North of Dublin, where the coastline opens out into long stretches of flat sand that connect small coastal villages, horse lovers discover the perfect riding ground. Less than an hour from the city centre, riders damp with salt spray canter along vast beaches and tumbling dunes. With barely any crowds out of peak summer periods, this is the perfect way to enjoy uninterrupted views of Dublin Bay, fittingly shaped like a horseshoe.
Experiences like these reveal a side of Dublin many travellers don't expect. Fringed as it is by the Irish Sea and home to a UNESCO-designated biosphere, the Irish capital is blessed with an unexpectedly nature-rich setting. Â While many visitors will know it for its historic cobbled streets, literary prowess and lively pub scene, fewer will know about its parks, its mountain hikes, its 64 km coastal trail or that you can glimpse wild deer at Phoenix Park, just a short distance from the city centre.
Daytrippers need only hop aboard the city's rail network to travel from Skerries in the north to Killiney in the south, where they can explore quaint fishing villages, pristine beaches, historic harbour towns and walking trails aplenty.
Within the city itself, there are also plenty of ways to explore. Take a tour aboard a 1960s double decker bus with a cuppa and slice of cake in hand with Vintage Tea Trips. Meanwhile, the River Liffey, one of Dublin's most beloved icons, is a popular spot for kayaking. Beginners can take in the city's sights from the water, while those more experienced with a paddle will love the thrills of the river's descents.
And it's not just in Dublin that cosmopolitan appeal sits alongside easy access to nature. The cities spread across the island all have plenty to offer those with a little less time on their hands but still keen to experience the unhurried nature of Ireland.
With Belfast being the UNESCO city of music, a great way to explore its thriving music scene and heritage is by joining a musical tour through with Creative Tours Belfast. The city is also being reimagined as a destination best explored slowly, with visitors encouraged to look beyond the city's major attractions and embrace a gentler pace of travel. While urban sights include the Titanic Quarter as well as its food and music scene, venture further afield to discover coastal landscapes, forest walks and outdoor adventures around Belfast Lough and County Down. Linger in seaside villages, kayak on Strangford Lough, hike in the Mourne Mountains or take a scenic drive along the Causeway Coastal Route.
Heading north from Belfast, visitors will travel along the Causeway Coastal Route with its rugged coastline, seaside villages and stunning natural scenery until they reach Derry~Londonderry. En route from Belfast, visitors can head out to one of the island's most recognised natural wonders – the Giant's Causeway – but there are plenty of other lesser-known sights that merit their attention. These include Carrick-a-Rede Rope Bridge and Dunluce Castle, as well as walking the trails of Ballintoy, boat trips to Rathlin Island and whiskey tastings at Bushmills Distillery. The region's beaches are also a great place to get stuck into surfing and horseback riding as well as sea safaris on the North Atlantic.
Derry~Londonderry, set along the River Foyle, is the island's only fully walled city and a standout destination for clients seeking history and culture. Visitors can walk the 17th-century city walls, explore powerful heritage through its museums and murals, and enjoy a lively food and music scene.
Swap high energy sightseeing for more relaxed exploration, coastal drives and long lunches in Cork, a city with an undeniably easy-going identity. Renowned for its creative food scene and fascinating maritime heritage, the city is abuzz with activities, walking and food tours. But head out of the city to find colourful harbour towns like Cobh, Midleton and Kinsale, with the Wild Atlantic Way also within easy reach. Here, visitors can enjoy harbour cruises, scenic cycling routes, seafood dining and quiet beaches at a gentler pace. This stretch of coastline is also home to some world-class surf breaks.
Viking history, coastal scenery and outdoor adventure all come together in Waterford, but at a gentle pace. When not exploring the city's walkable streets, Georgian architecture and maritime heritage, visitors can venture into the surrounding countryside where they can cycle the 46-kilometre Waterford Greenway, wander the Copper Coast UNESCO Global Geopark and exploring seaside towns like Dunmore East and Dungarvan. Food also plays a major role, with visitors encouraged to linger over local produce, seafood and Waterford's famous blaa bread.
Beloved for its relaxed pace, Westport is a heritage town bursting with colourful streets and traditional music, but it also offers access to some of Ireland's most dramatic landscapes. Nearby walking and cycling trails, including the Great Western Greenway which showcases Mayo's raw Atlantic scenery, From Clew Bay and Croagh Patrick to Achill Island, the beaches and cliffs are the ideal setting for an array of activities – kayaking, sea swimming, hiking and island hopping. There are so many ways to reconnect with nature here and embrace a slower style of travel.
For more inspiration or to plan a trip, visit Tourism Ireland's suggested itineraries here.
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