Itinerary
- Day 1
Dublin to Belfast
You'll land in Ireland and pick up your rental car to start your self-drive adventure. First stop is Newgrange, an ancient burial complex that predates the pyramids and holds significance for the winter solstice. From there, you'll drive to Belfast and spend the afternoon walking through the capital, checking out City Hall, the leaning Albert Memorial Clock Tower, street art around the city, and The Big Fish sculpture down on the River Lagan. Plan for about 3 hours between Newgrange and Belfast with driving time included.
- Meals
- Breakfast (Continental breakfast)
Included Activities
- Visit Newgrange (Brú na Bóinne) prehistoric burial complex
- Explore Belfast city center
- View Belfast City Hall
- See Albert Memorial Clock Tower
- Photo stop at The Big Fish sculpture
Optional Activities
- Winter solstice experience at Newgrange (online booking recommended)
Landmarks/POIs Newgrange (Brú na Bóinne) Belfast City Hall Albert Memorial Clock Tower The Big Fish - Day 2
Portrush
This morning you'll head out to Islandmagee peninsula to look for puffin colonies and tackle The Gobbins cliff-face trail, which gives you unobstructed views of the sea below. After working up an appetite, you'll drive to Portrush with its colorful houses and sandy beaches. The amusement park there is worth a quick look if you're interested, but save energy for an evening stroll along the promenade to catch the sunset. It's a relaxed day compared to yesterday, so take your time moving between spots.
- Meals
- Breakfast (Continental breakfast)
Included Activities
- Explore Islandmagee peninsula
- Walk The Gobbins cliff-face path
- Discover Portrush seaside town
- Stroll Portrush beaches
- Evening walk on Portrush promenade at sunset
Optional Activities
- Puffin spotting at Islandmagee (weather and timing dependent)
Landmarks/POIs Islandmagee The Gobbins Portrush Whiterocks Beach - Day 3
Giant's Causeway
You'll start with The Dark Hedges, the Game of Thrones filming location featuring that distinctive beech avenue. Next comes the Carrick-a-Rede Rope Bridge, which hangs 30 meters above the sea and provides a real adrenaline rush. After crossing that, you'll drive the Causeway Coastal Route and arrive at Giant's Causeway, where thousands of hexagonal basalt columns rise from the ground (they formed about 60 million years ago). Local folklore ties the site to the giant Finn McCool, and it's a UNESCO World Heritage site worth spending a couple hours exploring.
- Meals
- Breakfast (Continental breakfast)
Included Activities
- Visit The Dark Hedges
- Cross Carrick-a-Rede Rope Bridge
- Drive Causeway Coastal Route
- Explore Giant's Causeway
Landmarks/POIs The Dark Hedges Carrick-a-Rede Rope Bridge Causeway Coastal Route Giant's Causeway - Day 4
Glenveagh - Donegal
You'll take a detour through Derry to walk the historic 17th-century city walls and check out the Bogside district with its powerful murals telling local stories. After that, head to Glenveagh National Park, Ireland's second-largest, where you can hike mountain trails or take quieter walks around Glenveagh Castle. By late afternoon, you'll arrive in Donegal and settle into your glamping accommodation situated right in the heart of nature, giving you that genuine sense of being away from everything.
- Meals
- Breakfast (Continental breakfast (surcharge applies))
Included Activities
- Explore Derry (Londonderry) and city walls
- Visit Bogside district
- Discover Glenveagh National Park
- Visit Glenveagh Castle
- Experience glamping accommodation in County Donegal
Landmarks/POIs Derry (Londonderry) Bogside District Glenveagh National Park Glenveagh Castle - Day 5
Slieve League Cliffs
Start by having coffee at your glamping spot with views of wild green meadows stretching out around you. Then you'll hike to the Slieve League cliffs, which tower 601 meters high and rank among Europe's highest (they're roughly three times taller than the Cliffs of Moher). You'll feel the Atlantic breeze while looking out at the roaring ocean below. After returning, you'll have another night at your accommodation to rest and take in the wilderness around you.
- Meals
- Breakfast (Continental breakfast (surcharge applies))
Included Activities
- Hike to Slieve League cliffs
- Experience Slieve League scenic views
- Enjoy glamping accommodation in County Donegal
Landmarks/POIs Slieve League Cliffs - Day 6
Clifden
You'll travel through Connemara this morning, passing Ben Bulben, a table mountain tied to Irish folklore with its misty, atmospheric presence. Stop at Carrowmore Megalithic Cemetery, which contains over 60 prehistoric tombs dating back up to 6,000 years. You'll also check out Connemara National Park's rugged landscape before arriving in Clifden for the day. Visit Kylemore Abbey set in natural surroundings, and by evening you'll have settled into Clifden, which serves as your gateway to exploring more of the region.
- Meals
- Breakfast (Continental breakfast)
Included Activities
- View Ben Bulben mountain
- Visit Carrowmore Megalithic Cemetery
- Explore Connemara National Park
- Arrive in Clifden
- Visit Kylemore Abbey
Landmarks/POIs Ben Bulben Carrowmore Megalithic Cemetery Connemara National Park Clifden Kylemore Abbey - Day 7
Dublin
Head toward Dublin but stop first in Galway, Ireland's vibrant cultural heart. Walk through the colorful Latin Quarter with its narrow streets and lively atmosphere, then continue east to Dublin. Begin your city center walk by photographing the General Post Office and the 120-meter Spire. Cross O'Connell Bridge over the River Liffey and visit Trinity College to see its academic architecture. Finish the day at Temple Bar district and grab New York-style pizza at Bambino to refuel after a long day of walking.
- Meals
- Breakfast (Traditional Irish or continental breakfast (surcharge applies))
Included Activities
- Explore Galway and the Latin Quarter
- Visit General Post Office in Dublin
- View the Spire in Dublin
- Cross O'Connell Bridge
- Visit Trinity College
- Explore Temple Bar district
Optional Activities
- Enjoy a drink at Temple Bar
- Dine at Bambino (New York-style pizza)
Landmarks/POIs Galway The Latin Quarter General Post Office Spire O'Connell Bridge Trinity College Temple Bar District - Day 8
Dublin Departure
If your flight leaves late, you'll have time for one final stroll through your favorite Dublin spots or check out any sights you missed earlier in the week. Grab coffee at a local café you enjoyed before heading to the airport. Return your rental car and head to your gate with memories from your week of self-driving through Ireland's coast and countryside. Allow extra time for the rental return process before heading to your departure gate.
Optional Activities
- Revisit favorite Dublin locations
- Explore additional Dublin sights
