Record this name: “ Atlantic Coastal Route ”. You're going to start seeing it everywhere, because now that adventurers like Gotzon Mantuliz we have been discovered, it's official: we want this wild and beautiful coast be ours summer trip!
"I've been wanting to go back to Ireland for many years and get to know this legendary island a little better.
I was delighted to discover your West Coast ! Being able to wake up enjoying the force of nature in the Cliffs of Moher, go back in time at sunset, surrounded by the walls of a medieval castle , dine in a pub listening to the best live local music … It's a must-see, having it so close to home."
Says Mantuliz, who had his first job on the island and is now designer, model, television presenter and traveler . Also, he is known to be the winner of the fifth edition of the reality show of the Basque regional chain EITB, The conqueror of the end of the world.
But what awaits us on the Wild Atlantic Way, west of Ireland? “From the windy edge of Malin Head in County Donegal to the gentle beauty of Kinsale town in County Cork, the West of Ireland will amaze you with its epic landscapes and will captivate you with quiet moments . It is a place that has inspired dreamers and travellers, poets and painters with a landscape full of stone walls, thatched cottages, towering mountains and deserted beaches ”, they explain from ireland tourism.
With a description like this, how not to start looking for tickets? However, the west of Ireland holds wonders that go beyond their movie locations. In reality, it is an unforgettable land, above all, thanks to the warmth of its locals , famous for their proverbial hospitality.
A good way to get to know them is to immerse yourself in the pleasant atmosphere of pubs, where the locals meet to chat and sing traditional songs around of the fireplace , as Mantuliz documented on his trip. up to three live concerts the traveler enjoyed, completely immersing himself in the most authentic Irish essence!
THE PERFECT ITINERARY TO TRAVEL THE ATLANTIC COASTAL ROUTE
- DUBLIN, THE GREEN CAPITAL AND CULT
The trip that our adventurer showed through social networks has everything we ask of some perfect holiday.
It started in the beautiful Dublin , lovers paradise good beer, the best whiskey and live music . The capital is also an Eden for those who love to get lost in libraries and bookstores fable (Mantuliz fell in love with The Old Library of Trinity College ) and enjoy green spaces as amazing as Phoenix Park, the largest urban park in Europe . There, by the way, the traveler was able to enjoy a very special company... that of the great herd of fallow deer that inhabits it!
For dinner, nothing like the vibrant Fade Street Social Wood Fired Menu & Cocktail Bar, specialized in cocktails and embers. And for a perfect night, Mantuliz chose wren , the most sustainable hotel in Dublin.
The Old Library of Trinity College, a bibliophile's paradise
2. CLIFFS OF MOHER, A FABULOUS LANDSCAPE
The next day, Mantuliz rented a car and began touring the Atlantic Coastal Route on a road starring the eternal green of the fields and dotted with fairytale castles, like the one in Dunguaire or the one of Doonagore.
in the wild Cliffs of Moher he stopped to enjoy the perfect sunset, listening to the crash of the waves against the rocks and seeing, in the distance, the legendary aran islands . Then, to enjoy the more local flavors and rhythms, he stopped for dinner at the pub Gus O'Connor's, to end the night in the fullest contact with nature in Doolin Glamping.
3. ARAN ISLANDS, MARINE ADVENTURES
The idyllic islands of Aran, where you can feel like a sailor visiting the lighthouse, the shipwreck and the lonely beaches , can be visited by ferry and traveled on comfortable electric bicycles. It is even possible to sleep in cozy tents in the middle of nature thanks to Aran Islands Glamping!
Of course, in the Aran Islands you cannot miss a dinner based on local fish -order smoked salmon or mackerel!- in Joe Wattys Pub and Seafood Bar, always on the list of the best pubs in the country.
Cliffs of Moher, the wildest Ireland
4. CONNEMARA, THE “REAL IRELAND”
Connemara it is another essential stop on the trip along the Wild Atlantic Way. What they call the "real Ireland" is a region of legend, folklore and profound beauty , also praised by entire generations of artists.
Bounded by the Atlantic and situated in a especially picturesque corner of County Galway, the region is famous for its wild terrain and soft colors. Rust-colored swamplands are dotted with glistening blue-gray lakes; ancient stone walls cross the hills; and the coral beaches , the sandy bays and the small ports are outlined by an ocean in constant change”, they explain from Tourism Ireland.
This region, where traditions are still revered, can be reached in two and a half hours from Doolin, once again following winding paths around imposing fortresses such as dungaire and the aforementioned coral beaches - you will never forget Carraro Beach!-.
The green beaches of Connemara
Once in Connemara, you will come across the charming town of Clifden , which is worth visiting. From there starts a unique attraction, the Sky Road , a 15-kilometre circular road route that runs parallel to the coast, throwing Incredible views , including those of the Cliffden Castle.
In Connemara, Mantuliz also did not miss the precious Kylemore Abbey , with its elegant Victorian gardens, nor the unrepeatable experiences offered by the Killary Adventure Center , What Kayak the only fjord in Ireland! In that ideal setting, in the huge mansion that is The Leenane Hotel It was also a night to remember.
“If you like nature and adventure, this is your destiny”, affirms the adventurer, who invites us to travel with him the impressive landscapes of the Atlantic Coastal Route in his personal photo album. Enjoy it in our gallery!