With the air getting warmer, the sun shining brighter, and the evenings getting longer by the day, the open road is calling. And it turns out; the benefits of a road trip go far beyond just the scenery.
Shared experiences and uninterrupted conversations, coupled with the thrill of a scenic drive, trigger the release of feel-good chemicals such as dopamine and oxytocin, strengthening emotional bonds, and creating lasting memories.
So, to help Irish drivers make the most of the season ahead, our team has revealed the most scenic drives in Ireland. To work this out, we analysed the latest available data from TripAdvisor, alongside key metrics such as drive ratings, the number of Instagram-tagged posts, average sunshine hours, route length, elevation, and drive time.
Each route was then given a final score out of 600. Curious if a route near you topped the list? See how each drive ranked below:
The Best Scenic Drives in Ireland Are…
1. Ring of Kerry
Taking the top spot is the Ring of Kerry, the undisputed king of Irish road trips. With a score of 508.1, it outpaces its competitors by a mile. Stretching 179km around the Iveragh Peninsula in Co. Kerry, it's the longest drive in the top five and holds a 4.5 rating on TripAdvisor. It also recorded the highest number of Instagram-tagged posts of any drive in the study, with 267,000, a sign of just how many people have made the trip and wanted to share it. Kerry enjoys an average of 1,231 sunshine hours per year, and with the drive taking between 7 and 10 hours including stops, there’s plenty of time to soak it all in.
2. The Dingle Peninsula
The Dingle Peninsula ranks second with a score of 449.4. At 93km, it's one of the shorter drives in the top five, but what it lacks in length it more than makes up for in variety. The route climbs to 456 metres over the Conor Pass, the highest mountain pass in Ireland, before descending back to the coast. It also holds the highest TripAdvisor rating of any drive in the top five at 4.8, and 155,000 Instagram-tagged posts put it firmly among the most snapped routes in the country. Most drivers complete it in around two hours, though it's well worth allowing extra time for stops along the way.
3. Ring of Beara
The Ring of Beara ranks third with a score of 414.8. The 140km route runs along the coastline of the Beara Peninsula on the Cork-Kerry border, reaching 334 metres at its highest point. It shares a TripAdvisor rating of 4.8 with the Dingle Peninsula, but with just over 11,000 Instagram-tagged posts, a lot fewer people have made the trip. So, if you're looking to avoid the crowds, this is a road trip for you. The drive takes around three to four hours, so it's a great option if you want a stunning, scenic route without it taking up your whole day.
4. Comeragh Drive
The Comeragh Drive in Waterford ranks fourth with a score of 363.2. At just 72km, it's one of the shortest drives in the top five, and most people complete it in around 90 minutes, making it the easiest to fit into a day. Despite its shorter length, the route winds through the foothills of the Comeragh Mountains and climbs to 500 metres at its highest point, one of the highest elevations of any drive in the top five. It holds a 4.7 rating on TripAdvisor, so if you're short on time but still want a proper scenic drive, this one delivers.
5. Military Road
Rounding out the top five is the Military Road in Co. Wicklow, with a score of 359.2. Built in the 1800s this 60km route passes through Wicklow Mountains National Park, taking in the rugged mountain landscape. It reaches 503 metres at its highest point, the highest elevation of any drive in the top five and holds a 4.6 rating on TripAdvisor. It takes around three to four hours with stops, but the scenery will make you feel like you're in a movie quite literally, as the landscape has served as a backdrop for films such as “Braveheart” and “P.S. I Love You”.
Who else made the list?
Just shy of the top five is the Slea Head Drive in Co. Kerry, ranking sixth with a score of 357.1. Despite being just 38km long, it holds one of the highest TripAdvisor ratings of any drive in the study at 4.9 and takes in some of the most breathtaking coastal scenery on the Wild Atlantic Way.
Ranking seventh with a score of 333.2, the Sally Gap in Wicklow is one of Ireland’s most dramatic mountain drives in Ireland. With 12,500 IG tagged photos, you’ll have no shortage of photo inspiration along the way. The route passes through some of the highest and most exposed terrain in the Wicklow Mountains, and on a sunny day the views stretch for miles in every direction.
The Burren Coastline Drive in Co. Clare ranks eighth with a score of 328 and is one of the more visually interesting drives on the list. The Burren's distinctive rocky limestone landscape and ancient stone monuments make it unlike anywhere else in Ireland.
The Wild Atlantic Way route through Galway's Connemara region ranks ninth with a score of 327.1. At 176km and around four to five hours to complete, it's a drive that rewards every stop along the way.
Further down the list, the Skellig Ring Scenic Drive in Co. Kerry ranks tenth with a score of 306.8. This route offers views of the Skellig Islands, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, and holds a 4.9 TripAdvisor rating, one of the highest of any drive in the study.
Methodology
123.ie Insurance identified the most scenic drives in Ireland by analysing TripAdvisor data and scoring each route across six key metrics. TripAdvisor rating, number of tagged Instagram posts, average annual sunshine hours, total route length (km), maximum elevation (metres) and estimated drive time including stops. Routes were ranked by a final score out of 600 to produce the final index.
Sources
