The Best European Country For First-Timers, According To Visitors And Travel Experts

Europe has such a wealth of beautiful, fascinating places to explore that it can be daunting for a first-time traveler to decide where to go. From the grand capitals like Paris, Rome, and London, to hidden gem cities in Germany or tiny hilltop villages in Italy, there's a lot to get your head around. Many first-time travelers to Europe will pick one of the bigger names to start with, which often means France, Italy, Spain, or Germany. You might prefer somewhere off the beaten track, like Romania, where the U.S. dollar goes a long way, or somewhere stunningly beautiful, like the islands of Greece. But according to travel experts, there is one country in Europe that is particularly well suited for first-time travelers: Ireland, the Emerald Isle.

The Republic of Ireland sits just off the west coast of Great Britain. With a population of just 5.3 million, it is relatively tiny, with about a quarter of the number of people that live in New York City! Most travelers arrive in Dublin, the capital, which boasts an international airport served by routes from all across North America, Europe, and around the world. It's also one of Europe's cheapest airports to fly into. Beyond Dublin, there are international airports in Cork, Shannon, and Knock. For travelers coming from Great Britain, there are also ferries from Holyhead and Fishguard in Wales.

Ireland has been voted the Best Destination in Europe by Travel Weekly for 12 years running. So it is hardly surprising that both travel experts and visitors love the country and recommend the Emerald Isle as a great place to begin your European adventures. Redditor u/usernotfoundhere007 says, "I absolutely love Ireland. I'll be there next month for the third time in a year. There's so much to see, great people to meet, delicious food and I could easily spend weeks/months/live there. Highly recommend."

One of the major benefits of Ireland for North American tourists is the lack of a language barrier. You can navigate your way around the whole country without too much trouble and don't need to worry about making yourself understood. Ireland is a warm, welcoming, friendly place as well, so it's great for travelers who haven't done much exploring before. You'll always be able to find people who can help you out. Irish culture will also be somewhat familiar to some visitors, given the strong cultural links between Ireland and the U.S., making it an easy all-around place to explore.

But it isn't just the convenience that draws tourists to Ireland and has experts waxing lyrical. The Emerald Isle is filled with stunning natural beauty, ancient sites, remarkable mythic cultural history, and offers exciting experiences everywhere you turn. Ireland boasts unique landscapes, like Burren National Park, which includes the jaw-dropping Cliffs of Moher. It has incredible remote islands, like Skellig Michael, where you can immerse yourself in seclusion and peace, surrounded by ancient ruins. Ireland's fabulous castles are also worth seeking out, from elegant Glenveagh Castle in Donegal and the iconic Blarney Castle in Cork to the rugged medieval bulk of Bunratty Castle in Clare.

For many tourists, the real charm of Ireland is in its rich, vibrant culture and fascinating customs, alongside its mysterious and captivating myths and legends. One redditor says, "As soon as I learned about it as a kid I was entranced. Of course the first thing I heard about was the legend of banshees in the Ireland hills, and how they have many faerie sightings and haunted castles."

Dublin's Trinity College is a great place to start, with its spectacular Long Room library filled with over 20,000 books, including the beautifully-illustrated Book of Kells. About an hour outside Dublin, Newgrange is an incredibly old and impressive prehistoric tomb that is one of the most mystical and magical places on the island, particularly at the summer and winter solstices, when the passage and chamber are precisely aligned with the rising sun. The Hill of Tara is another fascinating spot, home of legendary ancient Irish kings and gods — although these days it requires a little imagination.

No visit to Ireland would be complete without a full immersion in pub culture to experience the legendary Irish "craic" and have a sip of the black stuff. Redditor u/Acceptable-Wave2861 says, "Get yourself to a pub to listen to some traditional music for the culture bit," and they are not wrong. Irish pubs are the heartbeat of the community, where you can chat, dance, and listen to traditional Irish musicians playing long into the night. Dingle in Kerry and Westport in Mayo are renowned as having some of the best pubs and liveliest culture in the country.