Wicklow Ireland Travel Guide: Everything You Need to Know
If you’re looking for somewhere in Ireland that combines dramatic mountains, beautiful lakes, historic estates, and some of the country’s best scenery, let me introduce you to Wicklow!
I’ve spent time exploring Wicklow and have found that the hardest part isn’t deciding whether to visit, it’s figuring out what to actually include in your trip.
In this Wicklow Ireland travel guide, I’m sharing everything you need to know to plan your trip, including the best places to visit and things to do, where to stay, how to get around, how long you need, and the Wicklow experiences I think are worth your time!
Whether you’re planning a day trip from Dublin or spending a few days exploring County Wicklow, this guide will help you figure out exactly where to go and what not to miss.
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Wicklow at a Glance
Where is Wicklow, Ireland?
Country Wicklow is located on Ireland’s east coast, just south of Dublin. It’s one the easiest areas to escape to from Dublin, making it one of my favourite day trips to take!
Did you know Wicklow is known as the “Garden of Ireland”, thanks to it’s rolling green hills, mountains, forests, lakes, and beautiful gardens. The county is home to the Wicklow mountains, one of the most scenic areas in eastern Ireland.
Wicklow also homes my favourite spots like Glendalough, Powerscourt, Sally Gap, and Lough Tay!
The County is fairly large, so it’s worth keeping in mind that not all the attractions are clustered together. You can definitely add Wicklow as a day trip if your base is Dublin. While you won’t have time to see everything, you can still fit in places like Glendalough. (My favourite place to take people when they come to visit!)
Best Things to Do in Wicklow
There is no shortage of places to visit while in Wicklow, but if you’re short on time, let me help you prioritise the ones I think are worth your time…
Gelndalough
Glendalough is one of the most famous places in Wicklow and for good reason! Tucked into the Wicklow Mountains, this beautiful valley is home to a historic monastic site, two picturesque lakes, and several hiking trails.
The medieval round tower and monastic ruins are the main highlights, but I also recommend giving yourself time to explore beyond the ruins. My favourite hike is here too, if you look to Google Maps it’s under Gelndalough viewpoint.
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Drive Through the Wicklow Mountains
One of the best ways to experience Wicklow is simply to get out into the mountains! The roads through the Wicklow Mountains take you through county’s prettiest landscapes.
There are plenty of hiking trails and viewing points throughout the mountains. A couple of my favourite spots include the Wicklow Mountains Viewing Platform, hike through the Spinc and Glenealo Valley.
A lot of people love to go stargazing here too! Just make sure to check the wether first as Ireland can be notoriously cloudy.
Sally Gap
Sally Gap is a must for those who have a car and are visiting Wicklow!
The route takes you through an atmospheric landscape of open mountains, heather-covered hills, streams, and valleys. I find it really beautiful when the weather changes and the landscapes takes on that classic moody Irish look!
There are plenty of places to stop along the way, but always take care when pulling over and be mindful of other vehicles and finding safe places to pull over.
Lough Tay
You may recognise Lough Tay from photographs of Wicklow. Also known as “Guinness Lake” because of its dark water and pale shoreline, it’s one of the county’s most recognisable views!
The lake is located within the Wicklow Mountains and is best viewed from one of the surrounding viewpoints. It’s perfect to stop while you’re already exploring the Sally Gap area.
Visit Powerscourt Estate & Gardens
For something completely different from Wicklow’s mountain scenery, head to Powerscourt Estate near Enniskerry.
The estate is known for it’s beautiful gardens, historic house, and views toward the surrounding mountains. It’s an easy place to spend several hours, especially if you’re interested in gardens, architecture, and Irish history!
Powerscourt Waterfall
Not far from the estate, Powerscourt Waterfall is another popular Wicklow attraction and is one of the tallest waterfalls in Ireland!
The waterfall sits within a wooded valley surrounded by the Wicklow Mountains, making it a particularly stunning place to visit.
It’s also worth checking opening information before visiting as access and admission can differ from Powerscourt Estate itself.
Wicklow Way
If you love walking/hiking like me, you’ll want to consider walking a section of the Wicklow Way!
The Wicklow Way is a long-distance walking route that travels through some of the prettiest parts of the county.
You don’t need to commit to the entire trail, there are plenty of shorter sections and day walks that allow you to experience the scenery without turning your entire trip into a multi-day hike.
