It must be said, the Wild Atlantic Way is one of my favourite road trips and deserves a spot on everyone’s bucket list! This 2,500 km route along Ireland’s western coast is filled with dramatic landscapes, charming towns, and stunning ocean views. It sure makes for the adventure of a lifetime!
To make sure you don’t miss any of the best bits, I’ve gathered my top 10 destinations. These are the places I absolutely loved during my road trip adventure, and narrowing them down was no easy task that’s for sure! If you’re in the process of planning your trip, I’d highly recommend grabbing a copy of my Road Trip Ireland Guide—it’s packed with valuable insights. From getting around, to practical tips and finding places to stay, eat and drink, it has everything you need to get you started.
Below, you can dive into the details of my very own Wild Atlantic Way Road Trip! I’m sharing personal stories from my journey, along with loads of tips and must-visit spots that I discovered along the way…
I’ve spent a fair amount of time exploring Ireland, and it still feels like there’s always something new to discover. But from my experience, here are the places you shouldn’t miss…
Firstly, starting off at number ten, we have the Skellig Islands. If you’ve looked into this area, you’ll see the Skelligs pop up a lot. There are two islands: Little Skellig and Skellig Michael. Little Skellig is home to around 30,000 gannets and is closed to the public, while Skellig Michael, as some of you may know, was made famous by Star Wars. This island stands over 750 feet tall and boasts an ancient monastery, a lighthouse, beehive huts, and stunning scenery.
There are two types of tours: the landing tour, where you can explore Skellig Michael, and the eco tour, which sails around the islands. Prices range from €50 to €140. Parking in Portmagee is limited, so I’d suggest arriving at least 30 minutes before your boat tour.
This place is a photographer’s dream! Perched at the tip of the Fanad Peninsula, Fanad Head Lighthouse is surrounded by dramatic scenery. It’s best enjoyed at sunset or sunrise when you can capture some incredible shots for your Instagram or photo album. Most photographers, including myself, set up on the headland behind the old, ruined building. Be careful, though—you might have to jump a wall or climb a barbed wire fence! The photos I took from there were outstanding. I was in disbelief as the sky lit up during the golden hour!
Additionally, if you’re in need of a stopover you can stay the night in one of the restored lightkeepers cottages.
An unbelievable spot! Kinnagoe Beach is a magical bay that’s surrounded by steep, wild green hills that tower over you whilst stood on the golden sand. It’s the location of the Armada ship-wreck, La Trinidad Valencera, that was discovered by scuba divers in 1971. There’s a small parking area next to the beach. However, it’s at the bottom of a steep winding road, so best to avoid if you’re in a large motorhome!
This is an epic single-track mountain-pass. It sits 410m above sea level, weaving along the mountain side from Dingle Town to Brandon Bay. I’ve unofficially branded it as Ireland’s answer to the Bealach Na Ba Pass on the NC500 in Scotland! Now the description might make you feel nervous about driving this one. However, if you take your time, you’ll be fine! You’ll come across a waterfall along the pass where there’s a small pull-in. Here you can climb up to the hidden Peddler’s Lake, it’s only a short 10-minute climb. The Wild Atlantic Way discovery point at the summit (An Chonair), is the ultimate location to enjoy the incredible views over the sweeping green valley. If you’ve done any extra research into Dingle, you’ll 100% see the mighty Conor Pass mentioned.
On the coastline of Connemara, on the Erridbeg Peninsula, sits the magical Dogs Bay and Gurteen Bay Beaches. I would easily put these two in my top five beaches in Ireland! The beaches lie back-to-back and are separated by a dog bone shaped sandspit landform. Both have pure white sands, that are formed from crushed seashells, and crystal clear, turquoise waters. On a hot day, you really could be in the Caribbean!
The horseshoe-shaped, sheltered Dogs Bay stretches for around 1.6km, with Gurteen Bay being slightly bigger.The rare machair grasslands are found only on the west coast of Ireland and Scotland.
This popular spot is Ireland’s most south-westerly point, boasting some of the country’s most incredible coastal views! Cross the bridge and explore the signal station and lighthouse, to dive into its fascinating history. Additionally, some viewpoints are accessible via steep steps, so make sure to tread carefully. Whilst here, I also spotted a few seals during my visit, but also keep your eyes peeled for dolphins and whales too!
Situated on the Ring of Kerry route, near Caherdaniel, this idyllic, dune-backed beach offers white sands, rocky coves (great for snorkelling!) and views over to Abbey Island. I was lucky enough to visit this epic beach on one of the hottest days of the year in Ireland! So, a dip in the clear turquoise waters was a must (even Lelo the dog enjoyed a swim!). The beach has some areas that are not suitable for swimming due to dangerous currents; however, these areas are clearly signposted.
Counting down to number three on the list… this was definitely one of the highlights of my Wild Atlantic Way trip! The must-see loop starts and ends in Dingle town. If you drive the entire route without stopping, it should take about 55 minutes, but trust me, you’ll want to pull over a lot. The loop is packed with breathtaking coastal views, charming villages, and historical sites. Some viewpoints are so stunning that you have to stop and take it all in, like Dun Chaoin Pier and Dunmore Head Viewpoint. You can also grab a bite to eat with a view at the nearby Caife Na Tra!
Forget the Cliffs of Moher, Slieve League, known as Sliabh Liag in Irish, really are Ireland’s most dramatic sea cliffs. Located on the southwest coast of Donegal, the cliffs stand at a mammoth 1,972ft. Just to put into perspective that’s nearly three-times the height of the Cliffs of Moher and almost twice the height of the Eiffel Tower. The views, as I’m sure you can imagine, are out of this world. If you fancy a different perspective of the cliffs, you could take the Slieve League Boat Tour from Teelin Harbour. Or, you’re an experienced hiker, you could take the Pilgrims Path and onto One Man’s Pass on the mountain itself.
Finally taking the top spot and one of my favourite places on the Emerald Isle! The largest of the Irish Isles, Achill Island juts off the west coast of County Mayo and has a population of around 2,500. Although an Island, Achill is easily accessible as its attached to the mainland by the Michael Davitt Bridge. The scenery, beaches and villages here are just breath-taking, it’s hard to believe that so many beautiful places can exist on such a small island. There is something for everyone, hikers, foodies, historians and those who like to take to the waters, its particularly great for snorkelling and kayaking.
If you’re looking for a full itinerary on how to make the most of your time along the Wild Atlantic Way, check out my detailed Road Trip Ireland Guide. It’s packed with tips, must-see spots, and all the info you need to make this journey unforgettable. So, dive in, plan your adventure, and turn this magical trip into a reality!
Collie dog lover, keen traveler and travel guide writer. In 2022, I launched No Fuss Travel Guides with 'North Coast 500 - The Road Trip of a Lifetime' which became an Amazon best seller. I've since worked with tourism boards including Visit Wales and have been featured in The Guardian 'Best of Travel'.
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Rob, Staffordshire, UK
