Regardless of what number of days in Ireland you propose to spend, you must in all probability keep longer. Most vacationers underestimate the scale of the nation and overestimate how briskly they’ll be capable of transfer round.
Don’t be discouraged by this assertion, after all, or really feel like you’ll be able to’t journey in Ireland for those who solely have every week (for instance). Rather, take it as motivation to right-size your journey: It’s higher to take your time exploring a slim vary of Irish locations than to hurry by way of a bunch of them and never get pleasure from your self.
Ireland is Bigger Than It Looks
Did you already know that Ireland’s well-known Wild Atlantic Way is greater than 1,500 miles in size? Whether due to this reality or because of the richness of city locations like Dublin and Belfast, one factor is evident: Ireland is a a lot bigger nation than it seems to be on the map. This is likely one of the causes that when most vacationers contemplate how lengthy in Ireland they wish to keep, the reply is fewer days than will really be required.
A visit to Ireland requires extra time than you’re in all probability anticipating to spend, however it’s not all unhealthy information.
Top Ireland Destinations
Dublin
Home to the headquarters of Guinness, the Liffey River and the Trinity College Library, Dublin is considered one of Europe’s most understated—and underrated—cities. Most vacationers to Ireland ought to plan on devoting at the very least 1-2 days in Dublin, except visiting the capital is totally not a precedence.
South Coast
When discussing how lengthy to spend in Ireland, many vacationers disregard locations alongside the island’s southern coast. However, from the colourful row homes of Cobh in County Cork, to the charming harbor cities close to the mouth of the River Bandon in County Kinsale, you’ll be able to simply spend a couple of days down south.
Wild Atlantic Way
The Wild Atlantic Way is the place Ireland really begins. Drive up and down the Dingle and Iveragh peninsulas (and probably take a ship out to Skellig Michael island of Star Wars fame), or spend an evening in Galway earlier than a day on the Cliffs of Moher. Depending on how far north you go, you could possibly spend 3-7 days driving the Wild Atlantic Way.
The Irish Interior
The coast is the main target of most journeys, regardless of what number of days in Ireland they final, however don’t sleep on Ireland’s inside. Cities like Limerick and Kilkenny are price at the very least a lunch cease throughout your travels, to say nothing of all of the charming cities you’re positive to come back throughout as you drive.
Northern Ireland
Northern Ireland is an absolute gem of a vacation spot—and never simply due to how superior underrated Belfast is. In explicit, the Giant’s Causeway basalt rock formation is price a cease, however it’s also possible to go to cities like Londonderry and Portrush, and pure spots just like the “Dark Hedges” of Games of Thrones fame.
How Many Days is Enough for Ireland?
If you wish to go to Dublin and Belfast, and drive essentially the most lovely components of the Wild Atlantic Way, you must count on to spend a minimum of 10 days in Ireland. This will can help you contact down in Dublin and spend 1-2 nights there, earlier than renting a automobile and heading south to Cork earlier than heading west and looping northward previous the Cliffs of Moher, You can end up with a couple of days in Northern Ireland, together with the Giant’s Causeway and Belfast City.
Of course, there are different legitimate solutions for what number of days to spend in Ireland. If you merely wish to drive the coast and aren’t fussed concerning the cities, you’ll be able to take an epic Ireland street journey in 5-7 days. Likewise, in case you have extra time, you’ll be able to keep in Ireland for 2 weeks (or longer), whether or not you spend longer on the Wild Atlantic Way, or discover the cities and cities of Ireland’s inside.
Other FAQ About Your Trip to Ireland
Is 5 days sufficient to go to Ireland?
Depending on the scope of your journey, 5 days will be sufficient to go to Ireland. In most circumstances, this may entail a brief street journey alongside the coast, specializing in the southern a part of the Wild Atlantic Way from the Dingle Peninsula as much as the Cliffs of Moher. You may additionally spend 5 days in Belfast and Northern Ireland, or in Dublin and County Cork, which is simply to its south.
Is 7 days sufficient in Ireland?
With every week in Ireland, you’ll be able to get pleasure from the perfect of metropolis and nation. Start with 1-2 days in Dublin, then drive clockwise by way of County Cork to the Dingle Peninsula and drive the Wild Atlantic Way for 3-4 days. Or begin in Belfast and prioritize the underrated coast of Northern Ireland.
How lengthy does it take to go round Ireland?
Driving all the best way round Ireland is a journey of round 3,000 km or 1,900 miles, which might take at the very least 2-3 days, even for those who solely stopped for gasoline and to sleep. However, if you wish to circumnavigate Ireland at an fulfilling tempo, you must spend a minimum of 7-10 days in Ireland, and ideally two weeks or longer.
The Bottom Line
I don’t have a one-size-fits-all reply for what number of days in Ireland you must spend. What I can let you know is to be humble: Most vacationers are planning too many actions for too few days. By erring on the facet of visiting fewer locations fairly than extra, you’ll maximize your probabilities of having fun with each place you do go as you discover the Emerald Isle. And take a look at it this manner: First journeys to Ireland are nearly by no means final journeys to Ireland. Whatever you don’t see this time, you’ll be able to be sure you’ll get there everytime you return.
Robert Schrader is a journey author and photographer who’s been roaming the world independently since 2005, writing for publications equivalent to “CNNGo” and “Shanghaiist” alongside the best way. His weblog, Leave Your Daily Hell, offers a mixture of journey recommendation, vacation spot guides and private essays masking the extra esoteric elements of life as a traveler.