Top 5 places to visit along the Wild Atlantic Way

The Wild Atlantic Way is one of the longest-defined coastal routes in the world. If you’re looking to take on this epic adventure, here are five places you need to visit.

Stretching 2,500 km (1,600 miles) along the west coast of Ireland, from County Donegal in the north to County Cork in the south, the Wild Atlantic Way is an epic coastal stretch where the island of Ireland meets the Atlantic Ocean.

Home to breathtaking scenery, beautiful beaches, historic sites, and more, this famous coastal route welcomes thousands of visitors every year.

If you’re planning to tick this epic adventure off your bucket list but don’t know where to begin, we are here with five amazing places to visit along the Wild Atlantic Way.

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   Cliffs of Moher, Co. Clare ‒ an iconic image of coastal Ireland

If you’re planning to take on an Ireland road trip, one spot you need to include on your itinerary is the iconic Cliffs of Moher in County Clare.

The quintessential postcard picture of the Irish coast, these epic sea cliffs rise an impressive 702 ft (214 m) above the crashing Atlantic waves below.

On a clear day, you can enjoy incredible views that stretch out for miles in the distance. Plus, you can even take a Cliffs of Moher boat tour to see this amazing natural attraction from a different perspective.

And, if you’re wondering where you might have seen these cliffs before, we advise you to take a look back through some of your favourite movies. The Cliffs of Moher have proven to be a Hollywood favourite, featuring in movies such as Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince.

4. Achill Island, Co. Mayo – a stunning island paradise

Next up on our list of places to visit along the Wild Atlantic Way is the beautiful Achill Island, just off the coast of County Mayo.

Overlooked by Croagh Patrick, Achill Island is a stunning island paradise that also happens to be the home to Keem Beach, one of the most beautiful beaches not just in Ireland but in the world.

Once you’ve visited the beach, we highly recommend taking on the incredible Atlantic Drive, from which you can enjoy breathtaking scenery, and checking out the colossal Croaghaun Cliffs.

3. Galway City, Co. Galway ‒ make sure to visit Ireland’s capital of culture

Many quotes about the Irish in movies and music often make reference to the beautiful city of Galway. So, visiting this iconic location is an absolute no-brainer when travelling along the Wild Atlantic Way.

Located about halfway along the famous coastal route, Galway is known by many as Ireland’s capital of culture, thanks to its abundant history and thriving cultural scene.

From strolling the picturesque Salthill Promenade to browsing the shop windows in the Latin Quarter, enjoying local seafood at the city’s top restaurants to embracing a trad session with a pint in hand at a traditional Irish bar, there is something for everyone in the City of Tribes.

2. The Ring of Kerry, Co. Kerry ‒ you’ll soon see why it’s called the kingdom

This beautiful looped drive, starting in Killarney, takes you through some of the most scenic and beautiful parts of the Kingdom of Kerry.

Undoubtedly one of the best places to visit along the Wild Atlantic Way, highlights along the Ring of Kerry include Killarney National Park, the Skellig Islands, and the Gap of Dunloe.

The scenic drive will also take you through a number of quaint towns that are well-worth stopping at for a bite to eat and a stretch of the legs. Some of our favourites are Cahersiveen, Kenmare, Killorglin, and Sneem.

1. Slieve League Cliffs, Co. Donegal – one of our favourite places to visit along the Wild Atlantic Way

Topping our list of places to visit along the Wild Atlantic Way is the incredible Slieve League Cliffs in southwest Donegal.

Perhaps one of the most striking natural attractions in Ireland, these incredible cliffs rise 1,972 ft (601 m) above the roaring Atlantic Ocean below, making them almost three times as tall as the abovementioned Cliffs of Moher.

A truly incredible sight to behold, these cliffs are the epitome of Ireland’s natural beauty, boasting vibrant and contrasting colours and rugged cliff edges.

Wildlife is in abundance here. And, if you’re lucky, you might even catch a glimpse of some dolphins or sharks swimming in the waters beneath the cliffs during your visit.