Explore the undiscovered north-west of Ireland with a car

Once you arrive in the city centre, you can park the car and go on your merry way—Derry~Londonderry is easily walkable, and a joy to meander through, with historic and modern architecture coexisting beautifully.

From the Visit Derry tourist office on the banks of the River Foyle, it's just a six-minute stroll to the Diamond at the city's heart. From there, you can head north, south, east or west to any of the four main 17th century city gates. At 33 ft thick and armed with 24 canons, these famous walls wrap almost a mile around Derry~Londonderry, making the island's only fully walled city utterly impenetrable.

If you're driving from Belfast, stop off at the Seamus Heaney Homeplace and pay homage to the Nobel Laureate from Northern Ireland who became one of the world's renowned poets.

If there's one thing Derry~Londonderry's not short on, it's history. For a small city, its story is an epic one, told beautifully in three main museums. If you have a taste for adventure, The Tower Museum brings visitors right back to a romantic time of galleons and gold bullion, filled with bounty recovered from La Trinidad Valencera, a Spanish Armada ship that sank off the north-west coast in 1588. If you are interested in military history, the nearby Siege Museum walks you through the great siege of 1689, when 30,000 locals held the city for 105 days against the forces of King James II – and beat them!

For a more personal look at the city, a stroll through Butcher's Gate and past the Free Derry landmark corner will bring you to the Museum of Free Derry. Filled with personal accounts from the Battle of the Bogside, Bloody Sunday and the Free Derry civil rights movement, the exhibitions here come right from the heart of the people who call this city home. It's an unmissable stop. When you’ve finished exploring, make sure to have lunch in the charming Soda & Starch.

Undoubtedly one of the city's most beautiful buildings, both inside and out, Derry~Londonderry's Guildhall is a striking red neo-gothic masterpiece, adorned with intricate stained-glass windows and a copper-topped tower. Built in 1887 and burned down just two decades later, the Guildhall has been restored multiple times since.

Though the exterior is a feat of architectural delight, the show-stopper is revealed once you step inside the building. At the far end of the hall, the pipe organ rises into the rafters like a great silver eagle unfurling its wings—the perfect regal backdrop for the many weddings that take place here today. If you have time, you must visit St Columb's Cathedral, beside the picturesque Bishop's Gate, it holds the lock and keys to the original gates of the city.

Reading and hearing about Derry~Londonderry's history is one thing, but following in the footsteps of the people who actually lived it is another. The Bogside History Tours allow you to do just that, on a walking tour that chronicles the journey of the city from the historic civil rights march of 1968 and takes in the famous gable-wall murals of the Bogside Artists.

For a splash of pop culture, stop off at Orchard Street and you'll spy the Derry Girls mural, immortalising the beloved characters of Northern Ireland's most-watched TV show ever. While you’re there, treat yourself to a Derry Girls afternoon tea, complete with fresh cream horns, cones of chips and sausage roll baps!

Linking Ebrington Square to the rest of the city centre, the Peace Bridge aims to connect much more than physical neighbourhoods. Built to foster relations between the Waterside and Cityside communities, who occupy opposite banks and opposite political positions, the bridge has fast become a hub of activity.

The newest of Derry~Londonderry's three bridges, this is the perfect place to wind down as your day draws to an end. A walk or leisurely cycle across this bridge promises spectacular views across the water, and a guaranteed nod and hello from friendly locals. Before heading home, grab dinner at the Walled City Brewery, Northern Ireland's only brewery restaurant.

The 17th century market town of Letterkenny is the largest town in county Donegal and is full of history and character. With a host of lively pubs and bars, Letterkenny is a great place for a memorable night out, and is, as the locals would say, great craic! Located at the lapping shores of Lough Swilly, you can enjoy peaceful drives and wonderful landscapes along the way.  

Just 20 minutes away is Glenveagh National Park, set amidst the wild and rugged landscape of the Derryveagh Mountains. Glenveagh Castle was fashioned as a romantic highland retreat, and has hosted many famous guests in its time, including Marilyn Monroe and John Wayne. The stunning Victorian castle lies in stark contrast to the lush natural landscapes that surround it. Nature lovers can rejoice in the many trails, taking in castle and gardens along Lough Veagh. Keep your eyes peeled for red deer and golden eagles - due to its protected status, the park is teeming with wildlife! 

On a clear day, you can see the mountain reflected in Dunlewy Lough which sits at its base and it's easy to see why it is one of Ireland’s most photographed mountains! There are several different hikes and walks you can do around and up Mount Errigal with the latter offering fantastic views all around the national park.  

On your way to your next destination, we recommend taking the route through Glengesh Pass (Malaidh Ghleann Gheis). Carved by a glacier, this is one of the most scenic drives in Ireland and offers breathtaking views along virtually empty roads.  

Glencolmcille Folk Village, also known as Father McDyer's Folk Village Museum, is a picturesque thatched-roof replica of what would have been a typical Irish rural village in past centuries.  

This cluster of small cottages called a ‘clachan’, sit perched on a tufty hillside overlooking Glen Bay Beach. The area is what is known as a Gaeltacht, (an Irish-speaking area). Indeed, the Irish language is very much still alive and is actually on the rise in Ireland.  

Feel the full force of nature at Slieve League Cliffs – among the highest sea cliffs in all of Europe. Here, all the elements come together to create one thrilling experience. The smell of the salty sea air, the wind on your face, the sound of the waves that crash against the rock below, and the sensation of height from the cliffs all come together at Slieve League. There's a host of different walks you can do of varying difficulty to reach an excellent viewing platform. Alternatively, take the Slieve League Boat Tour where you can enjoy a guided visit from one of the friendly local skippers. You’ll also get to explore the many coves under the cliffs where basking sharks, dolphins and seals are known to visit.  

Killybegs is a delightful seaside town along Ireland's Wild Atlantic Way. Stop by the Maritime and Heritage Museum or take part in a Heritage Trail to get your dose of local history. This pretty town is a great base from which to enjoy the many guided hikes, boat trips, golf and fishing trips nearby. It is also full of “proper” traditional Irish pubs and for an authentic experience check out the Harbour Bar, overlooking the working port – the perfect spot to watch the world go by whilst supping on an Irish stout. Killybegs has some great restaurants too – with Anderson’s Boathouse Restaurant the perfect choice for sampling the fresh, local seafood. For something on the go, head to Killybegs Seafood Shack located on the pier – the perfect setting to enjoy fish and chips! 

Located at the mouth of the River Eske and Donegal Bay and overlooked by the Blue Stack Mountains ('the Croaghs'), Donegal Town is a lively town that is a great base to explore from. Enjoy a wander through town, full of colourful cottages, historic pubs and independent shops to explore. Speaking of which, Hanna Hats is worth a stop: a family-owned hat-making business that dates back to 1924, you’ll find traditionally made hats using the very best Donegal tweed. Exploring is thirsty business, so why not head to McCafferty's Bar, one of the oldest pubs in Donegal town? With live music 7 nights a week, you’ll be sure to enjoy an authentic Irish welcome.  

Having enjoyed the sights and sounds of county Donegal’s largest town, head south to Bundoran, one of Ireland’s top surf spots. Right on the shore of the Atlantic, this town packs a punch in terms of aquatic activities, and surfers will attest to the quality of its waves. There’s an incredible variety of surf spots, from sheltered beaches, perfect for beginners to the more demanding, meaning it’s great for all abilities. Whether you’re a surfer or not, Bundoran’s sweeping golden sandy beaches are enough to allure anyone, and you can enjoy swimming, kayaking or windsurfing, too.  

Weather turning chilly? The indoor aqua centre, Waterworld, has fantastic family pools, and it offers seaweed baths, which are said to relax and rejuvenate all those aching surf muscles.