Why Honeymoon in Wicklow
Wicklow gives you the essentials of rural Ireland without long drives. Mountains, lakes, ancient ruins, gardens and coastline sit within a compact area, so you can spend more time walking and less time in the car.
The scenery is softer than the Atlantic west: wooded valleys, rhododendrons, mountain passes and peat bogs rather than sea cliffs. It suits couples who want gentle hikes and long lunches and it works beautifully as a counterpoint to a few nights in Dublin.
The county also has some lovely places to stay, from a grand hotel on the Powerscourt estate to a spa village tucked into the hills. Film fans will recognize parts of Wicklow from movies and TV shows, since its valleys and estates have been used as locations for decades.
When to Go
May through August brings the longest days and the best walking weather, with gardens at their peak in late spring and early summer. Rhododendrons flower at Powerscourt and Kilruddery around May and heather colors the mountains purple in late summer.
September and October are lovely for autumn color in the valleys and fewer visitors at Glendalough. Weekends year-round bring Dublin day-trippers, so visit popular sites midweek or early.
Winter is cold and damp in the mountains and the Sally Gap road can be icy or foggy. Low-season rates and cozy hotel bars make it a nice off-season escape, but plan indoor options. Rain is common at any time of year, so bring waterproof jackets and boots with grip.
Where to Stay
The Powerscourt Hotel, on the Powerscourt Estate near Enniskerry, is the county's grandest stay, with views of the Great Sugar Loaf mountain, a spa and access to the estate gardens and golf courses. Enniskerry village is pretty, with cafés and an easy drive to Dublin.
BrookLodge and Macreddin Village, in a valley near Aughrim, is a spa resort with an organic focus, its own restaurants and a peaceful setting. Hunter's Hotel near Rathnew is one of Ireland's oldest coaching inns, with gardens along a river.
Near Glendalough, small guesthouses and the Glendalough Hotel let you walk to the lakes early. Coastal towns like Greystones suit couples who want sea views and train access to Dublin.
Expect roughly €150–400 a night for a good double, approximate and higher for luxury estate rooms.
Romantic Things to Do
Walk Glendalough. Start at the monastic site with its round tower, then follow the lakeside trail to the Upper Lake. Fit walkers can do the Spinc loop, climbing boardwalk steps for views down to the water.
Spend a day at Powerscourt. The gardens include Italian terraces, a Japanese garden and a lake with a winged-horse fountain. The waterfall, about four miles away in its own deer park, drops 397 feet.
Drive the Military Road over the Sally Gap. Stop at the viewpoint above Lough Tay, a dark lake with a white sand beach, often called the Guinness Lake.
Walk the cliff path from Bray to Greystones along the sea, then ride the DART back. Visit the Avoca handweavers mill for wool blankets and lunch, or book a spa morning at your hotel after a long hike.
Getting There and Around
Dublin Airport (DUB), with nonstops from many US cities, is about an hour's drive from Enniskerry and Glendalough. That makes Wicklow an easy first or last night of an Irish trip.
A car is the best way to explore, though roads in the mountains are narrow and winding, with steep sections and sheep on the road. The Military Road over the Sally Gap is especially slow and can close in bad weather.
Without a car, the DART and commuter trains run along the coast to Bray and Greystones and private bus tours visit Glendalough and Powerscourt from Dublin daily. A shuttle bus also runs between Dublin and Glendalough.
Parking at Glendalough fills early on weekends and in summer, so arrive before about 10 a.m. or come late in the afternoon.
Food and Drink
Wicklow lamb, raised on mountain grazing, appears on menus across the county. Country-house hotels serve the most refined dinners and BrookLodge is known for its organic produce and its own market.
Villages have cozy pubs serving soup, brown bread and hearty stews after a walk. In Enniskerry and Avoca, cafés bake scones, cakes and soda bread. The Avoca café is a reliable lunch stop.
On the coast, Greystones has seafood restaurants and wine bars and Wicklow town has a small harbor. The Wicklow Way and Glendalough routes pass a few traditional pubs worth timing your walk around.
Irish craft beer and local gin are easy to find and some estate hotels have well-stocked whiskey bars for a quiet nightcap by the fire.
Honeymoon Tips
Use Wicklow to beat jet lag. Drive straight from the airport to a hotel with a spa, take a short walk and sleep early, then start the real trip refreshed.
Go to Glendalough early. By midday it fills with tour groups from Dublin, but the Upper Lake paths are quiet at 8 a.m.
Check road conditions before driving the Sally Gap, especially in winter or fog and don't rely on phone signal in the mountains. Download maps beforehand.
Bring layers and waterproof shoes: trails are often muddy and temperatures in the hills are cooler than on the coast. If one of you loves golf, the county has several excellent courses, including those on the Powerscourt estate and Druids Glen.
