Top South West Ireland Tours, Sightseeing & Cruises

Capture the wild spirit of the Ring of Kerry on an exhilarating full-day tour of the region’s natural highlights from Cork. Travel through the magical landscapes of Kerry and visit an array of quaint villages, blissful beaches, and sweeping valleys. Admire the colorful houses and ancient traditions of Sneem Village; absorb the coastal splendor of Dingle Bay; and gaze at magnificent views of mountains, lakes, and valleys in Killarney National Park. Receive an interesting introduction to the history and culture of Ireland from your expert guide on this enriching tour.

Maximize your time in the beautiful city of Cork on an enriching full-day shore excursion to Blarney Castle and other historical highlights. Greet your courteous guide at Cork Harbour and travel through the splendid Irish countryside to the ancient structure of Blarney Castle. Gain free admission to the 13th-century landmark and kiss the world-renowned Blarney Stone for good luck. Return to Cork for a panoramic coach tour of the city’s sights; visit the charming town of Kinsale; and make a brief stop in Cobh, famed for being the departure point of the ill-fated Titanic, before returning to Cork Harbour.

Combine two of Ireland’s most dramatic natural wonders on this full-day tour from Limerick. Walk along the awe-inspiring sea cliffs of the Cliffs of Moher, which tower 702-feet (214-meters) over the Atlantic coast, then explore the otherworldly karst landscape of The Burren. That’s not all: you’ll also visit the fishing village of Kinvara, Bunratty Castle and Doolin, the home of traditional Irish music.

Marvel over the mighty Cliffs of Moher and the wild landscape of the Burren on a full-day tour from Cork. Enjoy dramatic views along the Atlantic coast as you stand atop the 702-foot (214-meter) high sea cliffs, then walk the vast karst plain of the Burren. That’s not all: pay a visit to Ireland’s 2014 City of Culture, Limerick, and pose for photos in front of the medieval Bunratty Castle.

Visit two of Cork's most important towns—Cobh and Blarney—in a single tour, with all transportation provided. No need to rent a car or puzzle over directions; just sit back and enjoy the ride and the scenery. Admission to the castle and gardens at Blarney is included, a savings off the day-of ticket price. In Cobh, learn about the history of Irish immigration through your guide's commentary and choose the attractions you'd like to visit independently.

To experience the culinary scene in Cork, don't miss this foodie-friendly guided tour designed for travelers to embrace the city's burgeoning culinary world. The highlight of your tour is a visit to the famed English Market where you can chat with local traders (or have the craic, as locals might say), while feasting on local treats like fish and bread, as well as tasty sweets. Wrap up your gastronic outing with a light pub lunch, included in the price.

The Ring of Kerry is one of Ireland’s most popular sightseeing routes, but with so many tours to choose from it can be hard to know which is best. This full-day Ring of Kerry coach tour is run by one of the longest-running and award-winning operators, so you can be sure to check off all the highlights, including the Killarney National Park, Dingle Bay, Molls Gap, and Sneem.

Discover the splendors of the Dingle Peninsula on a full-day trip from Limerick. Traveling by air-conditioned vehicle with an expert driver-guide, admire this mountainous stretch of Atlantic coast as you learn about its natural history and rich past.  Enjoy breathtaking ocean views as you drive around Slea Head, Europe’s most westerly drive; and stroll on Inch Beach, a beauty spot and surfers’ favorite. Gaze out at the Blasket Islands, including the ‘Sleeping Giant’ island, and visit Dingle, the pretty main town, famous for its friendly harbor dolphin, ‘Fungie.’

Step back to medieval and Victorian times with a full-day admission ticket to Bunratty Castle and Folk Park near Shannon Town. Explore the 15th-century castle to see its rich furnishings, chambers and artworks, and wander through the folk park, a recreation of a 19th-century Irish village brought to life with costumed animators. See the replica cottages, shops, farmhouses, and Bunratty Walled Garden, and learn about traditional village life over a century ago.

The Ring of Kerry and the Killarney National Park take pride of place on the Iveragh Peninsula, with some of Ireland’s finest coastal scenery — but the 177-kilometer (110-mile) journey makes sightseeing a challenge. This convenient 6-hour coach tour from Killarney makes it possible to complete the route in a day, plus take in traditional coastal villages such as Cahersiveen, Derrynane, and Glenbeigh. Visit the historic Bog Village with a guide, and discover top natural attractions including the Killarney Lakes, Rossbeigh Beach, and Macgillycuddy's Reeks.

Explore Killarney at your own pace and avoid the stress of planning when you book a hop-on, hop-off bus pass. In addition to navigating for you, your bus driver provides useful background information about each stop on the bus route, including Ross Castle, Torc Waterfall, Muckross House, Aghadoe Viewing Point, and the city center.

Venture west from Cork to experience the epic scenery of Ireland’s Dingle Peninsula on this full-day trip. Admire the landscapes of this mountainous promontory jutting into the Atlantic, and visit beauty spots such as Inch Beach, one of the country’s prettiest. Ogle the sea views on Europe’s westernmost drive around Slea Head; and enjoy photo stops at stunning viewpoints as the live onboard commentary brings the sights alive. Along the way, stop at the port of Dingle, known for ‘Fungie’, its resident dolphin, and its colorful arts and music scene.

Discover the rugged cliffs, sandy coves, and mountainous islands of the Dingle Peninsula along Ireland's Wild Atlantic Way. With this scenic afternoon boat cruise, you’ll cruise by the soaring cliffs of the Blasket Islands, learn about Dingle’s natural wonders from your skipper, and have the chance to spot wildlife such as seals, puffins, and whales.

Summit Ireland's highest mountain—and challenge yourself to an active and adventurous day in nature—on this personalized hiking excursion. In the morning, come prepared with outdoorsy gear, make your own way to the start point, and meet your guide. Then, set off on a full-day hike up to Carrauntoohil's summit and back. As you go, soak up the dramatic scenery, and learn all about the region's history from your guide.

Get up close and personal with some of the Dingle Peninsula’s most spectacular, dramatic scenery—and enjoy a thrilling way to travel—on this rigid inflatable boat tour. Pick from multiple tour times, meet at the Dingle departure point, slide on your waterproof gear, and set off with just a small group for company. You can admire the rugged coastline; see the Blasket Islands; glimpse wildlife like whales, dolphins, and puffins; and more.

Discover the Ring of Kerry on this incredible full-day tour that showcases one of Ireland’s most stunning destinations. Spend time exploring the MacGillycuddy Reeks and the shores of Dingle Bay, and then admire the coastal views of Kenmare Bay on this guided tour of must-see Ireland. You also pass through Ladies View and the Lakes of Killarney on this journey from Killarney to Ring of Kerry.

Explore County Kerry beyond the coast with a small-group speed boat tour in Dingle Bay. Board a high-speed boat in Dingle Harbor and set out on a high-adrenaline tour to see the coastline, the Blasket Islands, and local wildlife such as dolphins and sea birds. Land on the remote Great Blasket Island and admire views of cliffs and the rugged scenery this part of Ireland is famous for. Coffee and tea are included.

Beat the crowds and enjoy nature’s tranquility on this private tour of Killarney National Park. The first national park in Ireland, Killarney is famed for its wildly scenic landscapes, its herd of red deer, and its medieval castle; it has also served as a film set and host to famous visitors like Charles de Gaulle. Pick a start time and duration that work for your schedule, and explore at your own pace.

Experience the thrill of observing whales and dolphins on this 4-hour cruise around Dingle Bay. Marvel over the startling coastal scenery as you drive along Ireland’s Wild Atlantic Way, then hop aboard for a memorable cruise around the bay. Glide past Slea Head, the westernmost point of Europe, then cruise out to the Blasket Islands and look out for humpbacks whales, dolphins, seals, basking sharks and puffins.

Do as the tourists of bygone years did, and explore Killarney by horse and carriage. The equivalent to a modern taxi, the jaunting car was popular in Ireland through the 19th and early 20th centuries. On this tour, you’ll learn about the area’s history, hearing tales of the Gaelic chieftains as you ride around Killarney National Park. Ross Castle, St. Mary's Cathedral, and Killarney House Gadens are a few of the landmarks on the route.

Experience the rugged beauty of Ireland’s southeast coastline on a coach tour of the Dingle Peninsula and Slea Head. From Killarney, travel through scenic mountain regions and along Ireland’s rocky beaches. Visit Dingle Town and get a splendid view of Slea Head—the most westerly point in Europe.

The waterfront town of Cobh in County Cork has a long and fascinating maritime history. Avoid wasting time wandering aimlessly with this guided tour, which is designed by a local historian. See key maritime sights around town, and learn about Cobh’s connections to the Titanic and Lusitania, and about the many millions of Irish emigrants who departed on ships from its port.

Ennis is a charming medieval village in Ireland’s Country Clare well known for its traditional Irish music scene. On this tour, explore the winding streets and medieval architecture of Ennis with a guide, while listening to the fascinating stories and legends that shaped the history of this town.

Discover Killarney National Park at your leisure with a half-day self-guided bike tour. Pick-up your bike rental and a map guiding the way to popular park landmarks including Muckross House and Gardens, Muckross Abbey, Torc Waterfall, and Muckross Traditional Farms. Enjoy maximum flexibility to explore the countryside at your pace with this self-guided bike tour.