Full of soaring sea cliffs, lush countryside, hidden beaches and quaint villages, Ireland has many charms. Ask anyone what to see in Ireland and you’ll likely get an answer full of iconic places. Cliffs of Moher. Ring of Kerry. The Giant’s Causeway. There’s a reason why these spots are famous and come to mind, but that also means that they’re on everyone else’s radar as well. 

For an island roughly the same size as South Carolina, Ireland is packed not only with tourist attractions, but also lesser-known treasures that you might have overlooked in past visits. Visiting these spots gives you a better chance to mingle with locals and experience some of that famous Irish friendliness—this is, after all, the land of "a hundred thousand welcomes."  

These attractions should be on your list this year to have an experience unlike any other, along with a list of tour operators who can help you plan your trip to the island of Ireland. 

Good Food Ireland

Over the past few years, Ireland has experienced a culinary renaissance. While staples like Irish soda bread, potatoes and corned beef are still available, modern Irish cuisine focuses on farm-to-table ingredients, fresh (and sustainable) seafood as well as high-quality, local dairy. Ireland’s rich agricultural heritage has made its current scene a hot ticket.   

Celebrating its 20th anniversary, the Good Food Ireland brand is now a recognized seal of approval for high standards, an authentically Irish product and responsibly sourced local food. Via Good Food Ireland Experiences, you can book picnics, cooking workshops or food tours such as a half-day cheesemaking experience on a goat farm in the Aran Islands or a visit to a fourth-generation oyster farm in County Kerry. If you’re looking for an even more immersive experience, they offer tours like a 2-day whiskey trail in Northern Ireland, a 3-day Ancient East tour that includes 5 distilleries or a 2-day equine and culinary adventure in the Hidden Heartlands. (Tip: Travelzoo members can get an 8% discount using promo code TZ426 on the Good Food Ireland site.)

Kylemore Abbey

Smack in the middle of Connemara’s famously stunning landscapes—on the shore of Lough Pollacappul in County Galway—sits a 19th century castle-turned-Benedictine abbey that’s well worth a visit. At Kylemore Abbey, you’ll find Victorian walled gardens, a Gothic church—and the loveliest tea rooms and woodland walks. The Benedictine nuns of Kylemore Abbey have owned and operated the 1,000-acre estate here since 1920; a portion of the abbey is not open to the public as it is strictly for the nuns’ use.

Free guided tours are available daily to learn more about the abbey’s history, as well as to explore the walled garden and meet the farm animals like the Connemara ponies and Kunekune pigs. There’s an on-site restaurant serving traditional home-cooked food (think stews, scones and brown breads). In the gift shop, you can even pick up soaps and chocolates handmade by the nuns. 

Titanic Belfast

Just a short 2-hour drive from Dublin to Belfast, there is a gem hidden in plain sight. A decade ago, Titanic Belfast was voted the World’s Leading Tourist Attraction at the World Travel Awards, beating finalists like the Colosseum and the Eiffel Tower. Not bad for an attraction that had only opened its doors four years prior. 

Titanic Belfast is the world’s largest Titanic-themed visitor experience (it's actually the height of the real liner's hull) and has full-scale ship reconstructions and interactive features over six floors. You'll ride through the shipyard where the liner was built. You'll see room recreations for each ticket class. You'll descend the grand staircase. You'll see artifacts recovered from the sinking. Whether you’re specifically a Titanic buff—or just interested in modern maritime lore—you’ll want to budget at least half a day here, and a few days to experience the rest of Northern Ireland. 

Irish National Stud & Gardens

Irish horse racing has a long history dating back millennia; not only is it a popular spectator sport on the island, but Ireland is one of the world’s strongest breeders of thoroughbred horses. At the Irish National Stud & Gardens in County Kildare, visitors can meet some of these living legends, like Beef or Salmon, Sizing John and Hurricane Fly. The Irish Racehorse Experience traces the history of horseracing back to the first steeplechase in Cork and even includes a chance for you to race your horse against others.  

Created between 1906-1910, the Japanese Gardens were devised by a wealthy Scotsman and laid out by a Japanese master horticulturist. In 1999, St. Fiachra’s Garden opened on the grounds as well, celebrating Ireland’s natural beauty. (St. Fiachra is the patron saint of gardeners.)  

Kildare Village 

A five-minute drive away from the Irish National Stud & Gardens, Kildare Village is an open-air designer outlet mall designed to look like a welcoming neighborhood with trees and shrubs. (Stores are located on different streets and have second-floor windows and awnings.)

Here you’ll find more than 100 boutiques, including Irish brands like Louise Kennedy, Avoca and Pestle & Mortar. Along with benches sprinkled throughout, there are places to refuel for a quick bite or a coffee.   

Smithwick's Experience & Guinness Storehouse 

It’s no secret that this is a land that knows how to brew and pour a proper pint. Even if beer isn’t your beverage of choice, these two brewery experiences make learning fun. Over in Kilkenny, the Smithwick’s Experience uses holograms of Franciscan monks and the Smithwick family to tell the story of the 300-year-old brewery. Admission price includes a fully guided tour with a pint or soft drink at the end; for an extra charge, you can taste two of the ales plus Kilkenny tour. If you choose the “masters of ale” experience, you’ll have a guided sensory tour of the raw ingredients needed for different ale styles and learn how to pour the perfect pint of Smithwick’s. All guests can personalize exclusive Smithwick’s glassware with their own name, message or motto at the gift shop. 

At the Guinness Storehouse in Dublin, regular admission grants you a self-guided tour through seven floors of Guinness, plus access to the rooftop bar and a complimentary pint of Guinness. (Guests under 18 receive a free soft drink.) Perfect for your socials, the Stoutie experience is a pint featuring your selfie on the head of the black and white stout. At the Guinness Academy, a Guinness expert will show you the six-step ritual to pouring your own pint of Guinness (which you can then enjoy).

See Ireland on your own 

Part of the magic of Ireland is finding hidden gems that you discover without a set itinerary. On this welcoming island, that could be a cozy pub, an ancient church, a quiet beach or a fantastic view. One of the best ways to do that is by renting a car with Europcar and driving down Ireland’s winding roads—just wait for the sheep to pass if they’re blocking them. 

Visit Ireland with the experts

Of course, there’s no wrong way to see Ireland since you’ll experience warm hospitality and good cheer throughout. But if your goal is to see some of Ireland’s iconic experiences, you can book a tour with several already baked into the itinerary. Each of the following companies offer ways to do just that.  

• Brendan Vacations
  Ireland is one of only two countries Brendan Vacations focuses on; this dedicated team of Celtic destination experts offers escorted trips, small group tours (maximum of 18-24 guests), private driver vacations, luxury self-drive (with a premium rental car), self-drive and train vacations.  
  
  
• CIE Tours
  CIE Tours offers several ways to experience Ireland, including guided, independent and group tours, as well as custom trips with private drivers. They also offer walking and hiking tours of Ireland (maximum 16 people) with local guides; you’ll spend up to 5 hours of scenic walking each day, so you cover 2-6 miles of paths and hill trails.  
  
  
• Railtours Ireland
  Choose to go car-free and be carefree with Railtours Ireland so nobody has to worry about driving on the other side of the road. This company offers everything from day trips to an 11-day tour that covers the theme of the Titanic around the island.
  
  
• Great Value Vacations
  Regularly found in Travelzoo's Top 20, Great Value Vacations offers a broad range of Ireland vacations—including escorted, group, train travel or self-drive options. Many vacations feature flight-inclusive prices from airports across the U.S. Add extra nights, tours or hotel upgrades to customize your trip to fit your budget and interests. 
  
  
• Specialized Travel Services
  Specialized Travel Services encourages sustainable and eco-conscious travel around Ireland and is committed to Leave No Trace Ireland. The company organizes custom travel, so you can pick a private chauffeur vacation, self-drive or group tour to match your specific interests (ie gardening, golf, choir, pilgrimage or sports). 
  
  
• Isle Inn Tours 
  For the film buff, Isle Inn Tours offers theme tours on filming locations for Star Wars and Game of Thrones as part of its varied options. The company also offers castle tours, golf and activity vacations and a 7-night pub tour in different cities, with your own private chauffeur so you can enjoy yourself.  

Ready to go? Start planning your trip to Ireland now.