Places you didn't know you could fly to direct from Ireland West Airport

Adventure is calling. 

As summer spits and sputters it's way to Ireland it's always a good idea to get a sneaky bit of sunshine elsewhere on the continent. 

And if you're a resident of the west of Ireland, finding yourself soaring above the clouds en-route to a sun soaked paradise has never been simpler. 

Ireland West Airport in Co. Mayo is now flying to more destinations than ever before having just added Ryanair flights to Cologne to it's list. 

Germany is yet another country ticked off a growing number of routes available from Ireland West... In fact some of the places you can fly to might come as a bit of a surprise, so we've taken the liberty of researching five cool destinations available to you from Ireland West Airport. 

1. Split, Croatia. 

Split is like the city that time forgot.

It's stunning ancient centre is like nothing you’ll have seen before, with a very Roman feel, the heartbeat of Split has been beating strong for over 1700 years... crazy. 

Over the centuries this architecture has been kept intact and then incorporated into newer buildings, like St. Duje’s Cathedral, the heart of which is a 4th-century mausoleum.

Not to mention Split's amazing beaches and party scene...oh and it's warm, really warm at this time of year. 

And once you arrive, Concorde Travel is your best bet for seeing as much as you can!

2. Milan, Italy.

Majestic Milan.

An enviable rich history dating back to 222 B.C. A sublime mix of historical architecture, modern high-rise skyscrapers, an abundance of high end fashion retailers and the beautiful Duomo Cathedral...

Milan has it all. 

And this year is a particularly great year to visit, as Milan is commemorating the great impact Leonardo Da Vinci had on the city. 

Called Leonardo 500 the city is remembering the artist and inventor with a series of cool events. 

There's never been a better time to go to Milan and you fly there directly from Ireland West Airport from July to September! 

3. Barcelona, Spain.

Capital of Catalonia and Spain’s second city, Barcelona has a vibe all of it's own, there's no where else like it in the world.

There’s something to delight everyone in Barcelona.

If you’re a food lover then the city has a total of 20 Michelin stars, and if you want culture you’ve got an inexhaustible choice of beautiful buildings and events.

Add beaches, a world-class nightlife and so much great shopping you won’t know where to begin. Class.

Beautiful Barcelona. Image: avis.co.uk

4. Tenerife, Spain.

Known as the ‘Land of Eternal Spring’, it's no surprise that sun-seekers have been flocking to Tenerife for years.

World-class beaches and bars, a rich culture and history, the small Spanish island has it all

The largest of the seven Canary Islands, Tenerife really has something for everyone.

Tantalising Tenerife.

5. Faro, Portugal.

The eternal joys of sunshine, beaches, bars and great seafood...that's Faro in Portugal.

Beyond that there's even a rare natural environment just offshore, a lagoon with a maze of waterways between islands.

And then on top of that, within Faro’s ancient walls sits a peaceful old town full of the city’s top landmarks.

The actual dream.