10 day Ireland itinerary: perfect Irish road trip idea for first time visitors
10 day Ireland itinerary: perfect Irish road trip for first time visitors with tips from a local
Planning a 10-day Ireland trip and wondering where to go, what to see, and how much you can realistically fit in? I am here to help!
I am Italian, but I have been living in Ireland for the last 20 years, 20 years full of 20 years filled with exploration of landaus, hidden corners, and local discoveries.
So, when I tell you I can help, I really mean it! Because I am in the privileged position of having all the insider tips of a local, plus the curiosity and awe of the visitor, so I know what you want to experience and, more importantly, where to find it.
This 10-day Ireland itinerary is designed to let you soak in Ireland’s most breathtaking landscapes, lively towns, and unforgettable coastal drives.
I have included places visitors love with the insider stops and small adjustments that make a huge difference when you’re actually here. Think scenic roads at the right time of day, avoiding the busiest cliff-side drives, and knowing which towns make the best overnight bases.
I hope you enjoy it!
Please read, important! This itinerary is a sample and may need tweaks based on your personal travel schedule. If you’re arriving late or from a long-haul flight, avoid driving immediately. Wait until you’re rested and it’s daylight. In that case, spending your first night in Dublin (The Merrion Hotel, The Shelbourne, or The Mespil are all good choices). It is a lovely and safe way to ease into your trip before starting your road adventure the following morning. See all my Ireland driving tips here.
Please note: this post contains affiliate links. Should you make a purchase, we might make a small commission.
10 day Ireland itinerary at a glance
| Day N. | Stay / End point / night stop | What you will see | Driving time |
| Day 1 | Dublin / Wicklow | Mountain scenery | 1h |
| Day 2 | Wicklow / Kilkenny | Ruins / Towns | 1h 40 mins |
| Day 3 | Killkenny – Kinsale | Scenery / castles | 2.15 h |
| Day 4 | Kinsale – Killarney | Scenery | 1 h 30 min |
| Day 5 | Killarney | Ring of Kerry | All day |
| day 6 | Killarney – Galway | Burren / Cliffs of Moher | 3+ |
| Day 7 | Galway | Aran islands | None |
| Day 8 | Galway | Connemara | 3+ |
| Day 9 | Galway Dublin | Cities | 2 h 30 mins |
| Day 10 | Dublin | Dublin city center | None |
Day 1 – Arrival in Dublin and drive to Wicklow
Gorgeous County Wicklow, just south of Dublin, is nicknamed the “Garden of Ireland” for good reason; the area is a picture perfect corner of Ireland with pristine nature and pretty accommodation options (thing flowery gardens, cute cottages, lakes…). The motorway drive takes about an hour, after which you can relax into one of the charming local hotels and soak in the rolling green hills.
Must-sees in Wicklow:
- Glendalough Monastic Site
- The scenic Sally Gap drive
Try to do the Sally Gap in daylight; depending on your arrival time and energy levels, it may be easier to leave sightseeing for the next morning and spend your first night in Dublin instead.
Stay at:
- Tinakilly House Hotel and Restaurant – elegant, historic, atmospheric
- BrookLodge at Macreddin Village – a wonderfully romantic and intimate country retreat. It’s a slightly longer drive from Dublin but perfect for a relaxing first night in Ireland. Make time for one of the two excellent restaurants and a celebratory drink at the hotel bar.
Day 2 – Glendalough to Kilkenny
Today you’ll reach Kilkenny, a lively small city with a stunning castle and a charming, artsy centre.
The town is ancient and one of the beautiful medieval gems of Ireland but it also reinvented itself as a dynamic, artistic place and it is one of the most peasant cities to visit in the country, full of music, thigns to see and really nice food too.
Spend the day exploring Kilkenny Castle, wandering the Medieval Mile, taking in Kilkenny’s stunning cathedral, enjoying the city’s colorful houses, browsing craft studios, and soaking up the atmosphere. In the evening, head to a traditional pub for live Irish music — the perfect introduction to local culture.
This is a lovely and mellow day that keeps the driving short and allows for a relaxing, slow yet pleasant day in Kilkenny for strolling, resting with coffee, shopping etc.
You can read how to spend a lovely day in Kilkenny here.
Stay at:
- The Butler House – comfortable, charming central, and ideal to soak in the city and its atmosphere
Day 3 – Kilkenny to Kinsale
The south of Ireland is beautiful, and the drive to Kinsale allows you to see some of its most impressive gems.
On the way, stop at:
- The Rock of Cashel – one of Ireland’s most extraordinary medieval sites, maybe my most favourite historic site in Ireland
- Blarney Castle, one of Ireland’s best known landmarks (touristy, but lovely: its poison garden is my favorite thing here, while personally I find the long line to the famous stone of no interest. But the is of course just my personal opinion!).
In Kinsale:
Stay at The Trident Hotel for wonderful views over the waterfront.
Day 4 – Kinsale to Killarney
The distance between Kinsale and Killarney is short but, depending on energy levels and weather, you can take the longer coastal and make this a wonderful driving day, going via Clonakilty and Courtmacsherry, on the southern coast, which is worth seeing.
Once in Killarney (click for my essential guide), settle into this charming town known for its colourful streets, abundant restaurants, and famous castle and explore the Killarney National park, which is beautiful, quintessentially Irish and easy to visit, as it doesn’t require any strenuous walking.
Stay:
At Killarney Lodge or the Killarney Park hotel as a welcoming and handy base for the next two nights.
Day 5 – The Ring of Kerry OR Dingle Peninsula OR Day in Killarney
The Ring of Kerry is among Ireland’s most iconic scenic routes, celebrated for its dramatic landscapes, coastal views, and photogenic villages. The loop takes most of the day, so two nights in Killarney make the perfect setup.
Important tip:
Drive anticlockwise. You might end up behind tour buses, but you’ll avoid driving on the cliff side — a much more relaxing experience!
High-season alternative:
If the Ring of Kerry feels too busy, consider the Dingle Peninsula. It’s equally spectacular, wonderfully wild in places, and often less crowded.
Rest day alternative: if you need a break from driving, Killarney itself will easily keep you busy for the day kayaking, strolling and taking in its pretty streets and beautiful park. You can also take the short drive to Kenmare should you feel like a bit of an excursion without the stress of long hours on the road.
Day 6 – Killarney to County Clare: The Burren and the Cliffs of Moher
This stretch is packed with natural beauty. Highlights include:
- The Burren – an extraordinary limestone landscape, an evocative and quintessentially irish, wild area to visit
- The Cliffs of Moher – Ireland’s best-known cliffs (see my full Cliffs of Moher guide here)
Take your time here, especially in good weather. Walking the cliffs or exploring the quiet lanes of the Burren is one of Ireland’s great pleasures.
Make Galway your home for the following three nights. Galway is a wonderful university town with a youthful, friendly vibe. Its location is what truly makes it special: it sits at the gateway to the Aran Islands and Connemara.
Additional stops worth considering:
- The Burren Perfumery
- Doolin
- Ballyvaughan
- Dromoland Castle
Stay for 3 nights:
- The Huntsman Inn in Galway, a cute hotel with friendly Irish hospitality, to at Eyre square hotel for a super central location.
Day 7 – Aran Islands (optional)
If the weather is kind, a trip to the Aran Islands is likely to become a highlight of your visit.
The islands offer rugged landscapes, stone walls, coastal views, and a slower pace of life — a lovely break from driving. If the weather doesn’t cooperate or you started this itinerary one day later because of an overnight in Dublin, you can easily skip and enjoy Galway city or Dublin City one extra day instead.
Day 8 – Galway and Connemara
Connemara is famous for its wild beauty, remote valleys, and must-see spots such as:
- Clifden
- Kylemore Abbey
Connemara is scenic and super easy from Galway, so you can visit with little planning: just consider the weather and make sure you are not on those roads in the dark or treacherous conditions as the area is rural, remote and very rainy!
Staying in Galway allows you the freedom: should the weather not cooperate, Galway is a lovely city you’ll have no problem enjoying for the day.
Day 9 – Galway to Dublin
The Galway–Dublin drive is straightforward, but you can make it more interesting with a stop at Clonmacnoise, a serene monastic complex along the River Shannon.
Arrive in Dublin for your final evening and enjoy a relaxed walk or dinner in the city.
Day 10 – Dublin
With part of day 9 and day 10 in Dublin, you won’t see everything — but you can enjoy the city’s atmosphere.
For a short visit, you can consider:
- Grafton Street – buzzy, car-free shopping street with cafes and performers
- Trinity College and the Book of Kells, one of Dublin’s main landmarks, worth seeing
- Temple Bar – busy and overrun, yet still one of the most famous areas for social and nightlife in Dublin
- St Patrick’s cathedral, stunning and an important Dublin landmark
- The Guinness storehouse, a fun stop and a good excuse for a pint with a view (at the top of the Guinness storehouse, there is a bar with expansive views over Dublin!)
They’re all close to the center and give you a lovely taste of Dublin before you head to the airport.
10 day Ireland itinerary idea – pin this!
