This 5-day Ireland itinerary is the perfect blend of culture, natural beauty, and iconic landmarks. Begin in Dublin, where literary history and legendary pubs set the tone for an inspiring journey. From there, head north to Belfast and explore the UNESCO-listed Giant’s Causeway—one of Ireland’s most stunning geological wonders. More...
Day 1 - 2
Stretching along Dublin Bay on the east coast of Ireland, County Dublin is home to the vibrant city of Dublin, the country’s colourful capital. Aside from the lively capital, the county features rolling green hills scattered with a collection of character-filled villages, an array of beautiful beaches and a rich history. Visitors can enjoy an iconic black beer - the traditional Guinness; learn about Viking history at the Dublinia, a fascinating heritage centre; and discover the seaside towns of Malahide and Howth, which both offer scenic coastal paths to explore. Other highlights include the Ardgillan Castle and Demesne in the seaside town of Balbriggan, the charming seaside town of Skerries, and the bustling town of Swords.
Just minutes from Grafton Street in the stylish heart of Dublin City, Brooks Hotel is the perfect spot for your stay—whether you're here for business or leisure. This boutique hotel places everything you could need right at your doorstep.
Many of Dublin’s top attractions are within easy walking distance, including the city’s best shopping streets, St. Stephen’s Green, the Guinness Storehouse, the Irish Parliament (Dáil Éireann), Christchurch Cathedral, Dublin Castle, Trinity College, and a wide range of galleries, theaters, museums, and entertainment venues.
Your experience at Brooks is made truly special by the combination of beautifully appointed rooms, delicious food, fine wines, and exceptional personalized service. It’s all designed to make your stay as comfortable and memorable as possible.
The Book of Kells Experience - Discover Ireland's Greatest Cultural Treasure
Your journey begins at The Book of Kells & Old Library:
Explore Trinity's Old Library and see the world-famous Book of Kells, a real Dublin must-see. Learn about the symbolism and artistry of the 1,200-year-old manuscript and take a look at the pages on display. Listen to our free audio guide to hear from Trinity experts during your visit.
Gaia in the Long Hall:
Experience Gaia, the spectacular illuminated artwork by Luke Jerram, now on display in the Old Library. Gaia features 120dpi detailed NASA images of the Earth's surface, floating the planet in three dimensions, just as it could be seen from space.
See the book, feel the story, hear the story:
Take a fascinating journey of stories, sights and sounds in the pavilion.
The secret life of the collections:
Enter Explore the Secret Life of Collections, where stories and artifacts come to life before your eyes. Interact with vibrant sculptures such as Ada Lovelace, Jonathan Swift and Rosalind Franklin.
Book of Kells 360:
Embark on an extraordinary journey in The Book of Kells 360, a spectacular journey in light and sound through the history of this ancient masterpiece.
The Long Hall reimagined:
Finally you can see the redesigned Enter the Long Room and see both the past and the future through stunning digital projections. This awe-inspiring reconstruction of the Long Room's library chamber is considered one of the best attractions in Dublin.
Day 3
Prepare to be surprised by Belfast, a dynamic city nestled at the mouth of the River Lagan! Here, you'll discover a captivating blend of Victorian shops, trendy eateries, and impressive architecture waiting to be explored. Immerse yourself in the city's thriving traditional music scene and its vibrant creative community. Don't miss top-notch museums like the Ulster Museum, beautifully situated within the lush Botanic Gardens. Belfast's rich culture and lively entertainment scene shine throughout the year, offering something for everyone. We highly recommend you explore the iconic Titanic Belfast, wander through the vibrant Cathedral Quarter with the magnificent St Anne's Cathedral, and experience the exceptional acoustics of the Waterfront Hall. Belfast is a captivating city brimming with culture, creativity, and remarkable attractions just waiting for your visit.
The Fitzwilliam Hotel Belfast is ideally located in the heart of downtown Belfast, next to the Grand Opera House on Great Victoria Street and within walking distance of the Belfast Waterfront. This elegant hotel offers stylishly appointed rooms and suites featuring air conditioning, minibars, safes, and ironing facilities. The on-site restaurant offers fine dining with indulgent dishes such as venison, trout, halibut, and duck. You can enjoy expertly crafted drinks in a vibrant setting at the hotel’s ultra-chic bar. For your convenience, valet parking and concierge services are available.
Malahide Castle & Gardens
This isn't just a castle tour - it's a journey through 800 years of history. Learn about the Talbot family and the historical events that shaped their lives, explore the private rooms, furniture and art collections, and hear stories of battles and feasts from our passionate guides. Your castle tour ticket includes entry to the Botanic Gardens and the Butterfly House.
A brief history....
The original fort built on the site was a wooden fort, but this was later replaced by a stone structure on the site of the current Malahide Castle. Over the centuries, rooms and fortifications were added, altered and strengthened until the castle took on its present form.
The Talbots are said to have been a diplomatic family, and during the eight centuries between 1185 and the 1970s their rule at Malahide Castle was only interrupted for a brief interlude between 1649 and 1660, when their lands were confiscated by Cromwell's soldiers and the castle was seized by Myles Corbet, Lord Chief Baron of Ireland.
The last Baron de Malahide, Lord Milo Talbot, lived in the castle until his death in 1973. His sister Rose inherited the property and subsequently sold it to the Irish state in 1975. Since then, Malahide Castle has played an important role in Ireland's political and social landscape, hosting international heads of state and summits and welcoming thousands of visitors from home and abroad each year.
Day 4
Northern Ireland's city of Derry, also known as Londonderry, invites you to explore its compelling story, etched in both its eventful history and the impressive 17th-century city walls that still stand proud. As you walk these remarkably well-preserved fortifications, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, you'll gain a tangible sense of the city's past. The warmth and pride of Derry's residents are sure to make you feel welcome in their unique city. Beyond the significant historical insights it offers, Derry also pulses with a vibrant culture, a lively blend of music and art just waiting to be discovered.
The Bishop's Gate Hotel is located in the heart of Derry City’s Cathedral Quarter, with easy access to local attractions such as the Guildhall, The Tower Museum and the Peace Bridge. The hotel's guest rooms and suites are contemporary yet serene, with views across Derry’s cityscape. Rooms feature oversized velvet headboards, flat-screen TVs, fine fabrics and internet access. At the heart of Bishop's Gate, the Gown Restaurant and the Wig Champagne Bar offer superb, informal all-day dining experiences in relaxed, upscale surroundings. Other amenities include a fitness centre.
Giant's Causeway
The Giant's Causeway is one of Ireland's most treasured landmarks and Northern Ireland's only UNESCO World Heritage Site. Over 40,000 basalt columns, formed around 60 million years ago, testify to an important stage in the Earth's evolution....
Flanked by the wild Atlantic Ocean and a landscape of dramatic cliffs, the Giant's Causeway has inspired artists, stimulated scientific debates and captured the imagination of all who see it for centuries.
Visit Northern Ireland's only UNESCO World Heritage Site and learn Hear how the Causeway came to be from one of our award-winning storytellers by booking visitor experience tickets. We offer guided tours every hour. Or you can take an audio guide and explore the mysteries of this landscape at your own pace, with information in 11 languages and options for all ages.
Day 5
Set on the spectacular north shore of Galway Bay, where the River Corrib flows from Lough Corrib to the sea, Galway is a large, sprawling university city, commonly referred to as the 'most Irish' of Ireland's cities. Despite Galway’s considerable size, the historical city centre is tiny, with a bohemian atmosphere emanating from its colourful facades, buzzing markets and laid-back inhabitants. Dubbed ‘the city of festivals’, Galway is known as the liveliest place in the republic with its internationally acclaimed theatre scene, vibrant nightlife bolstered by a spirited student population, and plenty of quirky hidden cafes and restaurants with some truly excellent food. Highlights include: the constant impromptu performances of traditional music, the pretty Salthill beach with waters suitable for swimming, and beautifully wild surrounding nature.
Overlooking Galway Bay and just a short walk from Eyre Square, The Galmont Hotel & Spa offers the perfect setting for a relaxing getaway. The hotel features elegant rooms with free Wi-Fi, cable TV, and room service, so you can unwind in comfort.
With a variety of on-site dining options, you’ll be spoiled for choice. Enjoy delicious local produce at Marina’s or treat yourself to a stylish afternoon tea at Coopers Bar & Lounge.
The hotel also offers a range of fantastic amenities, including an indoor pool, two bars, a fitness center, and a luxurious spa to help you relax and recharge during your stay.
Derry City Walls
The award-winning Martin McCrossan is located in the heart of the Old Town and showcases the only fully walled city in Ireland. These famous walls date back to the early 17th century and have been the site of many sieges. The walls offer great viewing points and surround the old town in a circle of 1.5 km. Walking the walls of Derry will give you excellent views of cathedrals and churches, learn how historical events have shaped the city and explore attractions such as the Bogsite, the People's Gallery: The Murals, the Diamond, the Tower Museum and the Guildhall, the Town Hall.
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Your trip to Ireland should reflect your spirit of adventure. With our expert guidance, you’ll visit must-see sights and lesser-known treasures—at your own pace. Whether it's a scenic drive along the Wild Atlantic Way or a visit to a centuries-old castle, your itinerary is uniquely yours.
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Gladly again
Very competent planning and quotation for our planned round trip to Ireland. Flights, accommodation, rental car and booked excursions made the trip something special. The support team also took care of bookings during the trip and dealt with them promptly. We would be happy to do it again - value for money!
Great Trip to Ireland
It was a great trip to Ireland. It was really well planned. Contact persons were always available. I would book with Tourlane again at any time.
Perfect all-round care
From the planning of the trip, the consideration of our wishes, the creation of the itinerary, the telephone service to the travel app, which we used daily on our round trip in Ireland, we felt very well looked after by Tourlane. The friendly staff, who gave us very good advice over the phone, deserve special mention.
Very satisfied!
We organized a two-week trip to Ireland via Tourlane and are very satisfied: the travel planning was uncomplicated and yet always designed to take personal preferences into account, in case of queries or similar, the response was very fast, friendly and competent and the recommendations of the travel planners (route, hotels, excursions) were excellent and enriched our vacation. A very clear recommendation, especially if you are planning a round trip and would like support in planning your trip.