Are you planning a road trip around Ireland and wondering how many days would be enough to see the Irish countryside? Well, I’ve got you covered with my Ireland 6 Day Itinerary.

Without sounding biased (because I’m Irish), Ireland is a beautiful country with dramatic landscapes, scenic views, and rugged countryside and there’s no better way to see it than driving from town to town. In this road trip itinerary, I’ll show you where to go and what to do in Ireland for 6 days.

From national parks to charming villages, you’ll definitely be enchanted by the Emerald Isle with its ancient history, hidden beaches, rich biodiversity, and of course, the warmth of us lovely Irish people!

But before we go straight to it, here are some tips to help you start your epic Ireland road trip!

Don’t care for the tips? Jump ahead to the beginning of the itinerary here!

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Ireland Road Trip Map

How to road trip around Ireland

Ireland is the perfect country to road trip around as it’s relatively small and you can get around from one county to another generally in just a couple of hours.

Ireland also has some beautiful camping spots near scenic national parks and dramatic cliffs with the most breathtaking views known to man (yep, this is the Cliffs of Moher!). 

While wild camping isn’t strictly legal in Ireland, many still do it, and it’s not often you’ll get ‘the knock’ unless you’re on someone’s private land. It’s pretty safe too.

But for those not loving the idea of camping out (let’s face it, Ireland doesn’t always have the best weather for it), there are plenty of Airbnbs and Hotels along our route. I’ll list out my favouites below! 

You’ll likely begin your Irish road trip in the capital city of Dublin. Here, there are tons of car rental companies to choose from. Get the best car hire deals .

Driving through Ireland with a double rainbow out the window

Or, for an even more epic adventure, rent a camper van so you won’t have to worry about booking any accommodation.

If you don’t drive, you can still absolutely take busses or trains to most of these places in Ireland. Check out the bus network here and the rail network here. The only thing is that it’ll likely take you a little longer than 6 days to complete this particular itinerary if you’re not driving. 

Tips for driving around Ireland

Driving around Ireland might be jarring at first but here are helpful tips for navigating around the country:

  • Drive on the left side of the road and get used to the steering wheel on the right. Just remember this: Keep left!
  • The back roads (i.e. the scenic ones) are tiny and winding at times and the locals fly along these roads.
  • In Ireland, we use manual cars, so automatic rental cars can be a bit pricey.
  • Beware of potholes on the road, especially in the countryside.
  • Tourists from the US or Canada can drive in Ireland with their regular driving licence but if coming from other countries, you may need to get an International Driver’s Licence back home.
  • Get a proper GPS and it’ll be worth it, especially in areas which won’t have phone service.
  • The Irish are strict with drunk driving and you’ll be over the limit if you’ve had a full pint.

Don’t have a car but want to spend 6 days touring Ireland?

Just because you don’t have a car, doesn’t mean you need to give up on your dream of travelling around Ireland. In fact, it’s pretty easy to get around Ireland when you don’t drive.

There’s a pretty extensive train network that spans the entire country, and can bring you to most major cities and towns throughout Ireland. Have a look at the train routes here.

Busses also go to most cities and towns, but they can also take you through a lot of the smaller villages where trains don’t go. It’s a great way to see the countryside, especially through the back roads. Check out the bus routes here.

And if you don’t fancy organsing your own transportation, there are tons of tour options – whether you’re looking for a day trip from Dublin or multiple days down the country. Here are some of the best rated tours in Ireland…

My Ireland 6 Day Itinerary 

Day 1 – Wicklow and Kilkenny

Welcome to Ireland! You’ll probably be flying into Dublin Airport to kick off your tour of Ireland in 6 days. Your first day will be a trail back to the past to the medieval towns of Wicklow and Kilkenny.

Explore Glendalough

Glendalough is a valley in County Wicklow, just an hour’s drive from Dublin, and it’s home to one of the most sacred sites known today as the Monastic City, an early Christian monastic settlement that St. Kevin founded in the 6th century.

Spend the morning exploring Glendalough and step back into the Middle Ages, with its marvellous round tower, stone churches, chapels, gateway, graves, and ornately designed Celtic crosses.

You’ll find the spectacular upper and lower lakes very accessible, even to those who aren’t really into hiking. Head on to the upper lake car park and follow the 1.7 km walk around the charming Poulanass Waterfall.

Then continue to walk to the valley beyond the upper lake to explore the old Miner’s Village, with its remaining buildings and equipment still dotted around the valley. If you’ve got time to spare, you can kick back and relax with a picnic at Glendalough Viewpoint.

There’s no charge to enter Glendalough Monastic City, however, there is a charge of €4 for the car park and you also have to pay if you go into the Visitor’s Centre.

Get back to nature at Avondale Forest Park

Avondale Treetop Walk

Be at one with nature at the 214-hectare Avondale Forest Park, and take the Avondale Treetop Walk which gives you incredible bird’s eye views over Wicklow.

As you make your way along the Treetop Walk, there’s a bunch of interactive games and educational pieces about the park, as well as the massive Viewing Tower. The best feature of Avondale Forest Park is the gigantic slide – Ireland’s longest slide (not just for kids!).

Unfortunately, during the busy summer months the queue for the slide can be up to 2 hours. And if it’s raining, they close the slide. But if you get there early and do make it to the slide, be sure to have the €2 payment with you.

Avondale Treetop Walk Slide

Tickets to enter the Avondale treetop walk cost €15 per adult and €12 per child. Family tickets can also be purchased.

Whether you’re an experienced hiker or a newbie walking enthusiast, Avondale also has plenty of walking trails, such as the River Walk, Exotic Tree Trail, Centenary Walk, and Pine Trail. You’ll need some proper footwear whether you take the easy 15 min walk or the strenuous 45 min route as it can get pretty slippery if it’s been raining (which it likely will!).

There are also trails for those on bikes, buggies, and wheelchairs. If you need to rest, find a nearby bench or picnic table to sit and relax under the canopy of trees.

You can also visit the Coillte Pavilion and find out more about the importance of forests. Stroll through the walled gardens and step into Avondale House where the great Irish patriot Charles Stewart Parnell was born.

Wander through Kilkenny Castle

Kilkenny Castle
Image by Bgwashburn of Flickrcc

Another medieval town in eastern Ireland is Kilkenny, also known for centuries as the Marble City because of its black marble quarries. This town is home to Kilkenny Castle, one of the country’s most majestic castles.

If you’re one of those history buffs, you might want to wander through town by the Medieval Mile Trail that runs from the town centre to St. Canice’s Cathedral and then finally to the famed Kilkenny Castle.

In Kilkenny Castle, you’ll learn that this was a great symbol of the Norman occupation and it was an important defence for the town in the 1600s. Explore the bedrooms, drawing room, library, and nursery and wander off to its east wing to find the superb picture gallery.

Aside from the Castle ruins, Kilkenny town is also a must-visit for its Cat Laughs festival which is one of Ireland’s premier comedy festivals held on the first weekend of June each year. Cats, by the way, refer to the people of Kilkenny and not, of course, the furry kind!

More things to do in Wicklow and Kilkenny

Where to stay in Kilkenny: My recommendations

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Day 2 – Kerry & Cork

Day 2 of our 6 day Ireland itinerary will bring you to the southwestern part of Ireland, in the neighbouring counties of Kerry and Cork. where you’ll hike waterfalls, explore national parks and enjoy scenic drives.

Discover Killarney National Park

Discover the endless incredible landscapes of Killarney National Park which is home to the McGillycuddy Reeks, the tallest mountain range in Ireland. It’s also where you can find the Reenadinna Woods, declared a Special Area of Conservation because it’s the largest yew woodland in Western Europe.

The scenic Lakes of Killarney consist of one-fourth of the park adding to the beauty of this undisturbed ecological gem.

In its huge forests, you’ll find a diversity of notable flora and fauna which helped to make this national park a designated UNESCO Biosphere Reserve in 1981. There’s a possibility that you might meet the red deer (the only surviving indigenous herd in the country) that’s been around since the Neolithic times. And you’ll likely see the all-black Kerry cattle, one of the oldest cattle breeds in Europe.

Hike Torc Waterfall

Torc Waterfall Kerry
Image by Joe Ormonde of Flickrcc

Still within Killarney National Park, next it’s time to hike the legendary Torc Waterfall which can be found at the base of the Torc Mountain.

Apparently, or so the legend says, the waterfall was created by a man who transformed into a wild boar every night after being cursed by the Devil. The name of the waterfall was derived from the Gaelic word ‘torc’, meaning a wild boar.

The 110-metre wide and 20-metre high Torc Waterfall is popular with hikers and runners. Start your hike with a 200-m walk from the car park just off the N71 road and climb up the 100-step stone path to the top of the waterfall. It only takes about half an hour to reach the waterfall, and and isn’t too demanding.

There are more easy to moderate hiking routes such as the Blue, Yellow, and Red Trails around the area, depending on how adventurous you find yourself that day.

Uncover the Dingle Peninsula

Dingle Peninsula
Image by Simon & Nicole on Flickrcc

Next, you’ll head to the Dingle Peninsula, a hugely popular spot in the rugged countryside of Ireland, with the most scenic drives that will keep on surprising you at every turn. The small town of Dingle is where you’ll truly experience the warmth of the Irish people.

Us Irish have a different take on DIY stores so step into Foxy John’s – a hardware store and… what else, a traditional pub!

Head on to charming eateries or stylish restaurants like Land to Sea, The Fish Box, and Out of the Blue to try the best seafood sourced from the Atlantic Ocean.

If you drive further away from the town, you’ll find hidden beaches in between weathered cliffs. If you’ve got time, you should try some water sports on Inch Beach, one of the most much-loved beaches in Ireland.

Next up, head on a 2 hour boat tour to Skellig Michael, a UNESCO heritage site, for a panoramic view of the sea kissing the coastal cliffs and rolling onto the mountains. This rocky island is out of this world – which makes sense as it actually appeared in the Star Wars movie The Last Jedi!

There are more hidden gems in the Dingle Peninsula to be explored if you had an extra few days here, such as Brandon Peak (the second tallest peak in Ireland) the Conor Pass or the Blasket Islands.

Navigate the Slea Head Drive

No trip to Kerry would be complete without doing the Slea Head Drive, which starts and ends in the town of Dingle. It’s easy to follow, yet challenging and exciting at the same time, with its twists and turns which break into breathtaking views of sandy beaches, spectacular coastlines, and ancient sites. You can literally see the cliff drop into the ocean just beside your car!

Here are some of the highlights of navigating Slea Head Drive:

  • Follow the route and visit Ventry beach, where you can also view the Skellig Michael.
  • Visit the igloo-looking stone shelters called the Beehive Huts
  • Stop at the iconic White Cross to get a great view of the Blasket Islands.
  • Don’t miss the most popular viewpoint of Slea Head which is the spectacular Dunmore Head. It’s absolutely breathtaking!
  • Coumeenoole Beach is worth stopping by, with its grand cliffs and coastlines.
  • Dun Chaoin Pier is also one of the most popular spots to take in the awesome views.
  • Stroll around the early medieval Reask Monastic Site where you can find a cluster of inscribed stones and several circular walls dating back to the 7th Century.
  • Walk around the Romanesque Church Kilmalkedar and find interesting ancient carved stones in the surrounding cemetery.
  • Check out Gallarus Oratory, one of the most unique structures in Ireland, which was built in the 12th century.

You can leisurely circle back the Slea Head Drive in 3-4 hours.

Kiss the Blarney Stone at Blarney Castle & Gardens

Kissing the Blarney Stone

Last up for the 2nd day of our Irish itinerary, you’ll head to Blarney Castle & Gardens in County Cork.

Kissing the Blarney Stone at the top of the castle is said to give the person who kisses it the ‘gift of the gab’. You’ll never find yourself lost for words again!

Blarney Castle is a magnificent medieval castle, built in 1874, and surprisingly in Scots baronial style, quite rare to find in southern Ireland. Millions of people from around the world have visited the castle to kiss the Blarney Stone.

It can be a little physically challenging to actually do it, as you need to lie on your back and shimmy your head to the outer stone of the castle, but just be glad they now have steel bars underneath you – in my day it was a free drop to the ground below!

The gardens at Blarney Castle are over 60 acres of lush gardens, lakes, pathways and fascinating architecture. It’s a beautiful tranquil area with plenty of different plants and trees to admire, the most popular being the Fern Garden.

More things to do in Kerry and Cork

Where to stay in Cork

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Day 3 – Clare & Galway

Day 3 of your Ireland 6 day itinerary will lead you along the Wild Atlantic Way to the counties of Clare and Galway. You’ll get to explore Bunratty Castle and Folk Park and the Burren National Park, as well as admiring Galway Bay and its surrounding areas.

Step back in time in Bunratty Castle and Folk Park

Bunratty Folk Park
Image by Erik Rasmussen of Flickrcc

Bunratty Castle is considered to be the most authentic castle in Ireland as it was restored in 1953 to its 15th-century glory, adding early furniture, artworks, and artefacts. The Castle and its grounds are open from 10:00 AM to 5:00 PM and cost €10 for adults and €8 for children (4-18 yrs old).

The Folk Park was created to recreate the feel of the 15th century. You can wander through more than 30 buildings of a ‘living village’ with rural farmhouses, streets, and shops including the School, Drapery, Grocery, Pottery, Hardware Shop, Doctor’s house, Pawnbrokers, Post Office, and not to forget the Pub!

The village characters and rare breeds of native animals complete the atmosphere of an old Irish village. I highly recommend donning some old style clothing and having the professional photographer take your picture!

Get lost in The Burren National Park

The Burren, Co Clare
Image by Sergio.Requena from Flickrcc

After Bunratty Castle, you’ll drive one hour to the Burren National Park. It’s one of Ireland’s six national parks and although it’s the smallest, it boasts archaeological, geological, historical, and cultural heritage.

Located in the western part of the country, it starts in the centre of County Clare and extends to the county of Galway.

The Burren has one of the most compelling landscapes in Ireland with its rich biodiversity of exceptional flora and fauna. During the months of April to June, you’ll see wildflowers sprouting everywhere, making the Burren the country’s most unbelievable wildflower garden.

Getting lost in Burren National Park will lead you to different trails (short looped walks to long-distance trails). Some hikers have reportedly found fossil corals, ammonites, and sea urchins embedded in rocks.

There’s also a 50-km network of caves that formed over a million years ago, the Aillwee Caves, which is an incredible experience – both for kids and bigger kids!

The Neolithic tomb of Pulnabrone Dolmen is an archaeological testament to how the early inhabitants of the Burren lived there over 6,000 years ago.

Be amazed by the Cliffs of Moher

Ireland Road Trip: The Cliffs of Moher, Co Clare
Image by Avishai Linde of Flickrcc

The Cliffs of Moher is probably one of the most recognisable landscapes featured on TV and film. If you’ve seen Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince or The Princess Bride, you’ll have caught a glimpse of the Cliffs in them.

But more than its screen time, the Cliffs are part of The Burren and Cliffs of Moher UNESCO Global Geopark, notable for its historical, cultural, geological, and ecological importance.

It harbours major nesting sites of birds from more than 20 species and has been designated a Special Protection Area for Birds.

There are also dolphins, minke whales, porpoises, grey seals, and sharks in the area. On land, there are Irish hares, foxes, badgers, and feral goats found here. Dotting the landscape are wildflowers and coastal grass.

The vistas from the 700-foot-tall Cliffs are simply stunning. The North Platform, located near the highest point, boasts of a 360-view of the horizon, Galway Bay and the Aran Islands.

There are a ton of hiking routes that bring you along the coast, but if you want amazing views of the Cliffs, I recommend hiking the 4 kms to Hag’s Head.

Stopover at Galway Bay

You’ll continue on the coast as far as Galway Bay, 50 kms long and 10 kms wide traversing the counties of Clare and Galway. It’s where the Aran Islands are located and a number of other smaller islands.

The coastlines of the bay have been designated as a Special Area of Conservation because of important habitat types for a diverse range of flora and fauna. You’ll find seals, otters, seabirds, waders, and waterfowl living in sandflats, marshes, grasslands, cliffs, and limestone pavements here.

Head to the Salhill Promenade if you’re in the area for sunset – it’s by far the best spot to catch the sunset in Galway.

Wander through Galway City

Last up for today is to head to Galway City where you’ll find all the craic (Irish way of saying fun!). Strolling through the old cobblestone streets, you’ll find pubs, restaurants, art galleries, and shops, as well as traditional Irish arts and crafts that make for great souvenirs.

Quay Street is the epicentre of Galway’s culture and entertainment. It boasts of world-class buskers of all genres of music – even Ed Sheeran has been a busker here!

Galway has become a foodie’s paradise with trendy restaurants and local favourites. Head to Ard Bia at Nimmos for some of the freshest Monkfish or a mouthwatering steak. Oh, and their lemon crushed potato is yum!

Galway Cathedral, Galway City Museum, and the Galway Market are well worth visiting if you have time to explore the city. Don’t miss the Latin Quarter and the Spanish Arch to get a taste of medieval Galway.

More things to do in Clare and Galway

Where to stay in Galway

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Day 4 – Donegal

Today will bring you to the colourful towns, cliffs, countryside, and beaches of Donegal County, where you’ll visit the Irish southern gems of Bundoran, Ballymacool Park, and Fanad Head Lighthouse.

Hit the waves in Bundoran

Ireland 6 day itinerary: Bundoran Beach
Image by Michael Jones of Flickrcc

Early this morning, you’ll drive a little over two hours from Galway to Bundoran, the surfing capital of Ireland and a favourite for tourists. It’s deemed one of the world’s top surfing locations and there’s nothing better than starting your morning with a dip in the Atlantic Ocean.

Budoran has two beaches to catch the waves – Bundoran Beach and Tullan Strand. A little further away from Bundoran, you’ll find more beautiful beaches of Maghera Strand, Fintra Beach, and Silver Strand Beach.

Cool off at Ballymacool Park

After your dip in the ocean, your next stop is Ballymacool Park, located on the outskirts of the Cathedral town of Letterkenny, Donegal’s main city. This public park is 20 acres with several ornamental gardens, a children’s playground, a sports area, and bike lanes. You can also find picnic areas with benches around if you’d like to just enjoy the park and views of Donegal.

It’s a great place to get some fresh air and an easy 1.6-km loop trail will take just 24 minutes. Even better, head to the top of the hill for views of the River Swilly.

Tour the Fanad Head Lighthouse

Fanad Head Lighthouse on the 6 day Ireland itinerary
Image by Azzurra Carlon of Flickrcc

Last up for today (which was a bit of a more chilled day, luckily) is a 45 minute scenic drive to Fanad Head Lighthouse, a working lighthouse found at the very tip of the Fanad Peninsula. It’s one of the most beautiful lighthouses in the world, first lit in 1817 and it’s been keeping ships safe at sea for more than 200 years now.

If you’re up for the challenge, climb up its 76 steps to the tower and revel at those magnificent views over land and sea. If you’re not that keen on climbing up the tower, you can still marvel at the structure, which is fantastic in every angle, from below.

A tour of the iconic lighthouse to discover more about the lighthouse and the stories of its light-keepers will cost you from €10. And you can even stay in the lighthouse overnight (but it’s pretty costly starting at €320 a night!).

More things to do in Donegal

Where to stay in Donegal

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Day 5 – Northern Ireland

Northern Ireland is an essential part of the island and I’ve included it in my 6 days in Ireland itinerary. This Day 5 will set you off to Northern Ireland (which is technically a part of the United Kingdom) and will bring you to the best of the northeastern part of the isle.

GOT it at Dunluce Castle

Dunluce Castle
Image by David McGinley of Flickrcc

Having driven 2 hours this morning from Fanad, you’ll start today’s itinerary with the iconic ruin of Dunluce Castle on the Causeway Coast.

The castle still stands as proof of a long history of the feuding McQuillan and MacDonnell clans. Dating back to the 16th century, Dunluce Castle is still one of the most picturesque of Irish Castles.

Wander around the ruins and go down a stairway outside of the castle ground to visit a cave beneath the Castle. It’s free to roam about the castle grounds, but if you want to tour the inside, you’ll need to pay £5 (you’ll notice we’ve moved over to GBP now!).

You might recognise the castle as the Castle of Pyke of the Greyjoys in the phenomenal Game of Thrones. Because of this, you may want to avoid coach loads of people arriving so a good time to visit would be first thing in the morning.

Step onto the Giant’s Causeway

Giant's Causeway Ireland 6 day itinerary
Image by Lindy Buckley of Flickrcc

Just 10 minutes down the road, you’ll arrive at Northern Ireland’s most incredible attraction – The Giant’s Causeway, another of the country’s UNESCO World Heritage Site.

From afar, you can see more than 40,000 giant slabs and stepping stones erected on the sea itself. Some columns are hexagonal and some have 4 to 8 sides. Some 50 to 60 million years ago, Antrim experienced intense volcanic activity causing molten lava to be exposed. When this cooled down, it formed these perfect pillar-like structures.

But according to legend (which I prefer to believe), the columns were built by a giant! The Irish giant Finn MacCool was challenged by the Scottish giant Benandonner to a fight. Finn accepted the challenge and built the giant walkway by chucking rocks into the sea so they could meet half way.

There are two versions of the story. The first one is where Finn MacCool defeated Benandonner. And the other version is that Finn hid from the Scottish giant, realising that the enemy was much bigger than him.

Finn’s wife disguised Finn as a baby and when Benandonner saw him, he thought that the baby’s father must be even bigger than he was and a giant among giants. Benandonner fled back to Scotland and destroyed the giant causeway so Finn wouldn’t be able to follow him.

So, which explanation for how the Giant’s Causeway was formed do you prefer?

Cross Carrick-a-Rede Rope Bridge

Carrick a Rede rope bridge Northern Ireland
Image by Graham Tiller of Flickrcc

You might wonder how a wobbly and rickety rope bridge is so popular. But Carrick-a-Rede Rope Bridge is undeniably one of the most unique things to do in Northern Ireland and has been visited by thousands of visitors each year.

Just a short 15 minute drive from the Giant’s Causeway, Carrick-a-Rede Rope Bridge, near Ballintoy in County Antrim, Northern Ireland links the mainland to the small island of Carrickarede and hangs 30 metres above the rocks.

For over 350 years, fishermen have been building bridges to this tiny island as it was the best way to catch salmon. But the age of fishermen is long gone and this famous rope bridge is now kept by the National Trust for many to enjoy.

Depending on the time of your visit, you might need to allocate around 3 hours to explore the rope bridge and island. Be prepared to wait in queues as only a few people can pass the bridge at a time (you’ll be thankful for this!). Parking is free at Carrick-a-Rede but you’ll have to pay to cross the actual rope bridge. You can buy tickets here from the National Trust.

More things to do in Northern Ireland

Where to stay in Antrim

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Day 6 – Dublin

To complete your 6 day Ireland itinerary, we’ll bring you back to the fantastic city of Dublin. Today, you’ll explore Howth, outside of the city of Dublin, before heading back to the busy capital. You’ll also visit the historical Dublin Castle and Kilmainham Gaol. And of course, you’ll cap it all off with a pint of the ‘black stuff’ in Temple Bar!

Wander through Howth

Ireland itinerary: Howth Hiking
Image by Ashley on Flickrcc

This morning, a two and a half hour drive will bring you from Northern Ireland back to Dublin, where your first stop is Howth.

Howth is just a short 30-min drive from Dublin city centre. It’s been settled since prehistoric times and is quite famous in Irish mythology. But now it has grown to be an affluent suburb of Dublin, with an exciting blend of the old and the new.

The town boasts of a commercial fishing port, wild hillsides, golf courses, residential developments and amazing cliff walks. Bounded by the sea on one side, you can enjoy great seafood found in Dublin Bay – I highly recommend Aqua Restaurant.

Take a stroll around Howth Harbour and view the lighthouse and Ireland’s Eye, part of the Special Area of Conservation.

Howth Castle, Ireland’s oldest occupied building, is found here too. Another historical landmark is the 1000-year-old St. Mary’s Church and its graveyard, which overlooks the harbour.

The picturesque cliff walks at Howth are a welcome breather for the fast-paced lifestyle of Dublin. If you’re into hiking in the slightest, Howth has some of the best trails in Dublin.

Learn more about Ireland at the Dublin Castle

Dublin Castle
Image by Patrick of Flickrcc

A clearer grasp of the history of the place is a good start to understanding its people and their country. And in Dublin, one of the best places to learn more about Ireland is in Dublin Castle, the historical heart of the city and the main seat of power of Ireland’s government.

Built in several styles from Medieval to Georgian times, the castle is now used for inaugurations of Irish Presidents, important state events, official state visits, and exhibits.

Tour the grounds and also visit the other areas such as the Chester Beatty Library, Dubh Linn Gardens, and the Record Tower. Don’t miss out on the stately gardens which have been preserved since the 17th century. Tickets for Dublin castle cost €8 for adults and €4 for children and can be bought here.

If you have time after exploring Dublin Castle, head across the road to Christ Church Cathedral, a 12th-century Viking Church in Dublin city centre. Visit its beautiful chapel and experience the spiritual atmosphere that it offers. Take a guided tour to learn more about its features, history, and architecture or explore it with a self-guided tour and audio guides.

Visit Kilmainham Gaol

Kilmainham Gaol Dublin
Image by Wojtek Gurak of Flickrcc

Kilmainham Gaol was formerly a prison which held thousands of citizens of all ages charged with anything from minor crimes to treason. Its cells and walkways are witnesses through the changes in Irish history, from rebellions to wars, all of which have reclaimed a piece of Kilmainham Gaol.

If you’d like to visit the Gaol, make sure that you have already booked a guided tour and allow an hour and a half for your tour. Pre-booking a tour online is essential and you can do so here. If you haven’t booked a tour, you can only enter the museum area and café.

From prison to national monument, it’s hard not to be moved by the history of this place and how it connects to Irish history. It may be harrowing for some, but this has become a symbol of the fight for independence for political prisoners and a constant reminder of the past.

Stroll down Grafton Street

Grafton Street at Christmas

Grafton Street is the most popular shopping street in Dublin. It’s lined with shops, cafes and buskers, which creates a lively atmosphere for many locals and tourists alike. If you’re looking for souvenirs to bring home or just some retail therapy, Grafton Street has it all.

At the top of Grafton Street, you’ll find Trinity College, where the famous Book of Kells sits. You can explore Trinity College Library, take a tour around the college or catch a guided walking tour to learn more about Dublin’s past.

Celebrate at the Temple Bar

Temple bar Dublin

The quintessential Ireland 6 day itinerary has to include the notoriously famous Temple Bar area on the south bank of the River Liffey. At night, partygoers head to the many pubs here and especially to the most iconic Temple Bar Pub, which has been here since 1840.

This cobbled streets also host cultural institutions including the Irish Photography Centre, the Ark Children’s Cultural Centre, the Irish Film Institute and the Gaiety School of Acting. And in between are funky cafés, eclectic shops, avant-garde art galleries, and trendy restaurants.

To end your grand road trip to Ireland, you absolutely must celebrate it here the Irish way… at a pub in Temple Bar with a pint of Guinness! Sláinte!

If you’ve got a couple of days to spend in Dublin, check out my 2 day Dublin itinerary for more ideas on how to explore this city. 

More things to do in Dublin

Where to stay in Dublin

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FAQs about Ireland

How many days do you need to spend in Ireland?

I would recommend spending at least 5 days in Ireland so you can see the best of the north and south. However, two weeks would be the optimum amount of time to spend in Ireland.

Can you drive across Ireland in one day?

Yes, it’s possible to drive across Ireland in one day. To drive from east to west of Ireland, it will take you around 3-4 hours, depending on where you’re travelling to and from, however to drive from the most southernmost point to the most northernmost point of Ireland, it will take over 8 hours.

Is 6 days in Ireland too long?

No, spending 6 days in Ireland is just about enough time to see Ireland.

What to see in Ireland in 6 days?

Depending on where you want to stay, there are some must see areas to visit in Ireland – The Giant’s Causeway, Galway and Kerry are the best places to visit in Ireland.

Where to spend 6 days in Ireland?

Many people will stay in Dublin and tour from there, however I recommend staying in some of the different counties, such as Kilkenny, Kerry, Clare, Galway, Donegal and Antrim to get the full Irish experience.

6 day Ireland itinerary pinterest pin

Ireland 6 Day Itinerary: The Verdict

Ireland knows what it’s doing when it comes to road trips, and this Ireland 6 day itinerary is no exception.

After six days of exploring Ireland, it’s hard not to fall in love with the Emerald Isle. From the lively streets of Dublin to the breathtaking views of the Cliffs of Moher, it’s a perfect blend of adventure and cultural immersion.

What truly makes Ireland special is its people – not to brag, but we’re pretty great! So even if you’re travelling alone, you’ll find warmth and friendliness all around the little island.

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