magic?

If you want to extend your trip, you can visit nearby locations like the Durrow (Ballyvoyle) Tunnel, Kilclooney Woods and Kilmacthomas Viaduct.

5. Belfast to Derry

There is absolutely no better way to explore Northern Ireland than by car, making it the perfect road trip destination. Taking your own vehicle gives you the flexibility to explore all the magical little nooks and crannies, just waiting to be discovered.

Belfast is a beautiful city, perfect to spend at least 1-2 days. Visit the traditional Irish Pubs, go to live concerts and explore the four quarters of the city: the Queen’s Quarter, the Titanic Quarter, the Gaeltacht Quarter and the Cathedral Quarter. Take a ride in the iconic black taxi and if you’re in town on the weekend, visit St George’s Market.

There will be A LOT to see between the two cities, so you have some choices to make!

Visit the beautiful Glenarm and Dunluce Castles, the Carrick A Rede rope bridge, and the mystical looking Dark Hedges - also recognisable as ‘The Kings Road’ from Game of Thrones.

Stop in the charming coastal village of Ballintoy and in the town of Bushmills, home to the world’s oldest whiskey distillery, located not too far from the Giant’s Causeway.

In the 17th-century city of Derry you’ll find ancient city walls as well as other monuments and museums. Visit the Peace Bridge at night for beautiful views and then head out to explore the lively nightlife scene!

6. Kinsale to Baltimore

Kinsale is undoubtedly one of the most beautiful seaside towns and is also the starting and ending point of the long Wild Atlantic Way, a famous coastal route we’ll cover next. On the way from Kinsale to Baltimore you can see some of West Cork’s most adorable little towns and villages.

When travelling the main route, take opportunities to visit the many hidden spots along the way, by taking the side roads. Destinations like Galley Head, Glandore, Union Hall and Toe Head all beg for exploring and we promise, you won’t be disappointed.

Once you reach Baltimore explore the harbour, see the Baltimore Beacon, visit a museum – or a few – and enjoy the local seafood to the maximum!

7. Wild Atlantic Way

This is one of the most famous road trips you can take in Ireland, you’ll want to plan at least 10 days to see everything. Going from Kinsale to Donegal, this road takes you through Ireland’s west coast and is 1600 miles long. Planning ahead is key, as there is so much to see and many detours you can take on this long, epic drive.

The Wild Atlantic Way is also a great trip to undertake in a motorhome, to immerse yourself in the beautiful surroundings even further.

Some of the highlights of this trip not to be missed include the Cliffs of Moher, the Ring of Kerry, the town of Killarney, the Dingle Peninsula, Slieve Leagye, Mizen Head, Fanad Head and Achill Island.

8. The Braveheart Drive

This 50-mile drive is perfect for the fans of Mel Gibson’s Braveheart film. You might be thinking at this point ‘Wait… isn’t Braveheart about Scotland?’ Yes, you’re correct. But a lot of the film was actually shot in Ireland. Co Wicklow, to be more precise.

You’ll definitely want to know that autumn colours add a beautiful new flavour to this drive, so plan your road trip accordingly!

The road to Wicklow is a narrow one, lined with trees, so take your time and enjoy the road. You’ll spot plenty of charming villages and towns on the way like Hollywood, Lacken, Manor Kilbride, Blessington, Sally Gap, Glendalough and the Wicklow Gap.

9. Ring of Kerry

One of the most beautiful driving routes in Ireland, the Ring of Kerry is an absolute gem. But, it’s also one of the most popular routes. As you can already guess, that makes the 111 mile route quite busy at times, especially in the summer. For a bit more breathing room, plan your Ring of Kerry road trip in the shoulder season. If you rush it, you can complete the Ring of Kerry in a day, but it’s absolutely worth it to take several days to explore the many sights, towns and villages.

Some of the highlights for this route are Kenmare village, Muckross Estate, Ladies View, Ross Castle, Torc Waterfall, Moll’s Gap, Derrynane Beach, and the fishing village of Kells.

There’s also something very special you’ll find on this route. The Kerry International Dark Sky Reserve is the only Gold Tiered International Dark Sky Reserve in the entire Northern Hemisphere. This means that the night sky view is as clear and unpolluted as in extremely remote places. On clear, moonless nights you can see the Milky Way, the Andromeda Galaxy, star clusters and nebulae with the naked eye! Our recommendation is to definitely make a stop here for the night.

How to get to Ireland from the UK?

It’s relatively easy. If you’re going by car, there are several ferry options available that take you to Dublin from either Liverpool or Holyhead.

If you’ll be hiring a car in Ireland, the fastest way is to of course take a plane. There are some budget friendly options too. You can take a bus, the already mentioned ferry and there’s also a ‘Rail & Sail’ ticket you can purchase, which combines a train and a ferry ticket.

Can you travel around Ireland with your UK car?

Yes, you absolutely can. Make sure to carry your UK driving licence, which is accepted in Ireland, your ID and your vehicle log book (V5C) if you have one. If you’re driving a leased car, you’ll need to have a VE103 with you.¹

While many blogs say you need a GB or UK sticker to visit Ireland, it’s actually not required (though you do need it to drive your UK car in the rest of Europe).²

In case you’re worried about insurance, all UK vehicle insurance providers give you the minimum third party coverage to drive in the EU, including Ireland. Still, it’s worth it to check with your service provider on what is needed in terms of documentation and what your package covers.²

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Spend like a local in Ireland with Wise

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Open a Wise account online and you can order your own contactless Wise card or get it as a virtual card. You can use the card to pay for any bookings in advance and use it on the spot just like a local to pay by card or to withdraw cash from the ATM.

Whenever you spend in a different currency, the card automatically converts the currency at the mid-market exchange rate – with no margin added on top and no foreign transaction fees. There’s only a small, transparent currency conversion fee, or it’s free if you already have the currency in your Wise account.

The Wise account also lets you make international payments for low fees and mid-market exchange rates, making it easy and convenient to pay for accommodation or car rental in advance. It’s not a bank account but offers many similar features.

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Sources used for this article:

1. GOV.UK – Taking a vehicle out of the UK: For less than 12 months
2. GOV.UK – Driving in the EU

Sources last checked on date: 8-Feb-2024