Top Ireland Half-day Tours

Travelers that want to explore West Kerry Gaeltacht typically need to rent a car and plan an itinerary, which means that you're worried about driving rather than enjoying the sights. Leave the driving to your guide on this small-group tour that's perfect for seeing the best of West Kerry's bucolic beauty. Highlights include views of the Blasket Islands, a stroll on Coumeenole Beach, and even the chance to hold a baby lamb.

For travelers short on time, this half-day tour is a convenient way to experience the beauty of the Irish countryside without having to rent a car or waste precious hours in transit. Enjoy the scenery extended out before you embark on the journey from Dublin to County Wicklow and wander around Glendalough at a pace that suits you.

Learn about Dublin’s history and culture on this walking tour that goes in depth into the city’s food scene. This is a group tour, so you’ll keep costs down. You also will have the chance to purchase which foods you like, instead of getting handed foods you may not be interested in. This gives you flexibility, while your guide points you in the direction of some great eats.

Nature lovers won't want to miss this chance to observe marine wildlife on a boat tour around Ireland’s Blasket Islands. Setting out from the Dingle Marina, the tour provides spectacular views of the coastline and opportunities to watch whales, dolphins, and grey seals in their natural habitats. During the journey, your guide will teach you all about the history of the now-uninhabited islands.

Immerse yourself in the culture, history, music, and architecture of the Dingle Peninsula on this private tour. You'll enjoy personalized attention and a flexible itinerary; you can focus on parts of the landscape and history that interest you. The peninsula is known for its epic scenery, and since this tour includes all transportation, you'll be able to take it all instead of driving or directions.

Join this tour to discover some of Dublin’s secret spots on a tour hosted by a local interested in Irish history. This small, intimate group tour takes you on a lighthearted exploration of the city where you learn about culture, art, music, and more. Visit places you most likely won’t find on your own, and also get treated to a few snacks along the way.

Explore Ireland beyond the capital city with this Wicklow and Glendalough driving tour. Skip the hassle of a rental car and admire the scenery as you drive south to see County Wicklow’s beautiful lakes, forests, and mountains. Visit landscapes from popular films including Braveheart, such as the monastic ruins and Celtic crosses at Glendalough.

See some of the best of Dublin on this group tour, where your guide takes you to see St. Patrick’s Cathedral, the Book of Kells, Dublin Castle, and much more that you might not find on a self-guided tour. Get your cameras ready to take photos at the Molly Malone Statue, and enjoy skip-the-line entry to St. Patrick’s Cathedral. The tour is available in English and Spanish.

Save your precious vacation (and drinking) time with his tour that includes skip-the-line admission to Dublin's Guinness Storehouse and Jameson Distillery. Listen as your guide explains the ingredients used and learn of the complex brewing and distilling processes then enjoy tastings of two of Ireland's most-loved drinks.

Head off the tourist trail, and discover bites and stories you'd otherwise miss, on this small-group or private Dublin food tour. With your foodie guide, seek out authentic pubs, cafés, food shops, and markets, and savor traditional Irish specialties including stew, artisanal cheeses, ice cream, and more. Pair your tastings with an Irish coffee, and admire some of Dublin’s hidden gems while learning about its culinary heritage.

Discover Connemara on this private half-day tour from Galway for groups of up to seven people. Drive through the scenic countryside, past the villages of Connemara, Inverin Spiddal, and Barna, with stops to take in the views of Clifden Bay, the Twelve Bens, and the Maam Turk Mountains, and explore the historic Kylemore Abbey, with time for lunch or snacks (own expense).

To experience the culinary scene in Cork, don't miss this foodie-friendly guided tour designed for travelers to embrace the city's burgeoning culinary world. The highlight of your tour is a visit to the famed English Market where you can chat with local traders (or have the craic, as locals might say), while feasting on local treats like fish and bread, as well as tasty sweets. Wrap up your gastronic outing with a light pub lunch, included in the price.

Get up close and personal with some of the Dingle Peninsula’s most spectacular, dramatic scenery—and enjoy a thrilling way to travel—on this rigid inflatable boat tour. Pick from multiple tour times, meet at the Dingle departure point, slide on your waterproof gear, and set off with just a small group for company. You can admire the rugged coastline; see the Blasket Islands; glimpse wildlife like whales, dolphins, and puffins; and more.

Trek through Howth to see off-the-beaten-path sights that most travelers miss on this small-group hiking tour accompanied by a local guide and their dog. Listen to engaging commentary as you walk, illuminating the history of Howth and Ireland from as far back as 700 years ago. Highlights include St. Mary's Abbey, the Cliffs of Howth, a centuries-old castle, and others. Finish up in a village pub for an included pint and rest for your weary legs.

Explore Ireland’s most stunning natural landscapes without missing out on natural highlights in a vehicle on this full-day hiking tour of the Gap of Dunloe from Killarney. Don't worry about getting lost on a 7-mile (11 kilometer) trail through the nation’s vast emerald scenery—your guide leads the way and adds context to what you see with commentary. Plus, take an optional Jaunting Cart ride, and kick back and relax during a boat ride on the Gearhameen River.

Not everyone wants to spend their time at Cliffs of Moher—one of Ireland’s most stunning natural attractions—trailing behind a guide. Then again, renting a car can also be a hassle. Skip the fuss on this transport-only tour, which whisks you from Galway to the Cliffs of Moher and back by direct shuttle bus. Once there, enjoy free time to wander the clifftop trails on your own.

Step back to medieval and Victorian times with a full-day admission ticket to Bunratty Castle and Folk Park near Shannon Town. Explore the 15th-century castle to see its rich furnishings, chambers and artworks, and wander through the folk park, a recreation of a 19th-century Irish village brought to life with costumed animators. See the replica cottages, shops, farmhouses, and Bunratty Walled Garden, and learn about traditional village life over a century ago.

Known for its bounty of seafood, bars, restaurants and, importantly, beer, the historic fishing village of Howth is perched right on the Irish Sea. On this half-day, small-group tour, you'll make the most of its charms, and see parts of the area most visitors miss. Discover the rich Norman and Viking history of medieval Ireland, visit Howth's highlight landmarks, and pair your sightseeing with a seafood feast and local craft beers.

Immerse yourself in Dublin's famous pub culture on this evening walking tour. With a pub-loving guide in the lead, you'll visit some hidden gems that tourists don't often find, as well as some of Dublin's best-known watering holes. Try some new craft beers, as well as Irish gin and craft whiskey.

Dublin’s music and pub culture is legendary, but finding authentic traditional music spots, away from the tourist hot spots can be time-consuming. This guided pub crawl removes the guesswork, leading you to off-the-beaten-path venues with live Irish music and drinks along the way. Enjoy local insight into Irish culture and have a lot of fun along the way too. Note that no food is included or available, so plan to eat beforehand.

Discover Ireland’s rich history and cultural heritage with the help of a local guide on this walking tour of Dublin. See River Liffey, Temple Bar, the Book of Kells Experience, and more, while your guide tells you all about the city’s storied past and vibrant present. Leave with your guide’s top tips on what to do and where to eat in the city next.

Experience Ireland’s stunning Gap of Dunloe mountain pass and beautiful Killarney National Park by bus and boat on this tour from Killarney. Skip the planning involved in exploring independently, and admire the scenery on a bus to Kate Kearney’s Cottage at the gap entrance. Then, choose to walk or take a horse-drawn carriage ride (own expense) through the pass before enjoying a guided boat tour around Killarney's lakes and rivers.

Discover the stories behind Game of Thrones with a studio tour and round-trip coach transfer from Dublin city center. Board an air-conditioned coach in Dublin and admire views during the journey to Linen Mill Studios in Banbridge, Northern Ireland. Go behind the scenes at this Game of Thrones filming location and learn about how the popular TV series was made. Return transportation back to Dublin is included.