The Wild Atlantic Way is 2,500 km of Ireland's wildest coast — and the joy of it is in the stopping. Beyond the famous cliffs and loops there are islands to sail to, trad sessions to fall into, beaches to chase the sunset along and seafood to eat at the water's edge. Here are the twelve best things to do along the route, running roughly north to south, with a sense of where each one sits and why it's worth your time.
Several of these we narrate as GPS audio tours, so a traditional storyteller can fill in the legend and history as you go — we've linked those. For the full route and how the regions fit together, start with our guide to driving the Wild Atlantic Way, or browse the best scenic drives in Ireland.
The route at a glance
1. Stand on the edge of the Cliffs of Moher
The single most famous sight on the route: 214 metres of sheer Atlantic cliff running for 14 km along the Clare coast, with the Aran Islands and the hills of Connemara laid out beyond on a clear day. Come early or near sunset to beat the coaches. Our visitor guide to the Cliffs of Moher covers tickets, parking and the folklore carved into the headland.
Where: County Clare
2. Wander the lunar landscape of the Burren
Just inland from the cliffs, the Burren is a vast pavement of bare grey limestone where Arctic and Mediterranean wildflowers bloom side by side from the rock, and where dolmens like Poulnabrone have stood for nearly 6,000 years. Walk it, or drive through it on the Galway to Cliffs of Moher tour.
Where: County Clare
3. Drive the Ring of Kerry
Ireland's most famous scenic loop: 179 km of mountains, lakes, ancient forts and colourful villages around the Iveragh Peninsula. Give it a full day and set off early. Hear the legends turn-by-turn on the Ring of Kerry audio tour.
Where: County Kerry · Audio tour available
4. Round Slea Head on the Dingle Peninsula
Wilder and quieter than the Ring, the Slea Head Drive rounds the tip of the Dingle Peninsula past beehive huts, golden strands, the Gallarus Oratory and Dunquin Pier, with the Blasket Islands offshore — all in a living Irish-speaking Gaeltacht. (Not sure which peninsula to pick? See Ring of Kerry vs Dingle.)
Where: County Kerry · Audio tour available
5. Gaze out to Skellig Michael
From the coach-free Skellig Ring you look out to Skellig Michael, the jagged monastery island where monks lived in stone beehive cells from the sixth century — and where Luke Skywalker hid in Star Wars. Boats sail out in summer (book well ahead); even from the mainland the view is unforgettable.
Where: County Kerry · Audio tour available
Don't just drive it — discover it
MacÉireann narrates the legends and history of the road as you reach each place, automatically and offline. Download on the App Store →
6. Fall into a trad session in Galway or Doolin
The west coast is the heartland of Irish traditional music. Galway city's pubs spill fiddle and bodhrán onto the street on a good night, and the tiny County Clare village of Doolin is famous the world over for its sessions. Pull up a stool, order a pint, and let the music find you.
Where: Galway & County Clare
7. Sail out to the Aran Islands
Three windswept limestone islands off the Galway coast where Irish is still the daily language and the prehistoric cliff fort of Dún Aonghasa clings to a 100-metre drop. A ferry from Doolin or Rossaveal takes you to a world of stone walls, currachs and an older Ireland.
Where: off County Galway
8. Stand beneath the cliffs of Slieve League
In the wild northwest, the sea cliffs of Slieve League rise almost 600 metres straight from the ocean — nearly three times the height of the Cliffs of Moher, and far less crowded. The surrounding Donegal Gaeltacht is the route at its rawest and most remote.
Where: County Donegal
9. Lose yourself in Connemara
West of Galway lies Connemara, a land of bog, mountain and island where the light is extraordinary. Drive the Sky Road out of Clifden, visit the fairytale Kylemore Abbey on its lake, and walk among the Twelve Bens. It's some of the most photographed country in Ireland.
Where: County Galway
10. Surf the Atlantic in Sligo & Bundoran
The same swells that batter the cliffs make the northwest one of Europe's best cold-water surf coasts. Bundoran and Strandhill draw surfers from all over, and you can take a lesson and ride your first wave even as a complete beginner — wetsuit very much required.
Where: counties Sligo & Donegal
11. Eat your way through Kinsale & West Cork
The southern end of the route is its foodie heart. Kinsale, the official finish, is a pretty harbour town famous for its restaurants, while West Cork turns out some of Ireland's finest cheese, seafood and craft everything. A fitting place to raise a final glass.
Where: County Cork
12. Chase the sunset on a western beach
Facing the open Atlantic, the whole coast is built for sunsets — from the surf strands of Sligo to the white sand of Dingle's beaches. In June the light lingers until nearly 11pm, so there's no rush. Find an empty strand, and let the day burn out over the ocean.
Where: all along the coast
Fitting it all into a trip
You won't do all twelve in one visit — the route is too long — so pick a region and go deep. The southwest (Clare, Kerry and Galway) holds the densest cluster of highlights and makes a natural week; our 7-day Ireland itinerary strings several of these together. Read up on driving in Ireland before you set off, and check the best time to visit to pick your week.
Frequently asked questions
What are the best things to do on the Wild Atlantic Way?
The highlights include standing on the Cliffs of Moher, exploring the Burren, driving the Ring of Kerry and the Slea Head Drive, sailing to the Aran Islands or Skellig Michael, catching a trad session in Galway or Doolin, and eating your way through Kinsale and West Cork.
How many days do you need on the Wild Atlantic Way?
To see the southwest highlights — Clare, Kerry and Galway — allow about a week. Driving the full route from Donegal to Cork with stops takes 10 to 14 days.
What is the most famous attraction on the Wild Atlantic Way?
The Cliffs of Moher in County Clare are the most visited, but the Ring of Kerry, the Dingle Peninsula and Skellig Michael are just as iconic — all of them stretches or sights along the route.
Is the Wild Atlantic Way worth it?
Yes — it's one of the world's great road trips, packing sea cliffs, islands, beaches, music and food into a single coastal route. Pick a region rather than rushing the whole thing, and give yourself time to stop.
Can I do the Wild Atlantic Way with an audio tour?
Yes. The MacÉireann app narrates several stretches — the Ring of Kerry, the Slea Head Drive, the Skellig Ring and the Clare coast — turn-by-turn using your phone's GPS, and it works offline where there's no signal.
Hear the stories behind every stop
MacÉireann narrates the legends, history and local lore of the Wild Atlantic Way as you drive it — turn-by-turn, automatically, and offline where the coast has no signal. Pick your routes and let a traditional storyteller ride shotgun.
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