16 Best Places to Visit in Ireland: Hidden Gems for UK Tourists

Ireland sits just across the Irish Sea, making it one of the most accessible overseas trips from the UK for a weekend break or a longer road trip. The best places to visit in Ireland stretch from dramatic Atlantic coastlines and medieval walled cities to quiet island communities and ancient monastic valleys.

Before you go, set up your Jetpac eSIM so you arrive connected, whether you land in Dublin or Cork. Here are 16 places to go in Ireland that belong on every UK visitor's radar.

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Below are the top 16 places to go in Ireland: 

1. Dublin

Ireland's capital is a walkable city of Georgian architecture, world-class museums, and one of Europe's most celebrated pub cultures. Trinity College, the National Gallery, and the Guinness Storehouse make Dublin one of the best places to visit in Ireland for first-timers.

• Best Time to Visit: May to September
• Must-Visit Spot: Trinity College Library and the Book of Kells
• Things to Do: Walk Grafton Street, tour the Guinness Storehouse, explore the Docklands
• Cost Per Person: £100 to £150 per day

2. Galway

Galway's cobblestone Latin Quarter, colourful shopfronts, and position as the gateway to Connemara and the Aran Islands make it one of the best places to visit in Ireland for atmosphere and natural variety. The city comes alive with street performers and outdoor festivals throughout the summer.

• Best Time to Visit: June to August for festivals and peak activity
• Must-Visit Spot: Eyre Square and the Latin Quarter
• Things to Do: Explore Galway City Museum, attend the Galway Races, take a day trip to the Aran Islands
• Cost Per Person: £80 to £120 per day

3. Cliffs of Moher

Rising 214 metres above the Atlantic Ocean in County Clare, the Cliffs of Moher are among the most beautiful places in Ireland, attracting over 1.5 million visitors each year. The clifftop walk between O'Brien's Tower and Hag's Head is the standout experience.

• Best Time to Visit: April to June for clear skies and manageable crowds
• Must-Visit Spot: O'Brien's Tower viewpoint
• Things to Do: Walk the coastal path, visit the cliff visitor centre, take a Doolin boat tour
• Cost Per Person: £60 to £90 per day including entry (approx. £7)

4. Killarney

Gateway to the Ring of Kerry and set beside three glacial lakes inside a national park, Killarney is one of the most popular Irish tourist destinations for outdoor travel in County Kerry. The scenery shifts from lakeside woodland to open mountain moorland within a short drive.

• Best Time to Visit: May to September
• Must-Visit Spot: Muckross House and Gardens
• Things to Do: Cycle Killarney National Park, drive the Ring of Kerry, take a jaunting car ride
• Cost Per Person: £80 to £120 per day

5. Dingle Peninsula

The Dingle Peninsula in County Kerry is one of the most beautiful places in Ireland, with sea cliffs, ancient stone forts, and a living Gaeltacht community where Irish remains the everyday language. Slea Head Drive is consistently rated one of the finest coastal routes in Europe.

• Best Time to Visit: May to October
• Must-Visit Spot: Slea Head viewpoint and Dunbeg Fort
• Things to Do: Drive Slea Head, visit Gallarus Oratory, explore Dingle town's craft shops and pubs
• Cost Per Person: £70 to £100 per day

6. Connemara

Connemara in County Galway is wild, boggy, and visually dramatic, with granite mountain ranges, island-dotted sea inlets, and a landscape entirely removed from urban Ireland. It is one of the best places to visit in Ireland for travellers who want remote coastal scenery without long-haul flights. It is important to have your Jetpac eSIM active here, as the mobile signal in remote parts of Connemara varies significantly by carrier.

• Best Time to Visit: May to September for driving and hiking conditions
• Must-Visit Spot: Kylemore Abbey
• Things to Do: Hike the Twelve Bens, visit Kylemore Abbey, drive Sky Road
• Cost Per Person: £60 to £90 per day

7. Kilkenny

Kilkenny is one of Ireland's most intact medieval cities, centred on a 12th-century castle with a walled town full of craft pubs, independent restaurants, and the Kilkenny Design Centre. For the UK travellers who enjoy mixing history with good food and a relaxed pace, it is one of the best places in Ireland.

• Best Time to Visit: April to October
• Must-Visit Spot: Kilkenny Castle
• Things to Do: Walk the Medieval Mile, visit St. Canice's Cathedral, browse the Design Centre
• Cost Per Person: £75 to £110 per day

8. Cork

Ireland's second city sits at the mouth of the River Lee with a strong reputation for food, architecture, and independent culture that rivals Dublin at a slightly lower cost. The English Market, trading since 1788, is one of the finest covered food markets in Europe and one of the top Irish tourist destinations in the south.

• Best Time to Visit: May to September
• Must-Visit Spot: The English Market
• Things to Do: Visit Blarney Castle, explore the Shandon area, take a day trip to Kinsale
• Cost Per Person: £80 to £120 per day

9. Glendalough

Glendalough is a 6th-century monastic settlement set in a glacial valley in the Wicklow Mountains, with two lakes, forest trails, and one of Ireland's best-preserved round towers. It is among the best places to visit in Ireland for history, combined with accessible walking, sitting just over an hour from Dublin.

• Best Time to Visit: April to October
• Must-Visit Spot: The Round Tower and monastic ruins
• Things to Do: Walk the Upper Lake trail, explore the visitor centre, hike sections of the Wicklow Way
• Cost Per Person: £50 to £80 per day (entry to the monastic site is free)

10. Sligo

Sligo is where to visit in Ireland if you want ancient megalithic monuments, Atlantic surf beaches, and the landscape that inspired W.B. Yeats, all within a compact and genuinely underrated county. The town itself has a creative arts and food scene well above its size.

• Best Time to Visit: June to August for surfing and outdoor activities
• Must-Visit Spot: Carrowmore Megalithic Cemetery
• Things to Do: Surf at Strandhill Beach, visit the Yeats Memorial Building, hike Knocknarea
• Cost Per Person: £60 to £90 per day

11. Donegal

County Donegal is the most north-westerly point of the island of Ireland, with a rugged coastline, Gaeltacht villages, and Slieve League, one of the tallest sea cliffs in Europe at 601 metres. It is one of those places to go in Ireland that genuinely rewards travellers willing to go slightly off the beaten path.

• Best Time to Visit: May to September
• Must-Visit Spot: Slieve League Cliffs
• Things to Do: Walk Slieve League, explore Glenveagh National Park, visit Malin Head
• Cost Per Person: £60 to £90 per day

12. Waterford

Founded by the Vikings around 914 AD, Waterford is Ireland's oldest city, with a Viking Triangle covering over 1,000 years of continuous settlement. It is a historically rich stop that remains far less crowded than Cork or Dublin, and one of the most genuine places to visit in Ireland for heritage.

• Best Time to Visit: April to October
• Must-Visit Spot: The Museum of Treasures in the Viking Triangle
• Things to Do: Tour Reginald's Tower, visit the Waterford Crystal visitor experience, walk the city walls
• Cost Per Person: £65 to £95 per day

13. Aran Islands

The three Aran Islands, Inis Mór, Inis Meáin, and Inis Oírr, sit at the mouth of Galway Bay with drystone walls, prehistoric stone forts, and a living Irish-speaking community. They are among the most atmospheric places to go in Ireland and are reachable by ferry from Rossaveal in County Galway or from Doolin in County Clare.

• Best Time to Visit: May to September (ferry-dependent)
• Must-Visit Spot: Dún Aonghasa fort on Inis Mór
• Things to Do: Cycle Inis Mór, visit Dún Aonghasa, explore Inis Oírr's castle ruins
• Cost Per Person: £70 to £100 per day including ferry

14. Achill Island

Achill Island is Ireland's largest island, connected to the County Mayo mainland by a road bridge, and home to some of the finest coastal scenery in the country. Keem Bay on the island's western tip is consistently rated one of the best beaches in Europe, and Jetpac eSIM keeps you online even across the island's most remote stretches.

• Best Time to Visit: June to August for beach weather; September for quieter hiking
• Must-Visit Spot: Keem Bay
• Things to Do: Hike Croaghaun sea cliffs, swim at Keem Bay, cycle the Great Western Greenway
• Cost Per Person: £60 to £90 per day

15. Rock of Cashel

The Rock of Cashel in County Tipperary is a limestone outcrop topped with medieval ecclesiastical ruins, including a 12th-century round tower, Romanesque chapel, and Gothic cathedral. It is one of the most visited and photographed heritage sites in the country and one of the best places to visit in Ireland outside its major cities.

• Best Time to Visit: April to October
• Must-Visit Spot: Cormac's Chapel, built between 1127 and 1134
• Things to Do: Take the guided heritage tour, visit Hore Abbey ruins, and explore Cashel town
• Cost Per Person: £55 to £85 per day including entry (approx. £8)

16. Kinsale

Kinsale is a painted harbour town in County Cork known as Ireland's gourmet capital, with winding streets, colourful shopfronts, and Charles Fort, a 17th-century star-shaped fortification overlooking the harbour entrance. It is one of the most charming and best places in Ireland for a slow, food-focused short break.

• Best Time to Visit: May to September
• Must-Visit Spot: Charles Fort
• Things to Do: Walk the Scilly Walk harbour trail, tour Charles Fort, dine at Kinsale's award-winning restaurants
• Cost Per Person: £80 to £115 per day

No matter which of these places to visit in Ireland make it onto your itinerary, having reliable data from city to coastline makes a genuine difference on the road.

Stay Connected Across Ireland with Jetpac eSIM

Ireland's biggest draws are often its most remote ones, and that means spending time in areas where relying on a UK home carrier quickly becomes expensive. 

Jetpac offers the best eSIM for Ireland for UK visitors, covering everything from Dublin city centre to the far edges of the Wild Atlantic Way without network switching or roaming surprises on your next bill.

Whether you are travelling from the UK for a long weekend or a full two-week road trip, a Jetpac Ireland eSIM activates instantly before you depart, requires no SIM swap at the airport, and works as your eSIM for Ireland from the moment you land. 

For UK travellers making multiple stops on one trip, the plan includes unrestricted hotspot sharing, so your whole group stays connected from a single plan.

With a 4.8 out of 5 Trustpilot rating, Jetpac is the best eSIM for Ireland for anyone needing coverage across cities, coastal towns, and the remote countryside alike.

🗺️ WhatsApp, Google Maps, and Uber remain accessible even after your data is used up: Whether you are navigating back from the Cliffs of Moher or messaging home from Connemara, the essentials of modern travel stay within reach throughout your Ireland trip.

📞 In-app calls to landlines and non-WhatsApp numbers in 50+ countries: Book a guesthouse in Dingle, call a taxi in Galway, or reach any local business directly from within the Jetpac app, with no need for a local Irish SIM. Packs from $1.99 per 5 minutes.

📡 Hotspot sharing with no data restrictions: Power your laptop, tablet, or a travel companion's phone using your Jetpac plan across every stop from Dublin to Donegal, with no caps on how you share your connection.

💰 Transparent pricing with no hidden fees: Save up to 70% more in comparison with standard roaming i, i.e., what you see upfront is what you pay. A Jetpac eSIM means no surprise charges appear after your Ireland trip, with travellers typically saving up to 70% compared to standard international roaming rates.

🌍 One Ireland eSIM, connected across 200+ destinations worldwide: Install Jetpac once before you fly and stay connected not just across Ireland but across 200+ destinations globally, with no SIM swapping or settings changes required.

🔄 Automatic connection to the strongest available network: Jetpac works across multiple local carriers in each country around the clock, switching automatically to whichever network is strongest at your location, whether that is a Kerry mountain road or an island ferry terminal.

✈️ Free airport lounge access when your flight is delayed: Jetpac users can access over 1,300 airport lounges worldwide at no extra cost if their flight is delayed by more than one hour. Registration for yourself and one travel companion is required at least 24 hours before departure.

🎧 24/7 support every day of the year: Jetpac's support team is available every hour of every day via WhatsApp and email, so help is always on hand whether you are mid-journey through the Ring of Kerry or waiting at Dublin Airport.

Save up to 70%
on roaming data

No hidden fees. No bill shock.

Get Jetpac eSIM Now

FAQs

Do UK citizens need a passport to enter Ireland?

British citizens can travel to Ireland under the Common Travel Area arrangement. Some airlines accept a valid photo ID, such as a driving licence for UK domestic-style routes, but a passport is strongly recommended as it is required for most airline check-ins and widely requested as ID at accommodation throughout Ireland.

Will my UK mobile data plan work in Ireland?

Many UK carriers reintroduced EU roaming charges for the Republic of Ireland after Brexit, though policies vary by provider. Some charge daily roaming fees that add up quickly on longer trips. Always check your carrier's current terms before you travel, or use a dedicated Ireland eSIM to avoid unexpected charges entirely.

Do I need a car to see the best of Ireland?

For cities like Dublin, Cork, and Kilkenny, public transport works well. For destinations like Connemara, the Dingle Peninsula, Donegal, and Achill Island, hiring a car is strongly recommended. Ireland's most rewarding scenery is along coastal and mountain routes that are not well served by public transport.

Is the Republic of Ireland expensive for UK visitors?

Mid-range daily costs typically run between £80 and £130 per person, depending on location. Dublin and tourist-heavy areas like Killarney are pricier. Counties like Donegal, Sligo, Waterford, and Mayo offer noticeably lower costs for accommodation, food, and activities.

What currency does Ireland use, and can I use my UK card?

The Republic of Ireland uses the Euro. UK debit and credit cards are widely accepted, but your bank may apply foreign transaction fees. Using a multi-currency card such as Wise or Revolut is a straightforward way to avoid these fees across your trip.

Disclaimer

The information in this blog is based on publicly available data at the time of writing. Travel costs, weather, and local conditions may vary. Jetpac is not responsible for network performance differences or third-party data accuracy. No destinations or services mentioned are endorsed. Travellers should check current travel advisories, entry requirements, and local conditions before booking.