Ireland is made for scenic journeys, where the travel experience counts as a destination in itself.
Rail travel links cities, coastlines and countryside while you sit back and watch the scenery unfold, a most enjoyable way to explore! Go from Dublin to Waterford through the gentle scenery of Ireland’s Ancient East, or from Cork to Cobh, following the curves of Cork Harbor before arriving in the colorful seaside town where houses climb the hillside above the water.
Northern Ireland also offers memorable rail journeys. The route between Belfast and Derry~Londonderry travels along the Causeway Coast through towns such as Coleraine and Castlerock, offering long views of the Atlantic shoreline. Closer to the capital, the short journey from Belfast to Bangor follows Belfast Lough past marinas and seaside promenades.
Cycling offers another rewarding way to experience Ireland’s scenery. On the west coast, the ride from Galway City to Spiddal follows the Connemara coastline, with stunning views across Galway Bay and glimpses of the Aran Islands on clear days. Nearby, the Derroura Mountain Bike Trail west of Oughterard has a forest loop climbing to views over lakes before descending along boardwalk trails.
Further south, the Beara Peninsula delivers one of Ireland’s most dramatic rides, winding through villages such as Eyeries and Glengarriff before climbing the Healy Pass for sweeping views across Bantry Bay and the Kenmare River.
In Northern Ireland, cyclists can set off from Newry city along the scenic Carlingford Lough Greenway, where coastal views stretch towards the Mourne and Cooley Mountains. The North West Cycle Trail explores the Fermanagh Lakelands, passing quiet countryside and historic estates.
Ireland’s waterways offer another scenic perspective. One of the most unusual trips takes place underground at the Marble Arch Caves, where boat tours follow a subterranean river through vast limestone chambers. Along the Atlantic coast, boat trips beneath the Cliffs of Moher reveal the scale of these famous sea cliffs from below.
Inland, canal cruises glide from Sallins in County Kildare along the Grand Canal, passing locks, bridges and quiet stretches of countryside while guides share stories of the boatmen who once worked these waterways.
Walking reveals Ireland’s landscapes intimately. Northern Ireland’s Causeway Coast Way passes cliffs, hidden beaches and landmarks such as the Giant’s Causeway, Carrick-a-Rede rope bridge and Dunluce Castle.
Further south, the Divis Ridge Trail offers wide views over Belfast and the Irish Sea, while the walk to Hare’s Gap in County Down follows rugged terrain beside the historic Mourne Wall.
The Spinc Loop in Glendalough winds above the Upper Lake through woodland and boardwalk trails in the Wicklow Mountains. In County Kerry, the Cronin’s Yard Loop circles beneath Carrauntoohil’s slopes, and trails near Connemara’s Killary Harbor follow the edge of Ireland’s only fjord.
Who's ready to discover Ireland the scenic way?
