Stretching 2,500 kilometres from the Inishowen Peninsula in Donegal all the way down to Kinsale in County Cork, the Wild Atlantic Way is the world's longest defined coastal touring route. Officially launched in 2014, it has since become one of Europe's most celebrated road trips — a journey that takes you through nine counties, past ancient ruins, over mountain passes, and along some of the most breathtaking coastline on the planet.

The route is divided into five distinct sections: the Surf Coast in the north, the Bay Coast through Mayo and Galway, the Cliff Coast taking in the Cliffs of Moher and the Burren, the Wild Peninsula Coast through Kerry and West Cork, and the Bandon to Kinsale section in the south. Each section has its own character — from the wide sandy beaches of Sligo to the jagged sea stacks of Donegal, the sheltered harbours of West Cork to the dramatic peninsulas of Kerry.

Along the way you'll encounter 157 Discovery Points — officially marked viewpoints and attractions that guide you to the very best the route has to offer. These range from the towering Slieve League cliffs in Donegal (three times the height of the Cliffs of Moher) to the prehistoric stone fort of Dún Aonghasa perched on the edge of Inis Mór, to the colourful fishing village of Dingle and the remote Mizen Head at Ireland's most southwesterly tip.

The Wild Atlantic Way is as much about the journey as the destinations. You'll drive through tiny Irish-speaking Gaeltacht villages where the old language still thrives, stop at family-run pubs where trad sessions start without warning, and find yourself pulling over every few kilometres because the view demands it. The light on the west coast is unlike anywhere else in Europe — constantly shifting, dramatic, and impossibly photogenic.

For outdoor enthusiasts, the route is a paradise. World-class surf breaks at Lahinch, Bundoran, and Mullaghmore attract surfers from across Europe. Sea kayaking, cliff walking, cycling, and whale watching are all on offer along the route. The Connemara section alone could occupy a week of hiking through bog and mountain. And for those who prefer a slower pace, the route passes through some of Ireland's finest towns — Westport, Dingle, Kenmare, Kinsale — each with excellent food, music, and accommodation.