Waterford, Ireland, is a top destination for 2024, notes AnneLise Sorensen of The New York Times. Famous for Viking history and crystal craftsmanship, it offers ancient charm, medieval architecture, scenic coastlines, and rich cultural experiences.

In the Viking Triangle, Waterford’s cobblestone core, a new digital story trail brings the past to life at stops like the medieval landmark Reginald’s Tower. The city also offers less-ancient attractions, including the new Irish Wake Museum, dedicated to the funeral ritual, and the Irish Museum of Time, which showcases grandfather clocks, watches, and more. Waterford’s natural riches rival its historical ones, notably the Copper Coast, hemmed by towering cliffs and scalloped coves. The coast forms part of the Waterford Greenway, a nearly 30-mile path along a disused rail line.