travel galway to donegal

Winter is here! Check out the winter wonderlands at these 5 amazing winter destinations in Montana

Travel Guide

The Best Of The Wild Atlantic Way From Galway To Donegal

Published: September 24, 2023

Modified: December 27, 2023

by Roxi Messer

Plan Your Trip
Travel Tips

Introduction

Welcome to the wild and rugged beauty of the Wild Atlantic Way, stretching along the western coast of Ireland. From the lively streets of Galway to the majestic cliffs of Donegal, this scenic route offers a captivating adventure for nature enthusiasts, history buffs, and thrill-seekers alike.

The Wild Atlantic Way is the longest defined coastal touring route in the world, spanning over 2,500 kilometers of stunning landscapes, picturesque villages, and ancient landmarks. It showcases the untamed beauty of Ireland’s western shores, where towering cliffs, rolling hills, and emerald-green landscapes meet the crashing waves of the Atlantic Ocean.

Embark on a journey from the vibrant city of Galway, known as the gateway to the Wild Atlantic Way. Immerse yourself in its lively atmosphere, bustling streets lined with colorful shops and cozy pubs, and the enchanting melodies of traditional Irish music. Explore the cobblestoned lanes of the Latin Quarter, discover the fascinating history of Galway Cathedral, and indulge in fresh seafood at the famous Galway Market.

As you venture further along the Wild Atlantic Way, be prepared to be astounded by the dramatic Cliffs of Moher. Standing tall at 214 meters, these iconic cliffs offer breathtaking panoramas of the Atlantic Ocean and the Aran Islands. Take a leisurely stroll along the cliff edge, feeling the cool sea breeze on your face, and marvel at the dramatic coastal scenery. Be sure to have your camera ready, as this is a sight you won’t want to forget.

Galway: Gateway to the Wild Atlantic Way

Located on the western coast of Ireland, Galway serves as the perfect starting point for your Wild Atlantic Way adventure. With its vibrant streets, rich history, and lively atmosphere, Galway offers a taste of authentic Irish culture.

Begin your exploration in the heart of Galway’s city center, the bustling Eyre Square. Admire the beautiful statue of John F. Kennedy and take a moment to soak in the lively ambiance of this popular meeting place. From here, wander through the winding cobblestone streets of the Latin Quarter, where you’ll find a treasure trove of colorful shops, traditional pubs, and inviting cafes.

A visit to Galway wouldn’t be complete without experiencing the city’s vibrant arts scene. Known as the “City of Festivals,” Galway hosts an array of cultural events throughout the year, including the renowned Galway International Arts Festival. From music and theater to literature and visual arts, there’s always something exciting happening in Galway.

Immerse yourself in Galway’s rich history by exploring the city’s historic landmarks. Galway Cathedral, with its stunning Gothic architecture, is a must-visit. Take a walk along the Spanish Arch, a 16th-century fortification that once protected the city’s bustling port. And don’t miss the opportunity to learn about the city’s medieval past at the Galway City Museum.

When it comes to culinary delights, Galway offers a diverse range of options to satisfy every palate. Indulge in fresh seafood at one of the renowned seafood restaurants overlooking the harbor. Sample traditional Irish dishes at a cozy pub or explore the vibrant food market at St. Nicholas’ Church, where you can taste local delicacies and find unique artisan products.

As you venture beyond the city, Galway provides easy access to some of the most scenic spots along the Wild Atlantic Way. Take a short drive to the beautiful coastal village of Salthill and enjoy a leisurely stroll along the promenade, with stunning views of Galway Bay. For those seeking outdoor adventures, Connemara National Park offers hiking trails through rugged landscapes and picturesque lakes.

Galway truly embodies the spirit of the Wild Atlantic Way. With its vibrant streets, rich history, and access to breathtaking natural beauty, this lively city sets the stage for an unforgettable journey along Ireland’s western coast.

Stunning Cliffs of Moher

As you continue your journey along the Wild Atlantic Way, prepare to be awe-struck by the breathtaking beauty of the Cliffs of Moher. Standing majestically on the western coast of County Clare, these iconic cliffs are an absolute must-visit for any adventure enthusiast or nature lover.

Rising to a height of 214 meters (702 feet) above the Atlantic Ocean, the Cliffs of Moher offer panoramic views that will leave you spellbound. Gazing out to the horizon, you’ll be captivated by the vast expanse of the ocean, the mighty waves crashing against the towering cliffs, and the seabirds soaring gracefully in the sky.

Take a leisurely stroll along the cliff-top pathways, breathing in the fresh sea air and letting the beauty of the surroundings wash over you. Marvel at the layers of sedimentary rock formed millions of years ago, with their striking colors contrasting against the deep blue of the ocean.

For the more adventurous, immerse yourself even further in the wild beauty by taking one of the guided cliff walks or hiking trails that lead you closer to the edge. Feel the thrill of standing at the precipice, with nothing but the vast expanse of the Atlantic stretching out before you.

Make your way to O’Brien’s Tower, a 19th-century stone observation tower perched on the cliff edge. From here, you’ll have an unparalleled viewpoint of the cliffs and the surrounding landscape. On a clear day, you might even be able to spot the Aran Islands in the distance.

Aside from the stunning natural vistas, the Cliffs of Moher also boast an impressive visitor center. Explore the interactive exhibits to learn about the geology, wildlife, and history of this magnificent landmark. From the center, you can enjoy panoramic views of the cliffs through floor-to-ceiling windows, making it an ideal spot to capture postcard-worthy photographs.

The Cliffs of Moher have also been featured in popular films and TV shows, adding to their allure. The raw beauty and dramatic scenery make it a favorite location for filmmakers, with notable appearances in movies such as “Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince” and the hit series “The Princess Bride.”

Whether you’re seeking natural wonders, adventure, or simply a moment of tranquility, the Cliffs of Moher are sure to leave an indelible impression. Prepare to be in awe of the sheer magnificence of this iconic landmark along the Wild Atlantic Way.

Exploring the Burren

Nestled along the Wild Atlantic Way, the Burren is a unique and captivating region that begs to be explored. This expansive limestone landscape in County Clare is unlike anything you’ve ever seen, with its rugged beauty and abundant natural wonders.

The Burren is a haven for nature enthusiasts and outdoor lovers, offering a multitude of activities and sights to discover. Lace up your hiking boots and set out on the numerous trails that wind through this ancient karst landscape. Marvel at the unusual rock formations, known as clints and grikes, which create a stunning mosaic-like pattern across the countryside.

As you explore the Burren, you’ll encounter a surprising variety of plant life. Despite its rocky appearance, the region is home to an extraordinary range of flora, including rare wildflowers, orchids, and ferns. In fact, the Burren is renowned for its colorful spring bloom, when the landscape erupts in a vibrant display of blossoms.

One of the most fascinating aspects of the Burren is its rich archaeological heritage. Discover ancient monuments and dolmens scattered throughout the landscape, evidence of human habitation dating back thousands of years. Visit the iconic Poulnabrone Dolmen, a Neolithic portal tomb that stands as a testament to the region’s ancient past.

For those with an interest in geology, the Burren offers a glimpse into the Earth’s history. Explore the Aillwee Cave, an underground wonderland of stalactites and stalagmites, formed over thousands of years. Join a guided tour to learn about the cave’s formation and the fascinating natural processes that shaped this unique subterranean world.

The Burren is also home to a rich diversity of wildlife. Keep your eyes peeled for the elusive peregrine falcon, the European otter, and the rare Irish hare. Birdwatchers will be delighted by the numerous species that inhabit the region, including the iconic Atlantic puffin.

As you immerse yourself in the rugged beauty of the Burren, be sure to take time to visit the charming villages that dot the landscape. Experience the warm hospitality of the locals and indulge in the region’s culinary delights, which include locally sourced seafood, artisanal cheeses, and traditional Irish dishes.

The Burren is a place of contrasts and contradictions, where harsh and barren landscapes coexist with delicate beauty and abundant life. It is a destination that will leave you in awe of the power of nature and the resilience of life. So, lace up your boots and set out on an adventure to explore the wonders of the Burren along the Wild Atlantic Way.

Enchanting Aran Islands

Located just off the coast of County Galway, the Aran Islands are a group of three picturesque islands that offer a glimpse into Ireland’s rich history and traditional way of life. Inis Mór (Inishmore), Inis Meáin (Inishmaan), and Inis Oírr (Inisheer) collectively make up this enchanting archipelago.

Stepping foot on the Aran Islands feels like stepping back in time, as these remote and isolated communities have preserved their cultural heritage and Gaelic traditions. The islands are known for their unique landscape, where stone walls crisscross green fields, and ancient forts stand as a testament to centuries of civilization.

Inis Mór, the largest of the three islands, is home to some of the most iconic landmarks. Explore the ancient fort of Dún Aonghasa, perched on the cliff edge and offering breathtaking views of the Atlantic Ocean. Wander through the cozy village of Kilronan, where you can immerse yourself in the warmth of traditional Irish hospitality.

Inis Meáin, the middle island, is renowned for its peace and tranquility. Here, you can experience the slower pace of island life and take in the rugged beauty of the landscape. Walk along the stone paths that crisscross the island, visit the charming Inis Meáin Knitting Company, and interact with the friendly locals for a genuine Aran Islands experience.

Inis Oírr, the smallest island, exudes a charming and intimate ambiance. With its pristine beaches, quaint cottages, and vibrant wildflowers, it truly feels like a hidden gem. Explore the ruins of O’Brien’s Castle, built in the 14th century, and stroll along Trácht Beach for a moment of tranquility.

One of the highlights of visiting the Aran Islands is immersing yourself in the vibrant cultural traditions of the islanders. Listen to traditional Irish music in one of the local pubs, watch a lively dance performance, or participate in a traditional Gaelic sports event. The islanders’ dedication to preserving their heritage is evident in the warm welcome they extend to visitors.

Whether you choose to explore the islands by bicycle or on foot, be sure to take in the breathtaking coastal scenery, with its rugged cliffs, clear blue waters, and fascinating rock formations. The Aran Islands are home to some of the most stunning natural landscapes in Ireland, providing endless opportunities for outdoor adventures and memorable experiences.

Visiting the Aran Islands is like stepping into a different world, where time seems to stand still and the spirit of ancient Ireland is palpable. Experience the enchantment of these islands, where captivating history, stunning landscapes, and rich cultural traditions converge.

Vibrant Streets of Westport

Tucked away on the western coast of County Mayo, Westport is a charming town that exudes a vibrant atmosphere and offers a perfect blend of natural beauty and lively streets. With its colorful buildings, bustling shops, and friendly locals, Westport is a delightful stop along the Wild Atlantic Way.

Start your exploration of Westport by strolling along the picturesque tree-lined streets of the town center. Admire the Georgian architecture and vibrant facades that add a splash of color to the town. Discover unique boutiques, traditional craft shops, and art galleries, where you can find locally made treasures and souvenirs.

No visit to Westport would be complete without a visit to the famous Westport House. This stately home, nestled on the banks of the Carrowbeg River, showcases exquisite architecture and beautiful gardens. Take a guided tour to learn about the fascinating history of the house and its prominent residents, or simply enjoy a leisurely walk through the impeccably landscaped grounds.

Immerse yourself in the lively atmosphere of Westport’s traditional pubs and music venues, where you can experience the authentic Irish pub culture. Listen to live music performances, join in with a traditional Irish dance, or simply enjoy a pint of the local brew while engaging in friendly conversations with the locals.

For outdoor enthusiasts, Westport offers a plethora of activities to enjoy. Lace up your hiking boots and explore the nearby Croagh Patrick, Ireland’s holy mountain, which offers stunning panoramic views from its peak. Dive into outdoor adventures with activities like surfing, kayaking, and cycling, all easily accessible from Westport.

Indulge your taste buds in Westport’s vibrant culinary scene, with a range of restaurants offering both traditional Irish cuisine and international flavors. Sample fresh seafood, locally sourced produce, and homemade delights as you savor the flavors of the region.

Markets are also a highlight of Westport, showcasing local specialties, artisan crafts, and organic produce. Join the buzz at the Westport Country Market or explore the crafts market, where you can find unique handmade creations and support local artisans.

As evening falls, be sure to catch a sunset over Clew Bay from Westport Quay. Take a leisurely stroll along the waterfront, soak in the stunning views, and witness the changing colors as the sun sets over the Atlantic Ocean. It is a breathtaking sight that will leave a lasting impression.

From its vibrant streets to its natural beauty, Westport is a town brimming with character and charm. Whether you’re seeking a lively night out, outdoor adventures, or a taste of authentic Irish culture, Westport has something to offer every visitor along the Wild Atlantic Way.

Mesmerizing Derry City

Situated on the banks of the River Foyle in Northern Ireland, Derry City is a place that will captivate you with its rich history, cultural vibrancy, and stunning architecture. Known for its ancient city walls and captivating landscapes, Derry is a must-visit destination along the Wild Atlantic Way.

Begin your exploration of Derry by taking a walk along the beautifully preserved city walls. Dating back to the 17th century, these walls offer breathtaking views of the city and its surroundings. As you stroll along the ramparts, you’ll encounter historic landmarks, such as the iconic Guildhall and the ornate Diamond War Memorial.

Dive into the city’s intriguing past by visiting the Museum of Free Derry. This thought-provoking museum tells the story of the civil rights movement and the tragedy of Bloody Sunday, offering insights into the city’s troubled history. Explore the exhibits, listen to personal accounts, and gain a deeper understanding of Derry’s journey towards peace and reconciliation.

No visit to Derry would be complete without exploring the vibrant Bogside neighborhood. Known for its political murals and poignant street art, this area provides a glimpse into the city’s social and political struggles. Take a guided walking tour to discover the stories behind the murals and gain a deeper understanding of the area’s significance.

Immerse yourself in the city’s cultural scene by visiting the Playhouse Theatre, a creative hub that showcases an array of performances, from theater productions to live music concerts. Be sure to catch a traditional Irish music session in one of the city’s many pubs, where you can tap your feet to the energetic rhythms and savor the authentic atmosphere.

Derry also boasts a lively festival calendar, with events such as the Derry Jazz Festival and the Foyle Maritime Festival attracting visitors from near and far. Join in the festivities, experience the vibrant atmosphere, and celebrate the city’s rich cultural heritage alongside locals and fellow travelers alike.

For outdoor enthusiasts, Derry offers plenty of opportunities to explore the surrounding natural beauty. Take a boat trip along the River Foyle, where you can spot local wildlife and enjoy panoramic views of the city and its stunning landscapes. Embark on a scenic drive along the Causeway Coastal Route, which stretches from Derry to the Giant’s Causeway, revealing picturesque coastal scenery at every turn.

As the sun sets, make your way to the Peace Bridge, an architectural masterpiece that symbolizes Derry’s journey to peace and reconciliation. Take a leisurely stroll across the bridge, enjoying the reflections of colorful lights shimmering on the river. From here, you can admire the striking sight of Derry’s cityscape illuminated against the night sky.

Derry City is a place that will leave you mesmerized with its rich history, vibrant culture, and stunning landscapes. It is a city that has embraced its past, while fostering a spirit of unity and progress towards a brighter future. Explore its ancient walls, immerse yourself in its cultural treasures, and allow yourself to be captivated by the allure of this remarkable city along the Wild Atlantic Way.

The Magnificent Giant’s Causeway

Perched along the windswept coast of County Antrim in Northern Ireland, the Giant’s Causeway is a natural wonder that will leave you in awe. This UNESCO World Heritage Site boasts a unique and mystical landscape, comprised of over 40,000 interlocking basalt columns that create a breathtaking sight.

Legend has it that the Giant’s Causeway was created by the mythical giant, Finn McCool, who built the causeway as a pathway to Scotland. As you explore the site, you can’t help but be amazed by the geometric perfection of the hexagonal columns, each one a result of ancient volcanic activity.

Take your time to wander along the paths and steps that wind their way through this surreal landscape. Marvel at the natural formations, as the columns seem to defy gravity and create an otherworldly atmosphere. Feel the cool sea breeze and listen to the crashing waves against the rugged coastline.

The Giant’s Causeway is not only a visual feast; it is also steeped in legend and folklore. Learn about the stories of giants and mythical creatures that are woven into the fabric of this unique site. Visit the Giant’s Organ, a cluster of columns that resembles a pipe organ and feeds into the legends of the giants and their great feats.

Make your way to the Giant’s Causeway Visitor Centre, where you can delve deeper into the geological and historical significance of this natural marvel. Explore the interactive exhibits, watch informative videos, and gain a deeper understanding of the forces that shaped this extraordinary site over millennia.

While the main attraction is the spectacular coastal landscape, don’t forget to take in the wider panoramic views. Climb the Shepherd’s Steps to the top of the cliffs and be rewarded with breathtaking vistas of the rugged coastline and the vast expanse of the Atlantic Ocean.

For an even more immersive experience, consider joining a guided tour of the Giant’s Causeway. Expert guides will provide fascinating insights into the geology, folklore, and history of the site, allowing you to fully appreciate its magnificence.

As the day draws to a close, find a quiet spot to witness the mesmerizing sunset over the Giant’s Causeway. Watch as the golden hues of the setting sun cast a warm glow on the columns, creating a magical atmosphere that seems to transport you to another world.

The Giant’s Causeway is a testament to the awe-inspiring beauty and power of nature. Its unique geological formations, rich folklore, and breathtaking scenery make it a must-visit destination along the Wild Atlantic Way. Prepare to be amazed as you step foot on this enchanting site, where ancient legends and natural wonders collide.

Inishowen Peninsula: A Hidden Gem

Tucked away in the northernmost region of County Donegal, the Inishowen Peninsula is a hidden gem waiting to be discovered along the Wild Atlantic Way. This off-the-beaten-path destination offers a captivating blend of rugged landscapes, ancient history, and warm hospitality.

Escape the crowds and immerse yourself in the natural beauty of the Inishowen Peninsula. Explore its wild and untouched landscapes, from windswept cliffs that plunge into the Atlantic to golden sandy beaches that stretch as far as the eye can see. A visit to Malin Head, the most northerly point in Ireland, is a must. Witness the sheer power of the ocean as waves crash against the imposing cliffs, and take in the panoramic views that span across the wild coastline.

The Inishowen Peninsula is steeped in history, with ancient relics and archaeological sites scattered throughout the landscape. Visit the Grianan of Aileach, an ancient ring fort perched atop a hill, and marvel at its commanding views over Lough Foyle and Lough Swilly. Explore the Doagh Famine Village, a living history museum that offers a glimpse into the struggles and resilience of Irish communities during the Great Famine and beyond.

Experience the warmth and friendliness of the locals as you explore the charming towns and villages of the Inishowen Peninsula. Enjoy a pint of Guinness in a traditional Irish pub, where you can listen to live music and engage in lively conversations with the locals. Indulge in fresh seafood at a local restaurant, savoring the flavors of the Atlantic that are brought straight to your plate.

Outdoor enthusiasts will find a wealth of activities to enjoy on the Inishowen Peninsula. Hike along scenic trails that lead to hidden beaches and sweeping vistas, or embark on a scenic drive along the captivating coastal roads. Golfers can tee off at the world-renowned Ballyliffin Golf Club, with its stunning links courses that boast breathtaking views of the Atlantic Ocean.

As night falls, keep an eye out for the shimmering phenomenon known as the Northern Lights. The dark skies of the Inishowen Peninsula provide the perfect backdrop for witnessing this natural spectacle, showcasing vibrant colors dancing across the night sky.

The Inishowen Peninsula is a hidden gem that offers a tranquil escape from the hustle and bustle of more touristy destinations. With its dramatic landscapes, rich history, and warm hospitality, it is a place that will leave you spellbound and longing to return.

Glenveagh National Park: Nature’s Paradise

Nestled in the heart of County Donegal, Glenveagh National Park is a pristine wilderness that showcases the unspoiled beauty of Ireland’s natural landscapes. With its sprawling mountains, shimmering lakes, and rugged moorlands, this enchanting park is a true haven for nature lovers and outdoor enthusiasts.

Explore the vast expanse of Glenveagh National Park on foot, following the extensive network of hiking trails that wind through its diverse ecosystems. Trek through ancient oak woodlands, carpeted with vibrant wildflowers and alive with the sounds of chirping birds. Ascend the rugged peaks of Mount Errigal, the tallest mountain in County Donegal, and be rewarded with panoramic views that stretch across the park and beyond.

Embrace the tranquility of the park as you stroll along the banks of Lough Veagh, one of the park’s shimmering lakes. Absorb the stillness of the water and the breathtaking reflections of the surrounding mountains. Keep an eye out for red deer, which roam freely in the park and add to the sense of untamed wilderness.

A highlight of visiting Glenveagh National Park is exploring the stunning Glenveagh Castle. This fairytale-like mansion, nestled at the edge of Lough Veagh, is a testament to the park’s rich history. Take a guided tour of the castle to uncover its fascinating past and admire its impressive architecture, picturesque gardens, and the captivating views it offers.

Birdwatchers will delight in the diverse avian species that call Glenveagh National Park home. From the majestic golden eagle to the elusive peregrine falcon, this park is a haven for birdlife. Binoculars in hand, venture deep into the park’s wilderness to spot these magnificent creatures in their natural habitat.

For those seeking a peaceful retreat, the gardens of Glenveagh National Park provide a serene escape. Stroll through the meticulously manicured grounds, featuring exotic plants, hidden pathways, and tranquil ponds. Find a quiet spot to relax, meditate, or simply admire the beauty that surrounds you.

Glenveagh National Park is not just a natural wonder; it is also a sanctuary for cultural heritage. The park is home to the Glenveagh Visitor Centre, where you can delve into the history and folklore of the area. Learn about the struggles and triumphs of the people who once called this land home, and gain a deeper appreciation for the park’s significance.

Whether you’re an avid hiker, a wildlife enthusiast, or simply seeking solace in nature, Glenveagh National Park will leave an indelible impression on your heart. Its untouched beauty, serene landscapes, and rich biodiversity make it a true paradise for those who seek to reconnect with the natural world.

Donegal Town: Rich in History

Situated on the banks of the River Eske, Donegal Town is a charming and historic destination that offers a glimpse into Ireland’s fascinating past. With its medieval roots, picturesque setting, and rich cultural heritage, this town is a must-visit for history enthusiasts and lovers of Irish heritage.

Begin your exploration of Donegal Town at the iconic Donegal Castle. This imposing fortress, dating back to the 15th century, stands as a testament to the town’s medieval past. Take a guided tour to learn about the castle’s history and the powerful O’Donnell clan who once ruled over this region.

Wander through the town’s streets and immerse yourself in its ambiance. Admire the colorful buildings, browse through traditional craft shops, and stop for a pint of the famous Donegal ale in a cozy pub. Take in the views of the tranquil harbor, where fishing boats bob gently on the water, and soak in the serene atmosphere.

Visit the Donegal County Museum to dive deeper into the regional history and cultural heritage of Donegal. Explore the exhibits that showcase artifacts, photographs, and interactive displays, shedding light on the town’s past and the everyday lives of its inhabitants throughout the centuries.

A short distance from Donegal Town lies the mystical Glencolmcille Folk Village. Step back in time as you explore this unique outdoor museum, where traditional thatched cottages offer a glimpse into rural Irish life in times gone by. Learn about the customs, traditions, and daily routines of the people who once inhabited these dwellings.

For a truly immersive experience, consider attending one of the traditional music sessions that are held regularly in Donegal Town. Sit back, relax, and listen to lively jigs and soulful ballads as local musicians showcase their talent and keep the spirit of Irish music alive.

Outdoor enthusiasts will find plenty to enjoy in the surrounding countryside of Donegal Town. Take a boat trip along the Donegal Bay, where you can explore the rugged coastline, spot marine wildlife, and witness breathtaking sunsets over the Atlantic Ocean. Hike along the nearby Bluestack Mountains, enjoying panoramic views of the rolling hills and shimmering lakes.

No visit to Donegal Town would be complete without sampling the local culinary delights. Indulge in fresh seafood, homemade Irish stews, and traditional baked goods, savoring the flavors of the region. Don’t forget to try the renowned Donegal black pudding, a local specialty that will tantalize your taste buds.

From its medieval castle to its rich cultural heritage and stunning natural landscapes, Donegal Town is a captivating destination steeped in history. Its warm hospitality, picturesque setting, and abundance of historical sites make it a must-visit stop along the Wild Atlantic Way.

Embarking on a journey along the Wild Atlantic Way from Galway to Donegal is an adventure that will immerse you in the untamed beauty of Ireland’s western coast. From the vibrant streets of Galway to the dramatic cliffs of Donegal, each destination along the route offers its own unique charm and captivating attractions.

As you traverse the stunning Cliffs of Moher, explore the enchanting Aran Islands, and venture into the rugged landscapes of the Burren and Inishowen Peninsula, you’ll be captivated by the natural wonders, rich history, and warm hospitality that await you. Discover ancient castles, delve into Gaelic culture, and witness breathtaking coastal vistas that will forever be etched in your memory.

Throughout your journey, take the time to interact with the locals, engage in lively conversations, and embrace the Irish spirit of storytelling and music. Indulge in the flavors of the region, savoring fresh seafood and traditional Irish dishes that will ignite your taste buds.

Whether you’re an outdoor enthusiast seeking adventure, a history buff eager to uncover ancient tales, or simply a traveler in search of breathtaking landscapes and rich cultural experiences, the Wild Atlantic Way from Galway to Donegal has it all. It offers a journey of discovery, where every turn reveals a new facet of Ireland’s natural beauty and enchanting heritage.

So, lace up your hiking boots, grab your camera, and embark on an unforgettable adventure along the rugged and captivating coast of the Wild Atlantic Way. Immerse yourself in the spirit of Ireland, where ancient legends, breathtaking landscapes, and genuine Irish hospitality create an experience that will leave you longing for more.

The Wild Atlantic Way from Galway to Donegal awaits, ready to take you on a journey of a lifetime. Explore, discover, and be captivated by the wonders of Ireland’s western coast. Your adventure starts now.

Privacy Overview
Strictly Necessary Cookies

This website uses cookies so that we can provide you with the best user experience possible. Cookie information is stored in your browser and performs functions such as recognising you when you return to our website and helping our team to understand which sections of the website you find most interesting and useful.

Strictly Necessary Cookie should be enabled at all times so that we can save your preferences for cookie settings.

If you disable this cookie, we will not be able to save your preferences. This means that every time you visit this website you will need to enable or disable cookies again.

The Best of the Wild Atlantic Way from Galway to Donegal

11/09/2016 by Kristin Addis 21 Comments

Insider tips, where to stay, where to eat, and what to see from Galway to Donegal on the Wild Atlantic Way. Plus, some secret spots and a map with stops. Read more at https://www.bemytravelmuse.com/wild-atlantic-way-galway-donegal/

There are so many places in this world, sometimes it seems silly to go back when there is so much left unexplored. Then again, it’s silly not to go back when you love a place so much that you know you need to explore more of it, isn’t it?

That’s what Ireland is – a place worth going back to over and over. It’s the greenery of the rolling hills, the sea cliffs that, on a clear day, provide views of the other side or even other islands. It’s the hospitality and the humor that keep me coming back.

…and the oysters too.

MAN I love oysters.

This time it was all about exploring a new part of the Wild Atlantic Way, a road that wraps around the island and is the longest clearly defined coastal drive in the world. While it’s always been there, it’s only lately that it’s had this name and become popular, and the little towns along the way are still quaint and small, and some of the roads still small and winding.

From Galway to Donegal, here’s the best of the Wild Atlantic Way (IMHO):

The Wild Atlantic Way is famous in part for the food. Chefs are taking Irish cuisine to a whole new level, showcasing local seafood, lamb, and beef.

The dinner at Ard Bia , a restaurant just under the Spanish Arch, was the perfect introduction to this food culture. Trust me on this one: The lamb croquettes and steak are heaven.

Plus, the bartender liked Steve and my corny jokes. Nobody likes Steve’s jokes, so this was pretty cool.

(juuuust kidding, Steve ).

Stay: The House Hotel – the location is great and it’s all pretty in pink.

Galway to Clifden

From Galway to Clifden you can take your time and drive along the coast or do a straight shot. The coast has some great stops so despite the fact that it is quite narrow in places and with lots of turns, it’s worth driving along it and stopping from time to time.

The first stop for us was just north of Galway at a beach called the Silver Strand.

There were kite surfers and even a swimmer in the water! I couldn’t believe my eyes.

The receptionist at the House Hotel had also suggested that we stop at Dog’s Bay Beach on the way up, which was a stellar beach as well, with white sand and light blue water over black rocks.

I suggest taking your time on this drive, watching out for the Wild Atlantic Way signs and pulling off whenever something looks like it could have potential.

Clifden was the stopping point for the day where we took a walk through the bogs and through history with a local guide who told us about the landing spot of the first transatlantic flight, as well as one of the first and largest radio receivers in history. It’s always nice having a local tell you about his home, isn’t it?

Stay: Clifden is a good stopping point for the day since the drive up from Galway, especially with stops, can be pretty long. I stayed at the Quay House and it’s one of the quirkiest and funkiest places I’ve been. Each room has a theme, including the Napoleon room or mine, the Blue room:

Plus, they had oysters on the menu, for breakfast! You had me at oysters.

Clifden to Delphi

Upon leaving Clifden, the Sky Road , which only takes about 20 minutes to drive, offers some gorgeous views. Or at least I’m sure they would normally be pretty gorgeous, but it was a misty and cloudy day for us.

I still enjoyed the drive anyway, and that’s Ireland, after all.

Next you’ll come to Kylemore Abbey, which was a highlight for me. I’d seen a photo of this famous abbey when I was younger and painted it for my grandmother , who had also traveled through Ireland (and much of Europe and the rest of the world), so it had sentimental value as well.

That’s when I started to really appreciate the mist:

Entrance to the abbey is €14, which includes the gardens, the church, and the walkway pictured above. You can still get the iconic photo of the Abbey from the bridge, without the entrance, if that’s all you’re after.

There’s also a short but steep hike to a statue of Christ just above the abbey if you feel like getting your sweat on.

From there we made our way to Killary and took a fjord cruise , amazed that during low season, we had the boat to ourselves! There were so many little streams coming down each of the seaside cliffs, it looked like mini waterfalls on the changing orange grasses, dotted with sheep. On a lucky day you can see dolphins as well.

Stay: From there you can head inland a bit to Delphi Resort and Spa , which is situated in a gorgeous little valley near the tallest mountain in the area (at just over 800 meters). It’s family friendly and their seaweed bath had my skin feeling like it had reverse-aged about 20 years, it was so soft!

Delphi to Templeboy

The next morning you can either take the coastal route or the route through the mountains, which is what we did, and found a few perfect little photo stops along the way:

For lunch I suggest you make your way to Westport which is building a name for itself as a foodie spot.

What I loved about it is the nature of the locals there, who emphasize working together to achieve success with tourism, their main industry. When Steve and I took the food tour there, sampling soft local baked goods, delicious craft beers, mussels, crisp apples, and super flavorful homemade pesto and hummus, locals kept recognizing our guide and joining us.

By the end there were 6 of us altogether, which, to me, so perfectly illustrates what I love about Ireland – the friendliness and the feeling that everyone is practically family. You can contact Redmond for a tour here .

For the night, we stayed at an inn connected to a pub in a tiny town south of Sligo called Templeboy.

This is the type of place where you can really feel Irish friendliness and hospitality. Within a few minutes of walking in, there was a group playing the fiddle (and very well I might add), and a group of guys who invited Steve and I to join them for two pints of Guinness.

Honestly, where else do you walk into a pub and you’re everyone’s new best friend? It happens all the time in Ireland!

Stay: Beach Bar & Aughris House , particularly room 9 which has a nice view of the beach and cliffs of Sligo.

Templeboy to Donegal (and Slieve League)

When passing through Sligo, Strandhill is a popular stop to watch the surfers. Steve and I were on a mission to make it to Slieve League and then onward to Derry for Halloween the same day, so we bypassed it but if you have the time, definitely stop by.

Mullaghmore is also an absolute must. Steve and I actually drove up there for sunset and then back down to Templeboy for the night, which doesn’t make any sense logistically, but we wanted to make the most of the gorgeous sunset unfolding given that we’re photographers and that kind of thing is how we get our kicks.

It would be stunning at any time of day, though.

Then it was onwards to Slieve League, which is a must-see.

A photo posted by Kristin Addis (@bemytravelmuse) on Nov 1, 2016 at 10:20am PDT

If you saw and loved the Cliffs of Moher, and especially if you didn’t, Slieve League is equally as impressive:

They’re one of Europe’s tallest sea cliffs, and at least at the end of October, were free to view.

Bonus: Head into Northern Ireland

That night we made our way to Derry, Ireland’s only completely walled city, for the Halloween festival:

If you have the time, it’s so worth road tripping through Northern Ireland as well, with towering basalt columns at the Giant’s Causeway, gorgeous beaches, and Game of Thrones filming locations which, even for someone who isn’t a fan of the show (I don’t watch TV or movies because I have no attention span), were a delight.

Those are a few of the best (of many, of course) great stops between Galway and Donegal in one of the friendliest and greenest countries in the world. Sit back and enjoy the twists and turns and narrow roads, driving on the left and self-fiving yourself for getting better and better at it with each passing day. A road trip down the Wild Atlantic Way is an adventure you’ll never forget.

*This post is brought to you in partnership with Tourism Ireland who helped me experience yet another part of the Wild Atlantic Way. Opinions of Ireland, a country I’ve happily returned to 5 times and expect to visit many more times to come, are my own.

About Kristin Addis

Kristin Addis is the founder and CEO of Be My Travel Muse, a resource for female travelers all around the world since 2012. She's traveled solo to over 65 countries and has brought over 150 women on her all-female adventure tours from Botswana to the Alaskan tundra.

Bus from Galway to Donegal from

Stopover connections from galway and donegal, all bus stations and stops in galway and donegal.

In the map below, you can see where to find all bus stations in Galway and Donegal.

Service and Comfort on the bus from Galway to Donegal

Faqs about the galway to donegal bus, how much does a galway donegal bus trip cost, how much could i save by comparing buses from galway to donegal, on average, how many connections are available from galway to donegal each day, how long does a bus journey from galway to donegal take, what time is the first bus from galway to donegal, what time is the last bus from galway to donegal, which bus companies operate the galway donegal route, is there a direct bus between galway and donegal, what can i take with me on the galway to donegal bus route, what equipment is available for the galway donegal bus route, more bus routes from galway and donegal.

Bus Routes from Galway
Bus Galway to Adare
Bus Galway to Ardrahan
Bus Galway to Ballina
Bus Galway to Ballinasloe
Bus Galway to Bunratty
Bus Galway to Charlestown, County Mayo
Bus Galway to Charleville
Bus Galway to Drogheda
Bus Galway to Ennis
Bus Galway to Killarney
Bus Galway to Newgrange
Bus Galway to Sligo
Bus Galway to Tralee
Bus Galway to Waterford
Bus Galway to Cork Airport
Bus Galway to Dublin Airport
Bus Galway to Shannon Airport
Bus Donegal to Dublin Airport

The CheckMyBus App

Free Download

We value your privacy!

31 Best Stops Between Galway and Donegal Town

Navigate forward to interact with the calendar and select a date. Press the question mark key to get the keyboard shortcuts for changing dates.

Navigate backward to interact with the calendar and select a date. Press the question mark key to get the keyboard shortcuts for changing dates.

How long is the drive from Galway to Donegal Town?

The direct drive from Galway to Donegal Town is 133 mi (214 km) , and should have a drive time of 2 hrs 51 mins in normal traffic.

If you’re going on a road trip from Galway to Donegal Town, we did the research for you and compiled some great stops along the way — with Sligo , as well as top places to visit like The Burren Perfumery and Salthill Prom, or the ever-popular Burren National Park.

Top city between Galway and Donegal Town

Best stops along galway to donegal town drive, burren national park.

The Burren Perfumery

Salthill Prom

Coole Park Nature Reserve

Wild Atlantic Way Apartments Salthill

Aughnanure castle, galway cathedral, ashford castle.

Turoe Pet Farm

National museum of ireland - country life, michael davitt museum, belleek castle hotel, kilcullens seaweed baths, rathcroghan visitor centre, eagles flying ballymote sligo, lough key forest & activity park, lissadell house, arigna mining experience, glencar waterfall, slieve league, glencolumbkille folk village, marble arch caves (open year-round), belleek pottery ltd, narin/portnoo beach, donegal castle, dunlewey centre.

Itinerary + map in one view
Live collaboration
Auto-import hotels and reservations
Optimize your route
Offline access on mobile
See time and distance between all your places

Post author: Ashley Hubbard
Post published: November 20, 2017

When traveling through Ireland, I quickly realized I would have been bummed out if I hadn’t rented a car . The larger cities and towns were wonderful and I would have been grateful if that’s all I had been able to see but it was the drives in between cities that really bring some of the best memories. Driving from Donegal to Galway is a great time to visit some lesser known areas. While I could have spent several days making this drive as there were still several other spots along the way to see, I was able to make the drive in one day while still seeing a lot! Here’s everything I think you need to know in order to travel from Donegal to Galway.

The West coast of Ireland is one of the most stunning places I’ve ever been fortunate enough to see. Often referred to as the Wild Atlantic Way, this area of Ireland is a must visit on any trip to Ireland . Two popular towns that many people visit are Donegal and Galway but there are some many wonderful spots to explore in between. Whether you looking for how to get from Donegal to Galway, Galway to Donegal, or what to do on your way, I’ve put together this information to help you!

Distance from Donegal to Galway

If driving a straight shot the distance from Donegal to Galway only takes about 2.5-3 hours by car. If you’re not short on time, I highly suggest taking some more scenic routes and possibly even making this trip over several days. I was a little shorter on time but was able to visit Sligo, Enniscrone and the Céidi Fields all in one day while driving from Donegal to Galway

Donegal to Galway Bus

If you’re not driving by car, you can also travel from Donegal to Galway or Galway to Donegal by bus. Bus Feda is the least expensive option and operates a twice-daily bus service with extra services on the weekend.

ESSENTIAL INFO Cost // €20 one-way or €30 return Website // https://busfeda.ie/

Things to Do in Donegal Town

Before traveling from Donegal to Galway, there are a few things I wouldn’t miss checking out in Donegal town before you leave.

The Old Abbey Graveyard

Located where the Eske River meets Donegal Bay, the Old Abbey was built in 1474. It now only exists as ruins but you can still visit those ruins and the co-existing graveyard.

This post may contain affiliate links. Please see our disclosure .

Donegal Castle

The Donegal Castle was also built in the 15th century by O’Donnell and is also known as O’Donnells Castle. The O’Donnells also happened to have another castle nearby called Lough Eske Castle – the ruins of which can be found near Solis Lough Eske – the five-star hotel that I stayed at while in Donegal.

ESSENTIAL INFO Hours // Easter-mid September 10a-6p; mid-September-Easter 9:30a-4:30p Cost // €5

Market Square

No trip to an Ireland town is complete without walking around admiring all the colorful buildings or stopping in a pub for a pint. The square is walkable to Donegal castle and the Old Abbey graveyard.

After leaving Donegal, there are several places to stop along the way before reaching Galway. The drive from Donegal to Sligo isn’t that long of one and is the first place I’d head on the road from Donegal to Galway.

Things to Do in Sligo

The first stop to make when driving from Donegal to Galway is Sligo. Sligo is the county town of County Sligo and is located in Western Ireland. Sligo is a coastal seaport and the River Garavogue runs through the center of town.

Sligo Abbey

Sligo Abbey is a ruined abbey and was originally built in 1253. In 1414, it was destroyed by a fire. In 1595, it was ravaged during the Nine Years’ War. Again, in 1641, it was ravaged during the Ulster Uprising. The friars moved out in the 18th century and in the 1850s, the Abbey was restored and is now open to the public. Sligo Abbey was probably one of my favorite ruins that I visited in Ireland and one of the best things to do in Sligo. While it is obviously ruins, it is still very well preserved and gives an amazing glimpse into the past. The abbey appears in literary works by William Butler Yeats as well.

ESSENTIAL INFO Hours // 6 April – 18 October; 10:00AM-6:00PM (last admission at 5:45PM) Cost // €5 ($5.90) Address //Abbey St., Sligo, F91 K796

Walk along River Garavogue

River Garavogue winds its way through Sligo town making it a lovely walk through the town. You can cross the bridge at many points over various bridges. Along the way, you’ll find many colorful buildings (you are in Ireland after all!), spots to stop and enjoy the river, pubs to grab a pint or shops to take a peek in. I could have definitely spent a whole day wandering the streets of Sligo.

Eat at Sweet Beat Café

Who would have thought that Sligo would have an extremely vegan-friendly spot? Well, they do! Sweet Beat Cafe is a lovely little all-vegetarian spot right on the river. Not only is the name adorable but the vibe is awesome, they have a bunch of vegan-friendly food and lots of plant-based milk for coffee.

ESSENTIAL INFO Hours // M-F (8:30AM-5:30PM); S (9:00AM-5:30PM); Closed Sundays Address //Bridge St, Abbeyquarter North, Sligo, Bridge Street, Ireland

Are you lucky and get to spend more than just a couple hours in Sligo? Here’s how to spend a perfect weekend there !

Enniscrone // Kilcullen’s Seaweed Baths

After spending some time in Sligo, you can head a tiny bit out of the way and go West towards Enniscrone.

By this point, you’re going to want a little relaxation right? Seaweed baths are popular in Ireland and have a long history to match. Not only is it relaxing, but there are a ton of positive physical effects from seaweed baths.

Seaweed baths consist of soaking in a bathtub full of hot seawater and seaweed that has been steam-treated to release minerals and elements.

Some of the oldest and best seaweed baths are said to be in Enniscrone so that’s exactly where we went – Kilcullen’s Seaweed Baths . I’ll be writing a full post about this experience in the future!

ESSENTIAL INFO Hours // M, Th, F (12:00-8:00); S-S (10:00-8:00) Cost // €25 ($29.48) for unlimited time. Address // Pier road, Inishcrone, Ireland No appointment necessary.

Céide Fields

Ceide Fields is located on the coast in North County Mayo and is the most extensive Neolithic site in Ireland. It also contains the oldest known field systems in the world – with the creation and development of the fields going back roughly five and a half thousand years. Here you can explore a museum and walk amongst a portion of the ancient field system. You can also see Downpatrick Head from the fields which is a spot we didn’t make it to but I would definitely add to my next trip!

ESSENTIAL INFO Hours // Open Easter to October 29th; 10am – 6pm June to Sept; 10am – 5pm other months Cost // €5 ($5.90) Address //Ballycastle, Co. Mayo, Ireland

There are so many amazing choices of places to visit on the drive from Donegal to Galway but these are the three that I did and I had such an amazing time. This area of Ireland was one of my favorites – and that’s no easy trophy to obtain.

Donegal to Galway – Where to Stay

Here are a few suggestions for accommodation :

Couchsurfing
Airbnb (use my link to get $40 off your 1st booking)
Lough Eske Castle in Donegal
The Connacht Hotel in Galway

I stayed in Lough Eske Castle and Connacht Hotel during my stay in Donegal and Galway.

What to Pack for Ireland

Raincoat (yep, it’s not just something people say – it can rain at any moment!) Travel Umbrella (while I didn’t bring an umbrella and was too stubborn to buy one, I’d recommend it) Pacsafe Cross Body Purse (I love my Pacsafe products and would highly recommend using them when traveling) Comfortable Shoes (my feet tend to hurt pretty easily and these are the best shoes I’ve had in a while for walking a lot)

What are your favorite spots in Ireland? Tell me in the comments ↓↓↓

Looking for hotels in Donegal? Read accommodation reviews here or book here . Looking for hotels in Galway? Read accommodation reviews here or book here . What else have I written? You can find more Ireland posts here and Northern Ireland posts here . Like this post? Have Questions? Hit me up on Facebook | Twitter | Instagram | Pinterest | Email

↓↓↓ PIN IT ↓↓↓

Recent Posts

What To See in Rome: A Journey Through the Eternal City - September 21, 2024
Sustainable Travel: How to Explore the World Responsibly - September 12, 2024
Discover Hidden Gems on Your Next Cruise: Personalized Shore Excursions in Italy - August 30, 2024

Why I Jumped at the Chance to Go to Sea

12 Unforgettable Things To Do In Chattanooga

Practical and Fun Gifts for Outdoor Women

This post has 7 comments.

I’m not so sure about the seaweed bath but it probably does a lot of good. Plants have lots of natural extracts that could help with all kinds of conditions.

I visited West Minster a while (long while) back and was fascinated by the old graves and long history. I remember making a rubbing (way back when) but I have know clue where that ended up.

Sligo Abbey is kinda creepy, but in the cool way. I like how well preserved and quiet it is. Do you smell funny after the seaweed bath? I wouldn’t mind trying that!

Seaweed bath? I know seaweed soup is good for the body, but I didn’t know it is good for the skin! I need to try this!

Ireland is so charming I love the look of Sligo town. Ireland is still on my list to go!

There are so many gems in between the big cities. The Sligo Abbey looks so beautiful – I love visiting old abbeys or monasteries when I travel. Also the seaweed bath sounds so interesting!

It’s so crazy that Sligo Abbey was built in 1253 — so long ago, and over 500 years before the Declaration of Independence was signed in the US. I love how colorful the buildings are, and the fences too! I especially love the blue one 🙂

I’ve heard that driving is really the only way to see Ireland. You managed to capture a lot of color in your photographs! So glad you got to see more than just the Guinness Factory haha, I need to make it here ASAP!

GALWAY TO DONEGAL TIMETABLE

Third party embeds.

Google Maps
Tracking Cookies

Find cheap flights from Galway to Donegal

Search hundreds of travel sites at once for deals on flights to donegal.

Save 30% or more Compare multiple travel sites with one search.

Track prices Not ready to book? Create a price alert for when prices drop.

Filter your deals Choose cabin class, free Wi-Fi and more.

Bundle and save Save money when you bundle your flight + hotel.

Good to know - Cheap tickets from Galway to Donegal

When to book flights from galway to donegal, faqs for booking flights from galway to donegal, how does kayak find such low prices on flights from galway to donegal.

KAYAK is a travel search engine. That means we look across the web to find the best prices we can find for our users. With over 2 billion flight queries processed yearly, we are able to display a variety of prices and options on flights from Galway to Donegal.

How does KAYAK's flight Price Forecast tool help me choose the right time to buy my flight ticket from Galway to Donegal?

KAYAK’s flight Price Forecast tool uses historical data to determine whether the price for a flight to Donegal from Galway is likely to change within 7 days, so travelers know whether to wait or book now.

What is the Hacker Fare option on flights from Galway to Donegal?

Hacker Fares allow you to combine one-way tickets in order to save you money over a traditional return ticket. You could then fly to Donegal with an airline and back to Galway with another airline.

What is KAYAK's "flexible dates" feature and why should I care when looking for a flight from Galway to Donegal?

Sometimes travel dates aren't set in stone. If your preferred travel dates have some wiggle room, flexible dates will show you all the options when flying to Donegal from Galway up to 3 days before/after your preferred dates. You can then pick the flights that suit you best.

Prefer to fly direct from Galway to Donegal?

Find which airlines fly direct from Galway to Donegal Airport, which days they fly and book direct flights.

Direct departures

Galway to Donegal

Aer Lingus, British Airways, Qatar Airways

Aer Lingus, British Airways, +1 more

Aer Lingus, British Airways, Loganair, +1 more

Aer Lingus, British Airways, +2 more

Aer Lingus, British Airways, Qatar Airways, +1 more

Direct returns

Donegal to Galway

Book cheap flights from galway to donegal, return flight deals, search by stops, one-way flight deals, everything you need to know for your flight from galway to donegal, information on your arrival and departure airports, complete your trip to donegal with a hotel stay or car hire, find deals for your return flight.

The Ultimate 2, 3 or 4 Day Donegal Road Trip Itinerary

Last Updated on June 21, 2023

by Maggie Turansky

Disclaimer: This article contains affiliate links. That means if you click a link and make a purchase, we may make a small commission. As an Amazon Associate we earn from qualifying purchases. For more information, see our privacy policy.

Though it doesn’t receive nearly the tourism numbers of County Kerry or County Cork in the south of the country, planning a Donegal road trip itinerary is an excellent option for those looking to visit one of the most beautiful corners of Ireland and stay a bit away from the beaten tourist trail.

Located in the far northwest of the Republic of Ireland, there is a lot to see in this area ranging from incredible beaches, towering sea cliffs, charming villages and much more. With 2 to 4 days in Donegal, you can cover a lot of ground and see the highlights of this county.

Table of Contents

How Many Days in Donegal?

It can be tough to figure out how many days to spend in Donegal, especially because – on the map – the area of this county doesn’t look too large.

However, keep in mind that it is fairly rural and it takes a bit to drive from point A to B – so factoring in driving times is essential when planning a Donegal itinerary and really something to keep in mind during your entire trip to the Emerald Isle.

In general, plan to spend at least 2 days in Donegal. With two days, you will still really only be able to scratch the surface of all of the things to see and do, but it will give you a good taste for the area and what it has to offer including the ability to visit some of the best beaches and beautiful coastline.

Keep in mind that you also will only really have the time to concentrate on one area of the county so you will need to decide if you’d like to concentrate on visiting the southwest or northeast.

With 3 days in Donegal, you will have a bit more time to see more of this beautiful county, including all of the highlights of the southwest of County Donegal (like the Slieve League Cliffs and Donegal Town) and some of the sites further north, such as Glenveagh National Park and the Fanad Peninsula.

If you have the time, plan to spend 4 days in County Donegal to really take in all that this area has to offer. With 4 days, you can build upon the previous 3 and even tack on the Inishowen Peninsula and drive your way to the northernmost tip of Ireland.

Getting To & Around Donegal

County Donegal is the northwesternmost county in the Republic of Ireland, bordering County Leitrim to the south and Northern Ireland to the east.

There aren’t large cities in County Donegal itself – the largest town is Letterkenny in the northeast of the county. Donegal Town is also a large commercial centre in the southwest of the county and can make for a good base, as well.

You can get to Donegal via bus from just about every major city in Ireland, but note that train connections aren’t really an option. However, the easiest way to get to County Donegal is going to be by car.

Expect it to take about 3.5 hours to reach County Donegal from Dublin and around the same from Galway . From Belfast , it will take about 2-2.5 hours to reach County Donegal depending on which town you’re heading to.

If you don’t drive it is also possible to take day trips from Donegal to explore the rest of the county such as this full-day tour of South Donegal or this full-day tour of the Inishowen Peninsula.

If you are driving from Dublin, note that the most direct route is through Northern Ireland. There is no hard border and you may not even realise that you’ve entered another country whilst driving, but it is important that you keep an eye on the speedometer and know the speed limits in Northern Ireland are listed in miles per hour rather than kilometres per hour as they are in the Republic.

The best way to get around is by car. In fact, there is really no way you can make it to all of the stops and get the most out of your time in this area without your own personal vehicle.

Planning a Donegal road trip itinerary is the best way to travel around the county and will allow you a lot of time and flexibility. You can browse car hire options on Rentalcars.com which compares prices across the major companies.

2, 3 or 4 Days in Donegal Itinerary

Whether you have 2 days, 3 days or 4 days in County Donegal, you’re sure to fall in love with this corner of Ireland. This itinerary begins from South to North, however, it can easily be done in reverse – especially if you’re coming from Northern Ireland.

Day 1 – Tullan Strand, Fairy Bridges, Bundoran & Donegal Town

Day 1 concentrates on the southwestern part of County Donegal and assumes that you’re coming from Counties Leitrim or Sligo and making your way north before culminating in charming Donegal town.

Tullan Strand

The first stop on your County Donegal road trip is at Tullan Strand, just outside the town of Bundoran and very close to the border of County Leitrim, this is one of many beautiful beaches you will encounter on your trip to this Irish county.

Tullan Strand is a beautiful stretch of white sand that is very much worth stopping at. There is a large car park at the beach, plenty of benches to take in the views and there is also a lovely cliffside pathway to stroll along, as well.

This beach also attracts a lot of surfers and it’s a great place to try your hand at catching the waves if this is something that interests you.

Fairy Bridges

Only about 100 metres from the Tullan Strand car park along the lovely cliffside pathway, you will stumble upon the Fairy Bridges.

These are natural sea arches carved into the cliffside and it’s absolutely beautiful to see. You can take in the views on the cliffside walk and it is definitely worth the stroll from the beach.

After seeing Tullan Strand and the Fairy Bridges, make your way into the town of Bundoran itself. If you’re hungry, grab a bite to eat at the lovely Salty Fox Cafe.

The town of Bundoran is a small seaside village and is known to be the southernmost town in County Donegal. However, it is also a somewhat popular resort town complete with an amusement park and water park to enjoy.

There is also a smaller city beach (Bundoran Beach) to stroll along, as well. In fact, by all accounts, Bundoran Beach is a beautiful stretch of sand, however, it can be a bit outshined by just how spectacular nearby Tullan Strand is.

Murvagh Beach

If you’ve not already had your fair share of beaches today — there are plenty more to come in this County Donegal itinerary, as well — then make sure to make a pit stop at the lovely Murvagh Beach. Another expansive stretch of soft, white sand, you’re sure to be astounded by just how vast and beautiful these Irish beaches can be.

There is a small, free car park at the beach and it’s just a short walk over some sand dunes before you reach the strand.

Donegal Town

End your first day in County Donegal in Donegal Town itself. Though this town is neither the most populous in the county (that title goes to Letterkenny) nor the county seat (that would be the town of Lifford), it’s still a charming town to visit and popular amongst travellers to this corner of Ireland.

The town itself, though small, has a lot to take in. Take the time to wander its colourful streets and, perhaps, visit the ruined remains of Donegal Castle. Across from the castle, you can also see the Donegal Town Church of Ireland, a protestant church that dominates the town’s skyline.

If you’re interested in seeing the town and the surrounding area from the water, you can also opt to take off on the Donegal Bay Waterbus which leaves from Donegal harbour. This will take you around some of the most beautiful coastal sites and also allow you to spot local sea creatures if you’re lucky!

Spend your evening in Donegal Town visiting one of the many cosy pubs lining the streets and, perhaps, listening to some live trad (traditional) music. Planning to stay the night in Donegal is a great option, however, the village of Ardara located about 30 minutes away is another wonderful base in this area.

Where to Stay in Southwest Donegal

Ros Dún House – This bed and breakfast just outside of Donegal Town is a great place to base yourself when exploring this beautiful area. They have a number of rooms to choose from, free on-site parking, friendly hosts and an excellent breakfast in the morning.

Bayview Country House B&B – This lovely B&B in the town of Ardara is the perfect place to stay if you’re looking for a quiet getaway near one of the region’s most charming villages. They have a range of comfortable rooms available along with a fantastic breakfast on offer each morning.

Mill Park Hotel – Those after a more traditional hotel will love this place in Donegal Town. They have plush rooms to choose from, an on-site swimming pool and fitness centre along with a cafe/bar for guests to enjoy, as well.

Not quite what you’re looking for? Click here to browse more Donegal hotels!

Day 2 – Slieve League Cliffs & Southwest Donegal

Day two of this road trip in Donegal will wind you through some of the highlights of the southwest of this beautiful Irish county.

Slieve League Cliffs

One of the highlights of visiting County Donegal is heading to the Slieve League Cliffs which are some of Ireland’s (and, by extension, Europe’s highest sea cliffs). Towering over 600 metres (nearly 2,000 feet) above sea level, they are 3 times higher than the Cliffs of Moher and are the second-highest cliffs of this sort in Ireland, after Achill Island’s Croaghan Cliffs.

The Slieve League cliffs are one of the most popular places to visit in Donegal, however, they aren’t nearly as popular as the Cliffs of Moher and are a great alternative if you’re looking to beat the crowds. If you want to avoid tourist crowds even further, plan to arrive as early as possible at the cliffs.

The main car park at the cliffs is located about a 20-minute walk from the main viewing platform. Not that the walk is along a paved road, however, the first 100 metres or so of it are quite steep. It’s nothing that someone with a fair to moderate level of fitness can’t handle. There is a parking fee – it’s €5 for 2 hours or €15 for the entire day.

For those who aren’t able to do the walk up, there is a bus that can shuttle visitors from the car park to the main viewing platform. However, it is worth it to walk as the views leading to the cliffs are just as stunning and it can be a peaceful hike.

Once at the cliffs, there are also a number of little trails that you can wander off on to get more views and different vantage points. There are also information placards mapping out the walking paths. It’s worth it to wander up and try to get the best view possible and this place is truly spectacular.

In general, plan to spend about 1.5 to 2 hours at Slieve League – giving you plenty of time to wander around and take in the jaw-dropping views of these magnificent sea cliffs. If you have more time, you can go also go on a short boat ride to see the cliffs from a different perspective.

About a 30-minute drive from the Slieve League Cliffs lies another of County Donegal’s most beautiful beaches – Malin Beg. This beach is particularly spectacular – tucked in between emerald-green cliffs, the contrast of soft, golden sand and crystal-clear blue water is truly jaw-dropping.

There is a free car park at the beach and there’s also a staircase leading down the cliffs to access the stretch of sand. You can also wander out along the cliffs to get a spectacular vantage point of this beach from above.

Glencolmcille Folk Village

While the vast majority of the stops on this Donegal itinerary are natural sites, our next stop is a great place to take in a bit of the history of this area and learn something.

Located only about 10 minutes from Malin Beg, the Glencolmcille Folk Village is a living history museum that is a great place to learn about the area.

Set in several thatched cottages that are exact replicas of how people lived in the 18th, 19th and 20th centuries, you can wander through this area with the help of a knowledgeable local guide. You can also find a replicated schoolhouse, grocer and fisherman’s dwelling here.

Entry to the museums is €6.50 for adults (there are concession prices available to those who qualify) and includes a tour for context. There is also a tearoom on site where you can stop for lunch or refreshments before heading on.

Maghera Beach & Caves

The next stop on day 2 of this itinerary is one of my favourite places in County Donegal – Maghera Beach and its sea caves. This is (yet another) spectacular beach but it has something unique to offer – sea caves.

If the tide is out, you can access a network of small caves carved out of the cliffs surrounding this beach. The beach itself is vast and absolutely stunning and well worth the visit even if the tide isn’t low enough to view the caves.

There is a small car park near the beach that gives you easy access. Not that this car park is on someone’s private land and the owner may ask for a small parking fee – we paid €3 (in cash) when we visited. In general, this was well worth it.

If the tide is out, it’s difficult to describe just how vast this beach is and how dwarfed you may feel while standing on it. Wander over to the sea caves and gaze inside – they’re pretty cool.

The scenery of the beach, cliffs and water is so spectacular that it’s worth spending a good amount of time taking in the beauty of this area.

Assaranca Waterfall

A few minutes from Maghera Beach and situated just off of the road is one of County Donegal’s most beautiful waterfalls – Assaranca.

This lovely waterfall is very much worth pulling over and viewing – there is a small car park – and it’s the perfect place to take in a bit of natural beauty without even needing to leave your car.

There’s no fee to visit the falls, however, it is worth noting that this can be a popular site simply due to how close to the road the waterfall is.

A further 10-minute drive will have you in the charming village of Ardada – which is a great place to stop for a late lunch or early dinner or to simply have a pint and take in some good vibes in one of the town’s many lively pubs.

If you’re looking for a great place for a bit to eat, we cannot recommend the Courthouse Restaurant highly enough – they have a wide-ranging menu with generous portion sizes and great prices.

Ardara is known for being home to the famed Cup of Tae trad music festival which is held each year and it was also voted by the Irish Times as the best village to live in Ireland in 2012.

Ardara has a lot of charm and it’s worth taking a bit of time to explore this small place. It also makes for a great base in this area of County Donegal with plenty of cosy accommodation options.

Glengesh Drive

The final stop of day 2 should be to drive the incredible Glengesh Pass. This scenic drive is a part of the Wild Atlantic Way (as are many of the stops on this itinerary) and is the perfect way to end your day as you make your way back to Donegal Town (if that is where you’re staying).

Put “Glengesh Viewing Point” into your GPS and this will take you to the Wild Atlantic Way discovery point and will direct you along the Glengesh Drive.

The viewing point is at the highest point of this incredibly scenic road and provides panoramic views over the valleys and glens of this gorgeous part of County Donegal.

Day 3 – Glenveagh National Park & Fanad Peninsula

Day 3 of this Donegal trip will take you to the northern part of the county. Today, you’ll spend some time in the national park, enjoy the views of castles and lighthouses and, of course, take in a number of spectacular beaches.

Glenveagh National Park

Begin your day bright and early with a visit to Glenveagh National Park. Located in the northwest of County Donegal about 30 minutes outside of the town of Letterkenny, this beautiful national park has a range of hiking trails, beautiful lakeside walks, a lovely castle (with gorgeous gardens) to explore and views of the county’s highest peak – Errigal – in the distance.

Entry into the national park is free of charge, as is the parking. However, if you want to beat the crowds it is recommended that you arrive as early as possible.

To get the most out of this visit, we recommend walking along the Castle Path, which winds its way along Lough Veagh and it is a very easy 40-minute walk until you reach the beautiful Glenveagh Castle.

Take the time to explore the vast gardens of the castle before, if you’re up to it, hiking up the Castle View Trail which, as the name may suggest, gives you spectacular views of the castle and the lake.

This trail says it will take an hour to complete but in reality, it only took us about 25 minutes – and that was with a 5-10 minute stop at the top to take in the view. It’s worth noting that the trail is quite steep so it may not be the best option for those with limited mobility or a low level of fitness.

Those who aren’t hikers needn’t worry if they want to take in the views of the national park and castle! There is also a shuttle bus that runs between the visitor’s centre and the castle.

You can purchase a return ticket at the visitor’s centre (which is located at the main car park) or at the castle reception. If you’ve walked the castle path one way, it can be worth taking the shuttle bus back to the car park.

If you’re interested in learning more about the castle, there are also paid guided tours of the castle and gardens available. There’s also a tearoom at the castle where you can warm up with a pastry or a sandwich.

About 30 minutes north of Glenveagh National Park lies Horn Head, another beautiful stop on the Wild Atlantic Way. Here, you can view incredible sea cliffs and beautiful vistas.

You can opt to drive all the way to Horn Head itself where there are a few walking paths that you can venture out on to get some great views.

Alternatively, you can also put the Wild Atlantic Way discovery point into your GPS, which will take you on another road and bring you to a vista point with great views of Horn Head itself. You could also visit both points for a holistic experience!

Killahoey Beach

If you haven’t tired of beautiful beaches, then make sure to make make a stop at Killahoey Beach.

This is yet another gorgeous stretch of soft, golden sand that puts many beaches elsewhere in Europe to shame.

Just a jump from Killahoey Beach lies the charming Doe Castle. This is a ruin of a castle that was likely constructed in the early 15th century.

There is a small car park where you can access the ruins and entry into the castle itself is free. There are also plenty of information placards where you can learn about the history of the castle, as well.

If you’ve worked up an appetite at this point, drive a few minutes to the town of Creeslough and stop for lunch at the lovely Huckleberry Cafe , a local place with great food and a cosy vibe.

Ballyhiernan Bay Beach

Moving north onto the Fanad Peninsula, direct your GPS to yet another Wild Atlantic Way discovery point – this time at Ballyhiernan Bay.

This beach is another of the same sort you’ll find all over County Donegal and it doesn’t get old taking in these incredible stretches of soft, white sand.

Fanad Head Lighthouse

One of the most iconic stops in County Donegal is the Fanad Head Lighthouse. Located at the tip of the Fanad Peninsula, this is a historic lighthouse that is beautiful to view.

You can get excellent views of the lighthouse itself as you drive down to the car park, however, there is an entry fee if you want to wander the ground or climb the tower itself.

It’s €7 to wander the grounds and enjoy the views at the base of the lighthouse and €10 if you’d like to have a historic tour along with getting access to the top of the lighthouse – the views are sure to be stunning!

Ballymastocker Beach

The final stop for the day is at the beautiful Ballymastocker Beach. However, if you want to take in the best views, then enter the Ballymastocker Beach Viewpoint into your GPS rather than the beach itself.

The viewpoint drive will wind you up a gorgeous mountain road before leading you to a vista with incredible panoramic views of one of the most spectacular and impressive beaches in County Donegal.

Where to Stay in Northeast Donegal

Killererin House B&B – Located just outside the town of Letterkenny, this B&B has lovely rooms to choose from, a beautiful location, free parking and a great, hearty breakfast available each morning.

Woodview Bed & Breakfast – Also located just outside of Letterkenny, this is another great B&B to choose from if you’re looking for a base in the northeast of Donegal. There are a range of comfy rooms on offer along with a wonderful breakfast and friendly hosts.

Castle Grove Country House Hotel – If you’re after a luxury escape outside of Letterkenny, then this hotel is set in a historic Georgian mansion. They have a range of stunning rooms to choose from, lovely grounds to explore and a fantastic restaurant (and room service!) on site.

Not quite what you’re looking for? Click here to browse more Letterkenny hotels!

Day 4 – Inishowen Peninsula

Day four of this Donegal road trip will have you embarking on the Inishowen 100 drive. Winding its way around the Inishowen Peninsula, here you will get to visit the most northerly part of Ireland along with plenty of other great places.

These are only a handful of the multitude of stops on the Inishowen 100, however, they are what I consider to be the highlights.

Gap of Mamore

The first stop as you embark on the Inishowen 100 is to drive through the Gap of Mamore. Like many other stops on this road trip, the best way not to miss this scenic drive is to enter the Gap of Mamore viewpoint into your GPS.

This is another gorgeous scenic drive that will wind you through the beautiful rolling hills and mountains of this peninsula before giving you fantastic views of the Atlantic on the other side. Go slowly so you can take in all of the fantastic vistas that you will be greeted with.

Glenevin Waterfall

The next stop is at the lovely Glenevin Waterfall. There is no shortage of beautiful waterfalls in County Donegal, however, this was the favourite that we visited.

There is a small car park at the entrance to the waterfall (parking is free) and then it’s about 10 minutes walking on a gentle, well-marked pathway until you reach the waterfall itself.

Five Finger Strand

You could spend the entirety of your 4 days in Donegal simply taking in all of the beautiful beaches this area has to offer and still not see them all, however, please do make sure not to miss Five Finger Strand. This is another beautiful stretch of sand that is also known for its beautiful sand dunes.

There is a very small car park so finding parking may be a bit tricky if it’s a nice day, but it’s still very much worth visiting and parking is also free of charge.

Now it’s time to head to the most northern point on the island of Ireland – Malin Head. This is a beautiful natural area and it is quite popular with visitors, however, it doesn’t take away from the wild, natural beauty of the place. Again, parking is free here so you don’t have to pay a thing to enjoy the scenery around here.

There are a few walking paths that wind you around this area, so plan to spend about 20 to 30 minutes wandering around this place.

And if you’ve worked up an appetite after such an active morning, then head a bit south to the town of Carndonagh and make a stop at the Diamond Cafe . This is an excellent lunch spot and the perfect halfway point before continuing on exploring the Inishowen Peninsula.

Kinnagoe Bay Beach

Yes, there is another beach to visit on the Inishowen 100 and this one is the gorgeous Kinnagoe Bay Beach.

Another stop on the Wild Atlantic Way, this beach is tucked beneath some beautiful, green cliffs and it is a striking place to visit and a must on this beautiful drive.

Inishowen Head Lighthouse

About 15 minutes south of Kinnagoe Bay lies another charming lighthouse similar to Fanad Head that we visited yesterday – the Inishowen Head Lighthouse.

When visiting here, you can also drive up on some of the country roads above the lighthouse to get some lovely views of the lighthouse itself and of the surrounding countryside.

From here, it’s about an hour’s drive back to Letterkenny, if that’s where you’re basing yourself. Alternatively, this is a great place to continue on your journey to Northern Ireland. There is a ferry that runs from the town of Greencastle to Magilligan Point on the Antrim Coast. From there, it’s only about 45 minutes to the incredible Giant’s Causeway .

If the ferry isn’t running, you can also drive around Lough Foyle and reach the Giant’s Causeway via Derry in about 1.5 hours.

Have More Time?

If you have more than 4 days to spend in County Donegal, there are plenty of ways you could spend your time. For instance, you could take advantage of the multitude of hiking trails in Glenveagh National Park and spend an entire day in this beautiful natural area.

Another great option is to spend time in Ards Forest Park. This is another nature reserve located closeby to Letterkenny and it is filled with a number of hiking trails with varying levels of difficulty and is very much worth visiting for nature lovers.

There is so much to see on a County Donegal road trip that you’re sure to be filled with incredible memories for years to come after your trip.

Are you visiting County Donegal? Have any questions about this itinerary? Let us know in the comments!

Wild Atlatnic Way Viewpoint @ Tullan Strand

A Perfect 2-Week Wild Atlantic Way Road Trip Itinerary

9 Best Stops on the Dublin to Cork Drive

10-Day Ireland Itinerary: 3 Road Trip Routes

About Maggie Turansky

Maggie is a co-founder and writer for The World Was Here First. Originally from the US, she has lived in five different countries and has travelled to dozens more, both solo and with her partner, Michael. She particularly loves exploring Spain and spending time in the Caucasus and the Baltics. Read more about Maggie

Thanks this was very helpful in determining how long we will be staying in Donegal.

Happy you found this helpful! Hope you enjoy your time in Donegal 🙂

Find cheap bus tickets from Donegal to Galway

Easily compare and book your next trip with Busbud

Cheap buses leaving today

One passenger / one way.

Bus Donegal to Galway: Trip Overview

Compare bus companies.

Based on 150 reviews, the company was rated 4 stars on Busbud. Travelers were especially satisfied with the staff and the ticket access but often complained with the wifi. Expressway ticket prices on this trip start at $29.00

Donegal to Galway Buses

Busbud helps you find a bus from Donegal to Galway. Get the best fare and schedule, book a round trip ticket or find buses with WiFi and electrical outlets.

Bus service from Donegal to Galway will be provided by the most trusted bus companies.

Whether it is cheap bus tickets or more luxurious buses going to Galway from Donegal, we help you find what you're looking for based on how much of a budget you have.

Where are the popular bus stations and stops in Donegal and Galway?

Frequently asked questions for your trip Donegal - Galway

Is there a way to reach galway from donegal without a car.

The best way to travel from Donegal to Galway is by bus. Traveling by bus offers a budget-friendly, secure, and easy way to go between the two cities. Taking a ride with other travelers through carpool services is an additional option to consider.

How long is the bus ride from Donegal to Galway?

The travel time from Donegal to Galway is about 3h 53m, but you can get there in as little as 3h 38m with the fastest bus. This is the time it takes to travel the 103 miles (166 km) that separate the two cities.

What is the distance between Donegal and Galway?

The distance between the two cities is 103 miles (166 km).

How frequently do buses run from Donegal to Galway each day?

On average, there are 2 daily departures on this route, offered by Expressway. The number of buses running from Donegal to Galway may change based on the day of the week. Want to make your bus journey from Donegal to Galway as easy as possible? Busbud has got you covered! Browse schedules, pick the perfect bus for your travel style and budget - all in one place.

At what times does the first and last bus depart from Donegal to Galway?

The first bus leaves at 8:40 AM and the last one leaves at 4:55 PM.

What are the departure and arrival stations when taking the bus from Donegal to Galway?

If you're headed to Galway from Donegal, chances are that your bus will depart from Abbey Hotel Bus Stop and arrive at Eireann Station. These are the main pick-up and drop-off locations on this route, there are other pick-up and drop-off locations that could make it easier for you to reach your destination.

What is the cheapest way to get from Donegal to Galway?

You can save a lot of money on your trip from Donegal to Galway by choosing to travel by bus. The lowest tickets for this trip cost as little as $29.

What is the ticket price for the bus trip from Donegal to Galway?

The average bus ticket price from Donegal to Galway is $30. Over the last 30 days, the prices ranged between $29 and $30, so make sure to compare them to get the best option.

What are the best sights and things to do in Galway?

Once in Galway, you can start exploring the city and discover its surroundings. The top sights and things to do are Athenry Heritage Centre, Connemara National Park, Galway City Museum, Dun Aonghasa and Galway Atlantaquaria.

Find cheapest prices for buses

Price is for a one-way ticket for one passenger and based on past searches.

To save money and be sure you have the best seat, it's a good idea to buy your bus tickets from Donegal to Galway, as early as possible.

About Bus Travel

Bus travel tips.

Make friends with the driver. They usually know a lot about your destination and may even recommend which side of the bus to sit on to get the best views on the road between Donegal and Galway!

Much more than a mere vehicle taking you from Donegal to Galway, riding the bus will expose you to some of the most stunning panoramas while enroute to your final bus stop.

Buses are energy-efficient. Carrying a passenger over 100 kms by coach only takes 0.6-0.9 liters of gas. Compare that to the 2.6 liters required by high-speed train, 6.6 liters by airplane and 7.6 liters by gas-powered car, and it's clear that the bus is a more environmentally-conscious option for your bus transportation from Donegal to Galway.

Create your own real life musical score by curating a personalized bus travel playlist - the perfect accompaniment to your bus ride from Donegal to Galway.

Did you know?

It takes 27 hours to go by bus from Lima to Cusco, one of the craziest bus trips on the world. This route is used daily by locals and backpackers.

The average number of passengers on a coach bus is 32 meaning that a bus could replace a minimum of at least 30 cars!

9.2% of ground transportation in Europe is done by bus versus 7.4% by train.

Will you be returning to Donegal by bus?

Top traveled bus routes.

Buses from Athlone to Dublin

Buses from Cork to Galway

Buses from Galway to Cork

Buses from Dublin to Maynooth

Buses from Dublin to Athlone

Buses from Dublin to Waterford

Why choose Busbud?

The best way to book bus and train tickets.

Busbud.com makes it easy for you to find, compare and book city-to-city bus tickets, all over the world. We save you the extra trip to the bus station. Use Busbud to book your trip online, in your own language and currency, wherever you are. Busbud partners with safe and reliable bus companies throughout the world such as Greyhound, Eurolines, ALSA, OUIBUS (BlaBlaBus), National Express and many others so you can buy tickets without a worry.

Popular Buses Connecting Donegal

Buses leaving from donegal.

Bus from Donegal to Galway
Bus Donegal - Sligo
Donegal - Dublin
Bus from Donegal to Longford
Bus Donegal - Limerick
Donegal - Bar
Bus from Donegal to Cork
Bus Donegal - Letterkenny
Donegal - Carlow
Bus from Donegal to Cavan
Bus Donegal - Ballyshannon
Donegal - Ennis
Bus from Donegal to Monaghan
Bus Donegal - Carrick-On-Shannon
Donegal - Knock

Buses Going to Donegal

Bus from Bundoran to Donegal
Bus Dublin - Donegal
Galway - Donegal
Bus from Sligo to Donegal
Bus Cavan - Donegal
Cork - Donegal
Bus from Limerick to Donegal
Bus Letterkenny - Donegal
Monaghan - Donegal
Bus from Carlow to Donegal
Bus Mullingar - Donegal
Ennis - Donegal
Bus from Carrick-On-Shannon to Donegal
Bus Ballyshannon - Donegal
Drogheda - Donegal

Popular Buses Connecting Galway

Buses leaving from galway.

Bus from Galway to Tuam
Bus Galway - Limerick
Bus from Galway to Sligo
Bus Galway - Ennis
Galway - Castlebar
Bus from Galway to Shannon
Bus Galway - Maynooth
Galway - Killarney
Bus from Galway to Knock Airport Business Park
Bus Galway - Athlone
Galway - Carrick-On-Shannon
Bus from Galway to Ballina
Bus Galway - Claremorris
Galway - Waterford

Buses Going to Galway

Bus from Curry to Galway
Bus Limerick - Galway
Sligo - Galway
Bus from Killarney to Galway
Bus Ennis - Galway
Donegal - Galway
Bus from Knock Airport Business Park to Galway
Bus Shannon - Galway
Athlone - Galway
Bus from Claremorris to Galway
Bus Longford - Galway
Maynooth - Galway
Bus from Waterford to Galway
Bus Tuam - Galway
Castlebar - Galway

Popular routes in this country

Bus from Athlone to Dublin
Bus Dublin - Athlone
Cork - Galway
Bus from Dublin to Waterford
Bus Limerick - Dublin
Cork - Killarney
Bus from Dublin to Limerick
Bus Galway - Cork
Mullingar - Dublin
Bus from Dublin to Carlow
Bus Carlow - Dublin
Killarney - Dublin
Bus from Dublin to Sligo
Bus Sligo - Dublin
Waterford - Dublin

Popular airport transfers

Donegal to Dublin Airport

Popular international trips

Bus from Veracruz to Mexico City
Bus Mexico City - Veracruz
Durban - Johannesburg
Bus from Johannesburg to Durban
Bus Mexico City - Xalapa

Plan a Road Trip
Plan a Flight
Find an Airport
Where to Stay
All Questions

Distance between Galway and Donegal

Driving non-stop from galway to donegal.

How far is Donegal from Galway? Here's the quick answer if you drive this relatively short distance without making any stops.

Nonstop drive: 125 miles or 201 km

Driving time: 2 hours, 44 minutes

Even though you can drive this distance straight through, it might be more interesting to stop along the way. You can scroll down to calculate how many hours it would take if you drive with stops .

Flying non-stop from Galway to Donegal

Now let's assume you have a private jet and you can fly in the fastest possible straight line between Galway, Ireland and Donegal, Ireland. Because of the curvature of the Earth, the shortest distance is actually the "great circle" distance, or "as the crow flies" which is calculated using an iterative Vincenty formula.

Flight distance: 103 miles or 166 km

Flight time: 42 minutes

The straight line flight distance is 22 miles less than driving on roads, which means the driving distance is roughly 1.2x of the flight distance.

Your plane flies much faster than a car, so the flight time is about 1/4th of the time it would take to drive.

This is a relatively short flight in a private plane, but you might be planning to book a commercial flight. In that case, your travel time would really need to include how many minutes to get to your local airport, wait for security, board and taxi on the runway, land at the other airport, and get to your destination. Scroll down to see a more realistic calculation that takes into account all these factors to get a more accurate estimate of your actual flight time .

Galway to Donegal road trip

Let's say you're actually planning a road trip to Donegal, and you want to stop on the way to explore. If it's a real road trip, you might want to check out interesting places along the way, or maybe eat at a great restaurant. That's what Trippy is perfect for, helping you figure out travel plans in detail.

Road trip: 1 day of driving

With the full itinerary planned out, we can estimate your total travel time for this trip.

Travel time: 2.5 hours on the road

Start in Galway .

Drive for about 1 hour , then stop in Knock and stay for about 1 hour. Next, drive for another 55 minutes then stop in Sligo and stay for 1 hour. Drive for 46 minutes then stop at County Donegal and stay for 1 hour. Finally, drive for about 5 minutes and arrive in Donegal .

Galway to Donegal airports and flights

In the quick calculation above, we assumed you had a private plane and just wanted to know the time in the air from city to city. But for most of us, we're going to be flying on a commercial airline (whether it's first class or coach). So that means we really need to account for all the extra travel time getting to the airport, waiting for our flight, and making it to the destination.

To give you a better estimate of real-life travel, we've put together a flight itinerary with actual airports. Eventually you'll be able to customize this plan, choosing your own airports and flights. But for now, here's an example we've selected to give you an idea of how traveling might work between airports.

Departure airport: Shannon Airport (SNN)

Arrival airport: City of Derry Airport (LDY)

With the airports selected, we can estimate the travel time to and from the airport, based on how far the airport is from downtown.

Getting to the airport: 119 minutes

Getting to your destination: 139 minutes

Now finally, let's look at an actual flight from SNN connecting through MAN and arriving at LDY flying on Ryanair. We can figure out how long it would take to fly including take-off and landing, time to taxi on the runways, and an average layover time of about 2 hours.

Initial flight time: 1 hour, 4 minutes

Connecting airport: Manchester Airport (MAN)

Connection flight time: 58 minutes

So now we can finally get an idea of the total travel time from Galway to Donegal including time spent getting to and from the airports, roughly 2 hours at the departure airport for TSA security lines and waiting at the gate, plus the connecting flight with a 2-hour layover.

Total travel time: 10 hours

Plan a trip to Donegal

Trippy has a ton of information that can help you plan your trip to Donegal, Ireland. Start by reading the Trippy page on where to stay in Donegal . Click the button below to explore Donegal in detail.

How far is it the other way?

The distance is the same either way if you're flying a straight line (or driving the same roads back and forth). But for a real trip, there can be plenty of differences so go ahead and check the reverse directions to get the distance from Donegal to Galway , or go to the main page to calculate the distance between cities .

If you happen to know Galway, don't forget to help other travelers and answer some questions about Galway!

More info on this route: drive from Galway to Donegal road conditions alternate routes Google driving directions

MORE SECTIONS

Dear Deidre

Connor Gleeson hits reset after Galway’s All-Ireland heartbreak and reflects on career journey from soccer to GAA

Jason Byrne
Published : 12:45, 27 Sep 2024
Updated : 12:55, 27 Sep 2024
Published : Invalid Date,

CONNOR GLEESON went back to business quickly after Galway's All-Ireland final loss to Armagh.

The Tribes lost their second showpiece in three seasons this summer against the Orchard , but their stopper hit the reset button as fast as he could.

He was speaking with thanks to Pinergy, Ireland’s energy transition company, have announced a three-year partnership agreement with Connacht GAA, becoming the official energy partner of the association

Gleeson runs his own coffee truck, Sláinte Caife in his native Dunmore and was ready to face the public after their 1-11 to 0-13 loss at Croke Park.

There has been no post-season debrief with Padraic Joyce’s squad just yet.

Aaron McKay’s second half goal in the final was only the second Gleeson conceded in nine championship games, but it proved to be the difference.

And he admits there is a lot to take into 2025 in their search for a first All-Ireland since 2001.

Brolly opens up childhood trauma as Derry GAA icon details mental health battle

GAA handed HUGE cash injection from Government fund as figures revealed

He said: “I suppose the few weeks afterwards, you would be trying to keep the head down. I haven’t been aware of anyone speaking to anyone yet.

“I’m not sure really what to say. It’s still a tough one to take. But everyone is back in with the club and you’d just be concentrating with that until we get back in with training and we review the season, I suppose.

“You’d like to get away for a few weeks. I didn’t have that luxury. Me and a friend are running a local coffee truck so I was straight back into it the following week.

“That can be good and bad because you’re getting all the questions out of the way but you’re hearing it while it’s still raw.

Most read in GAA Football

International Rules in line for sensational return as GAA President holds talks

Brolly opens up childhood trauma as Derry GAA icon details mental health battle

Pat Spillane presents three extreme proposals to 'save Gaelic Football'

Divilly looks to Kerry for inspiration as Galway eye All-Ireland glory in 2025

“I suppose for me this year, I got over it a bit quicker because you got all those questions out of the way. You didn’t have too much time to be thinking about it yourself.”

Galway and Gleeson had a rollercoaster season. His last-gasp free sealed their third Connacht title in a row against Mayo in May, and he was on top of the world.

The 31-year-old and his defence had a stellar summer as they bounced back from a second place group stage finish to reach the biggest day of all.

Monaghan, Dublin and Donegal were swept aside to reach the final.

Galway have had two months to digest the Orchard lifting Sam, but there was not much time to celebrate the highs.

He said: “That’s just the way football goes. You’re going to have good with bad. It changes awful quick.

“It could be going…that time I was talking after the Connacht final, things were going really well. You’re riding that wave for a few weeks.

“It’s hard. The way the season is, it’s hard. The way the provincial championships are, you don’t have time to be celebrated as such. We were straight back the following Tuesday, Wednesday. It’s hard to celebrate them really.

“Then things weren’t going well. Then going well again. Then the season ends the way it did. That’s just football.”

Cian O’Neill’s imprint on the squad was huge across his three years as coach, but he has departed to link up with Kerry once more.

The long trek from Cork to Galway’s training base in Loughgeorge was taking its toll, and they are yet to announce a replacement.

Gleeson hailed his influence with the Tribes, but was not surprised he called it a day to join Jack O’Connor’s Kingdom.

He said: “No, I think this was going to be his final year. I’m not sure if it was decided but I think this was going to be his last year.

“Travel commitments were a lot – I don’t know was that part of the reason. But that was going to be it for Cian and us.

“He was brilliant. Once he came in, very hands-on coach. I think all the players took to him straight away so really enjoyed the three years under him and we wish him the best in the future.

“I got on really well with Cian over the last few years and he helped me a lot so he’s going in with Kerry this year and he might have a bit of knowledge on us that could go against us if we come up against them but that’s all there is, there’s no hard feelings.”

And Gleeson’s road to Galway no 1 took him from Eamonn Deacy Park to Croker.

He started on the soccer path at Mervue United, and came through the ranks at Fahy’s Field under Galway United legend Johnny Glynn.

Current Shamrock Rovers striker Rory Gaffney and Derry City star Pat Hoban were among his team-mates along with future Irish international Ryan Manning.

Gleeson went on to help Galway United seal promotion in 2014, before spells at Athlone Town led him back to Terryland.

He departed in 2018 after playing second fiddle to Tadhg Ryan, but his return to GAA action with Dunmore MacHales saw Joyce call him up in 2020, and the rest is history.

But the switch from League of Ireland to inter-county GAA was not simple. Gleeson struggled at the start, but has been their main man since his SFC debut in 2021.

He said: “It's two different sports from the goalkeeping side of things. I found it extremely difficult at the start to be honest.

“It was just at the stage where the Gaelic goalkeeper had completely changed from whacking it out. Getting the timing of the kicks, the striking off the tee, the movement and everything.

“The first year or two I found it really tough. Like everything else, with experience and it's something I practise a lot and I'm a bit more comfortable with it now.

“My last season with Galway United was in 2018, I was sub keeper that year with Tadhg (Ryan) as number one.

“Stephen Walsh and Colm Horgan are the only two still there since I was there. I met John Caulfield a few weeks ago at a club game and I was chatting to him, but there was no sign of a contract so we left it at that!

“I took a year out in 2019 and went travelling, and Padraic called then in late 2019 about getting in for the 2020 season. I said come in for training and see how we’d go.

“I was going in with no expectation of playing really. My main focus was to get on the panel that year.

“I didn't expect to kick any ball, but I was hoping maybe for a year just figuring out the way a Gaelic keeper is working in the modern day. They put me in straight away and I suppose I've been there since.”

Pinergy, Ireland’s energy transition company, have announced a three-year partnership agreement with Connacht GAA, becoming the official energy partner of the association.

This landmark partnership underscores Pinergy's commitment to supporting Irish sport and promoting sustainability within the GAA community nationwide.

Gaelic Football
Gaelic Games

IMAGES

ULTIMATE guide: Galway to Donegal in 5 DAYS (Irish Road Trip Itinerary)
ULTIMATE guide: Galway to Donegal in 5 DAYS (Irish Road Trip Itinerary
The Best of the Wild Atlantic Way from Galway to Donegal
The Best of the Wild Atlantic Way from Galway to Donegal
Galway to Donegal
Galway to Donegal in 5 Days (Irish Road Trip Itinerary)

COMMENTS

Galway to Donegal
Rome2Rio makes travelling from Galway to Donegal easy. Rome2Rio is a door-to-door travel information and booking engine, helping you get to and from any location in the world. Find all the transport options for your trip from Galway to Donegal right here. Rome2Rio displays up to date schedules, route maps, journey times and estimated fares from relevant transport operators, ensuring you can ...
Galway to Donegal in 5 Days (Irish Road Trip Itinerary)
This 5-day road trip takes you from Galway to Donegal, taking in some of the highlights along the way. It follows the Wild Atlantic Way for most of the route, apart from a few shortcuts and interesting diversions. Use it as inspiration and modify as your interests and moods see fit. If you're looking for an adventure from Galway to Donegal ...
Galway City to Donegal
What companies run services between Galway City, Ireland and Donegal, Ulster, Ireland? Expressway operates a bus from Galway, Bus Station to Donegal Abbey Hotel every 3 hours. Tickets cost $20-29 and the journey takes 3h 42m.
The Best Of The Wild Atlantic Way From Galway To Donegal
Welcome to the wild and rugged beauty of the Wild Atlantic Way, stretching along the western coast of Ireland. From the lively streets of Galway to the majestic cliffs of Donegal, this scenic route offers a captivating adventure for nature enthusiasts, history buffs, and thrill-seekers alike. The Wild Atlantic Way is the longest defined coastal ...
Galway to Donegal
The scenic county of Donegal sits in Ireland's rural, northwest region.Many who visit the Irish-speaking area use Letterkenny as a hub, which is 155 miles (249 km) from the city of Galway.It's a small city located along the Swilly River and the scenic coastal drive, the Wild Atlantic Way.The most convenient way to make the journey between Galway and Letterkenny is by car, either rental or ...
Galway to County Donegal
Clanree Hotel & Leisure Centre. Rome2Rio makes travelling from Galway to County Donegal easy. The cheapest way to get from Galway to County Donegal costs only €45 (USD$50, SGD$64), and the quickest way takes just 3¼ hours. Find the travel option that best suits you.
Galway to Donegal bus from $18 (€15) with Expressway
Yes. Bus providers. Expressway. Buses from Galway to Donegal cover the 102 miles (165 km) long route taking on average 3 h 22 min with our travel partners like Expressway. There are direct bus services available. While the average ticket price for this trip costs around $25 (€21), you can find the cheapest bus ticket for as low as $18 (€15).
Donegal to Galway
Rome2Rio makes travelling from Donegal to Galway easy. Rome2Rio is a door-to-door travel information and booking engine, helping you get to and from any location in the world. Find all the transport options for your trip from Donegal to Galway right here. Rome2Rio displays up to date schedules, route maps, journey times and estimated fares from relevant transport operators, ensuring you can ...
Galway → Donegal Bus: from $17
Taking the bus is the best way to travel to Donegal without a car. The bus trip is an affordable, safe and convenient way to travel between the two cities. ... Buses have one of the smallest carbon footprints of motorized transport modes. A bus going from Galway to Donegal will emit less CO2 than a car or an airplane.
Donegal to Galway Bus Routes
DONEGAL TO GALWAY BUS Bus Feda operate a twice daily Bus Service from Donegal to Galway and from Galway to Donegal with extra services on Friday and Sunday. 50% Discount for Student Leap and Young Adult Cards We also operate some extra feeder services at weekends connecting Inishowen and west Donegal to our main route.
Galway to Donegal bus from £13 with Expressway
Overview: Coach from Galway to Donegal. Coaches from Galway to Donegal cover the 102 miles long trip taking on average 3 h 22 min with our travel partners like Expressway. There are direct coach services available. While the average ticket price for this trip costs around £18, you can find the cheapest coach ticket for as low as £13.
The Best of the Wild Atlantic Way from Galway to Donegal
Galway. If the song, 'Galway Girl' wasn't in your head before it is now, sorry. The Wild Atlantic Way is famous in part for the food. Chefs are taking Irish cuisine to a whole new level, showcasing local seafood, lamb, and beef. The dinner at Ard Bia, a restaurant just under the Spanish Arch, was the perfect introduction to this food culture.
Galway to Donegal by bus from £13
For coach travel from Galway to Donegal, ticket prices typically start at £15 and can reach a maximum of £22. The cost of tickets can fluctuate based on factors like the time of day, the company, and the class you choose. To get accurate and up-to-date pricing information, check out all your options on our search tool. ...
Bus Galway to Donegal: Compare prices and save money
Facts about the bus from Galway to Donegal. Compare all providers like Expressway that travel 27 times every day by bus from Galway to Donegal in one click! Book your bus ticket from Galway to Donegal starting from $17! Cheapest Bus. $17. Fastest Bus.
31 Best Stops Between Galway and Donegal Town
The direct drive from Galway to Donegal Town is 133 mi (214 km), and should have a drive time of 2 hrs 51 mins in normal traffic. If you're going on a road trip from Galway to Donegal Town, we did the research for you and compiled some great stops along the way — with Sligo, as well as top places to visit like The Burren Perfumery and ...
Donegal to Galway // Things You Need to Know Before Traveling
Donegal to Galway Bus. If you're not driving by car, you can also travel from Donegal to Galway or Galway to Donegal by bus. Bus Feda is the least expensive option and operates a twice-daily bus service with extra services on the weekend. ESSENTIAL INFO Cost // €20 one-way or €30 return Website // https://busfeda.ie/
Bus Galway to Donegal from €17
The average bus between Galway and Donegal takes 3h 42m and the fastest bus takes 3h. The bus service runs several times per day from Galway to Donegal. The journey time may be longer on weekends and holidays; use the search form on this page to search for a specific travel date.
GALWAY TO DONEGAL TIMETABLE
Donegal to Galway Daily Bus timetable - Check our timetable and offers when travelling to Galway, Sligo or Donegal. GALWAY TO DONEGAL TIMETABLE Location Pick Up Point Mon-Sat AM Mon-Sat PM Friday Extra Friday Extra Sunday Morning Sunday Afternoon Sunday Evening Crolly Paddy Óg's Pub 7.20am 2.45pm 10.20am 7.20am 1.50pm 5.30pm Gweedore
Cheap Flights from Galway to Donegal
Complete your trip to Donegal with a hotel stay or car hire. The most popular flights on KAYAK according to clicks in the last 2 weeks. Prices are the lowest found on KAYAK over the last 7 days. Price and availability are not guaranteed. Flights from all regions of Galway to Donegal.
The Ultimate 2, 3 or 4 Day Donegal Road Trip Itinerary
2, 3 or 4 Days in Donegal Itinerary. Whether you have 2 days, 3 days or 4 days in County Donegal, you're sure to fall in love with this corner of Ireland. This itinerary begins from South to North, however, it can easily be done in reverse - especially if you're coming from Northern Ireland.
Donegal to Galway Bus Tickets
The travel time from Donegal to Galway is about 3h 53m, but you can get there in as little as 3h 38m with the fastest bus. This is the time it takes to travel the 103 miles (166 km) that separate the two cities.
How far is Donegal from Galway
So now we can finally get an idea of the total travel time from Galway to Donegal including time spent getting to and from the airports, roughly 2 hours at the departure airport for TSA security lines and waiting at the gate, plus the connecting flight with a 2-hour layover. Total travel time: 10 hours
Galway City Travel Guide
Galway City is located on the west coast of Ireland and lies along the northern shore of Galway Bay. Galway does not have an airport, but you can fly into Dublin Airport, Shannon Airport or Ireland West Airport (often called Knock Airport) and then travel to Galway by public transport or rental car. As Galway is one of the major cities in Ireland, it is well-connected by public transport.
Donegal to Galway bus from $18 (€15)
No. Buses from Donegal to Galway cover the 102 miles (165 km) long route and usually take around 2 h 50 min. While the average ticket price for this journey costs around $24 (€20), you can find the cheapest bus ticket for as low as $18 (€15). Travelers depart most frequently from Donegal, Abbey Hotel and arrive in Galway, Bus Station.
Galway to Tipperary Bus Times
Use our app to get live travel updates and book mobile tickets for trains, buses, flights, and ferries. App Store. 4.9. 42K ratings. Google Play. 4.6. ... The average ticket from Galway to Tipperary will cost around $24 if you buy it on the day, but the cheapest tickets can be found for only $24. See more. Wed Sep 25. Thu Sep 26. Fri Sep 27 ...
Connor Gleeson hits reset after Galway's All-Ireland heartbreak and
Connor Gleeson in action for Athlone Town in 2017. Gleeson runs his own coffee truck, Sláinte Caife in his native Dunmore and was ready to face the public after their 1-11 to 0-13 loss at Croke Park.