Dublin is a wonderful, vibrant city that’s ideal for a mini break or a longer vacation, but if you want to make the most of your holiday and see Ireland beyond its capital, there are many great day trips you can easily incorporate into your itinerary. Here are my three recommendations – tried and tested and totally worth the trip!
1. Howth
Howth is a small village on the outskirts of Dublin, easily accessible by train or bus. Despite it being very close to Dublin city centre, it has a completely different vibe, allowing you to explore a beautiful little fishing village as well as stunning seaside cliffs and gorgeous Irish nature. This one is a must!
2. Belfast
I’ll be honest, my main motivator in visiting Belfast was that I’d then be able to say I’d visited all the countries that make up the UK, but the Northern Irish capital totally won me over with its beautiful city centre and collection of interesting museums and other attractions. You could spend a lot longer in Belfast and not get bored, but the city is compact enough that a daytrip is perfectly doable. Buses from Dublin are affordable and there are beautiful views even along the motorways, so the ride there and back is also enjoyable.
3. Cliffs of Moher
The Cliffs of Moher on the west coast are one of the most visited sites in all of Ireland, and for a good reason. The cliffs are utterly breath-taking and although the views make for a stunning Instagram, photos can’t quite capture the scope and beauty of the place so I would definitely recommend going and seeing it for yourself.