Best Places to Visit in Ireland

Ireland is one of those countries where the journey between places can be just as beautiful as the destination itself. Green hills filled with sheep, tiny villages, dramatic cliffs, castles, wild beaches.

While Dublin is definitely worth visiting, I wouldn't come to Ireland and only see the capital. For me, the real magic of Ireland is outside the city.

Here are the places and experiences I think deserve a spot on your Ireland itinerary.

See the Cliffs of Moher

If there is one natural landmark you absolutely have to see in Ireland, make it the Cliffs of Moher. Rising dramatically above the Atlantic Ocean on Ireland's west coast, the cliffs are exactly the kind of wild landscape you imagine when you picture Ireland.

There are several viewpoints and walking paths along the cliffs, so don't just arrive, take a photo, and leave. Give yourself around two hours to properly explore the area.

And here's something I didn't realize at first – you can see puffins here too! More on that later.

My tip: Try to visit early in the morning or later in the afternoon. The busiest period is generally between 11 AM and 4 PM, so visiting outside those hours can make a huge difference.

Meet and Pet Irish Lambs

This might sound like a slightly random addition to a list of Ireland's must-do experiences, but hear me out.

You will see sheep absolutely everywhere while driving through the Irish countryside, and visiting a working sheep farm gives you the chance to experience that part of rural Ireland properly.

Depending on the farm and season, some experiences include meeting lambs, watching sheepdogs at work, learning about traditional sheep farming, and sometimes bottle-feeding young lambs. If cuddling or feeding lambs is specifically what you want to do, spring is the season to aim for, as this is when you'll have the best chance of seeing very young lambs. Always check what a particular farm is offering before visiting, as animal experiences naturally change throughout the year.

It's definitely one of the more unusual things to do in Ireland – and probably one of the cutest.

You can look into Kissane Sheep Farm (County Kerry) or Caherconnell Stone Fort & Sheepdog Demonstrations (County Clare) depending on which one is on your way.

Drive the Ring of Kerry

If you're planning an Irish road trip, the Ring of Kerry should be very high on your list. This famous scenic route takes you through mountains, lakes, beaches, small villages, and some incredible viewpoints around the Iveragh Peninsula.

The actual driving is part of the experience here. Stop whenever you see a viewpoint you like, explore the little towns along the route, and don't try to rush through it just to say you've completed the Ring.

Note about driving - be prepared for narrow roads. I expected the roads in Ireland to be quite good, and while the quality was very good in most places, I was surprised by how narrow the main roads between big cities are. It adds time to your trip, and some smaller roads can be quite adventurous.

Explore Killarney National Park

While you're in County Kerry, spend some time in Killarney National Park. The scenery here feels like classic Ireland – mountains, forests, lakes, waterfalls, and historic estates all in one place.

One of the most recognizable spots is Ross Castle, sitting beside Lough Leane. You can also visit Torc Waterfall and explore some of the beautiful viewpoints around the lakes. Killarney works particularly well because you can combine the national park with the Ring of Kerry rather than planning a completely separate trip.

Drive the Dingle Peninsula

If you like scenic road trips, add the Dingle Peninsula as well. The coastline here is absolutely beautiful, with cliffs, beaches, green hills, stone walls, and roads winding beside the Atlantic.

The town of Dingle itself is also worth stopping in. It's colorful, compact, and has that small Irish-town atmosphere many people hope to find when visiting Ireland.

If you visit the Dingle Peninsula, make sure to check out the Dunquin Pier as well.

If you have enough time, I wouldn't choose between Dingle and the Ring of Kerry – I would do both.

See Puffins in Ireland

This deserves its own section because if seeing puffins is on your Ireland bucket list, timing matters. Puffins spend most of their lives at sea and only return to land during their breeding season. At the Cliffs of Moher, they begin arriving around the end of March and generally stay until mid-July. May and June are considered the best months to see them. The Cliffs of Moher are therefore one of the easiest places to combine puffin spotting with another major Ireland attraction. The South Platform overlooking Goat Island is considered the best viewing area there.

So if you're visiting Ireland in autumn or winter specifically hoping to see puffins, unfortunately, you shouldn't expect them to be waiting on the cliffs.

Spend Some Time in Dublin

Of course, you shouldn't completely skip Dublin. Ireland's capital deserves at least a couple of days, particularly if it's your first trip. Some of the highlights include Trinity College, the Book of Kells, Temple Bar, and the Guinness Storehouse.

I won't go into all of them here because I have a separate Best Things to Do in Dublin guide covering exactly what I think is worth seeing and doing in the city.

If you're visiting Ireland for the first time, don't make the mistake of spending your entire trip in Dublin. See the capital, but then get out into the countryside. Drive along the west coast, stand above the Atlantic at the Cliffs of Moher, see sheep dotted across ridiculously green fields, look for puffins, explore tiny towns, and take the scenic route whenever you can.

FAQ: Visiting Ireland

How many days do you need in Ireland?

For a first trip to Ireland, I would recommend at least 7 days. This gives you enough time to see Dublin and explore some of the countryside and west coast without spending your entire holiday in the car.

What are the must-see places in Ireland for first-time visitors?

For a first trip, I would prioritize Dublin, the Cliffs of Moher, and the Ring of Kerry.

What is the best month to visit Ireland?

July and August are popular for a reason, but expect more visitors and higher accommodation prices. But from my experience, I would definitely pick August again, as it was already a bit cold and rainy some days.

When can you see puffins in Ireland?

Puffins return to Ireland's coastal cliffs for breeding season in spring and early summer. At the Cliffs of Moher, they can generally be seen from late March until around mid-July, with May and June among the best months for sightings. Outside the breeding season, puffins spend most of their time at sea.

Where is the best place to see puffins in Ireland?

The Cliffs of Moher are one of the easiest places to look for puffins while visiting Ireland because you can combine wildlife spotting with one of the country's most famous attractions. Other important puffin locations include the Saltee Islands off County Wexford and islands along Ireland's Atlantic coast.

Do you need a car to travel around Ireland?

You can visit Dublin and travel between some of Ireland's larger towns and cities without a car, but I would recommend renting one if you want to explore the countryside. Many of Ireland's most beautiful viewpoints, beaches, small villages, and scenic routes are much easier to reach by car.

Is driving in Ireland difficult for tourists?

Driving in Ireland is generally manageable, but remember that traffic drives on the left. Rural roads can also be surprisingly narrow, particularly along scenic coastal routes. Don't judge driving times purely by distance – a relatively short journey can take longer than expected.

Is the Cliffs of Moher worth visiting?

Yes. The Cliffs of Moher are touristy, but they are still one of Ireland's most impressive natural attractions. I would try to visit earlier or later in the day when possible and allow enough time to walk beyond the main viewing area rather than simply stopping for a quick photograph.

Is Ireland expensive to visit?

Ireland can be an expensive European destination, particularly when it comes to accommodation in popular areas. Dublin and the busiest tourist destinations tend to cost the most. Booking accommodation early, traveling outside July and August, and exploring smaller towns can help keep the overall cost down.

Is Northern Ireland part of Ireland?

Geographically, Northern Ireland is on the island of Ireland, but politically it is part of the United Kingdom. The Republic of Ireland is a separate country. This is important to understand if your itinerary includes places such as Belfast or Giant's Causeway.