Ireland is one of those destinations that quietly surprises you. Before going, I expected green landscapes, small villages and dramatic cliffs. What I did not expect was how cinematic everything would feel. The wild Atlantic coastline, the turquoise water near hidden coves, the constantly changing sky and the personality of every small town we visited.
We traveled to Ireland in April around Easter and started our trip with two days in Dublin before renting a car and heading west. In our opinion, this is the perfect way to experience Ireland. You get a taste of city life first, and then you slowly transition into pure nature, winding coastal roads and charming small towns.
If you are planning a one week road trip in Ireland, here is everything you need to know.
Our Route
Dublin
Belfast
Galway
Cliffs of Moher
Dingle
Optional stop in Cork
Dublin
We spent two nights in Dublin before starting the road trip. Dublin is lively but compact, which makes it easy to explore on foot.
One of our absolute highlights was Trinity College Library. Walking into the Long Room feels surreal. The dark wood, the arched ceiling and the endless rows of books make it one of the most magical places in Ireland. If you are visiting during peak season, make sure to book tickets in advance.
Another thing we loved about Dublin was the pub culture. Not just Temple Bar, but the smaller traditional pubs tucked away on side streets. Every pub had its own personality. Some were cozy and dimly lit with wooden interiors, others were lively with music playing in the corner. Dublin feels warm and welcoming, and you feel it most inside these pubs.
For coffee and breakfast, we stopped at Queen of Tarts. We had giant scones with jam and cream and proper lattes. It was exactly the cozy Irish experience you hope for when visiting Dublin.
Places we recommend in Dublin:
Trinity College Library
The Little Museum
Kilmainham Gaol
Chapters bookstore
The Long Hall pub
The Mint Bar
Places we would skip:
Guinness Storehouse. For us it felt overcrowded and touristy.
Temple Bar area. Walk through it, take a photo, but do not stay for food or drinks.
Belfast
We visited Belfast on a day trip.
The Titanic Museum is one of the main attractions in the city, but honestly, it was not worth it for us. The building is impressive from the outside, but the exhibition did not live up to our expectations. If you are very interested in Titanic history, it might be worth it, but otherwise you can skip it.
We did enjoy seeing Belfast City Hall and The Crown Bar, which has a beautiful historic facade and is very photogenic.
Overall, Belfast felt more like a stop along the way rather than a highlight compared to the west coast.
Galway
Galway instantly made us happy. Colorful buildings, small streets, music drifting out of pubs and a relaxed but energetic atmosphere.
We did not have a strict plan here. We started around Quay Street, which is touristy but still a good place to begin. From there we simply walked around, popped into pubs, ate good food and enjoyed the vibe of the city.
Galway has so much personality. If you love charming cities with character and atmosphere, this is a must.
Cliffs of Moher
This was one of the biggest highlights of the entire trip.
Absolutely dramatic. Windy. Wild. Unreal.
It genuinely feels like standing inside a movie scene. The scale of the cliffs is impossible to understand from photos. The Atlantic crashing below, the wind constantly moving around you and the endless green stretching behind you make it intense in the best possible way.
Dress for wind even if it looks sunny. And give yourself time to walk and simply stand there for a while. It deserves more than a quick photo stop.
Dún Chaoin and the Dingle Peninsula
If there is one place that surprised me the most, it was Dún Chaoin. The drive alone is worth it. Narrow roads, sheep crossing, dramatic coastline and views that make you stop the car just to take it in.
The turquoise water near the Blasket Islands almost looks Mediterranean, but the cliffs and the wind remind you that you are very much in Ireland. It feels remote, raw and peaceful at the same time.
If you only have time for one scenic drive in Ireland, make it the Dingle Peninsula.
Dingle
Dingle was one of my favorite stops.
It is small, charming and full of good food and cozy pubs. We ate incredibly fresh fish and chips, tried Murphy’s Ice Cream and visited Dick Mack’s, one of the most popular pubs in town.
Walking around Dingle feels special. The colorful houses, the sea air and the relaxed atmosphere make it the perfect place to slow down at the end of a road trip.
When to Visit Ireland
We visited in April around Easter. The weather changed constantly, but that is part of Ireland’s charm. Bring layers, a good jacket and comfortable shoes. Even in spring, it can be windy and cold along the coast.
Is a Road Trip in Ireland Worth It?
Absolutely.
Ireland is not about luxury or perfect weather. It is about raw landscapes, dramatic coastlines, cozy pubs and towns full of personality. The west coast especially feels wild and untouched.
If I were to do this trip again, I would spend more time on the west coast and plan fewer city stops. Ireland is best experienced slowly, with time to pull over and just take in the view.
