Things To Do In Wicklow Ireland In Less Than 24 hours.
County Wicklow, which won, is known for being one of the most beautiful places in all of Ireland. It deserves a long look. But if you only have one day, here’s how to get the most out of the “Garden of Ireland” in less than 24 hours.
Bray and Greystones in the morning
Start the day with a walk along the cliff path that connects the two northern seaside towns of Bray and Greystones. This is just one of the many beautiful walking routes in the county. This path starts at the bandstand on Bray’s seafront and ends at Greystones Harbour. Along the way, walkers will see amazing views from the cliffs of the Irish Sea below and the coast in both directions. The whole walk takes about two and a half hours. Plan it so that you get to Greystones just in time for brunch.
Once you get to Greystones, you can get a healthy, hearty, plant-based meal at The Happy Pear, a café run by identical twin brothers Dave and Steve Flynn and named by the prestigious McKenna’s Guide as one of the best places to eat in Ireland in 2016. After that, take the DART back to Bray to get your car. Then, head to Powerscourt House and Gardens on the R767 (around a 20-minute drive).
Powerscourt House and Gardens, early in the afternoon
Powerscourt is a country estate that used to be a castle in the 1300s. The current house was built in the 1700s. The 47 acres of gardens here were voted one of the top three in the world by National Geographic. Visitors can walk through an Italian garden, a Japanese garden, hundreds of different kinds of trees, and an oddly sweet pet cemetery where the pets that used to live in the house are buried. The tallest waterfall in the country, Powerscourt Waterfall, is just a short drive away.
If the weather is bad, you can look around the house instead. The Lonely Planet Guide says it is one of the top ten houses and mansions in the world. There are shops and a museum with a collection of old dollhouses on the inside. After that, you can have lunch on their terrace café with a view of the gardens and Great Sugar Loaf Mountain, or you can walk down the drive to the Powerscourt Hotel and have a snack in their elegant Sugar Loaf Lounge (with an equally awesome view). Before you leave the area, make sure to stop and take a short walk through the nearby postcard-perfect village of Enniskerry.
Wicklow Mountains National Park and Glendalough in the late afternoon
From Powerscourt, take the scenic route on the L1011 to head south through the protected Wicklow Mountains National Park. This area is made up of 220 square kilometers (85 square miles) of beautiful mountains and is Ireland’s largest continuous upland area. Drive through the Sally Gap crossroads and continue on the Old Military Road, which got its name because it was built to help the British Army find Irish rebels after the Irish rebellion of 1798. Continue on the Old Military Road until you reach the village of Laragh, then follow the signs to the Glendalough Monastic Site. (This route through the mountains will take just over an hour. If you don’t mind missing out on the views, you can skip the mountains and get from Powerscourt to Glendalough in 35 minutes.)
When you get to Glendalough in the late afternoon, walk through the ruined buildings and quiet grounds of the old monastic city. If you’d like a guided tour, you can book one ahead of time. The site dates back to the 6th century and has a 30-meter (98.4-foot) round tower, an impressive cathedral, and multiple churches. There is also a ruined gateway at the entrance to the city that is the only one of its kind left in the country.
Wicklow Town in the evening
Finish the day in Wicklow Town with a well-deserved meal at The Lighthouse Seafood Restaurant on the South Quay of the harbor and a drink in the cozy Bridge Tavern. Then, take a walk along Magheramore Beach in the evening.
Topic: Things To Do In Wicklow Ireland In Less Than 24 hours.
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By: Travel Pixy
