Next time I go back to Ireland, I’ll rebook my Executive Suite at Shandon Hotel & Spa.
Rent a car 
Buy travel insurance in less than 5 minutes
Book your fun: Hiking and Walking
Not every walking tour of Ireland is the best one for you. Some travelers love history. Others want hidden pubs, dramatic coastlines, pilgrimages or unforgettable local stories. Before you book, take this quick quiz to discover which type of walking tour fits your travel style—and then I’ll share my UNSTOPPABLE Stacey Picks to help you choose with confidence.
☘️ UNSTOPPABLE Stacey Says…
I almost always book a walking tour on my first full day in a destination. It helps me get my bearings, discover neighborhoods I want to revisit, and pick up local restaurant recommendations that rarely appear in guidebooks. It’s one of the easiest ways to make the rest of my trip even better.
Unlock My Secrets to Finding Cheap Flights!
Enter your email and I’ll send my exclusive report “How to Find Cheap Flights,” which will transform your travel dreams into reality!
In a hurry? Here are my top picks:
👉 Sliabh Liag Cliffs and Glencolmcille Tour
Table of Contents
Find the Best Walking Tour of Ireland for You
Answer these five quick questions, keep track of your A’s, B’s, C’s, and D’s, and discover the type of walking tour you’re most likely to love.
1. When you arrive in a new destination, what’s your first priority?
A. Learn the history.
B. Find the best local food and pubs.
C. Wander until I discover something unexpected.
D. Head straight for the scenery.
2. Which souvenir are you most likely to bring home?
A. A history book.
B. A favorite recipe or bottle of Irish whiskey.
C. Handmade art from a local shop.
D. Hundreds of landscape photos.
3. Your perfect guide is someone who…
A. Makes history come alive.
B. Knows every hidden café and pub.
C. Shares local secrets I’d never find myself.
D. Knows the best viewpoints and scenic paths.
4. Which sentence sounds most like you?
A. “Tell me the story behind this building.”
B. “Where do the locals eat?”
C. “Let’s take the road fewer tourists notice.”
D. “I don’t mind walking if the views are worth it.”
5. At the end of the day, what makes you smile most?
A. Learning something new.
B. Enjoying great food with great company.
C. Finding a hidden gem.
D. Standing somewhere breathtaking.
✨ You Might Be...
A.) 📚 The Story Seeker (If You Answered Mostly A's)
You love discovering the people and events that shaped a destination. Ireland’s Viking settlements, medieval cathedrals, castles, and literary legends are every bit as fascinating as the scenery.
Look for:
- Historic city walking tours
- Castle tours
- Medieval neighborhoods
- Literary walks
☘️ UNSTOPPABLE Stacey’s Pick
If this is your first trip to Ireland, I’d start with a highly rated historical walking tour in Dublin. It gives you the background that makes everything else you see during your vacation even more meaningful. You’ll leave understanding Ireland—not just photographing it.
Book Your Perfect Tour
My Favorite Tour in Dublin
☘️ UNSTOPPABLE Stacey Says…
If you only book one walking tour in Dublin, make it this one. Visiting magnificent St. Patrick’s Cathedral—my favorite experience in the city—along with the Book of Kells and Dublin’s historic landmarks makes this an unforgettable introduction to Ireland’s capital.
B.) 🍽️ The Flavor Chaser (If You Answered Mostly B's)
For you, the quickest way to understand Ireland is one bite—and one pint—at a time. Great food, welcoming pubs, and conversations with locals are just as memorable as the famous landmarks.
Look for:
- Food walking tours
- Whiskey tastings
- Pub tours
- Culinary experiences
UNSTOPPABLE Stacey’s Pick
One of my favorite travel strategies is booking a food tour on my first full day. Not only do you sample local specialties, but you’ll also discover restaurants and pubs you’ll want to return to later in your trip.
Book Your Perfect Tour
- Dublin Food Tour with 7 Food Tastings and Drinks
- Food on Foot: Dublin Street Food Tour with Local Guide
- Galway Food Tours
Or if the town you’re visiting has no food tour, you could do a self-guided tour, as I did, when I visited the best places to eat in Donegal.
Chasing Flavors of Dublin
☘️ UNSTOPPABLE Stacey Says…
If you believe the fastest way to understand a city is through its food, this Dublin walking tour is a delicious place to start. You’ll sample authentic Irish favorites while discovering hidden corners of the city and gathering local recommendations you’ll use for the rest of your trip.
C.) 🧭 The Curious Explorer (If You Answered Mostly C's)
Look for:
- Small-group walking tours
- Hidden Dublin experiences
- Neighborhood walks
- Literary tours
☘️ UNSTOPPABLE Stacey’s Pick
The best guides don’t simply point out landmarks—they introduce you to the personality of a city. Those unexpected discoveries often become my favorite travel memories.
Book Your Perfect Tour
Beyond the Guidebooks
☘️ UNSTOPPABLE Stacey Says…
If your favorite travel memories come from the places most visitors never see, this guided hike delivers the Ireland you’ve been dreaming about. Explore the hidden mountains, glacial valleys, and wild beauty of County Kerry while discovering the stories and landscapes that make this corner of Ireland so unforgettable.
D.) 🌄 The Scenic Soul (If You Answered Mostly D's)
Ireland’s spectacular scenery is what drew you here in the first place. You’re happiest on coastal trails, overlooking rugged cliffs, or walking through landscapes that leave you reaching for your camera every few minutes.
Look for:
- Coastal walking tours
- Cliffs of Moher experiences
- Wicklow Mountains
- National park walks
UNSTOPPABLE Stacey’s Pick
Some landscapes deserve more than a quick photo stop. I always look for tours that allow enough time to slow down, breathe the fresh air, and simply soak in the view. Those are the moments I remember long after I’ve returned home.
Book Your Perfect Tour
Private Cliff Adventure
☘️ UNSTOPPABLE Stacey Says…
The Sliabh Liag Cliff Experience was one of my favorite walks in Ireland. Designed for private groups of up to seven people, it’s a memorable way to share the breathtaking beauty, fascinating stories, and peaceful solitude of Europe’s highest accessible sea cliffs with the people you love.
Before You Book Walking Tours of Ireland
Now that you’ve narrowed your choices, here are a few things I always consider before booking walking tours of Ireland.
Consider the distance.
Some city tours cover less than a mile, while others involve several hours on cobblestones, hills, or uneven trails. Make sure the pace matches your comfort level.
Think about group size.
Smaller groups usually mean more interaction with your guide, better opportunities to ask questions, and easier photo stops.
Check what’s included.
Some tours include museum admission, tastings, or transportation. Others are purely walking experiences. Comparing what’s included often tells you more than comparing the price.
Book early.
The most popular walking tours of Ireland often sell out during the busy travel season. If one catches your eye, it’s worth reserving ahead of time.
RELATED: Why Ireland’s Lough Derg Pilgrimage Is the Toughest in the World
Still Not Sure Which Walking Tour of Ireland Is Right for You?
If you’re visiting Ireland for the first time, here’s my advice: book a walking tour on your very first full day.
I do this whenever I visit a new destination because it helps me get my bearings, discover neighborhoods I want to revisit, and collect restaurant recommendations that rarely appear in guidebooks. By the end of the tour, I feel like I’ve been introduced to the city instead of simply dropped into it.
Whether your perfect day includes medieval castles, hidden pubs, colorful neighborhoods, or breathtaking coastlines, there’s a walking tour waiting for you.
Take the quiz, trust your instincts, and choose the experience that sounds like the adventure you’ll still be talking about long after you’ve unpacked your suitcase.
Which walking tour will you choose first? I’d love to hear in the comments!
✈️ 🌍 Buy Travel Insurance in less than 5 minutes 🌍 ✈️
Before you take off, protect your adventure with trusted travel insurance providers. Whether it’s a flight delay, lost luggage or medical emergency, the right plan keeps you covered—and stress-free.
This post contains affiliate links. If you make a purchase, I may earn a small commission at no additional cost to you. Thank you for supporting UnstoppableStaceyTravel.com
Traveling soon? Don’t forget to pack these essential items
Here are 4 often-forgotten items you don’t want to leave home without:
- I would have been lost in Europe without this power bank: Anker Nano Power Bank, 10K, 45W, 8.1 oz. Just imagine your phone running out of battery while you’re exploring London.
- And speaking of power, you def don’t want to forget a plug adapter – this is the one I use – I love it because it has 3 USB-C ports!
- You can’t beat this Sea to Summit premium neck pillow in terms of minimum weight and packed size. Who doesn’t want to get some shuteye on those long flights?
- I’m hooked on longer rain jackets that look as good on Paris boulevards as protect you on the trail.
📌 Bonus: Here’s the carry-on I swear by! My travel-tough Samsonite bags have lasted decades.
Want to Save This Article?
Map Your Stay
TRAVEL DISCOUNT JUST FOR YOU!
We’ve secured exclusive UNSTOPPABLE travel discounts on select vacations and cruises. Our partners at Dunhill Travel Deals update the list almost daily! So be sure to check out today’s top travel deals.
Table of Contents
- Looking for accommodations in Ireland?
- Find your dream bed and breakfast!
- Plan your Irish fun
- Rent a car
- Get the best travel insurance
Hi, I’m Stacey
UNSTOPPABLE Stacey Travel is a travel blog focused on immersive travel that highlights food, wine and the spirituality of place. You can count on me for accurate reports and insightful analysis as your trusted travel writer since 2008.
As the author of several spiritual and walking guides, I occasionally write about life as a Camino de Santiago pilgrim. See my Amazon author page here. You may review my credentials as a professional travel writer on LinkedIn.
I hope you enjoy what I post here. You are encouraged to leave comments! Read more…
JOIN MY FREE NEWSLETTER
Enjoy this story? Then never miss the latest travel news, tips and inspiration by signing up for free:
As is common in the travel industry, UNSTOPPABLE Stacey was provided with accommodations, meals, and other compensation for the purpose of review. While it has not influenced this review, the author believes in full disclosure of all potential conflicts of interest.
In addition, this blog, UNSTOPPABLE Stacey Travel, contains affiliate links. If you make a purchase through these links, Stacey earns a commission at no extra cost to you. These commissions help reduce the costs of keeping this travel blog active.
“As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases. Thanks for reading,” UNSTOPPABLE Stacey Wittig
Enjoy this article? I’d love to hear your thoughts in the comments section below. Please share this article with the red- and blue-colored social media buttons.
TRAVEL DISCOUNT JUST FOR YOU!
We’ve secured exclusive UNSTOPPABLE travel discounts on select vacations and cruises. Our partners at Dunhill Travel Deals update the list almost daily! So be sure to check out today’s top travel deals.
More Stories That You'll Love
How to Make Your 3 Days in Chiang Mai Enchanting
🛌 If you are in the mood to splurge, then stay at Veranda Chiang Mai Suite, one of the highest-rated properties in the area, but
Things to Do in Chiang Mai: From Dazzling Temples to Mountain Adventures
Discover the best things to do in Chiang Mai, from dazzling wats and mountain adventures to elephants, night markets, golf and unforgettable Khao Soi.
12 Unforgettable Things to Do in Rome Italy at Least Once in Your Life
Looking for the best things to do in Rome, Italy? Discover 13 unforgettable experiences, iconic sights and must-see places in the Eternal City.