The Wild Atlantic Way stands out as the go-to choice for exploring Ireland by car, and it’s no wonder why travelers consistently hail it as the ultimate Irish adventure.
This captivating route traces the untamed beauty of Ireland’s western coastline, spanning an impressive 2,500 kilometers (about 1,550 miles) from County Cork to County Donegal. As we embark on our journey, let’s delve into crafting the perfect itinerary for an unforgettable road trip through Ireland’s scenic landscapes and vibrant culture.
But before we hit the road, it’s essential to understand why the Wild Atlantic Way has captured the hearts of countless adventurers seeking to experience the essence of Ireland firsthand.
The Best Itinerary For a Roadtrip Around Ireland:
The Wild Atlantic Way trip around Ireland can be done within two weeks if you go slowly and spend time enjoying all the fantastic things there are to see and do along the way.
A Quick Overview
- Day 1: Arrive at Donegal Airport – Carrickfinn
- Day 2: Carrickfiin To Sligo
- Day 3: Sligo To Ballina
- Day 4: Ballina To Belmullet
- Day 5: Belmullet To Westport
- Day 6: Westport To Clifden
- Day 7: Clifden To Galway
- Day 8: Galway To Kilkee
- Day 9: Kilkee To Tralee
- Day 10: Tralee To Waterville
- Day 11: Waterville To Castletownbere
- Day 12: Castletownbere To Schull
- Day 13: Schull To Kinsale
- Day 14: Fly Out of Cork at The End of Your Trip Around Ireland
Day 1: Arrive at Donegal Airport – Carrickfinn
Begin your tour around Ireland by arriving at Donegal airport in Carrickfinn. It is an ideal starting point for your Wild Atlantic Way road trip adventure.
Rent a car or check into your hotel for a quick nap or bath (whatever you feel like doing). Spend your first day of this Ireland itinerary exploring Carrikfinn and relaxing at Carrickfinn beach.
Day 2: Carrickfiin To Sligo:
Next day: Wake up early in the morning (if possible) as you have a lot of wonderful places to visit or drive along the Wild Atlantic Way route to Sligo. We recommend you check out and get on the road near about 9:00 AM.
Whether you are searching for the best place to stay, eat, shop, or just want to gaze at the stunning views of this beautiful city, Sligo has it all. From historical sites to picturesque castles and beautiful landscapes, this county has something for everyone.
There are several top places to visit or drive to in Sligo on the Wild Atlantic Way that will keep your trip around Ireland exciting. Here we’ve listed some of our favourite top places to visit near Sligo on the Wild Atlantic Way.
Stop 1: Crohy Head
Stop 2: Loughros Beg Bay
Stop 3: Glengesh
Stop 4: Malin Beg
Stop 5: Slieve League
Stop 6: Saint John’s Point
Day 3: Sligo To Ballina:
Ballina is the ideal holiday destination for tourists who are up for an adventure. It has an abundance of natural beauty that you will be hard-pressed to find elsewhere along the Wild Atlantic Way.
Surrounded by beautiful mountains, rugged coastlines, and breathtaking beaches, Ballina offers plenty of top spots to visit. It is the perfect location along the Wild Atlantic Way for slowing things down. Here we’ve listed some of our favourite top places to visit near Ballina on the Wild Atlantic Way.
Stop 1: Mullaghmore Head
Stop 2: Streedagh Point
Stop 3: Rosses Point
Stop 4: Strandhill Beach
Stop 5: Enniscrone Beach
Day 4: Ballina To Belmullet:
Belmullet is a small coastal town with many beautiful sights to see. It offers visitors a unique mix of stunning scenery, warm hospitality, and a myriad of natural arts and crafts.
This stunning sight would be perfect for an Instagram share to show friends and family.
Here we’ve listed some of our favourite top places to visit near Belmullet on the Wild Atlantic Way.
Stop 1: Rosserk Friary
Stop 2: Killlala
Stop 3: Bunatrahir Bay
Stop 4: Downpatrick Head
Stop 5: Muingelly
Stop 6: Ceide Fields
Stop 7: Benwee Head
Stop 8: Ballyglass Lighthouse
Day 5: Belmullet To Westport:
Our next destination, Westport, is a thriving and vibrant tourist town, sheltered by the Co. Mayo hills (nearly 400m above sea level). The town plays host to many events during the year that adds vibrancy and an extra dollop of craic to what is already a captivating place. These weekends, festivals, and holiday periods are filled with visitors enjoying the activities on offer; from walks, hikes, and exploring the many colourful sights of the town to enjoying a few well-earned Guinness in one of Westport’s many stylish pubs. Here we’ve listed some of our favourite top places to visit near Westport on the Wild Atlantic Way.
Stop 1: Erris Head
Stop 2: Doonamo Point
Stop 3: Annagh Head
Stop 4: Elly Bay Beach
Stop 5: Fallmore
Stop 6: Keem Strand
Day 6: Westport To Clifden:
Located in the West of Ireland, close to Galway and only a few miles from the Connemara region is Clifden.
It is a wonderland of scenic beauty, where the coastline skips from county to county and no matter what side of the road you’re on you’re surrounded by natural splendour.
Within this area there are plenty of things to do and see, from castle ruins to ancient forts, from friendly towns to rolling countryside – this is a paradise for both families and visitors seeking tranquillity. Here we’ve listed some of our favourite top places to visit near Clifden on the Wild Atlantic Way.
Stop 1: Old Head Beach
Stop 2: Roonagh Quay
Stop 3: Carrownishky Strand
Stop 4: Silver Strand
Stop 5: DooLough Valley
Stop 6: Killary Harbour
Stop 7: Aasleagh Falls
Stop 8: Cleggan Harbour
Day 7: Clifden To Galway:
A journey of discovery is always rewarding and Galway is the next destination of this Ireland itinerary to continue the discovery of the “Wild Atlantic Way”. It is the perfect mix of the city and nature.
The best way to explore this city is definitely by car. There’s so much to be seen and you’ll see it all if you walk around. This includes many art galleries, restaurants, pubs, churches, and more. And it goes without saying that there are lots of things for families to do in Galway too!
We thought we would highlight just a few of the incredible places near Galway that shouldn’t be missed.
Stop 1: Derrigimlagh Bog
Stop 2: Bunowen Bay
Stop 3: Gorteen Bay
Stop 4: Glinsk Pier
Stop 5: Rosaveal Harbour
Stop 6: Silverstrand Beach
Stop 7: Salthill Promenade
Day 8: Galway To Kilkee
Whether you are looking for quiet getaways, action-packed family activities, or beaches to relax on, Kilkee has it all!
Kilkee is a seaside resort town on the coast of County Clare in Ireland. It’s known as the pearl on Ireland’s West Coast due to its crystal clear waters, golden sands, quaint little fishing villages, and plenty of cool activities. Here we’ve listed some of our favourite top places to visit near Kilkee on the Wild Atlantic Way.
Stop 1: Rinville Park
Stop 2: Traught beach
Stop 3: Flaggy Shore
Stop 4: Ballyvaughan Pier
Stop 5: Murrooghtoohy
Stop 6: Fanore Port
Stop 7: Cliffs of Moher
Stop 8: Clahane – Liscannor Bay View
Stop 9: Lahinch Beach
Stop 10: Spanish Point
Stop 11: Doughmore Bay – Doonbeg
Day 9: Kilkee To Tralee
Tralee is renowned as the capital of the beautiful county of Kerry. The city has thousands of years of history and has some magnificent sites to visit.
From the stunning scenery of the Ring of Kerry to the battlefield of Dingle and sites like these, it is one of the most popular spots along the Wild Atlantic Way.
Here’s a list of tourist attractions that you can visit during your drive to Tralee.
Stop 1: Kilkee Cliffs
Stop 2: Bridges of Ross
Stop 3: Loop Head
Stop 4: Carrigaholt Bay
Stop 5: Cappagh Pier
Stop 6: Killimer – Tarbert Ferry
Stop 7: Foyes Island Viewpoint
Stop 8: Carrigafoyle Castle
Stop 9: Beale Strand
Stop 10: Ballybunion Beach
Stop 11: Ballyheigue Beach
Stop 12: Banna Strand
Day 10: Tralee To Waterville
Moving forward on this Ireland itinerary, we’ve Waterville as the next destination. There are many places located around the location that is worth visiting. Some of these are scenic parks, beaches, islands, shopping stores, restaurants, fun activities for kids and adults, hotels, etc.
Here’s a list of tourist attractions that you can visit during your drive to Waterville.
Stop 1: Castlegregory Beach
Stop 2 Blaskets View
Stop 3: Dunquin Harbour
Stop 4: The Blasket Islands
Stop 5: Dingle Harbour
Stop 6: Inch Beach
Stop 7: Mountain Stage Viewpoint
Stop 8: Skellig’s View, Bray Head
Stop 9: Little Skellig Island
Stop 10: Great Skellig (Skellig Michael)
Stop 11: Kerry Cliffs (Skelligs View)
Stop 12: Ballinskelligs Bay
Day 11: Waterville To Castletownbere
Castletownbere is a lively district of West Cork on Ireland’s Wild Atlantic Way. The town of Castletownbere is a gem in the Beara Peninsula region, with its fabulous scenery of mountains, bays, and islands. The name ‘Bere’ comes from a Gaelic word for ‘maple’.
Here’s a list of tourist attractions that you can visit during your drive to Castletownbere.
Stop 1: Derrynane Beach
Stop 2: Staigue Stone Fort
Stop 3: Kilmackillogue Viewpoint
Stop 4: Gleninchaquin Park
Stop 5: Uragh Stone Circle(Ciorcal Cloch Uragh)
Stop 6: Kenmare River View
Stop 7: Dursey Island
Stop 8: Castletown Bearhaven Harbour
Day 12: Castletownbere to Schull
The next destination on our trip around Ireland is Schull. Schull is a place where you can choose to blend into the scenery or re-imagine your surroundings.
You can discover it for yourself, or let us help you navigate your way to secluded villages, scenic destinations, and hidden treasures along the Wild Atlantic Way.
Stop 1: Bantry Pier
Stop 2: Seefin Viewpoint
Stop 3: Dooneen Pier
Stop 4: Sheep’s Head
Stop 5: Dooneen Pier
Stop 6: Ballyrisode Beach
Stop 7: Mizen Head
Stop 8: Altar Wedge Tomb
Stop 9: Schull Harbour
Day 13: Schull To Kinsale
Kinsale is the ideal destination for nature lovers looking to relax, soak up the fresh air and get away from it all. Located in the heart of the south-east corner of County Cork, Kinsale is a popular town that attracts thousands of visitors each year
Here we’ve listed some of our favourite top places to visit near Kinsale on the Wild Atlantic Way.
Stop 1: Ballydehob Community Hall
Stop 2: Cunnamore Pier
Stop 3: Baltimore Harbour
Stop 4: Lough Hyne
Stop 5: Toe Head Bay
Stop 6: Galley Head
Stop 7: Inchydoney Bay
Stop 8: Timoleague Abbey
Stop 9: Old Head of Kinsale
Day 14: Fly Out of Cork at The End of Your Trip Around Ireland:
Once you drive to Cork city after exploring Kinsale, you can fly back to your home. No need to get sad as you can always plan another road trip around Ireland.
Conclusion:
The Wild Atlantic Way is the best way to travel around Ireland. Along this way, you can enjoy the most unique and beautiful landscapes, gorgeous beaches, incredible diversity of big cities, small villages, ruins from the past, new towns, modern architecture, and Irish traditional music in pubs or concerts.
