Affordable 7-Day Relaxed Ireland Road Trip Vacation from Cork to Dublin

Your slow-paced and relaxed road trip through Ireland begins when you reach Cork, where you’ll stay for a total of 3 nights.

Cork is an outstanding hub for culture, comfort, and exploration. The city offers travelers plenty of experiences to look forward to, including the magnificent National Monument. Around 457 visitors have rated this fascinating monument and travel destination an average of 4.5 out of 5 stars.

When you're done sightseeing for the day, you'll check in at one of the best hotels or places to stay in the city. Take your pick and make it your home during your leisurely tour of the city.

Exploring the food culture in Cork offers you an exciting chance to connect with locals and experience diversity along your relaxed road trip. When you’re ready to eat, we recommend you visit one of the best dining spots in the city.

An excellent example is The Woodford. This restaurant offers a menu of comforting meals and is rated an average of 4.4 out of 5 stars by 1,261 customers.

Izz Cafe serves great food and is a favorite among hungry travelers and locals. This popular restaurant in Cork has a rating of 4.8 out of 5 stars from 731 reviews.

Liberty Grill is another one of the city’s best restaurants. With an average rating of 4.7 out of 5 stars from 1,609 customers, Liberty Grill is sure to provide you with an unforgettable dining experience.

If you’re curious about what Cork looks like at night, a trip to some of the best bars near your accommodation is what you need next. Experience the local nightlife at The Shelbourne Bar, our top recommendation in the city. Customers have rated this bar an average of 4.6 out of 5 stars in 1,024 reviews.

The Oval offers a variety of refreshing drinks and is one of the best places to relax in Cork. This well-known city bar is rated an average of 4.6 out of 5 stars by 799 customers.

Free your mind of worries and enjoy your first taste of relaxation in Ireland! Expect more to come as you continue this laid-back and relaxed road trip in Ireland!

On day 2 of your relaxed road trip across Ireland, you'll explore the best attractions in Cork at your own pace and immerse in the city's unique local culture. Today's laid-back tour features some of the best restaurants and bars in Cork, where you can sample some delicious local food.

The accommodation you’ll be staying at for another 2 nights will be conveniently located close to several attractions, like the famous Cork Public Museum. This incredible museum has an average rating of 4.5 out of 5 stars from 427 travelers.

Make the most of your slow-paced travel adventure in Ireland by seeing another popular site in Cork, the wonderful Fitzgerald's Park. This park is rated an average of 4.5 out of 5 stars by 427 travelers.

You can then move on to the incredible Cork City Gaol. This prison has received an average rating of 4.6 out of 5 stars by 2,919 visitors.

Get a dose of thrill, excitement, and inspiration on day 2 of your unhurried and relaxed road trip in Ireland. Check out the tours and tickets you can add to your Cork itinerary and feel all the emotions in this wonderful city. Add a highly recommended tour to your vacation package now and make this refreshing new day of your self-drive through Ireland extra special!

After a long day exploring the popular attractions in the city, it’s time to sample the different kinds of mouthwatering foods served at the best restaurants in Cork. One of our top recommendations includes a selection of delicious meals on its menu, Luigi Malones Cork. This place is a local favorite and has an average rating of 4.4 out of 5 stars by 2,073 customers.

You may also try the variety of dishes served at Costigan's Pub, which is an excellent choice if you want a nice place to eat near your accommodation. Costigan's Pub is rated 4.5 stars out of 5 by 818 customers.

You can also eat at the highly recommended Hayfield Manor Hotel. This amazing restaurant has an average rating of 4.7 out of 5 stars by 1,427 food lovers.

After finishing your meal, it’s time to experience the amazing nightlife in Cork and unwind at the coolest bars in the city.

Drink up and relax in this amazing bar that serves different kinds of alcoholic beverages and cocktail drinks.

Enjoy the rest of day 2 of your relaxed road trip across Ireland, and prepare for another day of unhurried adventure!

Day 3 of your relaxed road trip across the beautiful country of Ireland will take you on a self-paced journey to two incredible places in one day. See some of the best attractions in Ireland, taste the most delectable foods and exquisite drinks, and make incredible memories as you go!

You’ll begin your day and sightseeing in The Municipal District of Cahir — Cashel, and continue your explorations in the city of Cork. The charming Dublin is where you’ll be staying for 3 nights.

Your first stop is the great city of The Municipal District of Cahir — Cashel, where you will see the amazing Rock of Cashel. This famous castle has an impressive 4.6 out of 5-star rating from 13,510 people.

Give yourself the opportunity to see more of The Municipal District of Cahir — Cashel than meets the eye by joining a top-rated tour. Put your relaxed road trip to a halt in favor of an in-depth exploration of the city’s best sights and hidden gems while connecting with locals and fellow travelers.

After exploring the city of The Municipal District of Cahir — Cashel, it’s time to hit the road again and continue your relaxed road trip to another city in Ireland, the lovely Cork!

In Cork, you’ll find the magnificent St Patrick's Bridge. This popular bridge has an average rating of 4.5 out of 5 stars from 607 visitors.

Find out why many travelers love Cork by checking out another of its famous tourist destinations, the spectacular Cork Opera House. This popular site is a wonderful opera house that has an average rating of 4.6 out of 5 stars from 2,841 travelers.

After exploring all these beautiful places, drive leisurely to the beautiful city of Dublin for some much-needed rest and relaxation. Here you can choose from the best selection of hotels and places to stay as you get to know more about this spectacular city.

After a long day of driving and exploring some of the best places to visit in Ireland, it’s time to make your relaxed road trip even more comforting. Sit down for a lovely meal at one of the best restaurants in Dublin.

We highly recommend going to Merchant's Arch. This place is a popular restaurant with an average rating of 4.5 out of 5 stars from 2,988 customers.

Another great restaurant option is The Brazen Head. This food place is often recommended by travelers and has a rating of 4.6 out of 5 stars from 11,980 customers.

You can also eat at the top-rated The Stags Head. Offering great food and amazing service, this restaurant has a rating of 4.5 out of 5 stars from 4,691 customers.

After dinner, it’s time to fall in love with the amazing nightlife in Dublin and unwind at some of the best bars in the city.

Check out Light House Cinema for a great selection of alcoholic and non-alcoholic drinks. This incredible bar is highly recommended and has a rating of 4.8 out of 5 stars from 3,744 customers.

Let’s toast to day 3 of your laid-back self-drive in Cork! Celebrate this unique opportunity to enjoy a memorable road trip adventure across Ireland!

On day 4 of your relaxed road trip across Ireland, you'll explore the best attractions in Dublin at your own pace and immerse in the city's unique local culture. Today's laid-back tour features some of the best restaurants and bars in Dublin, where you can sample some delicious local food.

The accommodation you’ll be staying at for another 2 nights will be conveniently located close to several attractions, like the famous Phoenix Park. This incredible park has an average rating of 4.7 out of 5 stars from 37,298 travelers.

Make the most of your slow-paced travel adventure in Ireland by seeing another popular site in Dublin, the wonderful Dublinia. This museum is rated an average of 4.7 out of 5 stars by 37,298 travelers.

You can then move on to the incredible Christ Church Cathedral, Dublin. This anglican or episcopal cathedral has received an average rating of 4.5 out of 5 stars by 9,563 visitors.

Get a dose of thrill, excitement, and inspiration on day 4 of your unhurried and relaxed road trip in Ireland. Check out the tours and tickets you can add to your Dublin itinerary and feel all the emotions in this wonderful city. Add a highly recommended tour to your vacation package now and make this refreshing new day of your self-drive through Ireland extra special!

After a long day exploring the popular attractions in the city, it’s time to sample the different kinds of mouthwatering foods served at the best restaurants in Dublin. One of our top recommendations includes a selection of delicious meals on its menu, Chapter One Restaurant. This place is a local favorite and has an average rating of 4.7 out of 5 stars by 849 customers.

You may also try the variety of dishes served at The Bank on College Green, which is an excellent choice if you want a nice place to eat near your accommodation. The Bank on College Green is rated 4.5 stars out of 5 by 4,043 customers.

You can also eat at the highly recommended Café en Seine. This amazing restaurant has an average rating of 4.3 out of 5 stars by 4,282 food lovers.

After finishing your meal, it’s time to experience the amazing nightlife in Dublin and unwind at the coolest bars in the city.

Drink up and relax in this amazing bar that serves different kinds of alcoholic beverages and cocktail drinks.

Enjoy the rest of day 4 of your relaxed road trip across Ireland, and prepare for another day of unhurried adventure!

On day 5 of your relaxed road trip across Ireland, you'll explore the best attractions in Dublin at your own pace and immerse in the city's unique local culture. Today's laid-back tour features some of the best restaurants and bars in Dublin, where you can sample some delicious local food.

The accommodation you’ll be staying at for another 1 night will be conveniently located close to several attractions, like the famous National Museum of Ireland – Archaeology. This incredible national museum has an average rating of 4.6 out of 5 stars from 12,321 travelers, and is visited by 370,965 people every year.

Make the most of your slow-paced travel adventure in Ireland by seeing another popular site in Dublin, the wonderful St Stephen's Green. This park is rated an average of 4.6 out of 5 stars by 12,321 travelers and gets around 370,965 annual visits.

You can then move on to the incredible St Patrick's Cathedral. This anglican or episcopal cathedral has received an average rating of 4.5 out of 5 stars by 21,169 visitors.

Another stop you might want to add to your self-drive itinerary is the remarkable Guinness Storehouse. This tourist attraction is sought after by many travelers from around the world. The popular attraction has received 4.4 out of 5 stars from 19,154 visitors.

If you want to discover more, consider stopping by the famous National Botanic Gardens. This amazing site is a wonderful botanical garden with more than 15,718 wanderlust-filled travelers rating it an average of 4.8 out of 5 stars.

Get a dose of thrill, excitement, and inspiration on day 5 of your unhurried and relaxed road trip in Ireland. Check out the tours and tickets you can add to your Dublin itinerary and feel all the emotions in this wonderful city. Add a highly recommended tour to your vacation package now and make this refreshing new day of your self-drive through Ireland extra special!

After a long day exploring the popular attractions in the city, it’s time to sample the different kinds of mouthwatering foods served at the best restaurants in Dublin. One of our top recommendations includes a selection of delicious meals on its menu, FX Buckley Steakhouse Temple Bar. This place is a local favorite and has an average rating of 4.7 out of 5 stars by 1,660 customers.

You may also try the variety of dishes served at Mr Fox, which is an excellent choice if you want a nice place to eat near your accommodation. Mr Fox is rated 4.7 stars out of 5 by 690 customers.

You can also eat at the highly recommended Porterhouse Temple Bar. This amazing restaurant has an average rating of 4.5 out of 5 stars by 7,884 food lovers.

After finishing your meal, it’s time to experience the amazing nightlife in Dublin and unwind at the coolest bars in the city.

Drink up and relax in this amazing bar that serves different kinds of alcoholic beverages and cocktail drinks.

Enjoy the rest of day 5 of your relaxed road trip across Ireland, and prepare for another day of unhurried adventure!

Day 6 of your easy and relaxed road trip through Ireland gives you the opportunity to travel leisurely and experience two places in one day. You will start your day by exploring some of the best sights in the city of Dublin. By the end of the day, you’ll drive in the direction of the city of Cork, where you’ll stay at a top-rated hotel of your choice for 1 night.

When you’re ready to head to your first attraction of the day, the wonderful Ha'penny Bridge is waiting for you. This footbridge has been rated an average of 4.5 out of 5 stars by 13,278 visitors.

The next stop on your road trip vacation is Irish Whiskey Museum. This unique museum is a highly recommended place to visit, rated an average of 4.6 out of 5 stars by 6,081 visitors.

Don’t forget to make a stop at the incredible Book of Kells. With an average rating of 4.4 out of 5 stars from 13,299 visitors, this codex is one of the top sights to visit in the area.

Another unforgettable travel destination is the outstanding Molly Malone Statue. This popular top-tier point of interest and attraction has an average rating of 4.4 out of 5 stars by 11,774 people.

If you’re keen to continue your discovery, make your way to Dublin Castle. This attraction is a valued top-tier point of interest in the area that has an average rating of 4.3 out of 5 stars from 31,463 visitors.

Make the most of your relaxed road trip vacation by joining activities and tours that let you discover what else Dublin has in store for you. There are many top-rated experiences you can include in your travel plan to add flavor to your relaxed road trip in Ireland. Browse all of your options and reserve your slot before our favorites get fully booked.

Turn on some soothing tunes in the car because it’s now time to drive to the city of Cork. In Cork, you can choose among the best hotels and places to rest and recharge to complement your relaxed road trip experience in Ireland.

With a lovely menu and an average rating of 4.5 out of 5 stars from 991 customers, you can’t go wrong with choosing White Rabbit Bar & BBQ.

Locals also recommend The SpitJack Cork as one of the top restaurants in the area. So if you’re feeling hungry, don’t forget to check out the menu at The SpitJack Cork as well. This local-favorite restaurant is rated an average of 4.6 out of 5 stars by 1,934 customers.

If you feel like having something else, you could also book a table at The Raven Bar. This restaurant has an average rating of 4.6 out of 5 stars from 675 customers.

This is the perfect place to enjoy a couple of drinks if you want to continue your celebrations.

This popular bar will bring up your mood and give you a good ending to your night.

Raise your glass in celebration and anticipation of your memorable and relaxing road trip adventure through Ireland!

Day 7 of your relaxed road trip in Ireland is your departure day. If you have a flight to catch, you’ll drop off your rental car well in advance before your departure. Choose a late flight to enjoy a stress-free last day in Cork.

Depending on when you need to leave, you might be able to fit in some sightseeing or shopping. Embrace the beauty of Cork once more and find some souvenirs to help you remember your time in the city. To end your relaxing road trip in Ireland on top, we recommend visiting some of the following attractions.

Red Abbey Tower is an extraordinary attraction that is perfect for your last day in Cork. This top sight is a popular must-see tourist destination, rated an average of 4.1 out of 5 stars by 141 visitors.

Unwind and look back at the past 7 days of your relaxed road trip over a bite to eat. This is your chance to enjoy one last traditional meal in Cork or just grab something light to keep you going.

Check out the menu at A Bróg Bar + Kitchen. Dining at A Bróg Bar + Kitchen is one of the best food experiences you can have in Cork. This popular restaurant is rated an average of 4.3 out of 5 stars by 1,592 customers.

Another top recommendation in Cork is Silver Key Bar and Restaurant. If you go to Silver Key Bar and Restaurant, you can expect delicious food, a nice ambiance, and great service. This restaurant has an average rating of 4.3 out of 5 stars by 1,491 customers.

Alternatively, you could also go to a place like Cornstore Cork. If you haven’t yet, a trip to Cornstore Cork is your opportunity to have a lovely meal before leaving the city. This restaurant is rated an average of 4.4 out of 5 stars by 1,516 customers.

Give yourself enough time to wave goodbye to Cork and begin your journey home. The unforgettable experiences you’ve collected along your 7-day relaxed road trip in Ireland is a story you will tell for the rest of your life.