Ireland’s west coast is home to the largest Atlantic ocean coastline in Europe. The wonder and mystery of this beautiful, natural landscape has fascinated visitors for centuries and had a huge influence on the foundation of Ireland as a nation and the culture of the region. Fishing, collecting seaweed, artisan foods, kayaking, swimming, walking, cycling, snorkelling, diving, adventuring, artists, story tellers, seaside towns, blue flag beaches, camping, myth and legend, folklore, islands, cottages and windswept lighthouses. The Wild Atlantic Way has everything you’ll need on a holiday. You’ll never know so much about Ireland before or after spending as little as 3 days on this beautiful coastal getaway.
Most people think of Ireland as being a small country, but remember, the Wild Atlantic Way is 2750 km in length. You can’t assume that you will be able to see everything in a week or two. This coastal driving route is a dream for every tourist looking to experience the best of Irish scenery, especially when the weather in Ireland is favourable . The route offers views of rugged cliffs, sandy beaches and lush green valleys. Highlights can include the Causeway Coastal Route, Dingle Peninsula, The Burren, Ring of Kerry and the Aran Islands.
Most tourists find their time on the route quite rushed, so please prioritise your stops and don’t expect to experience every stop on the route. We feel that the longer the better, however a week long trip is a great experience for couples and families on their first experience of Ireland. If you don’t have that long, choose either the South or North portion to explore. Don’t try to rush to fit it all in.
Motorhome travellers have been exploring the boundary of Ireland’s outermost peninsulas for as long as motorhomes have had wheels. This drive is up there with some of the world’s best coastal road trips around the world.
Distances may seem short on the map, but you will find that you are in your van for a substantial amount of the time. Enjoy the views from the road. You will need a few hours each day to get to your desired destination.
Where should you visit along the way?
If you are into exploring some of the sights on the Wild Atlantic Way, we have created some other blogs that go into more detail on the places to visit in Ireland. We found that we could have concentrated on just one or two counties of the Wild Atlantic Way and still be quite content. There are spectacular lookouts all along the routes. The Wild Atlantic Way travels the entire west coast from the picturesque town of Kinsale in Cork through counties Kerry, Clare, Galway, Mayo, Sligo, Leitrim and ends in Donegal. Over 150 locations have been officially categorised as Discovery Points with a further 15 highlighted as Signature Discovery Points of special merit.
Below find a highlight on some places not to be missed.
Southern Half of the Wild Atlantic Way include:
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- Mizen Head
- Skellig Islands,
- Dingle Peninsula
- Ring of Kerry
- Loop Head
- Cliffs of Moher
Northern Half of the Wild Atlantic Way include:
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- Malin Head
- Fanan Head
- Horn Head
- Aran Islands
- Slieve League
- Killary Harbour
- Clifden,
- Poulnabrone Dolmen
- Kylemore Abbey
What to pack for your Wild Atlantic Way trip – the basics.
What to pack for your Wild Atlantic Way tour?
The first thing to figure out when packing for your Wild Atlantic Way trip is what time of year it is, and take the unpredictable weather in Ireland into consideration. Pack accordingly with a few extra layers, a warm jacket, raincoat or umbrella, and comfortable shoes. Ireland has a very diverse climate in every season.
Essentials you will need on your road trip:
-Money and ATM card/credit card
-Mobile phone and charger
-Documents (travel insurance, driver’s licence, campervan hire rental agreement, passports, hotel/campsite reservations)
Enjoying the Irish Campervan experience
There are so many great towns and villages along the way, so picking up extras in a shopping centre should not be an issue. The Wild Atlantic Way food choices can range from budget to five star. It depends on what you want to spend. If you want upscale dining, the hotel restaurants are a good choice for a night out. People in Ireland are always open to giving recommendations on local restaurants and good places to socialise locally. Don’t miss the experience that a local small pub can offer tourists on their journey. Make it a point to stop where and when you can. The Wild Atlantic Way Tour provides visitors with stunning scenery at every turn and lets them experience the wild nature of Ireland’s Atlantic shore be it glorious sunshine or the even more impressive huge Atlantic swells battering the coast during bad weather.
How can Craicncampers help you travel?
Craicncampers offers you the best selection of Irish campervan rental vehicles. They have some of the latest, most modern cars available and can be rented out quickly.
Our fleet is well-maintained and always in a state-of-the-art condition. The vehicles are refurbished and maintained by our SIMI approved workshop, ensuring that you have safe transportation for your travels and don’t worry about having to forget a family member cause we now offer with some campervans the chance to bring your family pet on board so everyone can enjoy the Wild Atlantic Way. For more offers and services on all things campervans and travel Visit our Contact Us page.
