Last updated on November 7th, 2023
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Ireland and the U.K. have some of the best destinations in the world to experience. Whether you’re traveling alone or traveling in a group, these places are must-see destinations. Here is a list of my top 5 favorite places to visit in Ireland and the U.K.
Edinburgh
The city of Edinburgh looks like it came straight out of a medieval fairytale, mainly because the buildings throughout the city have a very dark and haunting look. But despite this taking away from the city’s charm, it only makes its visitors want to explore more. And while the town is relatively small, there are many nooks and crannies to discover.
Unknownst to me when I booked the trip, the town J.K. Rowling started writing the Harry Potter series! How cool is that! It’s said that she frequented a coffee shop located in Edinburgh called The Elephant House when writing the first couple of books. There has also been speculation that the Edinburgh Castle was the inspiration behind the look for Hogwarts. But who knows?! This town is an absolute must-see for all my Harry Potter readers!
Cliffs of Moher
Visiting the Cliffs of Moher was a magical experience for me. It took my breath away; it was so beautiful. The cliffs are over 700 feet tall and have been around for over 320 million years! The haunting beauty of these cliffs attracts millions of visitors every year, and it’s no surprise why. The cliffs have the humbling ability to make everything in the world, myself included, appear small. Being on those cliffs made me realize that we humans are just a small part of Mother Nature in the grand scheme of things.
Several companies offer tours of the cliffs, ranging in price depending type of tour you select. For instance, the tour company I booked my tour with took us to the tops of the cliffs. But you can also find tours that take cruises in the water to view the cliffs. So either route you go will be worth it!
I booked my tour through the company linked here: Wild Rover Day Tours.
Dubin
Much like other cities on this list, Dublin has been around for quite some time, dating back to the Middle Ages. Dublin has been recognized by UNESCO and is listed as a City of Literature. Some of the city’s legendary literary authors include Oscar Wilde, Bram Stoker, and James Joyce!
The city is also home to eight universities; the following three rank as some of the best colleges in Dublin: University College Dublin, Trinity College Dublin, and the National University of Ireland, Galway.
My favorite thing about Dublin was the overall atmosphere, very warm and welcoming. And we can’t forget about the Irish culture!
Galway
Galway is a city in the Republic of Ireland, a harbor city located on the county’s west coast. This city is a great place to stay for day trips; It’s a popular spot to stop on the way to visit the cliffs. We only stopped in for a few hours, but you can definitely get lost exploring the city for a couple of days. Galway has a very robust restaurant scene making this a great place for foodies to visit. And if you’re looking to go somewhere for the Christmas Holidays, Galway is the perfect spot! You’ll want to make sure to visit the Galway Christmas Market (Nov. 13th – Dec. 21st, 2021) to get the whole experience of what it’s like to have Christmas in Galway!
London
Lastly is the capital of England, London, one of the oldest world cities. Full of rich history and insane architectural sites, the city of London is a great vacation spot for anyone looking to brush up on British history. Some of my favorite historical sites include Webminister Abbey, Big Ben, Buckingham Palace, and the Tower Bridge, but there are many other historical locations to see within the city. Other attractions include art museums,
Or, if you’re in the mood for some shopping, head down to Camden Town and visit the famous outside market, Camden Market! Camden is a well-known neighborhood popular for its diverse and eccentric culture. The market has many shops and stalls selling all kinds of trinkets and delicious food worldwide. So, whether you visit for food or the souvenirs, Camden is undoubtedly an experience.
And, of course, don’t forget to ride the tube and have tea time! It’s not a trip to London without these two!
These cities (Edinburgh, Dubin, Galway, London) are some of my favorite spots to visit in the U.K. or Ireland.
If you’ve been to any of these locations, comment below your favorite thing to do in that city!
Check out my other posts for more travel inspiration!
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