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Dreaming of a sip of that frothy, pitch-black Guinness in a dimly-lit alley lined with pubs, to the sound of Gaelic buskers?

Or maybe exploring fairytale castles nestled deep in a verdant hinterland, where few have trodden before?

You know, the stuff of legendary kings and chivalric tales.

Ireland is calling, and it’s high time you answered in 2025, but if you think overtouristed Dublin is the answer to those cravings, we’d urge you to reconsider unless you’re ok with paying $10 or more for industrialized lager, and seeing more kebab shops per square mile than you would in Istanbul.

Looking for a truer, more authentic version of Ireland? You should head instead to the West Coast, that is in fact a shorter flight from America and away from the spoils of globalization:

Why Swap Dublin For The West Coast Of Ireland?

Though not that many U.S. travelers know this, Dublin is not the only airport they can fly to nonstop when planning an Ireland trip.

They can choose to land instead in Shannon Airport, which serves the West Coast, or how poets have called it over the centuries, the Wild Atlantic Way, where the drab suburbs give way to lush hills, moon-like landscapes, and castle-dotted rugged scenery.

We’ll get to those flights in a bit, but what is it about West Ireland, exactly, that makes it such a magical destination?

It’s only natural we start with Limerick, the largest city around these ends, and one that’s a short 25-minute drive from Shannon Airport.

Limerick

A large city in the Western half of Ireland, Ireland’s third-biggest, at that, Limerick is best-known for its charming Old Town, where stone-paved streets run along rows upon rows of Georgian-era houses, and the monumental King John’s Castle.

A 13th-century fortification, it is perched on the River Shannon waterfront, and it’s among Ireland’s most historically-significant sites, founded by Norman lords to defend the territory against native Gaelic uprisings at the time of Ireland’s conquest.

As a university city, Limerick is also known for its vibrant nightlife, and if you think Dublin’s Temple Bar is all the rage, wait until you’re walking up O’Connell Street, a main thoroughfare flanked by centuries-old pubs serving Guinness pints for €6.30, and where you can almost always find live music.

Charming Towns Galore

You didn’t just swap Dublin for yet another booze-filled city break: in order to truly take in the beauty of the West Coast of Ireland, you must take a ‘wee’ detour to some of its small villages, still preserving their Gaelic heritage, and full of Old World allure.

Think Adare, known for its thatched-roof cottages and medieval church; Doolin, a small, traditional Irish town with a big pub scene and friendly locals; or Kinvara, a fishing village revolving around a picturesque Dunguaire Castle.

The historic city of Galway, popular for its pub-packed Latin Quarter and scenic bay, is also a one-hour drive from Shannon Airport, and it’s often used by tourists as base for exploring the wider County Clare, home to some of Ireland’s most beautiful natural landmarks.

Beautiful Coastal Scenery

Speaking of nature, those who fly into Dublin and only stay locally are missing out on a number of Ireland’s most notorious gems: the West Coast’s pride and joy, the Cliffs of Moher, are a series of sea cliffs stretching for 5 miles, some rising 702 feet above the Atlantic.

Nearby, the Burren is Ireland’s moon-like, karst desert, resulting from rainwater slowly dissolving the limestone over thousands of years, and over in the Loop Head Peninsula, you’ll find more breathtaking cliffs, sandy beaches and the landmark Loop Head Lighthouse.

All of these spots are within easy access of large cities like Limerick and Galway by car, but if you’re not driving, there are countless companies taking visitors on full-day, guided tours of major attractions like the Cliffs of Moher, from as little as €50.

The West Coast Of Ireland Is Generally Cheaper Than Dublin

This ties into our next point: Dublin is infamous for being one of the most expensive destinations in Europe, where a pint of beer will cost upwards of €10, in touristy areas like Temple Bar, and the average price of a pub meal is €28 (as per Budget Your Trip estimates).

Out West, prices tend to be on the cheaper end, owing it to the off-path appeal of most of the region, and its rural character—expect to pay €10 to €20 for a typical pub meal, and between €5 and €7 for a pint of frothy Guinnnes.

As far as accommodation goes, Ireland is not exactly the most budget-friendly of destinations, though there are some good deals to be found, especially at the Old Quarter Townhouse in Limerick, where a single room will set you back by €125-a-night, or the Wards Hotel in Galway (€88).

Fly Nonstop From The U.S. To Shannon Airport

Onto those flights now: if you’re wondering how accessible the West Coast of Ireland is for Americans, it’s an even-shorter flight than Dublin, that sits on the East Coast.

Shannon Airport (SNN) is much smaller than Dublin Airport (DUB), so options flying there are more limited, but it still hosts flights from 4 major U.S. hubs:

• Boston (BOS)—1 flight per day with Aer Lingus
• Chicago (ORD)—1 flight per day with United
• Newark (EWR)—1 flight per day with United
• New York (JFK)—1 flight per day with Delta or Aer Lingus

Aer Lingus is the flag carrier airline for Ireland, and the average price for an Aer Lingus flight from New York to Shannon stars from only €521 round-trip.

Naturally, prices are based on season and seat availability.

As for the flight duration from the East Coast of America, from somewhere like Boston, it is as short as 5h50.

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Last Updated 3 days ago

While you’re likely to be well-familiarized with the likes of Barcelona, Mallorca, and Gran Canaria, we’re pretty sure you haven’t heard of Asturias, or if you did, you promptly brushed it aside as it’s not, you know, your usual beach hotspot.

Gross mistake.

As it turns out, Asturias is currently one of the fastest-rising Spanish destinations in popularity, recording a 17% uptick in visitors this winter alone even though it’s the low season and being expected to host a record number of guests throughout 2025.

Now that we’ve piqued your curiosity, what is Asturias all about, and why is everyone suddenly this interested in an offbeat, largely rural region in the much-underrated North of Spain?

Discovering Spain’s Hidden Gem

Officially called the Principality of Asturias, this is a historically significant region in northwest Spain characterized by its dramatic coastline, interspersed with sandy beaches and tall sea cliffs, mountainous hinterland, and medieval heritage.

Asturias was one of a handful of regions in the Iberian Peninsula––which includes Spain and Portugal––not to have fallen under Muslim control during the Arab takeover of Spain, which lasted for over 7 centuries.

As a result, it’s retained a distinct culture from that of the rest of the country: for instance, it’s still a principality, as the name indicates, with Felipe VI currently bearing the title of Prince of Asturias, and for many centuries, it was considered Spain’s last true Christian stronghold.

Until, of course, the country was reclaimed by the Christians, and this leads us to our first stop on this journey around Asturias:

What Has Asturias Got To Offer?

Visit The Regional Capital

The regional capital is Oviedo, a mid-size city dating back to the Middle Ages, home to the monumental Oviedo Cathedral, one of the most beautiful Gothic monuments in Northern Spain, picturesque plazas bordered by restaurants, and many museums.

The 9th century Iglesia de Santa María del Naranco is a UNESCO World Heritage Site, in recognition of its intact state for a Romanesque structure that is ancient, while Plaza del Fontán has its own traditional market.

If you’re an art geek, the Museum of Fine Arts of Asturias, located in Oviedo, has a vast collection of European pieces ranging from the Spanish Middle Ages to 20th century Flemish, and for the best fabada in town, make sure you book a table at Taberna Salcedo.

Asturian cuisine is one of the tastiest and most diverse in Spain, and from its white-bean-based dishes to pork shoulder (locally known as llacón), to the usual Northerly chorizo and the hearty Asturian stew, Oviedo’s food scene will not disappoint you.

Swim In Asturias Beaches

As beautiful as Oviedo may be, you’ll want to head to the Asturian seaside to truly take in the region’s most authentic culture: unfolding along an azure Atlantic for roughly 250 miles, it is lined with vibrant port cities, quaint fishing towns, and picture-perfect beaches.

Let’s start with the main coastal city in Asturias, as well as its largest one, at that (yep, larger even than Oviedo).

From spring, when it’s warm enough, Gijón is the perfect mix of beaches and culture, with its centrally-located Playa de San Lorenzo being hugged by the crystal-clear seas of the Bay of Biscay, and the colorful harbor houses that have barely seen the passing of time.

Over in Llanes, a laid-back seaside resort, you’ll find an unspoiled Playa de Guadamía, nestled between cliffs, and if you’re driving out to Playa de Griega, near the small settlement of Colunga, you’ll get the chance to see fossilized tracks left by dinosaurs.

Then there’s Gulpiyuri a unique inland swimming site near a flooded sinkhole, said to be the smallest beach in the world and a well-frequented Playa de Torimbia, straddling the ocean for what seems like endless miles.

While we’re still on the coast, it’s time to tour Asturias’ prettiest seaside settlements:

Check Out These Postcard-Ready Villages

Some of the prettiest small towns in Asturias include Cudillero, a quaint village on the Bay of Biscay and a perfect photo op for tourists thanks to its colorful houses, narrow streets, and a marina filled with fishing boats.

Luarca is just as pretty, with a well-preserved center dating back centuries and its fair share of unruffled sandy beaches (not to mention a landmark lighthouse), but if attending the world’s oldest canoe festival happens to be on your bucket list, it’s Ribadesella where you should be headed:

It hosts the annual Descent of the Villaviciosa River, taking place in early August this year, not to mention it has a charming historic center packed with family-run eateries (it’s a bit out of town, but don’t sleep on Meson Sidreria‘s pochopo).

Now that you’ve had your fair share of Instagrammable corners and colorful harbors, ready to put your hiking boots on?

Climb To The Very Top Of Asturias

For the hiking enthusiast amongst us, you’ll be thrilled to learn Asturias is one of Europe’s top hiking hotspots, largely due to its Picos de Europa, which cuts through its undeveloped terrain and provides sanctuary for a variety of wildlife.

Brown bears, wolves, eagles, you name it.

It’s also littered with skiing stations for winter, but we’d argue it’s far more beautiful to visit from spring onward when the peaks are clad in lush green, the birds are out, and all footpaths and trails are again accessible.

When the time comes, you’ll be able to join thousands of pilgrims on their way up the peaks to the Sanctuary of Covadonga: Asturias was, for many centuries, Spain’s last Christian outpost, remember?

We should probably mention this sanctuary, perched atop a prominent hill, surrounded by the snow-dusted elevations of Picos de Europa, provided the background for the first battle of the Reconquista, the period relating to the Christian reconquest of Spain.

Other than holding sentimental and religious value for Christian Spaniards, it is famous for its tiny chapel built into a cave with a lake underneath.

For more breathtaking natural scenery, head next to the Somiedo National Park, where many more hiking opportunities and deep-turquoise, high-elevation lakes await, and Las Ubiñas-La Mesa Natural Park, the second largest mountain range in Asturias.

Asturias Is Cheaper Than Other Parts Of Spain

Finally, just how Expensive Is Asturias?

As it is yet to be engulfed by tourism in the way Catalonia, the Balearic Islands, or the Canaries have, Asturias continues to offer visitors a justly-priced alternative to Spain’s beach hotspots.

Believe it or not, booking a standard double room in an Ibis in central Oviedo will set you back by $37-a-night, while the average price of a meal in an inexpensive local restaurant––frequented by Asturians themselves––is $15.47, according to Numbeo.

If you’re keen on hiking the Picos de Europa, Cangas de Onís is the base you’re looking for: a small town nestled in a valley, where some of the most popular trails start from, it has a 5-arched, ancient Roman bridge over a crystalline river, and it’s a safe haven itself for the park’s golden eagles.

The Puente Romano guesthouse, only a few steps from the Roman bridge, costs $41 per night.

Staying by the seaside instead? A private room at the seafront Hostel Gijón Centro, within walking distance of San Lorenzo Beach and the lively port, averages $41 again.

Are Rising Temperatures Aiding Asturian Tourism?

As El Comercio notes, the popularity of the Principality can be attributed not only to its overlooked cultural value and breathtaking nature but also to the rising temperatures seen across Spain.

You see, Asturias is Spain, indeed, but with a different flavor of it: it’s in the North, it’s very mountainous, and most importantly, it isn’t on the receiving end of the scorching heatwaves emanating from North Africa, like Malaga or Barcelona are.

The fact it is not a Mediterranean destination has, in fact, played in its favor, as its coast has a temperate climate in summer, rarely reaching unpleasant highs of over 86.0°F, and the mountains are always cooler, irrespective of the season.

If you can’t bear the Southern European heat, you should know weather-wise, Asturias more closely resembles Northwestern Spain or even Southern England (in the warmer months).

How To Visit Asturias From The U.S.

Americans Can Fly Nonstop To The North Of Spain Starting This Year!

Beginning this year, Americans can fly nonstop to Bilbao, the largest city in the neighboring Basque Country, for the first time ever.

The Basque Country is just as fascinating and underrated a part of Spain to discover, yet if you’re intent on reaching Asturias on your next getaway, which we wouldn’t blame you for after seeing all it has to offer, you can land in Basque, and then make your way west to Asturias.

The driving distance from Bilbao to Oviedo is roughly 3 hours, and you’ll be passing by some of the most spectacular scenery both in Basque Country and in Asturias in between.

Alternatively, you have more flight options landing in Madrid, where high-speed trains to Asturias (namely Oviedo or Gijon) are available from as cheap as $17 one-way.

If landing elsewhere in Spain or Europe, you can fly to Asturias Airport, located 9 miles from Avilés, 24 miles from Gijon, and 29 miles from Oviedo.

Flights are offered from many European hubs that host transatlantic flights, and Americans can get to them nonstop, such as Frankfurt and Munich in Germany, Lisbon in Portugal, London (Gatwick) in England, and Paris (Orly) in France.

Low-cost airlines such as Volotea and Vueling service some of these routes, with tickets starting from a shockingly-cheap $17.

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This article originally appeared on TravelOffPath.com

Opinions expressed here are the author’s alone, not those of any bank, credit card issuer, hotel, airline, or other entity. This content has not been reviewed, approved or otherwise endorsed by any of the entities included within the post.