The Best Historical Organized Tours in Ireland
Guided Group Tours, Vacation Packages, or Planned Itineraries through destinations such as Dublin, the Dingle Peninsula, and the Cliffs of Moher
Are you ready to embark on a journey through time in Ireland and uncover the captivating stories woven into the fabric of our world? All of these selected organized tours, holiday packages, and tour packages offer an immersive experience that will transport you to the heart of iconic destinations. In order to find the absolute best historical tours to Ireland, we meticulously analyzed a wide range of tours, considering key factors such as guest ratings, price, comfort, service, and excursions. Whether you're seeking a relaxing holiday steeped in cultural heritage or an adventure that brings history to life, we're sure that one of these guided tours will offer the perfect combination. Ireland is a fantastic destination because of the museums & attractions, family-friendly activities, and budget-friendly accommodations. One of these amazing tours below is perfect for your next trip, so let's get started!
The Best Historical Tours through Ireland
Including guided tours, organized tours, holiday packages, all-inclusive vacations, and guided itineraries.
All tour prices are listed in US Dollars before taxes, and come from a base price that is reported by TourRadar. Peak season prices can vary significantly, particularly in destinations where seasonal travel fluctuates dramatically. While we do our best to evaluate all tours to maintain accuracy, always confirm the details directly with TourRadar or the tour company before booking. The information provided on this website is sourced directly from TourRadar and may change at any time.
Why does Ireland appeal to history enthusiasts?
Ireland captivates history enthusiasts with its wealth of historical sites, spanning from ancient times through more recent history. Dublin, Cork, and Kilkenny offer plenty of amazing museums and sights to explore. Kinsale is known for its colorful houses, excellent restaurants, and beautiful seaside walks. These regional destinations provide a perfect mix of history, culture, and adventure in an affordable package. Plus, the fun and easy itineraries make for a stress-free adventure while creating lasting memories.
How much do historical tours in Ireland cost?
The average daily price of Historical Tours in Ireland is $329 per day. Prices can vary widely due to the included amenities, length of the trip, number of guests on the tour, and many other factors. If you want more information about prices, we have put together a complete analysis of the costs of Historical Tours in Ireland here.
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Which Tour Companies Offer Historical Tours?
A number of fantastic tour companies offer historical tours in Ireland. These are a few of the best, because they offer the highest rated service, provide the best overall quality, and have the most five-star guest reviews to prove it.
CIE Tours
CIE Tours is a smaller tour company that offers tours to 5 countries, including Ireland, Great Britain, Iceland, and Italy. The company appeals to travelers of all ages, with many tours focusing on families with children. Many of the tours fall into the mid-range price category.
Collette
Collette is a large international travel company offering tours all over the world. Some of their most popular destinations include the U.S., Italy, Great Britain, and France. The company appeals to travelers of all ages, with many tours focusing on families with children. Many of the tours fall into the mid-range price category. The company's adventures often highlight activities such as wine tasting, island hopping, and camping.
Insight Vacations
Insight Vacations is a large multi-national travel company which offers tours to destinations around the world. Some of their most popular destinations include Italy, Great Britain, Austria, and France. Some of their offerings cater to families with children. A large number of their tours fall within in the mid-range price category.
See All Tours from Insight Vacations
Cosmos
Cosmos is a large international travel company offering tours all over the world. A number of their tours visit destinations in Europe and North America. Some of their most popular destinations include the U.S., Canada, Italy, and Argentina. The company appeals to travelers of all ages, with many tours focusing on families with children. Many of the tours fall into the mid-range price category. The company's adventures often highlight activities such as snorkelling, cooking classes, and wine tasting.
Historical Destinations in Ireland
Wondering where historical tours visit in Ireland? With a variety of stops and destinations along the way, there's something for everyone.
Dublin
Dublin is the capital city of Ireland. It's filled with historic buildings and a laid back atmosphere. There are several nice parks and many good museums around town. Staying true to reputation, the residents in Dublin are friendly and welcoming. It's the perfect city to find a local pub and enjoy a Guinness with a group of locals.
Killarney
Killarney is a town that is right by Killarney National Park. It's also part of the Ring of Kerry scenic drive and the starting and ending point for the 200 kilometer Kerry Way walking trail. The area offers wonderful natural beauty and many great walking trails.
Galway
Galway is a cultural city that's located on Ireland's western shores. It offers a mix of history and culture in town, with natural beauty in the surrounding countryside. The population is friendly and welcoming and visitors will quickly fall in love with the city's hospitality and energy.
Kilkenny
Kilkenny is home to the Kilkenny Castle. The town dates back 1,500 years and it has a medieval old town that is filled with churches, alleyways, and old city walls. There's also a number of outdoor adventures that make for a fun visit for kids and adults alike.
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Other popular destinations for historical tours through Ireland include Blarney, Waterford, Shannon, Donegal, and Kenmare.
Historical Tours vs. Independent Travel: Pros and Cons
If you're torn between arranging your own trip and booking a guided tour, take a moment to weigh the differences between the two approaches.
Organized Tours
- Learn detailed stories and context from expert guides.
- Visit significant landmarks efficiently.
- Access exclusive areas not open to the public.
- Guides bring history to life with engaging narratives.
- Save time on researching destinations.
- Enjoy a curated itinerary of top historical sites.
- Guides answer questions for deeper understanding.
- Group tours can provide a social learning experience.
- Avoid logistical challenges like tickets or reservations.
- Guides help connect the dots between events and eras.
- Less flexibility in the itinerary.
- Group size might impact the experience.
Independent Travel
- Full control over your itinerary and pace.
- Focus on sites that interest you most.
- Flexibility to spend more time at certain locations.
- Explore at unconventional hours to avoid crowds.
- Customize your trip around niche historical themes.
- Requires time-consuming research to plan.
- Risk of missing key details without a guide.
- May overlook important or lesser-known sites.
- Difficult to understand the full historical context.
- Navigation and logistics can be more complex.
- No expert to answer questions during your visit.
- Potential for long waits without pre-booking tickets.
- Self-guided tours may lack the interactive element.
Which is cheaper?
Is traveling independently less expensive than taking guided historical tours? The answer isn't straightforward. Guided tours often include services like hotels, transportation, meals, entry tickets, guides, and activities, all of which you would need to arrange and pay for individually if traveling on your own. To determine the cost difference, you'd need to compare the total cost of the tour package with the cost of booking everything separately. You may prefer a less expensive hotel or splurge on dining, so the cost of a tour could either save you money or cost you more. Be sure to review what's included in the tour package before making your comparison.
Also, before booking a tour, make sure you know exactly what is included as tour companies sometimes change their itineraries or included amenities to keep them updated with seasonal changes and customer interests.
More Tour Options
See also The Best Family-Friendly Tours to Ireland, The Best Hiking & Trekking Tours in Ireland, The Best 10-Day Tours in Ireland, The Best One Week (7-Day) Tours in Ireland, The Best 3-Day Tours in Ireland, The Best 2-Week Tours in Ireland, Tours for Outdoor and Nature Lovers in Ireland, The Best Christmas & New Years Tours in Ireland, The Best Coach Bus Tours in Ireland, The Best Adventure Tours to Ireland, The Best Eco Tours in Ireland, The Best Train & Rail Tours in Ireland, The Best Art History, Museums, and Cultural Tours Tours in Ireland, The Best Sightseeing Tours in Ireland, The Best Cultural Tours in Ireland, The Best Food and Culinary Tours in Ireland, The Best Photography Tours in Ireland, The Best Educational Tours in Ireland, The Best Romantic Tours for Couples in Ireland, The Best Self Drive Tours in Ireland, The Best Nightlife Tours in Ireland, The Best Religious Tours in Ireland, The Best Walking Tours in Ireland, The Best Tours Under $1000 in Ireland, The Best Luxury Tours to Ireland, The Best Budget Tours to Ireland, The Best Tours for Seniors to Ireland, or The Best Contiki Tours to Ireland for more tour ideas. With so many options, there's a guided tour or vacation package for every type of traveler.
Also, if you're departing from a specific destination, see The Best 3-Day Tours from Dublin, The Best One-Week (7-Day) Tours from Dublin, The Best One-Week (7-Day) Tours from Killarney, The Best 10-Day Tours from Dublin, or The Best 2-Week Tours from Dublin for more package tour options.
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