How to Spend the Perfect Week in Ireland!

Cliffs of Moher with O'Brien's Tower in the distance

From dramatic cliffs to storied pubs, Ireland is one of the world’s most popular destinations. We first visited for our six year wedding anniversary and enjoyed Dublin so much that we moved there eight months later! We spent two and a half years working on the Emerald island, giving us the opportunity to experience much of the vibrant island. People often ask us how they should spend one week traveling around Ireland. So we decided to break down a perfect week in Ireland, suitable for various travel budgets and interests!

Tulips and the hot house at the Botanical Gardens in Dublin, Ireland
Dublin’s Botanical Gardens are lovely to visit on a sunny day.

Dublin: Days 1 & 2

Collages of beers and a leprechaun in Dublin

Ireland’s capital of Dublin is home to a million people. It is small in comparison to major European capitals like Paris and London. If you only have a week in Ireland, two days in Dublin are enough to see many of the highlights. For convenience, you may want to consider a hop on, hop off bus tour that will take you to many of the major attractions at your leisure.

Guiness Storehouse and Dublin Pubs

The Guinness Storehouse, next to the Guinness factory is a great for exploring the history of Ireland’s most famous beer. It’s worthwhile for one of the best views of Dublin from their 7th floor Gravity Bar, which has a beautiful panoramic view of Dublin. It’s one of the most popular attractions in Dublin, perfect for beer lovers spending a week in Ireland.

We’ve previously written on the best pubs in Dublin for microbrews. If you enjoy craft beer, be sure to try some Irish stouts and reds at pubs like Porterhouse Brewing Company and Against the Grain. And give that article a read for more great Dublin pub recommendations!

Dublin Parks

A stroll through St. Stephen’s Green and Merrion Square parks is lovely, especially when the weather is decent. And a pub crawl in Temple Bar is good ‘craic’ (Gaelic for “great times”). Pass on drinking Guinness in Temple Bar (a local tip) and save that for neighborhood Irish pubs.

You should also have a walk around Trinity College, conveniently located in the center of Dublin. It’s the country’s oldest and most prestigious university, sporting a beautiful campus. Visit the Old Library and Book of Kells, it’s reminiscent of Hogwarts in Harry Potter.

Bulidings at Trinity College Dublin
The campus of Trinity College Dublin.

Best Museums in Dublin:

Dublin is packed with great museums and attractions. Here are several highlights to keep you entertained and informed during a great week in Ireland!

Dublin Castle was the seat of the United Kingdom’s government until it was handed over to the Irish. You can take an hour tour to see beautiful state rooms, including the impressive room where the President of Ireland is inaugurated.

The National Gallery of Ireland is home to an impressive collection of works. Don’t miss Caravaggio’s ‘Taking of the Christ,’ it’s a compelling and very famous painting. Free admission.

Chester Beatty Library houses a fantastic museum featuring one of the best private book collections in the world. There’s great exhibits on the Middle East, North Africa and Asia. Admission is free.

Natural History Museum is home to an impressive and extensive zoological collection that has changed little in over a century. This is a throwback that all ages can appreciate. Free admission.

National Museum of Ireland- Archeology has an impressive collection of artifacts from pre-historic Ireland as the well as the Viking and Medieval periods.

Kilmanhaim Jail previously housed many Irish political prisoners who fought for the nation’s freedom. Now a museum, it offers an important and moving history lesson.

Kilmainham Jail, where 'In the Name of the Father' was filmed
Kilmanhaim Jail, now a great museum to learn about Ireland’s history.

Great Dublin Hotels for All Travel Budgets

Here are our hotel and bed and breakfast recommendations for Dublin. It’s a great idea to book a hotel with free cancellation in advance, especially during the busy summer season. Then if your plans change, you can cancel your reservation at no charge. From luxury to budget, these are great Dublin stays to kick off a fun week in Ireland!

Luxury:

Shelbourne Hotel is Dublin’s most historic 5-star luxury hotel, as several US Presidents and many foreign dignitaries have stayed there. The hotel is a 5 minutes walk from many of Dublin’s famous attractions, like Trinity College, Grafton Street, National Gallery, National Library and National Museum. Shelbourne Hotel has a beautiful cocktail lounge and luxurious dining options. Even if you’re not a guest, swing in for high tea and enjoy a lovely view of St. Stephen’s Green.

The Merrion Hotel is a 5 star hotel furnished with Georgian decor and Italian marble bathrooms. Awarded 2 Michelin stars, Restaurant Patrick Guilbaud serves gourmet French influenced cuisine overlooking the gardens. The hotel also has an infinity pool and spa. Rooms feature city or garden views.

Mid Range:

Kilronan House is a family run, award winning B&B in Dublin’s lovely Georgian Quarter. Grafton Street (Dublin’s main shopping street) and St. Stephen’s Green are a just 5 minute walk away. They offer free parking too – you don’t need a car in Dublin though! Some of their rooms are a little dated but their Irish breakfasts in their beautiful dining room are fantastic! We enjoyed our stay at Kilronan House when we recently re-visited Ireland.

Clayton Hotel Ballsbridge is a popular hotel for conferences. It’s location is walking distance from St. Stephen’s Green and Grafton Street. This is also a good mid-ranged price hotel in Dublin for those that don’t like bed and breakfasts. We stayed there on our most recent visit to Dublin in October, 2018.

Budget:

Egans House is a quintessential Irish bed and breakfast in the north of Dublin. Glasnevin Cemetery, the National Botanic Gardens and Dublin Zoo are a few nearby attractions. We enjoyed our stay at Egans House when we first visited Ireland – before we lived on the Emerald Island.

Backpacker: 

Generator Hostel is conveniently located right next to the Jameson Distillery (fun!). Generator is a reputable chain of hostels in Europe known for being clean and having a fun atmosphere.

Where to Eat and Drink in Dublin

Casual Dining in Dublin:

The Brazen Head is Ireland’s oldest pub dating back to 1198. Over the centuries, it has been frequented by Irish literary giants like James Joyce and Jonathan Swift, and the revolutionary Michael Collins. Collins was the leader in liberating Ireland from British rule. The Brazen Head oozes centuries of history and is a great place to watch traditional Irish music performances. Yes it is touristy, but the good kind of touristy.

Beautiful flowers outside the Brazen Head pub
The Brazen Head pub in Dublin, Ireland.

O’Neill’s is a quintessentially fun Irish pub that offers a fantastic carvery, fish n’ chips, an extensive Irish beer selection. You can also watch live Irish music nightly. In 2 and 1/2 years in Dublin, we probably ate and drank at O’Neill’s at least 10 times. O’Neill’s is a touristy pub that many local Dubliners enjoy too.

Lotts is another great Irish pub. This is a fun pub where you will find more Dubliners than tourists. Try a plate of Dublin Coddle, an interesting local favorite. Or go for lamb shank (often delicious in Ireland), and one of our personal favorites.

The perfect pint of Guinness is a favorite talking point of some Irish. They typically won’t drink Guiness in Temple Bar pubs because bartenders pour the Guiness too fast, and they do not think the lines are cleaned properly. You can enjoy a perfect pint of Guiness at O’Donoghues, a historic pub popular with both Dubliners and tourists. They also feature live Irish music seven nights a week.

Visit a few of these pubs, and you’re guaranteed to have a fun week in Ireland!

Upscale Dining in Dublin:

Cafe en Seine is an ornately decorated modern restaurant and bar that transforms into one of the most popular nightclubs in Dublin at night. It’s a lovely establishment that even my 85 year old father enjoyed. Our dinner there, was one of the many highlights of my father’s visit to Ireland. Depending on the time you go, Cafe en Seine is an establishment all ages can appreciate.

The Bank on College Green is a beautiful venue for tasty cocktails at their bar. They have a terrace overlooking the beautiful establishment, which is fantastic for a date night dinner. Be sure to make reservations. As you might guess from the name, it was previously a bank.

H'penny Bridge in Dublin with blue skies
The H’penny Bridge in Dublin, Ireland.

Car Rentals in Ireland

You should only rent a car when you’re ready to leave Dublin. Dublin is a small city and for most, a car is more hassle than it’s worth within the city limits. You can walk, utilize the hop on hop off bus, catch public transport and use taxis & Uber. Read our in depth article on Tips on Visiting the Cliffs of Moher by Rental Car from Dublin.

Sites like hotwire.com are great for finding car rentals, just know that prices quoted are generally for stick shift vehicles (so you’ll have to do everything on the opposite side if you’re traveling from the US or Canada). Automatic cars aren’t very common in Ireland, and if you want one, you’ll be charged as much as €40 ($43 US) per day extra.

Half Day Trips Outside Dublin if You Don’t Want to Drive

train going along the track on a cliff near Bray

The lovely seaside towns of Bray and Howth are both accessible via the DART (Dublin Area Rapid Transit) commuter rail. You can reach the Wicklow Mountains via bus to enjoy a great view of Dublin and the surrounding coast. Glendalough is also fantastic for a day trip. Saint Kevin’s Bus offers service to enjoy the picturesque lakes and historic medieval ruins of Glendalough at your leisure.

Guided Tours from Dublin

Consider a 3 day Southern Ireland Tour including Galway and Kerry from Dublin. The tour includes visits to Connemara, Galway, the Cliffs of Moher, Dingle Peninsula, Killarney and Ring of Kerry. They are magnificent places, so after spending 2 days in Dublin, this tour would be a great idea for days 3-5.

A day tour to Giant’s Causeway and Belfast in Northern Ireland is another great option, albeit it’s long for a day trip. Highlights of Northern Ireland include Giant’s Causeway and crossing the Carrick-a-Rede Rope Bridge. For those that wishing to see as many highlights as possible, these tours can round out a wonderful week in Ireland.

Alex on the Carrick-a-Rede Rope Bridge

If you’re looking to drive and see the country at your leisure, and you only have a week in Ireland, you may want to skip Northern Ireland for the west and southwest of the country. You can also utilize trains and buses if you don’t want to take multi-day tours or drive yourself.

Best Way to Get From Dublin Airport to Dublin City Center

If you want to save money on a taxi or Uber, catch the Airlink bus. Airlink (aka route 747) is an express coach service operated by Dublin Bus, which also runs the city’s public bus service. The Airlink is an express service with fewer stops that transports passengers from Dublin Airport to Dublin’s main bus station Busaras, O’Connell Street in the city centre and finally to Heuston Station, one of Dublin’s main train stations. 747 buses depart every 15 or 20 minutes, from 5am to 11.30pm (11.20pm Sundays). Check the Airlink timetable for updated schedules.

6 Day All Ireland Tour

If you’re looking to see as much of Ireland as possible in a week, with the least amount of headache navigating tricky roads, consider a 6 day All Ireland Tour combining train travel with guided bus tours. It’s a busy itinerary, so this is not ideal if you prefer a slower pace of travel during your week in Ireland.

Below we break down options for those that want to spend some time exploring Ireland independently, as well as adding on some shorter tours.

Galway & the Cliffs of Moher: Day 3

Quay Street in Galway with lots of people
Pedestrian only Quay Street in Galway is one of Ireland’s best streets for eating and drinking

Galway

Galway is like a miniature version of Dublin. A coastal town with some wonderful Irish pubs and restaurants. It’s fantastic for a stroll and to spend the night before heading to the most visited place in Ireland, the dramatic Cliffs of Moher. You may also want to consider visiting the picturesque Aran Islands from Galway too. Swing by McDonagh’s in Galway (pictured below) for delicious Galway Bay oysters and other tasty seafood.

Alex & bell with a plate of oysters at McDonaghs seafood

Cliffs of Moher

The Cliffs of Moher draws over a million visitors annually. It’s the most visited attraction, making it a must for many during a week in Ireland. We visited the Cliff of Moher twice. Once by rental car from Dublin, and the other on a guided trip with Paddywagon Tours. Paddywagon is a great option for budget looking look to have a fun week in Ireland.

Whether you take a tour or drive depends on your comfort level with driving on the opposite side of the road. Both can good options, it all depends on how you prefer to travel. You can read more about the pros and cons of each method in our previous articles.

While not in Galway, luxury travelers and those visiting Ireland for a honeymoon or anniversary should consider staying at Dromoland Castle. It was the ancestral home of the Dromoland O’Briens, whose lineage dates 1,000 years to Brian Boru, the only High King of Ireland. This is a stay fit for royals, with great on site dining options. It’s close to everything County Clare and County Limerick have to offer too.

Guided Tours from Galway:

You can catch the train from Dublin to Galway (check the schedule on the Irish Rail website), and plan some day tours from Galway, if you don’t want to drive a car.

Consider a Cliffs of Moher Day Trip from Galway, Aran Islands and Cliffs of Moher Day Trip from Galway Including Cliffs of Moher Cruise and Shore Excursion or Cliffs of Moher, Aran Islands and the Burren from Galway.

Also consider a Galway Food and Drink Walking Tour. Enjoy Irish stew, local cheeses and fresh seafood while learning and chatting over a pint of Guinness or Irish coffee. Galway is one of the best destinations in Ireland to enjoy traditional Irish food.

A;ex with a Castle and the sea in the background in County Clare

Dingle & the Ring of Kerry: Days 4 & 5

Another great seaside Irish town on the west coast is Dingle. While County Clare is phenomenal, County Kerry also has so much breathtaking beauty along the Dingle Peninsula and nearby Ring of Kerry drive. Dingle is one of the best and most laid back Irish towns that’s perfect for relaxing in your bed and breakfast and enjoying some great local pubs and restaurants.

Keep in mind that many Irish roads, particularly on the Ring of Kerry are very narrow and some people are intimidated about driving on the left side of the road. If you’re not a confident driver you should probably book a tour so someone else does the hard part and you just enjoy the views out the window and at stops.

Dingle Tours

A Dingle Peninsula Tour from Dingle is a great for enjoying lush scenic beauty without the hassle of driving. Highlights include the majestic Slea Head Drive and Conor Pass. You will historic sites like Dunbeg Fort, Gallarus Oratory, and Kilmalkedar Church.

A Dolphin and Whale Watching Tour from Dingle is a fun tour for families. Experience the thrill of observing whales and dolphins on a 4-hour cruise around Dingle Bay. It’s a great trip for kids and nature loving adults.

Alex & Bell in County Kerry with the misty hills and sea in the background
Dingle with boats in the bay

Lakes of Killarney, Cork, Copper Coast & Kilkenny Castle: Days 6 & 7

Killarney is a charming Irish town nestled between two lovely lakes. Drive here for an afternoon stroll through town, have lunch and check out beautiful Torc Waterfalls. You could spend a night either here or in Cork. Killarney is even closer to the Ring of Kerry compared to Dingle and offers more accommodation options. So if you want to do the Ring of Kerry drive, you can also base yourself in Killarney over Dingle for a couple days. You can then follow this with a stay in Cork.

Guided Tours from Killarney

Ring of Kerry

A 9-hour tour of the spectacular Ring of Kerry departs from Killarney. The tour includes coastal gems like Dingle Bay, Inch Beach, and the quaint villages of Waterville and Sneem. Killarney National Park is also on the itinerary. It’s a wonderland of mountains, lakes, world-famous gardens. Travelers stop at Molls Gap and Torc Waterfall in the national park. The Ring of Kerry Day Tour tour starts at $49 USD.

Killarney National Park

Visitors can also experience the Killarney National Park on a covered boat tour around Lough Léin. It’s the largest of Killarney’s three scenic lakes. Take in local sites like Ross Castle and wildlife like white tailed eagles and red deer.

Waterfalls in Ireland

Cork

Cork is Ireland’s second largest city and arguably the culinary capital of the country. A must visit in Cork is the English Market, which is Ireland’s best market (no Dublin market rivals Cork’s central market). Just outside Cork is another of Ireland’s most popular attractions, Blarney Castle, where you can kiss the famous Blarney Stone!

Food market in Cork

Copper Coast

The Copper Coast is a gorgeous and unspoiled drive. Winding roads offer stunning vistas and not too many other cars. You can stop there on your way to Kilkenny (home of Kilkenny Castle, one of the best castles in Ireland).

The Copper Coast is a hidden gem that many Irish people aren’t even aware of. It’s an ideal addition to a great week in Ireland itinerary for those that want to avoid crowds, while not sacrificing a scenic coastal drive.

Winding road along the Copper coast offers a great week in Ireland stop for those looking to avoid crowds
Winding road along the Copper coast in Ireland
Rock of Cashel, with green rolling hills and misty sky
The Rock of Cashel in County Tipperary dates to the 12th century.

Northern Ireland

Not everyone travels the same and people have different interests. Political buffs should visit Belfast and then visit the Carrick-a-Rede rope bridge and Giants Causeway in Northern Ireland. You could substitute days 6 and 7 for the itineraries included in our articles mentioned here. That’s another ideal way to round out a perfect week in Ireland.

Ireland is also a wonderful country for equestrian and golf aficionados. And it strikes a perfect balance for those looking for libations inside, as well as picturesque hikes and drives outside. So it’s a great vacation for nearly everyone!

Spend a Week in Ireland and Potentially Save Thousands on Your Trip!

You can earn free flights and hotels with your everyday purchases. We maximize travel rewards card bonuses to save thousands of dollars on travel expenses ever year. For many, paying just the taxes on plane tickets will make that week in Ireland even more fun. Especially if that allows you to have more spending money. If you need tips on travel hacking read our article and feel free to get in touch!

Have questions about planning a week in Ireland? Read this article on Ireland travel tips for more info on what to pack, currency and more. You can also email me at alex(at)wanderlustmarriage.com or leave a comment below!

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Author

  • Alex Kallimanis

    Alex Kallimanis is an award winning travel journalist and travel planner who has visited 67+ different countries, including all 27 European Union countries across all continents except Antarctica. He has resided around the world, living in countries like Australia, the Netherlands and Ireland for over 7 years combined. Currently residing in the Tampa, Florida, area with his wife Bell, he still spends much of his time in Europe as a dual Greek citizen. Alex is a graduate of the University of Central Florida with a bachelor of arts degree in history, and was the president of Phi Alpha Theta (Honors History Society) during his senior year there. Alex is an avid enthusiast of sports, spas, delicious food, the outdoors, craft beverages, history and culture.

18 thoughts on “How to Spend the Perfect Week in Ireland!

    1. Thanks Corinne! We definitely miss Ireland sometimes! And we also miss having access to cheap Ryanair flights to see so many other beautiful places in Europe.

  1. Oh man, I am not sure I’d be satisfied after one week. I think I would need at least 4 in Ireland. I’ve always dreamt of visiting the green island and I can’t wait to see the lush and green landscape, the rugged cliffs and taste the hearty stews and the creamy beers. What’s not to love about Ireland? Maybe I should move there?!? Is that silly to say, if I’ve never even been there?

    1. Thanks for the nice comment Maria! If you can, why not spend 4 weeks in Ireland?! We’re generally advocates of slow travel ourselves, unfortunately so many Americans get very limited vacation time so it’s not an option for them. Most Americans visit Ireland for a week, and sometimes even less time. We had family visit that flew all the way across the Atlantic for just 4 days.

      And yes, if you have a chance to move to Ireland, again, why not?! We really enjoyed our time there. Happy travels! 🙂

  2. I moved to Galway 7 months ago and I couldn’t agree more with this list. I still haven’t made it to Cork, so thank you for the advice for when I do get to go!

    1. Thanks for sharing, Maydi! Galway is such a cool town. Enjoy your time there to the fullest and have a great time when you visit Cork, which is also a really fun town!

  3. What a wonderful week that would be! We were in Belfast in June of 2014 but didn’t make it to Dublin. But it is definitely in our bucket list, my husband being half Scottish and half Irish!

    1. Belfast is also such a great town with a lot to offer! Have a great time in Dublin the next time you visit Ireland!

  4. You’ve described a wonderful week in Ireland. Ireland is so full of beautiful places and the most wonderful food. I really enjoyed your photos took me right back there.

  5. I just found this post and its been the most helpful so far! I am planning a honeymoon and it is a 7 night stay in ireland with the first two nights in dublin and then i have to plan the rest. My only drawback is i dont want to feel like i am driving our entire trip… i don’t know if we would fully enjoy it. So with that said what places to visit would you consider a must. Thanks in advance

    1. Hi Madison. Thanks so much for your comment and compliment! 😀

      The Cliffs of Moher are Ireland’s most visited attraction so that’s a must for most. As for everything else, it depends what your interests are. If you enjoy bigger towns and a good food scene for example you should visit Cork as the town has a great food scene. But if you prefer nature, skip Cork in favor of a coastal drive in County Clare and/or County Kerry. What’s your ideal vacation look like?

      1. Hey thanks for the quick reply! We love a mix and very easy to please. I think were going to do the East and West coast and possibly skip the south end (Cork) unless you believe there is a must see there as well. I know it wont be the same driving over there as in the states that we are familiar with because it will be all new sights so it shouldn’t seem like a long drive but still don’t want to drive all over. Its for a honeymoon as well so if there are any spots you believe are great for that setting im all ears! And again thank you for your input!

        1. You’re welcome, Madison. Wonderful this will be for your honeymoon! Congratulations on your upcoming wedding!

          I wouldn’t say Cork is a must even though for many kissing the Blarney Stone at Blarney Castle is. Kilkenny Castle is much more well preserved than Blarney Castle and I’d recommend that instead. Drive south of Dublin along the east coast and visit the lakes and monastic ruins at Glendalough. Consider staying at the Tinakilly Manor House in Wicklow, which is lovely and historic. We stayed there for our 7 year wedding anniversary and loved the history there. The mansion previously belonged to Robert Halpin, who laid down the first telegraph cables connecting Europe and North America (Ireland to New Foundland). This is an old article on our stay there but the property continues to get good reviews: https://wanderlustmarriage.com/sleep-with-history-the-tinakilly-manor-house-in-wicklow-ireland/

          For the west coast, asides from the Cliffs of Moher and a costal drive, visit the Burren and maybe take a boat over to the nearby Aran Islands from Galway. Since it will be your honeymoon, Dromoland Castle is definitely somewhere to consider staying! Or consider basing yourself in Galway a couple nights somewhere like Park House Hotel as the pubs on Quay Street make for a fun way to celebrate the occasion 🙂

  6. Perfect!!! Awesome information, thats exactly what were looking for! So im planning on paying for a vacation package for flight and stay so one that i was looking at was two nights in dublin and 5 nights at B&B’s wherever we want. Have you used B&B’s on the island and would you recommend just paying for individual stays because we do want to stay at some of the castles but the packages dont really give you that option. Sorry for all the questions but your helping tremendously haha

    1. Glad this helps, Madison! I would definitely consider doing separate bookings since the packages you’re looking at don’t include castles and you want to stay in them. Yeah, there are some nice B&B’s in Ireland and it’s a cool experience to stay in them too. Chain hotels like Marriott, Hilton, etc are pretty similar worldwide, so they can take a little away from the cultural experience of travel. Lough Rynn Castle is another great castle hotel. Email me at [email protected] and I can assist more with separate bookings if you’d like 😀

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