Best Scenic Drives in Ireland: 9 Routes with Unreal Views

Some places are best explored by car, and Ireland is definitely one of them. Here are the best scenic drives in Ireland for your next Irish road trip adventure!

Rolling green hills, dramatic cliffs, peaceful countryside, castle-dotted landscape and charming villages… Ireland feel like a postcard in every turn.

These scenic drives are the kind that make you want to pull over every five minutes just to soak it all in.

And the somewhat bad weather we get? Well, that just improves your daily chance of rainbow!

Beautiful Scenic Routes To Drive In Ireland

From famous routes like the Wild Atlantic Way to hidden gems like the Copper Coast, here are some of our fave scenic drives in Ireland—no GPS confusion required.

Wild Atlantic Way – Ireland’s Ultimate Coastal Road Trip

Over 1,500 miles of jaw-dropping unspoiled route, the WWW takes you from Donegal to Cork, along some of the most breathtaking coastline in the world.

Expect towering cliffs, crashing waves, and tiny fishing villages where time seems to slow down.

The best part? You don’t have to drive the whole thing. In fact, you shouldn’t! Unless you have some 14 days to dedicate!

Instead, pick a section, and do it right by taking your time and stoping often—because the magic is in the detours.

Highlights (amongst many, many of them!):

• Cliffs of Moher – Ireland’s most famous cliffs, and for good reason.
• Slieve League – Even taller than the Cliffs of Moher, with way fewer crowds.
• Achill Island – Wild beaches, rolling green hills, and a road that hugs the coastline.

Perfect for: Coastal views, remote landscapes, and anyone who wants to feel like they’re driving through a postcard.

Ring of Kerry – A Classic for a Reason

If you’ve seen a picture-perfect shot of Ireland’s landscapes, chances are it was taken somewhere along the Ring of Kerry.

This famous 111-mile loop winds through mountains, lakes, rugged coastline, and charming villages.

It’s a popular route, so starting early or driving it counterclockwise can help you avoid the tour buses. Either way, expect plenty of spots to pull over, snap a photo, and just take in the views.

Highlights:

• Ladies View – One of the most iconic lookouts in Killarney National Park.
• Skellig Ring – A detour worth taking for wild coastal cliffs and Skellig Michael views.
• Kenmare – A colorful, charming town that’s perfect for a food stop.

Perfect for: A classic Ireland road trip experience with mountains, lakes, and coastal views all in one.

Dingle Peninsula – Wild Beauty With Incredible Views

Smaller than the Ring of Kerry but just as stunning, the Dingle Peninsula offers plenty of charming villages and endless ocean views.

The roads here feel more intimate, winding through green fields dotted with sheep and coastal stretches that seem to go on forever.

Dingle town itself is worth a stop, with colorful streets, live music in every pub, and some of the best seafood in Ireland.

But the real highlight? Slea Head Drive, a loop packed with ancient ruins, hidden beaches, and cliffs that drop straight into the Atlantic.

Highlights:

• Conor Pass – The highest mountain pass in Ireland, with unreal valley views – drive carefully!
• Slea Head Drive – Coastal cliffs, Beehive Huts, and hidden coves along a scenic loop.
• Dingle town – A lively harbor town perfect for fresh seafood and a pint.

Perfect for: Travelers who want stunning views, a mix of history, coastline and local charm.

Causeway Coastal Route – Northern Ireland’s Must-Do Drive

This dramatic coastal drive runs from Belfast to Derry and is packed with clifftop castles, hidden beaches and famous film locations.

Every twist and turn brings a new postcard-worthy view – it’s stunning! – and if it looks straight out of a fantasy novel, that’s because it kind of is—parts of this route doubled as Westeros in Game of Thrones.

The highlight? Giant’s Causeway, a surreal landscape of hexagonal basalt columns formed by ancient volcanic activity (or, if you prefer the local legend, by a giant’s footsteps).

But with so many stops along the way, this drive is about the journey as much as the destination.

Highlights:

• Giant’s Causeway – A natural wonder that doesn’t look real, but totally is.
• Carrick-a-Rede Rope Bridge – A nerve-testing crossing with epic ocean views.
• Dunluce Castle – A medieval ruin perched dramatically on the edge of a cliff.

Perfect for: History lovers, road-trippers and anyone who wants a scenic drive with dramatic landscapes and famous landmarks.

The Burren & Cliffs of Moher Drive – Otherworldly Scenery

This drive is shorter than some of the others but packs in some of Ireland’s most unique landscapes.

The Burren is unlike anywhere else in the country—a vast, rocky limestone plateau with wildflowers growing between the cracks, ancient ruins scattered throughout and home of many hiking trails.

It feels almost lunar, but then just a short drive away, you’ll hit the towering Cliffs of Moher, one of Ireland’s most iconic sights.

The contrast between the beauty of the Burren and the ocean views from the cliffs makes this drive unforgettable. Plus, it’s easy to stop in cozy villages like Doolin for traditional music and fresh seafood along the way.

Highlights:

• Cliffs of Moher – One of the most famous and breathtaking views in Ireland.
• Poulnabrone Dolmen – A mysterious Neolithic tomb standing in the rocky Burren landscape.
• Fanore Beach – A quiet, golden-sand beach perfect for a peaceful stop.

Perfect for: Unique landscapes, coastal cliffs, and history lovers who want to explore ancient sites along the way.

Sally Gap & Wicklow Mountains – A Quick Escape from Dublin

If you’re looking for a scenic drive that feels remote but doesn’t take hours to reach, Sally Gap in the Wicklow Mountains is the answer.

Just south of Dublin, this route winds through heather-covered hills, mirror-like lakes and moody landscapes.

The roads here are narrow and winding, adding to the adventure, but the views are worth every turn. From misty mountaintops to quiet forest trails, this drive is pure Irish countryside magic.

Highlights:

• Lough Tay (Guinness Lake) – A dark, still lake framed by cliffs and owned by the Guinness family estate.
• Powerscourt Gardens And Waterfall – This waterfall is Ireland’s highest at 121 m (398ft.)
• Glendalough – A 6th-century monastic site set between two peaceful lakes.

Perfect for: A quick but unforgettable scenic escape from Dublin, with lakes, mountains and film-worthy landscapes.

Connemara Loop – Wild Landscapes and Untouched Beauty

This scenic drive shares some parts with the Wild Atlantic Way.

It takes you through some of the most unspoiled landscapes in the country, with winding roads that cut through valleys, sheep-dotted hills, glassy lakes, hug the coastline and pass through tiny villages where Irish is still the first language.

Connemara feels remote in the best way—just you, the open road and never-ending beautiful landscapes.

Highlights:

• Derrigimlagh Bog – A peaceful, otherworldly landscape with an unexpected history (it’s where the first transatlantic flight landed).
• Killary Fjord – Ireland’s only fjord, with dramatic scenery on all sides.

Perfect for: Travelers looking for a remote, breathtakingly scenic drive with mountains, lakes, and ocean views.

Ring of Beara – Like the Ring of Kerry, But Quieter

If you love the beauty of the Ring of Kerry but want fewer crowds, the Ring of Beara is the perfect alternative.

This stunning peninsula drive winds through mountains, coastal cliffs and sleepy fishing villages, offering some of the most untouched scenery in Ireland.

The roads here are narrow and winding, adding to the adventure, but that also means you’ll find plenty of hidden spots to pull over and just take in the views.

With fewer tour buses and a slower pace, this route feels like a secret piece of Ireland that only the best road-trippers know about.

Highlights:

• Healy Pass – A twisting mountain road with unbelievable valley views.
• Dursey Island Cable Car – The only cable car in Ireland, taking you to a rugged, unspoiled island.
• Eyeries – A postcard-perfect village with colorful houses and ocean views.

Perfect for: A peaceful, off-the-beaten-path road trip with wild landscapes, hidden gems and a slower, more local feel.

Copper Coast Drive – Ireland’s Hidden Gem

Less famous than the Wild Atlantic Way but just as stunning, the Copper Coast Drive runs along Waterford’s wild and rugged coastline.

If you want a scenic drive without the crowds, this is the one, offering a mix of clifftop views, quiet beaches and historic mining sites.

Named after the old copper mines that once operated here, this route is packed with hidden coves, rock formations and small villages where life moves at a slower pace.

It’s the kind of drive where you’ll feel like you’ve stumbled upon a secret part of Ireland most tourists miss.

Highlights:

• Bunmahon Beach – A long stretch of golden sand backed by cliffs.
• Tankardstown Mine Ruins – A hauntingly beautiful reminder of the area’s mining history.

Perfect for: Travelers looking for a peaceful, off-the-beaten-path drive with coastal beauty and hidden treasures.

Tips for an Amazing Ireland Road Trip

Driving through Ireland is an experience in itself, but a little planning goes a long way.

Narrow roads, unpredictable weather and spontaneous stops for sheep crossings are all part of the adventure. Here’s how to make the most of it:

• Rent a small car – Some of these roads are very narrow, and a smaller car makes life easier (especially for those not used to driving on the left side of the road).
• Take it slow – The best moments happen when you’re not rushing. Pull over, soak in the views, and enjoy the drive.
• Pack layers – Sunshine, rain, wind—all in the same hour. Irish weather keeps you on your toes.
• Don’t skip the pubs – Some of the best road trip memories happen over a pint and live music in a cozy pub.
• Have a flexible plan – Some of the best spots might not be on the map. Leave room for detours and random stops—you won’t regret it.

The Best Way to See Ireland? By Car.

Some places are made for road trips, and Ireland is one of them. With these scenic drives, every mile comes with a new jaw-dropping view, a charming village or a piece of history waiting to be discovered.

From the wild coastline of the Wild Atlantic Way, the mountains of Connemara and the castles along the Causeway Coastal Route, Ireland is magical!

So grab a map, roll down the windows and get ready for an unforgettable Irish adventure—because the best way to see Ireland is to just hit the road and go.

PIN FOR LATER!