Your Guide to the Most Scenic Places to Visit in Ireland
- Mar 3, 2024
- 6 min read
Updated: Jul 15
Besides pints of Guinness paired with a whimsical folk song in the local pub, Ireland is best known for its breathtaking scenery. The small island country is surrounded by powerful seas that give it a temperate climate. The result is a distinctly rugged landscape with carpets of lush green grasslands, rich mossy woodlands, barren mountainscapes, and cliffs that tower 150 metres above the sea. No wonder Ireland has inspired so many authors and poets to write myths, legends, and other stories that paint it as some magical realm.
The magic of Ireland is often so well-captured in the stories it inspires but there’s no better way to experience it than by seeing it in the flesh. Use this curated list of the most scenic places to visit in Ireland as a guide for your itinerary. From the northwest to southeast, the list covers all areas of the country so that you can find the best of Ireland's scenic spots in the area you’re staying in or embark on an exciting cross-country adventure. While some spots are world-famous, others are yet to make it to mainstream tourism.
Galway (County Galway)
The west coast city of Galway has long been established as the hub of Irish folk music. Lit by strings of fairy lights, the cobbled city streets are filled with traditional pubs, each blaring the hearty yet solemn sounds of live folk bands almost every night of the week. Since drinking and folk music are a big part of Irish culture, Galway is the best place to go and get your fair share.
What’s more, it happens to be surrounded by some of the most scenic places to visit in Ireland making it the perfect base for exploring more of Western Ireland too. Connemara National Park is just 50 miles northwest, the Cliffs of Moher are 44 miles to the south, and the Aran Islands at the mouth of Galway Bay can be reached by ferry from the city itself.
Cliffs of Moher (County Clare)
The Wild Atlantic Way, Ireland’s famed west coastal road frequents lists of the world’s best driving routes for its romantically wild and dramatic scenes. There are many memorable stops en route including Connemara and Killarney National Park but the Cliffs of Moher may just be the highlight. Stretching nine miles across the Wild Atlantic Way, the cliffs snake along the coast as far as the eye can see.
Reaching up to 155 metres above sea level, the cliffs rise stiffly upright from the frothing sea like soldiers standing to attention, ready to protect the land from the unrelenting Atlantic. The slate-grey cliffside feels intimidating against the green grass that carpets them and the cobalt-blue sea that crashes against it from far below. That’s what makes it such an incredible sight.
A hiking trail follows the entire coastal stretch with many unbelievable viewpoints along the way. Those looking for a challenging yet rewarding hike can do the entire out-and-back trail in one day, but there are multiple start and end points for shorter and easier hikes too.
Connemara National Park (County Galway)
Located in County Galway, 50 miles (1 hour 20 minutes) northwest of Galway itself, it’s the perfect place to unwind after a few exciting days in the city. Distinctly wild and rugged with wide open skies, Connemara National Park is the epitome of a typical Irish landscape, putting it high on the list of most scenic places to visit in Ireland. Picture bogs, heaths, and grasslands amongst the whimsical peaks of the Twelve Bens mountain range.
The park features four main hiking trails, each of them introducing hikers to a new perspective of the park’s landscapes. Whilst the Lower Diamond Trail (3 km - moderate) shows off the lower boglands and Diamond Hill, the Upper Diamond Trail (3.7 km - challenging) presents panoramic views of the Twelve Bens and the Atlantic Ocean.
Besides the remarkable scenery, visitors are drawn to Connemara by the lure of Kylemore Abbey, the haunting yet whimsical Neo-Gothic abbey overlooking Pollacapall Lough. Previously a Benedictine nunnery, the abbey is now open for tours of its exquisite Victorian interior and walled gardens.
Aran Islands (County Galway)
The Aran Islands are a group of three small islands at the mouth of Galway Bay. Together, they are known for their towering cliffscapes (reaching 120 metres tall), ancient ruins, and small-town Irish charm. From every direction, the Aran Islands offer views of rolling farmland divided by make-shift grey stone walls with the Atlantic Ocean in one direction and the Wild Atlantic Coast in the other. Whilst the islands’ landscapes are quintessentially Irish, they stand out amongst other scenic Irish destinations as the most unique.
Inishmore, the largest of the three islands, is easily reachable via a 40-minute ferry from Connemara or a 90-minute ferry from Galway City. The journey is an opportune time to admire the country’s breathtaking coastline. Upon arrival in Inishmore, choose from several hiking trails that lead to its most advantageous viewpoints including Kilmurvey Beach and the ruins of Dun Aonghasa which overlooks the island’s cliffs. Complete the day with the taste of whiskey and the sounds of a fiddle at the local pub.
Cork (County Cork)
Cork is a small port city on the mouth of Lough Mahon which opens out to the Atlantic Ocean on the south coast of Ireland. While the city itself is worth visiting for numerous reasons including culture, nightlife, and art, beautiful scenery isn’t one. However, County Cork, (the region surrounding the city) is home to some breathtaking natural wonders that are just a short drive away. So if you’re looking to experience the best of Ireland’s city life and landscapes, it’s the place to go.
At the top of every Cork itinerary is Blarney Castle, a hauntingly beautiful medieval castle that houses the Blarney Stone which is said to give the ‘gift of the gab’ to anyone who kisses it. In other words, it gives one the ability to talk their way in or out of anything! Next is Kinsale, a small and colourful port town built onto the lush hillside of the south coast with a ruined fortress providing a stunning setting for a coastal walk.
Those with more time can drive County Cork’s famous Ring of Beara driving route which circles the coastline of a dramatic peninsula. Here, you can find everything from craggy cliffscapes to fairytale forests, mountainous loughs, and charming fishing towns.
Killarney National Park (County Kerry)
If you’re looking for typical Irish scenery that looks straight out of a fairytale, make your way to Killarney National Park. This protected 40sqm land in rural southwest Ireland features a glassy lake reflecting the rugged mountains surrounding it and acres of mossy woodland filled with birds chirping, babbling brooks trickling, and waterfalls plummeting. Meanwhile, old stone arched bridges and crumbling castles mark the landscape with a deep sense of history.
Climbing Ireland’s highest peak (Torc Mountain), hiking to O’Sulilvans Cascade and the Old Weir Bridge, and visiting Muckross Abbey and Ross Castle are some of the park’s top activities. But your days will also be well-spent fishing in Lough Leane, rambling aimlessly through the woods, or gazing at the park’s fairytale scenes from your luxury manor house suite or remote country cottage. While the days here are best spent in the great Irish outdoors, the evenings are best spent chatting with locals in the traditional Irish pubs of Killarney town centre.
Kilkenny (County Kilkenny)
The historic city of Kilkenny stands boldly amongst the soft rural farmlands of southeast Ireland. It was built largely in the medieval period, and many and of the buildings from this time still stand today making it one of the country’s most scenic cities. The best views of the city can be found walking along the River Lore which runs through the heart of the city. Heading south along the river, find pastel-painted 19th and 20th-century buildings lining the waterfront and Kilkenny Castle, an impressive 13th-century castle standing like the pot of gold at the end of the rainbow.
Behind the waterfront are many more landmark buildings to discover including St Canice and St Mary’s Cathedrals, The Black Abbey, Rothe House and Gardens. The city’s distinguished medieval history is beautifully documented at St Mary’s Medieval Mile Museum and on city walking tours. After exploring the city, walk north along the river for a quiet and calm walk in nature at River Nore Linear Park which runs alongside it for four miles.
How to Visit the Most Scenic Places in Ireland
Whether you’re planning a whistlestop tour or an epic adventure, visiting at least a few of the most scenic places to visit in Ireland is a must. Since nothing on the list is more than 1.5 hours from the nearest city, the spots are easy to reach and explore with the proper planning. For shorter trips, we recommend focusing on the scenic spots within the county you’re visiting. County Galway, County Cork, and County Kerry are most recommended. On trips longer than a few days, you’ll have the time to explore the best that each county has to offer.
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