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Céad míle fáilte – “A hundred thousand welcomes”. That’s what’s waiting for you in the friendly towns and cities in Ireland.
In this guide, we’ve rounded up 10 essential stops. Think Dublin’s lively Temple Bar District and Galway’s music-filled pubs. Cork’s market buzz and Belfast’s rich history. Plus, hidden gems like Trim’s towering castle and Westport’s postcard-worthy harbour.
Each place has its own charm. Its own character. And yes – its own perfect pint of Guinness waiting for you at the end of a day’s exploring.
Ready? Let’s dive into the best towns and cities to visit in Ireland.
- Visit must-see Ireland towns and cities on a privately guided tour of Ireland
1. Dublin
Dublin is where most Irish adventures begin. You’ll feel Ireland’s capital and largest city humming with energy the moment you arrive. In the cobbled courtyards of Trinity College, or the Temple Bar District streets.
Start at the iconic Guinness Storehouse. Make your way up 7 floors of brewing history, finishing with a 360-degree view of the city and a refreshing pint. You can even have your face printed in the foam – because why not?
Spend an afternoon at Trinity College. The Long Room Library stretches before you like something straight out of Harry Potter. Don’t rush it – you’ll want to soak it all in, especially the famous Book of Kells, which glows under museum lights.
Temple Bar is always buzzing, especially in the evenings. It’s a lively spot, but if you’re after something a bit more low-key, duck down the side streets nearby. You’ll find other pubs with live music and fewer crowds – the kind of places where locals linger.
And then there’s the quieter Dublin – the leafy Grand Canal, Phoenix Park, and St. Stephen’s Green. You can walk around the city easily. It’s compact enough for your feet, big enough to surprise you at every turn.
Local tip: Visiting in July or August? Catch the Leopardstown summer series on Thursday evenings for horse races and live music.
- Discover the capital and beyond on an Ireland tour from Dublin
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2. Galway
Wild Atlantic winds blow straight through Galway’s heart. This is Ireland’s cultural capital, where you’ll hear traditional music spill from doorways and street performers make every corner feel like a stage.
The Latin Quarter is where you’ll want to start. Wander the narrow medieval streets packed with craft shops and cosy pubs. Stop for oysters, fresh from Galway Bay, served with a squeeze of lemon and a pint of something local.
Time your visit in September to catch the Galway Oyster and Seafood Festival. Come for the world’s oyster shucking championships, stay for the brilliant “craic” – what the Irish call good fun.
Or stop by in July when the Galway International Arts Festival takes over the city. You’ll find theatre shows, concerts, and comedy shows that turn Galway into a creative playground.
For a dose of fresh sea air, stroll the Salthill Promenade, curving along Galway Bay for 2 kilometres (1 mile). If you’re up for a summer dip, the diving board at Blackrock is waiting. (Cold? Yes. Worth it? Also, yes.)
The remote Aran Islands sit just off the coast of Galway Bay. Catch a ferry from Rossaveel Harbour to explore ancient settlements and buy an Aran sweater straight from the source.
Another brilliant day trip takes you to Connemara National Park. If you love hikes and nature walks, it’s a must-do. Wander the quiet trails and you might spot red deer and free-roaming Connemara ponies.
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3. Killarney
Killarney is the Ireland of your imagination. Think lakes, mountains, castles, and more shades of green than you thought possible.
Killarney National Park surrounds the town like a lush blanket – walk, cycle, or boat between Lough Leane, Muckross Lake, and Upper Lake. Don’t miss Muckross House and Abbey while you’re exploring the park. The Victorian-era mansion tells you stories of Irish aristocracy, while the gardens bloom wildly in spring and summer.
Back in town, you’ll find lively pubs and traditional shops. You’ll also see jaunting cars (“horse-drawn carriages”) still clip-clopping through the streets. Yes, touristy, but in the best way.
Killarney is also the start and end of the scenic Ring of Kerry route, but don’t rush off. Take time to explore and you’ll be rewarded with Irish hospitality at its finest.
- Related: Best things to do in Ireland
4. Cork
Cork calls itself the “real capital of Ireland”. Spend a day here and you’ll understand why locals have such confidence.
The English Market sits right at the city’s heart. Weave your way through the Victorian-era stalls packed with fresh produce like black pudding, artisan cheese, and local honey.
Grab a sandwich or fish and chips, find a spot by the fountain, and watch life unfold around you. If you’re a foodie, Cork is one of the best cities to visit in Ireland. The market’s just the beginning.
The city of Cork spreads across islands and bridges, wrapped around the River Lee. You’ll stroll past Georgian terraces, colourful townhouses, and leafy streets.
St. Fin Barre’s Cathedral dominates the skyline with its French Gothic spires. Worth a visit for the views alone. But the real Cork experience happens in its pubs and cafés, where conversation flows as freely as the pints you’ll share.
If you’re a history buff, don’t miss Blarney Castle, just 15 minutes outside the city. Kiss the famous Blarney Stone if you’re brave enough to hang backwards over the castle walls. They say it gives you the gift of eloquence.
Or just wander through the lush gardens and say you did – we won’t tell.
- Discover southern Ireland at your own pace on an Irish self-drive tour
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5. Belfast
Northern Ireland’s capital has rewritten its story, and you’re arriving at the perfect time. What was once a divided city is now a hub of brilliant museums, whiskey distilleries, and a growing food scene.
Start with the Titanic Belfast. You’ll learn the “unsinkable” ship’s story right where it was built. Explore the 9 galleries that span the shipyard’s history, the voyage, and that tragic Atlantic night.
Join a tour of the city’s Peace Walls that once separated Protestant and Catholic communities. They’re now covered in powerful murals that reflect Belfast’s history, honouring its past and celebrating a spirit of unity.
Trace Ireland's past at the Ulster Museum. Or stroll through the leafy trails of Belfast Botanic Gardens. And when you’re ready for a drink, the city’s pub scene rivals anywhere in Northern Ireland.
Belfast is also your gateway to exploring the rest of the country and the Republic of Ireland. The UNESCO-listed Giant’s Causeway sits just an hour away. This is the crème de la crème of Ireland’s natural attractions, and you’ll want to see it for yourself.
- Check out these expert-curated Northern Ireland tours
- Related: Best things to do in Northern Ireland
6. Kilkenny
You’ll feel like you’re stepping into a history book in medieval Kilkenny. Narrow lanes twist between stone buildings that have stood for centuries. It’s a city built for wandering.
Kilkenny Castle grabs your attention right away. Perched by the river, it’s held 800 years of Irish history within its walls. The gardens slope down to the River Nore, a great spot for a picnic on a sunny day.
Follow the Craft Trail through town where artisans create everything – hand-blown glass and silver jewellery, pottery and textiles. This isn’t mass-produced keepsake stuff you’ll find elsewhere – it’s the real thing. Made by people who’ve chosen Kilkenny for its inspiration and community.
Feeling bold? Climb the round tower at St Canice’s Cathedral – all 33 metres (100 feet) of it. The views across Kilkenny’s rooftops are worth the wobbly legs.
Time your visit right and you might catch Kilkenny’s arts festivals, comedy weekends, and music events. This medieval hub is easily one of the top cities in Ireland, and one of the most inviting.
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7. Derry
Derry is one of Northern Ireland’s oldest and liveliest cities. You’ll notice the city wears 2 names: Derry to nationalists, Londonderry to unionists. Locals navigate this with typical Irish humour and warmth you’ll quickly appreciate.
Walk Derry’s 17th-century City Walls, still circling the old town after 400 years. They’re the best preserved in Europe, standing strong beneath your feet. On a clear day, you’ll get views stretching to Donegal’s mountains.
Then, cross the Peace Bridge over the River Foyle, made up of 2 overlapping parts. It’s both a crossing and a symbol of the end of Northern Ireland’s political divide.
And if you’ve seen Derry Girls, you’ll spot filming locations all over the city. There’s even a mural of the gang near Orchard Street – perfect for a selfie if you’re a fan of Sister Michael’s sass.
- Discover Derry’s storied past with a local guide on a small group tour of Ireland
8. Westport
Westport is one of the prettiest towns in Ireland. You’ll find it beside Clew Bay, under the watchful eye of Croagh Patrick, Ireland’s holy mountain.
You’ll love the town centre with its wide streets and colourful buildings. The centrepiece is the Octagon monument, where 8 streets fan out like spokes.
Use Westport as your base for one of Ireland’s best loop drives. Cross the bridge to Achill Island, Ireland’s longest. It’s packed with sea cliffs, winding roads and golden beaches.
Swing by Downpatrick Head for sweeping views over the coastline and sea. Then, stop by Céide Fields, a 5,000-year-old farming landscape that has been hidden for centuries under the wild terrain.
Back in Clew Bay, look for the tiny islands dotting the water – one for every day of the year, locals will tell you. Kayak among them or cycle the Great Western Greenway, a peaceful 42-kilometre (26-mile) trail along a former railway line.
End your day at Matt Molloy’s pub. Owned by the flautist from The Chieftains, it’s the spot for a pint and a proper trad (“traditional”) music session.
This is small-town Ireland at its most welcoming. You’ll be a local after your second drink.
9. Trim
Just west of Dublin, Trim is a riverside town with a big surprise: the largest Anglo-Norman castle in Ireland. You'll see it rising out of the countryside like something out of your favourite fairy tale.
Trim Castle is your star attraction. Explore the keep, walk the walls, and if it feels oddly familiar, that’s because you might have seen it in Braveheart. But Trim is just the beginning. You’re in the Boyne Valley, one of the most history-packed corners of Ireland.
A short drive away is the Hill of Tara, the ancient seat of Irish High Kings. Stand where Celtic royalty once ruled, then head to nearby Newgrange. This passage tomb is older than Stonehenge, holding 5,2000-year-old secrets in its chambers.
Fun fact: The passage and chamber align with the rising sun during the winter solstice.
And then there’s Loughcrew Cairns, even older than Newgrange. Climb to the viewpoint and you’ll see 18 of Ireland’s 32 counties. That’s more than half of Ireland – not bad for one hike.
Over at Fore Abbey, the landscapes take a turn for the mysterious. Here, water flows uphill instead of down – one of several “7 wonders” said to exist in this spiritual spot.
And just beyond Fore, you’ll meet Tommy, the blacksmith behind An Gobha. He’s a master of his craft and a born storyteller, weaving Celtic myths into every glowing strike of the hammer. Sparks fly – literally and figuratively.
An Gobha is a must-do activity in the area.
- Rhiannon, Ireland-based Travel Consultant.
You can even commission or buy handcrafted pieces like intricate Celtic crosses, iron hearts and spiral pendants.
You’ll find the Trim feels appropriately Irish. Just locals going about their day around one of Europe’s most impressive castles.
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10. Newcastle
You’ll find Newcastle at the foot of Slieve Donard, Northern Ireland’s highest peak. If you’re up for a challenge, a hike takes about 3 hours up. On a clear day, you’ll see all the way over to Scotland.
If you’re a Game of Thrones fan, the landscape might look familiar. Some of the scenes in the series were filmed right here in the Mourne Mountains.
The Mourne Mountains are one of the most untouched landscapes, and a hiker’s paradise.
- Rhiannon, Ireland-based Travel Consultant.
Down below, Silent Valley holds an optical illusion that’ll mess with your mind. Water seems to flow uphill. Cars seem to roll upward when in neutral. It’s one of those gravity hills that defies explanation.
Newcastle’s beach stretches for miles around you. Sand dunes, rock pools, and that bracing Irish Sea air that makes ice cream taste better somehow. Stroll the Promenade and soak it all in.
You’ll also find Royal County Down Golf Club here, one of the world’s best courses. But even if golf isn’t your thing, this seaside town offers simple pleasures: fish and chips, ice cream, and arcade games from another era.
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Explore Ireland with Nordic Visitor
The Emerald Isle’s towns and cities all share something special – that knack for making you feel at home after just a day or two.
Each place rewards you for slowing down, for chatting with locals in pubs, and wandering cobbled streets to see where the day takes you.
On a privately guided tour of Ireland, you’ll get to experience this at its best. Your local guide will lead the way, sharing stories and insights that bring the country to life. All while you sit back, relax, and soak up the scenery.
Plus, your UK-based travel consultant will handle the details. They’ll book your accommodation, arrange airport transfers, and add any activities that match your interests.
Prefer to travel at your own pace? Choose a self-drive tour of Ireland with a thoughtfully planned route and your choice of rental car. Or join an Irish small group tour to explore alongside like-minded travellers.
Contact us and we’ll make your Irish adventure a reality.
