Top vacations in Ireland

Absolutely. Ireland’s serene beauty, historic sites, and famously friendly locals have earned it top spots in travel publications like National Geographic, Condé Nast Traveller and Forbes.

Think windswept cliffs, rolling emerald hills, and centuries-old castles steeped in stories. Add in colourful cities like Galway, where buskers fill the streets with traditional music. Or Cork, a compact city with a big personality (and even bigger food markets).

And if your timing’s right, you might stumble on an Irish festival where you’ll get a real taste of local culture.

Oh, and the pubs? Some of the best in the world. No question.

Ready for more ideas? Here are even more reasons to fall in love with the Emerald Isle.

Ireland is packed with natural beauty, rich history, and must-see towns and cities, so you’re spoiled for choice. Here are some of the places that steal hearts and fill camera rolls:

• Dublin
• Guinness Storehouse
• Cliffs of Moher
• Wild Atlantic Way
• Giant’s Causeway
• Galway
• Killarney National Park
• Ring of Kerry
• Belfast
• Rock of Cashel
• Dingle Peninsula
• Achill Island
   

For more inspiration, this guide to the best places to visit in Ireland has loads more incredible spots.

Ireland is stunning year-round, but visiting between March and November is best. The weather’s milder, and the days are longer, so you’ll have lots of daylight for sightseeing.

This is the time for hiking in Killarney National Park, driving the scenic Wild Atlantic Way, and spotting puffins on the Skellig Islands.

And then there are the festivals. Tuck into fresh oysters at Galway’s Oyster and Seafood Festival. Or catch live gigs at Fleadh Cheoil na hÉireann, Ireland’s biggest traditional music festival.

Need help deciding when to plan your trip? This guide pulls together the best times to visit Ireland based on your interests.

It depends on where you’re travelling from. If you’re a citizen of the USA, Canada, UK, Australia, EU/EEA or Singapore, you won’t need a visa to visit the Republic of Ireland.

If you’re coming from countries like India, Thailand or China, you’ll need to apply for a short-stay tourist visa. But don’t worry, it’s straightforward to get. Check the Republic of Ireland’s visa page for all the details.

If your tour includes Northern Ireland, keep in mind that it’s part of the UK. From 2025, the UK will require an Electronic Travel Authorisation (ETA) for many visitors, even if you’re just passing through a UK airport. Learn more about the simple application process on the UK Home Office website.

Yes, Ireland is one of the safest countries you’ll ever visit.

The Global Peace Index ranked it among the most peaceful places in the world, and you’ll see why when you’re there. Crime rates are low, the locals are friendly, and you’ll feel welcome everywhere you go.

And if anything unexpected does come up while you’re travelling, we’re just a call away. Our 24/7 helpline means you’re never on your own – we’ll step in and sort things quickly.

Ireland is made up of 2 countries. The Republic of Ireland, which covers most of the island, is an independent European nation. Northern Ireland is part of the UK, alongside England, Scotland, and Wales.

The Republic of Ireland uses the Euro (€). In Northern Ireland, the currency is the British Pound (£), just like the rest of the UK.

Check out this guide to Irish money and currency for all the practical details you’ll need before you visit.

English is the main language spoken throughout Ireland. In the Republic of Ireland, you’ll also see signs in Irish (Gaelic) – many Irish people speak both.

Want to impress the locals? This Irish language guide has a few useful words to try out on your travels.

Yes, all of our tours are available to book online. If you’re after a self-drive or private tour of Ireland, you can pick the arrival date that suits you best between March and November.

Guided tours have fixed departure dates, with spots for 15 guests on each one. You can check each tour’s online calendar to see what dates are available and how many spaces are left. If you’ve got specific dates in mind, it’s best to book early.

All these Ireland tours are designed with care, using first-hand knowledge and local insight, but they’re yours to shape. Add extra nights, upgrades, and optional activities when you book online. For instance, you could sip smooth whiskey on a distillery tour, or watch a traditional Irish dance show.

If you like the freedom to go at your own pace, a self-drive tour of Ireland is the way to go. Extend your trip, take detours, and linger in the places you love most.

Irish small group tours are ideal if you’d rather leave the driving to someone else. You’ll ride in comfort with a friendly group, while your dedicated driver and knowledgeable guide take care of the rest. Expect insider tips, local stories, and a front-row seat to Ireland’s best bits.

On a privately guided tour of Ireland, your guide’s full attention is on you. They’ll handle the driving while you soak up their insider knowledge.

Want to see even more? You can combine Ireland with Scotland, or even add England into the mix. These Scotland and Ireland tours or UK and Ireland packages make exploring multiple countries seamless and memorable (for the right reasons).

Think places brimming with character, not cookie-cutter chains. We hand-pick every stay based on excellent ratings, comfort, and personal inspections by our team.

And because we’ve stayed in them ourselves, you can trust they’re places we’d gladly go back to.

You’ll sleep in cosy B&Bs and boutique hotels with personality. And in some places, you might even get the chance to stay in an authentic Irish castle. For a night or two, you can live (and sleep) like royalty.

We recommend checking flights early to get an idea of pricing and routes. But hold off on booking until your travel consultant has confirmed your tour.

Once everything’s set, you’ll have all the information you need to choose the right flights – and someone to chat with if you’re unsure.

The weather can change quickly, so it’s best to pack layers and be ready for all sorts. We suggest bringing:

• Warm sweater or fleece jacket
• Waterproof jacket and trousers
• Comfortable pair of walking shoes or boots
• Light layers
• Thermal layers
• Insect repellent
• Cosy hat, gloves and socks
   

You might also need a plug adapter or converter, depending on where you’re travelling from. For more advice on what to bring, check out this Ireland packing guide.

Tipping in Ireland isn’t expected, but it’s always appreciated if you’ve had great service.

In restaurants, it’s common to tip around 10% of the bill if service hasn’t already been included. But there’s no need to tip at takeaway counters or self-service cafés.

If you’re travelling on a small group tour or enjoying a privately guided trip, tipping your guide is a wonderful way to say thanks. So if you’ve enjoyed their insight, stories and support, a tip for a job well done goes a long way.

Learn more about tipping in Ireland with these useful travel tips.