Achill Island, Ireland's largest island lies in the western part of the country, in County Mayo. It's not far from Connemara, quite famous and beautiful National Park and 200 km (125 miles) north from the most popular attraction of the Emerald Island - Cliffs of Moher. Achill Island has a lot to offer: the natural beauty with beautiful coast, imposing mountainous peaks and, in my opinion, the most spectacular sandy beach in Ireland - Keem Bay. However, surprisingly, for some reason, (just like the magnificent Skellig Islands and Benbulben Mountain) Achill Island is virtually unknown to visitors. It's usually omitted in the tourist guides about Ireland and there are no tours available from Dublin (although the tours include the nearby Connemara). I found out about it by coincidence while browsing photos on google maps and decided it's a place well worth visiting! I wasn't wrong! For me, Achill Island was definitely one if the most spectacular spots not only in Ireland!

Powerscourt Waterfall may not be the largest or the highest waterfall in the world, but together with the breathtaking natural surroundings and Wicklow Mountains in the background, it creates one of the most spectacular scenery in Ireland. Located near the picturesque village of Enniskerry and the famous Powerscourt Gardens, it attracts many visitors, especially during summer weekends. However, if you wish to venture into the wild, there is a beautiful trail in the mountains that will even allow you to see the waterfall itself from a bird's eye view.

The Howth Peninsula - located north from Dublin Bay is yet another place (besides the southern towns of Bray, Greystones, Dun Laoghaire and Dalkey) on the beautiful Dublin coast to visit while staying in the Irish capital. As I mentioned in the previous posts, the nature around Dublin is striking and also very easily accessible by public transport. Within minutes you can travel from a busy, crowded and somehow grey city to the mountainous seaside full of coastal trails running along magnificent rocky cliffs.

As I mentioned in one of the previous articles, one of the greatest things about Dublin, the Irish capital is how close it is to the beautiful coastal areas where the mountains and rugged cliffs meet the sea. Within only around 30 minutes by train from Dublin you can reach either the northern or southern parts of the coast. Especially beautiful in the summer, it has this sub-tropical touch provided by a wide variety of Mediterranean and exotic for this latitude plants, like Cedar trees or even palm trees. So don't miss it when you are in Dublin, you will be nicely surprised!

If you think about Ireland, the first thing that comes to mind is rain, drizzle, cold and wind. Although it is true, sometimes, during the summer months, the sun appears also in the Emerald Island (and in June and July it shines until 10 PM!)

When you are visiting Dublin in summer, it's great to get away from the grayish capital to the beautiful coastal areas, especially because they are so close and at the price of only 5 EUR (7 USD) for a return ticket, using public transport, you can admire the beautiful nature that surrounds the city. You will be surprised.

Powescourt Estate with the impressive castle that dates as far back as the thirteenth century and the 19 hectare gardens are one of the greatest tourist attractions of Dublin area. The estate is located among beautiful Wicklow Mountains scenery and offers breathtaking views of the distinctive Sugar Loaf peak. Very close to Dublin city, around 45 minutes drive from the center, it's a perfect place to enjoy a weekend, especially in the summer time when all the trees are lush green and all flowers in blossom.

The name "Glendalough" means "the glen of two lakes" in the Irish language. The valley is located only around 50 kilometers (30 miles) from the Irish capital city - Dublin. It's very easily accessible, only one hour drive and it's a perfect place for a weekend or even one-day escape from the city crowds. The ruins of the ancient monastic city, two magnificent lakes surrounded by cliffs and rocks, nearby forests as well as waterfalls create an unforgettable scenery. There are many trails available for visitors in the area. Hiking one of them is not too difficult, there are many observation points that offer a spectacular view over the whole valley, lakes and the monastic city.

If you don't know where to go on a sunny day in Dublin, Howth Rhododendron Gardens can be a great alternative to the crowded city parks. In contrast to the very popular center of Howth village, which when the weather is good, attracts many people looking for an escape from the busy capital, Rhododendron Gardens are relatively a little known, peaceful and relaxing place, ideal for hiking, picnics, enjoying the beauty of nature as well as admiring spectacular views of the peninsula, and you can be sure you won't meet crowds of people there, even during the long summer days.

Known by few, Benbulben Mountain (also spelled Benbulbin or Ben Bulben, from Irish "Binn Ghulbain") can be a great alternative weekend destination from the Irish capital, Dublin. Not crowded with many tourists and not difficult to climb from the south side, offers amazing views from the top over the Sligo town, the coast and the sea. Ben Bulben, at the elevation of 526 meters (1727 ft.) above sea level, is in fact a part of the Dartry range and its distinctive, table mountain-like shape was formed by moving glaciers during the Ice Age.