Day by day
Essential Ireland in 5 days.
The perfect first-time Ireland circuit. Tick off Dublin's highlights, Wicklow's mountains, Kerry's wild coast, the Cliffs of Moher, and Galway's music in five full days.
Day 1
County Dublin
Dublin — Arrive & Explore
- Trinity College & the Book of Kells (6th century illuminated manuscript)
- Temple Bar cobblestones, street performers & Grafton Street
- Guinness Storehouse — self-guided brewery tour with panoramic Gravity Bar views
- St Patrick's Cathedral (1191 AD) & evening at The Long Hall Victorian pub
Day 2
County Wicklow
Wicklow — Garden of Ireland
- Glendalough monastic city — 6th-century Round Tower, two lakes, ancient church ruins
- Powerscourt Estate & Ireland's highest waterfall (121m)
- Sugarloaf Mountain views & Wicklow Mountains National Park
- Coastal drive south through Brittas Bay & Wicklow town
Day 3
County Kerry
Killarney — National Park & Lakes
- Killarney National Park — Ireland's oldest national park, ancient oakwood, red deer
- Muckross House & traditional farms (1843 Victorian mansion)
- Ross Castle on Lough Leane — 15th-century tower house
- Gap of Dunloe horse-drawn jaunting car through mountain pass
- Evening trad music session in Killarney town
Day 4
County Clare
Cliffs of Moher & The Burren
- Cliffs of Moher — 214m sea cliffs, O'Brien's Tower, Atlantic seabird colonies
- Coastal walking path south from the visitor centre — best views away from crowds
- Poulnabrone Dolmen — 5,200-year-old portal tomb in the Burren limestone
- Doolin village — Ireland's traditional music capital, evening session in McGann's
Day 5
County Galway
Galway — Arts Capital & Farewell
- The Latin Quarter — medieval shop fronts, buskers, independent bookshops
- Claddagh — Ireland's oldest fishing village & origin of the Claddagh ring
- Salthill Promenade — 2km seafront walk, traditional "kick the wall" ritual
- Optional: Aran Islands ferry day trip (Inis Mór, stone forts, limestone pavements)
- Farewell trad music session in Tigh Coili or The Crane Bar
Why book on IMPT
Same price. 1 tonne CO₂ removed.
Every booking through IMPT removes 1 tonne of verified CO₂ from the atmosphere — funded from IMPT's commission. Identical prices to Booking.com. €5 free credit for new members.
Common questions
About the 5-day itinerary.
Is 5 days enough time to see Ireland?
Five days is enough for a focused first-visit to Ireland's most iconic stops. You'll cover Dublin, Wicklow, Killarney, the Cliffs of Moher, and Galway — the highlights most people come for. You won't see everything (that's what the 14 and 20-day itineraries are for), but you'll leave with a strong sense of the country. The key is not trying to cram in too many diversions each day.
Do I need a car for this 5-day itinerary?
A rental car is strongly recommended for days 2–5. Public transport can get you Dublin to Wicklow and Galway to Dublin, but Killarney without a car severely limits your options around the national park and Gap of Dunloe. The Cliffs of Moher have limited bus connections. A small automatic car costs around €35–50/day in Ireland from the major rental desks at Dublin Airport.
What's the best time of year for this itinerary?
May–September is the sweet spot. Long daylight hours (up to 17 hours in June), reliable enough weather to enjoy the Cliffs and Gap of Dunloe, and all attractions fully open. July–August is busiest and most expensive. May and September offer better prices, smaller crowds, and still good weather. This itinerary works in October too — the light is beautiful and crowds are gone, though some attractions reduce hours.
How do IMPT hotel bookings work?
IMPT connects to the same global hotel inventory as Booking.com and Expedia — the same rooms, same prices, same free cancellation policies. When you book, IMPT retires 1 tonne of CO₂ credits on the Ethereum blockchain and sends you a transaction hash you can verify publicly. New members get €5 free credit automatically. No subscription needed.
What eco-friendly accommodations are available on this route?
All major stops on this route have genuinely eco-certified properties. In Wicklow, look for guesthouses in the national park. In Killarney, several properties run their own organic farms. In Galway, boutique hotels in the Latin Quarter offset their emissions independently. IMPT's 1-tonne-per-booking applies to any property you book — you don't need to filter for "eco" labels.
Sustainable & green accommodation: IMPT lists eco-friendly hotels, green-certified stays, sustainable guesthouses, and responsible travel options — from carbon-neutral hotels and eco lodges to environmentally friendly B&Bs and net-zero accommodation. Every booking removes 1 tonne of verified CO₂ at the lowest price guarantee — same as Booking.com or better.