Did you know that you can fly direct to 20 destinations from the West of Ireland? I’ve highlighted some of my favourite holidays from Ireland West Airport below to inspire your next getaway.
Ireland West Airport has launched their biggest ever summer schedule with over 120 weekly flights. As well as direct services to top holiday hotspots like the Algarve, Lanzarote and Lake Garda, the introduction of a new daily flight to London Heathrow means you can also connect seamlessly to over 80 destinations worldwide, creating the largest ever choice of holidays from Ireland West Airport.
As well as a great choice of destinations, there are so many advantages of travelling from Ireland West Airport. There are no lengthy security queues or parking hassles, so you don’t need to get to the airport three hours before your flight departs! Would you believe you can get from the car park to your boarding gate in under four minutes? Yes, they timed it!
The competition has been hotting up on Twitter lately as iRadio DJ’s Sharon Lynskey and Rory Williams filmed how they got from their ‘Car to the Bar’ in 6 minutes and 25 seconds. However, the current record is actually only 3 minutes and 52 seconds!
How long does it take to get from the car to the bar at @Irelandwest ?
Sharron and Rory have gone to find out ⏱️ pic.twitter.com/jk4CrDprn6
— iRadio (@ThisisiRadio) February 20, 2023
And speaking of car parks, Ireland West Airport has amazing parking rates too. Priced at only €37 per week in short term or long term – they don’t differentiate because all spaces are right beside the terminal.
So now that you know how convenient it is to travel from Ireland West Airport, the only decision is where will you go? That’s where I come in – I have highlighted some of my favourite holidays from Ireland West Airport below to help you.
1. London and Beyond…
The world is your oyster with the introduction of the new Aer Lingus daily service from Ireland West to London Heathrow. As well as being one of the most convenient airports to visit central London, you also have the opportunity to connect seamlessly to over 80 destinations around the world.
You can book directly on the Aer Lingus website from Knock to many of Ireland’s most sought after destinations including New York and Washington, and also on the British Airways website to long haul favourites such as Bangkok, Cape Town and Sydney.
TOP TIP: Compare prices on both websites – you may pick up a bargain! Daily flights are available from Ireland West to Heathrow from March 26th.
See more here
As well as flying directly to London Heathrow, you can also enjoy direct flights to London Luton and Stansted from Ireland West Airport with Ryanair.
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Take in the city views from the London Eye, treat the kids to the Wizarding World of Harry Potter – it’s only 20 minutes from Luton, or visit London’s most talked about virtual concert, Abba Voyage. I saw this with my daughter recently, it is a must see for Abba fans!
Read: Top Tips for visiting the Harry Potter Studio Tour, London
Read: Top things to do in London with kids and where to stay
2. Lanzarote
Lanzarote is one of the most popular holiday destinations for Irish holidaymakers, so I’m sure many of you were delighted to see the reintroduction of a new weekly service from Ireland West airport this year.
Lanzarote is ideal for families, couples, and friends looking for a beach holiday with warm sunshine, duty free shopping and plenty of things to do. There are accommodation options to suit all tastes, from self catering apartments to luxury five-star hotels.
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I love that there are no high rise buildings in Lanzarote – this makes even the commercialised holiday resorts, such as Puerto del Carmen, very pleasing on the eye. There are many resorts to choose from, Puerto del Carmen, Playa Blanca and Costa Teguise are the largest, but there are also smaller resorts, such as Los Pocillos, Matagorda and Puerto Calero – suffice to say there is a resort in Lanzarote to suit everyone.
Read: Family holidays in Lanzarote, my top picks on where to stay
Read: Why Lanzarote is my favourite Canary Island
Fly from Ireland West Airport to Lanzarote weekly with Ryanair.
3. Faro – Algarve
The Algarve is one of my favourite sun holiday destinations. I travel there regularly for family holidays and girly getaways, and love its stunning beaches and pretty old towns.
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There are many resorts to choose from including the lively resorts of Albufeira and Praia da Rocha, and the quieter more relaxed towns of Alvor and Sagres. For those looking for glitz and glamour, Quinta do Lago will not disappoint, and of course the Algarve is home to some of Europe’s top golf courses.
Read: Where to stay in the Algarve, my ultimate guide to the top holiday resorts
Fly from Ireland West Airport to Faro with Ryanair three times weekly.
Search flights here
4. Malaga – Costa del Sol
The Costa del Sol needs no introduction, as it is one of the most popular holiday destinations from Ireland. With a host of resorts to choose from, including the lively resorts of Benalmadena and Marbella, as well as glitzy Puerto Banus or more relaxed Estapona, there is something for everyone to enjoy on the Costa del Sol.
Malaga City should not be overlooked either. It has terrific tapas bars and a vibrant centre, and make sure to time to walk the Caminito del Rey!
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What was once considered one of the world’s most dangerous cliff walks, has been carefully restored and offers unforgettable views of gorges, canyons and valleys.
Read: Top tips for walking the Caminito del Rey and Why You Need to Visit
Read: Top things to do in Malaga and where to stay
Fly weekly from Ireland West Airport to Malaga with Ryanair, all year round.
5. Bergamo – Milan / Lake Garda
Milan is arguably Italy’s most stylish city, but its proximity to Lake Garda and Lake Como, as well as numerous ski resorts, makes it a super choice for holidays from Ireland West Airport all year round.
Take the kids on a camping holiday in Lake Garda and visit Gardaland, enjoy a romantic getaway in Lake Como, or a shopping break in Milan – there is a host of options to choose from with this direct service to Bergamo from Ireland West Airport.
Fly from Ireland West Airport to Bergamo twice weekly with Ryanair, all year round.
6. Alicante – Costa Blanca
The Costa Blanca is a gorgeous 200km stretch of Mediterranean coastline that is home to popular destinations such as Torrevieja, Benidorm and Alicante, as well as the more relaxed resorts of Albir or Altea.
Alicante is brimming with culture and boasts a tree lined promenade and gorgeous yacht marina. Its old town, El Barrio, is a packed with tapas bars and live music venues, and of course its coastline means you can combine a city break with some beach time too.
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This coastline is also a great choice for families looking for relaxed sun holidays from Ireland West Airport. The resorts of Calpe, Altea and Albir offer more reasonably priced accommodation than its counterparts on the Costa del Sol.
The region is also popular with golfing holidays with over 30 different golf courses to choose from.
Fly from Ireland West Airport to Alicante with Ryanair twice weekly.
7. Edinburgh
Edinburgh is a super choice for a city break. It’s medieval old town and stunning castle are a feast for the senses. Edinburgh is so easy to navigate and is one of those cities that I simply love exploring.
Don’t miss Arthur’s Seat in Holyrood Park for the best views, and make sure to visit the pubs on Rose Street for the ultimate Edinburgh experience.
Fly from Ireland West Airport to Edinburgh with Ryanair, all year round.
8. Palma – Majorca
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From leaving cert holidays to family resorts, celebrity hotspots, to the cultural city of Palma – Majorca ticks all boxes if you are looking for summer holidays from Ireland West Airport.
Holidaymakers will be familiar with the lively resorts of Santa Ponsa and Alcudia, but the lesser known Puerto Pollensa and Cala D’or are ideal for families looking for a more relaxed holiday.
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If you are looking for something a little more exclusive, try Soller or Deia on the west coast – this is Majorca at its best. Take a tram to the port of Soller and enjoy a day trip to Valldemossa, it is one of the prettiest villages in Majorca.
Read: Majorca holidays – how to choose the right resort for you
Fly from Ireland West Airport to Palma weekly with Ryanair.
9. Girona – Barcelona / Costa Dorada
Whether you choose a city break in Barcelona, or a beach holiday on the Costa Dorada, Girona is a great destination to choose for your next holiday from Ireland West Airport. Marvel at the Sagrada Familia, take in a football match at the Camp Nou, or visit one of Europe’s best theme parks – PortAventura World.
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Flights are available up to three-times weekly from Knock to Girona airport, which is located about an hour from Barcelona. It is also a gateway to some of the many great campsites on the Costa Brava and Costa Dorada, including the highly sought after Càmping Castell Montgrí which is just 45 minutes drive away.
Read: Where to stay in Salou, my top picks of hotels, apartments and campsites
Read: Where to stay in Barcelona and the top things to do
Fly from Ireland West Airport to Girona three times weekly with Ryanair.
10. Cologne
Cologne has been on my wish list for many years – and I might just have to visit next summer! Home to one of the world’s most spectacular cathedrals, this cultural city is brimming with architectural masterpieces.
However, I am told its nightlife is pretty good too! With beer halls aplenty, this university town has more than 70 clubs, as well as numerous bars and restaurants to ensure a great night out.
Fly from Ireland West Airport to Cologne with Ryanair twice weekly.
So no matter which destination you choose, choose holidays from Ireland West Airport in 2023 and get your holiday off to a flying start! For more information visit Irelandwestairport.com, or follow Ireland West Airport on Instagram, Twitter and Facebook for the latest news and travel updates.
This post was sponsored by Ireland West Airport, but all views, as always, are my own.
