I’ve been to Ireland twice and had the opportunity to explore different parts of the country.
This Ireland 7-day itinerary combines my experiences from both trips, to give you the ultimate itinerary for an awesome Ireland road trip.
From the colourful and bustling cities of Galway and Dublin, to the natural beauty of the Cliffs of Moher and Killarney National Park, this Ireland itinerary has it all.
If you only have seven days to spend in Ireland and want to go on an awesome road trip in Ireland, this is the travel guide for you!
Table of Contents
The ultimate Southern Ireland road trip 7-day itinerary
I’ve been to Ireland twice and on separate occasions. Once for a weekend in Dublin in April with my best friends, and once for a travel blogging conference in Killarney.
After the conference I then spent a couple days road tripping around with my friend and fellow blogger Claire of Stoked to Travel, visiting Cork, the Cliffs of Moher and Galway.
This itinerary is based on my own experiences in Ireland, but for obvious reasons isn’t the exact itinerary I followed.
If I were to go back to Ireland with someone who had never been before, this is how I would spend 7 days in Ireland.
This Ireland 7-day itinerary showcases all the most beautiful and famous attractions in Ireland. Before we dive in, make sure to check this Ireland packing list!
Are you ready to dive in?
Ireland itinerary days 1 & 2: Dublin
Dublin is the capital of Ireland and a must-see on any Ireland itinerary. Even if you only have seven days in Ireland, you should still dedicate at least two days to the Irish capital.
Here are some of the best things to do in Dublin.
Visit Trinity College
Our first stop was Trinity College, the university famous for its picturesque campus and the Book of Kells Exhibition in its Old Library.
I personally didn’t visit the Old Library since the queue was huge and we preferred to walk around the city and get a feel for Dublin instead.
However if you have a more keen interest in history you should definitely visit the Old Library. Make sure to book your ticket online so you don’t have to waste as much time in the queue.
Even without visiting the Old Library Trinity College is a must-see. The university grounds are beautiful and the architecture is incredible.
Click here to book your Fast-Access Book of Kells & Dublin Castle tour!
Visit Dublin Castle
Dublin Castle is one of the main attractions in Dublin. Dublin Castle is a government complex, it previously served as the headquarters of the English and British administration in Ireland.
You can wander around the castle grounds for free, but if you want to access the buildings and museum you need to join a guided tour. Here you can learn about the history of Dublin and Ireland.
If you’re interested in Irelands history, another museum you can’t miss is the EPIC Museum in Dublin, all about the Irish emigration.
Click here to book your Fast-Access Book of Kells & Dublin Castle tour!
Explore the Dublin city centre
One of my favourite things to do in any city is to simply wander around the city centre and get lost amongst the main streets. I love wandering around, just soaking in the atmosphere and getting a feel for the city.
I really liked the centre of Dublin, with its cobbled streets, old architecture and lively atmosphere. Temple Bar is the prime evening area, but it’s beautiful also during the day.
We also spent a bit of time walking along the river. It’s a great activity for a sunny day. You can also grab some food at one of the many pubs or restaurants.
If you’re looking for food suggestions in Dublin, check out this vegan guide to Dublin.
Click here to book a walking tour of Dublin – including local hidden gems!
Visit the Guinness Storehouse
The Guinness Storehouse is one of the most popular attractions in Dublin. It’s a must-see even if you don’t like Guinness (I don’t even drink beer and I still went)!
It’s interesting to see how Guinness is made, as well as the history of the company and some cool facts about Dublin. Plus it has epic views over the rooftops of Dublin!
They also teach you how to pour a pint of Guinness and you can pour your own to drink as you tour the Storehouse.
Even though Guinness originated in Dublin, it has become such a popular beer worldwide that you can visit Guinness breweries also in other countries, for example the Guinness Brewery Baltimore.
Click here to book your Skip-The-Line Guinness Storehouse tour + Irish pub experience!
Go for a night out around Temple Bar
After your pint at the Guinness Storehouse (it’s a fairly strong beer if you’re not used to it!) get ready for a night out around Temple!
Temple is the fun night out neighbourhood in Dublin, and it comes alive as soon as the sun goes down.
Everybody is friendly, with live musicians playing and people dancing in the streets. There is an actual Temple Bar too but it gets very busy, don’t worry if you can’t get a seat there.
The whole riverside neighbourhood is teeming with pubs, bars and diners with like music and DJ sets. The architecture and cobbled pedestrian lanes are also very beautiful, quirky and very distinctive Dublin in my mind.
For some more comprehensive information on what to do in Dublin, check out this Dublin in one day guide.
Where to stay in Dublin
Budget: Abbey Court – This hostel has spacious and clean dorms, big communal areas and is in a prime location in the heart of Dublin. You can easily walk back after a night out at Temple Bar!
Click here to book your stay at Abbey Court!
Mid-range: Leeson Inn Downtown – This lovely property is located a little walk out of central Dublin, close to St Stephen’s Green. It’s the perfect place for those looking for somewhere nice without breaking the bank.
Click here to see the latest prices and availability at Leeson Inn Downtown!
Luxury: The Fleet – If you’re looking to treat yourself, this is the place to do so. This 4-star hotel is located in the heart of Dublin and has beautifully decorated rooms.
Click here to book your stay at The Fleet!
Ireland itinerary day 3: Cork
After exploring Dublin, it’s time to hit the road and start your proper Ireland road trip! Irish country roads can be a bit winding, but they’re usually well paved and marked, which makes driving in Ireland fairly easy.
The drive from Dublin to Cork will take almost 3 hours so make sure to set off nice and early, so you can spend the majority of day 3 exploring Cork and surroundings.
Do a food tour
As part of the TBEX conference we did a food tour in and around Cork.
I loved the opportunity as it’s not something I would normally do, but it was actually a great experience and fun chance to learn both about the cuisine and history of the area.
We went to a variety of markets, pubs and restaurants, sampling all sorts of food from scotch eggs to seaweed. We even went to a smokehouse to see how salmon is smoked and to try some samples.
If you arrive in Cork around lunch it’s a great way to kick off your time in Cork! In Cork there is also an awesome English food market, find out more about it here.
Click here to book your food tour in Cork!
Explore the streets of Cork
I actually didn’t get to Cork till after it was dark and I left early on the following day which was a shame. We wandered around the centre of Cork and the streets are beautiful, which made me wish I had longer there.
You can walk along the central streets and along the river of Cork, admiring the architecture, colours and the recognisable silhouette of Saint Fin Barre’s Cathedral.
Visit Blarney Castle & Blarney Stone
Blarney Castle is a medieval stronghold just outside Cork. It was built by the MacCarthy of Muskerry dynasty and dates back to 1446. Blarney Castle is also home to the famous Blarney Stone.
The Blarney Stone is a block of carboniferous limestone built into the battlements of Blarney Castle, and according to legend kissing the stone will give you the “gift of the gab” – meaning you will never be lost for words.
The castle itself is beautiful and stands out from the greenery that surrounds it. It’s an impressive place to see even if you don’t have a huge interest in history.
If you want to stay in Cork longer find out how to spend a weekend there here.
Where to stay in Cork
Budget: Sheilas Tourist Hostel – We were there on a Friday night which meant getting woken up at 3am by our loud and drunk neighbours down the hall but overall it’s not a bad hostel; it’s clean, has spacious lockers, is in a great location in the centre of Cork and good value for money.
Click here to see prices and availability at Sheilas Tourist Hostel!
Mid-range: Ashley Hotel – This modest hotel is perfect for those looking for something more private than a hostel, but without breaking the bank. It’s cosy and in a very good location in Cork.
Click here to book your stay at Ashley Hotel!
Luxury: Imperial Hotel Cork City – This beautiful hotel is the perfect place for those looking for a luxury stay. The rooms and common areas are elegantly decorated, as well as a prime central location so you can easily walk to all the main attractions in Cork.
Click here to see the latest prices and availability at Imperial Hotel Cork City!
Ireland itinerary day 4 & 5: Killarney
The drive from Cork to Killarney is only around 1.5 hours so you can take your time on day 4. Maybe spend a bit longer exploring the centre of Cork if you didn’t get a chance on the previous day.
I was in Killarney for TBEX, but was able to get out of the conference to explore a bit of the town and surroundings. Killarney National Park is beautiful and a must-see for outdoors fans.
After Dublin and Cork I figured you might want to spend a bit longer in Killarney to chill after the long drives but also enjoy the nature here.
Explore Killarney National Park
Killarney National Park was the first national park of Ireland and is now a place of high ecological value, thanks to the quality and diversity of its habitats.
With its 100 square kilometres it’s a pretty huge national park and understandably there are many points of interest in the park. My favourite was Torc Waterfall.
We walked from Killarney town centre to Torc Waterfall. Most of the walk was through the park and was beautiful and scenic.
We were unlucky as it was a grey day and the view from above the waterfall was quite cloudy, but it’s meant to be epic.
You can easily spend days just wandering around the park, soaking in the greenery and switching off from reality. I don’t want you to get lost but do give yourself some time to explore this beautiful place before hitting the road again.
Visit Ross Castle
Ross Castle is a 15th Century tower house and keep in Killarney National Park. It’s located on the edge of Lough Leane, surrounded by beautiful scenery.
It’s open to the public during the summer months. Even if you don’t go inside it’s still an imposing castle and interesting to see even just from outside.
You can admire it from outside or go for an explore inside during your adventures around Killarney National Park.
Click here to book a Ross Castle tour + kayak adventure in Killarney National Park!
Visit Muckross House
Muckross House is a 19th Century mansion with a shop, mansion and working farms. It’s located amongst woodland, mountains and vast green fields and is a beautiful spot to visit.
You can visit the House, the Gardens, the Farms or all the above. It sits on the shores of Muckross Lake, and is a focal point of Killarney National Park.
If you’re looking for more information about Killarney, check out this guide to the best things to do in Killarney.
Where to stay in Killarney
Budget: The Black Sheep Hostel – This cosy hostel has excellent reviews and is in a great central location in Killarney.
Click here to see the latest prices and availability at The Black Sheep Hostel!
Mid-range: The Fairview Boutique Hotel – This elegantly decorated boutique hotel is a bit outside the main hustle and bustle of Killarney, where you can enjoy a relaxing stay without spending too much.
Click here to book your stay at The Fairview Boutique Hotel!
Luxury: Aghadoe Heights Hotel & Spa – This beautiful property is a bit outside Killarney, but is the perfect place to stay if you want to soak in the nature of this part of Ireland.
Click here to see the latest prices and availability at Aghadoe Heights Hotel & Spa!
Ireland itinerary day 6: Cliffs of Moher
The Cliffs of Moher are one of the most famous landmarks and tourist attractions of Ireland. They also hold the title of Irelands “Most Visited Natural Tourist Attraction”.
You won’t need a full day to visit the Cliffs of Moher, but you can easily visit them on the drive from Killarney to Galway. The drive from Killarney to the Cliffs of Moher will take around 2.5 hours.
We were there on a really cloudy day and when we finally arrived at the cliffs of Moher we were greeted by a huge grey cloud. The clouds were so low you almost couldn’t even see the cliffs.
Fortunately there is a nice museum and café at the cliffs, where we spent a bit of time learning about the history of the cliffs while waiting for the mist to lift up. The cliffs are 8km long and at their highest point reach 214m.
The views over the sea are incredible and being so high up over it really has a way of making you feel the power of nature. We spent a bit of time exploring the cliffs and then hopped back in our car enroute to Galway.
Ireland itinerary day 6 & 7: Galway
It will take you about an hour and a half to get to Galway from the Cliffs of Moher, and the drive this time is very scenic, with some of the final roads having views over the sea.
Galway is the final stop in your Southern Ireland road trip. After Galway you could either go back to Dublin or head over to Northern Ireland for more Irish adventures!
Galway Cathedral
The Cathedral of Our Lady Assumed into Heaven and St Nicholas, also known as Galway Cathedral, is one of the largest and most famous buildings in Galway. It’s a Roman Catholic cathedral that you can visit.
It won’t take you long to visit it, but no trip to Galway would be complete without it.
Explore Galway town centre
You’ve probably realised it by now, but I simply love just walking around cities without a specific goal in mind. Galway was one of my favourite places to do that.
The town centre is really cute and quaint, and there was an incredible atmosphere.
There were street performers at every corner, competing for the attention of the casual passersby, which added to the liveliness of Galway. The main cobbles streets were simply adorable, lined with colourful pubs and shops.
Find a cosy pub for dinner, and get ready for a lively night in the pubs of Galway!
Where to stay in Galway
Budget: Galway City Hostel – This hostel won the prize in 2020 for the best hostel in Ireland. Need I say anything else? It’s clean, spacious and offers plenty of social opportunities.
Check out the latest prices and availability at Galway City Hostel here!
Mid-range: Angela’s Bed & Breakfast – This cosy BnB is perfect for a homely stay. It has very good reviews and is located in a great location, close to all the main attractions in Galway.
Book your stay at Angela’s Bed & Breakfast here!
Luxury: Harbour Hotel – Located along the harbour, this modern hotel has everything you need to relax at the end of a long days driving.
Click here to book your stay at Harbour Hotel!
Final thoughts on our Ireland 7-day itinerary
Have you been to Ireland before? How did you find it? Let me know in the comments below!
While this isn’t the exact itinerary I followed it’s based on my own trips to Ireland, and is the one I would follow if I were to spend again 7 days in Ireland.
If you’re planning a road trip to Ireland these are the main tourist attractions, and are considered the best things to see in the country, so make sure you don’t miss them!
I hope you find this guide useful in planning your 7-day Ireland road trip itinerary!
If you’re planning to spend longer in Ireland check out this 2-week road trip Ireland itinerary or this guide to spending a long weekend in Northern Ireland!
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