The Wild Atlantic Way: Route, Best Stops & 7-Day Itinerary

This guide covers the full route, the best stops, how long you really need, and a ready-to-use 7-day itinerary — plus how to see the route's most famous stretch even if you don't have a car.

Short on time? My one-section answer: the central Galway-to-Clare stretch — the Cliffs of Moher and the Burren — is the most spectacular and accessible part of the whole route. Jump to it below, or read the full Cliffs of Moher from Dublin guide.

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What is the Wild Atlantic Way?

The Wild Atlantic Way is a signposted coastal touring route along the west coast of Ireland, launched to link the region's scenery into one continuous trail. It runs through nine counties — Donegal, Leitrim, Sligo, Mayo, Galway, Clare, Limerick, Kerry and Cork — and is marked along the way by distinctive blue zig-zag signs.

Think of it less as a road to drive end-to-end and more as a menu. Each region has its own character, and the route is built around "Discovery Points" — designated spots with the best views and photo stops.

The Wild Atlantic Way in sections

To make sense of 2,500 km, it helps to break the route into regions. Here's how they compare.

Section	Counties	Highlights	Best for
The Northern Headlands	Donegal	Slieve League cliffs, Fanad Head	Rugged, remote, fewer crowds
The Surf Coast	Sligo, Mayo	Beaches, Achill Island, Downpatrick Head	Surfing, wide strands
The Bay Coast	Galway	Connemara, Galway City, Aran Islands	Culture, music, accessibility
The Cliff Coast	Clare	Cliffs of Moher, the Burren, Loop Head	The iconic stretch
The Southern Peninsulas	Kerry, Cork	Ring of Kerry, Dingle, Mizen Head	Classic scenic drives

For most first-time visitors — especially anyone short on time — the Bay Coast and Cliff Coast (Galway and Clare) are the sweet spot: the most famous sights, the easiest access from Dublin, and the best mix of scenery and things to do.

The best stops on the Wild Atlantic Way

If you're choosing what not to miss, these are the headline stops from north to south.

1. Slieve League, Donegal

Among the highest sea cliffs in Europe — taller than the Cliffs of Moher, and far quieter. A dramatic, remote start to the route.

2. Downpatrick Head, Mayo

A sea stack standing off a grassy clifftop, with blowholes and big Atlantic drama.

3. Achill Island, Mayo

Ireland's largest island, joined to the mainland by a bridge, with the stunning Keem Bay beach.

4. Connemara, Galway

Bog, mountains and the lakeside Kylemore Abbey — the rugged, Irish-speaking heart of the west. It's a full day from Dublin, but one of the most photogenic on the route, and easy to pair with Galway City.

5. Galway City

The cultural capital of the west coast: music, colourful streets and the natural base for exploring the central route.

6. The Cliffs of Moher, Clare

The single most famous stop on the entire Wild Atlantic Way — a wall of rock rising to around 214 metres straight out of the Atlantic. If you only see one thing on the route, see this.

New here? Read the full Cliffs of Moher from Dublin guide, or the shorter option in our Cliffs of Moher from Galway guide.

7. The Burren, Clare

A vast limestone moonscape beside the cliffs — bare grey terraces, rare flowers and ancient tombs. Unlike anywhere else in Ireland.

8. Loop Head, Clare

A quieter lighthouse-tipped peninsula south of the cliffs, with cliff walks and far fewer visitors.

9. The Dingle Peninsula, Kerry

Arguably the most beautiful peninsula drive in the country — Slea Head, beehive huts and ocean views at every turn.

10. The Ring of Kerry & Mizen Head, Kerry/Cork

The classic southern loops, and the most south-westerly point of the route.

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Driving the Wild Atlantic Way

The route is designed to be driven north to south or south to north, following the blue signs. A few practical notes:

• Direction: Driving north to south keeps you on the coastal side of the road for the best sea views.
• Roads: Many coastal roads are narrow and winding. Allow far more time than the distance suggests.
• Time: Driving the entire route comfortably takes around 10–14 days. Most visitors do a section in 3–7 days.
• No car? You can still experience the best of the central route — the Cliffs of Moher, the Burren and Galway — by guided tour from Dublin or Galway, with the driving handled for you.

A 7-day Wild Atlantic Way itinerary

A week is enough to drive the central and southern route and see the headline stops without rushing. Here's a balanced plan.

• Day 1 — Galway City. Arrive, settle in, explore the medieval streets, live music and the bay. Galway is your base for the central route.
• Day 2 — Connemara & Kylemore Abbey. A loop into the mountains and bog of Connemara, with the lakeside abbey as the centrepiece.
• Day 3 — Cliffs of Moher & the Burren. The route's signature day: the coastal road south through the Burren's limestone landscape to the Cliffs of Moher. Allow 1.5–2 hours at the cliffs.
• Day 4 — Loop Head & Clare coast. A quieter day exploring the Clare peninsula, lighthouse and cliff walks south of the crowds.
• Day 5 — Dingle Peninsula. Drive south into Kerry and around Slea Head — for many, the most beautiful day of the trip.
• Day 6 — Ring of Kerry. The famous loop around the Iveragh Peninsula, with mountains, lakes and coastal views.
• Day 7 — Mizen Head & West Cork. Finish at the south-western tip, then wind down through the harbours and villages of West Cork.

The best time to drive the Wild Atlantic Way

Late spring (May–June) and early autumn (September) are ideal: long daylight, milder crowds and a good chance of clear coastal views. Summer is busiest and warmest; winter is dramatic but wet and windy, with short days and some closures. Whatever the season, Atlantic weather changes fast — pack layers and waterproofs, and build flexibility into your plans.

The bottom line

The Wild Atlantic Way is too long to see in one trip — and that's fine. Pick a section, take your time, and make sure the Cliffs of Moher and the Burren are on your list, because they're the most spectacular and accessible stretch of the whole route. If you've got a week, the central-to-southern itinerary above hits the highlights. If you've only got a day, a guided tour to the cliffs is the route in miniature.

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FAQ: The Wild Atlantic Way