Ireland is a country with a rich historical heritage, unique monuments, and beautiful landscapes. As the capital of Ireland, Dublin is a popular travel destination. This colorful city captivates tourists with its unique, cheerful and independent atmosphere and a proud spirit that has been formed over many centuries. 

Also, Dublin is a great starting point if you want to explore other interesting places around it. There are many stunning destinations near the Irish capital and you can easily reach them with a rental car. 

High quality roads and simple traffic regulation will make your trip comfortable. On the other hand, cheap and reliable car rental Ireland under 25 deals available in Dublin will allow you to enjoy road travel regardless of the age. 

The following attractions are within a 1-day trip from Dublin. This means you can visit them all in about a week.

  • Cliffs of Moher 

The Cliffs of Moher is a unique landscape and natural wonder of Ireland. These cliffs offer a magnificent view of the sea, steep 120-meters-high shores, and a velvet carpet of green herbs. Rocks stretch for 8 km along the coast. 

It’s a home to 20 species of birds and several species of wild animals. In one of the hills is the Cliffs of Moher tourist complex, hidden under the grass cover so as not to disturb the beauty of the landscape. Inside this structure, there are four themed zones dedicated to Rocks, Ocean, Nature and Human. The complex has pedestrian tunnels, a playground and even a theater. The best viewpoint on the coast is O’Brien’s cylindrical tower located over 200 meters above sea level.

  • Ring of Kerry 

The Ring of Kerry is the most popular tourist route in Ireland. Its length is about 110 miles, so it will take you about 3 hours to drive along it in a rental car. The Ring of Kerry includes the town of Killarney, Ross Castle and the Muckross House Museum. 

Further along the Ring, you will find the charming villages of Waterville and Sneem. Then continue through Killarney National Park with three lakes, a yew grove, and Torc Falls. 

The Ring of Kerry runs along the perimeter of the coast, home to the highest Irish mountains. This is a great way to admire the scenery of the Atlantic, views of peaks and blue mountain lakes, bays, beaches and emerald pastures.

  • Galway

Galway is a city in the west of the country, located 130 miles from Dublin. You need about 3 hours to get there in a rental car. Maybe, it makes sense to spend the night in Galway to explore the local attractions without rushing. 

The Cathedral in the Irish-Romanesque style and the oldest Irish Collegiate church of St. Nicholas are the best representatives among the city’s architectural landmarks. The ominous Lynch’s Castle has also survived from the Middle Ages. The Latin Quarter, starting behind Eyre Square, is the next must-see destination. 

Want to catch unique views of the Atlantic? Drive to Salthill Boardwalk. On the embankment, the Galway Aquarium provides stunning collections of the marine creatures, and will be a great place to go if you are traveling to Galway with children.

  • Powerscourt Estate

This is the next great place to go in your rental car. Powerscourt Estate, known as the Gardens of Ireland, is located in Enniskerry, County Wicklow. The complex is considered to be an example of Irish landscape design. Since the 13th century, there has been a castle on this territory that underwent a large-scale reconstruction in 1731 and 1997.

In the 19th century, its territory was turned into a luxurious park complex. Near the estate you’ll find Italian gardens, a rose garden, Rhododendron Alley, and a Japanese garden. The Medieval Observation Tower, as well as statues in antique and baroque style, perfectly complement the entire architectural ensemble. In the middle of the gardens there’s a Triton Lake with a fountain.

  • Glendalough

Glendalough is a glacial valley at the foot of the Wicklow Mountains, located between low, heather-covered slopes. According to Celts, ‘Glendalough’ means ‘valley of two lakes’. Indeed, two lakes, the Upper and the Lower Lake, are hidden between the mountains. 

Walking around the entire valley is a real pleasure. The mountain ranges are mesmerizing, and the amazing vegetation allows you to enjoy every moment spent there. The vastness of the Glendalough is constantly misleading. Sometimes it seems that it’s about to end, but in fact there’s a long way ahead. The remains of an ancient settlement also make an indelible impression. Here you’ll have a stable feeling of boundless freedom. 

On the territory of the picturesque valley you can see an architectural structure that looks gorgeous. It has an ideal location, because it is surrounded by simply incredible nature.

The most interesting thing is that this place is situated only 30 miles from Dublin. It will take you only 30-40 minutes to get there by a rental car, and spend an unforgettable day in the middle of the wild.