This 6 day ireland itinerary from dublin loops through Wicklow, Kilkenny, Kerry, Clare and Galway for a scenic mix of city, coast and castles.
Planning a 6 day ireland itinerary from dublin can feel like a puzzle. You want classic sights in the capital, time on the Wild Atlantic Way, storybook towns, and a route that does not leave you wrecked from driving. This guide keeps each day packed but manageable so you head home with plenty of stories and no need for a holiday after your holiday.
How This 6 Day Ireland Itinerary From Dublin Works
This route starts and ends in Dublin and works best with a rental car, though you can mix in a few day tours if you prefer not to drive every leg. Drive times stay mostly under three hours at a stretch, with one slightly longer spin between Killarney and the west coast. You stay in three main bases: Dublin, Killarney and Galway.
The plan assumes you land in Dublin the night before Day 1 or on a morning flight that gives you time in the city. Swap days around if flight times or seasons demand it. Summer brings long daylight hours and heavier crowds; winter means short days and more cozy pub time.
| Day | Base Town | Main Highlights |
|---|---|---|
| Day 1 | Dublin | Trinity College, Dublin Castle, Guinness Storehouse |
| Day 2 | Dublin | Wicklow Mountains, Glendalough, coastal stop in Bray or Greystones |
| Day 3 | Killarney | Kilkenny town, Rock of Cashel, arrival in Killarney |
| Day 4 | Killarney | Ring of Kerry loop with viewpoints and seaside stops |
| Day 5 | Galway | Cliffs of Moher, the Burren, evening in Galway city |
| Day 6 | Dublin | Athlone or Clonmacnoise stop, final Dublin dinner |
| Drive Notes | Mixed | Most drives 2–3 hours, one leg close to 3.5 hours |
You can trim or stretch this 6 day ireland itinerary from dublin. Drop the Ring of Kerry and spend longer in Dublin and Galway, or add a seventh night and split one of the longer drives. The outline below shows how to shape each day without feeling rushed.
Day 1: Dublin Old Streets And Classic Sights
Start with Dublin on foot so you can shake off any jet lag and get a feel for the city. Stay near the city centre around St Stephen’s Green, Merrion Square or the south side quays for easy walking distance to the main sights.
Morning Around Trinity And The Old City
Begin at Trinity College, wandering through the cobbled courtyards before heading into the Old Library. Prebook the
Book of Kells experience
to see the illuminated manuscript and the Long Room with its soaring shelves of old volumes.
From Trinity, stroll along Grafton Street for buskers and window shopping, then duck into the side lanes for coffee. Take a short walk to St Patrick’s Cathedral or Christ Church Cathedral to see some of the city’s oldest stonework. A gentle loop back toward Dublin Castle gives a tidy first taste of Irish history in one compact area.
Afternoon With Castles And Guinness
Dublin Castle holds a mix of medieval foundations and later state rooms. A guided visit adds context for later stops around the country where the same English and Irish names crop up again and again. Afterward, follow the River Liffey west or hop on a bus toward the Guinness Storehouse.
The Guinness tour fills several floors with brewing history, tasting counters and city views from the Gravity Bar. Booking ahead through the
official Dublin listing for Guinness Storehouse
helps you dodge long ticket lines at busy times.
Evening In Temple Bar Or Nearby
Round off your first day with a slow walk through the lanes of Temple Bar. The area can feel busy and loud, so many visitors choose to enjoy one drink there and then cross back over the river toward Capel Street or South William Street for dinner and live music in a smaller setting.
Day 2: Wicklow Mountains, Glendalough And Sea Air
Day two leaves the city for a taste of the hills and the sea. Pick up your rental car in the morning, or join a Wicklow and Glendalough bus tour if you prefer not to drive. Aim to leave Dublin early so you reach the valleys before the main tour buses.
Morning Drive To Glendalough
Head south through the Wicklow Mountains toward Glendalough. The road winds past heather and bogland, with pull-offs for quick photos. In Glendalough, follow the lakeside paths, visit the monastic round tower and graveyard, and take your time with the quieter upper lake trails if weather allows.
The visitor centre has clear panels about the early Christian site, which helps the ruins feel less abstract. Wear layers and good shoes; even in summer the valley can feel cool and damp.
Afternoon Coast Stop And Return To Dublin
On the way back north, swing through the coastal towns of Bray or Greystones. A short section of the cliff walk between the two gives wide sea views and fresh air after the valley. If you are short on time, settle for a seaside coffee and a stroll on the promenade.
Return to Dublin for a second night. Use the evening for an easy dinner near your hotel or catch a traditional music session in a pub that suits your pace, whether that means a quiet snug or a more lively room.
Day 3: Kilkenny Streets And Rock Of Cashel
Day three heads south toward Kilkenny and then west to Killarney. Check out of your Dublin stay after breakfast and aim for a mid-morning arrival in Kilkenny, a compact town that rewards a few hours on foot.
Morning And Lunch In Kilkenny
Park near Kilkenny Castle and start with a walk through its grounds. Inside, the restored rooms show how the aristocracy lived in the 19th century. From there, follow the Medieval Mile past Rothe House and St Canice’s Cathedral, climbing the round tower if the weather is clear.
Kilkenny has plenty of small cafes and pubs that work well for lunch. Pick something near the centre so you do not lose time hunting for parking again before the drive to Cashel.
Afternoon At The Rock Of Cashel And Arrival In Killarney
From Kilkenny, drive to the Rock of Cashel, the limestone outcrop topped with a cluster of medieval buildings. The mix of chapel, cathedral, tower and graveyard stands high above the plains, so set at least an hour and a half here for both the site and the views.
Continue on to Killarney in County Kerry, your base for the next two nights. Aim to reach town before sunset so you can check into your guesthouse, take a short walk around the centre and settle on a spot for dinner near the park gates or along the main streets.
Day 4: Ring Of Kerry Views And Villages
The Ring of Kerry is a full-day loop from Killarney around the Iveragh Peninsula. Many visitors drive counterclockwise so they sit on the left side of the road next to the sea views. Leave early to stay ahead of the larger coach tours, and keep an eye on weather updates before you set off.
| Route Leg | Distance | Approx Drive Time |
|---|---|---|
| Dublin to Glendalough (Day 2) | ~70 km | 1.5 hours |
| Dublin to Kilkenny (Day 3) | ~130 km | 2 hours |
| Kilkenny to Rock of Cashel (Day 3) | ~60 km | 1 hour |
| Cashel to Killarney (Day 3) | ~140 km | 2.5 hours |
| Killarney to Cliffs of Moher (Day 5) | ~210 km | 3.5 hours |
| Galway to Dublin (Day 6) | ~210 km | 2.5 hours |
Stops Around The Ring
Classic stops include the lakes and viewpoints near Killarney National Park, the seaside stretch near Waterville, and the cliffs around Coomakista Pass. Many drivers add a short side trip to Valentia Island for walks and sea views. Keep some spare time for unscheduled photo breaks; this road seems to produce a pull-off every few minutes.
Back in Killarney, drop the car and enjoy dinner in town. Those with spare energy can add a short evening stroll through the park or a jaunting car ride if daylight remains.
Day 5: Cliffs Of Moher, The Burren And Galway Evenings
Day five links the southwest to the west coast, passing some of the most famous scenery in Ireland. Start early from Killarney so you have plenty of time at the Cliffs of Moher and along the Burren before reaching Galway.
Morning Drive To The Cliffs Of Moher
Aim for a late morning arrival at the Cliffs of Moher visitor centre. Walk the main paths to the viewpoints on each side and stay well within the safety barriers, as the drop to the Atlantic is sheer. In clear weather, you can see along the line of the coast that forms part of the Wild Atlantic Way.
Across The Burren And On To Galway
After the cliffs, drive the coast road through the Burren, a limestone plateau with patches of wildflowers and old stone walls. Short off-road stops at small lay-bys give a close look at the rocky ground and the sea below. Stop in a village such as Doolin or Ballyvaughan for a late lunch before the final leg to Galway.
In Galway, stay near the Latin Quarter or the Claddagh area so you can walk to dinner, music and the waterfront. Quay Street and the surrounding lanes fill with buskers, pubs and small restaurants, giving a friendly night-time feel without needing the car again.
Day 6: Galway Mornings And Return To Dublin
Use your last morning for a slow wander through Galway. Check out the harbour, Spanish Arch and the shops along Shop Street. If you enjoy markets, time your visit for a weekend when stalls cluster near St Nicholas’ Church with crafts and street food.
Around midday, start the drive back to Dublin along the motorway. Break the journey with a coffee and snack in Athlone or visit the early monastic site of Clonmacnoise if you have not yet had your fill of old ruins. Aim to reach Dublin by late afternoon so you can drop the car without rushing.
Spend your final evening with a relaxed dinner in a neighbourhood you liked on the first day or somewhere new near the Grand Canal or Smithfield. This closes the loop on your 6 day ireland itinerary from dublin and gives a gentle finish before your flight home.
Taking A Six Day Ireland Route From Dublin
This plan gives a strong first visit, yet it stays flexible. Travel in winter and you may trim a stop or two on the longest days to match daylight hours. Travel in summer and you can add side trips, such as a boat ride on the lakes near Killarney or an evening walk along the Salthill Prom in Galway.
If narrow rural roads make you nervous, think about swapping the Ring of Kerry driving day for a local bus tour while you keep the rest of the route self-guided. You can also add train trips from Dublin or Galway before or after this loop when you have more time. No matter how you tweak it, starting and ending in the capital keeps your flights simple while still giving you mountains, cliffs, castles and coast within six packed but balanced days.