While there are plenty of things to do in the Irish capital, it’s worth taking some of the top tours from Dublin. I like to rent a car to explore outside the city. But I realize not everyone wants to deal with the stress of driving on the opposite side of the road while navigating an unfamiliar place. If that’s you, there are some great Dublin day tours that can bring you to many top attractions.
With an expert local guide leading the way, you’ll hear some of the insider stories behind the destinations. By booking any of these top tours from Dublin, you’ll get the most out of each experience.
Cliffs of Moher & Galway
The Cliffs of Moher is a dramatic sight, looming over the Atlantic coast in County Clare. It’s consistently ranked among Ireland’s top attractions and a must-see for any first-time visitor. A full-day excursion to the cliffs is available for a very reasonable price and includes a stop in the Burren and a guided walking tour of Galway’s city center too.
The highlight is the chance to stroll the pathways that run alongside the famous cliffs providing breathtaking views over the Atlantic Ocean and the Aran Islands. On a clear day, the mountains in the Connemara region come into view as well. After soaking up the incredible vista and capturing photos, you’ll have time to explore the Cliffs of Moher Visitor Experience, with your admission included.
The lunar-like landscape of the Burren is renowned for its remarkable diversity of plants, with Arctic-alpine plants living right next to those that are typically only seen in the Mediterranean region. Several species that are rare elsewhere on the planet are abundant here, all somehow surviving and even thriving in this land that seems to be nearly entirely made up of rock. Watch for the Poulnabrone Dolmen, a portal tomb dating back to the Neolithic period.
Northern Ireland: Belfast, Giant’s Causeway & More
If you want to explore some of the most popular attractions in Northern Ireland, you can easily do so from Dublin. This fantastic tour is very reasonably priced and includes a black cab tour through Belfast. You’ll ride in a traditional black cab for an adventure that includes many sights. Watch for the famous murals and Peace Walls that kept Protestants and Catholics apart. The university, the docks, and more are all included as you learn more about the city and the infamous “troubles” from your driver’s perspective. It’s a unique historical and cultural experience.
Continue to the Causeway Coast for a spectacularly scenic drive to Giant’s Causeway. Its soaring cliffs and some 40,000 basalt columns were created by a volcanic eruption 60 million years ago. You’ll also see unique formations like the Wishing Chair, which you can sit in for a great Instagrammable shot, the Giant’s Boot, The Camel, The Giant’s Granny, and The Organ. Set high atop the cliffs, it looks as if it could really be played by a giant tall enough.
You’ll also stop at the haunting ruins of Dunluce Castle. It was used as the filming location for House Greyjoy in “Game of Thrones.”
Wicklow Mountains with Glendalough + Kilkenny
The Wicklow Mountains and Kilkenny are one of the top combo tours from Dublin. The area is within easy reach while providing some of the most dazzling scenery and interesting history in the east of Ireland. A full-day tour is jam-packed with delights. Enjoy a scenic drive through Wicklow National Park, the magnificent monastic ruins and lakes at Glendalough, and the city of Kilkenny.
If you’ve ever seen the film “P.S. I Love You,” or watched the History Channel’s “Vikings,” you’ll recognize many of the scenes in the park. In the summer and early fall, the heather is in bloom, blanketing the hills and bog cotton fields with a sea of purple and maroon. There are countless postcard-perfect shots! Glendalough is the home of a sixth-century monastic settlement, with the Round Tower a popular object for photographs.
Kilkenny is my favorite Irish city. It has a fantastic medieval vibe, with cobbled streets and a 12th-century castle overlooking the River Nore.
Rock of Cashel & Blarney Castle
Blarney Castle is on many travelers’ bucket lists. Visitors climb to the top to kiss the famous Blarney Stone, receiving the “gift of the gab” in return. Yes, it’s very touristy. But it is worth it to say you did it once. Plus, you can explore the castle and the stunning gardens. This tour not only includes iconic Blarney, but you’ll have time to shop the Woollen Mills, with beautiful Irish-made sweaters. Furthermore, a visit to the Rock of Cashel is included too.
The “Rock,” pictured above, is one of the country’s most impressive sites. Its oldest buildings date to 1100 AD, although the site was used as a fortress and royal seat since at least the fourth century. This is also where the King of Munster was converted to Christianity by St. Patrick. It was the traditional seat of the Kings of Munster for several centuries before the Norman invasion. The complex features one of Europe’s most remarkable collections of Celtic art and medieval architecture. Most of the structures that survive are from the 12th and 13th centuries.
Newgrange & the Hill of Tara
Newgrange is an absolute must-visit. A tour from Dublin will bring you there in just 45 minutes. Older than Stonehenge and the Great Pyramid of Giza, it was built around 3200 BC. No one knows for sure what its purpose was, but it’s believed to have been a passage tomb and temple for ancient people who worshipped the sun. White quartz was used to build it, said to inspire life-giving energy.
People travel here from across the globe to witness the winter solstice spectacle at Newgrange. Demand is so high that a yearly lottery is conducted. Only 120 are chosen to enter the burial mound during the 17-minute-long, 5,000-year-old light show. This is when illumination occurs. A beam of sunlight shoots down through the narrow corridor, leading into the chamber. Watching it flood the stone passage with a warm glow is unforgettable.
Not one of the lucky few who can be here for the winter solstice event? After you enter through the narrow passageway, your guide will replicate the experience. You’ll also gain interesting insight about the event and the history behind Newgrange as well.
There are private tours from Dublin that will help you make the most out of your time, with other stops included as well. That includes the Hill of Tara, the seat of the High Kings of Ireland. It was at the peak of its power as a political and religious center in the early centuries following the birth of Christ.
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