We have had the privilege of visiting Ireland several times, and when we visit The “Emerald Isle”, its cities are among the best places to discover Irish culture. Irish cities are magical, full of local history, myths and legends, art galleries, Pubs and friendly locals. Whether you visit Dublin for top attractions such as the Guinness Storehouse and the Book of Kells, or head to Galway for traditional music and street art, you’ll fall in love with Ireland’s vibrant cities.
In this guide we present you the best cities In Ireland and Northern Ireland. These are the places where you will leave lasting memories during your stay.
The best way to get around Ireland is to rent a car. You can compare car rental prices here. We took road trips along the Wild Atlantic Way, on the west coast of Ireland, with day trips to the island, cobbled streets and live music, and along the Causeway Coast to see some of the most impressive attractions in Northern Ireland. We have explored less visited cities in Ireland and each one is as memorable as the last.
1. Dublin
Dublin is the largest city In Ireland and the capital of the Republic Of Ireland. We recommend that you spend at least three days in Dublin before traveling to the different cities Of Ireland. Dublin is located on the River Liffey and offers hundreds of attractions at your fingertips.
The main attractions of this popular Irish city are endless, including a visit to the famous Kilmainham Prison, the GPO Museum, Dublin Castle and the Guinness Storehouse (read more about our experiences here).
Dublin Castle is one of the most famous medieval castles in the world dating back to the thirteenth century. It is now a government building, but this does not prevent tourists from seeing it.
Trinity College, the Book of Kells and the famous Temple Bar. Dublin is easily one of the best cities in Ireland for history lovers, with stories ranging from the Easter Uprising in 1916 to ancient stories in the pages of the Book of Kells. It is also a city of science; Dublin is officially Yeats Country and is home to Trinity College, where people like Oscar Wilde were educated.
There are so many things to do in Dublin, and if you want to visit Ireland for St. Patrick’s Day, you should be in Dublin. If you want to get away from the city, Dublin is a stone’s throw away and a stone’s throw from the Wicklow Mountains, where you can go hiking or horseback riding.
If you are visiting Dublin, get a Dublin Pass. The Dublin Pass is a great way to save money on Dublin attractions by getting admission to 35 attractions, including the Dublin Hop-on Hop-Off Big Bus Tour, the Guinness Storehouse, the James Joyce Center, St. Patrick’s Cathedral (where St. Patrick himself baptized Christians) and many others.
2. Cork City
As the second largest city In Ireland, it once had the reputation of being the capital of the rebellious country. The natives of Cork sometimes claim to be the real capital of Ireland. We love this city in the South of the Green Island, and others agree that Cork is a popular tourist destination.
If you haven’t visited Cork yet, you are really missing out. The best things to do in Cork include day trips to Blarney Castle to kiss the Blarney Stone. The Blarney Stone may be what attracted tourists to the area for the gift of the ATM, but Blarney Castle is a great destination in itself.
In the city proper of Cork, you can ring the bells of Shannon, visit the English Market, which is a fantastic place for organic and locally produced food, and explore the history of Elizabeth Fort, an ancient fortress city of the seventeenth century. Also visit the small towns around the port of Cork, the second largest natural port in the world. It is located near the port of Cork, where you will find the beautiful Cobh, a colorful coastal town and the last port of call of the Titanic in 1912.
3. Galway City
Galway City is impossible not to love. If you are looking for the best cities In Ireland, look no further than the fifth largest city.
Despite its growing size, Galway retains an authentic Charm that inspired people like Ed Sheeran to write a song about it. Be sure to add Galway to your Green Island itinerary to really enjoy the traditional Irish music and friendly locals.