At the Park House Hotel, we love to give great recommendations to our guests for day trips from Galway city. This drive is one of the best scenic drives Galway has to offer and is a mix of beautiful coastline and the rugged and unique landscape of the Burren National Park. You will be captivated by the ever-changing scenery of castles and tranquil countryside and there are plenty of scenic walks, picnic spots, cycles and beauty spots along the way. This is one of the most popular day tours from Galway with guests at the Park House Hotel.
The drive is a total distance of 113 km with an approximate driving time of 2 hours and 20 minutes, not including stops.
Map of Route
Kinvara
Kinvara, meaning the Head of the Sea is a sea village on the southern shores of Galway Bay and the gateway to the Burren in County Clare. Just 40 minutes’ drive from Galway city, this isa very popular scenic drive Galway visitors like to take.
Dunguaire Castle dominates theshoreline as you approach the village of Kinvara. The castle was originallybuilt in 1520 and then bought and repaired by Oliver St John Gogary in 1924. It became the venue for meetings of the literary revivalists such as WB Yeats,George Bernard Shaw, Edward Martin and JM Synge. Today, the restored castle gives an insight into the lifestyle of the people who lived from 1520 to moderntimes. Dunguaire also hosts evening medieval banquets and entertainment, one ofthe top things to do in Galway for American visitors.
The annual Crinniú na mBád festival takes place in August and promotes traditional sailing and the culture that surrounds it. During the weekend festival, up to 100 Galway Hooker boats take part in a series of races and the town is awash with traditional Irish Music sessions, sean-nós dancers, live music acts, Irish language and kids’activities and workshops. This is a wonderful event for families on staycation in Galway.
Burren National Park
Walking here is unlike anywhere in Ireland – the wildlife-rich limestone is a unique and varied terrain and home to the stunning natural wonders that sets the Burren apart, truly one of the most scenic walks Ireland has to offer. The Burren National Park is 1500 hectares in size and is Ireland’s smallest National Park. There are seven way-marked trails of a variety of lengths and difficulties,taking you through many fascinating and beautiful habitats. The Park’s acclaimed Visitor Information Point provides a unique, educational and interactive experience and covers the geology and flora and fauna of this remarkable landscape and is one of the top tourist attractions in the west of Ireland. Most of the Burren is designated a Special Area of Conservation to protect this extremely precious habitat.
Burren National Park Walking Trails
Burren Perfumery
The Burren Perfumery is a small, west of Ireland-based company making cosmetics and perfumes inspired bythe surrounding landscape and one of the top things to do when visiting the Cliffs of Moher. Everything is made onsite, by hand and in small batches. Visitors can enjoy the beautiful shop, tea rooms and herb garden. This is a wonderful experience for couples on staycation in Galway.
Burren Perfumery Website
Hazel Mountain ChocolateFactory and Shop
This gorgeous and delicious west of Ireland attraction offers visitors a chance to witness the magic of chocolate-making with an open-plan viewing area that lets you get as close to the action as possible. The chocolate shop has a tantalising range of Irish craft chocolate, from Irish milk chocolate to dark and vegan creations.
The café was voted one of Ireland’s top 10 cafés in collaboration with Jon Eliason Design Studio, the architecture pays homage to the original traditional farmhouse. You can enjoy a delicious selection of baked organic pastries and cakes, with gluten free and dairy-free options, brought to you by a skilled team of bakers and a trained chocolatier.
Hazel Mountain Chocolate Website