Ideas for tours of Ireland from London
If you’re looking for an exciting holiday close to home, Ireland is a fantastic option. Here you can immerse yourself in the landscapes and historical landmarks of this fascinating country. Explore lively Irish cities and charming countryside as you take in the culture, history and beauty of the Emerald Isle.
Ireland is so easy to reach from London, whether you jump on a quick 1-hour flight or drive and take the ferry across the Irish Sea. Once you arrive you could get to know the buzzing Irish capital, Dublin. Visit Trinity College, tour the famous Guinness Storehouse, and soak up the lively Temple Bar district.
You could also explore Northern Ireland, highlights of the Wild Atlantic Way, and the rolling green countryside on your holiday. Choose from journeys around the island or short breaks to the cities.
Imagine yourself wandering through ancient Celtic monuments, going for a walk on the emerald hills, and learning about Gaelic culture. You could sit in a typical pub tasting the local brew and listening to live Irish music. It’s all on your doorstep.
Good to know: All of Nordic Visitor’s Ireland self-drive tour packages can be customised by our regional experts. They can add extra nights at select locations or modify the driving routes if you have any particular attractions in mind. Just ask!
Want to go on an Ireland road trip?
We recommend at least 6 to 8 days to make the most of a road trip around Ireland.
All our tours set off from Dublin and include top attractions such as the Cliffs of Moher, the Ring of Kerry, and Blarney Castle. As the itineraries are flexible, you’ll have the freedom to pull the car over at any attractions or breathtaking views.
Here’s an example of a one-week Ireland itinerary:
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Day 1 – Arrive in Dublin.
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Day 2 – Pick up your rental car and drive to the west coast. Spend the night in Galway.
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Day 3 – Explore Connemara or the Aran Islands. Overnight in Galway.
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Day 4 – See the Cliffs of Moher. Overnight in Killarney.
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Day 5 – Tour the Ring of Kerry. Overnight in Killarney.
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Day 6 – Visit historic sites and drop off your rental car. Spend your last night in Dublin.
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Day 7 – Depart from Dublin Airport.
The best part? You won’t have to worry about where you’re going or sleeping, because your Nordic Visitor travel consultant will plan the trip for you and sort all the details before you arrive.
We reserve your accommodation, rent a car for your trip, and can book activities to fill your days with more adventures. We cater to all tastes, whether you want to visit a whiskey distillery, discover the national parks, or tour the Dingle Peninsula.
You’ll also have access to our 24/7 helpline should you need to call us at any point.
Would you prefer to join a guided tour of Ireland?
Skip the driving and opt for a guided tour instead!
See the Emerald Isle from a local’s point of view and make some new friends along the way with our guided small group tours. These trips offer an enriching and personal way to travel as a group. You’ll take advantage of an expert guide’s knowledge while travelling with a maximum of 15 guests.
Please note: While these packages can be customised with some optional activities, you can only add extra nights in Dublin before or after the guided portion of the tour.
Or if you prefer to travel with your family and friends only, look no further than private tours of Ireland. You’ll have your very own driver-guide to take you around the island and tell you all about its history and culture. This is an intimate way to see the country with dedicated attention to your own needs and interests.
Want to stay for a longer period of time?
If you want to slow down the pace and take in more Irish attractions, we highly recommend extending your tour to at least 10 days.
With our flexible itineraries, it’s easy to start planning your tour! Pick the amount of time you want to stay in Dublin and then decide how many days you want to spend travelling around the island.
The possibilities are endless when visiting Ireland. With 10 days or longer, you could enjoy a more in-depth travel experience. Follow the Wild Atlantic Way route or pop into Northern Ireland for a complete tour of the island. Don’t miss the Giant’s Causeway, the capital Belfast, and the Antrim Coast.
Or would you prefer to spend more time in one city than another? Add another town to your trip or specific day tours? Just ask your Nordic Visitor travel consultant for advice.
When is the best time to visit Ireland?
Ireland is a beautiful country all year long. This means you can’t go wrong when you book your Irish getaway from London. That said, we recommend the summertime or its shoulder months for the best experience.
Like the UK, the summer months of June, July and August make up the high season. And this time of year, is marked by long daylight hours and the best (most stable) weather of the year. Attractions also tend to have longer opening hours than in winter.
All of this means you can discover Ireland to your heart’s content.
However, you may find that top attractions are most popular at this time. Indeed, Ireland attracts visitors from around the world especially in summer.
If you would rather have a quieter holiday, visit during spring or autumn. During this time, you’ll enjoy the best of both worlds: fewer visitors at attractions but good weather and plenty of daylight for exploring.
Are you interested in exploring Scotland too?
You could add a road trip around Scotland to your tour of Ireland for an extra epic Celtic itinerary. We recommend at least 10 days for this, which would give you enough time to dive into different regions around Great Britain and Ireland.
Spend the first 4 to 10 days travelling around the rugged Highlands and islands of Scotland. Then follow that up with a tour of Ireland to take in all the jaw-dropping coastal landscapes and historic landmarks.
With a combination tour of Scotland and Ireland, you get your flight between the two countries, local transport and accommodation with daily breakfast included.
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