Ultimate Ireland Honeymoon Itinerary & Guide

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Summers are rarely too hot and winters not excessively cold. This kind of climate results in abundant rainfall and frequent changes in weather!

The best time to visit Ireland for honeymoon is during the shoulder seasons of late spring / early summer (April to June) and early autumn (September to October).

These months offer a sweet spot of milder weather, fewer crowds, and the countryside in full bloom or the warm hues of autumn.

It’s the changeable weather that brings Ireland’s iconic mists and green lushness.

Days are longer from late spring to early autumn, ideal for exploring the outdoors.

While summer (July and August) promises the warmest temperatures, it also brings larger crowds and higher prices. The best weather can be anytime from May to September!

During winter, from November to February, the days are shorter and while extreme weather is rare, Ireland is generally damp, grey and windy at this time of year. Severe storms occur during winter, too.

In March, many tourists flock to Ireland for St. Patrick’s Day and the St. Patrick’s Festival celebrations.

Ultimately, the best way to get around Ireland is by rental car. Although trains connect the cities and there is an extensive bus network, too.

Hiring a car means you can curate your own journey and explore the hidden gems. The Irish drive on the left. Be prepared for narrow lanes on rural roads.

Driving around the cities is not recommended as traffic can be heavy and slow. However, for intercity journeys, the train can sometimes be a great option, too. Plus, travelling by train can make your honeymoon more sustainable!

There are no high speed train options like you’ll find on mainland Europe, but journeys only take around 2.5 -3 hours hours usually.

Within the cities – walking, cycling, taxis and buses are a great option. Uber isn’t as established in Ireland and locals use FreeNow for taxi journeys (use code 5b054twvy to get a discount off your first journey!).

The bus network in Ireland is extensive, linking towns and cities not served by trains. Companies like Bus Éireann and private operators offer routes that are economical.

Ireland is a fantastic cycling destination, with dedicated paths and low-traffic roads framing the coastline, valleys, and mountains.

You could also opt for an Ireland honeymoon road trip camper van / RV.

In certain areas, particularly the national parks and coastal paths, your own two feet are the most rewarding mode of transport. Ireland is a hiker’s paradise with trails for all levels.

On your Ireland honeymoon, beautiful rural mountain and coastal scenes are never too far away!

If you choose not to drive, it’s best to stay in the cities or larger towns so you can book excursions.

However, despite being relatively small (about the size of South Carolina), the road network means that it could take you 8 hours to drive from the northern point at Malin Head to the southern point at Mizen Head!

Here is a suggested 14-night / two week Ireland honeymoon itinerary with some suggestions of where to leave out and add on.

Whether you have time for a 7 day Ireland honeymoon or 10 day Ireland honeymoon road trip – we’ve got you covered.

This itinerary is jam packed but it’s just a suggestion. You can customise it to your preferences and budget.

Don’t forget to carve some time for relaxing in one of the beautiful country manor houses or majestic castle hotels…

Let’s plan the Ultimate Ireland Honeymoon Itinerary!

This is a city of history. Our top pick is to discover Belfast on one of the Black Taxi Tours, giving you an insider’s view of the city’s complex past.

Don’t miss a night out in the Cathedral Quarter, where cobbled streets buzz with pubs and cultural vibes.

The next day visit the UNESCO-listed Giant’s Causeway and Game of Thrones filming locations on an excursion from the city.

Before you drive or take the afternoon 2-hour train going south to Dublin, spend a morning at the Titanic Belfast, an architectural marvel that tells the poignant tale of the ship’s construction and tragic maiden voyage, right where it all began.

Most people will tell you to go straight for Temple Bar for a pint of Guinness. However, one drink might be enough here due to the high tourist prices.

Instead, head for the bars and restaurants a 5-minute walk away along George’s St and South William St. Have dinner and drinks at the Blind Pig.

The next day make a beeline for the Guinness Storehouse. This is Ireland’s top tourist attraction and the panoramic views from the Gravity Bar of low-rise rooftops are pretty cool!

Spend the afternoon at your leisure. You may want to see the 1200-year-old Book of Kells at Trinity College. The entrance fee is worth it alone to visit the Old Library.

You could visit one of the many museums dotted around the city. Kilmainham Gaol, the Irish Museum of Modern Art, The Little Museum of Dublin, the National Gallery, the Chester Beattie Library in Dublin Castle.

You could take a Jameson Distillery tour for whiskey tastings, take a bike ride around the Phoenix Park (one of Europe’s biggest urban parks), go shopping on Grafton Street or just relax in a pub for afternoon.

At night, experience a night of traditional Irish music at the Cobblestone Pub (go for dinner in L. Mulligan Grocer around the corner beforehand!).

Next day day, you have one full day to explore and we recommend spending it outside of the city centre.

Opt for a day trip on the train to the seaside village of Howth. Hike Howth Head and have fish and chips afterwards in Crabby Joes.

You could take a day trip to the Hellfire Club in the Dublin Mountains for the spooky derelict building where it’s said the devil appeared because of the debauched behaviour of members of the club. Many tourists miss this spot but the views of the city are fantastic.

One of our top picks is a day trip to the the Garden of Ireland, neighbouring County Wicklow which is packed full of gems.

Visit the round tower at the ancient monastic site of Glendalough.

Take the hike past Lough Tay and the fascinating home of Luggala which was owned by the Guinness ancestor, Garech Brown and has seen famous faces from the Beatles to Rolling Stones, Lucian Freud and Michael Jackson, to name a few.

You can stay in the city and spend an evening roaming the Latin Quarter and the Spanish Arch, where lively pubs await.

The following day it’s time to discover the quiet, hauntingly beautiful landscapes of Connemara, where mountains dip into crystal lakes and some of Ireland’s most beautiful beaches such as Dog’s Bay.

This is a magical part of Ireland where you’ll find Ireland’s native tongue spoken.

From small towns, to wild beaches, ancient ruins and otherworldly landscapes, there is so much to squeeze into your Ireland honeymoon itinerary in Clare.

Start with a stop at Ballyvaughan for fish and chops at Monks and explore Corcomroe Abbey (don’t miss a pitstop at Hazel Mountain Chocolate for some treats).

This is the gateway to the Burren National Park – a lunar landscape of limestone that blooms with wildflowers in spring.

Take a quick stop at the highlights of this ancient Irish land, maybe go for a dip in the wild Atlantic ocean at Fanore Beach, visit the ancient (5000-year-old!) Poulnabrone Dolmen and buy some of the best souvenirs at the Burren Perfumery.

The Cliffs of Moher, another of Ireland’s top sights, commands the coastline with breathtaking scenery. You can pop into the visitor centre and also hike along the coast. Watch out on windy days.

You can opt for an afternoon of surfing or a hike between Lahinch and Doolin. Have a music-filled night in a cosy pub in these west of Ireland towns.

Choose to base yourself in one of the beautiful hotels around Killarney and take day trips or take it more slowly and stop each night at a quaint B&B.

On the first day of your Kerry exploration, start early and head straight for a drive on the Dingle Peninsula. This is one of our favourite spots to add to an Ireland honeymoon.

Don’t miss the Slea Head drive where stunningly wild and romantic landscapes await. If you have time the sunsets over the Atlantic Ocean are magical.

Dingle is one of Ireland’s best towns with lively pubs and streets, beloved by locals and tourists alike. If the weather is nice (or even if it isn’t) you might opt to dip your toes in the cold Atlantic Ocean at Inch Beach.

The following day, drive the Ring of Kerry for the stunning vistas of mountains, lakes, and the Atlantic Ocean, starting in Killarney and ending in Kenmare.

Don’t miss the chance to get off the beaten track on a detour through the beautiful Skellig Ring – slightly off the beaten track as huge bus tours don’t go that way.

Out on the Atlantic Ocean you’ll see Skellig Michael, an ancient monastic outpost on a rocky island, which captured the world’s imagination in recent cinema blockbusters Star Wars.

Don’t miss the Skellig boat trip (time and weather permitting).

On Valentia Island, the wild edge of Europe, you can discover a fascinating piece of history.

Over 150 years ago, the laying of the first successful transatlantic telegraph cable from Valentia Island to Newfoundland was dubbed the Eighth Wonder of the World.

It revolutionised global communications by reducing message delivery time across the ocean from weeks to minutes.

On your third day in County Kerry, have a day of rest day. You can opt for a wild swim, a spa day, go for a horse riding our or even a leisurely stroll around Muckross House or a gentle walk in Killarney National Park.

You’ll truly feel at the edge of Europe driving through the stunning landscapes of West Cork. Take a detour on the Beara Peninsula if you’re not maxed out on driving.

Stop at cute towns like Skibbereen (you could stay for a night at the heavenly Liss Ard Estate) and Kinsale before staying in or around Cork City for 2 nights.

Opt for a final dinner in a Michelin-star restaurant and relax in a luxury hotel in the south of Ireland.

In the north, there are other gems like the city of Derry where history looms large and it’s just a short drive to Ireland’s most northerly county, the beautiful, more off the beaten track, County Donegal.

In Dublin, you could easily spend a week seeing all the sights but if you have time spend a couple of days in County Wicklow, stay in Powerscourt Hotel, and explore more of Wicklow.

The Ancient East has some hidden gems like Cliff House Hotel in Waterford (you could extend your itinerary from Cork to here, too!)

Just 90-minutes from Dublin, in the Midlands, is one of the best honeymoon hotels not just in Ireland but in the world, Ballyfin. There isn’t enough superlatives to describe the level of service and luxury at this meticulously restored country manor.

One of Ireland’s most beautiful Irish castles, Ashford Castle is just a 45-minute drive away from Galway, too and very convenient for exploring Connemara – you won’t regret this addition to your Ireland honeymoon itinerary.

If you’re planning an Ireland honeymoon on a tighter budget – the adjacent Lodge at Ashford Castle is a great option.

Take a boat trip to the Aran Islands from Galway or Clare. Inishmore, Inishmaan and Inisheer are stunning and some of the best places for dreamy remote Irish landscapes.

En route to Kerry you may want to stop at Adare Manor or take a detour to Tipperary for the Rock of Cashel. This is a popular tourist attraction, and made even more appealing by the recent opening of the Cashel Palace Hotel.

In Cork, you may want to add on an excursion to kiss the Blarney Stone at Blarney Castle

If you have 7 nights or less for your Ireland honeymoon pick two bases (we like Dublin or Galway with Kerry).

If you have 10 nights or less for your Ireland honeymoon you could squeeze in a third or extend your time.

If you have less time than this for your Ireland honeymoon, opt for a romantic escape in a beautiful luxury hotel in the countryside so you can experience rural Ireland

When planning your Ireland honeymoon itinerary, remember that 2 nights will only give you 1 full day to explore or relax, 3 nights = 2 full days, 4 nights = 3 full days, and so on.

Don’t underestimate time spent packing up, checking out, driving, checking in and unpacking.

• Cost: Ireland has high costs for accommodation, dining and drinking, compared to other parts of Ireland.
  
  
• Distance: Ireland may be further away from you and if you only have a short time for your honeymoon, it may not be worth travelling so far away. You don’t want to have to deal with jet lag for your whole honeymoon!
  
  
• Weather: There is no getting away that the weather in Ireland is unpredictable! Even in summer, the weather can be grey and damp. In Spring, days can be bright and sunny. Have no expectations and pack a raincoat!