At 2,600KM long, the Wild Atlantic Way can be an overwhelming undertaking, particularly for novice or time-strapped travellers. We understand this from our ten years’ experience in campervan rental in Ireland, and from the travel tales shared by thousands of our customers over the years.
Sure, you could drive it from start to finish in one go, but we believe the best way to truly experience the wonder of the Wild Atlantic Way is to immerse yourself in it, one stunning section at a time.
To make things a little easier for you while planning your trip, we’ve created a series of short Wild Atlantic Way itineraries that include suggestions for where to stay, where to eat, and what to do, from the must-see stops to the best kept secrets off the beaten tracks.
Our first Wild Atlantic Way itinerary is a 5-day trip covering the counties of Galway and Clare.
DAY 1 & 2 DOOLIN & CLARE
Collect your campervan and head straight for Doolin, Co. Clare, a charming and colourful coastal village famed for being the traditional music capital of Ireland.
It’s a 2-hour drive from our Roscommon Depot. The second half of the drive from Kinvara to Doolin has particularly spectacular scenery and is an activity in itself!
Once you arrive in Doolin, you’re just a five-minute drive from the majestic Cliffs of Moher, Ireland’s most visited natural attraction (and the backdrop for many a movie scene, including one from Harry Potter!)
There are several ways to take in the towering cliffs. You can admire them from a far, from a cruise, climb the cliffs at your own pace, or even do a guided walking tour.
There’s so much more to see in Co. Clare besides the cliffs too, that’s why we suggest a full two days. Choose from surfing lessons in Lahinch, scuba diving in Doolin Harbour, electric bike tours through the Burren, the list is endless, and at the end of your day’s adventures, retreat to your cosy campervan for a good night sleep so you can get up and do it all again tomorrow.
Our top tip would be to leave the Cliffs of Moher until early on the morning of day 2. That way you’ll beat the tour buses and get the best photos! It was voted one of the “world’s 25 most popular ‘selfie spots’”, after all.
Where to stay:
Nagle’s Camping and Caravan Park – Situated only 100m from Doolin Pier, it provides the most spectacular views, a playground, showers, full laundry facilities, a grocery store & campers’ kitchen.
O’Connor’s Riverside Camping and Caravan Park – a small, friendly, family-run park centrally located in the village of Doolin.
Where to eat & drink:
Pub grub is plentiful and pleasing in Doolin, you won’t go wrong with a hearty Beef and Guinness Stew from Gus O Connors, but if you are a foodie that fancies a real treat, Homestead Cottage in Doolin was recently awarded a MICHELIN star for their locally sourced seasonal menu that changes daily and always delights.
You can’t leave Doolin without experiencing a live Irish music session, so we recommend McGann’s.
DAY 3 GALWAY CITY & SALTHILL
Before you leave Doolin, we suggest stopping by the Cupán Van at Irish Crafts for the best coffee and sweet treats to takeaway for the scenic drive to Galway.
An afternoon stroll down Shop Street should be your first stop in Galway to soak up the atmosphere of the bustling cobbled streets lined with lively buskers, to get you set for an exciting few days ahead.
Once in Salthill, park and settle into Salthill Caravan and Camping Park for the evening and stroll up the promenade to watch the sunset, or the open water swimmers, from the comfort of a beachfront bar like O’Reilly’s Rooftop Bar.
For something a bit special, we suggest Blackrock Cottage, voted “the Best Restaurant in Galway.” Blackrock cottage is a modern Irish eatery set in a superbly restored famine era cottage on the edge of Galway Bay.
Where to stay:
Salthill Caravan and Camping Park one of Ireland’s premier and longest running caravan and camping parks. It’s boarded on three sides by view of the breath-taking Galway Bay.
DAY 4 CLIFDEN & CONNEMARA
This morning, you’ll wave goodbye to Salthill and head further west to captivating Connemara. Your first stop is Kylemore Abbey, a Benedictine monastery nestled at the base of a mountain and a sight to behold.
You can spend as little or as long as want at the Abbey, it’s open to the public and there’s plenty to see. From there, hop back into your campervan, it’s beach time!
Before you even step foot onto the fine white sand of Dog’s Bay Beach, you’ll be blown away by its rare horseshoe formation and turquoise hues.
Dog’s Bay Beach is part if a unique double bay, lying back-to-back with Gurteen Bay Beach which is equally as beautiful. Two magical stretches that look like something out of the tropics. If you can, go at sunset, you won’t regret it.
Where to stay:
Clifden Eco Campsite offers spacious pitches in a semi wild setting so you can respectfully enjoy the untouched beauty and laid-back environment synonymous with this area of the Wild Atlantic Way.
Where to eat & drink:
The Willow Tree Restaurant Clifden for dinner – Winner of the Best Newcomer Award for 2024 in the Irish Restaurant Awards.
For evening entertainment, we love Lowry’s Bar for its inviting mix of locals, tourists and traditional Irish Pub vibes.
Day 5 PORTUMNA
Day 5 steers you leisurely back towards the Craic N Campers Roscommon Depot tomorrow morning, with time to squeeze in some last-minute fun before the end of your trip.
Before you head back, the iconic Sky Road Loop is one you might want to tick off your bucket list.
Starting and ending in Clifden, the Sky Road Loop has made it onto lots of “drive before you die” lists globally, making the 11km long circular route a must-see for many. It promises panoramic views of the Connemara coastline, but be warned, it can be narrow in places!
Wildlands Activity Centre is worth a visit, particularly of you have kids with you. It’s a haven of activity and wellness in Galway, offering something for everyone from soaring zipline courses through woodland surrounds, to grounding yoga sessions overlooking the tranquil lake.
Back on the road, set the sat nav for the historic market town of Portumna.
Your home for the night will be the Portumna Forest Park Caravan and Camping Park. Also home to a marina, Portumna is a popular overnight spot for campervans and boats alike.
Some things to do in Portumna, if time permits, are The Famine Workhouse Museum, or Portumna Castle and Gardens, which is right next to the Forest Park.
With the sun setting on your final night, there is only one thing left to do, take the short walk into the centre of town to plan your next wild Atlantic campervan adventure over a pint.
If you have less time, this route is easily reversible so you could head straight to Galway and start your four-day Wild Atlantic Way campervan adventure from there.
