Perfect Five Day Wild Atlantic Way Itinerary
When you think of Ireland, Dublin is probably the first city that comes to mind. But when you think of Ireland’s rolling green hills and famous landmarks like the Cliffs of Moher, you’re dreaming about Ireland’s Wild Atlantic Way!
With more than 1500 miles of coastline along Western Ireland, the Wild Atlantic Way makes up the longest defined coastal touring route IN THE WORLD! This expansive coastal route includes ancient tombs and a state-of-the-art surf center. The Wild Atlantic Way extends from the Northern tip of Malin Head in County Donegal to the Southern town of Kinsale in County Cork.
This post was created in collaboration with Tourism Ireland but all thoughts and opinions are my own.
Getting Around
Tourism Ireland is a wealth of knowledge when it comes to planning your perfect Wild Atlantic Way itinerary. Their website offers an interactive Wild Atlantic Way map that is hugely helpful in determining your route.
You could easily spend days and even months exploring Ireland’s Wild Atlantic Way by car, bike, boat or even by foot. We only had one week to explore and needed to fly roundtrip from Dublin. While a guided tour may work for some, we choose to travel by rental car. This allowed us to to set the pace and squeeze in as much as possible to this five day itinerary.
My wife got her international driver’s permit from AAA. She prepared to drive on the left side of the road by watching videos about driving in Ireland. This helped to familiarize her with Irish road signs and customs for driving on narrow roads. She said driving in Ireland as an American does take some getting used to but its 100% worth it to be able to be in control of your route!
Day 1 – Dublin to Galway
We took an overnight flight on Aer Lingus directly from Cleveland to Dublin. This is the only direct route from Cleveland to Europe. If you are coming from a major US city such as Chicago, New York or Boston, you can fly directly from the US to Galway on Aer Lingus, United and Delta.
We picked up our rental car directly from the airport. The drive from Dublin to Galway takes you from the east coast of Ireland to the west coast of Ireland. This 130 mile trip takes only takes a little over two hours thanks to multi-lane toll road. Do not expect to see these kinds of roads along the Wild Atlantic Way. But don’t worry – that’s part of the charm!
We checked in at The Dean in Galway. This hotel screams aesthetic which tracks since it’s Galway’s first design-led hotel. The view over the pool and the rooftop are both thoughtful design choices.
Because of the Dean’s centralized location just off Eyre Square, we were able to park our car at the hotel and walk everywhere in Galway. For our first night in Galway, we enjoyed a hearty traditionally Irish meal at McSwiggan’s Steak and Seafood Restaurant.
I enjoyed a dry aged Irish steak cooked in a charcoal oven. Yes, you can taste the difference. My wife ordered the Fish of the Day. Her first meal along the Wild Atlantic Way being fresh fish from the Atlantic felt very fitting. We turned in full, satisfied and ready for our next day of adventuring!
Day 2 – Cliffs of Moher
After a hearty Irish breakfast at the Dean, we got an early start towards the Cliffs of Moher. Although the distance between Galway and Cliffs of Moher in County Clare is only 45 miles, expect that it will take an hour and forty minutes to drive there. This will be your first taste of the rolling hills and narrow winding roads typical of the Wild Atlantic Way.
With more than 1 million visitors a year, Cliffs of Moher is one of Ireland’s most popular tourist destination. The Cliffs of Moher Experience recommends advanced booking. We arrived around 10 am and by 12 pm, it was packed. If your jet lag allows, aim to arrive by their 8 am opening to really beat the crowds. Bring a windbreaker and be prepared to be literally blown away depending on the day’s weather.
If you are asking yourself, “what is Cliffs of Moher” and why must I see it? Cliffs of Moher is composed of 330 million year-old limestone cliffs towering 700 feet above the sea. Here you’ll find Artic, Alpine and Mediterranean flowers all in one place alongside nesting sea birds. Even photos don’t do it justice because this view will take your breathe away. It’s easy to see why Cliffs of Moher is a UNESCO Global Geopark.
As someone with limited mobility, I had a lot of questions about the walkability of Cliffs of Moher. I tried to research the most accessible hikes and ways to get around Cliffs of Moher. When I arrived, I discovered “Lifts of Moher.” This service allows guests with limited mobility to access the uphill viewing point at O’Brien’s Tower by golf cart.
We started our leisurely journey back to Galway with lunch at Roadside Tavern in nearby Lisdoonvarna. This restaurant is known for its sustainable practices meaning that the menu is subject to change to feature what’s fresh and available locally. During our visit we enjoyed fresh oysters and a delicious crab dip.
After lunch, we made a stop at Poulnabrone Dolmen, Ireland’s ancient portal tomb. Radiocarbon dating places this Neolithic tomb active between 5,200 and 5,800 years ago. You can visit this landmark for free learning from outdoor signs along the short walk from the parking lot.
Our next stop along the Wild Atlantic Way was Dunguire Castle. We spotted this on our drive to Cliffs of Moher and made a note to stop on our way back to Galway. Dunguire Castle is a 16th century castle seated atop a hill overlooking Galway Bay. Although it’s not currently open for public tours, you can explore the outside.
We ended our day exactly where we started: having a meal at Sophie’s rooftop restaurant at The Dean. Our energy much depleted from the day, the butternut squash and leek risotto felt like a warm hug before bed.
Day 3: Connemara
While day 2’s journey took you along the Irish coastline, day 3 is going to take you to the mountains of Connemara. Americans may feel like they’ve been transported to the Pacific Northwest but with sheep lined winding roads.
Speaking of sheep, you’ll see them roaming free along the Atlantic Way and especially in Connemara. As a result, we decided to book a last minute tour on Viator of Leenaun Killary Sheep Farm. This is a real working sheep farm so you’ll not only get to bottle feed a lamb but you get to see a dog herd sheep like a pro!
You also get an incredible view of Killary Harbour. Plus, it’s just down the road from Kylemore Abbey so my suggestion is to add this in on the same day.
Nestled in the Connemara Valley sits Kylemore Abbey, a midevil style-castle built in 1868. Unlike many of the castles you’ll find in Europe, Kylemore was not actually built originally for nobles.
Mitchell Henry, a successful surgeon from London, built the estate as a love letter to his wife Margaret. This elaborate project brought many fair-paying jobs to the struggling region of Connemara. The story is fascinating so definitely make time for the complimentary history talk!
For the past 100 years, Benedictine nuns have run Kylemore Abbey. While it operated as a school for many years, today the nuns make products such as soaps and chocolates that you can buy on site.
Keep the castle vibes going. Head next to nearby Ballynahinch Castle, located on a sprawling 700-acre estate. The castle itself sits on a babbling brook. You know those calming white noise sound machines? They could record them here!
If a luxury woodland castle is your vibe, you can book a room with the babbling brook outside your window. The rooms and location aren’t the only things that make Ballynahinch Castle a luxury experience. Executive Head Chef Danni Barry earned the award “Ireland’s Fine Dining Hotel Restaurant of the Year” in 2024.
Day 4 Westport
Next, head North to Westport in County Mayo. To get a lay of the land, you’ll want to see this area by boat. Take a guided tour of Clew Bay with Westport Cruises. The bay boosts 365 islands, a seal colony and an incredible view of Croagh Patrick.
My personal favorite part of the tour was learning about Grace O’Malley, a badass female pirate in the 1500s. She ruled the land and sea and even took on the Queen of England at one point to petition for her brother’s release. Walking around Westport, you’ll find more Grace O’Malley lore.
After the Clew Bay boat tour, walk around the charming shops of Westport and grab a bite to eat at Coast Bar (reservations recommended). Fellow avid readers, you must check out Tertulia Bookshop. They had an impressive LGBTQ+ section for a small town bookshop and lots of titles on Irish history, food and culture.
Ready for another luxury stay? Check in at Knockranny House Hotel. Rooms are massive and furnished with fine antique furniture. Time your dinner in Westport for sunset so you can eat fresh local seafood and Irish beef with a panoramic view of Westport, Croagh Patrick, and Clew Bay.
Day 5 Westport and Back to Dublin
By day 5, you’ll realize you wish you had two more weeks to spend exploring Ireland’s Wild Atlantic Way. A guided Westport walking tour makes for the perfect send off. Not only did I learn about Westport’s interesting history, I learned that Westport, Ireland is the sole producer of Botox WORLDWIDE. Who knew? Not me, but now you do!
Our tour made a few stops including a sweet shop and a fourth generation gelato shop, Krem. If you have time, check out the famous Westport House. Known as “Ireland’s Most Beautiful Home,” the land also has ties back to Grace O’Malley!
This is where we needed to start our journey back to Dublin. If you fly roundtrip from Dublin, you’ll need to drive back there to return your rental car. This 150+ mile journey will take you about 3 hours so plan accordingly.
Final Thoughts
Ireland’s Wild Atlantic Way is one of those iconic road trips you have to do before you die. There are many routes to take and sights to see. There’s really no wrong way to experience the Wild Atlantic Way but if you have limited time, then I definitely suggest starting with this five-day itinerary.
Want to explore more of Ireland? Check out our seven day itinerary of Dublin and Northern Ireland!