8 Beautiful Islands in Ireland to not miss
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There are about 80 islands off the coast of Ireland. While Skellig Michael or the Aran Islands are the most popular and touristy, many more offer jaw-dropping sceneries, incredible hikes, wildlife, and important Irish heritage sites!
In this article, we have chosen 8 beautiful islands in Ireland to add to your Irish Road Trip itinerary or bucket list!
1. Saltee Islands – Where Puffins nest
Located in the southeast of the country, near the town of Wexford, the Saltee Islands are comprised of 2 islands: Great Saltee and Little Saltee. While they are privately owned by the Neale family, there are frequent ferries linking Kilmore Quay to Great Saltee throughout the year, allowing day visitors to discover this gorgeous bird sanctuary.
The Saltee Islands are in fact home to more than 220 bird species including Puffins, Gannets, and Razorbill. With such abundance, they are one of the best destinations for bird watching in Europe!
Tip: The best time to visit the Saltee Islands is from June to August when puffins land on the quiet islands to breed and nest away from predators and noise.
- Do: Walk around the island, Take photos of the Puffins, sit on the “Prince’s throne”, and look for seals and other sea wildlife.
- Eat: Little Saltee Chipper, The Quay Cafe, Silver Fox
- Sleep: Bluebell Cottage – Carmel Lodge – Wooden House Hotel – Kilmore Quay Holiday Park
2. InishBofin – White sand beaches
Inishbofin is a small inhabited island off the coast of Connemara. Easily accessible from Cleggan via ferry, the island is one of the lesser-visited places along the Wild Atlantic Way.
Though, Inishbofin is the perfect escape for a relaxing weekend surrounded by unspoiled landscapes. If its beautiful walks and adventurous mountain hikes don’t attract you, maybe its several award-winning beaches with crystal clear water ideal for kayaking, snorkeling, and swimming, will win your heart.
Tip: Stay the night in Inis Bofin and spend your evening in the local bar to listen to Irish Trad Music. The island has indeed become an important music and artistic hub in the region as many musicians and artists live in this peaceful heaven.
- Do: Hike the Westquarter Mountain, Swim at Tra Gheall, Visit the Dun Mor Cliffs, Go Kayaking/SUP, Listen to Trad music
- Eat: The Saltbox, Inishwallah,
- Sleep: Murray’s Doonmore Hotel, Inishbofin Island Hostel
3. Aran islands – best for cycling
The Aran Islands are found in county Galway, on the west coast of Ireland. Out of the 3 main islands, Inis Mor (also, Inishmore) is the largest and most popular for a day trip. It offers beautiful landscapes, historical sites, turquoise water beaches, and impressive cliffs.
There are daily ferries running to the island from both Doolin and Rossaveal. You can take a return trip for the day or decide to spend the night on the island for a weekend getaway.
Tip: make sure to rent a bike for the day to visit the island at your own pace. It is the best way to get around the island and see all the things Inishmore has to offer.
One of the most known activities here is to visit Dun Aengus, a ring fort built more than 3,000 years ago. The site also offers the best views over Inishmore’s dramatic cliffs! While you tour the island, you can also see the famous Irish stone walls, look for seals, or go cliff jumping at the wormhole. If you are interested in Irish Cultural Heritage, this is one of the best islands to visit as there are also many monastic settlements scattered around.
- Do: Rent a bike, Jump into the Worm Hole, visit Dun Aengus, swim at Kilmurvey beach
- Eat: Teach nan
- Sleep: Inis Mor Glamping & Camping – Aran Islands Hotel – Pier House B&B
4. Valentia Island – Tetrapod Footprints
Valentia Island in County Kerry is located off the Iveagh Peninsula. It is accessible via car through a bridge that links it to the small town of Portmagee (from where leave the boats to the famous Star Wars’ Skellig Michael Island)
Despite its proximity to such a tourist attraction, Valentia Island remains a nice off-the-beaten-path place to visit while driving the Ring of Kerry.
Bray Head Loop Walk found on the west side of the island offers the best vantage points over the Atlantic Ocean and Skellig Michael in the background. On the north side, you will find more hiking trails to Geokaun Mountain and Fogher Cliffs.
Tips: Another thing to do, and surely the most unique place in Ireland, is visit the Tetrapod’s Footprints. Long before dinosaurs set foot on Earth, sea creatures evolved into vertebrates living on land. On Valentia Island, some of these tetrapods left footprints behind which are today visible to the naked eye. They are believed to be more than 385 Million years old!
- Do: Hike Bray Head Loop, look for the Tetrapod’s footprints, visit the Fogher Cliffs, watch the sunset
- Eat: the Bridge, Fisherman’s Bar
- Sleep: Royal Valentia Hotel,
5. Skellig Michael Island – Monastery & Star Wars
Great Skellig is probably the most internationally known Irish island after featuring in two of the Star Wars movie franchises (The Last Jedi, and The Force Awaken). The erratic landscape famous for being Luke Skywalker’s sanctuary is located 12 km off the coast of Kerry (Southwest) and can be reached by boat within 50 min from Portmagee.
While most tourism is now linked to the Star Wars movie, the Skellig Michael islands which were recognized as a UNESCO World Heritage site in 1996, are worth visiting for their well-preserved Christian Monastery built during the 6th century, as well as the large puffin colony breeding in the summer (more than 2,000 pairs).
- Do: Walk the “Stairway to Heaven”, visit the Monastery ruins and “beehive huts”, enjoy the view, and look for puffins.
- Sleep: The Moorings Hotel, Skellig Port 2 bed-Apt
6. Ireland’s Eye – Birds & Grey Seals
Just off the Howth Harbour, near Dublin city center, Ireland’s Eye is a small island that can easily be accessed by boat. Currently not inhabited, it was once the site of the original Howth village’s church!
Ireland’s Eye can be visited every day during the summer months and on weekends and bank holidays only the rest of the year. There are a couple of tour companies that run roundtrips from Howth Harbour when the island is open to visitors.
On the island, you can see a few bird colonies of Gannets, Cormorants, Guillemots, and Gulls. If you are lucky, you might also spot some Peregrine Falcons or Puffins. On the way to the island, you will more than likely see grey seals who like to hang out around the Howth peninsula. One of them often greets visitors by weaving its paw at them! It is hilarious and so cute.
- Do: walk around the island, look for the Martello tower, go bird-watching, have a swim
- Eat: in Howth: Brass Monkey, Leo Burdocks, Octopussy
- Sleep: King Sitric, The Croke Park Hotel, The Westbury Hotel
7. Achill island – county Mayo’s Gem
Achill Island is the largest island off the coast of Ireland. It is easily accessible by car or bike (via the Great Western Greenway) which makes it one of the most popular destinations in the summer for Irish campers and weekenders.
While the island is best known for its picturesque white sand beaches such as Keem Bay and Keel Beach, it also offers endless opportunities for hiking, as well as 5,000-year-old megalithic tombs and forts. The Croaghaun cliffs on the north side, are one of the best trails here, they are also some of the highest sea cliffs in Europe!
Tip: Keem Beach car park overflows easily on weekends with day visitors and wild campers, so be early because parking on the side of the road is quite tricky.
Do: Morning hike to Croaghaun cliffs, Swim in Keem Bay, Kite Surfing in Keel, Visit the deserted villages of Achill Island
Eat: Beehive Achill, Amethyst Bar Achill, Ted’s, Lili Ban Cafe
Sleep: Wild Camping at Keem beach, Óstán Oileán Acla, Bervie,
8. great Blasket island – wild & Rough
The Blasket Islands are composed of 6 islets among which only Great Blasket is accessible to visitors by ferry from either Dingle or Dunquin Pier. While there have not been any residents on the Great Blasket for the past 50s due to the rough weather, there are nowadays a few houses that have been restored and can be rented out during the summer.
Fun fact about Great Blasket, each year, the owners of the 3 cottages and the only coffee shop on the island, make the news by opening applications to anyone willing to be the next Great Blasket Caretaker for 6 months. In 2022, more than 100k people applied!
- Do: Walk around the island, go for a swim, look for dolphins or basking sharks, and order a coffee from the most westerly coffee shop in Europe!
- Eat: Caife
- Sleep: on the island, Old Irish farmhouse, Heatons Guesthouse, The Plough B&B
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I help you explore Ireland like a local with insider tips, detailed itineraries, and practical advice.
HEY THERE! I’M JEN…
Funder, Author & Photographer behind travelirelandtoday.com
Ireland has been my home for the last 12 years. Before settling here, I spent years backpacking around the globe, visiting 65+ countries. Along the way, I discovered my love for hiking, photography, and crafting budget-friendly itineraries.
Through this website, I share the best things to do and see in Ireland, detailed hiking guides, and practical tips to help you plan your perfect Irish adventure. Let’s make your trip unforgettable!
