Everyone dreams of visiting Ireland, a stunning country situated at the westernmost edge of Europe known for its lush green fields, friendly people, breathtaking landscapes, and renowned drinking culture.
You’ve probably heard of iconic places like the Cliffs of Moher, the Giants Causeway, and Skellig Michael, but that’s only some of the many awe-inspiring locations Ireland is known for.
Ireland is a vast country with an abundance of wonderful places to travel to. We’ve put together this list of the best cities in Ireland to visit for food and culture this festive season.
Five of the Best Cities in Ireland to Visit for Food and Culture this Christmas
1. Dublin
Most travelers begin their Irish adventure in Dublin, the capital. It is famed for its bustling bars, charming rivers like the Liffey, fascinating museums like the National Gallery of Ireland or the Irish Museum of Modern Art, and world-class attractions like the Guinness Storehouse. You could stay in Dublin for weeks and never get bored as a tourist.
- Experience the Guinness Storehouse: Arguably, the most popular thing to do in Dublin is tour the Guinness Storehouse. Learn about the history behind the most famous stout in the world, discover how it’s made, and sample a pint of your own in the 360-degree Gravity Bar, which offers amazing views of the city center.
- Put a lock on the Ha’penny Bridge: The striking Ha’penny Bridge connects the north and south sides of the city. Tourists are known to visit nearby shops, purchase a small lock, write a nice message on it, and then lock it on the bridge. As you arrive, you’ll be able to see the display; it’s incredible.
- Take a walk through Temple Bar: Temple Bar is Dublin’s bustling nightlife district filled with cobblestone streets, buskers playing traditional Irish music, and clubs that stay open until early the following morning. One must not visit Dublin without stopping by Temple Bar.
- Dublin Coddle: A local favorite food to try is the Dublin Coddle, a hearty boiled stew filled with sausage, potatoes, sliced onions, and chives. Pop into one of the many pubs around the city, and you’ll find Coddle on the menu.
2. Galway
Situated on the west coast of Ireland is the quintessential Irish city of Galway. It is nowhere near as large as Dublin, but a lot cheaper and very different. The adorable metropolis has so much to offer visitors.
You can watch different bands play every night of the week in Eyre Square, wander down the Salthill Promenade to watch people diving or seek out rugged mountains in the Connemara National Park.
- Walk down Salthill Promenade: Within walking distance from the city center is a gorgeous 3-kilometer stretch of coastline that looks out over the fabulous Galway Bay. It’s a popular area among families, couples, and free divers who all love to come together and enjoy a nice sunny day. Experience it for yourself when you’re there.
- Visit Connemara National Park: With 2000 square hectares of craggy mountains, tranquil lakes, vast grasslands, and challenging hiking trails, it is one of the best locations to escape city life for a while.
- Take a day trip to the Aran Islands: Off the coast of Galway lie three tiny islands different from anything you’ll find on the mainland. Known for their ancient sites and preservation of the Irish language, the Aran Islands are a fascinating display of the country’s culture.
- One of the best foods: You can try Irish Stew anywhere in the country, but there’s something special about how they make it in Galway. The Dish consists of slowly cooked beef, carrots, potatoes, barley, and leeks. Nothing beats a hot bowl of this stuff when the Irish weather is at its coldest.
3. Kerry
In the southwest of Ireland lies the pretty county of Kerry. Everyone loves Kerry for its scenic drives, like the Gap of Dunloe, humongous mountains, like Carrountoohil, and seaside viewpoints, like Dunquin Pier.
Plus, you can even take an internal flight there from Dublin that only takes around 40 minutes, whereas driving would take nearly five hours.
- See Dunquin Pier with your own eyes: As you drive through the Dingle Peninsula, you’ll go past the Dunquin Pier, a charming roadway on the edge of a cliff, a part of Ireland’s most western settlement. You’ve probably seen photographs of this place before, as it’s used on almost every Irish postcard.
- Climb Carrauntoohil: Carrauntoohol is Ireland’s highest mountain at 1,038.6 meters, about a 20-minute drive from Killarney, the main city in Kerry. On a clear day, you can see Galway in the distance from the mountain peak. You should hire a guide if you plan on taking on the trek, as parts of it are quite dangerous, especially if you don’t know the area well.
- Drive through the Gap of Dunloe: The Gap of Dunloe is a picturesque drive through a set of mountains surrounded by quiet streams, wildlife, and old Irish farms. If you hire a car, you should park it near the entrance of the road because it’s extremely narrow and rocks are known to fall off the mountains.
- Try Colcannon: It’s the ultimate comfort food made with mashed potatoes, cabbage, and onions. It’s typically eaten around Halloween and often served with a slice of selected meat.
4. Cork
Cork is Ireland’s second-largest city and is often visited for its ancient castles, alluring beaches, and delightful culinary scene. While Cork is a brilliant travel destination, foodies mainly take a fancy to it because it’s the food capital of Ireland.
One minute, you could be wandering through scrumptious street food markets munching on freshly made soda bread, and the next, you could be trying some delicious haddock at a fish and chips takeaway.
- Take a trip to Spike Island: Only 103 acres in size; Spike Island sits off the coast of Cork. It was once a monastic settlement and hosted a bastion fort known as Fort Mitchell, which was also used as a prison back in the 18th century. You can take a tour of the island, which departs from the seaside town of Cobh. Make sure you reserve your space online beforehand to avoid disappointment.
- Get tickets for Fota Wildlife Park: Fota Wildlife Park is a wildlife park that spans over 100 acres and is home to a huge number of animal species. Some are allowed to roam freely, and sometimes, they might even approach you if they feel comfortable. It’s a unique concept you won’t find anywhere else in Ireland.
- Watch a GAA match: Gaelic football is Ireland’s national sport and is a fascinating and exhilarating sport that will have you on the edge of your seat. Cork has one of the best teams in the Emerald Isle and competes at the highest level. Their stadium is called Páirc Uí Chaoimh, and it’s just outside of the city center. Before you arrive in Cork, research when they’re playing; you might get lucky and see a game.
- A Full Irish Breakfast: Even the biggest foodies struggle to demolish a Full Irish Breakfast. It’s a huge plate filled with fried sausages, eggs, white and black pudding, beans, toast, hash browns, and tomatoes, complemented with a cup of tea or coffee. If you’re on the go, many restaurants give you the option to have a breakfast roll, which is all we mentioned, only stuffed into a toasted roll.
5. Waterford
Waterford is sometimes called the sunny southeast because it’s known to have some of the nicest weather in Ireland. Besides being one of Ireland’s warm places, the city has an intriguing history. It is an adventure-lovers paradise with access to the likes of the Comeragh Mountains, and it’s situated close to the sea.
- Explore Dunmore East: Dunmore East is an enchanting fishing village on the southern coast of Ireland. It’s pretty small in size but has so much to do, whether you want to take part in some stand-up paddle boarding or tackle the Dunmore East Cliff Walk.
- Cycle the Waterford Greenway: Rent a bike in the Waterford city center and cycle the Waterford Greenway. This mesmerizing 46-kilometer route begins in the city and leads all the way down the coast to the lovely little town of Dungarvan, where you can stay for the night and cycle back the following day.
- Check out Mahon Falls: The cascading Mahon Falls is a cool place to check out in Waterford. Embedded in the Comeragh Mountains and over 50 meters high, this waterfall forms where the River Mahon leaks out over the southern slopes of the Comeraghs. You’ll be blown away when you see it.
- A Waterford Blaa: Waterford’s famous snack is, of course, the Waterford Blaa, a soft bread roll unlike anything else found in Ireland. You’ll find these tasty treats in supermarkets, restaurants, and delicatessens all over Waterford. They’re served with some butter and a couple of fillings of your choice.