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The perfect scotland and ireland itinerary.

Trips to Ireland and Scotland are some of my favorites to help plan. Both countries are some of my favorites and they can be easily combined. This Scotland and Ireland itinerary will help you plan the best trip!

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• Should I go to Scotland or Ireland?

I often get asked by my readers which trip they should take, Ireland or Scotland? While both destinations are amazing and beautiful with so much to offer, and I always try to help them make the right choice for their needs, I don’t think this has to be an either-or choice. If you’re really struggling with the Ireland vs Scotland debate, why not choose both? When you use this itinerary to travel to Ireland and Scotland you’re getting the best of both worlds within two weeks.

Here's a Short Cut

Best Time to Visit Ireland and Scotland

Fly between scotland and ireland, ferry from ireland to scotland, ireland and scotland tours, ireland scotland map, scotland and ireland itinerary, day 1: arrive in dublin, day 2: explore dublin, day 3 & 4: take an overnight trip to the west of ireland, day 5: wicklow mountains, day 6 & 7: northern ireland and back to dublin, days 1-2: explore edinburgh , day 3: scottish highlands, days 4-6: isle of skye, day 7: depart from edinburgh.

The best time to visit Ireland and Scotland is usually off-peak in shoulder season between April-May and September-October. If you go to Ireland and Scotland during these times you’ll avoid the crowds, but still be able to enjoy nicer weather than in the winter.

Getting Between Scotland and Ireland

Trips to Ireland and Scotland offer the best of both worlds and can be done affordably too. Getting from Ireland to Scotland is easy and affordable. There are many companies that offer Ireland and Scotland tours that are great, or you can choose to take the trip on your own.

There are plenty of cheap flights from Ireland to Scotland and from Scotland to Ireland. You can fly with Ryanair for as little as $21 USD! Honestly, that’s cheaper than the cost of a nice dinner! So if you really are having a hard time deciding between Ireland and Scotland, go ahead and do both!

Learn how to find cheap flights to and from Ireland and Scotland by reading my   guide to flying for cheap or nearly free here.

If you have your own car or are using this itinerary as part of a larger European trip, you might also consider taking the ferry from Ireland to Scotland or vice versa. This would also work if you’re planning to fly in and out of the same airport. However, if you are flying into Scotland or Ireland and plan to fly out of a different airport, I would not recommend taking the ferry. Especially since flights between Scotland and Ireland are so cheap! If you do decide to go for a rental car in one country and leave it in the other, it will cost you at least $1500 USD ($500 for a cross border fee and $500 for a one-way rental fee). And then you have the cost of the ferry on top of that which is a few hundred dollars. While sailing across the North Chanel is truly beautiful, It’s not worth the expense if you will be renting a car.

Visiting Ireland and Scotland can seem a little daunting on your own and tours can be a great way to go if you’re feeling a little nervous about it. These are some great Ireland and Scotland tours that will help you get a great overview of these two destinations:

This interactive map should help you plan your Ireland and Scotland itinerary. You can click on each destination to find more information.

I outline a great Ireland and Scotland itinerary below, but if you want to skip all the planning and simply use this downloadable, printable, detailed itinerary , you can find it here.

Get the Full Itinerary I’m giving you a detailed day-by-day Ireland and Scotland itinerary. You can do this itinerary in any order you wish, but this seemed the most logical to me. This itinerary begins in Ireland and ends in Scotland, where you can choose to fly home from, or simply fly back to Ireland for a round trip ticket. The choice is yours. I recommend flying in and out of wherever you can   get the best deals .  I generally find Ireland cheaper to fly to from the United States but have occasionally found great deals to Scotland as well.

Ireland could literally take you years to explore! So if you’re planning a trip to Ireland , I’m giving you just a week in this itinerary of things to do in Ireland , but I think it will show you some of the best places to visit in Ireland in a short amount of time. If you’re interested in a longer, more detailed trip to Ireland, you can check out my full  Ireland Itinerary. 

For the first day of your Scotland and Ireland vacation, arrive in Dublin airport and adjust to the time change. Dublin is Ireland’s capital city, so you’re sure to visit places while you’re here. Keep yourself awake until a reasonable hour (between 8 pm and 11 pm) and wake up early the next morning.

Now that you’re hopefully feeling well-rested and not too jet-lagged, it’s time to explore the capital of the Republic of Ireland. Don’t miss these stops in Dublin:

• St. Patrick’s Cathedral
• Dublin Castle
• Christ Church Cathedral
• Trinity College Library
• St. Stephens Green
• Lunch at Avoca Wool Shop & Cafe
• Little Museum of London
• Take a   Bus Tour   of Dublin
• Howth Cliffs
• Phoenix Park

Take an entire day to explore the west of Ireland. If you’re self-driving it will take about 3.5 hours to get to the west coast known as the Wild Atlantic Way. If you’re feeling nervous about driving in Ireland there are several great day trips from Galway that will take you to the west for this 2-day trip.  This amazing tour   explores the Cliffs of Moher, the Burren, and Killarney National Park, with an overnight stay in Dingle.

Don’t miss these stops on your trip to the West:

• Killarney National Park (learn more about   Killarney   here.)
• Muckross House & Traditional Farm
• Muckross Abbey
• Killarney Town
• Cliffs of Moher
• Blarney Castle

Spend a day in the beautiful County Wicklow. Be sure not to miss these:

• Powerscourt Estate: Dating back over 200 years, these are some of the most beautiful gardens in all of Ireland
• Glendalough: Beautiful lakes surrounded by stunning mountains!
• Silver Strand Beach: A beautiful and secluded beach
• Wicklow Gaol: This old jail is a great place to learn some interesting and sad Irish history.
• Wicklow Town: Adorable Irish town

Spend two days in beautiful Northern Ireland! You can take the three-hour drive yourself or take  this great two-day tour   that will take you to all the best sites. Be sure not to miss these:

• Carrick-a-Rede Rope Bridge
• Giant’s Causeway
• Dark Hedges

In between your exploration, make sure you also visit the city center and get to experience local dishes and listen to traditional Irish music while you’re in town!

Now that you’ve enjoyed a full week in Ireland, it’s time to hop over the Irish Channel and visit the beautiful and rugged Scotland! Most flights will take you into Edinburgh where you can either rent a car or spend a few days in the city then do some tours in the highlands. If you want to experience a great overview of the country, you can do my full  Scotland Itinerary.

I normally like to advise people to get out of the big cities and explore the countryside, but Edinburgh has so much to offer that I think it’s worth spending at least 2 days here. You can learn about what to do in Edinburgh in  my detailed guide here,   but be sure not to miss these top spots:

• Edinburgh Castle
• Holyrood Palace
• The Royal Mile
• St. Gile’s Cathedral
• Scott Monument
• Grass Market
• Princes Street Gardens
• Take a    Harry Potter Walking Tour
• Visit the Elephant House Cafe where JK Rowling ate
• Victoria Street
• Hike Arthur’s Seat
• Calton Hill
• Cairngorms National Park

If you’ve ever dreamed of staying in a castle, be sure to check out these awesome castle hotels in Scotland.

Spend day 4 exploring the highlands of Scotland. Visit Inverness and try and find the Loch Ness Monster! You can drive here or take   this easy day tour from Edinburgh.   Be sure to read my   guide to the highlands   and don’t miss these sites:

• Urquhart Castle
• Fort William

You can’t visit Scotland without taking a trip to visit the breathtakingly beautiful Isle of Skye. It’s rugged beauty and history combined with its rugged island charm is sure to win your heart! Driving to the Isle of Skye can be a little scary if you don’t know what to expect. The roads are one lane so you must share the road with oncoming traffic. If you’re not comfortable driving in those conditions, it might be a good idea to take a tour to the Isle of Skye.

Rabbie’s does an amazing 3-day tour that comes with your own comedic  kilted tour guide to take you through the Isle of Skye while learning all about its interesting past and natural wonders. You can find the  tour here. 

Be sure to read   my complete guide to the Isle of Skye   before going.

Whether you decide to drive to the Isle of Skye on your own or take a tour, don’t miss these sites:

• The Quiraing 
• Old Man of Storr
• Neist Point
• Dunvegan Castle
• Fairy Pools
• Eilean Donan Castle
• Museum of Island Life & Flora MacDonald’s Grave

On the last day of your Scotland and Ireland vacation, travel back to Edinburgh and either fly home from there or fly back to Dublin to fly home.

I hope this itinerary will help plan many trips to Ireland and Scotland. They are both such amazing destinations and I know you’ll love them! If you need help planning, please feel free to reach out  Facebook   or  Instagram , or send me an email me  [email protected]

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Ireland and Scotland Tours & Trips 2024/2025

Ireland and Scotland are always among our most popular destinations, and these tours visit both! In Ireland you'll find amazing historical sites, traditional pubs and bars, and the famous friendly Irish hospitality, alongside the modern tech scene of Dublin. Over in Scotland, Edinburgh's impressive hilltop castle and winding old streets will enchant visitors, while the Western Highlands have unrivalled scenery. Check out the Highland Games, or if you're here on December 31st, the unforgettable Hogmanay!

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41 ireland and scotland tour packages with 1,558 reviews.

• In-depth Cultural

England, Scotland and Ireland end Dublin

It was like heritage walk of the Major medieval Cities of England Scotland and Ireland. Many of Its Castles Like Windsor ,Alnwick and Ross Castle of Killarney Ireland and Palaces Looked almost surrealistic and we felt as if we have taken back in Time to the medieval Ages. The Tour Guides were thorough professional even though they had to shuffle between English and spanish in their Narrative they did a wonderful job.

• Coach / Bus

Best of Ireland and Scotland (15 Days)

Great tour director and coach driver

• €100 deposit on some dates Some departure dates offer you the chance to book this tour with a lower deposit.

Best of Ireland & Scotland (Classic, 14 Days)

This tour was informative and enjoyable. We saw so many places and extras off the beaten path.

Highlights of Ireland & Scotland

Wonderful experience.

• Sightseeing

Highlights of Ireland and Scotland (11 Days)

The tour was interesting and great. The guides were good and explain the places well. The scenery was beautiful.

Scotland and Ireland with London

The only thing we suggest to improve is to separate English and Spanish speakers to different groups or the tour guide can speak more English for English speakers.

Celtic Highlights

Excellent guides and wonderful sites to visit! They know where to go and what to see!

Best of Ireland & Scotland (Small Groups, 14 Days)

The tour itinerary was full allowing a broad experience to be gleaned from both Ireland and Scotland respectively. The quality of the travel, hotels and experiences were a complete delight to share with the whole group. We gelled as a group and this made the excursion thoroughly enjoyable, despite the wet weather! Our driver was exemplary which made for safe and enjoyable travel on the coach throughout. Our tour guide was highly knowledgeable and experienced which added plentifully to the daily tours. A very enjoyable tour, highly recommended.

• Christmas & New Year

England Scotland Ireland – Highlights of UK

Celtic Twist

Ireland & Scotland

Celtic Classic

• Ocean Cruise

Scottish Isles: Historic Trails & Wilderness

Leisurely United Kingdom and Ireland ( 15 days )

Celtic Connections Self-Drive

This is the second trip with Indus 1st trip a self drive tour our itinerary was excellent - hotels were great we had a fabulous trip 2nd trip Egypt and dubai - our guide Ramy made our trip so informative , interesting and fun- he knew each one of our names that was impressive - our hotels were excellent the cruise on the Nile was like a dream loved every minute of our tour - definitely recommend people to take this tour

What people love about Ireland And Scotland Tours

As the one year anniversary approaches, I wish I could do this trip again!

Our guide Michelle was excellent. The city sightseeing tours on the bus were a waste of time. Our local tour guide in Edinburgh was awful. Why the laughing through most of her talking? Very irritating. The Fish & Chips dinner in the local dumpy restaurant was the worst meal of the trip. Otherwise just what we expected.

Greg and Arther did and excellent job above and beyond great knowledge of all the history and culture made everyone feel so welcome

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• Coach / Bus (21)
• Personalized (10)

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The Best Ireland and Scotland Itinerary

Are you planning a trip to Ireland and Scotland? If you follow me on Instagram or Facebook, then you must have seen all of the beautiful pictures from my recent trip to Ireland and Scotland. Now that I am back from my trip and able to get back into the groove of things, I figured I would write a post about my Ireland and Scotland Itinerary. I know most of my readers enjoy these pre-planned itineraries and hopefully, this is one you can add to your collection. Here are some of my favorite things and highlights from my Ireland and Scotland Itinerary.

This post contains affiliate links. If you use these links to buy something we may earn a small commission to support this blog at no extra cost to you. Support my blog here . 

Ireland and Scotland Itinerary – best way to see ireland and scotland

Ireland and Scotland are two beautiful countries worth visiting. I feel these two countries are perfect for those of you wanting to take your first solo trip. There are so many things to see and do. Ireland is the country more for those of you who love nature and the beautiful outdoor greenery. Where we visited in Scotland, Edinburgh and Glasgow have a city feel yet, it is a lot slower paced and calm compared to cities like Dublin. We noticed that everyone was very hospitable in all the areas we visited.

RELATED: Most beautiful places in Ireland

TRAVEL PLANNING RESOURCES  

• Flights :  Skyscanner , Google Flights , and  Expedia  are the best sites to search for the cheapest flights and great deals from your home country.
• Accommodation :  Booking.com ,  Agoda , and  HostelWorld are the only platforms you need to book hotels and hostels anywhere in the world.
• Travel Insurance : The best travel insurance available are  World Nomads  or  SafetyWing .  Safety Wing is also perfect for expats or remote workers.
• Transportation : To book trains, Trainline is the best and cheapest website. To book buses within the US and Europe, try using FlixBus . For travel in Asia, we use  12Go .  
• Car Rental :  Expedia is a reliable platform to book rental cars.
• Tours :  Get Your Guide   &  Viator  are the only platforms you will need for most countries. If traveling to Asia, I suggest using Klook or Trazy .
• Luggage : It depends on what type of bags you like. If you are looking to backpack around Europe, I highly recommend the Osprey Fairview 40L .
• What to Pack : Use this ultimate Carry On Essentials list for things you should pack for every trip.
• Send Money Anywhere:  WISE  is the best account for transferring funds abroad.
• Stay Connected:  Staying connected abroad is important for safety and travel. Using Airalo will save you time and money for your trip by getting an eSIM right from the start. Use NordVPN to keep access to websites in your home country or shows on Hulu abroad!

Ireland vs. Scotland: Looking to choose between Ireland or Scotland?

So you can choose between Ireland or Scotland or you can choose to read this entire post on how to visit both Ireland and Scotland in this detailed Itinerary. There is a big difference between the 2 areas and it is difficult to choose but varies on you.

If I had to choose between visiting Ireland and Scotland, I will definitely choose Ireland. There was just so much more to see there and I felt like Irish people were so welcoming, kind, and so much more. I also find alcohol, especially whiskey better in Ireland than in Scotland. I don’t like the smokey flavors and I’ve done whiskey and bourbon tastings in the US< Ireland, and Scotland.

Scotland is a beautiful place to visit and I do suggest visiting both and making that decision for yourself.

Best Time to Visit Ireland and Scotland – When to visit

You must have come to this page wondering when is the best time to visit Ireland and Scotland. Well usually the best time to visit Ireland and Scotland may vary depending on your budget and whether you want to have better weather. The best weather time to visit would be during the summer times to avoid heavy rainy days. If you want to save money and avoid crowds, you are better off traveling in the fall or spring months. We traveled in October and luckily only had one bad rainy day The bad rainy day did affect our visit to Cliffs of Moher, but we were prepared to be stuck in the rain. I found that the best month to visit Ireland and Scotland was in October. I felt the weather was comfortable, it was easy to see a lot and do a lot, it felt less crowded than most places do during summer, and the prices were quite affordable.

RELATED: One Month Trip in Europe

Language in Ireland and Scotland

The main language of Ireland and Scotland is English. The Irish are also taught Gaelic or the Irish language, but it is not used very often and most Irish people do not use it unless needed to by their profession.

Forms of Currency in Ireland and Scotland

Now the currency in Ireland is the Euro. If you head to Northern Ireland, the currency then changes to the British Pound since they are part of the United Kingdom. Traveling in Northern Ireland, they do, however, accept the Euro in most locations since many people from Ireland travel there.

In Scotland, the currency is the British Pound.

How to get around Ireland and Scotland

The best way to get around Ireland and Scotland is by driving, however, they do drive on the left side of the road. If you do not feel comfortable driving in another country, the best way to get around would be by bus or taxi. Just a fun little tip, many of the taxi drivers in Ireland, especially in Dublin love to talk your head off. It makes it fairly easy to learn more from these locals. Only looking to travel to Scotland? Be sure to read about this Scotland Itinerary . A lot of people will take a road trip through Ireland and Scotland. It can be pretty easy to navigate driving especially outside of the city.

RELATED: Scotland Roadtrip

Tips to Save Money in Ireland and Scotland

One of the best ways to save money in Ireland and Scotland is to take full advantage of free things to do. Additionally, I highly suggest you purchase a tourist travel pass whether that be an all-day pass or a 7-day transit pass, it makes it a lot easier to travel around and save money by taking the public transportation card. In Ireland, we purchased a 7 day Leap Card for about 40 euros which was perfect for us since it was a base location. For Scotland, we purchased a daily travel pass for the day.

Another way to save money is by purchasing your Dublin Pass with Bus Tour which includes Free Entry to over 35 Attractions.

RELATED: UK Travel Itinerary

Ireland and Scotland Tours – Make Travel Planning Easy

Are you worried about making plans for your trip? These are some of the best tours for your trips to Ireland and Scotland.  Don’t worry these tours and guides will make the trip smooth and affordable to do on your own. There are a lot of different tours you can easily take in Ireland and Scotland.

These are a few of the Ireland and Scotland Tours that I recommend:

Ireland Tours

Most of these tours can be taken from Dublin making it easy to stay in one location.

• Celtic Boyne Valley Tour
• Cliffs of Moher Full-Day Tour
• Giant’s Causeway & Belfast City Tour
• Belfast, Monasterboice & Birthplace of Titanic
• Guinness Storehouse: Entrance Ticket  Southern Ireland: 10-Day Small-Group Tour

Take all the guesswork out of planning a trip and book the Southern Ireland: 10-Day Small-Group Tour.

Scotland Tours

• Stirling Castle, Loch Lomond, and Whisky Tour
• Underground Vaults Tour
• West Highlands Lochs & Castles Tour from Edinburgh
• Oban, Glencoe, Highland Lochs & Castles Tour
• Alnwick Castle and Scottish Borders Tour

Where you will visit in 8 Days in Ireland and Scotland

• Day 1: Dublin
• Day 2: Dublin
• Day 3: Blarney and Cork
• Day 4: Edinburgh, Scotland
• Day 5: Glasgow, Scotland
• Day 6: Cliffs of Moher
• Day 7: Northern Ireland Belfast, Giants Causeway
• Day 8: Dublin

You can easily add a pit stop to London to this Scotland Ireland Itinerary if you wanted to. I would suggest visiting after Glasgow if possible.

things to do in Ireland and Scotland

Ireland and Scotland Itinerary Day 1 | Dublin

We arrived in Dublin early in the morning, but the first thing was wanted to do before heading out into the world was to shower! It’s one of those things you have to do. So during our adventures and our arrivals, we had an already jam-packed schedule that we needed to attempt to keep and prevent jet lag. We went with the Food Tour with Irish Food Trail, a short visit to the Irish Whiskey Museum, and wandered the Temple Bar area.

RELATED: Best Day Trips from Dublin

Recommended things to do in Dublin Day 1

• Jameson Distillery
• Irish Whiskey Museum
• Visit a Temple Bar
• Dinner at Matt the Thresher

Ireland and Scotland Itinerary Day 2 | Dublin

Today is a jam-packed day full of fun and exciting stuff. Hopefully, now you are starting to get over your jet lag and was so exhausted that you slept well. You will explore the beautiful Dublin Castle which is one of many castles you will explore, then you will check out the famous trinity college with the Book of Kells and the famous Guinness Storehouse . I suggest you save a lot of time to spend at the Guinness Storehouse since it has about 9 floors worth of things to check out and explore. Then afterward, enjoy a whiskey tasting at the Teeling distillery .

RELATED: 2 Days in Dublin

Recommended things to do in Dublin Day 2

• Breakfast at Queen of Tarts
• Dublin Castle
• Trinity College Library and Book of Kells
• Lunch at Klaw
• Guinness Storehouse
• Teeling Distillery
• Dinner at Porterhouse Bar

Ireland and Scotland Itinerary Day 3 | Blarney and Cork

So now there are several Dublin day trips you can take visiting Blarney Castle and Cork. You can either choose to rent a vehicle or there are options to pay to take a day trip with a bus tour . It all depends on your comfort level. We found it very affordable to take the tours and it was more relaxing for us to have someone else drive rather than being exhausted and driving on our own. Book your tour here.  

RELATED: Best Ireland Castle Itinerary

Recommended things to do in and near Cork

• Rock of Cashel
• Blarney Castle and kissing the Blarney Stone
• Cahir Castle

Ireland and Scotland Itinerary Day 4 | Visiting Edinburgh, Scotland

Traveling to Scotland was very affordable by plane. Now the best deal we found was a 22 euro one-way flight from Dublin to Edinburgh with Ryan Air. We were checking at rates and were deciding we wanted to take a visit to Scotland. We were so close and the flights were very affordable that we wanted to make the most of our trip. It was filled with lots of things to do and see. Now I do have to warn you, Ryan Air can be expensive if you travel heavily. Since we were just staying overnight, we decided to make Dublin our home base and leave most of our belongings there.

Edinburgh was a beautiful city to explore especially if you love Harry Potter . Additionally, Edinburgh Castle is one of the most beautiful with the best view of the city. If you want more drinking after all this happens to be a drinking trip lol, be sure to try some Scotch Whiskey at the Whiskey experience. Scotch whiskey is very different than Irish whiskey due to the peat whiskey barrels.

Finally, enjoy some time down Victoria mile where the inspiration for Harry Potter came along. Be sure to read about the Harry Potter Tour in Edinburgh .  Additionally, there is a cute Harry Potter shop you must add to your trip! If you have more time to spend in Scotland, be sure to visit the Isle of Skye. Learn about 10 things to do in the Isle of Skye .

RELATED: One Day in Edinburgh

Recommended things to do in Edinburgh

• Edinburgh Castle
• Whiskey Experience
• Greyfriars Bobby’s Bar
• Royal Mile/Victoria Mile
• Underground Ghost Tour

Ireland and Scotland Itinerary Day 5 | Glasgow, Scotland

Take the train from Edinburgh to Glasgow. I think by this point we were kind of exhausted. We definitely loved Glasgow Cathedral and wish we spent more time at the Riverside Museum. In Glasglow, you will find that most of the things to do there are free like the Cathedral, People’s Palace, the Art Museum and the Riverside Museum. Furthermore, I think we ended up becoming burnt out from all of the museums.

RELATED: One Day in Glasgow

But after you check out the Kelvington art Museum, you must have lunch at the Butchershop Bar and Grill . The food was absolutely fantastic and worth it! Additionally, their customer service was excellent. Finally, take the flight back from Glasgow to Dublin. If you have more time to spend in Glasgow, be sure to visit Argyll.  Read more about things to do in Argyll .

RELATED: Glasgow Tours

Recommended things to do in Glasgow

• Glasgow Cathedral
• People’s Palace
• Kelvington Art Museum
• Lunch at the Butchershop Bar and Grill
• Riverside Museum

Ireland and Scotland Itinerary Day 6 | Cliffs of Moher

Like we did for Blarney Castle, we decided to take a bus tour again to these locations. Unfortunately, it was a very rainy day for us. However, we were lucky since this was the only bad weather day we received and yet we expected a week full of rain. Ireland is known to have ever-changing weather. The Cliffs of Moher was a beautiful location and reminded me a lot of sunset cliffs in San Diego, California. Book your tour here. 

RELATED: Best Cliffs of Moher Tour

Other recommended things to do and places to visit on the way to Cliffs of Moher

• Galway City

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Ireland and Scotland Itinerary Day 7 | Northern Ireland

We took another bus tour, making it one of the best tours we had during the entire trip. Northern Ireland is not part of Ireland the country, they are technically part of the United Kingdom. The form of currency does change from the Euro to the British Pound, however, many of the locations will still accept the Euro because of their close proximity to Ireland. Additionally, the Giant’s Causeway was a beautiful place to wander and explore. We got some of our best photos here. If you are really into Game of Thrones, then the Dark Hedges is the place for you. Supposedly, this location was filmed in Game of Thrones.  Book your tour here. 

Be sure to read about the Game of Thrones Tour .

Additionally, you may have seen famous photos of the Carrick-a-rede bridge. If you have time to stop by Belfast, they are known for building and sending off the Titanic. They are actually very proud of that accomplishment even though most people will say well the ship sunk. However, people in Belfast will tell you well the ship was fine when it left here. If you are traveling with kids, be sure to read things to do in Northern Ireland with kids .

Recommended things to do in Northern Ireland

• Carrick-a-rede
• Giant’s Causeway
• Dark Hedges
• Dunluce Castle

Ireland and Scotland Itinerary Day 8 | Dublin

Unfortunately for us, our time was very limited and we are just heading out of Dublin in the late afternoon. We were a bit jet-lagged on our first day and so it was our time to catch up and see some of the things that we missed out on for the first day. We were able to catch up on some of the things we wanted to see today but our list of places was even more extensive. See below for some other options to check out in Dublin before heading out.

RELATED: Things to do in Ireland

Recommended things to do in Dublin Day 8

• National Museum of Ireland
• Christ Church Cathedral
• National Leprechaun Museum
• Celtic Nights River Dancing
• The Brazen Head

Finally, there you have it, my 8 Day Ireland and Scotland Itinerary! This gives you the option to travel Ireland with or without a car but providing you with daily options. If you have more time or if you are traveling in a better season, be sure to check out the Skellig Michael especially if you are a Star Wars fan. That is the location where they filmed the Force Awakens. If you plan on visiting or moving between Ireland and Germany , this post will breakdown some of the differences and similarities.

Map Scotland and Ireland

You can easily use this map of Ireland and Scotland to plan out your Scotland and Ireland Itinerary.

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Posts Related to this Ireland and Scotland Itinerary

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Hey, I'm NieNie, also known as Stephanie – a California native of hapa heritage (an American with a mix of Korean and German) with an enduring love for travel. Transitioning from my expat life in South Korea to embracing the experience of living in Germany, while also frequenting visits to my family in the Philippines, I'm documenting my adventure as a plus-size woman immersing herself in diverse cultures. Join me on Adventures with NieNie for travel tips, cultural insights, and inspiring stories from South Korea, the Philippines, and Germany. Let's embark on this adventure together!

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Great itinerary, I’ve done parts of it, but not all, so there are some awesome ideas for me to follow up on. I caught the train up to Edinburgh from London because I managed to find a cheap fare (almost as cheap as your RyanAir flight) and I fell in love with Scotland. I wish I’d stayed to go to Glasgow as well.

Scotland was so beautiful and I’m glad I had the opportunity to go. I hope to go to London someday as well, although the bucket list to too big it may be a while til I visit London lol.

We stayed for 6 weeks in Ireland last March and I just fell in love with the country. It’s so beautiful and the people are wonderful. You’re article reminded me of all things that I missed and need to see next time. Scotland’s on my bucket list to and I can’t wait to make that a reality.

This makes my heart so warm. I love Ireland and Scotland and I have such good memories of both. Thank you for this wonderful guide and all the beautiful pictures.

Hi Nie Nie … I’m Wondering if you could give me an idea on your total cost of your Ireland Scotland trip it all sounds wonderful we are debating a cruise but would love to be a bit more adventurous… but of course there’s the budget . Just a rough idea would be wonderful thanks so much Patti

Well it just depends. I was able to save money by going with some friends, so we had a few split costs on the AirBnB. I would say it could be around $2000 per week including the hotel. It’s about $100-150 per night for a hotel. $500 maybe for food, maybe less depending and $500 for activities. This is being generous with your money though. You could definitely do this on a cheaper budget especially if staying at a hostel or not going to a fancy restaurant, etc. Feel free to message me on social media and I can help answer your questions.

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How to Plan the Best Trip to Ireland & Scotland!

So, you’re looking to see Ireland's and Scotland’s beautiful and wild scenery? These European destinations are known for their natural beauty and fun cities. Find out how to plan your trip to Ireland and Scotland to ensure you’re making the most out of your vacation!

Planning a trip to Ireland and Scotland? 

Spectacular coastlines and ancient castles. Loch Ness Monsters and Leprechauns. Guinness beer and world-class whiskey. 

What’s not to love about the Emerald Isle and the wild north of Great Britain? Add to that friendly locals and delicious food, and you’ll want to get the first flight out!

You’ll need a plan when preparing for a trip to these two incredible countries! There are many different things to remember—where to go, how long to stay, where to stay, how to get around, and much more.

The last thing you want is to miss out on anything.

Don’t worry! I’m here to help. I’ve tailored this comprehensive guide to be helpful to any wanderlust-seeking traveler looking to plan a trip to Ireland and Scotland. Get ready for the journey of a lifetime!

How to Plan a Trip to Ireland and Scotland: Step-by-Step

There are lots of amazing things to do when planning a trip to Ireland and awesome places to visit in Scotland . But the two countries are very intertwined historically and geographically, so we've put together the ultimate guide to help you and your friends travel both of them in a single trip!

Step 1: Pick Your Destinations

The first thing you need to do is decide where you want to go! Ireland and Scotland may look small on a map, but these tiny countries pack a punch regarding things to see and do. 

Hit the Internet and do some research. Check out different travel websites to find out more about the countries. Read traveler’s blogs, like this one on things to see in Dublin , to get some ideas.

Here’s what I do that I find extremely helpful when making an itinerary of destinations I want to visit:

• Use a travel planning app to list your destinations and the places you want to see. 
• Create a Google Map and pin those places you want to include on your trip.
• Mark your ‘must-sees’ in one color and the ‘not-as-important’ in another color. This makes it easier to trim your itinerary down.
• Make sure you have a good variety of destinations on your list (ex. You probably want to explore bustling larger cities and spend some time in nature-focused destinations!)

If you’re anything like me, you’ll want to see EVERYTHING. But unless you have endless amounts of time, you’ll need to prioritize.

Step 2: Decide on the Best Time to Travel

There’s nothing worse than bad weather ruining your holiday. It’s best to plan your trip around the weather if you have the option to be flexible.

The best time to visit Ireland and Scotland is between April-May and September-October during the off-peak shoulder season. The weather is pleasant, and you’ll avoid the crazy crowds that arrive in summer.

Step 3: Ask Yourself, “How Long?”  

You’ve made a list of the places you want to see. Now it’s time to be realistic and decide how much time you have to see them all. Your answer will help you to create a perfect itinerary, so you don’t miss anything!

How many days does it take to see Ireland and Scotland? Ideally, 14 days is enough time to experience the best of both worlds. 

With at least 14 days on your itinerary, you can explore cities like Dublin and Edinburgh, take a hike in the Highlands from Glasgow , and tour some very cool castles. However, if you only have 10 days, you can focus on one main city in each country.

Step 4: Research Visa Restrictions

It’s essential to figure out if you need a visa to enter the UK and Ireland. Remember that England, Scotland, and Northern Ireland are part of the United Kingdom, but Southern Ireland is not. So, you may need a visa for one country and not the other.

Suppose you’re from Australia, New Zealand, Canada, or the USA. In that case, you don’t need a special visa to enter Ireland and the UK. You can stay in Ireland as a tourist for up to three months without a visa. In the United Kingdom, you can enjoy six months of visa-free travel as a tourist.

If you are from another country, you can visit Ireland’s Department of Justice and Equality website and the Standard Visitor Visa page of the UK Government to find out what visa restrictions might apply to you.

When you arrive at the airport, you’ll still need to prove your reason for visiting the country to the immigration officer at the border control. They’ll also want to know how long you are planning on staying. 

To avoid any upsets, carry all your travel documents, such as return flights, hotel confirmations, proof of income, etc., with you in a travel pouch .

Step 5: Organize Your Itinerary

An essential step in planning a trip to Ireland and Scotland is to plan your itinerary. Once you have decided on how long you can travel and where you want to go, it’s time to thrash out the details.

Essential details include getting around and finding accommodation in each place. You also want to make sure you have enough time for traveling in between.

Let’s talk about some top tips for planning an itinerary for an Ireland and Scotland trip!

Plan a Route

Google Maps is an excellent tool for estimating travel times between places. Use it to decide the best way to get from one destination to another.

Rome2Rio is another excellent website that offers multi-modal routes between destinations.

Figure Out Mode of Transportation

Once you have decided on your means of travel, check out Busbud , Megabus , and National Express for bus journeys in the UK. For train fares and schedules, go to the National Rail website.

Consider renting a car if your budget allows. It’s a great way of exploring a country or a city in your own time.

Think About Delays

Always schedule extra traveling time between cities for unexpected delays. The last thing you want is silly inconveniences ruining your dream vacation!  

Also, think twice about flying between destinations. While it may seem quicker, if you add all the traveling time in between, it can actually be longer. And far more expensive!

2-Week Itinerary for a Trip to Ireland and Scotland

As I suggested earlier, two weeks is an ideal amount of time to spend exploring Ireland and Scotland. Find ideas for a fabulous two-week itinerary for a trip to Ireland and Scotland below!

Day 1 and 2: Explore Dublin

Don’t miss these must-see attractions:

• Dublin Castle
• St. Patrick’s Cathedral
• Trinity College Library
•  Little Museum of London
• Christ Church Cathedral
• St. Stephens Green
• Lunch at Avoca Wool Shop & Café
• Howth Cliffs

Day 3 and 4: Take an Overnight Trip to the West of Ireland

Check out these top spots along the way:

• Killarney National Park 
• Killarney Town
• Muckross Abbey
• Muckross House & Traditional Farm
• Cliffs of Moher

Day 5: County Wicklow

Be sure not to miss these:

• Wicklow Town
• Wicklow Gaol
• Glendalough
• Powerscourt Estate
• Silver Strand Beach and the Donegal Coast

Day 6 and 7: Northern Ireland and back to Dublin

Don’t forget to check these out:

• Giant’s Causeway
• Carrick-a-Rede Rope Bridge
• Dark Hedges

Next stop—Scotland!

Day 8 and 9: Explore Edinburgh

Be sure to make time to see these hot spots:

• Edinburgh Castle
• St. Giles’ Cathedral
• Scott Monument
• Calton Hill
• Grass Market
• Victoria Street
• Princes Street Gardens
• Holyrood Palace
• The Royal Mile

Day 10: Scottish Highlands

Must-visits include:

• Urquhart Castle

Days 11 – 13: The Isle of Skye

Don’t miss these sites:

• Dunvegan Castle
• Neist Point
• Eilean Donan Castle
• Fairy Pools
• The Quiraing 
• Old Man of Storr
• Museum of Island Life & Flora MacDonald’s Grave

Unfortunately, day 14 is when you’ll need to depart from beautiful Edinburgh! But, you’re taking a whole lot of memories, and hopefully stunning photos, home with you.

Get Ready for Ireland & Scotland With Pilot!

After going through all that, I hope you’re starting to dream about your perfect trip to Ireland and Scotland. Now you really know how much there is to do and see!

Remember, with these tips, tricks, and itinerary ideas, you’ll make your next European journey a reality in no time. To ensure you’re keeping yourself organized, why not use a trip planning app to keep all of your ideas and plans in one place?

Disclosure : Pilot is supported by our community. We may earn a small commission fee with affiliate links on our website. All reviews and recommendations are independent and do not reflect the official view of Pilot.

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7 Days in Scotland and Ireland: A Detailed Itinerary

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If you are planning a 7 day trip to Scotland and Ireland, you have come to the right place! If you have a limited amount of travel time, whether you are working full time or on a budget (the struggles of a travel addict!), this itinerary will show what to do for 7 days in Scotland and Ireland.

What to do in 7 days in Scotland and Ireland

I based most of my time in Scotland, since there was more that I wanted to do there. However, I will need to go back to Ireland explore more of the countryside! Both countries are great for solo female travelers – they are SO safe, and not once was I ever uncomfortable or approached by anyone.

• 1st day: Travel Day. Arrived in Edinburgh at about 2pm.
• 2nd day: Edinburgh all day.
• 3rd day: Went on a 2 day overnight group tour to explore the highlands and ride the Jacobite Steam Train! (aka the Hogwarts Express).
• 4th day: Returned from my group tour and back in Edinburgh at 8pm.
• 5th day: Another full day in Edinburgh!
• 6th day: Fly to Dublin
• 7th day: All day in Dublin
• 8th day: fly home

Where to Stay in Scotland and Ireland

Edinburgh, Scotland: I stayed at the Safestay Edinburgh Hostel. It was located right off the Royal Mile and felt very safe. The beds had all-female dorms and curtains for added privacy. For $25 CAD per night it was a good deal!

Dublin, Ireland: I had made plans to stay at the Ashfield Hostel, which is right by Trinity College in Dublin and only $50 per night. A very central and busy location, which is perfect if you only have a short amount of time in Dublin. However, a friend graciously let me stay in her flat, located by the 3 Arena (about a 30 minute walk away from Trinity College). Both areas felt safe, although staying near Trinity College would mean you are closer to the main attractions.

How to get Around Scotland and Ireland in 7 days

Scotland and Ireland’s infrastructure is very easy for tourists. I used the airport buses to get into the center of town. I mostly walked around the cities – and sometimes used the Hop-on-Hop-off buses as well!

To explore the countryside, I went on day trips. As a solo traveler, going on a group tour is a nice way to avoid loneliness and meet other travelers. I didn’t rent a car because in Scotland and Dublin they drive on the left, and I am used to driving on the right. If you feel comfortable driving on either side of the road, then this could be an option for you.

7 days in Scotland and Ireland: Itinerary Details

Day 1: travel day.

I flew from Canada, and it was SO much cheaper for me to do a self-connecting flight. What does this mean? Well, I booked a direct round-trip flight from Canada to Dublin, Ireland. Then, I booked a separate round-trip flight from Dublin to Edinburgh, Scotland.

Self-connecting saved me a lot of money (literally hundreds of dollars), but it is more of a hassle. I had to leave to secured area after got through customs in Dublin, and then go back through security. Self-connecting is also risky because if there are any delays and you miss your connecting flight, there is little the airline can do for you.

It was my first time self-connecting, so if anyone has any experiences about this, let me know in the comments below!

To reduce the risk of anything happening, I arrived in Dublin at 7:30am, then flew onward to Edinburgh at 12:35pm. This gave me plenty of time to get through customs, go through security again, and then eat.

Evening: Walking Tour

Since I had all evening free to explore, I ate at the first place I could find, and then went on a free Harry Potter walking tour!

Walking tours are a great thing to do when you first arrive somewhere new, because they help orient you. If someone shows me where to go, it’s harder for me to get lost later!

Day 2: Free day in Edinburgh

Today I had the entire day to explore Edinburgh. Since I hadn’t planned a lot of activities that day, I actually ended up doing a lot more than expected.

Morning: Edinburgh Castle

I went to Edinburgh Castle. I had pre-booked my tickets online for entry first thing in the morning to try and beat the crowds. This activity takes a couple of hours. I recommend getting the audio guide too, so that you can have the exhibits and areas explained to you.

Afternoon: Princes Gardens and Calton Hill

After lunch at Greyfriar’s Bobby Bar, I did a hop on hop off bus tour (tickets can be purchased near Waverley Bridge. This is the first stop of the tour, and there will be sales people there to sell you a ticket if you don’t have one).

I also wandered through Princes Street Gardens, and walked up Calton Hill for beautiful views of Edinburgh (I took the hop on hop off bus to get to Calton Hill to save my feet from walking).

Read about what to do in 2 days in Edinburgh here.

Day 3 and 4: Group tour to the Highlands

If there is a group tour that you want to do, check which days they leave. The group tour I did only left on Tuesdays, so your itinerary may shift a little to accommodate for this.

There are LOTS of options for day or overnight trips from Edinburgh to suit your schedule and interests. Since I wanted to have 2 full days in Edinburgh, I only had time for a 2 day tour.

The tour that I went on was the Jacobite Experience: 2 Day Tour with Hogwarts Express. I went on this tour because I really wanted to see the Scottish Highlands, and also ride the Harry Potter train (I am a huuuuuge Harry Potter fan). Read more about my experiencing riding the Jacobite Steam Train here.

Day 5: Another full day in Edinburgh

Another full day in Edinburgh! I will admit, during my trip I was debating on whether I should spend the day in Edinburgh or last-minute book a day trip to explore more of the Highlands. I decided to stay in Edinburgh, and I’m glad I did!

Morning: Deans Village and a scenic walk

I spent the entire morning going on a scenic walk around Edinburgh . I went to Deans Village. It feels like you go back in time in Deans Village. Old buildings, narrow cobblestone lanes, and a river gently flowing through with a walkway next to it. It’s a photographers dream!

Afternoon: Royal Mile & Hiking Arthur’s Seat

After having Afternoon Tea at Eteaket, a cute and quirky tea shop, I then walked down the Royal Mile. I know, I was staying right off the Royal Mile but hadn’t walked down the whole thing yet! I started at the very top (near Edinburgh Castle) and then walked all the way down to the bottom at Holyrood Palace.

Since the start of Arthur’s Seat is very close to the palace, it was an easy decision to make the hike. Totally worth it! The views over Edinburgh were amazing. Read about my experience here.

In the evening (at 6:30pm) I had reservations to go on a 1 hour tour of Mary’s King Close. This tour starts right off the Royal Mile, and takes you underground to see the hidden streets and houses that are under the Royal Mile. It’s not scary (just a little claustrophobic because, well, you’re underground), so don’t be worried about going alone. You will be with a group the whole time!

Day 6: Fly to Dublin

Today I had a flight at 2:10pm to Dublin, Ireland. There are multiple flights during the day, so pick a time that best fits with your schedule. My recommendation for your 7 days in Scotland and Ireland is to catch an early flight from Edinburgh to maximize your time in Dublin. I spent the morning aimlessly wandering around Edinburgh until it was time for my flight. If I could do it again, I would have chosen an earlier flight.

The original plan (aka: the expectation) : I had planned to do a full loop on the Hop on Hop Off bus tour when I arrived in Dublin. The bus stop for the airport and 1st stop on the Hop on Hop Off tour are right next to each other, so it would have been easy to do.

My apartment was near the 6th stop on the bus tour too. I originally planned to get off on the 6th stop after doing a full loop.

My reality (aka: what really happened): Unfortunately my flight was delayed! (Thanks, Ryanair…). So by the time I got into Dublin, it was closer to 5:30pm. The last loop of the day leaves the first bus stop at 7pm, and an entire loop take 2 hours. So I didn’t have enough time. So, I instead went to my apartment for the evening and ate dinner. If you are staying right in the City Centre (near Trinity College), you will be able to fit more in since it’s so close to everything.

Day 7: Full day in Dublin

Today I had the entire day in Dublin. Thanks to my late flight, it was my ONLY day in Dublin, so I had to make the most of it! For full details of what I did in Dublin, read my post here.

I decided to get a Hop on Hop off bus ticket for Dublin so that I wouldn’t have to try and find my way to each attraction (I get lost easily) – the bus would do it for me! . I started off my day by doing the full loop of Dublin (it was raining in the morning, so this was a nice way to protect myself from the rain!).

The sights that I saw in Dublin were:

• The full bus loop around Dublin
• Ha’Penny Bridge
• Trinity College
• Book of Kells
• Dublin Castle
• Christchurch Cathedral
• Trinity Bar
• Grafton Street
• St. Patrick’s Park
• Little Museum of Dublin

Day 8: Fly Home

I had to leave Dublin really early in the morning for my flight back home. I didn’t want to wait at a bus stop alone in the dark and really early/late at night, so I decided to take a taxi.

I’m sure the bus stop would have been completely fine, but I personally don’t like walking around alone when it’s dark. Especially when I am carrying my passport, money, etc. and look like I’m headed for the airport (aka: a tourist)!

My motto is “don’t skimp on your safety”, so instead of taking public transportation I booked a taxi with FreeNow. It is similar to Uber, and was recommended to me by my local Irish friend.

7 days in Scotland and Ireland: Final Thoughts

Overall this trip was great for exploring Scotland and getting a taste of Ireland. If you have more time in Ireland, I would highly recommend getting out of the city and seeing the countryside.

Have you traveled to either Scotland or Ireland? Let me know what your favourite thing was to do!

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5 thoughts on “7 Days in Scotland and Ireland: A Detailed Itinerary”

This is so helpful. Flying to Dublin early next year and now inspired by this, I am going to try and check for flights to Scotland too.

What a wonderful itinerary. I always wanted to visit Scotland or Ireland. I actually had a whole trip planned for Scotland back in 2018 but we had to cancel it completely because my husband got sick. 🙁

Love that you did the Jacobite Steam Train! I visited Scotland over the summer and covered a lot of ground from Edinburgh to the isles, but didn’t have time to do the train. Guess that means I have to go back a second time 😉

I lived in Edinburgh for 16 years, so it’s funny to see what tourists to the city choose to visit. I adore Dean Village and the Water of Leith walkway – and often walked sections of it (it goes all the way from Balerno to Leith) with my dog. So glad you got a taste of Edinburgh & Dublin – you must come back for longer next time!

Love that you laid this out by day! Just what i need

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We're Not In Kansas Anymore!

travel inspiration!

Ultimate 2 week trip to Ireland and Scotland itinerary! (photos!)

Planning a vacation to England Ireland Scotland? you can’t go wrong with this epic itinerary that includes some of the most popular sites in each of these these three fabulous European countries!

The original plan: visit the Republic of Ireland. As I puzzled over maps I noted that at their nearest points Scotland and Ireland are a mere 12 miles apart! Only a thin strip of the Irish sea separates them, a short Ferry ride will take you from Scotland to Northern Ireland. So Scotland was added!

While filling out the Ireland and Scotland vacation itinerary I realized that York was an easy day trip from Edinburgh. That is how a two week trip to Ireland morphed into an England Scotland Ireland trip !

other content you may be interested in:

• Ireland Landmarks: 43 popular famous landmarks in Ireland (photos!)

Table of Contents

Two week trip to ireland and scotland itinerary, plus 1 day in england.

We fit a lot into just two full weeks (14 full days! Plus 2 travel days) ! This is a fast paced trip but if you’re determined you’ll have enough time to fit it all in! Pace too fast ? No problem, just pick and choose your favorites.

Travel style for this trip

This itinerary includes some of the most popular destinations in each country. We will be skipping major cities in favor of smaller towns like Edinburgh (our largest city, population 550,000), York, Stirling and Kilkenny . Add the lovely countryside of the Scottish highlands and Ireland ! It makes a great “ first trip ” itinerary to Ireland, Scotland and England!

Here’s what you can look forward to in this itinerary

• 4 days in Great Britain ( Scotland and England) historic cities, stunning scenery, lovely lochs, And much more!
• 10 days in Ireland! Historic pubs with traditional Irish music and dance, ancient castles, ancient sites, more stunning scenery! And much more!

Trip to Ireland and Scotland route

This route was planned to be as efficient as possible, cutting down on travel times , while adding as many highlights as possible via plane, train and automobile rental.

Transportation

public transport

We’ll forgo a car while in Scotland and England , saving money on a rental. Additionally, this was our first time in the United Kingdom / Ireland. We had 4 full days to become accustomed to the new concept of cars driving on the left hand side before getting behind the wheel.

We’ll rent a car in Ireland to allow us to go at our own pace. My husband easily adapted to driving on the left hand side of the road. Have reservations about driving on the opposite side of the road? It may help to:

• rent an automatic.
• remember, the driver is always in the center of the road, right next to the center line

The Best places to search for the best rates are places like Booking.com . Then book with the rental car company directly.

Do yourself a big favor and add the GPS onto your car rental.

Important: Many credit card companies don’t cover rentals in the UK and Ireland. Check with your card issuer and ask for a letter confirming coverage. If they don’t cover you, you will need to pay the additional cost to purchase coverage through the rental car company .

where to stay

I’ve added some recommendations, want more? search for hotels and other accommodations at Booking.com.

where to eat

Find the best options for places to eat on Trip Advisor . Google best places to eat in “blank” and then navigate to the Trip Advisor results. A Good reason to use Trip Advisor: you’ll find listings of the best places to eat with photos and customer reviews!

First up: England and Scotland Itinerary

*** Day 1 *** The historic city of Edinburgh

night 1: Edinburgh travel time: just your flight in

Disclosure: This post contains affiliate links at no additional cost to you, I may earn a small commission. I only recommend products I would use myself and all opinions expressed here are my own.

Edinburgh Scotland

Our adventure starts at Edinburgh Airport (EDI) airport. Try to arrive early in the morning, so you have a full day to spend in Edinburgh.

getting money

We like to hit the ATM before we leave the airport . It’s easy and you’ll get the best rates . Be sure to refuse the dynamic currency conversion. (convert to your home currency no: you want LOCAL currency rates!) In Scotland and England you’ll be using the British pound (GBP)

airport to (Old town Edinburgh)

Either take a Taxi, tram , or bus to your accommodations.

On the first day we explore Edinburgh, a town oozing with Scottish history. The historic buildings in the old town are dark, Gothic and magnificent! Edinburgh is a medieval dream, You’ll feel as if you’ve been dropped down in the middle of one of the Harry Potter Films!

Know before you go: the tourist areas of Edinburgh are horribly crowded , unfortunate because it does detract from the splendor. The best time to explore is either early morning late evening when the day crowds have dissipated. Avoiding crowds can be as simple as getting out of the heavily touristed old town during midday into the lesser crowded areas of Edinburgh, even just a street or two off of the Royal mile! or take a daytrip.

where to stay in Medieval Edinburgh

Johnston Terrace is located right on the steps of the castle! This comfortable 2 bedroom 1 bathroom apartment has an emergency after hours contact.

Arriving before check in? Ask about luggage storage (quite common in Europe.)

Old Town Edinburgh

Our itinerary focuses on the old town, which contains some of the principal sights of central Edinburgh. Many of the popular sites are part of the Royal Mile, a street that runs between Edinburgh Castle on the hill and Holyrood Palace. (Many buildings along the Mile were added during Victorian times.)

sites along the Royal Mile:

• Greyfriars Kirkyard (graveyard) contains a series of beautifully ornate mausoleums, darkened with age. You’ll find names like McGonagall, Moodie, and Riddle. (Closed on Sunday) Just outside the kirkyard is the Greyfriars Bobby statue, Edinburgh’s beloved mascot.
• St. Giles Cathedral (Gothic 15th-19th century)
• 1688 Canongate Church – The Royal family worship here so don’t sit in the front pew, marked with the crown. If the doors are open, go on in! Sunday, late afternoon, is a good time to try and don’t don’t miss the beautiful kirkyard!
• The Palace of Holyroodhouse is the official Scottish residence of King Charles III. Closed Tuesday, Wednesday, and when the King is in town. Check before you go. Also here: Holyrood Abbey, and the Scottish Parliament building where the Houses of parliament meet. Get tickets here.

more old town options:

• Harry Potter guided walking tour: daily 2 p.m. 2 hours, free! meet 154 High Street on the Royal Mile. Look for tour guides with YELLOW umbrellas!
• National Museum: this natural history museum has Roman, Viking, witch-burning etc. free!
• How about whisky tasting at the Scotch Whisky Experience ?
• Arthur’s Seat, climb this hill in Holyrood Park for outstanding views of Edinburgh.
• National Portrait Gallery (National Gallery)

This 5 star dining splurge isn’t optional! The Witchery By the Castle. Dark candle lit baroque decor, amazing atmosphere, amazing food. Make a reservation (well) in advance.

Scottish evening entertainment

Frankenstein’s fun gothic venue, eclectic menu and a monster show!

*** Day 2 *** Loch Ness / Scottish Highlands tour

night 2: Edinburgh travel time: 8 hours (total tour time, 12 hours)

Scottish Highlands and Loch Ness

We didn’t have a car but weren’t going to let that stop us from seeing the Scottish Highlands and hunting for the Loch ness monster! So we opted to take the 12 hour day trip with Rabbies .

You can’t go wrong with a Rabbies Highlands/ Loch Ness tour, book it now on Get Your Guide! A local guide takes small groups on day tours from Edinburgh. Tours are by van (16 seat coach) for a more personalized experience. Rabbie’s tours are highly recommended, a good time was had by all. Bonus: our Tour guide was great! funny guy!

Highlights of Rabbies Guided tour: Loch Lomond, Cairngorms National Park, Loch Ness, Ben Nevis (the highest mountain in Scotland) plus more! Price: starting at just £56.00 Per person for first class service!

Read more about the Loch Ness boat excursion here.

Rabbies has a LONG list of Scotland tours including: 3-day Isle of Skye (Isle of Sky) tour 1-day St Andrews & the Fishing Villages tour ( famous golf courses of St. Andrews the home of golf)

*** Day 3 *** Medieval York England

night 3: Edinburgh travel time: 5 hours

York England itinerary

Edinburgh to York, England day trip! York is a short 2.5 hour DIRECT train ride from Edinburgh . Take an early train from Waverley Station and spend the balance of the day in York! WE purchased advance LNER tickets , or purchase at the train station.

Get ready for a packed itinerary that equals a wonderful time! Can’t fit it all in? just pick your favorites!

• First stop, Betty’s Tea room for breakfast! They serve a delightful traditional English tea service….scones, deliciously delicate sandwiches, and delectable pastries!
• St. Mary’s Abbey Benedictine Ruins (11th century Gothic)
• The Yorkshire Museum: Roman, medieval, and natural history. (Due to time constraints you may need to choose between this and the Jorvik Experience)
• Walk the City walls : start at Bootham Bar, then descend the wall at Monk Bar (gatehouse.)
• The York Minster (the largest Gothic church north of the Alps! 1220 AD! This massive church holds 2,000 people (4,000 on holidays!)
• Holy Trinity Church, this 12th-14th century Gothic gem looks exactly that old! free entry
• The Shambles is a crooked little street in York, said to be the inspiration for Diagon Alley, of the Harry Potter series. Today, it’s lined with Harry Potter themed shops.
• Jorvik Viking Center: 40,000 real viking artifacts that were dug out of peat bogs here.
• The Ouse river Walk is a 1 mile walk along the riverbanks of York and into the countryside.
• Boat Cruises: City Cruise York offers a short cruise on the River Ouse. Cruises leave from two points: Lendal Bridge or Kings Staith Landing. Every 30-45 minutes. Book here!

where to eat:

York Roast Company is a local restaurant that sells roast meat and toppings wrapped in Yorkshire pudding.

Take a late train back to Edinburgh

for more detailed information on York see my “ 22 Things to do in York ” article! (including Roman baths!)

*** Day 4 *** Edinburgh Castle, Underground Edinburgh, and Stirling Castle

night 4: Edinburgh travel time: 2 hours

Stirling Scotland and more Edinburgh

This is a lot to fit in a day. If you have to choose I would recommend the two castles.

Visit Edinburgh Castle

The castle on the hill was the birthplace of this bustling city 1,300 years ago . The Scottish Crown jewels are kept here . St. Margaret’s Chapel , found inside the castle complex, is Edinburgh’s oldest building (1130). Book a 1.5 hour guided tour with skip the line privileges here on Get Your Guide!

Edinburgh gets even more crowded in the month of August when the Royal Edinburgh Military Tattoo takes place at the castle. (performances by members of the British armed forces including drills, marching, bagpipes and more)

The Real Mary King’s Close

Tour an underground labyrinth where Edinburgh’s poor lived until the 19th century. Advance tickets recommended, book here on Get Your Guide!

Half day trip from Edinburgh Stirling

After touring the Close we spent the rest of the day in historic Stirling, mini Edinburgh, less crowds (nice!)

Take the train from Waverly Station to Stirling , an easy 1 hour direct train . Purchase return tickets at the train station in Edinburgh.

To fit it all in: upon arrival grab a taxi to the Wallace Monument

• The William Wallace Monument is a very famous landmark in Scotland. The best way to get to the monument is to take the shuttle bus up the hill . You can walk but it’s a haul! Plus, once you get to the monument it is 246 stairs to the top of the tower ( panoramic views of the surrounding countryside! )

You may need to grab another taxi to make the last castle tour. Ask at the ticket counter to have a taxi pick you up and take you to the castle.

• Stirling Castle is a stately 1,000 year old castle perched upon a volcanic crag . Mary Queen of Scots was crowned here in 1543 . We arrived late in the day and joined a small group for the last tours of the day. After the Tour director finished the tour we were allowed to wander the castle unsupervised. We practically had the place to ourselves! a REALLY nice break from the crowds in Edinburgh.

Dinner: The Portcullis, built in 1787, at the base of the castle. Delicious steak and fries!

Get more details in my Stirling Castle article.

*** Day 5 *** Travel day Scotland to Ireland, Kilkenny Ireland

night 5: Kilkenny travel time: 1 hour non stop flight EDI to DUB, PLUS 1.5 hour direct train Dublin to Kilkenny

arrival in Ireland

with its Rich history, spectacular scenery and Beautiful places galore!

fly from Edinburgh Airport (EDI) to Dublin airport (DUB)

Check the best ticket prices at Google Flights

Hit the ATM before you leave Dublin Airport . You’ll need Euros this time.

getting from DUB to the train station

You can take a taxi to Dublin Heuston Station or for a cheaper option you can take the Airlink bus 747 . It will take about an hour. Cost: around 6 euros.

Train from Dublin Heuston Station to Kilkenny

1.5 hour direct train (we purchased advance flex tickets: ride any train on that day) from Irish Rail.

Kilkenny Ireland

Our Ireland itinerary starts in the great little town of Kilkenny, so full of Irish history, where we’ll spend the next couple of days. You’ll likely arrive sometime mid day.

Here’ what you can do with the remainder of the day:

• Canal Walk -there’s a lovely walking trail along the River Nore. You can access it from just behind Kilkenny Castle.
• Talbot’s Tower, 755 year-old tower, remnants of the town wall.
• Kyteler’s Inn Est. in 1324 by the first convicted witch in Ireland.
• Tynan’s Bridge House Bar , established 1703.
• The Hole in the Wall Tavern Est 1592
• live music? Experience traditional Irish music, song, and dance! What a treat!
• Kilkenny Train Tours: leave from Kilkenny Castle throughout the day. I found it difficult to see anything but it was nice to sit back and relax.

Hibernian Inn

is a cute little Boutique hotel across from the Hibernian House is just around the corner from the castle. (currently not booking but the Hibernian Hotel is just next door.

*** Day 6 *** Historic Kilkenny

night 6: Kilkenny travel time : none…enjoy it!

Day 2 in Kilkenny!

• First thing we took a guided walk from Amanda Pitcairn : Guided tours are a Great way to get to know a new town. On the 1.5 hour city tour: witchcraft, history, 3 historic churches/ cathedrals, and Kilkenny’s fun nooks and crannies!
• St. Canice’s Cathedral, Gothic 13th century cathedral (my favorite of the three, just wow!!!) Don’t miss the 1,500 year old ordination chair!
• Black Abbey is another 13th century Gothic. (be respectful of parishners at worship)
• Kilkenny Castle This castle originated as a wooden fort built by Strongbow in 1172. If you happen to be here on a Thursday don’t miss the market in front of the castle.
• Tea at Langton’s: More tea service? My vote goes to the English on this one but it wasn’t bad!
• Early evening and into the night are a good time for a stroll in Kilkenny. Many of the sites are warmly and romantically lit.
• More lively music in the pubs !

*** Day 7 *** Rock of Cashel and Cahir Castles

night 7: near Cork or Cobh ( Ballintotis Castle?) travel time: approximately 2 hours drive time

Castles of Ireland

It’s time to pick up the rental car, because this trip is now officially a road trip ! We rented through Enterprise and arranged for them to pick us up at the hotel (yay! thank you Enterprise!)

Drive to the Rock of Cashel

The rock of cashel.

was the seat of the ancient Kings of Munster from 300-1100 A.D. Ireland’s famed High King, Brian Boru, who is often credited with banishing viking invaders from Ireland for the last time, once ruled here. Today the hill is topped with a 12th-century Romanesque chapel and a 13th-century Gothic cathedral. Don’t miss the Hore Abbey medieval monastery ruins just down the hill.

additional information: find out everything you need to know about visiting the Rock of Cashel Castle !

Cahir Castle

one of Ireland’s largest and best preserved castles. It has a great feel and was a favorite of our group.

Drive to your accommodations for the night

Need laundry service? Now’s your chance! Once we got into Midleton we dropped off our laundry, pick up your clean laundry tomorrow! Awesome!

Ballintotis Castle

Where to stay? Ballintotis Castle is a super rustic castle that you can rent and have the entire castle to yourself CHEAP (at last check they were not renting the castle to overnight guests. I’ll keep you updated here.)

*** Day 8 *** Relax in your own castle OR spend the day in Cobh

night 8: near Cork or Cobh (Ballintotis Castle?) travel time: minimal drive time

Dealers Choice

I took a break from my tour manager duties and spent a glorious day playing Queen of this castle. I relaxed, read, caught up on my sleep, and took a bath. My idea of a great time!

My husband and his sister headed to Cobh (pronounced Cove) for some sight seeing and a round of golf. See the Ballintotis article for more things to do in the area .

dinner options

The Hunted Hog in Castlemartyr (2.5 miles from the castle) traditional Irish Pub food in Castlemartyr.

Wait, what about blarney castle and the famous blarney stone? Was not in fact on my itinerary but you are close! It’s just north of Cork about 10 km. Consider hitting it your way from Cahir to Cobh, or from Cobh to Dingle.

*** Day 9 *** Dingle Ireland

night 9: Dingle travel time: 2.5-3 hours drive time

Dingle Ireland

Drive to dingle. 2.5-3.5 hour drive.

Dingle is a lively colorful harbor town. Local pubs come alive evenings with traditional Irish music (and step dancing.) Gaelic is still commonly spoken here.

Sea Fishing Excursions, we took a deep sea fishing tour on a shared boat from the harbor with Dingle Boat Tours . Then took our catch to John Moriarity’s Pub where they prepared for us.

If fishing isn’t your thing you can take in the beautiful scenery of Dingle Bay on a tour boat, then spend the rest of the day exploring.

Dingle Harbour Lodge , it sits right on the harbor and is within walking distance of all of the fun stuff!

book it now on booking.com!

*** Day 10 *** Dingle Peninsula Drive ( Slea Head Drive ) for stunning views

night 10: Killorglin travel time: less than 2 hours

Dingle Peninsula drive/Slea head Drive

The Dingle Peninsula / Slea Head drive is a 30-mile loop with stunning scenery and ancient structures. We’ll drive it in the recommended CLOCKWISE DIRECTION:

• Celtic and Prehistoric Museum: ancient artifacts, bones and fossils, some of them millions of years old! You may need to make an appointment, contact information here.
• Dunbeg Fort from Ireland’s Iron Age (500 b.c.-500 a.d.)
• Irish Famine Cottages (hold a baby lamb at the Sheep farm!)
• Dun Chain Pier
• Gallarus Oratory, 11th or 12th century chapel and Kilmalkedar Church , 12th century chapel ruins.

Get all the details here! Slea Head Drive, Dingle Peninsula

drive to Killorglin

You can now either drive directly to Killorglin OR take the scenic drive / panoramic tour instead! Conor Pass is a scenic panoramic drive right here on the peninsula.

Tip: stop for picnic supplies for your Skellig Excursion tomorrow. There’s a Eurostar Grocery just a short walk from Kingston’s.

Home base for 4 nights:

We chose to base ourselves in Killorglin because it was central to our activities.

Kingston’s Bar and Townhouse , Killorglin. This beautiful spotless property is a great home base if you plan to see a lot of the sights in county Kerry. On site beautiful old world themed pub, sauna, and game room. book it here on Booking.com!

unique dining opportunity in Killorglin

10 Bridge street is located in a gorgeous old stone church . Open mid March, weekends only and 5 days per week from June – September. Location: Old Church of Ireland, Bridge St, Killorglin

*** Day 11 *** Skellig Michael Landing Tour / Ring of Kerry

night 11 : Killorglin travel time: 2.5 hours drive time

Skellig Experience and the Ring of Kerry

Drive to portmagee marina: 1 hour drive from killorglin., skellig michael.

is an island in the Atlantic Ocean off of the coast of Ireland. A monk colony lived here over 1,000 years ago . Book a landing tour for this Unesco World Heritage Site . Tours allow you 2.5 hours to explore the island. Climb to the 618 treacherous steps to the top for a 20-minute Guided walk among the “beehives.” Don’t miss the tiny puffins on the island!

IMPORTANT: book as soon as you have your travel dates. It is a ridiculously popular spot (thanks in part to it being a Star Wars filming location) The season is short and permits are limited, it books up fast.

This activity is weather dependent (the Wild Atlantic!) so I worked the next TWO days in as alternate Skellig Days.

Get full details (including which tour company we used) in my Skellig Michael article.

Ring of Kerry

Next stop the scenic Ring of Kerry drive located on the (Iveragh Peninsula in County Kerry.)

Leave Portmagee after Skellig and head north to Valentia Island.

Sights along the Ring of Kerry scenic drive:

• Tetrapod Trackway fossilized footprints of a prehistoric animal! (350 and 370 million years old!)
• The Kerry Cliffs . While not as impressive as the Cliffs of Moher you won’t want to miss the Kerry Cliffs. Simply mesmerizing! The intense blue water is indescribable!
• Coom Wedge Tomb -2300 BC?
• Ballinskellig Castle Ruins/Abbey (12th-15th century)
• the photogenic coastal stretch (between Waterville and Caherdaniel.)
• Eightercua Stone Row (1,600 BC)
• Loher Stone Fort (9th Century)
• Derrynane Beach – Caherdaniel Stone Fort (600 AD)
• Staigue Iron Age Ring Fort (400 and 300 AD)

drive back to Killorglin

The Oratory Pizza and Wine Bar , Cahersiveen. Why? it’s on your way back to Killorglin, located in an old stone church, and maye I was just hungry but I had some of the best pizza I’ve ever had!

Day 12: Black Valley and a massage!

night 12: Killorglin travel time: 2 hours 45 minutes drive time

Black Valley and Free time

(Alternate Skellig day #1)

The Black Valley is the perfect place to experience some of the most beautiful scenery in all of Ireland . Get details on how to see the Black Valley here.

After spending the day on one of the best local hikes get some relief from your sore tired muscles with a massage. I am a huge fan of Thai massage. Zen Healing is just around the corner from Kingston’s!

*** Day 13 *** The Gap of Dunloe Ireland Tour

night 13 : Killorglin travel time: 1 hour drive time

(Alternate Skellig day #2)

Gap of Dunloe

The Gap of Dunloe is a scenic mountain pass through Killarney National Park. Take a horse drawn jaunting car ride through the Gap with Killarney Januntings Cars AND a boat ride across the lakes, round trip from Ross castle!

Spend the remainder of the day exploring the national park: 15th century Ross Island/Ross Castle, Innisfallen Island and 7th century monastery, waterfalls and more!

The Tomies Wood hike that includes the O’Sullivan’s Cascade waterfall, I hear it’s better than Torc Waterfall!

*** Day 14 *** Travel Back to Dublin

night 14: Dublin travel time: 1 hour drive time, PLUS 3 hour train ride, Killarney to Dublin

Sadly, all good things must come to an end. We chose not to spend any time in Dublin, Ireland’s capital city as well as its largest city, but if you choose to some popular options are:: Trinity college (with the Book of Kells) Dublin Castle, Phoenix Park,, St. Patrick’s cathedral.

Drop off the rental car

in Killarney and then make your way to the Killarney train station.

Note: Rental car companies often charge extra to drop off at a different location. IF prices are exorbitant you may have to drive the 3 hours back to Kilkenny to drop off the car there .

Train Kllarney to Dublin Heuston Station

3 hours. Consider semi-flex ticket (train before or after). Change trains in Mallow.

Dublin Heuston Station to The Castle Hotel

Red Line Bus OR take a taxi

Where to stay

Castle Hotel has a restaurant in a 19th century wine vault. Live music AND it’s on Airlink 747 route to airport. Book it now on Booking.com!

The pace of the trip was catching up with me so I spent the reminder of the day reading. There is also a massage place close. Nick Angie Guinness Storehouse tour.

at the Castle Hotel, neat looking dining room not far from your bed! Looking for something different?

when in Rome

Things to try “when in scotland”.

• Haggis , minced organ meat with herbs and spices. They served it with neeps and tatties (mashed turnips and potatoes.)
• Scotch Eggs , a boiled egg encased in sausage, breaded and deep fried, try them at The Ensign Ewart in Edinburgh (dates back to 1680.)

Things to try “when in Ireland”

• Irish Breakfast , similar to a full English breakfast but the black and white putting isn’t optional! try it!

Two weeks is how much time we had to dedicate to this Ireland and Scotland vacation, (14 days in Ireland and Scotland! plus a bonus day in England!) and that is the absolute minimum! Otherwise, you’ll have to skip some of this fun stuff!

Want to stay in a castle?

Be sure to check out my article on affordable castles to stay at in Ireland !

trip cost and money saving tips

How much does a trip to Ireland and Scotland cost? This 2 week trip to Ireland and Scotland itinerary ” entire trip cost per person ” is based on double occupancy: (as of publication travel prices are quite high now. Let’s hope they go back down!)

Add your airfare ( we fly free, learn here here! ) one-way flight to Edinburgh, Edinburgh to Dublin (prices as low as $87, bag included) Dublin home. Sign up for “Going” (formerly Scott’s Cheap Flights) to get FREE flight deals sent to your inbox! see the world for less!

Protect yourself with trip insurance

Protect your investment with “cancel for any reason” trip insurance . Did you know that pandemics, as well as a LONG list of other situations aren’t covered by most trip insurance policies (including those airlines offer when purchasing tickets)? MOST of these scenarios are covered when you purchase a “cancel for any reason” policy! Shop for one at Travel Insurance.com! but don’t delay, most CFAR policies need to be purchased within 14-21 days of your initial trip payment, depending on the policy.

Travel Resources

Check out my Travel Resources page to learn how to get the best deals on airfare, rental cars, accommodations, language learning resources and more!

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15 Day Ireland and Scotland Tour from Dublin to Edinburgh

15 days, 3 countries and 21 cities

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14 Breakfasts, 6 Dinners

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Travel to see the very Best of Ireland and Scotland, from delicate Waterford Crystal to the golfing greats of St. Andrews. Kiss the Blarney Stone and you’ll be sharing tales from Giant’s Causeway, the Ring of Kerry and the Scottish Highlands for years to come.

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15 days itinerary trip from Dublin to Edinburgh visiting 3 countries and 21 cities

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About this trip

Sightseeing highlights.

Explore Dublin, Londonderry, Belfast and Edinburgh with a Local Specialist

Discover Waterford, Adare, Galway and Glasgow

Visit the Irish National Stud in Kildare, the Waterford Crystal Showroom, Blarney Castle, Giant's Causeway, Titanic Experience in Belfast, a whisky distillery and Edinburgh Castle

View Eilean Donan Castle, the battlefield of Culloden and the 18th green at St. Andrews

See St. Patrick's Cathedral in Dublin, Galway Cathedral and Loch Lomond

Scenic Drive of the Ring of Kerry

Tickets for the Royal Edinburgh Military Tattoo are included on departures that coincide with performance dates

See Glencoe

Drive through this Highland village on Loch Leven.

Travel highlights

Specific transfer information can be found here:

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An expert Travel Director and professional Driver

Cherry-picked hotels, all tried and trusted

All porterage and restaurant gratuities

All hotel tips, charges and local taxes

Breakfast daily and up to half of your evening meals

Must-see sightseeing and surprise extras

Audio headsets for flexible sightseeing

Luxury air-conditioned coach with Wi-Fi in most countries or alternative transportation (such as rail journeys)

Ferry from Northern Ireland to Scotland

Optional Experiences and free time

On occasion, hotels of similar standard and location may be utilized.

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How to Plan the Perfect Scotland Vacation

From fairy-tale castles to charming small towns, the Scottish countryside is every bit as spectacular as you've heard.

Best Times to Go to Scotland

Best things to do in scotland.

• Getting to the Scottish Highlands

Where to Stay in Scotland

With its stately castles , glass-like lochs, and voluptuous glens, Scotland has always been a showstopper. The country's magic extends from its quaint small towns to the snow-capped peaks of its romantic, rugged Highlands to its dynamic modern cities like Glasgow and Edinburgh. It's home to some of the best national parks in the U.K. and more than 900 offshore islands with extraordinary wildlife like regal red stags, majestic golden eagles, humpback whales, and massive salmon (not to mention the fabled inhabitant of Loch Ness, too).

The raw, poetic beauty of this ancient land — formerly known as Caledonia — is difficult to overstate. If you're hoping to head to the U.K.'s ravishing northern nation, read on for our guide to planning the perfect Scotland vacation.

The bad news is that, like the rest of the U.K., Scotland's weather is far from reliable, even at the height of summer. But as long as you're prepared to accept that and pack a raincoat for the odd shower or two, then you'll be fine from May to September. The smart money is on visiting in June and the first two weeks of July, when Scotland basks in seemingly endless summer evenings (the sun doesn't set until 11 p.m. in some parts of the Highlands) and the British school holidays have not yet begun, so prices remain low.

For winter travelers, Scotland has the U.K.'s best ski resort at Cairngorm Mountain , while the capital, Edinburgh, hosts one of the world's biggest New Year's Eve parties, Hogmanay .

If you like the great outdoors, you'll love Scotland. It's an ideal place for hiking, biking, and generally embracing the wildly beautiful landscape. You can summit magnificent Ben Nevis in a day (the tallest mountain in the U.K., at 4,413 feet), take a ferry out to explore the Hebrides archipelago and its stunning white-sand beaches, tour scores of castles, including the Queen's favorite holiday home, Balmoral (open to the public every April through July), and dive into a quirky food scene encompassing dishes like haggis (an offal and oatmeal combo, which tastes significantly better than it sounds), deep-fried mars bars, and juicy scallops, langoustines, and mussels.

Scotland is also a mecca for both golfers ( St. Andrews Old Course is the headline act) and whisky lovers , with some of the world's best distilleries available to tour, including Johnnie Walker on Edinburgh's lively Princes Street, Glenlivet near pretty Ballindalloch, and the legendary Macallan on a sprawling country estate in nearby Aberlour.

If you enjoy driving, you'll find some of the U.K.'s emptiest, most dramatic roads here, too, (as driven by James Bond in "Skyfall"), including the latest official addition, the North Coast 500 , an action-packed 500-mile route (516 to be exact) featuring mind-boggling coastal scenery, jaw-dropping beaches, rolling hillside, quaint fishing villages, and multiple hidden gems.

And if you prefer your challenges on foot, check out the magnificent West Highland Way , the country's best-loved long-distance walking route. Snaking its way from Milngavie to Fort William, it covers some of Scotland's finest scenery over 96 miles and is normally completed from south to north.

Meanwhile, history buffs will also be agog on any visit to Scotland, thanks to its 3,000-plus castles ( Castle Sween in Argyll is the oldest, dating back to the 1100s), as well as plenty to check out in the winding wynds (narrow lanes) and twisted staircases of Edinburgh's enchanting Old Town. ( Edinburgh Castle , towering over the city, is arguably the grandest in the country, too.)

If you can, make time to visit Perth, the former Scottish capital where kings were crowned on the Stone of Destiny and infamous Glen Coe, a beautiful valley full of waterfalls and deer, also known for the brutal clan massacre of 1692 (which inspired the Red Wedding in George R. R. Martin's Game of Thrones ).

Where are the Scottish Highlands — and what is the best way to get there?

Jess Macdonald/Travel + Leisure

The clue is in its name: the Highlands are the mountainous upper half of Scotland, covering 10,000 square miles of picturesque scenery. The region's lively capital is Inverness , which sits centrally and is a superb base from which to explore, while other highlights include mysterious, misty Loch Ness, majestic Cairngorms National Park , and idyllic Isle of Skye , which has been connected to the mainland via a road bridge since 1995.

The easiest way to reach the Highlands is to fly into Inverness Airport from London or elsewhere in the U.K., or rent a car and drive from Glasgow or Edinburgh. However, the way to arrive in style is on the Caledonian Sleeper train from London Euston, a chugging time machine where you can fall asleep to the sounds of black cabs and bustle of the British capital and wake up among the red deer and magical glens of the Highlands. Regularly nominated as one of the world's best train journeys , the scenery gets truly spectacular after Fort William, as the route skirts a dramatic chain of lochs before descending into lush glens and crossing the Glenfinnan Viaduct made famous by the Harry Potter films. For the ultimate Hogwarts experience, steam locomotives work this route during the summer months, so check in advance for these special departures.

The major cities have an abundance of hotels for every budget, headlined by Glasgow's Kimpton Blythswood Square , a boutique property in the former headquarters of the Royal Scottish Automobile Club, and The Dunstane Houses in Edinburgh, a pair of beautifully renovated 19th-century townhouses.

Scotland arguably does traditional country house hotels and rustic lodges better than anywhere else in the world, with Fife Arms in Braemar and Gleneagles in Perthshire being particular treats (the latter, nicknamed the "Glorious Playground" boasts three championship golf courses, its own dedicated train station, and the only restaurant in the country with two Michelin stars).

Scotland is, of course, peppered with castles, and many have been converted into hotels and B&Bs in recent years, with some of the better fortified accommodation options including Glenapp Castle in Ayrshire, Inverlochy Castle in Fort William, Atholl Palace Hotel in Pitlochry, and Stonefield Castle Hotel on Loch Fyne.

Wherever you stay, you'll get a warm welcome — not to mention a hot bowl of Scottish porridge or a plate of bacon, eggs, and haggis to start the day in a spectacularly scenic country.

Best Beaches

Scenic Road Trips

Top Castles to Visit

Glasgow Guide

Dundee Guide

Aberdeen Guide

Fort William Guide

Scottish Highlands

Amazing Islands

Best Time to Visit

Weather & Climate

Scotland's Airports

Places to Visit

One Week in Scotland

One Week in Scotland: The Perfect Itinerary

This seven-day Scotland touring itinerary has something for everyone, whether you're an urban connoisseur or a wilderness fan. Historic castles, legendary outlaws, and mythical sea monsters all vie for your attention. So does the seafood, fished from cold North Sea waters, as well as the water of life—more commonly known as Scotch whisky. Any short visit to Scotland is bound to leave you hungry for more.

This driving itinerary is organized day by day rather than hour by hour. It's meant to give you a good overview while providing enough freedom to allow you to pick and choose without losing the plot. As long as you end up in the suggested destination at the end of each day, you should have plenty of time to discover what makes Scotland special and especially loved by visitors.

Day 1: Edinburgh

TripSavvy / Jess Macdonald

Morning: Start your day in Edinburgh early, with a hearty Scottish breakfast at your hotel. Edinburgh is a very hilly city and you want to stoke up on carbs for all the walking. Don't pass up the oatmeal that's usually included in a Scottish breakfast. The pinch of salt they add makes it very special.

Then head for the bottom of The Royal Mile ; starting at The Palace of Holyrood House, this street climbs through Old Town and ends at Edinburgh Castle. Though most people walk down the Royal Mile, we think it works better in the opposite direction when you still have lots of energy.

The Palace of Holyrood House , the Monarch's official residence when she is in Scotland, is only partially open to the public. The self-guided audio tour will take you an hour or less.

Across the street, you'll find the Scottish Parliament. Controversial (it cost more than $506 million after an original proposal of $12 million) and architecturally interesting, you can see the key areas in about 15 minutes.

Afternoon: The Inn on the Mile is a handy place to stop for lunch, and is about three-quarters of the way up the Royal Mile .

When you're done eating, climb up to Edinburgh Castle for the spectacular views at the top. Unless you are fascinated by military history, skip the museums and exhibits; instead, walk down through Princes Street Gardens to the Scottish National Gallery on the Mound.

Evening: Sample any one of more than 300 brands of scotch whisky at the Bow Bar on West Bow in the Old Town. Then head for an early supper at Edinburgh's famous Italian deli, Valvona & Crolla , or a casual pizza at the popular La Favorita. If jet lag is starting to set in, order online and they'll deliver to your hotel room.

Day 2: Scotts View, Abbotsford, and Traquair

 Michelle Kelley Photography/Getty Images

Morning: Head out of the city and south into the Borders, a county punctuated by the meandering River Tweed and rich in history and literary connections. On your way, take a few minutes to stop at Scott's View . A favorite of novelist, playwright, and poet Sir Walter Scott, this spot gives you stunning views of the Eildon Hills , three distinctive volcanic plugs, and the Tweed Valley. There's a small parking area with an orientation table a historic marker.

Afterwards, pay a visit to Melrose Abbey . Built in the 12 th century, the abbey is believed to be the burial place of Robert the Bruce's heart . There is a memorial stone marking the spot.

Make your way to Abbotsford House next. Sir Walter Scott almost bankrupted himself building this remarkable faux-medieval fantasy palace surrounded by beautiful gardens on the Tweed. After his death in 1832, the house immediately became a place of literary pilgrimage. It has been open to the public since 1833. Stop for lunch at Abbotsford before moving on to Traquair.

Afternoon: Traquair House is the oldest continuously inhabited house in Scotland and has been in the same family for 900 years. It is a fascinating place, connected to stories of political intrigue, Jacobites, secret Catholics, Bonnie Prince Charlie, and Mary Queen of Scots. You can even sample a bevy from Traquair's own brewery. The house and grounds can be visited daily between April and the end of October, and weekends only in November.

Evening: Return to Edinburgh and enjoy some fine dining in Leith, the city's waterfront district. Try The Kitchin or Restaurant Martin Wishart , both owned by celebrity chefs and spangled with Michelin stars. Book either online before you leave home.

Day 3: The Forth Bridges, Falkirk Wheel and Stirling Castle

Morning: It's just a 15-mile drive from Edinburgh to the Forth Bridges . When the first one opened at Queensferry in 1890, it was the world's biggest man-made steel structure and a marvel of Victorian engineering. About nine miles from Edinburgh, the historic railroad bridge is now a UNESCO World Heritage site, joined by two other remarkable bridges. When the Forth Road Bridge opened in 1964, it was the largest long-span suspension bridge outside the U.S. The Queensferry Crossing opened in 2017 and is the longest three-tower cable-stayed bridge in the world. There's a terrific viewpoint to see all three at Hawes Pier in Queensferry.

The Falkirk Wheel is the world's only rotating boat lift. It raises and lowers boats and their passengers—to a height of 115 feet—between the Forth&Clyde and Union Canals. Book ahead on the website and you can take a 50-minute ride on it. Have some lunch at the visitor center before moving on.

Afternoon: Plan on spending the whole afternoon at and around Stirling Castle , about 13 miles away. Sitting on top of an impressive volcanic rock and protected on one side by dramatic cliffs, the castle has long remained a symbol of Scottish independence with its strong connections to William Wallace, Robert the Bruce, and Mary Queen of Scots. It was first mentioned in 1110 when King Alexander built a chapel there, but in all likelihood it is much older. There are a range of guided and self-guided audio tours you can take to see the royal palace's great halls and kitchens, chapel, and regimental museum. From the castle walls, you can see Stirling Bridge, the site of William Wallace's 13 th -century victory over the English.

Just below the castle is Stirling Old Town . It is a virtually intact Medieval town and you should plan on spending some daylight hours walking around it.

Evening: Have dinner and spend the night in Stirling. There's a good selection of hotels and plenty of casual bistros, cafés, and pubs.

Day 4: The Cairngorms, Urquhart Castle, and Loch Ness

Morning: Fill up on fuel and water before leaving Stirling; you'll be passing through some of the emptiest areas and highest plateaus of Cairngorm National Park . First stop: Balmoral , the Queen's private vacation home. Built by Prince Albert for Queen Victoria, the Scottish Baronial estate is surrounded by beautiful woodlands and mountain views. You can only visit a small part of the house, but there is usually an interesting exhibition to see. The house is closed to the public when the Queen and the royals are in residence, from August through October. Tickets need to be booked in advance.

Note: If you're in the area when the Queen is in residence, visit Blair Castle on the Blair Atholl estate or Braemar Castle instead.

Afternoon: Heading north on a curving route from Balmoral, you'll enter an area that has recently been dubbed the SnowRoads . It includes the highest public road in Britain and the highest public road mountain pass. The scenery, though lonely and empty, is also spectacular. In the northwest corner of the Cairngorms is Speyside, one of Scotland's most important whisky-making areas. Stop in the little market town of Tomintoul to pick up a bottle or two for later.

Now's your chance to look for the Loch Ness Monster. Urquhart Castle offers a high vantage point over Loch Ness. Even though it's a ruin, the location makes this one of the best castles in Scotland.

Evening: End your day by driving to Invermoriston Falls, a spectacular series of rapids and waterfalls crossed via a historic, pedestrian-only 19 th -century bridge . The Glenmoriston Arms Hotel, across the parking lot for the falls, has decent food, traditional music, and comfortable beds.

Day 5: Eilean Donan and Glencoe

Morning: Leave Invermoriston for Eilean Donan Castle , probably the most quintessential image of an early medieval Scottish fortress. The drive there is unforgettable; you'll pass forbidding dark lochs through valleys of brooding mountains.

Originally built as a fortress to defend the mainland from the Vikings, Eilean Donan was destroyed in the  Jacobite rebellion of 1719 . It was rebuilt between 1911 and 1932 from surviving ground plans of earlier buildings. The castle occupies an island at the confluence of three great sea lochs, but you can reach it on foot via a stone bridge. Eilean Donan's re-enactors make this a fun visit.

Afterwards, drive over to Fort William , often called the gateway to the Highlands. The town—located underneath the shadow of Britain's highest mountain, Ben Nevis—is a handy place to stop for lunch. There are plenty of quick food outlets and fish and chip shops, but if you're feeling adventurous, hop on a gondola for a mountain lunch at the Snowgoose Restaurant .

Afternoon: Glencoe is one of the most important landscapes in Britain and no visit to the Western Highlands would be complete without. Be sure to check out the  eco-friendly visitor center . Here you can start a short nature and wildlife walk on the edge of the glen, find out more about the epic adventure trails, and immerse yourself in the sad history of betrayal and murder that still haunts this valley.

Evening: In the nearby village of  Ballachulish , you'll find a range of accommodation, from hotels and guest houses to campsites. There are places to eat within a short distance of the visitor center as well.

Day 6: A Scenic Drive and a Loch Lomond Cruise

 Dennis Barnes/Getty Images

Morning: Take the short, scenic drive through Glencoe to the green, romantic hills of Loch Lomond and the Trossachs National Park . It's an easy, quiet road, but take your time and stop whenever you see a place to pull over; the scenery is spectacular and the geology that formed it astonishing.

When you reach Loch Lomond, continue down its west bank to Tarbet or all the way to Balloch on the southern shore. Tarbet is a quiet village near a narrow part of the loch, with good tourist services and access to some fabulous cycling. Balloch is the main commercial tourism center for Loch Lomond. What you do for the rest of the day depends on how active you like to be.

Active Afternoon Itinerary: If you want to see as much as possible, head over to Tarbet and park in the public parking area near Tarbet Pier. After you explore the village, hire a bike from Cruise Loch Lomond . You can take the bike with you on the Waterbus to Inversnaid; from here, ride the four miles along the north shore of Loch Arklet to Stronachlachar.

At Stronachlachar Pier, board the Steamship Sir Walter Scott for a round trip cruise on Loch Katrine. When it's over, cycle back to Inversnaid and return to Tarbet Pier on the water taxi. Then make your way to Balloch for the night.

Relaxed Afternoon Itinerary: Want to take it much slower? Instead of going to Tarbet, drive to Balloch and climb aboard the " PS Maid of the Loch ," the last paddle steamer built in Britain. Afterwards, grab some souvenirs at Loch Lomond Shores, a nearby shopping center.

Take the Waterbus from Balloch Pier to Luss, a conservation village on the west bank of Loch Lomond. Most of the cottages in in this flower-bedecked village date from the 18 th and early 19 th centuries. There are several marked circuits ranging from an easy, 15-minute walk around the village to an hour-long Heritage trail.

Walk to the end of Luss Pier for good views of Ben Lomond. From Luss, you can take a short Waterbus trip to Inchcailloch, a secluded island just offshore with several good paths. Return to Luss, and from there, back to Balloch for the evening.

Day 7: Glasgow

TripSavvy / Christopher Larson

Morning: It's a mere 20 miles from Balloch to Glasgow, Scotland's liveliest city. When you reach the city, tour the Kelvingrove Art Gallery and Museum . It's a huge late Victorian storehouse, featuring everything from Scottish and European paintings to dinosaur skeletons and stuffed animals. Don't miss Salvador Dali's remarkable "Christ of Saint John of the Cross," one of the museum's great treasures.

When you're done exploring the museum, check out Kelvinbridge. This part of Glasgow's already trendy "west end" (so hip the name is never capitalized) was recently voted one of the 50 coolest neighborhoods in the world. Shop for vintage and retro fashions, and buy a takeaway picnic at Roots, Fruits and Flowers —Glasgow's local answer to Whole Foods.

Afternoon: Climb the hill of Kelvingrove park—one of Glasgow's gorgeous green spaces—and enjoy your picnic there. Then check out the City Center Mural Trail . Made up of 25 murals, this trail of outrageous street art is all within an easy stroll of the city center.

Have your mind blown by an afternoon show at Sharmanka Kinetic Theatre . A permanent exhibition by a Russian emigré artist, this indescribable production combines kinetic sculpture, automata, music, and lighting effects.

Evening: Make your last meal in Scotland a good one. Dine in Finneston, the hub of Glasgow's somewhat macho foodie scene. Try The Finnieston , known for its top seafood and gin bar. Or chow down on amazing dry-aged beef and game at Porter & Rye.

Glasgow's nightlife is famous. For comedy, take your chances at The Stand . See new and emerging bands at King Tut's Wah Wah Hut or downstairs at Òran Mór, a multi-arts venue that also hosts comedy and theatre.

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The Ultimate London-Scotland-Ireland Itinerary

Last Updated on December 6, 2023

by Maggie Turansky

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Travelling through the British Isles is something many people want to do in their lifetimes. And it’s no surprise as to why. England, Scotland, and Ireland not only have a fascinating history that dates back thousands of years, but is home to both bucolic natural scenery and some of the world’s most vibrant and diverse cities. With so much to see and do in a seemingly small landmass, it can be hard to plan out the perfect London-Scotland-Ireland itinerary.

Luckily, I’m here to help. Read on to find out the best places to visit in Great Britain and Ireland and where you should spend your time!

Table of Contents

Planning a Trip to England, Ireland and Scotland

If you’re wondering about the best way to see England, Scotland and Ireland, then make sure to follow the tips and tricks outlined below.

Though it can be fairly easy to travel around this area, there are a number of logistical things and considerations to take into account in order to make the most out of your trip.

Everything from the time of year you visit to the mode of transport you use to get around can make an impact on your trip, so we’ve taken the time to outline all major options out there.

Best Time to Visit the United Kingdom and Ireland

Contrary to popular belief, it is not always cold and rainy in Britain and Ireland. The weather tends to be mild in the British Isles no matter what time of year, with no extreme variance between the seasons.

However, there are some seasons to travel to this beautiful corner of the world that are better than others which is important to consider when wondering how to plan a trip to England, Ireland and Scotland.

Summer is the most popular time to plan a trip. The days are long and the weather is as warm as it can be.

Highs in most of England and Ireland in the summer average around 20-22ºC (68-72ºF) and you can expect highs in Scotland to be about 15-17ºC (59-63°F). Though there are definitely rainy days, you can generally expect more sunshine this time of year than in other seasons.

While the weather is fantastic (for Britain) in the summer, it is also the busiest time for tourism. That means that the prettiest cities and towns will be filled with people and accommodation will book out well in advance. Prices are likely to be higher as well.

If you plan to go to Edinburgh, it is best to avoid the city during the month of August when its world-famous Fringe Festival is going on (unless you specifically want to visit for this occasion). Accommodation books out months in advance and it can be absolutely packed with people.

Autumn could arguably be the best time to visit Britain and Ireland because you get fewer crowds and decent weather. It doesn’t tend to get properly cold in the British Isles until November, so if you don’t mind a bit of rain and needing to wear a jacket outside , then autumn might be the best bet for you.

Along with the beautiful colours of the changing leaves, average highs in England and Ireland land somewhere around 10-17ºC (50-63ºF) and 8-14ºC (46-57ºF) in Scotland. Plan your visit for late September to early October and you very well might get some beautiful sunny days that are over 20ºC!

Spring in Britain and Ireland can be quite chilly still as the weather doesn’t start warming up properly until mid to late May and doesn’t consistently stay warm until June.

It can be quite rainy, windy, and miserable through most of the spring and even a bit dreary as the leaves don’t return to the trees until May. If you’re travelling in the spring, expect highs to be between 9-14ºC (48-57ºF) in England and Ireland and 7-13ºC (45-55ºF) in Scotland.

Winter is the coldest and darkest month in England, Scotland, and Ireland. While the majority of the isles don’t get a lot of snow, it does get dark quite early (around 3 or 4 PM depending on where you are) and it can be extremely wet and rainy.

Snow and sleet are common so make sure to pack accordingly. Average high temperatures in England and Ireland in winter clock in around 5-7ºC (41-45ºF) and 0-5ºC (32-41ºF) in Scotland.

Winter in Britain and Ireland can be miserable, however, many do like to travel around Christmas time in order to enjoy the decorations and markets scattered throughout the cities.

Cities like London and Edinburgh have wonderful Christmas markets and carnivals set up, but most major towns and cities all throughout this England-Scotland-Ireland itinerary will have something to fill you with holiday cheer.

How to Get Around

When it comes to planning a trip around England, Ireland, and Scotland, many people assume that it is easy to see a great portion of all three countries relying solely on the train. While the train network, especially in England, is extensive, it can be very expensive and they don’t always connect to smaller towns and more rural areas.

We recommend relying on the train and public transport systems while visiting England and then hiring a car once you arrive in Scotland and Ireland respectively if you’re following this itinerary. Both of the countries are noticeably more rural than England and don’t have as extensive of a train network.

The bus is also another option and there are more reliable bus connections within Ireland and Scotland than there are with the train.

Bus tickets can also be considerably less expensive than train tickets, however, it is almost always cheaper to book tickets for both at least a little bit in advance instead of on the day of travel. We suggest looking on Omio to book tickets for trains and buses in the UK

If you can drive, however, and your budget allows for it, then we would seriously recommend you hire a car in Ireland and Scotland . There are many places on this Ireland and Scotland itinerary that are much easier reached if you have your own mode of transportation.

Having a rental car not only allows you to get to more off-the-beaten-path and hard-to-reach areas, but it also gives you more flexibility. Nobody likes to be at the mercy of irregular bus timetables! You can browse car rental options here.

It can also be worth taking out an excess insurance policy with iCarHireInsurance to ensure you don’t need to pay a cent if you get into an accident. This will be significantly cheaper than taking out additional insurance from the car rental company.

It is worth knowing that the majority of rental cars available have a manual transmission. If you can only drive automatic, you need to expect to pay a little bit more for that! Also, this goes without saying, all three countries drive on the left-hand side of the road.

Finally, are you considering taking out a travel insurance policy before your trip? World Nomads   offers flexible and simple travel insurance policies with coverage for more than 150 activities that you can buy or extend while on the road.

3-Week London-Scotland-Ireland Itinerary

In order to get a good feel for each country, we recommend you spend at least one week in each of them. Obviously, you could easily spend weeks exploring all three countries on their own, but then that is what future trips are for!

If you have a shorter period of time, why not make it solely a London-Scotland-Ireland itinerary? While we recommend spending as much time in the massive city that is England’s capital as possible, you can see all of the biggest tourist attractions of London in just three or 4 days before taking the train or flying up to Scotland.

Week 1: England

London — the capital of the United Kingdom — is the most logical starting point for this itinerary. London is an absolutely massive city and while most visitors only spend a couple of days exploring, we would recommend that you spend the entirety of your week in England solely staying in London .

While there is certainly more to England than London, due to its central location as a transport hub, it is easy to visit other English cities as a day trip by train. And also a week in the city allows you to dig deeper and see beyond the main tourist draws and get a glimpse at how and where locals actually live in this diverse metropolis.

If you have never visited London before, then it is only understandable that you might want to spend a couple of days seeing everything that makes The Big Smoke so famous. Take the time to visit Buckingham Palace, Westminster Abbey, the Tower of London and the Houses of Parliament.

If you plan on visiting many paid attractions, then consider investing in a London Go City Pass that includes entry to several of the most popular places in the city and will save you money if you visit enough places!

Enjoy free entry into some of the best museums in the world like the British Museum, Science Museum, and the Victoria and Albert Museum. And, if you can, be sure to catch a West End show.

If these are the only things you plan on doing, then we suggest planning to stay in Central or West London (neighbourhoods like Soho, Kensington, and Knightsbridge) in order to avoid wasting valuable time sitting on the tube or bus.

Many first-time visitors to London grossly underestimate the city’s size and expect everything to be quite close to each other when, in reality, travel times in the city can take a very long time.

One benefit to spending one week in London, however, is that you will have time not only to do that traditional “touristy” things but also be able to get a little bit off the tourist trail and significantly reduce your overall London trip cost .

After you’ve spent your first couple of days exploring Central London and the museums, take a journey east and hang out with the hipsters in Shoreditch, walk along Regent’s Canal to London Fields, or see some live music in Camden.

London is much more than what is displayed in movies and in the media — it is easily one of the most multicultural cities in the world and has close to 9 million residents. Take the time to realise that London is not solely British and you won’t be disappointed.

Another benefit to spending one week in London is that it gives you the opportunity to take some day trips to other English cities. London is very different from the rest of the country, so it can be a really great experience to see how other cities function in England. Cities like Oxford , Cambridge , and Brighton are very popular day-trips from London and are all within about an hour’s train journey.

If you want to visit some less touristy cities that are still easy to do as a day trip, we would recommend getting up early and catching a train to Bristol or Bath in the west, which is a very cool and completely underrated city with an amazing craft beer and arts scene. Or, if you want to see a beautiful walled medieval city, head north to York , which can also easily be visited as a day trip from London.

If you don’t want to spend your entire week in England completely in London, then we would actually recommend spending five nights in the capital before spending two nights in York. There, you can spend one day exploring the city and another venturing out into the beautiful Yorkshire countryside.

Where to Stay in London

It really depends on what you want to do and see in order to find the best area to stay in London . These are our suggestions for some of our favourite areas of the city:

Z Hotel Soho  – cool boutique hotel located right in the centre of Soho. The rooms have been stylishly decorated and there are a number of great cafes, restaurants and bars nearby. 

Astor Hyde Park Hostel   – great budget option in this area offering a mix of dorm and private rooms. The hostel has a brilliant common area, large kitchen and cheap breakfast available with proceeds going to charity. 

Eden Plaza Kensington   – a mid-range hotel located just a few minutes walk from the Science Museum and the Natural History Museum. Also well connected with nearby Tube stations.

Shoreditch: 

Prime Backpackers Angel  – this hostel is located in Angel, just a short walk along the canal to lively and bustling Shoreditch. They have a range of great dorm and private rooms available and come quite highly rated. 

The Hoxton   – boutique hotel with funky and stylish rooms, located only a few minutes from Old Street Tube Station. Downstairs is a popular bar and restaurant that gets busy on weekends, however, rooms are completely soundproof. 

Not quite what you’re looking for? Click here to browse other London hotels.

Week 2: Scotland

After spending one week in London and exploring England, it is time to head north to Scotland. You can reach Scotland either by taking the train — which is incredibly scenic, though expensive — or flying, which is often cheaper. If driving, there are a number of great stops between London and Edinburgh to check out!

Begin your adventures in Scotland by spending two days in Edinburgh , the Scottish capital. This beautiful city has an incredible history but it is quite compact and easy to get around — and it’s drastically different from London!

Take the time to walk the Royal Mile, tour Edinburgh Castle, swill some single-malt whiskey in a convivial pub, or maybe let your inner Harry Potter nerd run wild at Greyfriars Kirkyard!

After spending two days in Edinburgh, it’s time to venture into the Scottish Highlands and to explore the largest city there: Inverness. Inverness has the feeling of a small town and the main tourist appeal is its proximity to Loch Ness , however, it is very much worth exploring in its own right.

Spend one day in Inverness itself and another on a day trip from Inverness to Culloden Battlefield, Cawdor Castle, or the famous Loch Ness.

From Inverness, it’s time to get in the car and drive to one of the most beautiful areas of Scotland and a top place to visit in the country: the Isle of Skye . Though many people treat Skye as a simple day trip or stopover spot, it is quite large and really deserves to be explored fully.

That is why we recommend spending 2 full days here in order to see some of the main attractions while also getting a bit off the beaten path. There are some really fantastic hikes to do on Skye as well, so make sure you have proper boots!

After you have spent a wonderful two days exploring the beautiful Isle of Skye, head back to Edinburgh of one night before catching a flight to the Emerald Isle.

Where to Stay in Scotland

Apart from the traditional accommodation options listed below, you can find a number of private rentals in Scotland such as this contemporary cottage on the Isle of Skye or this charming riverside cottage in Inverness.

Edinburgh  

Cityroomz Edinburgh — Located in the heart of the city, this small hotel had a number of rooms on offer and comes very highly rated.

Castle Rock Hostel   — This small, centrally located hostel continues to be one of the highest-rated places to stay in Edinburgh. They have a number of rooms on offer, from dorm beds to privates, a friendly staff, and are a great option for both budget and solo travellers.  

Torridon Guest House – a quaint bed and breakfast that is a great place to stay in Inverness. It is within a short walking distance of the city centre and a good option if you don’t want to stay in a hostel.

Black Isle Hostel  – a great hostel offering dorms and private rooms that is a fantastic option if travelling solo and if you want to meet other travellers. 

Isle of Skye 

An-Airidh Bed & Breakfast Portree – located in Portree, this is a cosy bed and breakfast with plentyof great rooms, a hearty breakfast and friendly owners. Perfect for mid-range visitors.

Skyewalker Hostel — one of the top-rated hostels in all of Scotland, it’s excellently located, they have a number of different room options, a friendly staff, and they sometimes organise social events in the evening. 

Not quite what you’re looking for? Click here to browse other Scotland hotels

Week 3: Ireland

Ireland is a country that fills many people with visions of rolling green hills, pastoral beauty, and incredibly friendly people — and upon visiting you will find that it certainly delivers!

While most people spend one week in Ireland going a pretty standard route from Dublin south to Cork and then following the coast up to Galway , we suggest that you venture on a path less taken when you get to this portion of the London-Scotland-Ireland itinerary.

It is easiest to begin your Ireland trip in Dublin, the capital of the Republic of Ireland. Dublin is a large and dynamic city with many layers, however, it can be quite expensive for tourists and there aren’t a plethora of things to do.

Two days in Dublin should be more than sufficient to see the main sites such as Trinity College, Temple Bar, and the Guinness Storehouse.

From Dublin, instead of following all too many tourists ahead of you and going south, it’s time to instead head west for the naturally stunning Connemara region in County Galway.

Situated on Ireland’s west coast, Connemara is famed for its rugged scenery, mountainous and boggy terrain, and unique Gaelic culture.  Though Connemara is your eventual destination, there are a number of interesting stops you can make in the drive along the way.

Spending two days in Connemara will give you time to experience all of the fantastic things to do in this beautiful peninsula.

You can spend the day driving the famous scenic Sky Road outside of Clifden, explore charming fishing villages like Roundstone and Letterfrack, lie on the pristine white sand of Dog’s Bay Beach, and visit the gorgeous and historic Kylemore Abbey.

The final stop sees you in the wonderful Irish city of Galway. There are a number of great things to do here from exploring the main sites like the Spanish Arch and Eyre Square, whiskey tasting at Garavans Pub, listening to traditional Irish music in the trendy West End, and eating at some of Ireland’s top restaurants.

Spend two days exploring Galway city and one more day to take a day trip to one of Ireland’s most famous natural attractions: the Cliffs of Moher . These amazing cliffs are a popular spot for a reason: they are absolutely stunning. Avoid the tourist crowds by trying to get there early, you won’t be sorry!

Where to Stay in Ireland

Apart from the traditional accommodation listed below, you can find a number of private rental properties in Ireland including this stunning city-centre flat in Dublin or this lovely restored barn in Connemara.

Hotel 7 – This perfectly located boutique hotel is the ideal place to stay if you’re looking for a bit more comfort in Dublin. Situated within easy walking distance of some main attractions, they have a number of plush rooms available and a restaurant and bar on site.

Jacobs Inn – This centrally located hostel is a great place for solo and budget travellers. As one of the best-rated hostels in Dublin, they have a range of dorm rooms and privates available and they also organise social events. 

Island View B&B  – Located in the small seaside village of Roundstone, this B&B is the perfect base to explore all that Connemara has to offer. They offer a tasty and filling breakfast and the rooms were clean and comfortable. This is absolutely one of the best places to stay in Connemara. 

Galway  

The Stop B&B   – This is a great bed and breakfast located in the Claddagh neighbourhood of Galway. Though the location is more quiet and residential, it was only about a ten-minute walk to the city centre and even closer to Galway’s vibrant west end. They also have a fantastic breakfast in the morning, included in the room rate. 

Kinlay Eyre Square Hostel – Centrally located just off of Galway’s Eyre Square, this is one of the top-rated hostels in Galway City. They have both dorm and private rooms on offer and also include breakfast in their nightly rate. It’s a fantastic option for both budget and solo travellers alike. 

Additional Information

If you have more time to devote to your itinerary, it can be worth adding a week onto all three countries or forgoing visiting one country altogether.

If you want to see more of England, consider spending a week in the beautiful southwestern region of Cornwall (there are a number of great stops from London to Cornwall to explore!) or heading north to the perennially popular Lake District. The latter makes more sense for an England-Scotland itinerary.

If you have more time and want to spend it in Scotland, consider adding on the Orkney Islands or driving all or part of the North Coast 500 route – this will allow you to see some of the most beautiful areas of the country where few tourists ever venture.

If you want to spend more time in Ireland or want only an Ireland-Scotland itinerary, you can head south from Dublin and spend time in Cork and the Ring of Kerry before tacking on Galway City and Connemara or alternatively head north from Dublin to Belfast and explore Northern Ireland!

Planning the perfect itinerary for England, Scotland and Ireland can be difficult as there is so much to see in each country. With these suggestions, however, you are sure to have the trip of a lifetime!

Are you trying to plan a trip to England, Scotland and Ireland? Have any questions about this itinerary? Let us know in the comments!

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About Maggie Turansky

Maggie is a co-founder and writer for The World Was Here First. Originally from the US, she has lived in five different countries and has travelled to dozens more, both solo and with her partner, Michael. She particularly loves exploring Spain and spending time in the Caucasus and the Baltics. Read more about Maggie

I am a widower and solo traveller of 76 years old can you recommend a company that would cater to my age group to see england scotland and Ireland, would it be better to take a cruise on small ship or land tour. I want to spend some time in London as well. It’s been thirty years since Ive been there. I realize this may be too much for one trip but not sure I would ever get back. I am not one to organize tours on my own look forward to hearing from you martin taffel

Hello Maggie,

Hope you are doing great and thank you for having chat blog which would help travelers like us.

We are a family of three adults and fan of Manchester United. We are planning to travel in September/October to see or 2 matches of Man U then travel to Scotland and Ireland. . I also want to know how could travel to the three places, train or air would be better. We are coming from Singapore. Any tips and guidance for us would be good.

Thank you very much Seli

Hi Selvi, if you don’t want to drive yourself, I’d recommend taking the train from London to Manchester and the same onward to Scotland. Then it’s a quick flight to Ireland 🙂

Thanks for the ideas and feedback. This helps stop the head spinning.

One question as we are planning something in June or July 2024 ( I know need to get going), but it will be a family of 3 (2 adults and 1 14YR Old Son). Knowing all cool viewing points will not always be as fun for a 14 year old, any thoughts/suggestions for his consideration?

Hi Tom, maybe plan to spend more time in the cities rather than in the country? There are lots of things that could be of interest to a teenager depending on what your son likes!

Love your recommendations! We will likely visit England, Scotland and Wales in a three to four week trip. Any thoughts about a brief Wales tour? My ancestors are from Llanddulas and we’ve never been to Wales.

I saw you suggested Ireland and Scotland if you only plan to spend 10 days, but what do you think about Ireland and England? I’d love to know your thoughts.

Thank you so much for the great info! My husband and I just booked a trip in and out of London from 9/12-10/16. We plan to do 2 weeks in England and a week each in Scotland and Ireland. He has roots in County Cork so we definitely want to go there. Can you help with an itinerary? Since we’re flying in and out of London, do you recommend one week in the city and one week in the countryside? We definitely want to go to Bath. York, Cambridge, Oxford and maybe the Cotswalds? What do you suggest? Also, is there a ferry from Scotland to Ireland and how are the roads in the rural areas of these two countries? We’ve never driven on the UK side of the road. Will we need a car at all in England? Thank you so much! Debbie

Hello Maggie, I enjoyed your article. My wife and I are planning a Sept 2023 trip to Scotland/London area. Will spend 14 days or so. Wondering if we fly into a Scottish airport or London on a RT ticket from Seattle, WA? The only thing in England we want to see is Sudeley Castle (family relationship), then it’s off to Scotland for 11-12 days (focused on highlands), probably by train then rental car. We could do Sudeley on front end or back. Any suggestions? Thanks!

I am planning a 13 days trip to the UK in January.

I want to understand if I should do both Scotland and Ireland with london.

Please guide.

Thanks for your super helpful blog! I have just a couple of questions:

– Would you recommend separate car hires for Scottland and Ireland? – If you recommend separate car hires, would you recommend travel to Ireland from Scottland via ferry, or plane?

Hello Maggie,visiting Europe for the first time- London – Paris – Italy – would love some advise from you Is the Oliver plaza hotel a good choice to stay in London We are considering 3 to 4 days in London ( sight seeing the most famous sites) – traveling to Paris via the eurostar – 4 day stay in Paris- need advise on hotel close to normal sight seeing- then Italy Rome-pissa -Venice- any and all advise is welcome Thanking you in advance for your help! Adriana

Greetings Maggie! We have a reunion meeting in Belfast on 16-20 Sept 2022. I am flying from New York to Heathrow with connection to Belfast. After the reunion we want to explore Wales and Edinburg and Loch Ness (20-22 Sept) then back to London for return flight to NY. Would appreciate if you could recommend a good itinerary (I don’t drive manual so driving is not for me) taking the ferry from Belfast to Wales and maybe by air to Edinburg (pls suggest the best transport to take). Thanks in advance for your suggestions.

Wonderful information. I have a 1 week trip to London in August and want to spend 2 days in Ireland. My family is from County Fermanagh but I am not sure I can get that far in such a short time and still enjoy it leisurely. Any must do’s or suggestions?? I am not too interested in Dublin.

Spending 2 days in Ireland will definitely be a bit rushed, especially when you consider travel times. I would recommend planning to visit another time if you’re strapped for time on this trip 🙂

Hello Maggie we are 6 people from India all 60 plus of age want to visit London & Countryside in second half of June for around 12 nights what can be best ittenary for the same.My daughter living in London suggested Isle of Wright,Cotswold & Scotland

Hi Maggie- My son is graduating from college and we are planning to go to Ireland, Wales and London. We have approximately 2 weeks. We fly into Dublin and will finish up in London. I’m going home then and he’s heading over to the continent for another 10 days before he returns home to Chicago. I’m considering renting a car in Ireland so we can have more flexibility getting to more places “off the beaten path”. Any advice? Thanks!!

Hi Patrice – sounds like you’re planning a really memorable trip! I think that renting a car in Ireland (and in Wales, too) is a great idea as it will give you a lot more flexibility. Hope you have a great time!

I’m returning to the British Isles in April with my husband & son, as we will be visiting our older son studying in Swansea, Wales. Do you have any recommendations/links for a bed & breakfast or hotel in Swansea and for a bed & breakfast in Dublin, Ireland? Thank you for your kind consideration.

Hi there Maggie,

Thank you for this interesting read! I’ve actually been wanting to do a eng-sct-irl tour like this for quite a while (due in part to being a huge Harry Potter nerd), but I’ve never actually looked into it until now. Your itinerary guide has been really informative!

I know it’s almost impossible to say, BUT if you were to give a ballpark cost figure for the full tour for a single traveler hiring a car, what would it be?

Thanks again! And best wishes.

Thanks for your comment, Jason! We actually have a few cost guides that you might find helpful when coming up with a rough budget. England: https://www.theworldwasherefirst.com/england-trip-cost/ Scotland: https://www.theworldwasherefirst.com/trip-to-scotland-cost/ Ireland: https://www.theworldwasherefirst.com/ireland-trip-cost/

Great article, thank you. In terms of a budget for the three locations, do you have anything on this? Many thanks, Ken

Hi Ken! We actually have separate budget guides for England ( https://www.theworldwasherefirst.com/england-trip-cost/ ), Scotland ( https://www.theworldwasherefirst.com/trip-to-scotland-cost/ ) and Ireland ( https://www.theworldwasherefirst.com/ireland-trip-cost/ ). To help you even further we also have budget guides specifically for London ( https://www.theworldwasherefirst.com/london-trip-cost/ ), Edinburgh ( https://www.theworldwasherefirst.com/prices-in-edinburgh/ ) and Dublin ( https://www.theworldwasherefirst.com/prices-in-dublin/ ). Hope this helps!

Dear Maggie, thank you so much for putting this information out. 6 of us (3 couples family) want to plan a vacation to these locations in June 2022. This really helps us. My mother in law was from England and my husband and siblings want to see it all again. Fingers crossed. Thank you, Barbara

Thanks for your comment, Barbara! Really hope you’re able to have a fantastic trip 🙂

Dear Maggie, This is wonderful information. Thank you so very much. I along with 3 other nurses who have worked off and on together for over 30 years are planning a 6 week trip through England, Wales, Ireland and Scotland. Your tips have helped me with the planning of this trip. Thank you again,

Thanks for your comment, Terry! So happy that we’ve been able to help you plan your trip and I hope that you’re able to have an unforgettable adventure.

Hello, we are considering a 4 week trip for our family of 5, and I was wondering how your 6 weeks went? I am starting to think 4 weeks isn’t enough time

I am planning a trip to the U.K next year. I’m planning on moving to the U.K from Maryland. Where are the best location to settle down. It’s just me and no kids.

Hi Felicia, thanks for your comment! Where you plan to live in the UK really depends on what you’re after. There’s quite a lot of options so make sure to do some research and see where you like the most when you’re visiting next year 🙂

My husband and I are hoping to travel next year to London, Scotland and Ireland. This was a very informative and helpful article. We unfortunately will only have two weeks and not three to do this trip so we may leave off Ireland. Any suggestions on how to spilt the 3 of them in a 2 week period or do you suggest skipping one for a later time date by itself? Thank you

Hi Vicki, thanks for your comment! If you only have two weeks, I think the right move is to only concentrate on England and Scotland and leave Ireland for another trip. It is way better to visit fewer places and actually get to see and experience them then feel as if you have to rush through too many places and not really get the most out of them. Hope this helps and you’re able to have a great trip in the future!

Thanks for your tips etc on visiting Scotland/Ireland. A question can I rent a car in Scotland go over to Ireland leaving the car behind and pick up another car with the same rental company. Thus saving Ferry costs for the car. Whick port do you advise to use?

Regards Sakkie

Hi Sakkie, I’m not aware of any particular companies that you could do this with — you’ll need to contact a few yourself. Hope you have a great trip!

hello maggie,me and my wife are leaving USA,first time for our 30th anniversary.taking 2 1/2 weeks.wanted to visit all 3 places plus amsterdam,and normandy.was planning on flying to all of them,we heard it was the less expensive and doing small day tours in each.3 days in each,London,Edinburgh,dublin,amsterdam and normandy,all in may 2021.think too much?trying to plan a headstart.

Hi Jeffery, I think if you want to visit all of these places in 2.5 weeks it’s going to be a bit too much. Personally, I would limit yourself to just England and Scotland and maybe Ireland and save continental Europe for another trip 🙂 I think you will be able to enjoy the places you visit more this way.

Wondering what the best itinerary would be for 17 day trip. We would fly into the suggested city and rent a car for sure. Looking to get all 3 in and definitely want to see all the highlights. Any recommendations ?

H John, if you have 17 days, I would follow the 3-week itinerary that I’ve lined out and just pick one or two places that don’t interest you in order to meet your time constraints.

Dear Maggie, Thanks for the great information I’m planning for my short vacation (one week ) trip to London . North iceland and Scotland. Do you have any idea or suggestions for this short period ?? Regards Joanne

Hi Joanne, that is a lot of places to pack into one week! I would honestly only suggest sticking to the capital cities (London, Edinburgh, Belfast) and maybe take a day trip or two from them. That would allow you to get a good feel for the places without cramming too much in. Hope you have a great time!

Wonderfully insightful and helpful information on traveling the British Isles. I am planning an 18 day trip next September for my wife and I. Following your suggestions, I think 3 days in London would be enough for us to see many of the important and historic sights there. Then we would take the train to Edinburgh and stay for 2 or 3 days (maybe a short trip to St. Andrews one of those days). Then off to Inverness and the Isle of Skye for 2 days. I’d like to know if you think Glasgow is a must see. If not, we will simply head to Ireland and have a few more days to spend there.

I like the idea of Air BnB sites, but have no experience with them and want to make sure there is no concern necessary. I am a bit cautious at this point.

I’m looking forward to your response and any further/additional suggestions for helpful information.

Best regards, Pat

Thanks for your comment, Pat! I’m glad you’ve found this information helpful and it sounds like you’re planning a great trip. A lot of people tend to skip Glasgow when visiting Scotland (I, myself, have never been) as I don’t believe it has the same kind of beauty and historical sites that you can find in Edinburgh or elsewhere in the country. It is pretty up and coming, however, and there is a great music scene (so I’ve heard), so it all depends on what you’re after.

As for Airbnb, I have stayed in many many Airbnb properties all over the world and have never once had any sort of safety issue. It is actually my preferred kind of accommodation and I use it more often than not. All I would say is make sure you read the reviews of whichever property you want to stay in so you know what to expect. But there isn’t anything to worry about 🙂

Hope this helps!

Maggie, I really enjoyed your discussion and suggested itinerary. I is a great start for us. We are planning a five week trip to England, Scotland and Ireland (hopefully including Northern Ireland). A bit of Wales if we can fit it in would be nice. We are deciding between May and September. Do you have any recommendation/preference? I was thinking September since we would be heading pretty far north in Scotland. Also, do you have any thoughts on additional places to add for a trip of this length. We would likely limit our time in London to two-three days max. Both my wife Sue and I have visited London multiple times, but that is the extent of her travels to Britain. I have seen a fair share of the West Country and South Wales, but would appreciate any thoughts from an expert on how to expand your suggested itinerary. FYI, I have been no further north than the Cotswolds and have not seen Oxford/Cambridge/York and only limited places in Kent/Sussex/Hampshire/Dorset. Thanks in advance.

Thanks for your comment, Bob. I think that planning to go in September is a better bet, the weather is more consistently warm then — May can be really cold throughout Britain. If you’ve already been to London, then I would recommend spending some time in Cambridge and York. The Lake District could be a good option for you, as well, especially if you like nature. I hope you have a great trip!

Thank you so much for such informative articles (I’ve read several of them tonight)!

My husband and I are celebrating our 40th anniversary this December. We never had a honeymoon, so we have been planning a trip to Ireland and Scotland in March/April of 2020.

After reading this article, however, I’m thinking we might be better off to wait until Fall of 2020. ?

I have been looking into tour group trips, but none of them seem to be what we really want. After waiting all this time to go on a trip we’ve dreamed all our lives, I want it to be as special as can be. You have given me the courage to try and plan a trip myself and even hire a car! ?

Thank you again for the insightful advice.

Hi Lorrie, thanks so much for your comment and I am so happy that I’ve inspired you to travel independently for your 40th anniversary “honeymoon!” I’m sure you and your husband will have an amazing time! If you have any questions regarding your trip, please don’t hesitate to get in touch 🙂

we plan to travel to London 14 days on 19dec2019 onwsrds for Christmas celebration n New year 2020 and knowing that daylights short..about 4pm will b dark..

We don’t plan to drive.. can u recommend which date shall we stay in London ? will like to travel to Paris, Scotland or any better suggestion.

Regards Amie

Hey Amie, you can stay in London on any of these days but keep in mind that virtually everything shuts down on Christmas (25 Dec), including all public transport. Other than that, I’m sure you will have a great time — there are lots of markets and fun, festive things to explore that time of year. Just make sure to pack warm clothes!

We are planning a 10 days trip to London Scotland and Ireland.Please suggest an itinerary.

10 days in all three of London, Scotland, and Ireland is going to be too rushed. I would suggest concentrating on either London and Scotland or Scotland and Ireland depending on what interests you most. Hope you have a great trip!

Hi Maggie, Planning a 2.5 week trip and a friend has offered for me to use her vehicle (starting point West London). Would this be a good option or will I be wasting time driving long distances?

Hi Stephanie, if you have the option to borrow your friend’s car for the trip, I would definitely recommend it! Driving in London can be a nightmare, but otherwise, you will have so much more flexibility on your itinerary without being beholden to bus and train timetables. The UK is a small country, so no drives are really that long, either. And you can always find somewhere great to stop along the way!

Hi Maggie! We are looking for a 2 week trip to all 3 places. London we only want to do a few days and see the highlights. Then Scotland and Ireland. We want to stay a night in a castle in Scotland. Ireland we have to kiss the Blarney Stone. Touristy stuff as we have never been. Guinness and Jameson yours too! Ideas?

Hey Maureen, sounds like you’ve got a great trip planned! Hope you have a great time 🙂

Dear Maggie, Read your wonderful and infomative blog. Planning a trip to England, Scotland and Ireland in Mid September for family of 4 adults , a 4 years child and a 8 months baby.

We have only 2 weeks to spend. Please recommended some suggestions and an itinerary. Would like self driving in Scotland and Ireland.

Glad you found the information helpful! While the above itinerary is 3 weeks long, it is entirely possible to cut it down to 2 weeks if you just decide to skip some of the destinations that don’t interest you. For instance, you can only spend a couple of days in London, and skip one destination from each Scotland and Ireland and you will be able to plan to perfect 2-week trip. Hope you and your family have a great time!

Dear Maggie, Happy New Year! Your information is great but I was wondering if you have info on just navigating travel to these beautiful cities via train or other types of transportation between your suggested cities What is your opinion of taking a ferry to one of our selected city? I will be traveling with my 16-year-old daughter and will not be renting a car. I would be too freaked out and make our trip unbearable. We have been to London but never to Scotland or Ireland. We are traveling from Los Angeles and look for to making this a reality. Our travel will be in June of 2019. Great Article and look forward to reading more of your articles.

Happy New Year, Rosemarie! Thanks for your comment 🙂 Depending on where you want to go in Ireland/Scotland, renting a car isn’t entirely necessary, it can just make things more convenient if you want to visit more rural areas. Bus and train connections between the bigger cities in both countries are frequent and reliable, so you shouldn’t need to worry much about that. I’m not sure where you plan to take a ferry to, however, in my experience, the ferries are large, clean, and comfortable and tend to operate on time. If you’re not renting a car, you can also take day tours from all of the bigger cities/towns to visit more difficult-to-reach areas as well. I hope this helps you plan your trip! If you have any more questions, don’t hesitate to send us an email 🙂

Hi Maggie, my husband and I are planning a trip Oct 1-15 for his work to Tenby, Wales. He will have to work each day and I would love to see the UK, my daughter is planning on flying for one week of our stay and just wondering how we could see Ireland-Scotland-London in a 7 day period or is that too much to see in such a short time? Would love your suggestions!!

Hi Pam, thanks for your comment! I personally wouldn’t recommend trying to cram a visit to England, Scotland and Ireland into one 7-day trip – you’re likely not going to get a lot out of it and will spend more of your time travelling between places rather than actually seeing anything. I would recommend staying simply in England and Scotland (or just one of them) and then plan to visit Ireland some other time when you have enough time to properly dedicate to it.

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Scotland or Ireland: Where Should You Go?

With their rugged green landscapes, wild coastlines and crumbling castles, Scotland and Ireland have a lot in common. Yet as you’ll discover on a visit to these two Celtic nations, they have many differences too.

So, which one should you visit, Scotland or Ireland?

Head to Scotland for craggy mountain peaks, deep valleys (or glens), and the fascinating history of kings, queens, and Highland clans. In Ireland, you’ll cross emerald landscapes, uncovering ancient traditions and a proud literary culture.

Whichever you choose to visit, you’ll come across sublime beaches and vibrant cities while meeting famously friendly locals along the way.

Here you’ll find all the information you need to plan your trip. But, really, there’s no reason to miss out on either destination. With a tour of Scotland and Ireland , you can experience all the magic and charm of both.

1. Where are Scotland and Ireland?

Before choosing between Scotland or Ireland, it’s worth knowing a bit about their geography.

Scotland is the most northerly nation in the UK (United Kingdom), which Wales, England, and Northern Ireland are also a part of. Alongside the mainland, the country has around 800 islands, with 93 inhabited ones for you to explore.

Then there’s Ireland or the “Emerald Isle”. When people say Ireland, they’re often talking about the island of Ireland, which includes two countries.

One is Northern Ireland, which is in the UK and has Belfast as its capital. The other is the Republic of Ireland, whose capital is Dublin .

How do I get to Ireland and Scotland?

From around the world, travelling by plane is easy to Scotland or Ireland. To visit either country from mainland Europe, you could also check out a few ferry routes.

You can fly into Scotland’s largest international airports, Edinburgh and Glasgow, via direct flights from North America and Europe. But it’s also possible to book flights to Glasgow Prestwick, Aberdeen, and Inverness airports.

From North America, non-stop connections depart from Atlanta, Boston, Calgary, Chicago, New York, Orlando, Toronto, and Washington DC. It’s also possible to fly directly to Scotland from European cities, including Amsterdam, Frankfurt, London, Madrid, Paris, and Reykjavík.

If you’re travelling from outside of North America or Europe, you’ll likely need to take a connecting flight. These often include a stopover in international air travel hubs such as London Heathrow, Paris Charles de Gaulle, or Amsterdam.

Meanwhile, most international flights to Ireland arrive at either Dublin, Belfast International, or Cork airports. From the US, you can fly non-stop from many of the major cities. Or you can take a direct flight to Dublin from over 120 European cities.

If you’d prefer not to fly, and are coming from Europe it’s also possible to travel by ferry. You can get to Ireland from Spain or France, along with ports in England, Scotland, and Wales. To reach Scotland by boat from Europe, you’ll need to pass through England.

How close is Ireland to Scotland?

At their closest points, Scotland and Ireland are only 12 miles (19 kilometres) apart.

They are separated by the North Channel , which is narrowest between the Mull of Kintyre in Scotland and Torr Head in Northern Ireland. On a clear day, you can easily see the land on the other side.

How can I travel around Ireland and Scotland?

It’s really simple to travel around Ireland and Scotland. For the most freedom and flexibility, we recommend hiring a car. For instance, on these self-drive tours of Scotland and Ireland , you can go at your own pace and stop wherever you like along the way.

When you book with Nordic Visitor, we’ll handle the accommodation, transport, and any extras, so you can buckle up and enjoy the adventure.

Alternatively, join a small group tour in Scotland or Ireland and a local guide will take care of the driving while showing you the magic of each country. You could also book a completely private tour of Ireland or Scotland , for a personalised guided trip.

If you’re short on time, a Scotland multi-day trip could be what you’re looking for. On this type of tour, you’ll return to the same hotel in Edinburgh each night. And by day you’ll enjoy guided tours of the city’s top attractions and take day trips into the countryside.

Good to know: In both countries, you can use public transportation to get between the major cities and many of the main sights.

Ireland and Scotland both have a temperate maritime climate. In practical terms, that means you can expect mild weather throughout the year, with average summer temperatures of around 15°C (59°F). Whenever you come, you’ll probably want to have a jacket to hand.

What’s the weather like?

On the edge of the Atlantic Ocean, Scotland and Ireland have a reputation for being somewhat wet and windswept. And while this is sometimes the case, the weather is unpredictable so often you won’t need to wait long for it to change.

You’ll also experience different weather, depending on where you are in either country.

For instance, some areas on the west coast of Ireland and Scotland get a lot of rainfall, which adds to their moody atmosphere. Whereas, other regions, such as Scotland’s Firth of Forth, are considerably drier. Indeed, Edinburgh has similar annual rainfall to Barcelona and gets a lot less precipitation than New York.

Is Scotland colder than Ireland?

In general, you’ll encounter slightly lower temperatures in Scotland than in Ireland. That’s because Scotland is further north and has more mountainous terrain. That said, there’s not enough of a difference for you to notice.

When is the best time to visit Ireland and Scotland?

All seasons have their charms in Scotland and Ireland.

For instance, visit in April and May and you’ll spy spring blooms bringing colour to the cities and countryside alike. Depending on when you travel, you could see purple bluebells, yellow daffodils, and pink cherry blossoms. Spring also tends to be a quieter time of year for taking in the top attractions.

Summer – June through mid-September – brings the mildest weather, making this the most popular time to visit. Explore Scotland and Ireland during summertime and you’ll have plenty of daylight hours. So you can soak up the scenery late into the evening.

Like spring, autumn is a quieter time of year for travelling around Scotland and Ireland. From mid-September to November, you’ll be treated to the sight of trees turning fiery shades of red and orange. And of course, the temperatures become cooler as winter approaches.

Winter – November to March – brings more changeable conditions, but it’s still a beautiful time to visit. Throughout the season, you could see snow or frost on the mountain peaks and enjoy cosy nights in traditional pubs.

Don’t forget Christmas or New Year, when Scotland is known for throwing legendary Hogmanay celebrations across the country.

• Explore winter tours in Scotland
• Related: Your guide to the best time to visit Scotland and Ireland

Both Scotland and Ireland are breathtaking places, with spectacular views and diverse scenery.

Is Scotland or Ireland more beautiful?

Scotland is known for its high mountains, heather-carpeted glens, and some of the most beautiful beaches in the world . And, like many visitors, you’ll probably fall in love with the grand cities of Edinburgh and Glasgow too.

Meanwhile,  Ireland is known as the “Emerald Isle” for a reason. Although there are fewer mountains here, you’ll glimpse rolling green hills that glow like jewels in the sun. Not to mention some of Europe’s tallest, most impressive rock faces at the Cliffs of Moher and the Slieve League Cliffs .

Read on for recommendations of the best places to explore in Scotland and Ireland.

• Related: Cliffs of Moher – Your complete guide

What are the best places to visit in Scotland?

Scotland combines world-class cultural highlights with jaw-dropping natural scenery. It’s worth including a bit of both in your trip.

For example, Edinburgh’s Old and New Towns are a UNESCO World Heritage Site, recognised for their literary history and elegant architecture. Come in August and you could take part in Edinburgh’s Fringe, the world’s largest arts festival, including unforgettable performances at Edinburgh Castle .

Then there are the Scottish Highlands and islands. Head to Loch Ness , where you can look out for the mysterious Loch Ness Monster. Or venture to the jaw-dropping Isle of Skye for sweeping sea views, picturesque villages, and rocky pinnacles.

Wherever you go, make time for Scotland’s castles , including ancient ruins, royal estates, and impenetrable fortresses.

• Related: 7 best festivals and events in Scotland

What are the best places to visit in Ireland?

Like Scotland, Ireland has an enormous variety of things to see. Start in a historic city such as Dublin or Belfast, before heading into the Irish countryside.

For instance, the Wild Atlantic Way is one of Ireland’s most spectacular routes. It runs the length of the west coast, from Malin Head in County Donegal to Kinsale in County Cork. Along the way, you’ll take in national parks and fishing villages, as well as the dramatic Ring of Kerry .

Other must-visit sights include the rugged Connemara National Park and the strange rock formations at the Giant’s Causeway .

• Tour the Ring of Kerry for yourself on a Wild Atlantic Way self-drive trip
• Related: Ireland’s Wild Atlantic Way – Your guide

The Scots and the Irish are renowned the world over for their legendary hospitality. Not to mention, their dry sense of humour and a tendency not to take life too seriously. 

These neighbours don’t just share similar attitudes though. Visit both and you’ll discover that their histories have long been intertwined. 

Are people more friendly in Scotland or Ireland?

Scottish and Irish people both have a reputation for being friendly, warm, welcoming, and a lot of fun. In any pub or guesthouse you visit, you’ll see for yourself just how hospitable and chatty the locals can be.

Which country has the best castles?

According to some estimates, there have been many as 30,000 castles in Ireland. While most of these have been lost to history, those that are still standing are definitely worth your time.

Blarney Castle , home to the famous Blarney Stone, is one of the most visited. You’ll find it just outside Cork, set in lush forest. Or there’s Bunratty Castle , a 15th-century treasure, which sits on ground that may once have been occupied by Vikings.

While Scotland doesn’t have quite as many castles (more like 2,000), you won’t be disappointed. Visit Eilean Donan or Kilchurn Castle and you’ll be transported back to a world of battling clans and Highland warriors.

• See Celtic fortresses for yourself on a Scotland castle tour
• Discover the best castles in Scotland and Ireland

What’s the food like?

You’ll find there are many similarities between Scottish and Irish food. Expect fresh seafood, international restaurants, and delicious traditional delicacies.

In Scotland, haggis is the best-known dish to try. Cooked in a sheep’s stomach and made of meat minced with spices, oatmeal, and onion, it’s a comforting dish that doesn’t get the appreciation it deserves. What’s more, the vegetarian version is just as tasty.

On the other hand, Ireland is better known for Irish stew, traditionally made of beef and potatoes. Try it with colcannon, a mix of mashed potato and cabbage, along with soda bread, an unleavened loaf.

Alongside the food, these Celtic neighbours have two drinkable delicacies in common – beer and whisky. Walk into almost any pub in Scotland or Ireland and you’ll be able to sample some of the best.

5. Things to do

In Scotland and Ireland, you can choose between cultural sights, outdoor activities, food and drink tours, and so much more.

What are the top things to do in Scotland?

Here’s some inspiration for what you can get up to on your dream Scottish getaway.

1. Explore Edinburgh’s Old Town

From Edinburgh Castle to Holyrood Palace , experience Scottish history on a walking tour of the Royal Mile .

2. Go island hopping

Scattered off the Scottish mainland are hundreds of picturesque islands. The Isle of Mull , Outer Hebrides , and Isle of Skye are among some of the most popular. Experience their wild beauty on an epic tour of Scotland’s islands .

3. Visit famous filming locations

Scotland has been used as the backdrop for many series and films, including Outlander and Harry Potter . Plan a trip to explore the real-life locations and star in your own adventure story.

4. Venture to the awe-inspiring Scottish Highlands

Scotland is often cited as one of the most beautiful places on Earth. See why on a journey through the Scottish Highlands . Here you’ll find mountains, glens, and forests to explore.

5. Take a Scottish food tour

A culinary trip around Scotland isn’t just for connoisseurs.

The country’s natural larder produces a bounty of fresh ingredients, such as scallops and venison, which are whipped into mouth-watering dishes. Then of course there are national icons that you’ll want to try at least once: whisky, haggis, and Iron Bru.

Uncover more things to do in these Scottish guides to what to do in summer and winter .

What are the top things to do in Ireland?

Get ready to start planning your Irish escape with these ideas for amazing things you can do in Ireland.

1. Discover literary Dublin

The Irish are famed wordsmiths and storytellers, and Dublin has long been home to some of the best. Walk in their footsteps on a literary tour as part of a culture and history trip in Ireland .

2. Go on an Irish road trip

Whether you’re looking for coastal scenes or city vibes, a road trip through the best of Ireland is sure to be memorable. Get inspired by these expert-curated self-drive packages in Ireland .

3. Witness breathtaking seascapes on the west coast

Dramatic cliffs, astonishing geology, and stunning islands await. Fall in love with the Irish seaside on an Ireland countryside and nature tour .

4. Experience Irish music

Book a concert or just head down to a local pub to see some seriously talented musicians perform. From Belfast to Cork and all the villages in between, music is everywhere.

5. Dive into Irish history

Discover the nation’s complex identity as you unravel its troubled, yet fascinating, past.

• Find out what else you can do in this  guide to the best places to visit in Ireland .
• Related: 10 reasons why you should visit Ireland

How to visit Ireland and Scotland

Has this settled your Scotland vs Ireland vacation debate? Don’t worry if not, there’s no need to limit your trip to just one destination. With these combined Scotland and Ireland tours , you can experience the variety and thrill of them both.

However you want to travel, Nordic Visitor makes it easy. You can choose between self-drive trips or travel with a guide on a small group or privately guided package. Whichever you prefer, our local experts will be on hand to book accommodation, car rental, and connections between Scotland and Ireland.

Start planning your trip to Ireland and Scotland with Nordic Visitor. Contact our team to book your getaway to Scotland, Ireland, or both.

Born and raised in Scotland, Catherine has a background in trip organisation and design. When not travelling, or writing about travels, you can find her rock climbing and exploring remote corners of Scotland. Her top travel experiences include cycling along India’s Brahmaputra River, wandering the souks of Marrakech, and mountaineering in the Alps.

Getting there

We'd love to give you the same amazing travel experiences as you read about in our blog! To visit the destinations and attractions mentioned in this post - and to discover a few new highlights along the way - check out these recommended Nordic Visitor tours.

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The 14 best places to visit in Scotland

Nov 19, 2023 • 10 min read

Pack your camping gear (and your rainproofs) and head to some of the best places to visit in Scotland © Robert Coppinger / Shutterstock

Some of the best places to visit in Scotland will be instantly familiar to anyone who’s ever gazed at a whisky label or shortbread tin. Think dramatic peaks, lonely glens, lochs, tartan and haggis!

From spectacular Skye and historic Edinburgh to the rolling rivers of Speyside, Scotland’s big sights are as glorious as you’d imagine. But scratch the surface of this proud nation and you’ll find a varied and engrossing place, dotted with prehistoric villages, wild clubs, rich seafood and ruined abbeys.

So, where to start? Once you've decided on the best time for your visit , you need to decide on the best places to go while you're there. Here is our pick of the best destinations in Scotland to get you started.

1. Edinburgh

Best place for year-round entertainment

Scotland's capital may be famous for its festivals, but there's much more to the city than that. Edinburgh is a place of many moods: visit in spring to see the Old Town silhouetted against a blue sky and a yellow haze of daffodils, or on a chill winter’s day for fog snagging the spires of the Royal Mile, rain on the cobblestones, and a warm glow beckoning from the windows of local pubs. With a world-class modern art gallery , top museums , spooky historic sites and a majestic 12th-century castle , there's plenty to keep you entertained whatever the season.

Local tip: Start your visit to Edinburgh with a climb up Arthur's Seat , an extinct volcano for panoramic views over the city.

2. West Highland Way

Best place for long-distance hiking

The best way to really get inside Scotland's landscapes is to walk them. Here, peaks tower over lochs and sea cliffs gaze over the wind-whipped sea, but there are short woodland trails and charming strolls through valleys dusted with purple heather, too. Top of the wish list for many hikers is the 96-mile West Highland Way from Milngavie (near Glasgow) to Fort William , a weeklong walk through some of the country's finest scenery, finishing in the shadow of its highest peak, Ben Nevis.

If you don’t have the time or energy for a long-distance trek, it's possible to do just a day's hike along part of the trail. For example, you could walk the section from Rowardennan to Inversnaid, returning to your starting point using the Loch Lomond waterbus . Whichever section you take on, pack waterproofs and midge repellent. Rail lovers should note that sleeper trains run south from Fort William all the way to London, making for an easy exit after a walk.

Detour:  The 1,345m (4,413ft) summit of Ben Nevis is within reach of anyone who's reasonably fit: treat the peak with respect and your reward (weather permitting) will be magnificent views that can stretch as far as Northern Ireland.

3. North Coast 500

Best place for a scenic road trip

Breathtaking views abound in the Highlands , but the far north is where things become truly awe-inspiring. This is the best place in Scotland to explore by car (you can also cycle it), with some of the finest roadside scenery in Europe.

The North Coast 500 starts and ends in the likable city of Inverness , and loops past the lochs, sand dunes and golf courses of the east coast before taking in the remote cliffs and beaches of Cape Wrath, the rugged peaks of Assynt and Torridon’s desolate beauty. These sights, and the nooks of warm Highland hospitality found in the region's classic rural pubs and old crofting villages, make this an unforgettable weeklong tour.

4. Isle of Skye

Best place for photographers

In a country famous for stunning scenery, the Isle of Skye takes the top prize. From the craggy peaks of the Cuillins and the bizarre pinnacles of the Old Man of Storr and the Quiraing to the spectacular sea cliffs of Neist Point, there's a photo opportunity awaiting you at almost every turn.

Skye is also one of the best places in Scotland to see golden eagles, and you’ll find convivial pubs and top seafood restaurants if you can tear your eyes from the natural world. Of course, all this tourist appeal makes Skye one of Scotland's most popular destinations. The crowds tend to stick to Portree , Dunvegan and Trotternish – it’s almost always possible to find peace and quiet in the island’s further-flung corners.

Planning tip:  Come prepared for changeable weather – when it’s fine, it’s very fine indeed, but all too often it isn’t.

5. Loch Lomond

Best place for a lakeside hike

Despite being less than an hour's drive from the bustle and sprawl of Glasgow, the bonnie braes (banks) of Loch Lomond – immortalized in the words of one of Scotland's best-known songs – comprise one of the most scenic parts of the country.

At the heart of Scotland's first national park , the loch begins as a broad, island-peppered lake in the south, its shores clothed in bluebell-sprinkled woods before narrowing in the north to a fjord-like trench ringed by mountains.

Detour: The summit of Ben Lomond (974m/3,031ft) is a popular climb – follow the well-maintained path for a 7-mile round-trip on the popular Tourist Route (allow around 5 hours).

Best place for live music and pub culture

Scotland's biggest city may lack Edinburgh's stunning setting, but it more than makes up for it with a barrelful of things to do and a warmth and energy that leaves every visitor impressed. Edgy and contemporary, it's a great spot to browse art galleries and museums , and to discover the works of local design hero Charles Rennie Mackintosh .

Glasgow’s infectious vitality is best sampled via its lively pubs and clubs, which host one of the world's great live music scenes.

Local tip:  Check out upcoming (mostly alt-rock) acts at the Barrowland  (crowned the UK's best music venue by Time Out magazine in 2023), a legendary former ballroom, or try the Sub Club for house and techno, the Clutha Bar for roots and rock, or Nice N Sleazy , a classic indie dive.

7. Stirling

Best place for castle fans

With an impregnable position atop a mighty wooded crag – the plug of an extinct volcano – Stirling ’s beautifully preserved Old Town is a treasure trove of historic buildings and cobbled streets winding up to the ramparts of Stirling Castle . This fortress has seen serious action – it was bombarded by the Warwolf, a giant 14th-century English siege engine, and was besieged during the 1745 Jacobite rising, as well as sending troops to the battle of Bannockburn (the decisive battle celebrated at the end of Braveheart ), just a few miles south.

Today, views that stretch to the Highlands, glorious tapestries and juicy history make this Scotland’s best castle – and a great family attraction.

Planning tip:  It's best to visit in the afternoon; many tourists come on day trips, so you may have the castle almost to yourself by 4pm.

8. St Andrews

Best place for golfers

Scotland invented the game of golf, and the city of  St Andrews is still revered as its spiritual home by hackers and champions alike. Links courses are the classic experience here – bumpy coastal affairs where the rough is heather and machair (coastal grass) and the main enemy is the wind, which can make a disaster of a promising round in an instant.

St Andrews, the historic Fife university town, is golf's headquarters , and an irresistible destination for anyone who loves the sport. And if you're not so keen, well, the city has impressive medieval ruins , stately university buildings , idyllic white sands and excellent guesthouses and restaurants .

9. Skara Brae

Best place for lovers of ancient history

When visiting ancient sites, it can sometimes be difficult to bridge the gulf of years or build a connection with the people that built them, but Scotland’s superb prehistoric remains have an immediate impact. Few places offer a better glimpse of everyday Stone Age life than Skara Brae in Orkney  with its carefully constructed fireplaces, beds, cupboards and water cisterns.

This Neolithic village – which, at 5,000 years is older than Stonehenge or the Pyramids of Giza – lay buried in coastal sand dunes for centuries. Even today, it can feel as though the inhabitants have just slipped out to go fishing and could return at any moment.

10. Glen Coe

Best place for clan history

Scotland's most famous glen combines two essential qualities of the Highlands: dramatic scenery and a deep sense of history. The peace and beauty of this valley today belies the fact that Glen Coe was the scene of a ruthless 17th-century massacre, when the local MacDonalds were murdered by soldiers of the Campbell clan.

Some of the glen's finest walks – to the Lost Valley, for example – follow the routes taken by fleeing clanspeople, many of whom perished in the snow.

Planning tip:  Start at the Glencoe Visitor Centre for more information on this beautiful place and its tragic history.

11. Perthshire

Best place to enjoy nature's bounty

In Perthshire , the heart of Scotland, picturesque towns bloom with flowers, distilleries emit tempting malty odors and sheep graze in impossibly green meadows. There's a feeling of the bounty of nature that no other place in Scotland can replicate.

Blue-gray lochs shimmer, reflecting the changing moods of the weather; centuries-old trees tower amid riverside forests; majestic glens scythe their way into remote wildernesses; and salmon leap upriver to the place of their birth.

12. Shetland Islands

Best place for birdwatching

Close enough to Norway to make Scottish nationality an ambiguous concept, the Shetland Islands are Britain’s most northerly outpost. The stirringly bleak setting – recognized as a precious UNESCO geopark – still feels uniquely Scottish though, with deep, naked glens flanked by steep hills, twinkling, sky-blue lochs and, of course, wandering sheep on the little-trafficked roads. It's the birdlife, however, that really draws visitors here.

From their first arrival in late spring to the raucous feeding frenzies of high summer, the vast colonies of gannets, guillemots, skua, puffins and kittiwakes at Hermaness , Noss, Sumburgh Head and Fair Isle provide some of Britain's most impressive birdwatching experiences.

Local tip: Shetland is one of the best places in the UK to spot orcas (and the Northern Lights).

13. Speyside

Best place for whisky tasting

Scotland's national drink is whisky – from the Gaelic uisge beatha , meaning “water of life” – and this fiery spirit has been distilled here for more than 500 years. More than 50 distilleries are in operation in Speyside, Scotland's most famous whisky area, famed for fruity, lightly spicy flavors (head over to Islay for peatier varieties).

Ask at the Whisky Museum about the Malt Whisky Trail, a self-guided tour around the local distilleries. If you just have time for one, the Balvenie Distillery is a good bet as it still uses a traditional malting floor – the smell is glorious!

Planning tip:  Dufftown lies at the heart of the region and is host to the biannual Spirit of Speyside Whisky Festival.

14. The Scotland Borders

Best place for a country ramble

Many visitors to Scotland race up to Edinburgh and then hightail it to the Highlands, missing the Scottish Borders entirely . That's their loss. Once fought over by war chiefs and cattle thieves, the Borders region is rich in history and packed with good cycling and hiking routes.

There are grand country houses, too – Traquair House brews Jacobite Ale and has a concealed room that once hid Catholic priests – and a series of gorgeous ruined abbeys – Gothic Melrose Abbey is the best – plus birds and sea cliffs at St Abb’s Head. More active types can fish for salmon or thunder down the mountain bike trails at Glentress and Innerleithen.

This article was first published May 2021 and updated November 2023

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Best time to visit Scotland and Ireland: The Ultimate Guide

Planning a trip to Ireland and Scotland? Choosing the right time to visit these picturesque destinations can greatly enhance your travel experience. From exploring the vibrant city of Dublin to venturing into the scenic landscapes of Ireland and Scotland, this ultimate guide will help you determine the best time to visit and provide useful tips for avoiding crowds. I lived in Ireland for several years and learned that the one thing you can’t rely on is the weather.

In Donegal they say you can experience 4 seasons in one day which is absolutely true. The truth is that both Scotland and Ireland are so beautiful that it doesn’t matter if the weather sucks the trick is to be prepared for it. So don’t plan your trip around what may be called ‘the best time of the year’ go when you want to go and just enjoy.

• 1. Spring (March to May): Spring brings milder temperatures and blooming landscapes. You can witness the country’s iconic castles, such as the Edinburgh Castle , surrounded by colorful gardens. The famous Highland Games also begin in May.
• 2. Summer (June to August): Like Ireland, Scotland experiences its peak tourist season in summer. The weather is generally warmer, and you can enjoy outdoor activities like hiking, exploring the Isle of Skye, or attending the Edinburgh Festival Fringe.
• 3. Autumn (September to November): Autumn in Scotland showcases stunning foliage, making it an excellent time for hiking and photography enthusiasts. You can also experience events like the Braemar Gathering, a traditional Highland games event.
• 4. Winter (December to February): Scotland’s winter months can be cold and wet, but they offer a unique atmosphere. The country’s famous Hogmanay celebrations take place during this time, especially in Edinburgh, featuring fireworks and street parties.

• 1. Spring (March to May): Spring in Ireland offers mild temperatures, blooming flowers, and fewer tourists. You can enjoy St. Patrick’s Day festivities in Dublin and witness the beautiful countryside turning green.
• 2. Summer (June to August): The summer months bring longer daylight hours and generally pleasant weather. However, this is the peak tourist season, so expect larger crowds especially in popular tourist spots like the Cliffs of Moher or the Ring of Kerry.
• 3. Autumn (September to November): Autumn in Ireland showcases colorful foliage and local festivals. The weather remains mild, making it an ideal time for exploring the countryside and visiting historical sites like the Rock of Cashel or the Giant’s Causeway.
• 4. Winter (December to February): Winter offers fewer tourists and lower prices for accommodations. However, the weather can be unpredictable, ranging from mild to chilly and wet. It is a great time to experience traditional Irish music sessions in cozy pubs .

• Tips for avoiding crowds:

1. Consider traveling during the shoulder seasons of spring and autumn when tourist numbers are lower. 2. If visiting during peak seasons, try to visit popular attractions early in the morning or late in the afternoon to avoid the crowds. 3. Explore less touristy areas or off-the-beaten-path destinations to have a more authentic and crowd-free experience. 4. Book accommodations and attractions in advance to secure your preferred dates and avoid disappointment. 5. Consider taking a guided tour or hiring a local guide who can provide insights and help navigate through crowded areas more efficiently.

Travel to Ireland and Scotland

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• Travel the Wild Atlantic Way or Ireland's Ancient East

Frequently asked questions on the best time to visit Scotland and Ireland

The weather plays a crucial role in determining the best time to visit Ireland and Scotland. Here’s what you can expect during different seasons.

When planning your trip to Scotland, it’s essential to consider the weather conditions and the activities you want to partake in. The best time to visit Scotland is during the summer months from June to August when you can enjoy milder temperatures and longer daylight hours.

Summer is the peak season in Scotland, with July and August being the busiest months for tourists. If you want to avoid the crowds, visiting during the shoulder season in May or September is a good option. During these months, you’ll still experience moderate weather, and there will be fewer tourists, allowing you to explore the stunning landscapes of Scotland with ease.

If you’ve decided to visit Scotland during the summer, it’s important to plan your itinerary well in advance and book accommodations and popular tours ahead of time. This is because tourist spots can get crowded, and availability may be limited. However, the summer months offer the advantage of longer daylight hours, giving you more time to explore and sightsee.

If you don’t mind the colder weather, visiting Scotland in winter can be a magical experience. The landscapes transform into a winter wonderland, and you can enjoy activities such as skiing or snowboarding in the Scottish Highlands. Just make sure to pack warm clothing and be prepared for shorter daylight hours.

While Scotland is known for its unpredictable weather, the months of May and June tend to have more sunny days. This is the perfect time to explore the highlands and enjoy outdoor activities like hiking and biking.

Spring in Scotland , from March to May, brings milder weather with temperatures ranging from 8 to 12 degrees Celsius (46 to 54 degrees Fahrenheit). This is a great time to witness the blooming of flowers and enjoy the vibrant landscapes of the Scottish countryside.

During summer in Ireland, you can expect mild temperatures ranging from 15 to 20 degrees Celsius (59 to 68 degrees Fahrenheit). However, it’s always a good idea to pack a waterproof jacket as rain showers are common throughout the year.

Winter in Ireland and Scotland can be cold, with temperatures dropping to around 0 to 8 degrees Celsius (32 to 46 degrees Fahrenheit). However, if you’re prepared with warm clothing, winter offers unique experiences such as festive markets, cozy pub visits, and the chance to see the stunning landscapes covered in snow, although I have to admit what they call snow here in Ireland is a light dusting which freaks everyone out.

If you’re wondering when to go to Ireland, the answer depends on your preferences and what you want to experience during your trip. The best time of year to visit Ireland is during the summer months from June to August when the weather is relatively mild and the days are longer.

While summer is the peak season in Ireland, some travelers prefer to visit in May or September when the weather is still pleasant, but there are fewer crowds. These months are considered the shoulder season in Ireland, offering a great balance between good weather and more affordable prices for accommodations and activities.

The shoulder season in Ireland includes the months of April, May, September, and October. During this time, you can expect milder weather compared to the summer months, but it’s still important to pack layers as the climate can be unpredictable. The advantage of visiting during the shoulder season is that you’ll encounter fewer crowds at popular tourist spots and have more flexibility in planning your itinerary.

If you want to avoid the crowds altogether, consider visiting Ireland during the winter months. While the weather may be colder and there are shorter daylight hours, you’ll have a more peaceful and intimate experience as tourist numbers are significantly lower. Plus, you might even get the chance to see Ireland covered in a beautiful blanket of snow. However be aware that many tourist sites are not open over the winter months although you will find ones like Kilkenny Castle and Glenveagh open it really depends on the size of the site and its popularity with tourists.

When creating your itinerary for Ireland and Scotland, there are a few must-visit places that should be on your list. In Ireland, Dublin is a vibrant city with a rich history and bustling nightlife. Explore the iconic Guinness Storehouse, visit Trinity College, and take a stroll along the River Liffey and don’t miss some traditional music sessions in the pubs.

In addition to Dublin, some other must-visit places in Ireland include Newgrange , the Dingle Peninsula , and the Causeway coast in Northern Ireland. In Scotland, don’t miss out on Edinburgh Castle, Loch Ness, and the Isle of Skye.

When planning your Ireland and Scotland itinerary, it’s important to consider the daylight hours. During the summer months, the days are longer, allowing you to make the most of your time exploring. In contrast, winter days are shorter, so you may want to adjust your itinerary accordingly.

While planning your trip to Ireland, don’t forget to include a visit to Northern Ireland. Explore the cities of Belfast and Derry-Londonderry, marvel at the stunning landscapes of the Causeway Coast, and learn about the Troubles at the murals in Derry and Belfast.

Tips for avoiding crowds in Ireland and Scotland

If you prefer a more tranquil and less crowded experience, consider these tips:

Opting to travel during the shoulder season, either in spring or autumn, will help you avoid the peak tourist crowds. You’ll still experience pleasant weather and have the advantage of enjoying popular destinations with fewer tourists.

In Ireland, consider visiting lesser-known destinations like Galway , which offers a vibrant cultural scene and stunning landscapes along the Wild Atlantic Way . Dingle Peninsula and County Donegal are also worth exploring for an off-the-beaten-path experience. Head to some of the phenomenal National Parks like Glenveagh in Donegal, Glendalough in the Wicklow mountains and you can even head to a Dark Sky Reserve to see the stars. Up in the north of Donegal on the Inishowen Peninsula you may even get a chance to see the Northern Lights or perhaps some puffins . 

While popular tourist spots like the Cliffs of Moher and Edinburgh Castle are must-see attractions, consider visiting them early in the morning or late in the afternoon to avoid the heaviest crowds. Additionally, booking tickets in advance can help you skip the queues.

When creating your itinerary, consider including the following:

Take a guided tour of Edinburgh Castle to learn about Scotland’s rich history, or explore the Scottish Highlands on a scenic train journey. Consider visiting the Isle of Skye for its breathtaking landscapes and the chance to spot wildlife.

Ireland is known for its stunning landscapes, such as the Killary Fjord , Connemara and the Giant’s Causeway . Include these natural wonders in your itinerary to experience the true beauty of the Emerald Isle. Within these stunning landscapes you can spot ancient castles , some that are haunted and some that have now been converted to hotels .

Spend a few days exploring Dublin’s vibrant streets and immerse yourself in the city’s rich literary history. Visit the Guinness Storehouse, stroll through St. Stephen’s Green, and enjoy the lively atmosphere of Temple Bar.

Finding the driest time in Ireland and Scotland

If you prefer drier weather during your trip, consider the following:

Ireland has a moist and temperate climate with rainfall throughout the year. However, the driest months are generally April, May, and June, so visiting during this time can increase your chances of experiencing drier weather.

Galway, located on Ireland’s west coast, tends to have drier weather compared to other parts of the country. This makes it an ideal destination if you’re looking for a slightly sunnier experience in Ireland. Galway has some of the biggest festivals in Ireland for example the Galway International Oyster Festival.

I have to say I adored Galway its a great friendly city however having said that in the summer months it does turn into one big party town so be aware of location or you might get really annoyed with the noise and drunken students in the streets.

Travel the Wild Atlantic Way or Ireland’s Ancient East

The Wild Atlantic Way and Ireland’s Ancient East are two incredible destinations in Ireland that offer unique and unforgettable experiences. The Wild Atlantic Way stretches along the western coast of Ireland, spanning over 2,500 kilometers and encompassing breathtaking cliffs, stunning beaches, and charming coastal villages . Traveling along this route allows you to immerse yourself in the rugged beauty of Ireland’s nature while also indulging in traditional music and delicious seafood .

On the other hand, Ireland’s Ancient East takes you on a journey through thousands of years of history and showcases the country’s rich heritage. From ancient historical sites like Newgrange and the Rock of Cashel to medieval castles and monastic ruins, this region is a treasure trove for history lovers. Exploring the Ancient East allows you to walk in the footsteps of ancient kings and warriors and uncover the secrets of Ireland’s past. Whether you choose to travel the Wild Atlantic Way or explore Ireland’s Ancient East, you are sure to be captivated by the stunning landscapes and rich history that these regions have to offer.

Now that you have a comprehensive guide to the best time to visit Ireland and Scotland, start planning your trip and get ready for an unforgettable adventure. Whether you choose to visit during the summer for warmer weather or explore the magical landscapes in winter, Ireland and Scotland are sure to captivate you with their beauty and charm.

Q: When is the best time to visit Ireland and Scotland?

A: The best time to visit Ireland and Scotland is during the shoulder seasons, which are spring (April to June) and autumn (September to October). This is when the weather is mild, the landscapes are vibrant, and the tourist crowds are smaller compared to the peak summer season.

Q: What is the average temperature in Ireland ?

A: The average temperature in Ireland ranges from 5°C (41°F) in winter to 20°C (68°F) in summer. However, it’s worth noting that the weather in Ireland can be quite unpredictable, so it’s always a good idea to be prepared for all types of weather conditions.

Q: What is the best month to visit Ireland?

A: The best months to visit Ireland are May, June, and September. During these months, you can expect mild weather, long days, and fewer tourists. Additionally, these months are also great for experiencing traditional Irish festivals and events.

Q: Is summer a good time to visit Ireland?

A: Summer is indeed a good time to visit Ireland, especially if you want to enjoy outdoor activities and sightseeing. The weather is generally warmer, and there are longer daylight hours. However, it’s important to note that summer is also the peak tourist season, so popular attractions can be crowded.

Q: What is the weather like in Ireland during spring?

A: Spring in Ireland brings mild weather with some rain showers. The temperatures begin to rise, and the landscapes start to bloom with colorful flowers. It’s a great time to explore the countryside and enjoy outdoor activities.

Q: What about winter in Ireland?

A: Winter in Ireland can be cold and wet, with temperatures ranging from 5°C (41°F) to 8°C (46°F). However, if you’re a fan of Christmas markets and cozy pub nights, winter can be a lovely time to visit Ireland. Just be sure to pack warm clothing and an umbrella.

Q: Are there Scotland tours available from Ireland?

A: Yes, there are several tour operators that offer Scotland tours starting from Ireland. These tours provide a convenient way to explore both countries and experience the stunning landscapes, castles, and rich history they have to offer.

Q: What is the busiest time of year to visit Ireland?

A: The busiest time of year to visit Ireland is during the summer months of July and August. This is when schools have their summer holidays, and many tourists flock to Ireland to enjoy the pleasant weather and attractions. Expect popular sites to be crowded during this time.

Q: Should I visit Ireland for the weather?

A: While Ireland may not be known for its consistently sunny weather, it offers much more than just that. The country’s rich history, stunning landscapes, vibrant culture, and warm hospitality make it a wonderful destination to visit regardless of the weather.

Q: What are the best places to visit in Ireland?

A: Some of the best places to visit in Ireland include Dublin , Galway, the Ring of Kerry, the Cliffs of Moher, the Giant’s Causeway, Killarney National Park , and the Aran Islands . These destinations offer a mix of historical sites, natural beauty, and unique experiences.

In conclusion, the best time to visit Ireland and Scotland is during the summer months of June to August. This is when the weather is at its mildest and the days are longest, allowing for more time to explore the stunning landscapes. In Ireland, this is also the time for various festivals and events, such as the Galway International Arts Festival and the Dublin Horse Show.

Similarly, Scotland hosts the famous Edinburgh Festival Fringe during this period, which is the world’s largest arts festival. Moreover, the summer months offer the opportunity to witness beautiful blooming flowers, vibrant green countryside, and enjoy outdoor activities like hiking and cycling.

However, it is important to note that this is also the peak tourist season, so popular attractions can be crowded and accommodation prices may be higher. Therefore, it is advisable to book accommodations and popular attractions in advance and consider visiting during the shoulder seasons of spring or autumn for a quieter experience. Ultimately, both Ireland and Scotland offer incredible beauty and unique cultural experiences year-round, so any time you visit will surely be memorable. 

Faith was born in Ireland raised in Canada and has lived in over 10 countries in Europe including England, Ireland, Scotland, France, Spain, Northern Ireland, Wales, along with Mexico, Antigua, the US and has slow travelled to over 40 countries around the world. Graduating with a degree in Anthropology and Women's Studies Faith is a student of history, culture, community and food and has written about these topics for over 40 years.

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The Best Time to Visit Scotland for Better Weather and Stargazing

T he best time to visit Scotland is right now. Seriously. No matter the month, no matter the year, Scotland is calling, and you should answer.

This past June and July, I was lucky enough to spend an entire month in Scotland. I cruised around its remote islands, hiked 96 miles through the rugged Highlands, visited countless historical sites and castles, and explored large and small cities by foot, bicycle and tram. Scotland immediately became one of my favorite countries in the world, and I'm already planning my return.

While some travelers add a short trip to Scotland onto a larger trip to London (which is quite easy to do), doing so means you'll only see the tip of the proverbial Scottish iceberg. There is so much to see, do, eat and drink here that Scotland definitely deserves its own visit. Though Scotland is about the size of South Carolina, you'd think it's as large as Alaska when it comes to its varied geography. From farm-flung islands surrounded by sea stacks to castles perched atop dramatic cliffs to rugged mountain wilderness and modern metropolis cities, you'll find a bit of everything.

So stop drooling over those wanderlust-inducing photos of Scotland and plan a trip so you can see all those sights in person. Whether you're hunting for cheap places to travel while visiting the UK or plan to splurge on a fancy castle stay , we have information on the best time to visit Scotland, what to know before you go and how to plan your trip.

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What are the best months to go to Scotland?

Technically, there is no best time of year to visit Scotland because "the best" time depends entirely on what you want to do. Do you want to attend festivals and concerts? Shop at the Christmas market? Explore castles and historical ruins? Stargaze? Marvel at the Northern Lights? There is something amazing to do every month, so your goals will determine the best time to visit Scotland.

Because I wanted to take a small-ship cruise to hard-to-reach Scottish islands and hike the world-famous West Highland Way, I visited during late June and early July. (I highly recommend Adventure Canada’s Scotland Slowly cruise and Wilderness Scotland ’s trek.)

Scotland receives the most visitors between July and September, which offer warm weather and lots of activities. Keep in mind that different parts of the country receive different amounts of tourists, so no matter when you visit far-flung places like the Shetland Islands, you'll encounter fewer people than you'll find in Edinburgh.

And speaking of that famous Scottish city, Edinburgh is especially popular in late July and August because it hosts many popular music, theater, food and cultural festivals . Prices will be higher, and the crowds will be thicker (this year's Edinburgh Festival Fringe sold more than a million tickets). But the entertainment options are endless.

If you'd rather avoid crowds, skip the summer. And there's another good reason to do that: You'll have the best chance of avoiding the notorious Scottish midge, a teensy two-winged fly that'll swarm you and make you wish you'd brought a netted hat. Peak midge season occurs from mid-May to September, and the swarms are worse at dusk and dawn.

What time of year is the cheapest to visit Scotland?

If saving money matters most to you, the best time of year to visit Scotland is between January and March. Because relatively few visitors plan their trips during these months, this tends to be the best time to book a flight to the country. To save even more money, consider the best time to book a hotel room to get the most for your money.

The shoulder seasons are April to May and October to December. That said, Scotland is well known for its Christmas markets and New Year celebrations, so to avoid higher prices, plan your trip before mid-December or wait until mid-January.

What are the rainy months in Scotland?

The short answer is that every month is a rainy month in Scotland. After all, Scotland is part of the UK, which is famous for its gray skies, fog and rain. For many travelers, the best time to visit Scotland is during its drier summer months. In general, January is the rainiest month (averaging 19 days of rain), with October and November close behind (averaging 18 rainy days). Compare that with April through June, which averages 13 days of rain.

But the weather is never predictable, so you can end up with sunshine or rain any time of year. I encountered nonstop sunshine and unseasonably high temperatures during the first 12 days of my trip to Scotland.

Keep in mind that despite the rain, there are plenty of things to do in Scotland every month, and the rain is often brief. Western Scotland is wetter than Eastern Scotland, and while I saw more days of sustained rain in the Highlands, most of the showers I encountered in Edinburgh and Glasgow lasted fewer than 10 minutes.

I noticed that many locals carried umbrellas with them, which they put to use on outdoor patios while continuing to enjoy their beer, coffee and food. Most hotels I stayed in provided umbrellas, but you might as well add the item to your vacation packing list . As for me, I brought a waterproof jacket and shoes, which is what I typically relied on.

When can you see the Northern Lights in Scotland?

Fancy seeing one of the seven natural wonders of the world while you're in the country? You're in luck.

Northern Scotland lies at the same latitude as Stavanger, Norway, and Nunivak Island, Alaska, meaning you'll have a good chance of spotting the Northern Lights if you visit. The best time to visit Scotland to catch the Northern Lights would be between November and February, which have the longest periods of darkness and the highest frequency of clear nights—both of which are required. That said, because part of Scotland is so far north, you can get some good views starting in late September.

Though it's possible to occasionally catch the aurora borealis in the capital city, Edinburgh, your best chance of viewing the Northern Lights in Scotland will be in more remote and wilderness regions.

Stargazing in Scotland is excellent, as the country has some of Europe's largest expanses of dark sky and is home to Europe's second Dark Sky Park. It's also home to many Dark Sky Discovery Sites, which experience low or practically nonexistent levels of light pollution, leaving ink-black skies filled with dazzling stars.

The Isle of Skye and its northerly Trotternish Peninsula have a whopping nine Dark Sky Discovery Sites, making this one of the best places in Scotland for stargazing and seeing the Northern Lights.

How many days are enough to visit Scotland?

The further you travel and the more regions you want to visit, the longer you'll want your trip to be. I flew directly from New York City to Edinburgh, which is only a seven-hour flight, so I got off the plane, took a bus to Glasgow and spent several hours walking around the city before crashing and sleeping off my jet lag.

If you're traveling on a plane from Los Angeles or Seattle, however, you'll be looking at 13 to 15 hours of flight time. Not only do you have farther to fly from the West Coast, but you also have to factor in the time it takes for layovers , which can be even longer if you stop in another country and have to go through customs.

In 2022, the average visitor spent 9.2 days in Scotland, a respectable amount of time for a trip but still only enough time to see a very small slice of the country. I may be biased, since Scotland is one of my favorite countries, but I spent a month here, and it was nowhere near enough time. When planning your trip to Scotland, remember that though it is a relatively small country, it is extraordinarily diverse in terms of geography, sites and attractions, so this is not somewhere to rush through.

Getting around Scotland

Once you've determined the best time to visit Scotland based on your interests and trip goals, it's time to start planning your vacation. The first thing to know is that it's extremely easy to get around the country and view all its hidden gems , so don't be afraid to stray away from the largest cities and most popular attractions.

Affordable bus, train and ferry options can move you around within and between cities and across the entire country. They are typically much cheaper, more accessible and easier to understand and use than public transportation options in the United States.

Traveling by rail

Scotland's railway, ScotRail, is one of the best ways to get around the country, as it's fast, safe, clean and affordable, and it connects large cities and tiny towns alike. It travels to popular places like Inverness, Edinburgh, Glasgow and Fort William, where you can catch the Jacobite steam train that crosses the Glenfinnan viaduct (made famous by the Harry Potter films). To give you an example of how affordable this is if you're traveling on a budge t : I paid about $18 for a round-trip train ticket from Edinburgh to Glasgow, and the scenic ride took about 45 minutes.

Trains accept credit cards, but you typically must purchase tickets from the station's ticketing machines (or information desk) before boarding to avoid a fee. While you can purchase train tickets in advance, you can also buy them when you arrive at the station. For instance, I had a pre-booked ticket for my 2.5-hour train ride from Edinburgh to Inverness, but I also purchased train tickets on the spot in Edinburgh and Glasgow.

Traveling by bus

Buses are another great option and, like trains, you can pay using your credit card. (Pro tip: Get a credit card with travel rewards and save even more.) The main difference is that you typically pay for trains before boarding (otherwise, you may incur a fee), while with buses, you pay after boarding.

In Inverness, I popped into the centrally located bus station. I learned that I could take a public bus to the historic Culloden Battlefield (which was only seven miles away) instead of having to sign up for a more expensive tour to take me there. The staff told me which bus to take and gave me a schedule so I knew when I could catch a bus back to downtown Inverness.

Traveling by car

Renting a car is also an option—I drove myself from Aberdeen to Glasgow, making several stops over a few days. But if you go this route, remember that the British drive on the other side of the road .

• Visit Scotland : "Research and Insights"
• Visit Scotland : "International Tourism Performance in 2022"
• Met Office : "UK Regional Climates"
• Edinburgh Fringe : "Optimism surrounds Fringe 2023 with 1 million tickets now issued"
• Visit Inverness Lochness : "The Highland Midge"

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