{"id":10653,"date":"2025-07-05T23:55:05","date_gmt":"2025-07-05T20:55:05","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/staging.altervan.com\/2025\/07\/05\/ireland-road-trip-7-days\/"},"modified":"2026-07-29T21:13:39","modified_gmt":"2026-07-29T18:13:39","slug":"ireland-road-trip-7-days","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/staging.altervan.com\/en\/journal\/ireland-road-trip-7-days\/","title":{"rendered":"Ireland Road Trip: 7 Days Around the Best of the Island"},"content":{"rendered":"<p>If there is one country that embodies the wild beauty of nature, the magic of legends and the authenticity of its people, it&#8217;s Ireland. A journey that passes impressive cliffs rising above the Atlantic Ocean, lively cities, mystical abbeys and villages that seem to have stopped time a few centuries ago. It&#8217;s not simply a destination \u2013 it&#8217;s an experience. The best way to discover Ireland is to go all the way around it. Ireland has it all. For starters, Dublin. A lively, welcoming city with rich history, lovely people and a warm atmosphere that enchants every visitor. But don&#8217;t stop there. Ireland will thrill you as you explore its nature and its other cities too. Below you&#8217;ll find all the little gems waiting for you if you choose it.<\/p>\n<p>Not with checklists and rushing. But with the mood to lose yourself in its streets, to stop wherever your eye is drawn, and to feel the rhythm of a place that knows how to tell stories.<\/p>\n<figure id=\"attachment_8606\" aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-8606\" style=\"width: 1200px\" class=\"wp-caption alignnone\"><img fetchpriority=\"high\" fetchpriority=\"high\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"size-full wp-image-8606\" src=\"https:\/\/staging.altervan.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/07\/ireland-tranquil-lake-valley-glendalough.jpg\" alt=\"\u03a4\u03bf\u03c0\u03af\u03bf \u03c3\u03c4\u03b7 \u03bb\u03af\u03bc\u03bd\u03b7 \u03c4\u03bf\u03c5 \u0393\u03ba\u03bb\u03ad\u03bd\u03c4\u03b1\u03bb\u03bf\u03c7, \u0399\u03c1\u03bb\u03b1\u03bd\u03b4\u03af\u03b1 \u2013 \u03c6\u03c5\u03c3\u03b9\u03ba\u03ae \u03bf\u03bc\u03bf\u03c1\u03c6\u03b9\u03ac, \u03b2\u03bf\u03c5\u03bd\u03ac \u03ba\u03b1\u03b9 \u03bf\u03bc\u03af\u03c7\u03bb\u03b7.\" width=\"1200\" height=\"675\" srcset=\"https:\/\/staging.altervan.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/07\/ireland-tranquil-lake-valley-glendalough.jpg 1200w, https:\/\/staging.altervan.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/07\/ireland-tranquil-lake-valley-glendalough-300x169.jpg 300w, https:\/\/staging.altervan.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/07\/ireland-tranquil-lake-valley-glendalough-1024x576.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/staging.altervan.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/07\/ireland-tranquil-lake-valley-glendalough-768x432.jpg 768w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 1200px) 100vw, 1200px\" \/><figcaption id=\"caption-attachment-8606\" class=\"wp-caption-text\">Ireland needs no filters \u2013 its natural serenity wins you over from the very first minute.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<h2>Dublin \u2013 Kick-off with music, castles, beers and pubs<\/h2>\n<p>The heart of Ireland beats in Dublin. A city full of energy, history, authentic Irish character and pubs. In fact, Dublin has more pubs than there are days in the year! The Irish capital has over 750 pubs, and every single one has its own distinct story. The highlight: the famous Temple Bar. It&#8217;s not just a pub, but a whole neighbourhood full of traditional Irish music, Guinness and endless stories! Ireland&#8217;s capital doesn&#8217;t need much to win you over. A stroll down <strong>Grafton Street<\/strong>, a Guinness at <strong>Temple Bar<\/strong> and a few minutes inside the magical <strong>Long Room Library<\/strong> at <strong>Trinity College<\/strong> are enough to make you realise you&#8217;re in a place that combines culture, life and tradition in every neighbourhood.<\/p>\n<p>Don&#8217;t miss:<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li><strong>Trinity College and the Long Room Library<\/strong>, which transports you to another era with its thousands of old books.<\/li>\n<li><strong>The Guinness Storehouse<\/strong>, where you learn how the most famous beer in the world is made \u2013 and taste it on the top floor, at the panoramic Gravity Bar.<\/li>\n<li><strong>St. Stephen&#8217;s Green and Grafton Street<\/strong>, for beautiful, relaxed strolls against a lush green backdrop and street musicians.<\/li>\n<li>The city&#8217;s colourful doors \u2013 not a touristy Instagram neighbourhood, but a recognisable emblem of Irish culture.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p>That&#8217;s why Dublin is the perfect starting point. To welcome you to Ireland with a wonderful mix of culture and fun. If you want to see the 10 best things you can see and do in Dublin \u2013 <a href=\"https:\/\/staging.altervan.com\/en\/journal\/dublin-10-experiences-things-to-do\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">check out the list of everything worth experiencing in Dublin.<\/a><\/p>\n<figure id=\"attachment_8607\" aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-8607\" style=\"width: 1200px\" class=\"wp-caption alignnone\"><img decoding=\"async\" class=\"size-full wp-image-8607\" src=\"https:\/\/staging.altervan.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/07\/dublin-temple-bar-trinity-college-grafton-street-collage.jpg\" alt=\"\u039a\u03bf\u03bb\u03ac\u03b6 \u03b1\u03c0\u03cc \u03c4\u03bf \u0394\u03bf\u03c5\u03b2\u03bb\u03af\u03bd\u03bf \u03bc\u03b5 \u03c4\u03bf Temple Bar, \u03c4\u03b7 \u03b2\u03b9\u03b2\u03bb\u03b9\u03bf\u03b8\u03ae\u03ba\u03b7 Trinity College \u03ba\u03b1\u03b9 \u03c4\u03b7 Grafton Street.\" width=\"1200\" height=\"670\" srcset=\"https:\/\/staging.altervan.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/07\/dublin-temple-bar-trinity-college-grafton-street-collage.jpg 1200w, https:\/\/staging.altervan.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/07\/dublin-temple-bar-trinity-college-grafton-street-collage-300x168.jpg 300w, https:\/\/staging.altervan.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/07\/dublin-temple-bar-trinity-college-grafton-street-collage-1024x572.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/staging.altervan.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/07\/dublin-temple-bar-trinity-college-grafton-street-collage-768x429.jpg 768w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 1200px) 100vw, 1200px\" \/><figcaption id=\"caption-attachment-8607\" class=\"wp-caption-text\">Three moments from Dublin: the colourful Temple Bar, the historic Long Room Library and the lively Grafton Street.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<h2>Heading North: From Belfast to Portrush &#8211; myths and stories carved in stone<\/h2>\n<p>Heading up north is where everything starts to change. Ireland becomes purer, more rugged, more mythical. The route passes through <strong>Belfast<\/strong>, where present and past coexist.<\/p>\n<h2>Exploring Belfast: History, sights and must-see places<\/h2>\n<p>The city with the most intense modern history in Ireland. From the <strong>Belfast Wall<\/strong>, covered in contemporary graffiti and political messages from decades of social tension and reconciliation, to the impressive <strong>Titanic Belfast Museum<\/strong>, where you relive the creation of the Titanic while learning its true story.<\/p>\n<figure id=\"attachment_8608\" aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-8608\" style=\"width: 1200px\" class=\"wp-caption alignnone\"><img decoding=\"async\" class=\"size-full wp-image-8608\" src=\"https:\/\/staging.altervan.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/07\/peace-wall-mural-belfast.jpg\" alt=\"\u03a4\u03bf\u03b9\u03c7\u03bf\u03b3\u03c1\u03b1\u03c6\u03af\u03b1 \u03c3\u03c4\u03bf\u03bd Peace Wall \u03c3\u03c4\u03bf \u039c\u03c0\u03ad\u03bb\u03c6\u03b1\u03c3\u03c4, \u03b1\u03c6\u03b9\u03b5\u03c1\u03c9\u03bc\u03ad\u03bd\u03b7 \u03c3\u03c4\u03b7\u03bd \u03a0\u03b1\u03b3\u03ba\u03cc\u03c3\u03bc\u03b9\u03b1 \u0397\u03bc\u03ad\u03c1\u03b1 \u0395\u03b9\u03c1\u03ae\u03bd\u03b7\u03c2, \u03bc\u03b5 \u03b5\u03b9\u03ba\u03cc\u03bd\u03b5\u03c2 \u03b1\u03c0\u03cc \u03c4\u03b7\u03bd \u03b9\u03c3\u03c4\u03bf\u03c1\u03af\u03b1 \u03ba\u03b1\u03b9 \u03c4\u03b7\u03bd \u03c0\u03bf\u03bb\u03b9\u03c4\u03b9\u03c3\u03c4\u03b9\u03ba\u03ae \u03c4\u03b1\u03c5\u03c4\u03cc\u03c4\u03b7\u03c4\u03b1 \u03c4\u03b7\u03c2 \u03b2\u03cc\u03c1\u03b5\u03b9\u03b1\u03c2 \u0399\u03c1\u03bb\u03b1\u03bd\u03b4\u03af\u03b1\u03c2.\" width=\"1200\" height=\"900\" srcset=\"https:\/\/staging.altervan.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/07\/peace-wall-mural-belfast.jpg 1200w, https:\/\/staging.altervan.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/07\/peace-wall-mural-belfast-300x225.jpg 300w, https:\/\/staging.altervan.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/07\/peace-wall-mural-belfast-1024x768.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/staging.altervan.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/07\/peace-wall-mural-belfast-768x576.jpg 768w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 1200px) 100vw, 1200px\" \/><figcaption id=\"caption-attachment-8608\" class=\"wp-caption-text\">One of the most iconic murals on Belfast&#8217;s Peace Wall celebrates the International Day of Peace and conveys the city&#8217;s history through images and colours.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<p>Don&#8217;t pass by:<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li>St. George&#8217;s Market (a traditional food &amp; crafts market).<\/li>\n<li>Crown Liquor Saloon \u2013 one of the most beautiful pubs on the island.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<figure id=\"attachment_8610\" aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-8610\" style=\"width: 1200px\" class=\"wp-caption alignnone\"><img loading=\"lazy\" loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"size-full wp-image-8610\" src=\"https:\/\/staging.altervan.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/07\/belfast-peace-wall-mental-health-mural.jpg\" alt=\"\u03a4\u03bf\u03b9\u03c7\u03bf\u03b3\u03c1\u03b1\u03c6\u03af\u03b1 \u03c3\u03c4\u03bf \u039c\u03c0\u03ad\u03bb\u03c6\u03b1\u03c3\u03c4 \u03bc\u03b5 \u03bc\u03b7\u03bd\u03cd\u03bc\u03b1\u03c4\u03b1 \u03c8\u03c5\u03c7\u03b9\u03ba\u03ae\u03c2 \u03c5\u03b3\u03b5\u03af\u03b1\u03c2 \u03ba\u03b1\u03b9 \u03b5\u03bb\u03c0\u03af\u03b4\u03b1\u03c2 \u03c3\u03c4\u03bf\u03bd Peace Wall\" width=\"1200\" height=\"400\" srcset=\"https:\/\/staging.altervan.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/07\/belfast-peace-wall-mental-health-mural.jpg 1200w, https:\/\/staging.altervan.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/07\/belfast-peace-wall-mental-health-mural-300x100.jpg 300w, https:\/\/staging.altervan.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/07\/belfast-peace-wall-mental-health-mural-1024x341.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/staging.altervan.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/07\/belfast-peace-wall-mental-health-mural-768x256.jpg 768w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1200px) 100vw, 1200px\" \/><figcaption id=\"caption-attachment-8610\" class=\"wp-caption-text\">A colourful wall in Belfast filled with messages of mental health support, hope and social empathy.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<h2>A Game of Thrones setting in Northern Ireland: Giant&#8217;s Causeway &amp; Dark Hedges<\/h2>\n<p>But the true highlight lies further north: <strong>the Giant&#8217;s Causeway<\/strong>. Thousands of hexagonal stones, perfectly aligned, look as if someone placed them there on purpose. And who knows? The locals will tell you they were built by the giant Finn McCool so he could walk all the way to Scotland. The legend becomes even more alive as you walk across this incredible geological wonder.<\/p>\n<figure id=\"attachment_8611\" aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-8611\" style=\"width: 2560px\" class=\"wp-caption alignnone\"><img loading=\"lazy\" loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"size-full wp-image-8611\" src=\"https:\/\/staging.altervan.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/07\/giants-causeway-northern-ireland-roadtrip-natural-wonder-scaled-1.jpg\" alt=\"B\u03b1\u03c3\u03ac\u03bb\u03c4\u03b5\u03c2 \u03c3\u03c4\u03bf Giant\u2019s Causeway \u03c3\u03c4\u03b7 \u03b2\u03cc\u03c1\u03b5\u03b9\u03b1 \u0399\u03c1\u03bb\u03b1\u03bd\u03b4\u03af\u03b1 \u03bc\u03b5 \u03c4\u03b1\u03be\u03b9\u03b4\u03b9\u03ce\u03c4\u03b5\u03c2 \u03bd\u03b1 \u03c0\u03b5\u03c1\u03c0\u03b1\u03c4\u03bf\u03cd\u03bd \u03b4\u03af\u03c0\u03bb\u03b1 \u03c3\u03c4\u03b7 \u03b8\u03ac\u03bb\u03b1\u03c3\u03c3\u03b1.\" width=\"2560\" height=\"1440\" srcset=\"https:\/\/staging.altervan.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/07\/giants-causeway-northern-ireland-roadtrip-natural-wonder-scaled-1.jpg 2560w, https:\/\/staging.altervan.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/07\/giants-causeway-northern-ireland-roadtrip-natural-wonder-scaled-1-300x169.jpg 300w, https:\/\/staging.altervan.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/07\/giants-causeway-northern-ireland-roadtrip-natural-wonder-scaled-1-1024x576.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/staging.altervan.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/07\/giants-causeway-northern-ireland-roadtrip-natural-wonder-scaled-1-768x432.jpg 768w, https:\/\/staging.altervan.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/07\/giants-causeway-northern-ireland-roadtrip-natural-wonder-scaled-1-1536x864.jpg 1536w, https:\/\/staging.altervan.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/07\/giants-causeway-northern-ireland-roadtrip-natural-wonder-scaled-1-2048x1152.jpg 2048w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 2560px) 100vw, 2560px\" \/><figcaption id=\"caption-attachment-8611\" class=\"wp-caption-text\">The mythical Giant&#8217;s Causeway in Northern Ireland \u2013 a geological wonder and the absolute highlight of any road trip along the Atlantic.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<p>On your way, don&#8217;t miss <strong>The Dark Hedges<\/strong>. It&#8217;s an eerily beautiful road lined with trees that look as if they sprouted straight out of a dark fairytale.<\/p>\n<p>Northern Ireland has something &#8220;wilder&#8221; about it. It&#8217;s not just beautiful \u2013 it&#8217;s almost cinematic.<\/p>\n<figure id=\"attachment_8612\" aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-8612\" style=\"width: 1200px\" class=\"wp-caption alignnone\"><img loading=\"lazy\" loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"size-full wp-image-8612\" src=\"https:\/\/staging.altervan.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/07\/dark-hedges-giants-causeway-northern-ireland-roadtrip-attractions.jpg\" alt=\"\u03a4\u03b1 Dark Hedges \u03ba\u03b1\u03b9 \u03c4\u03bf Giant&apos;s Causeway \u03c3\u03c4\u03b7 \u03b2\u03cc\u03c1\u03b5\u03b9\u03b1 \u0399\u03c1\u03bb\u03b1\u03bd\u03b4\u03af\u03b1, \u03b4\u03cd\u03bf \u03b1\u03c0\u03cc \u03c4\u03b1 \u03c0\u03b9\u03bf \u03b5\u03bc\u03b2\u03bb\u03b7\u03bc\u03b1\u03c4\u03b9\u03ba\u03ac \u03c6\u03c5\u03c3\u03b9\u03ba\u03ac \u03c4\u03bf\u03c0\u03af\u03b1 \u03c4\u03b7\u03c2 \u03c7\u03ce\u03c1\u03b1\u03c2 \u03c3\u03b5 \u03ad\u03bd\u03b1 roadtrip \u03bc\u03b5 \u03b2\u03b1\u03bd.\" width=\"1200\" height=\"1067\" srcset=\"https:\/\/staging.altervan.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/07\/dark-hedges-giants-causeway-northern-ireland-roadtrip-attractions.jpg 1200w, https:\/\/staging.altervan.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/07\/dark-hedges-giants-causeway-northern-ireland-roadtrip-attractions-300x267.jpg 300w, https:\/\/staging.altervan.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/07\/dark-hedges-giants-causeway-northern-ireland-roadtrip-attractions-1024x911.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/staging.altervan.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/07\/dark-hedges-giants-causeway-northern-ireland-roadtrip-attractions-768x683.jpg 768w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1200px) 100vw, 1200px\" \/><figcaption id=\"caption-attachment-8612\" class=\"wp-caption-text\">Dark Hedges &amp; Giant&#8217;s Causeway \u2013 the highlights of any road trip in Ireland.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<h2>Galway \u2013 The cultural heart of Ireland<\/h2>\n<p>Galway is for travellers who love people. It&#8217;s the heart of Irish culture and nature. A relatively small city, brimming with life and culture, with street artists, pubs overflowing with music and lanes you&#8217;ll want to walk again and again. It&#8217;s where the spirit of Ireland lives. Its atmosphere sweeps you away. The <strong>Latin Quarter<\/strong>, with its colourful buildings and passing musicians, feels like a film set. <strong>Eyre Square<\/strong>, always full of life, invites you to sit down and relax.<\/p>\n<figure id=\"attachment_8618\" aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-8618\" style=\"width: 1200px\" class=\"wp-caption alignnone\"><img loading=\"lazy\" loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"size-full wp-image-8618\" src=\"https:\/\/staging.altervan.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/07\/galway-long-walk-colorful-houses-ireland.jpg\" alt=\"\u03a4\u03b1 \u03c0\u03bf\u03bb\u03cd\u03c7\u03c1\u03c9\u03bc\u03b1 \u03c3\u03c0\u03af\u03c4\u03b9\u03b1 \u03c4\u03bf\u03c5 Long Walk \u03c3\u03c4\u03bf Galway, \u0399\u03c1\u03bb\u03b1\u03bd\u03b4\u03af\u03b1, \u03b4\u03af\u03c0\u03bb\u03b1 \u03c3\u03c4\u03b7 \u03b8\u03ac\u03bb\u03b1\u03c3\u03c3\u03b1\" width=\"1200\" height=\"800\" srcset=\"https:\/\/staging.altervan.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/07\/galway-long-walk-colorful-houses-ireland.jpg 1200w, https:\/\/staging.altervan.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/07\/galway-long-walk-colorful-houses-ireland-300x200.jpg 300w, https:\/\/staging.altervan.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/07\/galway-long-walk-colorful-houses-ireland-1024x683.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/staging.altervan.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/07\/galway-long-walk-colorful-houses-ireland-768x512.jpg 768w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1200px) 100vw, 1200px\" \/><figcaption id=\"caption-attachment-8618\" class=\"wp-caption-text\">Galway&#8217;s seaside face, with the colourful houses of the Long Walk in Galway.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<p>More stops:<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li>Galway Cathedral \u2014 simple, imposing and full of calm.<\/li>\n<li>Urlaur Abbey, a little further out, a monument of another era.<\/li>\n<li>The Grian\u00e1n of Aileach, a stone fort on the crest of a hill \u2013 from up there you watch the country spread out before you.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p>&#x2139;&#xfe0f; Ireland has more castles than you could visit in a lifetime! It&#8217;s estimated that there are over 30,000 castles and ruins scattered across the country \u2014 some of them are still inhabited, while others have been turned into hotels or tourist attractions.<\/p>\n<p>Here, Ireland isn&#8217;t just beautiful \u2013 it&#8217;s alive. It wins you over in its own quiet way. In Galway you understand why Ireland is famous for its people. Everyone has something to tell you, everyone is happy to offer you a story and a Guinness.<\/p>\n<h2>Killarney &amp; Ring of Kerry \u2013 Where nature paints<\/h2>\n<p><strong>Killarney<\/strong> is one of Ireland&#8217;s most picturesque towns. Small, traditional and surrounded by lush green landscapes. Everything here flows a little more slowly. Here you&#8217;ll find Ireland&#8217;s first National Park, and <strong>Ross Castle<\/strong>, which stands beside a gorgeous lake, Lough Leane. A stroll and a guided tour there are well worth it. The tower has plenty of stories to tell you.<\/p>\n<p>If I could choose one image to sum up Ireland, it would be <strong>the Ring of Kerry route<\/strong>. The Ring of Kerry is one of Ireland&#8217;s most impressive drives, roughly 179 km long. A route that passes through lush green landscapes, traditional villages and dramatic coastlines. A detour off the route, onto the Skellig Ring, will carry you into the most remote and wild landscapes, with views of the Skellig Islands, where scenes from Star Wars were filmed.<\/p>\n<figure id=\"attachment_8615\" aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-8615\" style=\"width: 1200px\" class=\"wp-caption alignnone\"><img loading=\"lazy\" loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"size-full wp-image-8615\" src=\"https:\/\/staging.altervan.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/07\/skellig-ring-kerry-atlantic-cliffs-ireland.jpg\" alt=\"\u0391\u03b3\u03c1\u03b9\u03b1 \u03b2\u03c1\u03b1\u03c7\u03ce\u03b4\u03b7\u03c2 \u03b1\u03ba\u03c4\u03bf\u03b3\u03c1\u03b1\u03bc\u03bc\u03ae \u03c3\u03c4\u03bf Skellig Ring \u03c3\u03c4\u03b7\u03bd \u0399\u03c1\u03bb\u03b1\u03bd\u03b4\u03af\u03b1 \u03bc\u03b5 \u03ba\u03cd\u03bc\u03b1\u03c4\u03b1 \u03c4\u03bf\u03c5 \u0391\u03c4\u03bb\u03b1\u03bd\u03c4\u03b9\u03ba\u03bf\u03cd \u03bd\u03b1 \u03c3\u03c0\u03ac\u03bd\u03b5 \u03c3\u03c4\u03b1 \u03b2\u03c1\u03ac\u03c7\u03b9\u03b1.\" width=\"1200\" height=\"675\" srcset=\"https:\/\/staging.altervan.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/07\/skellig-ring-kerry-atlantic-cliffs-ireland.jpg 1200w, https:\/\/staging.altervan.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/07\/skellig-ring-kerry-atlantic-cliffs-ireland-300x169.jpg 300w, https:\/\/staging.altervan.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/07\/skellig-ring-kerry-atlantic-cliffs-ireland-1024x576.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/staging.altervan.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/07\/skellig-ring-kerry-atlantic-cliffs-ireland-768x432.jpg 768w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1200px) 100vw, 1200px\" \/><figcaption id=\"caption-attachment-8615\" class=\"wp-caption-text\">The wild coastline of the Skellig Ring overlooking the Atlantic. One of the most impressive natural landscapes of the Ring of Kerry.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<p>In fact, there you&#8217;ll also find a historic 6th-century monastery, Skellig Michael. We&#8217;re talking about a circular route between lakes, mountains, tiny villages and shores that feel unexplored, with endless views over the Atlantic. It&#8217;s not a tourist postcard \u2013 it&#8217;s real, and that&#8217;s exactly why it wins you over.<\/p>\n<p>Top sights you shouldn&#8217;t pass by:<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li>Step into <strong>Killarney National Park<\/strong>, home to stunning lakes and lush green forests, and <strong>Ross Castle<\/strong>, beside Lough Leane.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<figure id=\"attachment_8617\" aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-8617\" style=\"width: 1200px\" class=\"wp-caption alignnone\"><img loading=\"lazy\" loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"size-full wp-image-8617\" src=\"https:\/\/staging.altervan.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/07\/ross-castle-killarney-lough-leane-altervan.jpg\" alt=\"\u03a4\u03bf Ross Castle \u03c3\u03c4\u03b7\u03bd \u0399\u03c1\u03bb\u03b1\u03bd\u03b4\u03af\u03b1 \u03ba\u03b1\u03b8\u03c1\u03b5\u03c6\u03c4\u03af\u03b6\u03b5\u03c4\u03b1\u03b9 \u03c3\u03c4\u03b7 \u03bb\u03af\u03bc\u03bd\u03b7 Lough Leane \u03c3\u03c4\u03bf \u0395\u03b8\u03bd\u03b9\u03ba\u03cc \u03a0\u03ac\u03c1\u03ba\u03bf Killarney, \u03c3\u03b5 \u03ad\u03bd\u03b1 \u03b1\u03c4\u03bc\u03bf\u03c3\u03c6\u03b1\u03b9\u03c1\u03b9\u03ba\u03cc \u03c3\u03bf\u03cd\u03c1\u03bf\u03c5\u03c0\u03bf.\" width=\"1200\" height=\"1147\" srcset=\"https:\/\/staging.altervan.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/07\/ross-castle-killarney-lough-leane-altervan.jpg 1200w, https:\/\/staging.altervan.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/07\/ross-castle-killarney-lough-leane-altervan-300x287.jpg 300w, https:\/\/staging.altervan.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/07\/ross-castle-killarney-lough-leane-altervan-1024x979.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/staging.altervan.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/07\/ross-castle-killarney-lough-leane-altervan-768x734.jpg 768w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1200px) 100vw, 1200px\" \/><figcaption id=\"caption-attachment-8617\" class=\"wp-caption-text\">Ross Castle \u2013 the jewel of Killarney National Park, set against Lough Leane. An authentic stop on the Ireland experience with Altervan.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<ul>\n<li>Stop at the <strong>Kerry Cliffs<\/strong>, wilder and less touristy than the Cliffs of Moher.<\/li>\n<li>If you want to live a bit more adventure, take the road to the <strong>Skellig Ring<\/strong>, with views of the Skellig Islands \u2013 there you&#8217;ll feel as if you&#8217;ve stepped onto a Star Wars set.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<h2>Cork \u2013 What to see in Ireland&#8217;s liveliest city<\/h2>\n<p><strong>Cork<\/strong> has a character all of its own. It&#8217;s Ireland&#8217;s second-largest city. The locals often call it the &#8220;real capital&#8221;! And they&#8217;re probably right. This city is for those who want something different from the expected. Lively, friendly, creative \u2013 with an energy that never lets you get bored.<\/p>\n<p>Here Ireland is more urban, but it holds on to its authenticity.<\/p>\n<p>Worth seeing:<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li><strong>English Market<\/strong> \u2013 one of the oldest food markets in Europe. Here you taste Ireland differently \u2014 through local produce and authentic flavours behind the stalls, and local street food shops.<\/li>\n<li>The monument to <strong>Rory Gallagher<\/strong>, legend of Irish rock and blues music.<\/li>\n<li><strong>Cobh<\/strong>, the Titanic&#8217;s last port of call before the Atlantic.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<figure id=\"attachment_8614\" aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-8614\" style=\"width: 1200px\" class=\"wp-caption alignnone\"><img loading=\"lazy\" loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"size-full wp-image-8614\" src=\"https:\/\/staging.altervan.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/07\/cobh-cathedral-colorful-houses-cork-ireland-titanic.jpg\" alt=\"\u03a0\u03bf\u03bb\u03cd\u03c7\u03c1\u03c9\u03bc\u03b1 \u03c3\u03c0\u03af\u03c4\u03b9\u03b1 \u03ba\u03b1\u03b9 \u03bf \u03ba\u03b1\u03b8\u03b5\u03b4\u03c1\u03b9\u03ba\u03cc\u03c2 \u03bd\u03b1\u03cc\u03c2 St. Colman \u03c3\u03c4\u03bf Cobh, \u03ba\u03bf\u03bd\u03c4\u03ac \u03c3\u03c4\u03bf Cork.\" width=\"1200\" height=\"1067\" srcset=\"https:\/\/staging.altervan.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/07\/cobh-cathedral-colorful-houses-cork-ireland-titanic.jpg 1200w, https:\/\/staging.altervan.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/07\/cobh-cathedral-colorful-houses-cork-ireland-titanic-300x267.jpg 300w, https:\/\/staging.altervan.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/07\/cobh-cathedral-colorful-houses-cork-ireland-titanic-1024x911.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/staging.altervan.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/07\/cobh-cathedral-colorful-houses-cork-ireland-titanic-768x683.jpg 768w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1200px) 100vw, 1200px\" \/><figcaption id=\"caption-attachment-8614\" class=\"wp-caption-text\">The picturesque quarter of Cobh with its colourful houses and cathedral \u2013 one of our most special stops near Cork.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<p>Sit down for a coffee or a traditional Irish breakfast, sip a local beer and walk the city.<\/p>\n<h2>And somewhere around here, back to Dublin \u2013 but not to the same place<\/h2>\n<p>The loop around Ireland brings you back to where you started: Dublin. But this time, everything feels different. You don&#8217;t merely see the city \u2013 you feel it. Because by now you&#8217;re full of landscapes that made you stop time. Conversations with people you&#8217;ll never see again but will always remember. Stories that don&#8217;t fit into any travel guide, but that you&#8217;ve written inside you. And just like that, you leave Ireland behind \u2013 with a promise to yourself: that you&#8217;ll no longer settle for &#8220;trips&#8221;, but will seek out <strong>experiences<\/strong>. Like this one \u2014 <strong>not touristy, but true<\/strong>.<\/p>\n<h2><strong>&#x270d;&#xfe0f; FAQ \u2013 What you need to know before going to Ireland<\/strong><\/h2>\n<ul>\n<li><strong>Which season is best for a trip to Ireland?<\/strong><br \/>\nSpring \u2013 and March in particular \u2013 is a wonderful time. Temperatures are mild, nature starts turning green again and the atmosphere is festive, especially around <strong>St. Patrick&#8217;s Day (17 March)<\/strong>. Alternatively, autumn. Summer, though quite popular, is also more expensive and gets a lot of tourism, particularly in the most popular spots.<\/li>\n<li><strong>What clothes should I bring?<\/strong><br \/>\nLayering! The weather changes often during the day. Bring a waterproof jacket, comfortable shoes, warm clothes for the evening and sunglasses in case of sun. (Yes, that happens too!)<\/li>\n<li><strong>Are there direct flights from Greece?<\/strong><br \/>\nYes! There is a <strong>direct Athens \u2013 Dublin flight, several with Ryanair<\/strong>, which lands you in the heart of Ireland in about 4 hours. November, January, February and March are the months when you can find the cheapest tickets.<\/li>\n<li><strong>Is it safe for solo travellers?<\/strong><br \/>\nAbsolutely. Ireland is one of the friendliest and safest countries in Europe. The locals are welcoming and have a genuine love for travellers.<\/li>\n<li>Ireland belongs to the European Union, so there is free <strong>roaming<\/strong>. Using your card or mobile data is easy.<\/li>\n<li>Careful with the driving. We drive on the left.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<h2>And if you want to live all of this in a different way&#8230;<\/h2>\n<figure id=\"attachment_8620\" aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-8620\" style=\"width: 1200px\" class=\"wp-caption alignnone\"><img loading=\"lazy\" loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"size-full wp-image-8620\" src=\"https:\/\/staging.altervan.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/07\/ireland-roadtrip-collage-altervan-travel-group-memories.jpg\" alt=\"Collage \u03b1\u03c0\u03cc \u03c3\u03c4\u03b9\u03b3\u03bc\u03ad\u03c2 \u03c4\u03b1\u03be\u03b9\u03b4\u03b9\u03bf\u03cd \u03c3\u03c4\u03b7\u03bd \u0399\u03c1\u03bb\u03b1\u03bd\u03b4\u03af\u03b1 \u03bc\u03b5 \u03c4\u03b7\u03bd \u03bf\u03bc\u03ac\u03b4\u03b1 \u03c4\u03bf\u03c5 Altervan \u2013 \u03bc\u03bf\u03c5\u03c3\u03b9\u03ba\u03ad\u03c2, \u03b4\u03c1\u03cc\u03bc\u03bf\u03b9, pubs \u03ba\u03b1\u03b9 \u03c6\u03c5\u03c3\u03b9\u03ba\u03ac Guinness.\" width=\"1200\" height=\"1197\" srcset=\"https:\/\/staging.altervan.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/07\/ireland-roadtrip-collage-altervan-travel-group-memories.jpg 1200w, https:\/\/staging.altervan.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/07\/ireland-roadtrip-collage-altervan-travel-group-memories-300x300.jpg 300w, https:\/\/staging.altervan.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/07\/ireland-roadtrip-collage-altervan-travel-group-memories-1024x1021.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/staging.altervan.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/07\/ireland-roadtrip-collage-altervan-travel-group-memories-150x150.jpg 150w, https:\/\/staging.altervan.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/07\/ireland-roadtrip-collage-altervan-travel-group-memories-768x766.jpg 768w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1200px) 100vw, 1200px\" \/><figcaption id=\"caption-attachment-8620\" class=\"wp-caption-text\">Ireland the way we lived it: with laughter, Guinness, musical nights and a group that started out as strangers \u2013 and ended up friends.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<p>Ireland isn&#8217;t just another destination. It&#8217;s an experience. And with <strong>Altervan<\/strong> you can live it on a road trip you&#8217;ll never forget. It&#8217;s the friendships you&#8217;ll make, it&#8217;s the music inside the van, and it&#8217;s also an <strong>opportunity to see the world differently<\/strong>.<\/p>\n<h2>Don&#8217;t just go on holiday. Live a story you&#8217;ll be telling forever.<\/h2>\n<p>We don&#8217;t take you to mere destinations. We take you to experiences. To places worth reaching at your own pace.<\/p>\n<p><strong>The loop around Ireland is one of them.<\/strong><br \/>\nAnd we live it every year, the way it should be lived: with company, with energy, with smiles and with the open road.<\/p>\n<p>Want to see Ireland the way you dreamed it?<br \/>\n<a href=\"https:\/\/staging.altervan.com\/roadtrips\/\">See more and come with us<\/a><\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p>With love for travel, road trips and adventure.<\/p>\n<p>The Altervan team.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>A 7-day Ireland road trip from Dublin to Belfast, the Giant&#8217;s Causeway, Galway, the Ring of Kerry and Cork \u2014 the best stops, FAQs and tips.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":8605,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"_angie_page":false,"page_builder":"","footnotes":""},"categories":[443],"tags":[302],"class_list":["post-10653","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-destination-guides","tag-altervan"],"acf":[],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/staging.altervan.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/10653","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/staging.altervan.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/staging.altervan.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/staging.altervan.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/staging.altervan.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=10653"}],"version-history":[{"count":3,"href":"https:\/\/staging.altervan.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/10653\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":11227,"href":"https:\/\/staging.altervan.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/10653\/revisions\/11227"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/staging.altervan.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/8605"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/staging.altervan.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=10653"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/staging.altervan.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=10653"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/staging.altervan.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=10653"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}