Each year, National Geographic releases a ‘Cool List’ of the most exciting travel destinations to visit in the upcoming year, and two Irish entries have made 2024’s hotlist.
Two Irish entries have been included among some of the world’s top destinations to visit in 2024, according to National Geographic.
Chosen by National Geographic Traveller (UK), the team at the prestigious travel magazine cross the world ahead of the new year to bring us the 30 most exciting destinations to visit in 2024.
These Irish entries co-exist alongside some incredible destinations, from Argentina to Australia, Norway to Nova Scotia and beyond, so let’s take a look. And no, neither of the entries is Dublin!
Belfast, Northern Ireland – “a long-promised year of culture comes to the home of the Titanic”
The first destination on National Geographic’s 2024 ‘Cool List’ is Belfast, Northern Ireland.
The magazine says, “If city pride in Belfast is like a flower that’s managed to grow in difficult soil, then 2024 should see a super-bloom thanks to the Northern Irish capital’s year of culture”.
They reference how Belfast’s international intrigue has been years in the making.
From its storied and troubled past to worldwide recognition thanks to the Titanic and Game of Thrones, National Geographic Traveller reckons Belfast is one of the top 30 most exciting places to visit in 2024.
The magazine references Belfast’s 2017 bid to become a European Capital of Culture, plans that were ultimately thwarted by Brexit.
However, they hint at this, alongside plans still under wraps and a collaboration with Cornwall’s Eden Project, bringing exciting things to come for Belfast in 2024.
The Wild Atlantic Way – “celebrating a decade of West Coast adventures”
The second Irish entry is the fantastic Wild Atlantic Way. “Winding for 1,600 miles along the rugged west coast, the Wild Atlantic Way has become one of Europe’s most exciting road trips, not least because it ticks off some of Ireland’s most memorable experiences.
“The edge-of-the-world lighthouse at Fanad Head; Galway’s legendary oysters; the lunar-like landscape of the Burren; and the paintbox-palette town of Kinsale”.
The Wild Atlantic Way will celebrate its 10th anniversary in 2024, bringing along with it “ a string of new experiences along its route”, bringing more to enjoy than ever before.
There have been many exciting recent additions to the Wild Atlantic Way, like Sligo’s National Surf Centre, the development of the Queen Maeve Square in Sligo Town, and the recent upgrade of Ireland’s only cable car in County Cork.
The rest of the world – where else to visit in 2024
Alongside the two Irish entries, Ireland’s neighbours England, Scotland, and Wales received several nods.
For example, North Yorkshire in England, Galloway and Southern Ayrshire in Scotland, and the whisky distilleries of Wales.
There were, of course, some amazing international destinations, like the Atacama Desert in Chile, Nova Scotia, Canada, Tartu, Estonia, and Saimaa, Finland, to name a few.
You can check out the full top 30 ‘Cool List’ and get inspired for your travels in 2024 with the full list of entries here.
