Slieve League cliffs in County Donegal Slieve League cliffs towering above the Atlantic Ocean in Donegal Glassblower shaping molten crystal at a traditional factory Cliffs of Moher dramatic sea cliffs rising above the Atlantic Ocean

Best 10 Days in Ireland — Fast Pace

Dublin → Galway → Killarney → Cork → Dingle → Belfast → Waterford → Donegal/Clifden

10 days · 8 cities · 18 activities · route optimized by distance

A fast pace packs in more cities with shorter stays at each stop. Expect lots of history — historic sites, UNESCO heritage, and ancient landmarks. A moderate mix of walking and active experiences, with a mix of self-guided and guided activities. Includes 16 must-see landmarks.

Highlights: Cliffs of Moher, County Clare — Ireland's Iconic Sea Cliffs, Trinity College Dublin — Book of Kells & Long Room, Titanic Belfast Museum — World's Largest Titanic Experience, Giant's Causeway UNESCO World Heritage Site, Northern Ireland, Guinness Storehouse, Dublin — St. James's Gate Brewery

Arriving Wed, Jul 1 Change

The fast pace packs in more cities and activities — ideal if you want to see as much as possible in 10 days.

Your Route — ordered to minimize backtracking

18+ activities scored and ranked · route optimized across 8 cities

Where you'll stay
Hotel in Dublin · From €100/night +7 more
See lodging →
Trip cost
~$1,290 total · $129/day
See budget →
Top picks
Trinity College Dublin — Book of Kells & Long Room, Guinness Storehouse, Dublin — St. James's Gate Brewery, Kilmainham Gaol Museum, Dublin
See itinerary →

Day-by-Day Schedule — heavy and light days alternate so you don’t burn out

Dublin

Dublin 5 stops · Open in Google Maps ↗
Day 1 Wed, Jul 1 Full Dublin View on map
Morning Long Room Library at Trinity College Dublin with historic manuscripts
Trinity College Dublin — Book of Kells & Long Room$$~2h 30m

See the 1,200-year-old Book of Kells manuscript and walk the barrel-vaulted Long Room library at Trinity College

$23 Verified Mar 2026 Open year-round; book ahead May–Sep for timed entry 📍 Map
Afternoon Guinness Storehouse Dublin with pint of Guinness and city views
Guinness Storehouse, Dublin — St. James's Gate Brewery$$~3 hrs

Tour seven floors of Guinness history at St. James's Gate, then pour your own pint at the rooftop Gravity Bar

$28 Verified Mar 2026 Open year-round; book online for best price (dynamic pricing) 📍 Map
🏨 Hotel in Dublin

Temple Bar / Georgian Dublin / O'Connell Street

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Travelers book: The Shelbourne Dublin €220-350/nightTemple Bar Hotel €130-200/nightGenerator Dublin €50-90/nightThe Merrion Hotel $200-400/nightHotel 7 $60-120/nightThe Marker Hotel $200-400/nightThe Wilder $100-200/nightLuxury Ivy Exchange Apartments $100-200/night
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Day 2 Thu, Jul 2 Moderate Dublin View on map
Morning Kilmainham Gaol Dublin historic prison interior corridor
Kilmainham Gaol Museum, Dublin$~2 hrs

Take a guided tour of the prison where 1916 Easter Rising leaders were executed — Ireland's most powerful historical site

$9 Verified Mar 2026 Open year-round; book 28 days ahead as tickets sell out fast 📍 Map
Afternoon St. Patrick's Cathedral Dublin Gothic exterior and grounds
St. Patrick's Cathedral, Dublin — Jonathan Swift's Church$~2h 30m

Visit Ireland's largest cathedral, founded in 1191, where Jonathan Swift served as dean and is buried

$12 Verified Mar 2026 Open year-round; check service schedule before visiting 📍 Map
🏨 Hotel in Dublin

Temple Bar / Georgian Dublin / O'Connell Street

wifibreakfastheatingair-conditioning
Travelers book: The Shelbourne Dublin €220-350/nightTemple Bar Hotel €130-200/nightGenerator Dublin €50-90/nightThe Merrion Hotel $200-400/nightHotel 7 $60-120/nightThe Marker Hotel $200-400/nightThe Wilder $100-200/nightLuxury Ivy Exchange Apartments $100-200/night
Book Hotel in Dublin from €100/night Affiliate link — we may earn a commission at no extra cost to you
Dublin → Galway
3h ~€15 Bus Éireann or GoBus service from Dublin to Galway (2h30m)

Galway

Galway 3 stops · Open in Google Maps ↗
Day 3 Fri, Jul 3 Full Galway View on map
Morning Cliffs of Moher dramatic sea cliffs rising above the Atlantic Ocean
Cliffs of Moher, County Clare — Ireland's Iconic Sea Cliffs$~5 hrs

Stand at Ireland's most famous sea cliffs — 214m above the Atlantic — and walk the cliff-top path with sweeping ocean views

$13 Verified Mar 2026 Best May–Sep on clear days; avoid foggy conditions 📍 Map
Afternoon
Aran Islands Day Trip from Galway — Inis Mór & Dún Aonghasa$$~8 hrs

Ferry to Inis Mór, bike to the cliff-top prehistoric fort Dún Aonghasa, and walk an island where Irish is the everyday language

$37 Verified Mar 2026 Best May–Sep; ferry weather-dependent Oct–Apr 📍 Map
🏨 Hotel in Galway

Latin Quarter / Waterfront / Eyre Square

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Travelers book: Dail Gréine Hotel €120-180/nightArch View Harbour Hotel €110-170/nightKinlay House €45-80/nightWest End 3 bedroom $60-120/nightSilver Crescent House & Apts $100-200/nightHoliday Home Henry St 1 $60-120/nightThe Herons Rest Boutique Hotel $60-120/nightCorrib House Guest Accomodation $100-200/night
Book Hotel in Galway from €85/night Affiliate link — we may earn a commission at no extra cost to you
Galway → Killarney
3h 30m ~€20 Bus service from Galway to Killarney (3h)

Killarney

Killarney 1 stop · Open in Google Maps ↗
Day 4 Sat, Jul 4 Full Killarney View on map
Morning
Skellig Michael UNESCO Monastery Boat Tour from Portmagee$$$~6 hrs

Boat to Skellig Michael to climb a 6th-century island monastery — a UNESCO World Heritage Site and Star Wars filming location.

$136 Verified Mar 2026 Landing permits May–Sep only; highly weather-dependent
Afternoon Ring of Kerry scenic coastal road with mountains and Atlantic Ocean
Ring of Kerry Scenic Drive — Iveragh Peninsula, County Kerry$~7 hrs

Drive the 179km Ring of Kerry loop past mountain passes, Atlantic coastline, and Kerry's most scenic villages

Best May–Sep; roads busiest Jul–Aug with tour coaches 📍 Map
🏨 Hotel in Killarney

Killarney Town Center / National Park Area

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Travelers book: Killarney Park Hotel €180-280/nightMalton Hotel €120-180/nightRailway Hotel €80-130/nightThe Courtyard Apartments $100-200/nightReeks View Apartments $60-120/nightReeks View Townhouse $100-200/nightLoch Lein Country House $100-200/nightBeautiful Killarney Apartment $60-120/night
Book Hotel in Killarney from €90/night Affiliate link — we may earn a commission at no extra cost to you
Killarney → Cork
2h 30m ~€18 Bus service from Killarney to Cork (1h45m)

Cork

Cork 3 stops · Open in Google Maps ↗
Day 5 Sun, Jul 5 Full Cork View on map
Morning Whiskey barrels aging in a historic stone warehouse at an Irish distillery
Jameson Midleton Distillery Experience & Tasting$$~1h 30m

Tour the Old Midleton Distillery — home of Jameson — and taste whiskeys on a 15-acre historic estate near Cork

$34 Verified Mar 2026 Open year-round; busiest Jul-Aug; pre-booking recommended Book this tour → 📍 Map
Afternoon Blarney Castle 15th century tower in County Cork Ireland
Blarney Castle & Stone, County Cork — Kiss the Stone of Eloquence$$~3 hrs

Climb a 15th-century castle tower to kiss the Blarney Stone, then wander 60 acres of gardens with a poison garden and druidic rock close

$20 Verified Mar 2026 Open year-round; gardens best Apr–Oct 📍 Map
🏨 Hotel in Cork

City Center / South Channel / English Quarter

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Travelers book: Hayfield Manor €180-280/nightLancaster Hotel €120-180/nightThe Montenotte Hotel €90-150/nightClayton Hotel Cork City €90-160/nightBallymaloe House €180-300/nightMaldron Hotel South Mall €70-120/night
Book Hotel in Cork from €85/night Affiliate link — we may earn a commission at no extra cost to you
Cork → Dingle
2h 42m Drive from Cork to Dingle (156km, ~2h42m)

Dingle

Dingle 2 stops · Open in Google Maps ↗
Day 6 Mon, Jul 6 Full Dingle View on map
Morning
Slea Head Drive — Dingle Peninsula's Westernmost Loop$~4 hrs

Drive the Slea Head loop past 2,000-year-old beehive huts, ruined stone forts, and views of the Great Blasket Islands from Ireland's westernmost point

Best May–Sep; Blasket ferry weather-dependent Apr–Oct 📍 Map
Afternoon
Dingle Peninsula Road Trip — Slea Head & Conor Pass$~6 hrs

Drive the Slea Head loop past ancient stone forts, Inch Beach, and the hair-raising Conor Pass mountain road.

Best May–Sep; Conor Pass can close in heavy snow
🏨 Hotel in Dingle

Dingle Town Center / Waterfront

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Travelers book: Dingle Bay Hotel €110-170/nightHeatons Guesthouse €80-120/nightOcean View Hotel €75-110/nightDunlavin House $100-200/nightGort a Phump $30-70/nightCoill an Rois B&B $60-120/nightDingle Garden Townhouse $200-400/nightOld Town Inn $60-120/night
Book Hotel in Dingle from €85/night Affiliate link — we may earn a commission at no extra cost to you
Dingle → Belfast
6h Drive from Dingle to Belfast (507km, ~6h)

Belfast

Belfast 3 stops · Open in Google Maps ↗
Day 7 Tue, Jul 7 Full Belfast View on map
Morning Titanic Belfast Museum star-shaped building in the Titanic Quarter
Titanic Belfast Museum — World's Largest Titanic Experience$$~3 hrs

Walk nine galleries inside the iconic star-shaped museum built where RMS Titanic was constructed in Belfast's shipyard

$32 Verified Mar 2026 Open year-round; book online to save £2 vs walk-up 📍 Map
Afternoon Giant's Causeway hexagonal basalt columns on Northern Ireland coastline
Giant's Causeway UNESCO World Heritage Site, Northern Ireland$~5 hrs

Stand on 40,000 interlocking basalt columns on Northern Ireland's dramatic north Antrim coast — a UNESCO World Heritage Site

$19 Verified Mar 2026 Best May–Sep; exposed coastline — dress for wind and rain year-round 📍 Map
🏨 Hotel in Belfast

Cathedral Quarter / City Center / Titanic Quarter

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Travelers book: Hastings Belfast €110-170/nightMalmaison Belfast €120-180/nightTravelodge Belfast €70-120/nightBelfast City Apartment $60-120/night8 Fitzrovia $60-120/nightThe Flint $100-200/nightCentral Belfast Apartments $100-200/nightMerchant Hotel $200-400/night
Book Hotel in Belfast from €85/night Affiliate link — we may earn a commission at no extra cost to you
Belfast → Waterford
3h 42m Drive from Belfast to Waterford (332km, ~3h42m)

Waterford

Waterford 2 stops · Open in Google Maps ↗
Day 8 Wed, Jul 8 Full Waterford View on map
Morning Glassblower shaping molten crystal at a traditional factory
House of Waterford Crystal Factory Tour$$~1 hr

Watch glassblowers and engravers craft Waterford Crystal on the working factory floor with a 60-minute guided tour

$20 Verified Mar 2026 Open year-round; factory tours not available on Sundays in off-peak season Book this tour → 📍 Map
Afternoon
Vikings Triangle, Waterford — Waterford Treasures Museums$$~3 hrs

Explore Ireland's oldest city via the Waterford Treasures trio: Medieval Museum, Reginald's Tower, and Bishop's Palace

$20 Verified Mar 2026 Open year-round; Mon-Fri 9:15am-5pm, extended summer hours Book this experience → 📍 Map
🏨 Hotel in Waterford

Vikings Triangle / Waterfront / City Center

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Travelers book: Waterford Castle Hotel & Golf Resort €130-220/nightGranville Hotel €100-160/nightDooley's Hotel €70-120/nightThe Fitzwilton Hotel €75-130/nightArd Ri House Hotel €70-110/night
Book Hotel in Waterford from €80/night Affiliate link — we may earn a commission at no extra cost to you
Waterford → Donegal/Clifden
4h 42m Drive from Waterford to Donegal (374km, ~4h42m)

Donegal/Clifden

Donegal/Clifden 2 stops · Open in Google Maps ↗
Day 9 Thu, Jul 9 Full Donegal/Clifden View on map
Morning Slieve League cliffs towering above the Atlantic Ocean in Donegal
Slieve League Cliffs, Donegal — Europe's Highest Accessible Sea Cliffs$~4 hrs

Stand at 601m above the Atlantic at Bunglas viewpoint — Slieve League cliffs are three times higher than the Cliffs of Moher and far less crowded

Best May–Sep; ridge walk hazardous in wet or windy conditions 📍 Map
Afternoon
Causeway Coast Day Trip — Giant’s Causeway & Bushmills$$~10 hrs

Drive to Northern Ireland’s UNESCO Giant’s Causeway, Carrick-a-Rede rope bridge, and Old Bushmills Distillery.

$44 Verified Mar 2026 Best May–Sep
🏨 Hotel in Donegal/Clifden

Clifden Town / Donegal Town

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Travelers book: Ardagh Hotel €80-130/nightFoyle Hotel €75-125/nightAbbey Hotel €70-110/nightCharlies Lane Apartment $60-120/nightRiverside House B&B $60-120/nightEsker House $60-120/nightHarvey's Point $100-200/nightEske Villa B&B $60-120/night
Book Hotel in Donegal/Clifden from €80/night Affiliate link — we may earn a commission at no extra cost to you
Day 10 Fri, Jul 10 Donegal/Clifden
Checkout & Depart

Check out of your hotel, grab a final breakfast, and head to the airport. Safe travels from Donegal/Clifden!

Where You’ll Stay

Estimated total: €632–€948

Trip Budget Estimate

$1,290 estimated total per person
$129 per day
Lodging $790
Activities $447
Transport $53

Estimates based on listed activity prices and hotel rates. Actual costs vary by season, availability, and personal spending.

Typical range for Ireland

$800 – $4,000 per person for 10 days

Budget: $80/day — Hostels, pub grub, bus travel Mid-range: $180/day — B&Bs, restaurant meals, car rental Luxury: $400/day — Castle hotels, fine dining, private tours

Similar Destinations

Similar vibes, fewer crowds — destinations our algorithm rates as close matches to Ireland.

🧳 Practical Info for Ireland

📄 Visa
Not part of Schengen. Visa-free for US, UK, CA, AU citizens for up to 90 days. EU/EEA nationals have freedom of movement.
💵 Tipping
10–15% tip at sit-down restaurants is customary. Not expected in pubs for drinks.
💱 Currency
Euro (€ EUR). Cards widely accepted. Northern Ireland uses British Pound (GBP).
🔌 Power
230V, Type G plugs (UK-style three-pin). US/EU travelers need an adapter.
📶 Connectivity
Good 4G coverage in cities and towns. Rural/coastal areas may have patchy signal.
🚨 Emergency
112 or 999 (general emergency)

🚗 Getting Around Ireland

🚗 Car

Car rental recommended, especially for the Wild Atlantic Way and Ring of Kerry. Drive on the left.

🚌 Bus

Bus Éireann connects Dublin, Galway, Cork, and Limerick. Citylink runs express coaches on popular routes.

🚄 Rail

Irish Rail connects Dublin to major cities but the network is limited. DART commuter rail covers Dublin's coast.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is 7 days enough for Ireland?

Yes — 7 days covers Dublin (2 days), the Wild Atlantic Way highlights, Galway, and the Cliffs of Moher. For Northern Ireland, add 2-3 days.

Should I rent a car in Ireland?

Highly recommended outside Dublin. Buses connect major towns but a car unlocks the scenic coastal routes. Drive on the left.

What is the best time to visit Ireland?

May-September for longest days and mildest weather. Rain is possible year-round — always pack layers and a rain jacket.

How much does a week in Ireland cost?

Budget: $80-110/day. Mid-range: $150-250/day. Luxury: $400+/day. Pub meals cost €12-18; a pint of Guinness is €5-7.

Do I need a visa for Ireland?

Ireland is NOT in the Schengen Area. US, UK, CA, AU citizens can visit visa-free for up to 90 days. A separate Irish visa is needed for some nationalities.

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