Top 5 Clifden Car Tours: See Ireland’s Wild Beauty
Clifden, located in the amazing Connemara area of County Galway, is that ideal starting point for touring some of the most breathtaking landscapes Ireland has to offer. With its rugged coastline, stunning mountains, and that ever-changing sky, a car tour starting from Clifden is just a ticket to experience the raw, untamed essence of Ireland. We’ve hand-picked the five standout car tours you absolutely can’t miss if you find you’re eager to explore this striking area at your own pace. Ready to see what awaits? Well then, let’s get going, right?
1. The Sky Road Loop: A Breathtaking Introduction to Connemara
The Sky Road is, in some respects, just a short drive, but oh my, what a visual treat it offers, you know? That roughly 11-kilometer loop starts right from Clifden and climbs its way up, providing incredible panoramic sights of the Atlantic coastline, that gorgeous landscape, and a view of that far-off island. This tour really tends to be that quintessential introduction to what Connemara is all about. On a day with great, amazing weather, that sea sparkles, too, almost like someone spilled glitter all over it, and you can very nearly see forever, it seems like.
Why it’s a Top Pick: The Sky Road is very accessible, you see, relatively speaking, it’s very close to Clifden. Also, the sights? Top-tier. Be certain to bring that camera, alright?
Don’t Miss: Stop at the peak for views so, so incredible. Apparently, you might get a great photo if you wait for that right time.
2. Clifden to Roundstone: Coastal Charm and Artisan Villages
Driving from Clifden down to Roundstone shows off a very, very different side of Connemara, you know? So, the route normally winds along that coast, taking you past stunning beaches, pretty little harbors, and landscape that very nearly invites you to just pull over and soak everything up, it does. Roundstone itself is, in some respects, such a picture-perfect village, filled with places making great artisanal stuff and views that may actually leave you breathless, right? This particular drive, I feel, is best enjoyed slowly. Windows down is pretty much required. Oh, and fresh air? Guaranteed.
Why it’s a Top Pick: That mix of coastal scenery combined with the appeal of visiting Roundstone just makes this very, very special. By the way, be sure to budget some time for exploration on foot. That town just might take your breath away.
Don’t Miss: Grab some chowder or fish and chips. Then, maybe watch those local craftspeople making something or other. Good memories, you know?
3. The Connemara Loop: A Comprehensive Tour of the Region’s Highlights
For those who’d like to see a whole bunch, that Connemara Loop, is that it?, that is typically a longer drive, and is that way to get an awesome look at lots of landmarks and that area, right? It, more or less, takes you through a bunch of stuff like Connemara National Park to Kylemore Abbey and little, cute, really cute little hamlets along the way, right? This is a fantastic tour for those ready to invest that day to honestly drink in most of the pretty much unmissable destinations throughout Connemara.
Why it’s a Top Pick: So, it covers so much! A full experience, in a way.
Don’t Miss: Connemara National Park—it might require you to get out of your vehicle for that bit, in a way. Wear good shoes.
4. Clifden to Westport via Doolough Valley: A Drive Through Heartbreaking Beauty
If you’re alright making your way a bit outside that instant vicinity of Clifden, that tour going from Clifden up that Doolough Valley over to Westport is, like, strikingly beautiful, alright? Doolough Valley has, more or less, these stunning mountain ranges on each side and, seemingly, this incredibly gloomy sensation that really nearly stays with people pretty long after they’ve left. The drive on that coastline as you make your way up into Westport opens a door to see many very, very attractive bays and scenery that might well make your jaw pretty much fall, to be honest. And Westport? It is basically that town with energy and flavor worth hanging around in!
Why it’s a Top Pick: So, those who wish to go somewhere off the radar will find Doolough Valley absolutely perfect.
Don’t Miss: Pay your respects to those recognized at Doolough Tragedy Monument.
5. Inishbofin Island Day Trip: An Island Escape
Here is an island adventure that is just a bit out there. Now, it might seem that way on first pass, but it makes a lot of sense, more or less: So, go get that ferry that is just near Cleggan, and from there go explore a trip over to Inishbofin! So, basically, Inishbofin brings that combination between these really cool older historical ruins, so, so amazing hike pathways, and that feeling akin to going to somewhere so quiet that you start to almost hear yourself think, very nearly, you know. Either, just tour around that walking trails going down near that shoreline or literally grab this bicycle and peddle around—either selection very much makes it worth doing a tour there.
Why it’s a Top Pick: Here you have a rare time of honestly seeing a little glimpse for how an isolated island neighborhood usually ends up doing their time while getting those extremely breathtaking shoreline views, of course!
Don’t Miss: So, explore Dún Mór, which, supposedly, will lead to pretty sick shots around from above looking over Inishbofin.