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With much of its landscape dotted with farms, national parks, and rolling green hills, it’s no surprise that Ireland is nicknamed the Emerald Isle. And with lush landscapes, breathtaking World Heritage sites, rocky shorelines, charming villages, and deserted islands, Ireland really has it all.
So, we’ve partnered with Cosmos, leading providers of budget-friendly tours, to offer you some getaway inspiration.
With tour directors who manage transport and accommodation, local guides to show you around, and plenty of time to explore at your own pace, travelling with Cosmos allows you to get the very best out of your trip – all while having peace of mind that everything’s taken care of.
With that said, here are 11 stunning places to visit in Ireland.
1. Adare Village, County Limerick
With its prize-winning thatched cottages, views over the fording point of the River Maigue, and rich abundance of nature, Adare is widely renowned for being Ireland’s most beautiful village. Its history and heritage stretch back to the 13th century, and with a famously welcoming community, Adare represents the very best of Ireland.
Stroll by the picture-perfect thatched cottages that line the main street, peek inside some of the charming craft shops, or settle down for a hearty meal in one of Adare’s cosy restaurants. Alternatively, you could explore one of the village’s charming parks or spend an afternoon touring some of Adare’s magnificent medieval buildings and archaeological ruins.
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United Kingdom | 15 days
Additional fees apply, check provider site for details
2. Killarney National Park, County Kerry
Set in the heart of County Kerry at the base of the McGillycuddy’s Reeks, Ireland’s largest mountain range, Killarney National Park is nothing short of majestic. Home to 26,000 acres of woodland, lakes, and waterfalls that boast rich shades of greens, browns, blues, and indigo, this UNESCO reserve is truly stunning.
Beyond the breathtaking scenery, Killarney National Park is also home to must-see historic sites, including the 19th-century Victorian mansion, Muckross House and its adjoining abbey ruins. Plus, with Cosmos, you’ll also have the opportunity to travel along the national park’s lakeshore, inside a horse-drawn jaunting car, for outstanding views of Ross Castle.
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£150 off | United Kingdom | 12 days
Additional fees apply, check provider site for details
3. Cliffs of Moher, County Clare
Named Ireland’s best visitor attraction by The Irish Independent’s annual Reader Travel Awards 2023, the 668ft Cliffs of Moher have long been one of Ireland’s most popular tourist experiences. Towering over the jagged West Clare coast, these cliffs were formed over 300 million years ago after the entire continent collided with what’s now Europe.
Stroll along the safely paved pathways that offer sweeping views of the cliffs, Aran Islands, and the bellowing Atlantic Ocean below. Highlights include the prominent sea stack that sits below O’Brien’s Tower, which is the result of thousands of years of coastal erosion, leaving it standing isolated from the neighbouring cliff to which it was once attached.
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Cosmos From Dublin to London*
United Kingdom | 9 days
Additional fees apply, check provider site for details
4. Galway, County Galway
Galway is a bustling Irish city on the edge of the Atlantic that’s rich in history, welcoming in character, and vibrant in atmosphere. Not to mention, it’s also particularly beautiful – with medieval buildings, characterful cobblestone streets, and a gushing river running through it that spills into the Irish Sea. On any trip to the Emerald Isle, Galway isn’t one to miss.
Discover the city’s thriving traditional music scene, sample the famous pub culture, enjoy a spot of people-watching in Eyre Square, or indulge in some delicious food and drink in one of the various cosy pubs, cafes, or bistros. If you love exploring museums and churches, you’ll find plenty of these in Galway, too – including a magnificent cathedral fitted with stunning mosaics.
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£150 off | United Kingdom | 12 days
Additional fees apply, check provider site for details
5. Giant’s Causeway, County Antrim
Sat on the edge of the wild Atlantic Ocean and with panoramic views of towering cliffs and rolling waves, the Giant’s Causeway is one of the Emerald Isle’s most iconic treasures. Almost 60 million years in the making, Northern Ireland’s only UNESCO World Heritage site has long inspired artists and poets, and touched the hearts of all who set eyes on it.
Marvel at the breathtaking view out to sea, take in the scale of the Giant’s Boot and the Wishing Chair, and follow in the footsteps of the legendary giants that are said to have roamed here.
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Cosmos The British Isles in Depth*
United Kingdom | 23 days
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6. Ring of Kerry, County Kerry
The Ring of Kerry is one of the most beautiful drives in the world and the epitome of an Irish road trip. You’ll wind down mountain roads that pass shimmering seascapes, subtropical vegetation, brightly painted farmhouses, and rural seaside villages. Don’t forget to get your camera out for panoramic shots of the famous Ladies View and Lakes of Killarney.
En route, you can stop off at the famous Skellig Michael, a rocky island, which is home to an abandoned seventh-century Christian monastery. The most westerly sacred site in Europe, Skellig Michael, has a special atmosphere about it. The little island is also a popular destination for wildlife lovers looking to spot the puffin and razor bills that live there.
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Cosmos From Dublin to London*
United Kingdom | 9 days
Additional fees apply, check provider site for details
7. Blarney Castle, County Cork
The city of Blarney is nestled amongst the beautiful wooded countryside of County Cork. Just outside the city walls lies the iconic 12th-century Blarney Castle – famed for being home to the legendary Blarney Stone. An estimated 400,000 people visit to kiss the stone each year, which is said to have magical properties that grant all who kiss it with the gift of eloquence and persuasion.
After you’ve kissed the Blarney Stone (if you so wish!), the castle grounds are also a delight to explore. Filled with emerald-green gardens, unique rock formations, and a sparkling river, you’ll want to pause for a moment to take it all in. It’s no wonder that Croften Clark, a 19th-century writer, described the castle and its grounds as a fairy scene.
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United Kingdom | 15 days
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8. The Dingle Peninsula, County Kerry
With rugged coasts, ancient sites, and hidden gems, the Dingle Peninsula is breathtaking. Home to some of the Emerald Isle’s best beaches, it has everything from small coves to open sands that stretch as far as the eye can see. The favourite, Coumeenole Beach, has been described by National Geographic as one of the most stunning places on Earth.
Take the peninsula’s 32-mile Slea Head drive, which offers magnificent vistas of the Atlantic Ocean, before stopping off in the town of Dingle itself. Charming, artistic, and full of wonderfully friendly people, Dingle is famous for its cosy pubs and eclectic shops – and it makes a great base for exploring the Dingle Peninsula.
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United Kingdom | 18 days
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9. Trinity College Library, County Dublin
Named Ireland’s greatest cultural treasure, Trinity College Library Dublin is a book lover’s paradise. The library’s 18th-century Long Room is the oldest part of the library and houses 200,000 of Ireland’s most ancient and valuable books on magnificent floor-to-ceiling shelves – many of which are only reachable by sliding ladder.
The rows are adorned with marble busts of famous thinkers and scholars. And during the daytime, light pours into the shelves, making them look even more magnificent under the vaulted ceiling. Marvel at the grandeur of the building itself or buy advance tickets to peek at the Book of Kells – a preserved fourth-century vellum manuscript, and its adjoining exhibition.
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Cosmos Irish Discovery*
United Kingdom | 9 days | Flights Included
Additional fees apply, check provider site for details
10. The Burren, County Clare
While the vastly bare and rocky headland of The Burren doesn’t seem to fit the quota of the Emerald Isle, this area of limestone karst – covering over 100 square miles of County Clare – is stunning in its own right. The area was once the seabed but has lain exposed to the elements since the Ice Age, becoming a lunar-like landscape that’s highly unique to Ireland.
This rock lover’s paradise is home to swallow holes, underground rivers, caves, crevices, and fossils. And while you might expect nothing to grow here, The Burren is far from a lifeless landscape. In fact, its stunning flora, which appear between the folds of limestone, is one of its main draws – including 22 different species of orchid.
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United Kingdom | 18 days
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11. Boyne Valley, County Meath
Located 20 minutes north of Dublin, Boyne Valley is a place where magnificent waterways wind through rolling hills, lush green fields stretch on for miles, and grand castles sit against spectacular scenery. Known as the birthplace of Ireland’s Ancient East, the Boyne Valley is the site of some of the island’s most sacred ancient monuments.
This easily makes it one of the most history-laden areas in a country already brimming with historic sites. Dating back as far as the 35th century BC, the extraordinary mounds and monuments of the Palace of Boyne are a sight to behold. And enthusiasts of more recent history might also be interested in visiting the scene where the Battle of the Boyne took place in 1690.
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Cosmos Irish Discovery*
United Kingdom | 9 days | Flights Included
Additional fees apply, check provider site for details
Final thoughts…
From charming villages and historic libraries to otherworldly landscapes and stunning UNESCO heritage sites, Ireland has it all. And with Cosmos escorted tours, the hotels, transportation, sightseeing, and even occasional meals are taken care of, so you can simply focus on enjoying the experience.