The tiny but mighty Emerald Isle packs a punch, particularly when it comes to natural beauty. When it comes to  the most beautiful places to visit in Ireland, where to even begin? Our 12-day guided journey across Ireland answers much of that question for you, particularly if you love jaw dropping landscapes and good food; it’s aptly named Ultimate Ireland.

We begin in Belfast, make a loop through Northern Ireland, stopping at Londonderry and Giant’s Causeway, then head south along the eastern coast, clockwise towards Galway. The sheer variety on offer is breathtaking – rugged cliffs and the crashing waves of the wild Atlantic, charming towns, rich culture, buzzy cities and the greenest greens. You can extend this journey into England and Scotland on Castles & Kingdoms, a three week journey. Below, we answer some of your most frequently asked questions, and take you through our favorite places to visit in Ireland.

Read next: Why Ireland’s Best Hotel is Made For a Holiday Season Escape

Ireland FAQs

Where to go for the first time in Ireland?

You’ll fly into Dublin and you won’t want to miss that. Most shorter itineraries will hop straight across the island to Galway, making time here and there for the key sights of the south: a glimpse of the staggering Cliffs of Moher, or a spin round the Ring of Kerry, perhaps a market tour in Cork.

Is 7 days in Ireland enough?

Seven days is barely enough time to see a region, let alone a whole country, and certainly a country as rich as this one. Our Ireland journey is twelve days long, but could easily be longer. It begins in Belfast and ends in Shannon so you could opt to extend at either side.

What three cities should I visit in Ireland?

Dublin, Galway and Belfast. You’ll find more on all three of these legendary cities below, along with 12 more of our favourite places to visit in Ireland.

Read next: The Roaming Boomers on Traveling to Ireland With Luxury Gold

The 15 Best Places to Visit in Ireland

Dublin

It’s one of the most vibrant cities in the world, and yet it makes for such a relaxed start to any vacation. There are walking tours, or you can pootle between bucketlist sights like the Guinness Storehouse and Trinity College (pausing to admire the stunning Long Room in the Old Library), taking breaks here and there for Irish breakfasts, Dublin Bay prawns and world-class cocktails, depending on the time of day (or maybe not).

Galway

A journey to Galway takes you to the heart of Ireland’s rich culture, vivid history and luscious greenery. On our luxury journeys you’ll visit the gently bustling city, with its tangled lanes and pastel shopfronts, but you’ll stay out in the enchanting countryside, in the lakeside Ashford Castle, the former home of the Guinness family.

Cliffs of Moher

In County Clare, these staggeringly tall sea cliffs are an invigorating sight, and not just because of the sea spray and wind whipping your face. The scene is like a masterpiece come to life – emeralds, teals and midnight blues abound. It’s the Atlantic Ocean as you were meant to see it.

Blarney

The little unassuming village of Blarney is one of our favorite places to visit in Ireland – it’s home to the legendary castle and stone of the same name. Visitors flock here to kiss the Blarney stone in order to be granted the “gift of the gab” – the gab being, a certain eloquence, or skill at flattery or persuasion. We love showing our guests the magic of Blarney.

Giant’s Causeway

Northern Ireland’s World Heritage Site is like nothing you’ve ever seen – it’s an area formed of roughly 40,000 perfect columns of basalt, coming together in what looks like a rudimentary old Lego sea palace, with waves frothing around it, perhaps the sun setting on the horizon. It developed between 50 and 60 million years ago when lava oozed from fissures in the earth. On our journey, a wildlife ranger will show you round.

Ring of Kerry

The Ring of Kerry is a 179km circular route around the Iveragh Peninsula in County Kerry in South Western Ireland. From Killarney, it’s an easy scenic drive, with new, jaw-dropping views every few minutes, and various delicious villages along the way. It’s one of the most famous places to visit in Ireland, and rightly so.

Killarney

Feel completely at one with Ireland in the sprawling Killarney National Park, where the order of the day is lakes, woodlands, waterfalls and landscapes a-go-go. It’s a magical place to explore, with Ross Castle and Muckross House being choice stops.

Read next: Everything That’s Included On a Luxury Gold Journey 

Dingle Peninsula

One of the highlights of the west coast’s Wild Atlantic Way, this is an ancient landscape of early grassy hills, craggy cliffs and villages with chapels and holy wells – it never fails to delight. The sandy beaches are some of the world’s most pristine, with the possibility of seal, dolphin, whale, and sea bird sightings just off the coast.

Belfast

We begin our luxury journey in this spirited, sparkling city, so we can start as we mean to go on. It’s got it all: a thriving performing arts scene, cozy pubs, live music, museums (including the fantastic Titanic Belfast), fish suppers and the Ulster Fry (a breakfast that usually combines sausage, bacon, eggs, black pudding, white pudding, soda bread and potato farls).

Glendalough

A little spiritual well of serenity amid the lush greenery of the Wicklow Mountains, Glendalough is a valley carved by grinding glaciers during the last Ice Age. It’s home to one of the most important monastic sites in Ireland –  the monastery founded by St Kevin in the 6th century.

Donegal

Lonely Planet calls County Donegal Ireland’s “wild child”; the landscapes look like they’re from the pages of a fantasy novel. See the Derryveagh mountain range, the Slieve League cliffs and golden eagles soaring over Lough Veagh. Donegal town is a perfect town in the thick of it, offering great craic.

Aran Islands

The three islands at the mouth of Galway Bay – Inishmore, Inishmaan and Inisheer – make up the Aran Islands. A visit here is an immersive experience; locals speak Irish (as well as English) and there is an unusually high number of ruins and significant sacred sights, including Dun Aonghasa, a fort whose structures are thought to date from the Bronze and Iron Ages.

Cork

Ireland’s second largest city is delicious. At the English Market, you’ll find the very best of County Cork’s butter, creamy cheeses made in West Cork, and much more besides. After a dazzling market lunch, you’ll head out to see Cork City Gaol, a castle-like building which once housed 19th century prisoners and is now a museum, and beautiful Fitzgerald Park.

The Skellig Islands

These two uninhabited steep, rocky islets off the Iveragh Peninsula in County Kerry are now most famous as Luke Skywalker’s island sanctuary on the planet Ahch-To in the latest Star Wars trilogy. By regular humans, they’re best seen on a little looping boat tour, on which you might catch a glimpse of nesting puffins, gannets and guillemots (but no jedis).

Croagh Patrick

Nicknamed ‘the Reek’, Croagh Patrick is a holy mountain associated with St Patrick, and an important site of pilgrimage in County Mayo. Archaeologists found that there had been a stone chapel or oratory on the summit since the 5th century. On the last Sunday in July, thousands of pilgrims climb Croagh Patrick in honour of St Patrick, and masses are held at the top.

Read next: Ashford Castle: An Idyllic Country Escape

You will have seen pictures of these iconic structures, particularly the red ones that loom over sparkling bodies of water (the floating torii gates) – and you’ll have come to recognise them as unmistakeable symbols of Japan. But what exactly are torii gates? They are generally used to mark the entrance to a sacred space, specifically a Shinto shrine. The road leading to a Shinto shrine will always have one or more imposing torii flanking the route, making it the easiest way to determine whether the shrine belongs to Shinto or Buddhism (but not always, as you’ll see). Traditionally, torii gates are left unpainted, or covered in a blazing vermilion.

Experience it on: Majestic Japan

Torii Gates in Japan FAQs

What do torii gates symbolize?

A torii gate marks the division between the physical world and the spiritual realm.

What does walking through a torii gate mean?

When a person passes beneath a torii gate, they are transitioning from the mundane to the sacred.

Which island has a floating torii gate?

One of the most famous torii gates is on the island of Itsukushima (popularly known as Miyajima, which means “shrine island”). The shrine complex is listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site and the torii is its most recognisable landmark. It’s not the only one that appears to float on water, though.

What is the most famous torii gate in Japan?

Of the hundreds of thousands of torii gates dotted across Japan, Itsukushima torii mentioned above is one of the country’s greatest icons, but the 10,000 torii at Fushimi Inari Shrine and the dramatic wooden torii at Meiji Shrine in Tokyo are right up there, too. The Fujiyoshida Sengen Shrine is much-celebrated (and photographed) for the way it frames Mount Fuji. If you have a Majestic Japan luxury tour on your horizon, here are 10 of the most epic torii gates to factor into your journey.

10 of the Most Beautiful Torii Gates in Japan

Fushimi Inari Shrine, Kyoto

Just outside the JR Inari Station (making the transition from mundane to sacred even more stark), the Fushimi Inari shrine in Kyoto is graced with thousands of vermilion torii gates, lining various trails around the main buildings which lead straight into the wooded forest of the sacred Mount Inari. Inari is the Shinto god of rice, and his guardians are kitsune (foxes), which is why there are protective fox statues throughout.

Itsukushima Shrine, Miyajima

The resplendent, world-famous floating torii gate is Shrine Island’s main attraction, and every visitor wants a glimpse. From Hiroshima, it’s a short hop by ferry to Miyajima. You can also head out on a boat cruise to see the torii gate in all its glory – and at low tide, you can walk right up to it. After sunset, the shrine and the torii gate are illuminated for extra magic. Our Majestic Japan journey stops in Hiroshima.

Read next: 21 Most Beautiful Places in Japan You Need to Visit

Meiji Shrine, Tokyo

Surrounded by lush greenery in the heart of Tokyo, the Meiji Shrine is the deep breath you need after you’ve bustled through the nearby neighbourhoods of Shibuya and Harajuku. The three wooden torii gates on the approach to the main shrine are immense – the second is the largest of its kind in Japan, made from a 1,500-year-old Japanese cypress tree. Slot this one in at the beginning or end of your Majestic Japan journey.

Kumano Hongū Shrine, Tanabe

Deep in the mountains of the Kii Peninsula, surrounded by cedar and cypress trees, Kumano Hongū Taisha is the head temple of the 3,000 Kumano shrines across the country. It’s part of the World Heritage Site called Sacred Sites and Pilgrimage Routes in the Kii Mountain Range. Its entrance is marked by the highest torii gate in the world.

Motonosumi Shrine, Yamaguchi

For one of the most scenic shrine locations in Japan, head to the Motonosumi Shrine, which is marked by a procession of 123 vermilion torii gates, running along the cliffs and leading down to the Sea of Japan. Uniquely, it was founded in 1955 by a local fisherman called Hitoshi Okamura, and i offers its visitors business success, bountiful fishing, and safety for fishermen.

Amanoiwato Shrine, Miyazaki Prefecture

This shrine is dedicated to the sun goddess Amaterasu who hid in the cave here, keeping her light from the world. Some of the shrine grounds are located on the opposite side of the Iwato River, but the torii gate is in the cave itself. It’s known as a “spiritual power spot” and you can walk right through it, along a narrow path surrounded by piles of stones.

Oarai Isosaki Shrine, Ibaraki Prefecture

One of three torii gates here stands against the horizon on a coastal rock in the Pacific Ocean, with waves crashing and frothing around its base. This gate is called Kamiiso-no-Torii, and marks the place where the shrine’s deity is said to have landed. It has more than a touch of the otherworldly about it – the views out to sea are incredible, particularly at sunrise.

Arakura Sengen Shrine

In an ancient forest at the foot of Mount Fuji, the dark red torii gate here was specifically placed so that the view of Mount Fuji fits entirely inside. In cherry blossom season, it’s surrounded by the rosy pink hues of 300 cherry trees. The nearby Chureito Pagoda is a stunning five-storied pagoda, with 400 steps leading to more epic views of the mountain. See Japan’s most iconic views on a Japan luxury tour.

Read next: Stunning Gardens in Japan You Can’t Miss On Your Next Trip

Every year, 600 industry experts combine forces to declare The World’s 50 Best Hotels, celebrating the very best hotel experiences across the globe. The list is published by William Reed, also responsible for The World’s 50 Best Restaurants. In their own words, “50 Best acknowledges the many levels on which hotels operate as well as the people behind them – recognising and celebrating the most outstanding establishments and the individuals who bring them to life”.

 

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This year, the world’s best hotel is officially Capella, an incredible riverside oasis in Bangkok, which knocked last year’s number one, Passalacqua in Lake Como, down to a highly respectable second place. Bangkok had a bumper year, with four hotels on the list, making Capella’s victory all the sweeter. Of Europe’s 13 entries, there were some urban classics, such as The Connaught and Claridge’s in London and Le Bristol and Hotel de Crillon in Paris. There were a notable number of new entries in more remote destinations, including Kokomo Private Island, Six Senses Zighy Bay in Oman and The Brando in French Polynesia.

Below, we’ve chosen six of our favourite hotels from the list – in destinations you can travel to with Luxury Gold. If any of them capture your imagination, or you’d just like to experience one of the world’s best hotels for yourself, consider extending your stay at the beginning or end of your journey with us.

Say hello to the world’s best hotels

No. 6: Aman, Tokyo

At number six, this sleek, hard-edged hotel sits right in the thick of Tokyo, somehow maintaining a zen-like calm in all corners. The lines couldn’t be straighter, the windows couldn’t be bigger, the views through floor-to-ceiling windows couldn’t be more mega – and yet “the transition from city to escapism is instantaneous”. The World’s 50 Best draws particular attention to the window-side stone bathtubs, the temple-like spa, the 30-metre swimming pool and the ethereally light-filled lobby.

Majestic Japan is an 11-day journey taking in Osaka, Kyoto, Hiroshima and more. The last stop is Tokyo, making it easy to add a couple of extra days in the city.

 

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No. 4: Cheval Blanc, Paris

It’s not surprising that LVMH (Louis Vuitton Moët Hennessy) makes some of the world’s best hotels, but this is its first maison in a city. It couldn’t be more in Paris – close to the Marais, over the Seine from Saint-Germain, with views of the Eiffel Tower that remain seared in your mind forever. The rooms are chic golden havens, the spa is Dior and Le Tout-Paris is a brasserie that embraces Paris’s skyline like nowhere else. It’s easy to see why this hotel is number 4.

Our Ultimate France journey is two full weeks of French immersion, by way of Monte Carlo, Provence and Bordeaux, finishing – conveniently enough – in Paris.

 

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No. 11: Claridge’s, London

Proving it really is timeless, Mayfair’s art deco icon comes in at number 11. It has been literally and figuratively flying the flag for Great Britain among the world’s best hotels since 1856, but recent years have seen the addition of a five-storey subterranean Japanese-inspired spa and a facelift for many of the sumptuous suites. Known for that very English thing – discretion – Claridge’s remains the host of choice for high society, global dignitaries, designers and celebrities.

Our 10-day British Royal journey starts in London, so you can arrive a little early and start as you mean to go on.

 

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No. 19: Four Seasons Firenze, Florence

There are four Four Seasons hotels on the list this year, all of them completely different in character. At number 19, this one is the most palatial of the properties, surrounded by Florence’s largest private garden, in the impeccably restored 15th-century Medici family palazzo. The interiors fully celebrate the Italian Renaissance, with dramatic floral displays sitting among frescoes, bronze sculptures, mosaics and moldings aplenty.

It’s about three hours to Florence from both Rome and Venice, where Ultimate Italy begins and ends.

 

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Mount Nelson, Cape Town

This is Cape Town’s Grande Dame, affectionately known as The Nellie, or Pink Lady. She’s been with us for over a century and this year she’s the best hotel in Africa, and according to this list, the world’s 28th best hotel. The candyfloss hue of the building flows through the hotel – in the towels, sun loungers, macarons and rose gardens, making for a joyful luxury space. New initiatives include replacing historic oil paintings with emerging African artists. The World’s 50 Best says service is “light-hearted and personality filled”.

Spectacular South Africa is an eight-day journey (or a 10-day journey if you add Victoria Falls), beginning in Cape Town.

 

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No. 43: Suján Jawai, Rajasthan

At number 43 is this rare beauty – a luxury camp set into the plain next to the Aravalli mountains, among billion-year-old granite rock formations, where leopards roam free. It consists of 10 tented suites, each with its own private sit-out in the Jawai wilderness. In the dining tent, meals follow the rhythm of safari – there are no set dining times. At sunrise, freshly-made Indian snacks, tea and coffee are served during the morning game drive, followed by stuffed parathas back at camp.

At the end of our 13-day Imperial Rajasthan journey, most guests fly from Udaipur to Delhi for their homeward flight, but Udaipur happens to be a mere three hours’ drive from Suján Jawai.

 

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The Rest of the Best Hotels in the World 2024:

1. Capella, Bangkok
2. Passalacqua, Lake Como
3. Rosewood, Hong Kong
4. Cheval Blanc, Paris
5. The Upper House, Hong Kong
6. Raffles, Singapore
7. Aman, Tokyo
8. Soneva Fushi, Maldives
9. Atlantis The Royal, Dubai
10. Nihi Sumba, Sumba Island
11. Claridge’s, London
12. Mandarin Oriental, Bangkok
13. Raffles London at The OWO
14. Four Seasons Bangkok at Chao Phraya River
15. Hôtel de Crillon, Paris
16. Chablé Yucatán, Chocholá
17. Hotel du Cap-Eden-Roc, Antibes
18. Maroma, Riviera Maya
19. Four Seasons Firenze, Florence
20. Borgo Santandrea, Amalfi
21. Desa Potato Head, Bali
22. Bulgari, Tokyo
23. The Lana, Dubai
24. Rosewood, São Paulo
25. The Calile, Brisbane
26. The Siam, Bangkok
27. Park Hyatt, Kyoto
28. Mount Nelson, Cape Town
29. One&Only Mandarina, Riviera Nayarit
30. The Carlyle, New York
31. La Mamounia, Marrakech
32. Four Seasons, Madrid
33. Capella, Singapore
34. Four Seasons at The Surf Club, Surfside
35. Hotel Bel-Air, Los Angeles
36. Eden Rock, St. Barths
37. Aman, New York
38. Royal Mansour, Marrakech
39. Amangalla, Galle
40. Le Bristol, Paris
41. Gleneagles, Auchterarder
42. Castello di Reschio, Lisciano Niccone
43. Suján Jawai, Rajasthan
44. Singita, Kruger National Park
45. Six Senses Zighy Bay, Zaghi
46. The Connaught, London
47. The Brando, Tetiaroa
48. Hotel Esencia, Tulum
49. The Tasman, Hobart
50. Kokomo Private Island, Yaukuve Levu Island