With one thing for everybody, Dublin, the cosmopolitan capital of Ireland, will enchant you and lure you again repeatedly. This compact metropolis blends the previous with the brand new. Whether you’re into historical past, literature, nature, music, clubbing, politics, meals, or buying, Dublin delivers…massive time! If you might have a protracted weekend in Dublin you possibly can hit the highlights and even get out to the countryside.
Dublin’s dimension makes it simple to discover this splendidly walkable metropolis. On our most up-to-date go to to the Emerald Isle, we spent two days within the metropolis middle and one on a whirlwind day journey to the countryside and Belfast. Follow this three-day Dublin itinerary to launch your journey to Ireland. If you’re in search of the excellent Ireland itinerary, begin in Dublin after which add on time in Northern Ireland, Kilkenny, Waterford, Killarney, and discover the Wild Atlantic Way.
Is Three Days in Dublin Enough?
Yes! Three days is an ideal period of time for exploring Dublin. Even if you wish to go to all of the sights, from Dublin Castle to St. Patrick’s Cathedral and the Guinness Storehouse to the various superb museums in Dublin, you’ll have time to suit all of it in. Or, you possibly can simply hit a couple of points of interest after which absorb the tradition within the pubs. Frankly, as a result of Dublin is pretty compact, you possibly can see the highlights in two days and nonetheless have time for a day journey to Northern Ireland.
Dublin Long Weekend Itinerary
Dublin Itinerary Day 1: Welcome to Dublin
DISCLAIMER: Lisa and her daughter have been supplied with discounted and/or complimentary excursions in order that she might attempt them and overview them on your info. All opinions are her personal. This submit incorporates affiliate hyperlinks. If you click on a hyperlink and make a purchase order, I’ll obtain a small fee.
Morning in Dublin
Once you land on your lengthy weekend in Dublin, it would be best to battle the jet lag and hit the bottom operating. We suggest you’re taking a personal switch or airport shuttle into city and driving in Dublin isn’t simple, even if you’re absolutely rested.
Start your day by getting acquainted with Dublin on a “pay-as-you-wish” tour with Sandeman’s New Europe Free Walking Tour. The guides are educated and usually fairly humorous too! This tour hits most of the highlights of the two,000-year historical past of this metropolis, such because the Dublin Castle and Temple Bar space.
After the tour head over to Ireland’s Harvard equal, the famed and picturesque Trinity College. Simply wander round campus or be a part of the thirty-minute light-hearted tour, the place a co-ed will hold you entertained whereas highlighting the varsity’s historical past, neoclassical structure, and numerous legends.
Just ensure you see the crown jewel of Trinity College with a self-guided tour of the world-famous Book of Kells Exhibition and Long Room, positioned in the course of campus. After taking a peek on the illuminated manuscript of the Book of Kells, Ireland’s best-known cultural treasure and one of many world’s most well-known medieval manuscripts, enter the spotlight of the Trinity expertise — the Long Room of the Old Library.
This magical 200-foot-long room teeming with 200,000 books conjures up photographs of Hogwarts. The aroma of leather-based and previous books is a dream come true for avid readers. To keep away from ready in very lengthy traces, think about getting tickets to this top-selling attraction on-line nicely earlier than you arrive in Ireland and e-book a timed-entry ticket.
Afternoon in Dublin
After lunch on Grafton Street or within the Temple Bar space, it’s time to decide your afternoon adventure一either to observe within the footsteps of Irish literary greats or soak within the environment of the city oasis which surrounds you.
Bestill the hearts of devoted followers of Irish literacy giants like Wilde, Beckett, Joyce, and Swift…Dublin is a UNESCO City of Literature! Other locations to discover relying in your pursuits embody the James Joyce Center, the Dublin Writers Museum, and the National Library of Ireland. You can even take an Irish literature strolling tour that features the Dublin Writers Museum, the National Library of Ireland, and several other favourite pubs of well-known authors.
James Joyce followers, like my daughter, ought to drop into the historic Victorian-era Sweny’s Pharmacy, featured in Joyce’s “Ulysses.” Some days the pharmacy even hosts group Joyce readings!
For those that crave a zen break in spite of everything this touring, decide out of your favourite nature choices. Look for deer in Phoenix Park, Europe’s largest middle metropolis park. Or, step again in time as you stroll the plush 22-acre St. Stephen’s Green (youthful kids will benefit from the duck pond). In the summer season, St. Stephen’s Green holds free outside live shows.
Evening in Dublin
For dinner, we adopted the locals to Red Torch Ginger, my daughter’s favourite meal in Dublin. This busy and classy upscale Asian restaurant stuffed with native Dubliners provides a superb menu and probably the most personable employees. Check out Red Torch Ginger’s well-priced early hen menu.
We completed our introductory day by becoming a member of the locals and vacationers within the Dublin ritual of pub hopping! Your journey to Dublin wouldn’t be full with out experiencing the fabulous stay music scene.
Pubs serving meals welcome under-18 teenagers throughout the day and into the early night. Those over the consuming age of 18 can seize a pint, and benefit from the raucous get together scene. Head to the winding streets of the world-famous Temple Bar neighborhood and pub hop to your hearts’ content material.
Whether you’re in search of wild or serene, pop music or Irish ballads, you will see that them right here. Yes, it’s tremendous touristy! But that’s what makes it a lot enjoyable! Sing alongside, people-watch, and loosen up after a protracted day of sightseeing!
Dublin Itinerary Day 2: A Day of Dublin Delights
Morning Food Tour
Food excursions are all the time a success with our household, together with ones in Vienna, Amsterdam, and Rome. Book a meals tour for a scrumptious introduction to Dublin’s foodie scene intertwined with studying concerning the metropolis’s historical past.
Our enthusiastic information led us on our journey to pattern a wide range of treats together with a connoisseur breakfast at an award-winning historic café, a full lunch at a famed atmospheric pub, a well known Irish seafood dish, mouth-watering artisanal ice cream, a variety of native cheeses in a uber-cool meals emporium, and Irish whiskey samples for these 18 and older. The tour ended with full stomachs, new mates, and a need to proceed exploring this metropolis’s culinary delights!
Afternoon Exploration
After the tour, take your selection between buying or museum hopping. Dublin abounds with boutiques, markets, and department shops. Start by strolling down Dublin’s pedestrian-friendly, uber-famous Grafton Street, stuffed with buskers, crowds, eating places, and all varieties of retailers.
Gawk on the architecturally grand Powerscourt Townhouse Centre, a high-end boutique buying middle housed in a grand Georgian townhouse. Wander the slender lanes of George’s Street Arcade, a Victorian Shopping Center relationship from 1881, stuffed with quirky and eclectic retailers.
An enormous plus for households touring to Dublin is the bounty of high-quality FREE museums! Consider popping into the National Gallery, the Natural History Museum, the Dublin City Gallery, the Irish Museum of Modern Art, or the Science Gallery. Our favourite free museum is the attractive Chester Beatty Library stuffed with historical books, spiritual scrolls and a lot extra.
Or, when you have the time and are prepared to pay the ticket price, we are able to’t suggest the EPIC Irish Emigration Museum extremely sufficient! This interactive museum could be very participating for all ages and every gallery tells the story of various teams of Irish individuals who have made an enduring affect on the world and their emigration journeys.
If you might have the time and abdomen for it, take a tour of the Kilmainham Gaol. This fascinating hour-long tour of a historic, and at instances spooky, jail that operated from 1796 by means of 1924 will captivate your crew. Listen to the tales of tragedy and heroism surrounding the Gaol, which housed lots of Ireland’s most well-known political and army leaders together with the likes of Charles Stewart Parnell, the 1916 Rising leaders, Eamon de Valera, and Robert Emmet.
Your gang will thrill in wandering this deserted facility, together with the ominous demise row, the eerie execution courtyard, and the grand cavernous Victorian-era room the place you’ll be surrounded by jail cells. Stepping into one of many slender chilly cells gives a glimpse into what it could have been prefer to be a prisoner.
Since this attraction is in style, think about reserving your tickets prematurely, and save time for the well-curated museum on the finish of the tour. Just take care with youngsters which can be frightened simply.
Evening Indulgences
Now, it’s time to make a pilgrimage to the Guinness Storehouse. This temple of all issues Guinness is a success with teenagers and adults alike. A spotlight is toasting with pints on the spectacular 360-degree view from the top-story Gravity Bar!
You can join self-guided tickets, a connoisseur expertise, and even mix it with a go to to the Jameson Distillery.
For the grand finale of today of culinary decadence, we headed to Pacino’s which serves scrumptious genuine Italian dishes. Once your dinner is completed, these of age ought to think about ending the evening on the similar restaurant’s uber-cool hidden speakeasy referred to as The Blind Pig!
Dublin Itinerary Day 3: Belfast and Beyond
Any go to to the Emerald Isle deserves a minimum of at some point past the town limits. We craved an exhilarating and academic day…and boy did we get it! Our spotlight was taking the top-rated Giants Causeway, Belfast City & Carrick-A-Rede Rope Bridge Day Tour from Dublin by Wild Rover Tours. This firm lived as much as its fabulous opinions!
In one whirlwind day, we set off to expertise a “best-of” tour of the Irish countryside. Thanks to Wild Rover we have been capable of pack per week of exploring into one marathon day journey. Plus, a visit to Northern Ireland meant we received to go to two international locations in a single weekend! The all-day bus journey took us to Belfast the place we had the selection between touring the state-of-the-art Titanic Museum or taking a Black Taxi Tour.
We opted for the taxi tour guided by a neighborhood which included a stroll alongside the Peace Wall which divides the 2 spiritual/nationwide communities of east Belfast in addition to listening to concerning the heart-wrenching tales of the troubles of this area.
Our subsequent cease was the dramatically stunning Giant’s Causeway, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, with roughly 40,000 basalt columns rising from the ocean. Kids (and adults!) may have a blast scaling the piles of columns. Finally, we mustered the braveness to stroll throughout the Carrick-A-Rede Rope Bridge, excessive above a deep chasm! Our knowledgeable and enthusiastic information Lisa saved us on schedule, supplied related background info, and handled us all so professionally. It was an absolute pleasure to haven’t any worries about driving ourselves to handle this tour on our personal.
Tip: Wear sneakers or sturdy footwear! This all-day tour gives loads of time to stroll up hills and throughout rocky areas that could be slippery from the rain. Also convey alongside a bottle of water, snacks, and waterproof jackets. During the tour, you’ll have time to cease for a fast lunch within the Titanic Museum’s cafe (which was surprisingly excellent) or on the Giant’s Causeway cafe.
Returning from the journey, we have been ravenous and wearing informal garments. We determined it was time to pub hop once more. After a protracted day, a pint with some pub grub hit the spot!
Where to Stay in Dublin
The Conrad Dublin is the proper well-located luxurious base on your keep. This award-winning lodge faces the gorgeous gardens of St. Stephen’s Green and appears out on the long-lasting National Concert Hall.
We cherished the fashionable rooms impressed by Dublin’s literary heritage stuffed with books and well-known quotes. The employees lived as much as their stellar status, particularly once they had scrumptious breakfast-to-go packed for us earlier than our early morning departure.
Check charges, learn opinions, and see images on TripAdvisor
Other good selections for 3 days in Dublin could be:
- The Davenport Hotel close to Trinity College. It provides good luxurious with out being overpriced.
- The Morgan Hotel within the Temple Bar space is hip and enticing to millennials or households with teenagers.
What to Pack for a Long Weekend in Dublin
Be positive to pack layers, even in summer season! Bring a raincoat or umbrella each day. Locals say you expertise 4 seasons in at some point…and they’re proper! If you intend to discover the countryside, pack a pair of sturdy strolling footwear or sneakers.
You don’t must get too dressy in Ireland. Jeans, sweaters, and comfortable footwear will match proper in. Get a full Ireland packing record right here.
Gourmet meals, family-friendly points of interest, historic gems, spectacular countryside…and a lot extra. We will always remember our magical three days visiting the Emerald Isle…and might’t wait to return to discover extra of this magical nation!
Plan Your journey to Ireland:
About the Author
This visitor submit was written by Lisa Grabelle. Lisa, a journey author for Hilton Suggests, has been touring all her life…30 international locations and loving it! Originally from the sunny skies of Miami, Lisa, a former lawyer, lives close to Philadelphia together with her husband and two daughters. Lisa willingly traded in billing hours for being a full-time mother and volunteer for her alma mater, the University of Pennsylvania. But journey is her ardour. As quickly as one trip ends, Lisa busily plans her subsequent journey for her continuous household of adventurers. Lisa’s motto is “don’t just visit the destination…live it!” You can observe Lisa on Twitter or Instagram.
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