Top 3 road trip routes (Northern) Ireland
- 24 hours ago
- 9 min read
Updated: 2 hours ago
Ireland is known as one of the world’s best destinations for road trips. The island's compact size, stunning variety of landscapes, and excellent (though often winding) road network connect vibrant cities with remote coastal gems, creating versatile and exciting Ireland road trip routes, of which I will share 3 with you in this blog!
The island’s ever-changing scenery, from dramatic cliffs plunging into the Atlantic to emerald hills with ancient castles and colorful harbors keep surprising me and make each trip feel both adventurous and relaxing.
I just came back from my 8th Ireland visit, in which I had the pleasure to revisit Cork county and was blown away again by its beauty and diversity on a road trip from Cork.
Also during this trip it was yet again evident that Ireland has the most friendly people you'll ever meet, delicious food in atmospheric restaurants and the most unique and historic accommodations.
That's what made me fall (even more) in love with Southwest Ireland, and is also what makes this county and the Wild Atlantic Way extra special!
Discover my top 3 road trip routes of Ireland in this blog, from Cork's vibrant charm to the rugged Wild Atlantic Way and Northern Ireland's mythic coast.
What makes Ireland perfect for road trips?
So far I visited 3 regions and several cities, and found that Ireland’s roads offer an intimacy with nature and culture that larger countries often lack.
Despite driving on the left, which takes some getting used to, Ireland is very accessible for international travelers. With direct short-haul flights from major European cities, such as Amsterdam to Cork, Dublin or Belfast in about 75-90 minutes.
Car rental is easy and straightforward offered at all airports and in many city centers, with major companies offering a wide selection of vehicles. If you choose a compact automatic, especially if you’re not used to manuals or left-side driving, this will reduce stress on narrow, winding lanes lined with hedgerows.
I can also recommend to always go for full insurance, including collision damage waiver, and consider roadside assistance.
If you practice driving on the left in a quiet area upon pickup, yield to traffic from the right on roundabouts, stay vigilant at junctions, and drive at a relaxed pace, you will get the hang of it fast!
Ireland’s road trip appeal lies in its freedom and flexibility: pull over for spontaneous hikes, chat with friendly locals in cozy pubs, and immerse yourself in history all around. The mild climate, especially in shoulder seasons, enhances the experience with soft light and fewer crowds.
Here are the top 3 must-do road trip routes, each combining natural beauty, rich heritage, and warm hospitality. All key stops and routes are included on this custom Google map with my own highlights and the restaurants and hotels I stayed at pinned to make your planning super easy!
Read on to explore the best road trip routes throughout Ireland with ease with my tips, all based on my own experiences and with many of my own pictures of these 3 Irish road trip adventures.
Top 3 Road Trip Routes Ireland
1. County Cork Road Trip – Southwest Ireland: Colorful towns, dramatic cliffs & hidden gems (5+ days)
Cork, Ireland’s second-largest city and self-proclaimed 'real capital' is the perfect starting point. Cork is a vibrant cultural hub with a thriving food scene along the river Lee. Also known as the Food Capital of Ireland.
When in Cork:
Explore its quaint and colorful streets, cute alleys and the photogenic bridges
Admire St. Fin Barre’s Cathedral
Visit the English Market (since 1788), a beautiful food hall with local cheeses, meats, clothing shops and artisanal goods
Join an e-bike tour with Beyond the glass adventure tours to discover more hidden gems
And end with a memorable 6-course vegetarian meal full of flavor at Paradiso Cork, you'll thank me later!
But of course we also rented a car to explore even more of the county departing from Cork. Our 5-day route combined colorful towns, dramatic nature, cliffs and rich history!
Practical tips for starting this route:
Fly into Cork Airport in just 90 minutes from Amsterdam
Rent a (smaller automat) car there or in the city (book ahead in peak season)
Practice driving left in quiet areas and with lighter traffic
Stock up on road trip goodies at the English Market
Fuel up and prepare for variable weather
And download offline maps for remote areas
Calculate extra time for narrow rural roads, which are beautiful but I can recommended to take it slow on these and stop often for those photo opps and amazing views!
Day 1 Cork City: As mentioned above, plus optional Cork City Goal and Blarney Castle nearby. Recommended to stay at The Dean, stylish hotel with Spa and brilliant in-house restaurant Sophie's, located in Cork’s Victorian Quarter.
Find even more tips for a longer stay in this buzzing city in this Cork article.
Day 2 Beara Peninsula & Dursey Island: Drive from Cork to the Beara Peninsula in about 2,5 hours (the longest stretch of 147 km). Take Ireland’s only cable car (from 1969) to hike wild Dursey Island.
Drive to Glengarriff (approx. 1 hour, 55 km) and take the harbour queen ferry boat at Glengarriff pier to spot seals and visit Garnish Island’s gardens, just 15 minutes away.
Recommended to stay at historic Spa hotel Eccles Hotel (from 1745) in Glengarriff, with excellent in-house restaurant and stunning views right upon the lake!
Day 3 Mizen Head & West Cork: From Glengarriff to Mizen Head (approx. 1 hour, 60 km). Explore Ireland’s most southwesterly point with its unique bridge, lighthouse and rugged views of the Atlantic Ocean.
Continue to Skibbereen (about 55 minutes and 48 km from Mizen Head) for a small-scale Toe Head clifftop hike with the lovely Conor of Gormu Hiking Tours, a unique experience that should not be missed here! Recommended to stay at West Cork Hotel in Skibbereen, with atmospheric in-house restaurant and bar.
Day 4 Baltimore & Kinsale: From Skibbereen to Baltimore Beacon and onward to Kinsale (roughly 2 hours and 97 km).
Admire the Baltimore Beacon (from 1848), explore Kinsale’s colorful streets, quaint harbor, nearby beaches, and the impressive Charles Fort (from 1682).
When in Kinsale a tour with Kinsale Food Tours is highly recommended to discover the local delicacies and sample seafood at the best spots in town.
And a stay at Trident Hotel in Kinsale’s harbor is a great choice too for a good location, nice rooms, free parking and great in-house restaurant and bar.
Day 5 Cobh: From Kinsale to Cobh (approx. 50 minutes, 47 km). Wander the vibrant harbor town with its Titanic related history. Take a guided tour with the knowledgeable Mike of Titanic Trail Tour to learn more about this, visit the Titanic Experience and admire the colorful buildings.
The stunning pier, cathedral, many viewpoints and the colorful 'Deck of Cards houses' make this town extra photogenic! From here the return to Cork airport is about 25–30 minutes.
This route captures West Cork’s diversity, from untamed peninsulas and islands to charming ports and colorful towns, ideal for photographers and food lovers. Also here we stayed at many unique hotels along the route, like The Dean Cork, the historic Eccles Hotel, the quaint West Cork Hotel and the stylish Trident Hotel in Kinsale harbor, which I can all highly recommend!
For more Cork tips and other stops throughout the county: check this Cork County article from 9 years ago, which is still relevant. And also find the restaurants we sampled on this road trip via this custom Google map with all our favourite stops.
2. Northwest Ireland: Wild Atlantic Way highlights (5-6+ days)
The Wild Atlantic Way covers more than 2,600 km, 1 of the world’s longest coastal routes. We only drove half of it in 5,5 days, but you can easily spend 2-3 weeks if you want to explore the whole route. Its northwest stretch features raw landscapes rivaling Iceland or Scotland with towering cliffs, mountains, and winding roads through peat bogs and woodlands.
Key highlights along this route:
Slieve League Cliffs, Europe’s highest at 600 meters
Kylemore Abbey with its Victorian gardens against mountain backdrops
Beautiful Connemara National Park with great hiking routes
Vibrant cities like Sligo and Galway for live music, great seafood and city vibes
And colorful and quaint towns like Westport and Letterkenny
Additional stops: Aesleagh Falls, Glenveagh National Park, Fanad Head Lighthouse, Arranmore Island, Ben Bulbin and Lough Key Forest Park.
Get an impression through this gallery with many of my own pictures:
Practical tips for starting this route:
You can drive to the northwest from Dublin in a few hours or fly directly to Ireland West Airport (Knock) for example from Groningen, to start in the heart of it all
Rent a smaller automat car at the airport
Fuel up and prepare for variable weather
Driving times vary with scenery e.g., Clifden to Kylemore Abbey (20 minutes), Clifden to Westport (1 hour 10 minutes via main roads, longer scenic)
Build in extra hours for scenic stops.
The route rewards slow travel with adventures, quaint sites, lovely encounters and unique accommodations along the route like Rathmullan House, Kilronan Castle, Renvyle House Hotel or Drumhierney Woodland Hideaway, which I can all recommend!
For more lovely sites and the restaurants we sampled on this road trip check my custom Google map with all our favourite stops.
3. Northern Ireland’s Causeway Coastal Route (3+ days) Game of Thrones landscapes & vibrant history
Belfast, Northern Ireland’s capital has a unique urban energy with easy coastal access. The city offers rich history, attractions, and a renowned music scene.
When in Belfast;
Explore the Cathedral Quarter with pubs like the Dirty Onion and the Duke of York for live sessions
Admire Belfast City Hall and Park, also recommended to book a tour of the town halls
Visit Queen's college and the Botanic Gardens
Take a trip up to Belfast Castle, located just on the edge of the city
Join a Black Cab tour of murals and the Peace Wall
A visit to the Titanic Belfast is a must here
Go shopping at the historic St George's Market
And a stylish afternoon tea at The Merchant Hotel should not be missed either!
Get a taste of the beauty and diversity of the city through this gallery:
The city’s vibrance, music, friendly people, great restaurants and green surroundings make it an ideal base to combine a city trip with exploring the rest of the North of Ireland.
Stay at The Harrison Boutique Hotel or the 5 star icon The Merchant Belfast if you want to experience the city in style. For more Belfast tips: check out this Belfast Instagrammable city trip article from several years ago, which is also still very useful.
Practical tips for starting this route:
There are quite some direct flights to Belfast City or International Airport, just 75 minutes from Amsterdam
Rent a smaller car at the airport and practice in lighter traffic
Fuel up and prepare for variable weather
Keep in mind that they use GBP currency in Northern Ireland
Build in extra hours for scenic stops
Recommended to book sites like Titanic Belfast in advance online.
The Causeway Coastal Route highlights are:
Giant’s Causeway, drive there from Belfast in little over an hour (approx. 1 hour 5–15 minutes direct, up to 2+ hours scenic coastal, 90 km): a must-visit UNESCO site with 40,000 basalt columns formed 60 million years ago.
Dunluce Castle, located very near the Giant's Causeway: historic clifftop ruins seen in the Game of Thrones series
Carrick-a-Rede Rope Bridge, short drive from the Causeway area (15–20 minutes): a spectacular 20 meter long and 30 meter high rope bridge in a lovely clifftop setting
Dark Hedges nearby, usually just 15–30 minutes between key stops: famous tree lane from the Game of Thrones series.
Stay tip in the north: Bushmills Inn for cozy charm and a great in-house restaurant near the coast.
All main sites are reachable within 1-1,5 hours from Belfast, perfect for day trips or extensions. Total coastal driving for highlights is manageable in a day with stops.
After this you can return to Belfast for direct flights and easily drop the rental at the airport.
If you have more time to spare, check out this Northern Ireland article for a more extensive Northern Ireland route from our trip 7 years ago. And for even more interesting stops along the route check my custom Google map with all our favourite stops in the north.
Why these routes are must-dos & final tips
These routes showcase Ireland’s diversity: Cork county’s southern charm, the northwest’s Atlantic drama, and Northern Ireland’s mythic coast. The friendly people, hearty food, pure and rugged beauty and historic stays explain my many repeat visits;)
General Ireland road trip tips:
Drive conservatively on narrow roads, respect speeds, and embrace detours
Shoulder seasons balance weather and bring fewer crowds
Pack binoculars, rain gear, layers, your camera, and good walking shoes
Support local businesses for sustainability
Fuel up regularly in the smaller towns for the best rates
Use apps like Google Maps alongside your custom itinerary
and make sure to download the offline map in advance for more remote areas.
Find even more inspiration on my Ireland page and do connect with me on social media content via the links below for daily inspiration.
I hope that you can use these 3 unique road trip routes in Ireland, my travel tips and custom Google map as a guide on your own unforgettable road trip adventure, as the Emerald Isle never disappoints.
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