7 Days in Ireland: The Ultimate Road Trip Itinerary

Ireland is the land of leprechauns, lush green landscapes, wild cliffs, rainbows and drizzling rain. If you enjoy driving, one week is enough to explore a significant part of the island and still leave some time for the capital.

27 August 2026 · by Krisztofer & Dávid · 5 min read

Sea cliffs next to the water covered with green grass

Ireland is the land of leprechauns, lush green landscapes, wild cliffs, rainbows and drizzling rain. It is also the home of Guinness, excellent whiskey, dairy products and potatoes. And while Ireland is one of Europe’s most developed countries, it is also a place with a fascinating, almost vanished language – and rather steep prices.

If you want to see more than just Dublin, you could easily spend weeks here. But if you enjoy driving, one week is enough to explore a significant part of the island and still leave some time for the capital.

This itinerary is designed for a road trip. Public transport can also get you to many of these places, but you should plan for more time. Driving is easy enough in Ireland, although the left-hand traffic takes some getting used to at first.

Day 1 – Dublin to Galway

After arriving in Dublin, pick up your rental car and cross the country towards the west. The motorway journey takes around two hours – enough time to get used to driving on the left.

Spend two nights in Galway. If you still have some time in the evening, take a walk through the city and have dinner. Otherwise, there will be plenty of time for Galway the following evening.

Day 2 – Cliffs of Moher and The Burren

Start with Dunguaire Castle, a partly ruined 16th-century castle on the shore of Galway Bay.

Then continue to the Cliffs of Moher, Ireland’s most famous natural formation. The almost vertical cliffs stretch for 14 kilometres along the Atlantic coast and rise more than 200 metres above the sea in places. A long walking trail follows the coast, offering views of the cliffs from different directions.

From here, head east into The Burren, a limestone landscape that looks almost like a stone desert.

Among the places worth visiting are Cahermore Fort, the ancient Poulnabrone Dolmen, Corcomroe Abbey and Hazel Mountain Chocolate, where locally produced milk, honey and other ingredients are used to make chocolate.

Back in Galway, start your evening at Eyre Square and walk through William Street and High Street into the Latin Quarter. Have fish & chips at McDonagh’s, then wash it down with a Guinness at Tigh Neachtain.

Line of sea cliffs next to the water covered with grass on sunny day — Cliffs of Moher

Stack of ancient stone slabs forming a gate in the middle of a grass covered limestone field on a cloudy day — Poulnabrone Dolmen

Ruined Irish church from the inside — Corcomreo Abbey

Pedestrian street of a town with people walking around under hanging Irish flags on a cloudy evening — Pedestrian street in Galway

Day 3 – Dingle Peninsula

Start early with a hearty breakfast, because this will be a long driving day.

Stop at Adare and the Blennerville Windmill before reaching Dingle. The town is best approached through Connor Pass, where a wonderful panorama opens up.

In Dingle, have lunch at The Fish Box and try their excellent seafood. Then continue along Ceann Trá Beach, Blaskets View and Cé Dhun Chaoin / Dunquin Pier before heading to your accommodation in County Kerry.

Big white windmill — Blennerville Windmill

Triangular sea cliffs in the water pictured from above with a narrow concrete path — Cé Dhun Chaoin / Dunquin Pier

Day 4 – Killarney National Park

Start with Ladies’ View, offering a wonderful panorama over Killarney National Park. Continue to Muckross House, then, if you are up for a hike, climb Torc Mountain. The 360-degree panorama from the top is worth every bit of effort.

After a short break in Killarney, continue towards Gap of Dunloe. The road through the pass is narrow – sometimes only one car fits – so you will have to cooperate with oncoming traffic. If you skipped Torc Mountain, the pass can also be explored on foot.

Valley with a small lake and half dried yellowish grass pictured from a viewing point — Ladies' View

Blue lake pictured from the top of a mountain with yellowish vegetation in the foreground — View from the top of Torc Mountain

Wooden path leading down from a small mountain between yellowish, autoumn pasture — The way down from the top of Torc Mountain

Gap between two small mountains with a stream and small rock in it — Gap of Dunloe

Day 5 – Ring of Kerry

The Ring of Kerry is one of Ireland’s best-known tourist routes, circling the Kerry Peninsula. Its fame comes mainly from its natural beauty, scenic viewpoints, charming villages and pleasant beaches.

Start in Kenmare, then continue to Derrynane, Ballinskelligs and the Kerry Cliffs, the little sister of the Cliffs of Moher. Have lunch in Portmagee before crossing to Valentia Island and driving up Geokaun Mountain for the panorama, and for the Fogher Cliffs.

Sea cliffs stretching along the water with no vegetation in them — Fogher Cliffs

If time and energy allow, continue around the peninsula. Otherwise, turn back and return to your accommodation.

Day 6 – Cork, Cobh and Rock of Cashel

Leave Kerry and head towards Cork. Cork is Ireland’s second-largest city and easy to explore on foot. Walk along the River Lee and St. Patrick’s Street, visit The English Market, and have a coffee or lunch in town.

Continue to Cobh, an important harbour town. Walk up West View Street for the colourful terraced houses and enjoy the iconic view towards St. Colman’s Cathedral.

Huge gothic church next to the sea with colourful terraced houses in the foreground — St. Colman's Cathedral

Finally, stop at the Rock of Cashel, the ruins of a Gothic cathedral built on a limestone rock. After Cashel, there are still around two hours of driving to Dublin, where you will spend the night.

Day 7 – Dublin

Leave the car at your accommodation and explore Dublin on foot.

Start with breakfast at Bread 41, then visit Trinity College Library and the Book of Kells. Cross the River Liffey, see The Spire and walk across the Ha’Penny Bridge into Temple Bar.

Ceiling of a library covered with wood — Trinity College Library

Continue towards St. Stephen’s Green and the Little Museum of Dublin. In the afternoon, visit the Guinness brewery or a whiskey distillery such as Pearse Lyons.

Finish the day with dinner at The Winding Stair or The Celt, followed by a drink at Mulligan’s, which has been open since 1782. Then take an evening walk to the modern Samuel Beckett Bridge.