2 Days in Limerick Without a Car: The Perfect First-Time Itinerary
Wondering how to spend 2 days in Limerick without a car? This itinerary shows you exactly what I did during my first visit, using only public transportation and a guided tour.
Limerick was the first city I visited on my solo trip to Ireland in May. My son was touring Ireland with his college band, so I planned my itinerary around their performance schedule. Their first concert took place in Limerick, making it the perfect place to begin my Irish adventure.
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Located on the banks of the River Shannon, Limerick (pronounced LIM-er-ik or LIM-rik) is the third-largest city in the Republic of Ireland. Founded by the Vikings in 922 AD, it blends centuries of history with a lively atmosphere and a compact, walkable city center.
One of the things I loved most about Limerick was how easy it was to explore without renting a car. The city is well connected by direct buses and trains from Dublin, Cork, Galway, and other towns across Ireland. Shannon Airport is only about 15.5 miles (25 km) away, making Limerick an excellent first stop on an Ireland itinerary.
During my visit, I relied entirely on public transportation, private coaches, and guided tours. As a solo traveler, I found getting around to be simple and stress-free.
Most of the city’s attractions are within walking distance, especially along the scenic River Shannon, and day trips like the Cliffs of Moher are easy to join from the city center.
If you’re planning 2 days in Limerick, this itinerary includes the highlights I experienced, plus practical tips to help you make the most of your visit—whether you’re traveling solo, as a couple, or with family.
Without further ado, here’s my 2-day Limerick itinerary for first-time visitors.
2 Days in Limerick, Ireland
Day 1 of Your 2 Days in Limerick
Places visited: Adare Village, St. Mary’s Cathedral, King John’s Castle
Transportation: Public bus and walking
My flight from the U.S. was delayed by three hours, so I didn’t arrive at my hotel in Limerick until 3:30 p.m. instead of the planned 1:00 p.m.
Fortunately, I had already adjusted my itinerary before leaving the U.S. Everything was still the same, but I rearranged the order and timing to make the most of the afternoon.
Once you arrive in Limerick, head to your accommodation and either check in or store your luggage before exploring the city. I stayed at the Old Quarter Townhouse, which was just a 3- to 4-minute walk from Arthur’s Quay.
Arthur’s Quay is one of the main transportation hubs in Limerick, making it easy to catch city buses, regional buses, and long-distance coaches. Its central location also makes it a convenient base if you’re spending 2 days in Limerick without a car.
With my luggage safely stored, I was ready to begin the first day of my 2 days in Limerick itinerary. My afternoon started with a bus ride to Adare, often called Ireland’s prettiest village, before returning to Limerick to explore its medieval landmarks along the scenic River Shannon.
Visit Adare, Ireland’s Prettiest Village
If you’re spending 2 days in Limerick, I highly recommend taking a short trip to Adare, one of Ireland’s most charming villages.
Founded in the 13th century, Adare is often called Ireland’s prettiest village, and it’s easy to see why. Its picturesque thatched cottages, colorful storefronts, and peaceful streets make it a favorite stop for visitors exploring County Limerick.
Many of the historic thatched cottages are now home to cozy cafés, boutique shops, and local craft stores. You’ll also find beautiful churches and historic buildings throughout the village. If you’re visiting between June and September, you can take a guided tour of Desmond Castle through the Adare Heritage Centre.
Getting to Adare from Limerick
One of the easiest ways to visit Adare without a car is to take Dublin Coach Route 300 from Arthur’s Quay. The journey takes about 25 minutes, making it an easy half-day trip from Limerick.
Unfortunately, my visit didn’t go as planned because the bus never arrived. It was disappointing since Adare was one of the places I had been looking forward to seeing the most. Hopefully, the service has become more reliable since my trip.
Since I couldn’t make it to Adare, I continued exploring Limerick on foot. It turned out to be a great opportunity to enjoy a self-guided walking tour of the city’s medieval landmarks along the River Shannon.
Visit St. Mary’s Cathedral
No 2 days in Limerick itinerary is complete without a visit to St. Mary’s Cathedral, the oldest building in Limerick that has been in continuous daily use.
Founded in 1168 AD, St. Mary’s Cathedral is one of Ireland’s best-preserved medieval buildings and remains an active place of worship more than 850 years later.
If you visit the cathedral, don’t miss its remarkable medieval features, including the 15th-century misericords, the Lepers’ Squint, and the Crusaders’ Stone. After exploring the interior, take a stroll through the peaceful graveyard surrounding the cathedral.
The cathedral is open to visitors Monday through Saturday from 11:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. Admission is €5. While it’s closed to sightseeing on Sundays, you’re welcome to attend a church service.
Unfortunately, I didn’t get to see the inside during my visit. I spent more than an hour waiting for the bus to Adare, and by the time I gave up, it was already around 5:00 p.m., after the cathedral had closed.
Address: Bridge Street, Limerick
Visit King John’s Castle
One of the top attractions to include in your 2 days in Limerick itinerary is King John’s Castle, a magnificent 13th-century Norman fortress overlooking the River Shannon.
Built by King John—best known as the villain in the Robin Hood legends—the castle stands on the site of an earlier Viking settlement and is one of Ireland’s best-preserved medieval castles.
Inside the Visitor Centre, costumed guides, interactive touchscreens, and immersive 3D exhibits bring centuries of medieval history to life, from Viking settlements to Norman battles and sieges.
Be sure to spend some time in the courtyard, where you can try hands-on medieval activities, before climbing the ancient towers. The panoramic views of the River Shannon and Limerick’s historic rooftops are among the best in the city.
Plan to spend 1 to 1½ hours exploring the exhibits and towers.
King John’s Castle is open daily year-round. During the winter season, opening hours are 9:30 a.m. to 5:00 p.m., with the last admission at 4:00 p.m. In summer, the castle stays open until 6:00 p.m., with the final entry at 5:00 p.m.
Unfortunately, I arrived around 5:30 p.m., after the Visitor Centre had closed, so I admired the castle from the outside instead. Even without going inside, walking around the impressive stone walls and seeing the castle reflected in the River Shannon made it well worth the stop.
Address: Nicholas Street, Limerick
Limerick City Self-Guided Walking Tour
If you have 2 days in Limerick, this easy self-guided walking tour is a great way to explore the city’s medieval quarter and riverside landmarks at your own pace.
After getting off the bus from Adare, walk left along R445 until you reach the intersection. Turn left onto R455 and continue walking.
You’ll soon pass The Hunt Museum on your left. If you enjoy art, archaeology, and historical artifacts, it’s worth stopping in. Otherwise, continue to Mathew Bridge and cross the River Shannon.
After crossing the bridge, you’ll be on Bridge Street. About a 3-minute walk from the bridge, you’ll reach St. Mary’s Cathedral on your left.
From the cathedral, turn left onto Nicholas Street toward King John’s Castle. Along the way, you’ll pass the colorful houses on St. Augustine Place, one of the most photogenic streets in Limerick.
Continue past Treaty City Brewery on your right before arriving at King John’s Castle on your left. Across from the castle is Katie Daly’s Pub, a popular spot if you’d like to stop for a drink or dinner later.
From the castle, walk to the corner and turn right onto Castle Street, then left onto Church Street.
At the corner, you’ll see Bishop’s Palace, also known as the Griffon-Lion Royal Palace. Today, the historic building houses the Limerick Civic Trust and a law office upstairs. I arrived around 6:00 p.m., so it was already closed, but from what I read, visitors can learn about the building’s fascinating history during opening hours.
Continue along Church Street to see the Jones Mausoleum and Saint Munchin’s Church of Ireland. Unfortunately, both were closed during my visit. If you tour King John’s Castle earlier in the day, you’ll get excellent views of St. Munchin’s Church and its cemetery from the castle towers.
Next, turn left onto Island View Terrace. A short distance ahead, you’ll find a small path on the left that leads to Verdant Place. Turn left and continue walking until you return to Castle Street.
Cross the River Shannon via Thomond Bridge, then turn left to follow the scenic riverside path. Along the way, you’ll pass the historic Treaty Stone and enjoy beautiful views of the river and the city skyline.
When you reach the intersection near the Limerick Strand Hotel, turn left onto R445. Cross the bridge, and you’ll arrive back in Limerick’s city center.
After a full afternoon of sightseeing, treat yourself to dinner at one of Limerick’s many restaurants or traditional Irish pubs before calling it a day.
Day 2 of Your 2 Days in Limerick: Cliffs of Moher Day Trip
Places visited: Cliffs of Moher, The Burren, Bunratty Castle
Transportation: Guided tour bus
No 2 days in Limerick itinerary is complete without visiting the spectacular Cliffs of Moher. Like many first-time visitors to Ireland, this iconic destination was at the top of my bucket list. Since I was staying in Limerick, taking a guided day tour was the easiest and most relaxing way to visit.
I booked a full-day Cliffs of Moher tour from Limerick with pickup at Arthur’s Quay, just a few minutes’ walk from my hotel.
The tour included much more than the cliffs themselves. We drove through the beautiful countryside, traveled along part of the Wild Atlantic Way through the Burren region, caught distant views of the Aran Islands, and finished with a stop at Bunratty Castle before returning to Limerick.
My Experience at the Cliffs of Moher
Although we spent about 90 minutes at the Cliffs of Moher, I honestly wished we had more time. The scenery is breathtaking, and there’s so much to explore that time passes quickly.
During my visit, the wind was incredibly strong. O’Brien’s Tower was closed because of the weather, and the coastal trail toward Hags Head remained closed due to ongoing safety concerns. You can still walk to the main viewing platforms, but you won’t be able to reach some of the famous cliff-edge photo spots you may have seen on social media.
The wind was no joke. At one point, a powerful gust actually pushed me sideways as I walked back toward the Visitor Centre. I ended up sprinting downhill to get out of the wind. It was one of the few times during my Ireland trip that I genuinely felt nervous.
Solo Travel Tip
If you’re traveling solo like I was, introduce yourself to the person sitting next to you on the bus. We explored the cliffs together and took turns taking each other’s photos.
The wind was so strong that using a tripod or selfie stick wasn’t practical, so having someone else there made getting photos much easier.
Lunch Stop
If I could change one thing about the tour, I would have preferred stopping in Doolin for lunch instead of Liscannor. I think shortening the stop at Bunratty Castle would have made room for it.
That said, many people enjoyed shopping for souvenirs at Bunratty, while I treated myself to a delicious soft-serve ice cream from Jilly & Joe’s. It was the perfect snack before heading back to Limerick.
You can also walk around the outside of Bunratty Castle, browse the gift shops, or grab a drink at the famous Durty Nelly’s pub.
Where to Buy Cliffs of Moher Tour Tickets
I recommend booking your Cliffs of Moher tour from Limerick online in advance, especially if you’re visiting between May and September.
You can book directly through Paddywagon Tours or use GetYourGuide, which is where I booked my tour.
My bus was about 80% full during my visit in May. I imagine tours sell out quickly during the summer, even though prices are a little higher.
The tour isn’t the cheapest option, but it was worth it for me. I didn’t have to worry about driving, navigating public transportation, or parking. Instead, I could simply enjoy the scenery while the driver shared interesting facts about the region along the way.
Best Seat on the Tour Bus
If you want the best views along the Wild Atlantic Way, choose a seat on the left side of the bus when facing forward. A window seat is even better.
I sat on the left side in the front row, although I didn’t get the window seat. Even so, I still had fantastic views for most of the drive and was happy with my seat.
A Budget-Friendly Alternative
If you’d rather spend more time at the Cliffs of Moher and don’t mind using public transportation, take the train from Limerick Colbert Station to Ennis. From there, transfer to Bus Éireann Route 350 toward Galway.
The journey takes longer than a guided tour, but you’ll have much more flexibility at the cliffs. Just be sure to check the train and bus schedules carefully so you don’t miss your connection back to Limerick.
I considered this option, but ultimately chose the guided tour because it also included the scenic drive through the Burren and a stop at Bunratty Castle.
Day 2 Alternatives for Your 2 Days in Limerick Itinerary
If you’ve already visited the Cliffs of Moher or plan to take a day trip from Dublin or Cork instead, there are plenty of other ways to spend the second day of your 2 days in Limerick itinerary.
Option 1: Take a Ring of Kerry Day Tour
If you don’t mind an early start and a long day, consider joining a Ring of Kerry full-day tour from Limerick. Most tours depart from Arthur’s Quay and last about 11 hours, taking you through some of Ireland’s most spectacular coastal scenery.
Option 2: Spend Another Day Exploring Limerick
If you’d rather stay in the city, here are several attractions that are easy to visit without a car:
- Explore the Limerick Milk Market. If you’re visiting on a weekend, don’t miss this lively indoor market featuring local food vendors, artisan products, baked goods, and crafts. It’s about a 6-minute walk from Arthur’s Quay.
Address: Cornmarket Row, Irishtown - Visit the Hunt Museum. Home to an impressive private collection of art and antiquities spanning from the Neolithic period to the 20th century, the museum includes works by Renoir, Picasso, and Jack B. Yeats.
- Visit the Limerick Museum. Learn about the city’s rich history through exhibits covering archaeology, local heritage, and everyday life in Limerick. It’s only about a 4-minute walk from Arthur’s Quay.
Address: Franciscan Friary, 111–112 Henry Street - Walk across the Living Bridge. Located at the University of Limerick, it’s the longest pedestrian bridge in Ireland and one of the longest in Europe. Take Bus 310 or 304A to reach the university.
- Join a guided walking tour. Spend about 90 minutes discovering Limerick’s medieval streets, historic landmarks, and fascinating stories with a local guide.
- Go kayaking on the River Shannon. See Limerick from a different perspective while paddling along Ireland’s longest river.
Are 2 Days in Limerick Enough?
Yes—I think 2 days in Limerick is enough for a first visit.
In two days, you can explore Limerick’s medieval city center, visit iconic landmarks like St. Mary’s Cathedral and King John’s Castle, and take a day trip to the spectacular Cliffs of Moher. If everything goes according to plan, you’ll also have time to visit Adare, often called Ireland’s prettiest village.
One lesson I learned from my trip is to build a little flexibility into your itinerary. Public transportation doesn’t always run exactly as scheduled, and travel plans can change unexpectedly. In my case, my flight from the U.S. arrived three hours late, and the bus I planned to take to Adare never showed up.
Even with those setbacks, I still enjoyed my time in Limerick. The city is compact, easy to explore on foot, and makes an excellent base for visiting western Ireland without renting a car.
The next time I visit Limerick, Adare will be my first stop. I’d also love to explore Lough Gur, a fascinating archaeological site known for Ireland’s largest stone circle, Neolithic dwellings, wedge tombs, early Christian sites, and medieval ruins. Since public transportation is limited, I’d rent a car to visit Lough Gur and explore more of County Limerick at my own pace.
If you’re planning your first trip to Ireland and want to experience a historic Irish city without the hassle of driving, I wouldn’t hesitate to recommend spending 2 days in Limerick.
