This is a guest post by Isabella Biava.
If you are planning a trip alone, Ireland is one of the best places to travel solo. It’s safe, easy to get around, you get to see spectacular sceneries such as the cliffs of Moher or the lesser-known Aran Islands, and you get to meet the lovely local people.
I have been to Ireland twice for a total of two months and I can’t wait to go back.
There is so much to see on such a tiny island. It’s brimming with historical landmarks, such as the Muckross Abbey or the Skullig Island Ancient Monastery, spectacular drives such as the Wild Atlantic Way, breathtaking coastal views, and hiking trails like the ones in Connemara National Parks.
Here’s everything you need to know about traveling alone in Ireland:
Best places to travel solo in Ireland
Everywhere in Ireland is a safe place to travel but if I had to choose, here are my favorite places to travel in Ireland:
1. Doolin
Doolin is a cute tiny coastal town in County Clare famous for the music traditions and the popular cliffs of Moher. The pretty town makes a good base for many boat tours and excursions. There are several beds and breakfasts near the ferry pier where you can stay for as cheap as 100 euro per night in low season. Otherwise, the price ranges between 150-200 euro or more. I stayed at Pairc Lodge and I managed to strike a great walk-in deal. But I wouldn’t recommend you risk it in high season when you should book in advance. More about it later.
From Doolin there are a lot of activities you can do. You can take the ferry to one of the Aran Islands and spend the day there exploring these interesting off-the-beaten-path islands learning about their history and culture.
You can also hike from Doolin to the Cliffs of Moher, avoiding the entrance fees. Although not a hard hike, as you are pretty much walking on a flat terrain all the time, it is quite a long walk, 6.4km to the O’brien’s tower near the visitor center, and 10km to the Moher tower at the very end of the trail. Alternatively, you can drive 10 minutes south of Doolin and get to the entrance of the cliffs of Moher, pay 12 Euro for the car park and enjoy some short walks along the cliffs.
Either way, this is a sight that you don’t want to miss.
There is also a boat tour from Doolin Ferry Harbor that takes you to the cliffs, it lasts 45 minutes and you will get awesome views of the cliffs from the ocean.
If you love hiking you should also get to The Burren, a magical place, at only 15 minutes drive from Doolin.
With its massively grey rocks with intricate crevices and cracks, descending toward the wild blue Atlantic Ocean it recalls a vast moon-like terrain. This extensive rocky expanse is home to caves, fossils, and diverse rock formations. You will also find an array of flowers, ranging from native species to Arctic, Alpine, and Mediterranean plants.
Do not forget to stop by the Burren Perfumery in the middle of the park, showcasing its productive flow and a cute cafeteria where you can enjoy some earthy snacks after your hike.
2. The Ring of Kerry
The world-famous Ring of Kerry is a must-see in Ireland. It’s a beautiful region in County Kerry, home to natural parks and historical buildings. The cute town of Killarney is located in the heart of the ring of Kerry and it can be your base for exploring around. There you can spend a day walking around the Killarney park and visiting the Muckross Abbey, Muckross House and its beautiful garden. From the Muckross House and garden, you can walk through the park on the lakeside to the Torc waterfall. You may also have options for a boat trip along the lake. It will keep you busy for a day and you can have some lunch or a delicious dessert in the cafeteria inside the park.
Driving around the ring of Kerry will give you amazing views of the spectacular rocky landscapes and easy hiking opportunities all around.
Don’t forget to stop at Ladies View viewpoint and drive through the Gap of Dunloe and Ballaghbeama Gap, two narrow mountain passes located within the ring of Kerry offering spectacular sceneries and a lot of hiking opportunities.
3. Portmagee
Portmagee is a hidden gem in Ireland that is most of the time overlooked, unfairly. It’s a small fisherman town, renowned for being the departing point for the tour to Skellig Islands. It can be a detour from the Ring of Kerry and it’s worth spending a couple of nights.
There you can take a boat tour to the famous island to check out a bird colony and an ancient monastery.
Then you can drive to the majestic Kerry cliffs, enjoy the views of cliff drops, and continue the drive along the Skullig ring where you can take a few stops for other views and some beach time.
A full day can be dedicated to visiting Valentia Island separated from Portmagee by a bridge. The tiny inhabited island offers a couple of interesting and easy hikes and more stunning views of the coastline. A visit to the lighthouse and a stop at a local cafe is a must before leaving the island. You can take the ferry to Reenard point and resume your road trip on the ring of Kerry.
4. Connemara national Park
Located in County Galway, Connemara National Park is an amazing opportunity for hiking lovers. From the Connemara National Park visitor center you have 3 trail options, the Upper Diamond Hill is the longest one, and even if it’s only 3.7 km is quite steep and challenging but it’s the most rewarding. The path is well marked and is busy most of the time so there’s no chance of getting lost. And if something happens there will always be somebody to help you out.
You should plan a good 4 hours considering some time on the top to catch your breath and enjoy the spectacular 360° views.
You could stay in one of the B&Bs in the little village of Letterfrak or drive to Clifden and check out the Clifden Castles and cute town.
Nearby you can also visit the spectacular Kylemore Abbey, a Benedictine Monastery founded in 1920 with an intriguing history.
5. The Giant Causeway
From Dublin head over to Northern Ireland and drive along the beautiful coastline that takes the name from the unique rock formations. In fact it’s an area of interlocking basalt columns, the result of an ancient volcanic fissure eruption.
You can walk along the coast north of the Causeway visitor center and enjoy a mild hike with spectacular views.
Along the Giant Causeway don’t miss other important spots such as Carrick-a-Rede Rope Bridge, Dunseverick Castle Dunluce Castle, and Ballintoy Point. If you want to have a fancy accommodation you can stay at The Causeway Hotel right by the visitor center.
The Best time to visit Ireland
July and August are the most expensive times of the year to travel and the most crowded. That’s when you find a lot of family with kids as well. So I would avoid those months. Keep in mind that although it’s supposed to be the warmest time, it can also rain a lot.
Mid-April, May, and June are great because you can get the best of both worlds, fewer people and lower prices but the attractions and facilities, which usually shut down in winter, are already open. So you can enjoy Ireland in tranquillity.
Also, you can find cheaper accommodations and car rental options. The weather at this time of the year can be very mild with less rain than usual. That being said, always make sure you dress in layers because you can go through 5 seasons in one day.
October and November are great months to travel to Ireland too. My second trip was in October and I couldn’t have been happier. The autumn colors are breathtaking.
Winter can also be a great time to travel to Ireland and in many areas you may find snow-covered landscapes but you should keep in consideration that many attractions and even hotels and restaurants may be close.
How to get around Ireland
There are many ways to get around Ireland. I love to drive because it gives me the freedom to move around at my own pace. So every time I go, I rent a car in Dublin and go on a road trip by myself and explore.
However, there are many other ways to travel in Ireland.
If you are staying in Dublin, you can find a lot of organized tours that you can join. This option is especially optimal if you like to meet other people as well or if you want to have a local guide to explain what you are looking at and share some of the local culture and history.
If you still prefer to do things on your own, but you don’t want to drive, there is a very good bus and train network service.
For buses Bus Éireann in the Republic of Ireland and Translink in Northern Ireland run coaches all around the island.
For the train, you can check the routes and make your reservation on the official site of Ireland Railway.
How to meet others while traveling solo in Ireland
You could stay in hostels, especially in the big cities such as Dublin, Belfast, Cork, Galway or Limerick, where you can meet like-minded people and go on trips together.
You can also connect with Facebook groups of travelers or expat in that specific destination. There are also female traveler groups where you can post your travel itinerary and ask if anybody else is there.
If you don’t mind hanging out in pubs and bars, it may also be another option for meeting like-minded people. Just make sure you avoid getting wasted and always keep your eyes on your drinks.
Ireland solo female travel safety tips
- Purchase travel insurance before traveling. Even if you are careful, things happen, and good travel insurance can give you peace of mind.
- Have an international SIM card or roaming service, so that you can reach out for help in any emergency. If you are renting a car this is especially important so that you can use Google Maps or Waze to find your way around.
- Have emergency numbers always handy, in Ireland those are 112 and 999. Both numbers are free of charge. 112 works in any EU country and from any phone.
- When you go on a hike alone, tell your friends where you have gone or let your hosts know as well, so in case they don’t see you they know where to find you.
- Be kind to strangers but not naive. People in Ireland are known for their friendliness. However, as a solo female traveler, it’s smart to be a bit cautious in social situations. Sometimes, people might not fully recognize personal boundaries, especially after a too many drinks. Staying alert helps in making your trip both enjoyable and safe.
- When you are in a city, make sure you avoid dark and isolated roads, especially at night. Dublin is a fun and interesting city, but as with any big city, the crime rate is higher than other smaller ones.
- Keep your belongings in a safe place with anti-theft bags and purses.
- Have more than one credit and debit card and spread them between two places, in case one gets lost or stolen.
- Usually, the majority of places accept cards, some of them ONLY cards. However, I would suggest keeping a couple of hundred Euros in cash with you in case of an emergency or to tip your guide.
READ NEXT: 41 ways to stay safe while traveling alone as a woman
These are my tips on traveling solo in Ireland. I hope it’s helpful and you feel now ready to pack for the Emerald Island!
About the author: Isabella is a relentless nomad who travels for the sake of traveling and photographing places. On Boundlessroads.com she aims to inspire other solo women travelers to live their best travel adventures.
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