Independent editorial guide
Most beautiful places in Ireland
This whole-island collection brings together twenty landscapes and heritage places across Leinster, Munster, Connacht and Ulster. It is an unranked editorial route through coast, mountain, lake, garden and historic settings rather than a claim that beauty can be reduced to a single score.
By Patrick Cunningham · Reviewed 30 June 2026 · 5 min read · Curated, unpaid and unranked
In this guide
Munster
Outstanding Irish landscape and sense of place
Cliffs of Moher
Spanish Point, County Clare
Cliffs of Moher represents one of the island's most memorable combinations of landscape, heritage and local identity. Its inclusion reflects geographic variety rather than a numerical ranking; use the official visitor information to plan around weather, access and seasonal conditions.
Outstanding Irish landscape and sense of place
Killarney National Park
Muckross, County Kerry
Killarney National Park represents one of the island's most memorable combinations of landscape, heritage and local identity. Its inclusion reflects geographic variety rather than a numerical ranking; use the official visitor information to plan around weather, access and seasonal conditions.
Outstanding Irish landscape and sense of place
Dingle Peninsula
Dingle Peninsula, County Kerry
Dingle Peninsula represents one of the island's most memorable combinations of landscape, heritage and local identity. Its inclusion reflects geographic variety rather than a numerical ranking; use the official visitor information to plan around weather, access and seasonal conditions.
Outstanding Irish landscape and sense of place
The Burren
Kilfenora, County Clare
The Burren represents one of the island's most memorable combinations of landscape, heritage and local identity. Its inclusion reflects geographic variety rather than a numerical ranking; use the official visitor information to plan around weather, access and seasonal conditions.
Outstanding Irish landscape and sense of place
Copper Coast Geopark
Waterford, County Waterford
Copper Coast Geopark represents one of the island's most memorable combinations of landscape, heritage and local identity. Its inclusion reflects geographic variety rather than a numerical ranking; use the official visitor information to plan around weather, access and seasonal conditions.
Connacht
Outstanding Irish landscape and sense of place
Connemara National Park
Letterfrack, County Galway
Connemara National Park represents one of the island's most memorable combinations of landscape, heritage and local identity. Its inclusion reflects geographic variety rather than a numerical ranking; use the official visitor information to plan around weather, access and seasonal conditions.
Outstanding Irish landscape and sense of place
Achill Island
Mayo, County Mayo
Achill Island represents one of the island's most memorable combinations of landscape, heritage and local identity. Its inclusion reflects geographic variety rather than a numerical ranking; use the official visitor information to plan around weather, access and seasonal conditions.
Outstanding Irish landscape and sense of place
Benbulben
Sligo, County Sligo
Benbulben represents one of the island's most memorable combinations of landscape, heritage and local identity. Its inclusion reflects geographic variety rather than a numerical ranking; use the official visitor information to plan around weather, access and seasonal conditions.
Outstanding Irish landscape and sense of place
Lough Key Forest and Activity Park
Boyle, County Roscommon
Lough Key Forest and Activity Park represents one of the island's most memorable combinations of landscape, heritage and local identity. Its inclusion reflects geographic variety rather than a numerical ranking; use the official visitor information to plan around weather, access and seasonal conditions.
Outstanding Irish landscape and sense of place
Glencar Waterfall
Glencar, County Leitrim
Glencar Waterfall represents one of the island's most memorable combinations of landscape, heritage and local identity. Its inclusion reflects geographic variety rather than a numerical ranking; use the official visitor information to plan around weather, access and seasonal conditions.
Leinster
Outstanding Irish landscape and sense of place
Glendalough
Glendalough, County Wicklow
Glendalough represents one of the island's most memorable combinations of landscape, heritage and local identity. Its inclusion reflects geographic variety rather than a numerical ranking; use the official visitor information to plan around weather, access and seasonal conditions.
Outstanding Irish landscape and sense of place
Wicklow Mountains National Park
Wicklow, County Wicklow
Wicklow Mountains National Park represents one of the island's most memorable combinations of landscape, heritage and local identity. Its inclusion reflects geographic variety rather than a numerical ranking; use the official visitor information to plan around weather, access and seasonal conditions.
Outstanding Irish landscape and sense of place
Hook Lighthouse
Churchtown, County Wexford
Hook Lighthouse represents one of the island's most memorable combinations of landscape, heritage and local identity. Its inclusion reflects geographic variety rather than a numerical ranking; use the official visitor information to plan around weather, access and seasonal conditions.
Outstanding Irish landscape and sense of place
Powerscourt House and Gardens
Enniskerry, County Wicklow
Powerscourt House and Gardens represents one of the island's most memorable combinations of landscape, heritage and local identity. Its inclusion reflects geographic variety rather than a numerical ranking; use the official visitor information to plan around weather, access and seasonal conditions.
Outstanding Irish landscape and sense of place
The Boyne Valley
Trim, County Meath
The Boyne Valley represents one of the island's most memorable combinations of landscape, heritage and local identity. Its inclusion reflects geographic variety rather than a numerical ranking; use the official visitor information to plan around weather, access and seasonal conditions.
Ulster
Outstanding Irish landscape and sense of place
Slieve League Cliffs
Teelin, County Donegal
Slieve League Cliffs represents one of the island's most memorable combinations of landscape, heritage and local identity. Its inclusion reflects geographic variety rather than a numerical ranking; use the official visitor information to plan around weather, access and seasonal conditions.
A memorable Northern Ireland day out
Giant's Causeway
Antrim, County Antrim
Giant's Causeway is an independently selected County Antrim experience that adds landscape, heritage or local character to a Northern Ireland itinerary. Consult the official Tourism NI listing for current opening times, access guidance and any advance-booking requirements.
A memorable Northern Ireland day out
Mourne Mountains
Down, County Down
Mourne Mountains is an independently selected County Down experience that adds landscape, heritage or local character to a Northern Ireland itinerary. Consult the official Tourism NI listing for current opening times, access guidance and any advance-booking requirements.
A memorable Northern Ireland day out
Marble Arch Caves
Fermanagh, County Fermanagh
Marble Arch Caves is an independently selected County Fermanagh experience that adds landscape, heritage or local character to a Northern Ireland itinerary. Consult the official Tourism NI listing for current opening times, access guidance and any advance-booking requirements.
A memorable Northern Ireland day out
Derry City Walls
Derry, County Derry
Derry City Walls is an independently selected County Derry experience that adds landscape, heritage or local character to a Northern Ireland itinerary. Consult the official Tourism NI listing for current opening times, access guidance and any advance-booking requirements.
Sources and review
Last reviewed 30 June 2026.
Selection methodology
Places were selected for geographic range, landscape character and the quality of official visitor information available on 2026-06-30. Check access, weather and seasonal guidance before setting out.
- Discover Ireland and Discover Northern Ireland visitor information (Fáilte Ireland and Tourism Northern Ireland) · Accessed 30 June 2026
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