Natural Wonders of Ireland: 7 Must-See Places

For nature lovers, Ireland is one of Europe's top destinations. You'll find national parks and unique landscapes. The bettercities.net takes you through the country's most fascinating natural wonders.

A country full of natural wonders: Most people don't travel to Ireland just to wander through cities. Sure, the capital, Dublin, along with Cork and Galway, offer great city trip destinations. However, most travelers come to Ireland to discover its beautiful landscapes, find peace, and go hiking.

Ireland offers plenty of opportunities for that: Killarney, Connemara, Glenveagh - primarily the country's national parks invite you to enjoy nature and unwind. They are undoubtedly among Ireland's natural wonders. Throughout the country, you'll find impressive, expansive forests and idyllic lakes, as well as caves, gorges, and moorlands. Among the many scenic highlights, we've picked seven places that stand out and shouldn't be missed.

They are among Ireland's most famous natural wonders: You absolutely shouldn't miss the Cliffs of Moher on a trip through Ireland. The eight-kilometer-long cliffs offer a stunning panorama of rugged rocks and the Atlantic Ocean. From three viewing platforms, you can enjoy views of the coastal landscape. The view from the old watchtower, O'Brien's Tower, is particularly romantic, especially at sunset. In good weather, you can see all the way to the three rocky Aran Islands.

The Cliffs of Moher are also known for their diverse bird population, including gulls, guillemots, and puffins, which live in large colonies on some cliff sections. A great starting point for a day trip to the cliffs is the coastal city of Galway. But you can also book tours to Ireland's most famous cliffs from many other parts of the country - or explore them on your own. During peak season, there's a lot going on at the cliffs.

Less well-known but just as spectacular as the Cliffs of Moher are the Slieve League Cliffs in County Donegal in the north of the country.

With heights over 600 meters, they are among the highest sea cliffs in Europe. A particularly fascinating, albeit not entirely safe adventure is hiking along the cliff ridge. From there, you'll have magnificent views of the sea, rocks, and meadows.

Another advantage over the Cliffs of Moher: Slieve League is less crowded. At certain times of the year, you might find yourself nearly alone, encountering only a few sheep grazing on the lush cliffs.

For a hike, you can choose between the easier Pilgrim's Pass and the narrow One Man's Pass along the cliff ridge. The latter should only be attempted if you're sure-footed and not afraid of heights. It's not without its challenges! Wear sturdy hiking boots and carry plenty of water in your backpack.

You'll be rewarded with breathtaking views - the Slieve League Cliffs offer one of the most extraordinary hikes you can undertake in Europe. If you're short on time and still want to get a glimpse of the cliffs, you can park at Bunglass Point and enjoy the majestic rocks from there.

We're taking a detour to Northern Ireland to visit a natural wonder as renowned as the Cliffs of Moher in the southwest: the Giant's Causeway. It's an impressive rock formation made up of around 40,000 basalt columns - you've probably seen photos of it before.

This giant roadway stretches about five kilometers along the coast into the sea. Its uniform vertical formations were formed around 60 million years ago from the cooling of hot lava. The volcano that created the Giant's Causeway was eroded over time. The Giant's Causeway and the Causeway Coast were listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1986.

The name 'Giant's Causeway' originates from a legend: It's said that the giant Finn McCumhaill built the basalt dam to defeat his Scottish rival, Benandonner, in a duel. According to legend, he tore huge boulders from the cliffs on the coast to build a bridge to Scotland. This is how people once explained the creation of the unusual rock formations along the coast.

Today, a visit to the Visitor Center offers fascinating insight into the geological formation of the Giant's Causeway and also explores the myths surrounding the giant's path. From the viewpoint of the visitor center, you have a spectacular view of the coastal landscape.

It's one of Ireland's dream beaches and therefore makes it onto our list of the most beautiful natural wonders: Murder Hole Beach in County Donegal in the north of the country is not easy to find.

It is hidden in Boyeeghter Bay and can only be reached by a half-hour walk. The best place to park is in the small town of Melmore and head off cross-country.

The short hike to Murder Hole Beach is worth it: The sight that greets you upon arrival is unique. You look out over the Atlantic, dunes, the beach, and overwhelming rocks, amongst which is a cave called the mysterious Murder Hole, which makes a great photo subject and is especially popular with bloggers.

However, the beach itself, divided into two sections, merges at low tide into a long beach, is beautiful. Yet, you should avoid visiting Murder Hole Beach at high tide, and swimming there is strongly discouraged due to dangerous currents - the beach's name likely originates from the perils of the crashing sea.

Here you'll feel as if you're on a moonwalk: The Burren - which translates as 'the rocky place' - is a fascinating karst landscape in County Clare.

The Burren National Park is not far from the Cliffs of Moher and stands out among Ireland's natural wonders due to its barrenness: Everywhere you look, you'll see bare, grey limestone in all conceivable forms: slabs, walls, and stone formations. Yet, The Burren is renowned not only for its moonlike landscape but also for its flora and fauna.

Certainly, grasses, herbs, and mosses thrive here primarily. However, in The Burren, there are also several Mediterranean, alpine, and Arctic plants such as gentian, cranesbill, and various orchid species. In spring, wildflowers bloom here, adding delightful splashes of color to the stark landscape.

The Burren is also an ideal location for observing butterflies and seabirds. Additionally, you might see feral goats and hares - unlike badgers, foxes, and weasels, they appear relatively often among the grey stones.

Powerscourt Waterfall is a natural highlight you can visit from Ireland's capital, Dublin. It's nestled within parkland at the foot of the Wicklow Mountains, one of Ireland's most beautiful mountain landscapes. Here, the River Dargle cascades over large granite rocks.

The waterfall is a wonderful spot for an excursion: You can hike, picnic, and watch wildlife there. Accordingly, Powerscourt Waterfall is usually bustling with activity in good weather - it's just an hour from Dublin.

This natural wonder is certainly one of the less wild, yet easily accessible and convenient to reach. You can combine your trip to the waterfall with a visit to Powerscourt Gardens or a hike in the Wicklow Mountains, especially at the picturesque lake of Lough Tay, located minutes by car from the falls. Powerscourt Gardens is an expansive parkland with a mansion, known notably from movies and series like 'Excalibur', 'King Arthur', and 'The Tudors'.

Finally, we have a slightly different landscape highlight for you. We're taking another detour to Northern Ireland. The Dark Hedges is a beech avenue along Bregagh Road in County Antrim.

The Dark Hedges are dark, mystical, and incredibly alluring: Since they were used as a filming location for the TV series 'Game of Thrones', they have become a popular tourist attraction. No wonder, because it is truly fascinating to walk through the gnarled beeches as if through a tunnel.

The hedge was planted in 1775 as an avenue to Gracehill House. James Stuart planted 150 beeches for this purpose. There is a legend surrounding the Dark Hedges: It is said that the ghost of James Stuart's daughter or that of a maid, known as the 'Grey Lady,' wanders the road and haunts the trees.

Unlike the Giant's Causeway, the hedges are certainly not a natural wonder for which you should travel specifically to Northern Ireland. However, if they are along your route and you're nearby, they are worth visiting.

Looking for more inspiration? Find tips for all top travel destinations at bettercities.net.