← All Wicklow tours via partner · From €40 · 9 hours 
From Dublin: Wicklow Mountains, Glendalough & Kilkenny Tour
Rated 4.8 out of 5 by over 8,000 guests, this day trip south from Dublin packs two of Ireland’s finest destinations into a single, well-paced day. The Wicklow Mountains, Glendalough, and medieval Kilkenny each offer something completely different, and at just EUR40 per person, it is outstanding value for a full-day guided tour.
The morning begins with a drive through the Wicklow Mountains - rolling hills of purple heather, deep glacial valleys, and views that stretch for miles. Your guide points out the landmarks and shares the stories behind them, including how the mountains served as a refuge for Irish rebels for centuries. At Glendalough, you step into a place that has barely changed in 1,400 years. St Kevin’s monastic settlement sits in a glacial valley between two lakes, surrounded by ancient woodland. The round tower, stone churches and Celtic high crosses are remarkably intact, and the optional hike to the Upper Lake along a boardwalk trail is one of the most beautiful short walks in Ireland.
After Glendalough, the coach heads south to Kilkenny - a city that still feels genuinely medieval. Narrow cobbled laneways connect the 12th-century castle to craft workshops, traditional pubs and independent shops. You have two full hours here, which is enough time for a leisurely lunch, a wander through the castle grounds, and a browse through the Kilkenny Design Centre. It is one of those places that makes you wish you had booked a second day.