Ireland is a dream destination for road-trippers as it combines amazing green landscapes, lively cities and cosy pubs into one holiday/trip! Whether you are here to enjoy the amazing coastal views, drink pints of Guinness in traditional Irish pubs or see the many castles representing the history and culture, this 7-day Ireland Itinerary will help you to make sure to get the most out of your time in Ireland. You can expect scenic drives and vibrant towns, which is the best way to explore Ireland. This travel guide takes you outside of Dublin to explore the beauty with an optimized 1-week travel route.
Read my overview of the top 10 things to do in Ireland here.
Within a week, you will be able to get a taste of the stunning landscapes and charm of Ireland. While you could easily spend more time in Ireland when adding the northern part of the island, including North Ireland, spending 7 days covers the highlights. However, be prepared for a lot of exploration. We woke up early every day to make sure we could see all the sights that we wanted to explore for you. Nevertheless, we made sure there was always time left for a pub in the afternoon/evening. If you have extra time, you can enjoy more rest or add, for example, the Giant’s Causeway or Slieve League.
This 7-day Ireland Itinerary is a road trip, so renting a car is highly recommended. Many of Ireland’s must-visit spots, like the Cliffs of Moher, Slea Head Drive and the Ring of Kerry, are best explored by car, giving you flexibility on where you stop and to explore the more hidden gems. Rental cars are available at the airport, and it is best to book them in advance. Keep in mind that driving in Ireland is on the left side of the road. Alternatively, public transport in Ireland is well-connected between major cities, and you can take tours through some national parks. However, as mentioned, this travel route is focused on exploring by car.
Also, we decided to hand in our rental car one day early and took a bus into Dublin, so we saved ourselves the hassle and costs of parking in Dublin as well as 1 rental day.
Ireland offers a mix of accommodations, from hostels to boutique guesthouses and mid-range hotels to luxury hotels. With this road trip, I advise changing hotels quite often to limit the kilometres needed to explore the country. Nevertheless, if you wouldn’t want to change accommodation too often, I would encourage you to stay 2 nights in Dingle and 2 nights in Killarney/Kenmare. The other locations you’ll book for 1 night. Alternatively, you can decide to stay slightly outside of key towns to save costs. Make sure to book your accommodation in advance, as hotels might book out quickly.
Check out a detailed overview of the best hotels in Ireland.
1. Galway
6. Kinsale / Cork
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After flying into Dublin, you can pick up your rental car and start the drive to Galway. This will take approximately 2.5-hours. Fortunately, we had a morning flight, which meant we already arrived in Galway around 2 pm. The drive will help you to feel more comfortable driving and gives the first introduction of Ireland. Upon arriving in Galway, you will quickly feel the bright energy of the city.
In Galway, there are a couple of things to do, however, the key thing is to dive head-first into Ireland’s pub culture. We started by wandering through the lively streets and enjoyed a drink at O’Connell’s Bar. This place is PERFECT when the sun is out because the pub is known for its cosy beer garden (and vintage interior). Afterwards, we walked along the Salthill Promenade to enjoy the beautiful views of the bay before crossing to the other side of Galway for a craft beer at Bierhaus Galway. They have a great selection of beers on tap, along with excellent pub food. As the evening starts, stroll down to Quay Street, the heart of the city’s nightlife, where you can find many traditional pubs to set the tone for the start of your 7-day Ireland road trip!
The Snug Townhouse (€170), The Dean Galway (€210), Kinley House Eyre Square (€50 pp)
After a good night of rest, it is time to hit the road early and drive towards Doolin. On the way, you can make a quick stop at Dunguaire Castle, a 16th-century fortress on the shores of Galway Bay. The castle is mainly worth admiring from the outside, as the inside is currently also closed. Reaching Doolin, you can park your car a bit further along the main street and begin the Cliffs of Moher Coastal Walk. In 2025, it is unfortunately not possible to fully walk to the Cliffs, however, the hike is still worth it! In that case, you could choose to drive to the Cliffs of Moher afterwards. In Doolin, you can enjoy a well-earned meal at The Ivy Cottage, where fresh seafood and a cosy atmosphere are waiting for you! You will be in for some breathtaking views this day!
Afterwards, you can either decide to spent the night in Doolin, or continue to your next stop: Dingle. Continuing to Dingle means you can stay in the same accommodation for 2 nights, which is beneficial if you want to limited the number of times you need to repack your stuff.
Read everything you need to know about the Doolin to Cliffs of Moher hike.
Mountain Aven Guesthouse (€120), Fairwinds Guest Accommodation (€130), Inch Beach House (€220 - Dingle Peninsula), Adam's Town House (€170 - Dingle Town)
The journey through the Dingle Peninsula is amazing. To be honest, exploring Dingle and driving the Slea Head Drive might have been my favourite day. First, start with driving the Connor Pass. It is best to drive the route starting from the north and ending in Dingle. When coming from Doolin, this will be the way you approach, however, from Dingle, you might have to do a short detour. The Connor Pass is the highest mountain pass in Ireland and offers amazing views, starting the day off right! Afterwards, wind down into Dingle and start the Slea Head Drive where you have to stop at the must-see sights such as Dunmore Head, Coomeenoole Beach and Dunquin Pier. Additionally, you HAVE to take some rest time at a cafe with amazing views: Caife Na Tra.
After the drive, you can unwind the afternoon and evening in Dingle. The town, once again, is famous for its pub scene, so for example enjoy a beer at Dick Mack’s or grab a drink at Foxy John’s, a unique place where a pub meets a hardware store.
Check out my full travel guide on everything you need to know about the Slea Head Drive.
Inch Beach House (€200), Adam's Town House (€150), The Grapevine Hostel (€130), Dingle Garden Townhouse (€280)
On the next day, drive towards Killarney, which area you will explore for the coming two days. On Day 4, you will focus on exploring Killarney National Park. Firstly, you will drive towards the Gap of Dunloe for a beautiful walk through the valley to admire one of the most beautiful places in Ireland. After lunch in Killarney at J.M. Reidy’s, you can continue your journey towards Ross Castle, Muckross Abbey and the Torc Waterfall. To conclude the day, you can visit the viewpoint of Ladies View before heading to the hotel or guesthouse where you will stay the night. We stayed in Kenmare, a very cute town with great pubs! Alternatively, you can choose to stay in Killarney.
Check out my full travel guide about the Gap of Dunloe and Killarney National Park.
O'Sheas Ceol Na Habhann B&B (€120), Davitt's Guesthouse (€140), Kingdom Lodge (€130), The Brehon Hotel & Spa (€200)
On the fifth day of your 7-day Ireland itinerary and road trip in Ireland, you will explore the Ring of Kerry, one of Ireland’s most famous drives. During the drive, you can enjoy panoramic coastal views, visit cute villages like Sneem and take a detour to the Skelling Ring, where you can find the amazing Cliffs of Kerry. In the evening, you head back to the same accommodation as on day 4.
Read everything you need to know about the Ring of Kerry.
O'Sheas Ceol Na Habhann B&B (€120), Davitt's Guesthouse (€140), Kingdom Lodge (€130), The Brehon Hotel & Spa (€200)
It is time for a longer stretch of driving! During our visit to Cork, we enjoyed a concert by Picture This, an Irish band. To be honest, that was the key reason for us to visit Cork. Nevertheless, Cork is one of the largest cities in Ireland and is, therefore, a good addition to your itinerary. When driving towards Cork, I highly recommend an additional stop in Kinsale, a charming harbour town that’s known for its colourful streets and seafood restaurants. Stroll through the streets and enjoy a cup of coffee at, for example, The Post House Coffee Shop or Fishy Fishy for some famous fresh fish. Afterwards, you can continue your journey to Cork, where you can explore the English Market and Blarney Castle. Also, if you are looking for a good wine bar in Cork, we loved Old Brennans Wine House. Furthermore, a visit to Arthur Mayne’s can’t be missed for lunch and a drink.
Alternatively, you can decide to spend an additional day in Dublin and skip Kinsale and Cork. Although, we felt we had enough time in Dublin exploring for 1,5 days.
Yugo Explore - Lee Point (€90), Leonardo Hotel Cork (€140), Hotel Isaacs Cork City (€180)
You’re reaching the end of your 1 week road trip, which means it is time to return to the capital: Dublin! If you like, you can hand in your rental car and take the airport bus back into town, which goes straight to the Temple Bar area. In Dublin, you can explore sights like Trinity College and the Guinness Storehouse, however, one of the key things to do in Dublin is to engage yourself in the pub culture and visit Dublin’s historic pubs, such as The Brazen Head or The Palace. Of course, a visit to the Temple Bar district can’t be missed!
Check out my full Dublin City Guide, including the best things to do and bar & restaurant tips!
Gogarty's Hostel (€100), Clink i Lar (€130), NYX Hotel Dublin (€220), Wren Urban Next (€210)
