From Dublin: Wild Wicklow Mountains and Glendalough Tour

This is the day trip for people who want Wicklow to feel wild. You get a smaller coach that goes beyond the main roads, plus a guided Glendalough visit with real time to wander the Upper Lake area and a complimentary Glendalough whiskey tasting at the end. I especially liked the Wicklow Mountains scenery on the way out of Dublin and the fact that you’re given real freedom time inside Glendalough rather than just a quick stop. One drawback to plan for: a big chunk of the day is outdoors, so if the weather turns (and it often does), you’ll feel it—pack rain gear and wear shoes that handle mud and stairs.

The best part is how the day stays fun without feeling rushed. You’ll get a mix of guided storytelling and scenic breaks, with lunch at a traditional pub where you can settle in for an hour before heading back to Dublin. The experience runs with an English-speaking Wild Wicklow guide, and names like Patrick, Ashley, John, Anthony, and Niall show up often in past departures.

Key highlights worth your attention

• Small coach access to the good viewpoints: less time stuck on main roads, more time looking at the mountains the way Ireland actually looks.
• Killiney Hill walk plus coastal drive: a short hike and Atlantic air before you even reach Wicklow.
• Glendalough guided tour + 60 minutes free time: learn the site, then explore your own pace between the lakes.
• Sally Gap and film-famous Wicklow spots: you’ll recognize the scenery behind P.S. I Love You and other well-known productions like Braveheart.
• Lunch at Lynhams of Laragh: a proper country pub break (food not included, but it’s part of the rhythm).
• Free Glendalough whiskey tasting: a fitting end to a day of lakes and legends.

Leaving Dublin the scenic way: that small-coach feeling

Dublin day tours often feel like a conveyor belt. This one feels different, mainly because it uses a smaller air-conditioned midi coach and is set up to reach areas that bigger buses can’t. The result is simple: you spend more time looking at Wicklow and less time watching your own timeline.

Right away, the day has a nice built-in contrast. You start with Dublin-area pickup points around the city, then roll out along the southern coast. You’re not just going straight to the countryside. You warm up with a few quick, easy moments that make the day feel like an actual trip, not a commute.

Pickup is convenient if you’re staying in central hotels. Options include Cathal Brugha Street (Bus Stop 286), St Stephen’s Green (near Bus Stop 791), and the InterContinental / Clayton area on Simmonscourt Road (Bus Stop 6084), plus a Clayton Hotel Burlington Road stop and the Grand Canal Hotel stop. You’ll want to show up a few minutes early so the whole group stays on pace.

Killiney Hill and the Dublin coast: a 40-minute warm start

The first active stop is Killiney Hill, with about a 40-minute walk. This is a smart move at the beginning of the day. It gets your legs working while the skies are still bright (or at least before Wicklow weather tests your optimism). You’ll get big coastal views that help you understand where Dublin’s city energy ends and Ireland’s open space starts.

Even if you’re not a serious hiker, this is the kind of short walk that rewards you. It’s enough time to feel like you did something, but not so long you’re tired before the main event.

Practical tip: bring shoes with grip. Coastal paths can be slick, and later on in Glendalough you’ll be walking on uneven ground.

Avoca Handweavers in Kilmacanoge: coffee and Irish craft

After the hill, you stop at Avoca in Kilmacanoge for a break and a visit (about 25 minutes). This is a good place to reset. You can grab coffee, do a quick browse, and pick up small gifts without turning the day into a shopping marathon.

Avoca is one of those stops that feels very Irish without requiring you to be interested in everything. If you love crafts, you’ll enjoy the window-shopping. If you just want a caffeine hit and a leg stretch, it still works.

Keep your expectations realistic: 25 minutes is not for a full store crawl. It’s for a quick look, a snack if you want one, and back on the coach.

Sally Gap and Wicklow Mountains National Park: lakes, bogs, and big movie scenery

Once you’re deeper into Wicklow, you start getting the sights people come for: lakes, mountains, boglands, and viewpoints that make it hard to believe you were just in Dublin. A key area you’ll pass through is Sally Gap, a classic Wicklow stretch with rolling heather, rugged peaks, and that damp, peat-rich look that makes Wicklow feel so distinct.

This is also where the scenery connects to pop culture. You’ll hear about the P.S. I Love You bridge and see viewpoints tied to Guinness Lake (Lough Tay). It’s not just trivia. Those references help you recognize what you’re looking at, so the scenery feels more personal instead of random.

The tour also includes time at Wicklow Mountains National Park (about 1.5 hours total, with photo stops and a guided tour). This is where the difference between a smaller day tour and a bigger one really shows. The big-bus approach is often “pull in, look, move on.” Here, the driving pattern and guide narration are designed for you to actually understand the land: why it looks the way it does, and how people used it over time.

If you’re the type who likes photos, you’ll have chances. If you’re the type who hates taking photos, you’ll still enjoy the slow moments—because the guide’s stories give you something to look for beyond the view.

Lynhams of Laragh for lunch: the pub stop that keeps the day human

Lunch is at Lynhams of Laragh for about an hour. Food is not included, but this is a solid, traditional break in the middle of a full day. You’ll have time to eat, warm up if you need it, and regroup before Glendalough.

An hour is usually the right length for a pub lunch on a coach day. Long enough to order without rushing, short enough that you don’t lose your whole afternoon.

What I’d do if you’re hungry: plan your order with Ireland in mind. A hearty pub lunch is part of the experience, not just fuel. If you want something lighter, it’s still worth asking what’s available that day so you’re not gambling at the counter.

Glendalough: 6th-century monastic remains in a valley that stays quiet

Then comes Glendalough, and it’s the emotional centerpiece of the day. You’ll get a guided visit that focuses on the ancient monastic settlement, founded in the 6th century by St. Kevin. The site is surrounded by a valley setting that makes it easier to understand why people chose to build here in the first place.

You’ll walk past major landmarks, including the round tower and ancient stone churches, plus remnants of the monastic community. The guide ties the stories to the place, so you’re not just reading stones like a museum. You’re imagining people living, praying, and working in this landscape centuries ago.

Glendalough is one of those places where the pace matters. If you rush, you miss the calm. If you allow time, it clicks. That’s exactly why this tour gives you both guided context and later free time.

Upper and Lower Lakes: your 60 minutes between the views

This tour builds in a clear window for walking at your own speed. You’ll have about 60 minutes to explore, including the chance to walk between the Upper and Lower Lakes.

That walk is where Glendalough turns from history stop into scenery experience. The valley views open up. You’ll see the water and the slopes around it, and the whole place feels peaceful in a way that’s hard to recreate anywhere else near Dublin.

You don’t need to go fast. Let your eyes do the work. If it’s windy or rainy, take shorter steps and enjoy the fact that the weather is part of what makes Wicklow feel real.

Practical note: this is an outdoor walk. Wear comfortable shoes and bring rain gear. If the ground is damp, go slower than you think you need to.

The complimentary Glendalough whiskey tasting: a small finish that fits

The day ends with a complimentary Glendalough Irish whiskey tasting at its birthplace. This is a nice, low-effort way to cap off a day full of stories and landscapes.

It also helps that whiskey tasting is a quick activity. You’re not adding another long stop. You’re getting a brief cultural moment, and then it’s back to Dublin.

If you don’t drink whiskey, you can still treat this as a fun Irish stop. The tasting itself is included, so it’s a built-in bonus you don’t have to pay for separately.

Price and value for an 8.5-hour coach day

At $62 per person, this tour sits in the “good value if you care about both scenery and history” category. Here’s why:

• You’re paying for transportation, an English-speaking guide, and entrance fees.
• You also get the Glendalough whiskey tasting included, plus the structured Glendalough visit with a guided portion and free time.
• The route is built around seeing Wicklow areas that are hard to reach efficiently on your own in a single day, especially if you don’t want to rent a car.

Food is not included, so you’ll still budget for lunch and anything else you want to buy. But the day is planned with stops that make those purchases simple: coffee and browsing in Avoca, a clear lunch hour at Lynhams, and sightseeing where you can move when you need to.

Bottom line: if you want a guided Ireland day that mixes nature, history, and a small included surprise, this is a fair deal.

Pace, comfort, and what to pack for real Irish weather

This is a full day at about 8.5 hours, and you should plan for early morning pickup and a return to Dublin afterward. The itinerary uses a classic rhythm: scenic drive, short walking stop, guided sightseeing, pub lunch, then Glendalough.

To enjoy it comfortably, pack for wet and changeable weather:

• Comfortable shoes for Killiney Hill and the Glendalough lakes walk
• Rain gear (you’ll thank yourself)
• Weather-appropriate clothing
• Comfortable layers for that classic Ireland temperature swing

If you’re sensitive to rain, you’ll appreciate having a hooded layer and shoes that don’t slip.

Also, note that the tour is not suitable for children under 5, with a minimum age of 5.

Who should book Wild Wicklow and Glendalough (and who might prefer solo plans)

This is a great fit if:

• You want a guided day trip that still leaves time to wander.
• You care about both nature and historical context.
• You want the convenience of pickup from central Dublin hotel areas.

It might not be your best option if:

• You’re expecting a mostly indoor experience.
• You prefer total control and zero walking, because there are active stops (including Killiney Hill and a lakes walk).
• You want food fully included, since lunch is at your expense.

If you’re comfortable with moderate walking and weather swings, you’ll likely love how this day balances structure and freedom.

Should you book this tour or skip it?

Book it if you want a single-day snapshot of Wicklow that feels intentional: wild scenery, Glendalough’s monastic sites with a guide, and enough free time to actually experience the Upper Lake area. The included whiskey tasting is a bonus that makes the day feel complete.

Skip it only if you’re set on a fully self-directed itinerary or you hate outdoor walking in uncertain weather. For most people visiting Dublin, this is one of the better “use your time wisely” choices because it combines transport, entry fees, guiding, and two high-impact sightseeing areas in one smooth loop.

If you can handle a few walks and you pack for rain, you’re in for a memorable day.

FAQ

How long is the Wild Wicklow Mountains and Glendalough tour?

The tour lasts about 8.5 hours.

Is food included in the price?

No. Food and drinks are not included. Lunch at Lynhams of Laragh is part of the itinerary, but you pay for what you eat.

What’s included besides transportation?

Entrance fees, the Wild Wicklow tour guide in English, a complimentary Glendalough Irish whiskey tasting, and transportation by an air-conditioned midi coach are included.

Do you get free time at Glendalough?

Yes. You get a guided Glendalough visit plus about 60 minutes of free time to explore, including time to walk between the Upper and Lower Lakes.

Where are the pickup locations in Dublin?

Pickup options include Cathal Brugha Street, Clayton Hotel Burlington Road, Grand Canal Hotel, St Stephen’s Green North, stop 791, and the InterContinental Dublin area, plus other listed hotel-adjacent stops. Exact pickup times vary by location.

Is there a minimum age?

Yes. The minimum age is 5 years, and it is not suitable for children under 5.

What should I bring for the day?

Bring comfortable shoes and rain gear, plus comfortable clothes and weather-appropriate clothing.

Is the tour cancelable if plans change?

Yes. Free cancellation is available up to 24 hours in advance for a full refund.