Six days, four corners, and a lot of wind. I love how this Best of Ireland 6-Day Backpackers Economy Tour stacks major sights into one tight loop—especially the Cliffs of Moher clifftop walk and the Giant’s Causeway basalt columns. The main drawback to plan for is the pace: you’ll spend big chunks on the road, and some days can feel rushed if you’re expecting lots of long, unhurried stops.

What makes it work for me is the small-group vibe and the human touch from the guide. You may be with someone like Gordon or Dani, and when that role is strong, you get real local pointers—plus a chance to unwind with the group at a traditional pub.

Key Points Worth Noting Before You Go

• All-island route, one ticket: Dublin to Belfast, down the Wild Atlantic Way, then back via Cork.
• Icon stops, not just roadside photos: Cliffs of Moher walking time and a proper Giants Causeway visit.
• Northern Ireland highlights included: Dunluce Castle area, Dark Hedges, and a Derry walking tour.
• Dingle Peninsula time: a full day for the coast roads and small-town feel.
• Killarney National Park + Blarney Castle: the final day bundles Ireland’s classic mix of nature and legend.

Price and Value: When $1,058 Feels Like a Deal

At $1,058 per person for 6 days, this tour isn’t the cheapest way to see Ireland—but it can be good value if you like your planning done for you. You’re paying for a guide, transportation, and accommodations (based on the option you pick), plus breakfasts and entrance fees. Those are the big cost buckets that add up fast when you travel independently.

Where value can wobble: lunch and dinners are not included, and Ireland’s prices for food in tourist-heavy spots can surprise you. If you want to keep costs down, plan on buying lunches on the route and doing one or two budget-friendly dinners. Also, economy-style lodging means the standard can vary by night.

My practical take: this is best if you want to maximize sights per day and you’re comfortable with hostel-style travel. If you hate moving every day, you’ll feel the schedule.

The Route Map in Plain English: Dublin → Belfast → Derry → Galway → Dingle → Killarney → Dublin

This tour is built around getting you to Ireland’s corners fast. You start in Dublin at 8:45 AM at Paddy’s Palace on Lower Gardiner Street, then head north and work your way around the island.

The itinerary hits:

• Northern Ireland first (Belfast and Derry)
• The Antrim Coast (including Giants Causeway and Dark Hedges)
• The Wild Atlantic Way feeling on the way to Galway
• The west-coast giants (Cliffs of Moher and the Burren region)
• The Dingle Peninsula with a full touring day
• A return south that includes Killarney and ends in Dublin early evening, after a visit to Blarney Castle in Cork

Expect a rhythm of driving mornings, touring afternoons, and evenings where you can either rest or jump into pub life. If you’re solo, this route also tends to do a good job of mixing you with a small group rather than throwing you into a huge crowd.

Day 1: Belfast’s Titanic Stop and a First-Night Stay That Sets the Tone

Day 1 is all about Belfast. After meeting in Dublin at 8:45 AM, you’ll travel north and spend the first night there, with time for Titanic Belfast and the historic downtown area.

Titanic Belfast is the kind of stop that helps you understand the city quickly. Even if you’re not a ship-history superfan, it’s a clear, structured introduction and a good way to stretch your legs after a morning start.

Then there’s the accommodation reality check. The economy setup can mean hostel-style lodging in Belfast, and quality can vary by what room you get. One upside: Belfast is a great place to decompress because pub culture makes it easy to meet people without trying too hard. The downside: if you’re the light-sleeper type, bring earplugs.

If you want a smoother day one, I’d do two things: wear comfortable shoes and keep your expectations flexible about the first night.

Day 2: Antrim Coast Icons—Dunluce Castle, Dark Hedges, Giants Causeway, and Carrick-a-Rede

Day 2 is where the tour turns into an Ireland greatest-hits reel. You start with the Antrim Coast and a stack of scenery stops that are famous for a reason.

Key highlights you’ll make time for:

• Dunluce Castle: dramatic coastal ruins and a sense of place you can’t get from a quick photo stop.
• Dark Hedges: those tunnel-like trees feel cinematic even in real life.
• Giant’s Causeway: the headline event with 60,000 hexagonal basalt stones, formed by volcanic activity. It’s one of those sights where the geology makes the legend feel extra believable.
• Carrick-a-Rede Rope Bridge: a classic add-on for views and nerves (the wind up there is real).

You’ll also get a historic walking tour in Derry later, which is one of the best ways to absorb the city beyond driving past it. Walking tours tend to be where guides shine because you can ask questions and get context while things are right in front of you.

Possible consideration: some stops are quick photo opportunities along the coast. If you’re hoping for long, slow wandering every time you see a sign, this day may feel like a series of hits rather than a deep tour. Bring patience, and if you’re a serious photographer, be ready to act fast when the light looks good.

Day 3: Wild Atlantic Way Energy to Galway—Strandhill Beach and a Free Walking Tour

On Day 3, you leave Northern Ireland and head for Galway along the Wild Atlantic Way corridor. This is where you get that long-coast feeling—wide skies, sea air, and constant little reasons to stop for photos.

You’ll make a lunch stop around Strandhill, then get time for a walk on the beach. Even if you’re not into surfing culture, Strandhill is a fun place to reset your brain after a day of castle-and-coast sights. The beach walk is a simple win.

Then you land in Galway with a free walking tour. Free tours work well on this kind of schedule because they get you oriented quickly—where to eat, where to wander, and what’s worth your time later when you’re not on a tight itinerary.

What I like about Day 3 is the mix. You get both motion (the road trip) and recovery (the beach, then walking the city). It’s a good midpoint before you shift into the more scenic west and then the road-heavy days ahead.

Day 4: Cliffs of Moher and the Burren to Annascaul—Big Views Plus Limestone Country

Day 4 is one of the most scenic days on the whole trip. You head toward the Cliffs of Moher, then continue via the Burren region, and overnight in Annascaul on the Dingle peninsula side.

The important thing here is the walking component. You’re not stuck staring at the cliffs from the bus. Walking the clifftop paths gives you multiple angles and a better sense of scale—especially with the Atlantic right there.

Then comes the Burren. You might not get a full museum-style explanation, but even a short pass through the area helps you see Ireland’s “bone-dry, stone-heavy” personality. It’s a landscape where the ground looks like it belongs to a different planet, which makes your Irish legends feel extra grounded in reality.

Overnight in Annascaul can be a strong choice for atmosphere. It’s not a mega-city, so it’s easier to feel like you’re staying in the west rather than just passing through.

Small planning tip: bring layers. This part of Ireland has weather that changes its mind quickly, and you’ll feel it most out at the cliffs.

Day 5: Dingle Peninsula Full Day and the Ring of Kerry Drive—Roads, Villages, and Sea Air

Day 5 is built for the romance of west-coast driving. You’ll spend a full day on the Dingle Peninsula, then you head toward Killarney.

Dingle is the sort of place where the road itself is the attraction. Between coastal roads and small stops, you tend to get that mix of views and genuine village life. You’ll also be in prime territory for castle ruins and bog-side walks that show up as part of the tour’s “people, places, legends” style.

Your schedule also includes a Ring of Kerry drive. Even if you’ve seen photos online, this route works because it gives you repeated glimpses—sea, hills, and the feeling that the road is always turning up a new view. If you’re prone to “photo numbness,” pace yourself: pick a few moments to linger, and use the rest to soak it in without trying to capture everything.

This is also a day where group energy matters. If you have a lively guide and the group is friendly, the evenings in Killarney can be excellent for pub hopping and comparing notes about which views hit hardest.

Day 6: Killarney National Park by Horse-Drawn Jaunting Car, Then Blarney Stone, Ending in Dublin

The final day blends nature and folklore, and it’s a classic Ireland combo.

You start with Killarney National Park and a traditional horse-led car ride—a 19th-century-style jaunting car experience. Even if you’re not usually into carriage rides, it’s a simple way to slow down and move through the park while still getting a meaningful overview.

Then it’s south to Cork for Blarney Castle and the chance to kiss the Blarney Stone. This is pure legend tourism in the best way: you’re doing it because Ireland’s stories are part of why the place feels magical. Even if you don’t love the idea of leaning backward, it’s one of the few “you have to experience this once” moments on the trip.

After that, the tour heads back to Dublin, ending in the early evening. That timing matters. You’ll want to plan an easy evening in Dublin rather than stacking another day’s worth of activities.

One thing to keep in mind: Day 6 can feel like the trip’s emotional finish—lots of big moments packed into one day. I’d avoid scheduling anything stressful right after arrival in Dublin.

What You’ll Feel Day to Day: Timing, Pace, and How to Pack Smart

This is a coach-based tour with sightseeing days that combine driving, stops, and walks. That can be great—if you go in knowing you’re trading “slow travel” for “maximum coverage.”

Here’s what helps:

• Comfortable shoes are non-negotiable, especially with clifftop walking at the Cliffs of Moher.
• Expect some stops to be short. You might take photos from viewpoints you reach quickly rather than spending hours everywhere.
• Build snack and water habits. Lunch and dinners aren’t included, so you’ll rely on purchased meals. If the timing of lunch shifts later on a given day, having a backup snack saves the mood.
• Keep layers handy. Coastal weather changes quickly, and it matters most when you’re outdoors.

Guide quality can vary depending on the person running the trip. The best version of this tour is when the guide does more than drive—giving context, making recommendations, and helping you get the most out of evenings. Names you may hear associated with this operation include Gordon and Dani.

Also worth knowing: pets aren’t allowed, and smoking isn’t allowed.

Should You Book This Tour?

Book it if you want an efficient, sight-heavy loop that hits both Northern Ireland and the big highlights of the Republic, without having to plan transport day by day. I’d especially recommend it to:

• Solo people who want a small-group feel and an easy path into pub culture
• Budget-focused travelers who like hostel-style accommodations and included breakfasts
• Anyone who cares about the “big list” sights: Titanic Belfast, Giants Causeway, Dark Hedges, Derry walking, Cliffs of Moher, Dingle, Killarney National Park, and Blarney Stone

Skip it (or at least consider another style of travel) if you hate tight schedules, know you need lots of downtime between moves, or you’re looking for ultra-long stops at every site.

One smart move: if you can, check the Paddywagon site for a more detailed day-by-day breakdown before you go. That way, you’ll know what kind of stop timing to expect and can plan meals and photo goals better.

FAQ

Where do I meet the tour each day?

Meet at 8:45 AM at Paddy’s Palace, Lower Gardiner Street, Dublin D1.

What’s included in the price?

The tour includes a guide, transportation, accommodations (based on the option selected), breakfasts, and entrance fees.

Are lunch and dinner included?

No. Lunch and dinners are not included in the tour price.

What are the main stops during the 6 days?

You’ll cover Dublin, Belfast, Derry, Galway, the Dingle Peninsula (including Annascaul), Killarney, and you’ll visit major sights like Titanic Belfast, Giants Causeway, Cliffs of Moher, and Blarney Castle.

How long is the tour?

The duration is 6 days.

Is this tour suitable for wheelchair users?

No. It is not suitable for wheelchair users.