Ireland: Galway & Connemara Coast

7 days
Save this trip to your favorites or other list
View all 10 photos
4.9/5 Excellent
100+ reviews  
98%
Save this trip to your favorites or other list
Group Tour
Nothing compares to cycling County Clare and Connemara—and there’s no one who does it like VBT! Starting in the enchanting village of Lisdoonvarna, you’ll receive a warm Irish welcome from VBT’s local friends—along with world-class cuisine from an authentic Irish chef. As your path winds past the stunning Cliffs of Moher, you’ll explore the natural beauty of ...
From$4,495
See departure dates

Overview

Trip type
Group Tour
Lodging level
Premium - 4 star
Physical level
Extreme
Trip pace
Full schedule

Highlights

    • Delight in the lilt of an Irish brogue as a local expert leads you on a guided tour of The Burren.
    • Explore the medieval churches, Neolithic tombs, and sacred sites of Noughaval.
    • Marvel at the rugged and magical countryside of Connemara, whose mountains, lakes, and peat bogs have inspired poets for centuries.
    • View Kylemore Abbey, the oldest Benedictine abbey in Ireland.
    • Listen to crashing surf as you trace the coastline of the unspoiled, tranquil Renvyle Peninsula.

What's this trip about?

    Nothing compares to cycling County Clare and Connemara—and there’s no one who does it like VBT! Starting in the enchanting village of Lisdoonvarna, you’ll receive a warm Irish welcome from VBT’s local friends—along with world-class cuisine from an authentic Irish chef. As your path winds past the stunning Cliffs of Moher, you’ll explore the natural beauty of the Burren’s unique biosphere with a regional expert. In Galway, your local Irish trip leaders (many of them musicians) will show you the best venues for traditional music. Turning towards the remote Aran Islands, you’ll discover ancient druidic sites and spin past shoals of harbor seals sunning themselves on the rocks. After cycling the stunning landscape of Connemara with us, you’ll understand why it’s inspired so many centuries of lilting Irish poetry and song.

Details

Itinerary focusActive and Outdoor Sports
Group sizeSmall Group - max of 20 people
Age range13 to 80 years
Flights and transportAll internal ground transport included
Start CityLisdoonvarna
End CityDublin

Travel Themes

  • Cultural
  • Cycling & Biking
  • Nature & Wildlife

Destinations

  • Europe
  • Ireland

Attractions

  • Connemara
  • Cork
  • Dublin
  • Galway

Activities

  • Culture
  • Cycling
  • Historic sightseeing
  • History
  • Nature
  • Guided Group

Trip includes

    • Custom VBT Bike and Helmet
    • Two Local, Bilingual Trip Leaders
    • Support Vehicle
    • Luggage Transportation
    • Ride with GPS and Daily Route Notes
    • Welcome Reception
    • Facilitated Cultural Experiences
    • Your Choice of VBT Branded Gear for Your Adventure

Itinerary

Travel Map
DAY 1: VBT Bicycling Vacation begins / Lisdoonvarna

Meet your VBT trip leaders at the Old Ground Hotel in Ennis at 12:30 p.m. Your VBT trip leaders will be wearing VBT staff garments and carrying a VBT sign. Please note: Plan to eat lunch or a snack on your own before meeting your VBT trip leaders, as the next schedule...

DAY 2: The Burren / County Clare

Today, begin cycling west along the rocky coastline toward the ocean, enjoying views of Galway Bay. This region, known as The Burren (“rocky coast” in Gaelic), is one of the few places on Earth where arctic, Mediterranean, and alpine plants thrive side by side. As you...

DAY 3: Kilfenora and Carran / Galway

Cycle or shuttle by van to the City of Seven Crosses, Kilfenora, the site of a sixth-century monastery. Stop to view the Burren Centre, St Fachtnan’s Cathedral, and the 12th-century Celtic Crosses at this site, which was once a spiritual center of immense importance i...

DAY 4: The Aran Islands

Eat a full, traditional Irish breakfast before catching the shuttle and ferry to Inishmore, the largest of the three Aran Islands. (Ferry crossing is around 40 minutes.) Bikes are supplied today by a local bike-rental shop. Although not VBT bikes, they will be perfect...

DAY 5: Ferry to Rossaveel / Connemara

This morning, ride from the Aran Islands Hotel back to the pier at Kilronan, leaving your bike at the rental shop. The 12:00 noon ferry takes you to Rossaveel, where you can bike or shuttle into Connemara, Ireland’s “Wild West.” In this rugged and magical countryside,...

DAY 6: Kylemore Abbey / Renvyle Peninsula

Cycle along Lough Inagh toward Kylemore Abbey—the oldest Benedictine abbey in Ireland. Built 350 years ago, it now is home to a community of nuns. Enjoy views of this iconic structure, and then roll past stunning coastal views of crashing surf, silver bays, and rocky ...

DAY 7: Travel to Dublin / VBT Bicycling Vacation ends / Free time

Transportation is provided to the Dublin airport, arriving at approximately 1:00 p.m. The tour ends here, or you can continue to the Schoolhouse Hotel with the rest of the group.

Included Meals: Breakfast

Want a tailor-made trip instead?

Your trip, your way, planned by an expert:

  • You choose budget, destinations, activities, transport & lodging type
  • Expert designs the itinerary for you, and once approved, takes care of logistics
Design custom trip

Dates & Availability

Price From $4,495
Price per day$642
Last Updated: 4/19/2024

Check Current Availability, prices, specials with VBT Bicycling Vacations.

The total tour cost includes the tour price (regular or promotional) and the compulsory local payment. The promotional price is subject to change. Check directly with the operator for the latest price offer. The tour operator requires you to pay only the tour price to purchase your travel. The compulsory local payment will be paid when you join the trip. All prices are based on double, twin or triple share occupancy. Solo passengers will be accommodated in a double, twin or triple room according to availability with a passenger(s) of the same gender. Single supplement only needs to be paid if the passenger does not want to share and requests their own room. Discounts can only be applied at the time of booking and cannot be added at a later date, regardless of any changes made to the original booking.

Prices may vary due to local taxes and trip seasonality. Click "Request Info" to inquire directly with the tour operator for the final trip price.

VBT Bicycling Vacations Reviews & Ratings

4.9/5  Excellent
Excellent
579
Great
42
Average
11
Disappointing
4
Terrible
3
Write a Review

Other VBT Bicycling Vacations Reviews

G

Ginger

Nov 2023

Written on

The best vacation ever

This was the first organized tour my husband and I have ever joined, so we were not sure what to expect , but it turned out to be the best vacation we've ever had. T...

C

Corvette01

Nov 2023

Written on

Spectacular, Cycling the Dolomite Valleys

This trip is unbelievably fantastic. Two of the best rides of my life, were on this tour. The guides were very good and this was just the start, when we met them, at...

B

Barbnjim

Nov 2023

Written on

life at its fullest

Unlike tours where you gaze at world class natural and historic wonders in another culture, this tour put us in intimate touch with them through cycling, eating, dri...

Write a Review

Tour Operator

VBT Bicycling Vacations

premier
View Profile

Since 1971, VBT has crafted immersive and authentic biking vacations for active travelers. When you travel with VBT, you’re not just another tourist—you’re a traveler. With us, you’ll experience your destination with the help of a local, bilingual trip leader with a passion for sharing their home with you. You’ll eat in local restaurants, stay in accommodations that have been family-owned for generations and cycle through vineyards, olive groves, and medieval villages. 


With VBT, you won’t just visit a place—you’ll immerse yourself in it. You might follow a centuries-old pasta recipe while taking a cooking class in Rome—or learn a folk dance in Croatia, followed by sharing a bottle of locally-produced Grk wine with your new friends. Exploring the world on two wheels lets you experience your surroundings on a deeper level.

 

VBT offers exceptional value without compromising on quality. Simply put, no other US-based active travel company offers an experience this rich for such a reasonable price. On our tours, you can see more sights, have more local experiences, and enjoy more delicious, authentic meals—all while staying in high-quality, boutique hotels and charming, family-run inns.

 

All you have to do is show up at the airport—we’ll handle the rest! From tour consultants who help you find the perfect vacation to expert local trip leaders who show you the best place for gelato, we take care of all the little details that make your trip memorable. We book your flights, arrange all your transportation and accommodations, and move your luggage between hotels. Our support vans are available to give you a lift up a hill or quickly fix a flat tire. VBT takes care of your travel details and creates unique itineraries so you can relax and enjoy your small-group vacation from start to finish.

 

Friendly camaraderie, cultural immersion, and casual comforts are the hallmarks of our vacations. Discover delightful people, beautiful hotels, foreign cultures, and fascinating lifestyles that will enrich your life and provide memories for years to come.

Why we love this operator
Their unique emphasis on immersive cultural experiences combined with active exploration with personalized cycling experiences.
What they’re known for
VBT Cycling are renowned for offering exceptional guided and self-guided bicycle tours worldwide.

Associations

About Travelstride

Find your perfect trip

An epic selection of pre-planned trips on every continent, for every style. Thousands of itineraries from over 1,000 trusted travel companies.

Save time

Use simple search and comparison tools to easily find the best trip. Don't sweat the logistics — travel providers plan for you.

Save money

Book directly with the operator. See inclusive packages for the best values, and get access to amazing deals.

Travel confidently

Read unbiased user reviews, pick the operator that suits your needs, and connect with them directly.

Logistics

Accommodation

,6 nights in 3- and 4-star hotels and a guesthouse
Travel Insurance
We strongly recommend purchasing travel insurance alongside your travel package to safeguard against unforeseen circumstances such as medical expenses, trip cancellations, and other contingencies. It offers you peace of mind and ensures you are prepared for unexpected events that may occur before or during your journey
Visa requirements
Visa requirements vary depending on your country of origin and your country of destination. It is your responsibility to familiarize yourself with the relevant requirements. For a handy tool that can help you quickly find the requirements, please visit this link .
Meals Included

12 meals: 6 breakfasts, 1 lunch, 5 dinners

Age Requirements
13 to 80 years
Additional Information

This tour offers a combination of easy terrain mixed with moderate hills. Our VBT support vehicle is always available for those who would like assistance with the hills. Ideal for enthusiastic beginners to experienced cyclists.

Daily Mileage: 5 - 33 miles| Biking: 1 - 4 hours| Group Size: 20

Trip ID
vbt-vbt-IrGa

Become a member

(it's free)
  • Save up to $700 per person
  • Access members-only specials
  • Personalize trip recommendations
Sign up and save
Top Tour Companies on Travelstride:
All 1,600+ companies >