The Wild Atlantic Way is the world's longest defined coastal driving route, stretching 2,500 km from Malin Head in Donegal down to Mizen Head in Cork. It takes in sea cliffs, island archipelagos, deserted beaches, ancient ruins and some of the most dramatic scenery on the planet.
The route passes through Counties Donegal, Sligo, Mayo, Galway and Clare before looping around Kerry and Cork. Every county has its own character — Donegal's raw, wind-scoured cliffs, Mayo's vast boglands, Galway's limestone karst and turquoise bays, Clare's sheer Cliffs of Moher.
Most visitors tackle a section rather than the full route. A week gives you time to cover one or two counties in depth. Two weeks lets you do the full western arc. If you only have a long weekend, pick either the Clare–Galway stretch or the Donegal–Mayo stretch — both are outstanding on their own.
Suggested itinerary
Arrive — Clare or Galway base
Fly into Shannon (SNN) for the southern WAW, or Knock (NOC) for the central section. Pick up your hire car and drive to your first base. Doolin (Clare) or Galway city both work well as starting points for the classic south-to-north route.
Clare — Cliffs of Moher + The Burren
Cliffs of Moher in the morning — the cliff path west from the visitor centre gives the best views with the fewest people. Drive north through The Burren coastal road to Galway in the afternoon.
Galway + Aran Islands
Ferry from Rossaveel (40 km west of Galway) to Aran Islands — Dún Aonghasa fort and Inis Mór by bike. Or spend the full day in Galway city exploring the Latin Quarter before a Connemara drive the next morning.
Connemara
~80 km loopDrive the N59 west from Galway through Maam Cross to Clifden. Stop at Kylemore Abbey on the northern shore of Pollacapall Lough. The Sky Road loop above Clifden takes 45 minutes and has views across the Connemara islands. Drive back via the coast road through Roundstone.
Mayo — Achill Island + Killary Fjord
Drive north from Galway through Leenane — stop at Killary Fjord for a boat cruise or walk the fjord road. Continue northwest to Achill Island — Keem Beach is at the western tip, reached by a spectacular cliff-edge road. Stay on Achill or in Westport.
Donegal — Slieve League
2.5 hrs from WestportDrive north through Sligo (stop briefly at Benbulben) and into Donegal. Drive to Teelin for Slieve League — the cliff walk gives views over the 601m drop to the sea. Stay in Killybegs or Carrick for the night.
North Donegal → Malin Head
Drive north to Glenveagh National Park for the lakeshore walk and castle gardens. Continue to Malin Head — Ireland's most northerly point and a fitting end to the WAW. Return south to Donegal town or Letterkenny for the night before flying home via Dublin.
Highlights
- Cliffs of Moher — 214 m sea cliffs with eight-kilometre views and a visitor centre with exhibits on the geology and wildlife
- Connemara — lunar bogland, mountain lakes and the Twelve Bens peaks
- Achill Island — Ireland's largest island, connected by bridge, with dark-sand beaches
- Slieve League — cliffs three times the height of Moher, far fewer crowds
- Aran Islands — Iron Age forts, dry-stone walls, traditional fishing currachs
- Malin Head — Ireland's most northerly point, filming location for Star Wars
- Killary Fjord — Ireland's only true fjord, kayak or cruise its 16 km length
- The Burren — 300 km² of limestone pavement, rare flora, dolmens
Attractions in this guide
Cliffs of Moher
Clare
The Burren
Clare
Connemara National Park
Galway
Aran Islands
Galway
Kylemore Abbey
Galway
Killary Fjord
Galway
Achill Island
Mayo
Slieve League Cliffs
Donegal
Glenveagh National Park
Donegal
Malin Head
Donegal
Local tips
- →Drive south to north for the best light — you'll face the setting sun over the Atlantic rather than into it
- →Book Cliffs of Moher car parking in advance in summer — it fills by 10 am in peak season
- →The Aran Islands ferry from Rossaveal (Galway) is shorter and cheaper than the Doolin crossing
- →Slieve League access road is single-track — park at Teelin, not at the top, and walk the Pilgrim's Path
- →Fuel up at every large town — there are long stretches with no services on the WAW
- →Wild camping is widely tolerated in remote upland and coastal areas but is not a legal right in Ireland — always seek the landowner's permission and follow Leave No Trace
Ready to go?
Plan your West Coast trip
Best time to visit
May – September
Getting there
Fly into Shannon (SNN), Knock (NOC) or Donegal (CFN). The WAW is a driving route — hire a car at the airport. Buses serve the main towns but won't reach the most dramatic spots.
Region
West Coast · Ireland
Attractions covered
10 in this guide
