Top 3 Must-visit Cities in Ireland
Looking for the top must-see cities in Ireland? Look no further because I’ve got you covered.
First lets start off with the obvious, Ireland was one of the highlight experiences of my life. Oddly enough it didn’t fall very high on my travel list before I traveled there, so much so that I made my friends add a quick stop-over in Norway to the trip itinerary before heading home to make it worth while. Boy, was I wrong. Ireland surpassed every expectation I had and instantly became one of my favorite places I’ve traveled to (the List is long). With that in mind, lets jump into the List of Must-See Cities.
So obviously there is a lot that could go into this list, but for me it comes down to three factors:
Bucket List level experiences
Photographability (because if we don’t photograph it, were we actually there?)
Food/Drink/Coffee available
So lets get started with our list because you need to know this before your trip!
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CORK. CORK. and CORK again.
I cannot say enough about this charming city just on the other side of the wickalow mountains from Dublin. I’ll say this, when you fly into Ireland and first experience Dublin, it’s a bit jarring. Dublin is a pub town with all the things that come with that. And Cork, well cork is the calm, cultured, & beautiful alternative to the craziness of the capital city.
This city will offer you a huge range of amazing restaurants, coffee, a Guinness alternative (Beamish - careful, the locals get competitive about it), and some great day excursions near by.
If you’re staying in hostels on your stay, Cork also had my favorite hostel of the trip (for a list of favorite hostels to stay at on your Ireland trip, read here)
Just a short drive from this charming city is the famous Blarney Castle & the famed Blarney stone that gives the gift of gab to whoever kisses it (though, I doubt they’re letting you get frisky with this rock now that COVID is on the scene).
Cork also has stunning architecture like the University College Cork, commonly called Hogwarts by locals, beautiful riverside buildings, and some colorful houses.
Just go to Cork okay?
Galway, Girl!
When you think of Galway, think music (not Ed Sheeran though, the locals get frustrated there are Ed Sheeran Days as a festival because he’s not even Irish!)
Everywhere you walk around downtown Galway you’ll see amazing busking performers. Wandering around we must have seen 30 and it was absolutely fantastic. The streets were lined with lights and a nighttime stroll was just what the doctor ordered.
If you’re a coffee fan, Coffee Werk & Press was hands down my favorite shop in Ireland (too see my favorite shops, check out here)
Moving away from the downtown, the ship yards offer a calmer & less flashy experience for moments needing to slow down.
Dublin… You didn’t think I’d leave it out did you?
While Dublin wasn’t my favorite city in Ireland, it definitely deserves a mention. Whether you’re a lover of nightlife, or enjoy the rich culture and history of the country, Dublin offers a wide range of amazing experiences.
The first to start off with is Trinity College where you can find the Book of Kells, the stunning Long Room Library, and a beautiful campus. If you need a break from the books, the Guinness Factory is ACTUALLY worth it. I thought it would be something tailored for college frat boys, but the incredible history of the brewery makes it a must see stop. Trade in your tickets for an opportunity to pour your own Guinness and then end the tour by heading to the rooftop for a 360 degree-view of Dublin and buy one (or more than one) of the amazing drinks they have to offer.
Finally, I can’t mention Dublin without mentioning the short trip to New Grange just outside of the city. This was one of the most spiritual experiences of my life and an absolutely amazing accomplishment of ancient peoples.
What do you think? Did I leave out any cities that you would recommend? Let me know in the comments!
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