Brought to you by Carzone

Nothing says summer quite like an action-packed road trip adventure.

One good thing to come from the pandemic is our new found appreciation for everything Ireland has to offer as a holiday destination. From stunning coastal routes to incredible Irish landscapes, there's no shortage of treasures to be found here on Irish soil this summer. To mark our second year of holidaying in Ireland, Carzone are encouraging us all to head out on the ultimate Irish road trip this summer. From incredible destinations to unmissable road trip activities, Carzone's Irish Road Trip Hub has everything you need to start planning your next adventure. When planning your summer road trip, it's important to schedule in some time for those much-needed rest stops too. But if you want to make the most of those down moments, here are some simple road trip activities you can do to keep the fun going.

Go for a hike

If you want to take in some spectacular views on your travels, picking a scenic hiking trail is an absolute must. Not only will you see some incredible landscapes, it's also the perfect way to unwind after a couple hours of driving. The Wicklow Mountains and the Causeway Coast in Antrim are both popular spots to stop off at for a scenic hike, especially in the summer time.

Stop off at a beach

Wherever you're heading on your road trip this summer, we're sure you're going to be taking in some of our coastal counties along the way. And if this is the case, stopping at some of our lovely beaches is an absolute must on any road trip. Even if the weather isn't quite good enough to dip your toes in the sea, enjoying a coastal walk and some fresh seaside air is never a bad idea. Ireland has plenty to choose from, but our drive-on beaches are perfect for a chilly day or to stop off at for lunch. Inch Beach in Kerry and Downings Beach in Donegal are two amazing drive-on beaches that are well worth checking out on your travels.

Take a picnic break

You're going to need to stop for food at some point, so you might as well use it as an opportunity to see more of our lovely country. Packing yourself a lovely picnic and stopping at a nearby beach or park is the perfect way to break up the driving and see some more of the counties you're passing through. The national parks in Killarney, Connemara and Glenveagh are all ideal spots to stop off at for a picnic break.

Watch the sunset

When it comes to road trip activities, nothing says summer quite like watching the sun go down. So pick a nice viewing point, sit back and enjoy the panoramic views Ireland's coastline has to offer. Glendalough in Wicklow and  The Burren in Clare are both great viewing points for those looking to relax and watch the sunset.

Try some new restaurants

If you're a bit of a foodie, it would be criminal not to sample some of Ireland's incredible restaurants on your travels. From top-class pub grub to delicious chippers, there's no shortage of dining spots out there for you to sample. Road trip routes in West Cork and Kerry pass through loads of coastal towns and villages with restaurants for you to visit along the way, but wherever you're heading this summer, we're sure there'll be plenty of new dining options to try.

Go for a swim

Okay, so this option might be a weather permitting one. But even if the sun isn't splitting the stones, we're sure a quick, refreshing swim in Ireland's chilly seas will keep you alert for all the driving you'll have ahead of you. If you want to try your hand at any water sports, Lahinch in Clare and Rosnowlagh in Donegal are two beaches known for their unbeatable surfing waves.

Take in some tourist attractions

No matter where you're off to on your next road trip, there's sure to be some tourist attractions you'd normally overlook. If you fancy channeling your inner tourist, castles, museums and nature parks are all great road trip activities, and are well worth visiting when you want to take a break from driving. The Cliffs of Moher, Kilkenny Castle and the Giant's Causeway are just some of the amazing Irish tourist spots we often overlook.

Go for a bike ride

You'll take in a lot more on bike than you would when driving, so it's well worth taking a cycling break during your travels. You should have no problem finding somewhere to rent a bike for a few hours, and Ireland has no shortage of greenways and stunning coastal routes for you to explore. The Great Western Greenway in Mayo boasts stunning views of Clew Bay, while The Waterford Greenway can be accessed from the city and runs along the coast too.

Carzone is Ireland's trusted motoring marketplace for buying and selling new and used cars.

For more tips on planning the ultimate Irish road trip this summer, click here.

Brought to you by Carzone