Dublin is the capital and largest metropolis of the Republic of Ireland, being house to just about 1 / 4 of all Irish individuals dwelling in Ireland. And since Dublin can also be house to the nation’s primary worldwide airport, it is town the vast majority of guests are going to come across first.
Dublin is the Irish metropolis that appears like a correct “city,” with tons of museums and points of interest, plus no scarcity of eating places, pubs, and nightlife alternatives. Dublin is a college metropolis, too, that means it is bought a younger vibe that may be a whole lot of enjoyable.
If you are headed to Dublin for the primary time, this is how I’d spend 3 days there.
I most lately visited Dublin as a part of a paid partnership with Globus Journeys. I did a brand new Choice Touring journey with them referred to as Green with Envy: Ireland By Design, which was a whole lot of enjoyable! I’ve beforehand visited Dublin 5 different instances within the final 15 years.
When to go to Dublin
When is the most effective time to go to Dublin? Honestly, I do not assume there is a unhealthy time to go to this European capital! You’ll discover the warmest climate throughout the summer season months of July and August – however that is additionally when it is busiest and when costs are highest.
In Europe, touring April/May and September/October is commonly the most effective by way of first rate climate however much less crowds. Of course, with Dublin being a college metropolis, it is virtually at all times bustling, and you’ll expertise moist, chilly climate any time of yr!
3 days in Dublin itinerary
Do you actually need three complete days in Dublin? I really assume you possibly can match the principle Dublin highlights into 2 days should you plan fastidiously, however with 3 days you’ll squeeze in some distinctive issues that I feel will provide help to benefit from the metropolis much more.
Feel free to steal this itinerary to assist plan your individual journey to Dublin!
Day 1 in Dublin
Today you may hit up a number of the most well-known websites in Dublin just like the Guinness Storehouse, a cathedral, Temple Bar, and extra.
Morning: Guinness Storehouse
You could as nicely begin your go to to Dublin on the metropolis’s prime attraction: the Guinness Storehouse.
To name the Guinness Storehouse a brewery could be doing it an awesome disservice. It’s a full-on customer expertise, with 7 complete flooring to discover. The decrease flooring stroll you thru the historical past of Guinness (together with the well-known 9,000-year lease signed by Arthur Guinness in 1759) and the brewing course of, whereas the higher flooring cowl all the pieces from historic promoting to how you can correctly style Guinness.
Every go to to the Guinness Storehouse comes with a ticket so you possibly can get pleasure from a pint on the Gravity Bar on the seventh ground, which presents 360-degree views of Dublin. (And no, it is by no means too early to drink a pint of “the black stuff” in Ireland!)
I like to recommend beginning right here as a result of the Guinness Storehouse is a bit bit out of the way in which in St. James’s Gate, and in addition can get very busy later within the day.
You’ll wish to permit about 2 hours for the self-guided tour right here, and you’ll ebook your ticket right here. (And when you do should be 18+ to get pleasure from a pint on the Gravity Bar, children CAN nonetheless go on the tour.)
Afterwards, you possibly can both seize lunch at one of many eating places contained in the Guinness Storehouse, or head to The Liberties neighborhood close by, the place there are many eating choices alongside Thomas St. and Meath St.
Afternoon: Visit a cathedral
The Liberties is inside strolling distance to each of Dublin’s cathedrals. (And sure, you learn that proper: Dublin has two cathedrals!)
Both cathedrals are medieval, with Christ Church being the older of the 2. It was based by a Viking king within the yr 1030, and is thought for its neo-Gothic nave, medieval crypt, and replica of the Magna Carta. Christ Church can also be related to Dublinia, a historical past museum with reveals on Viking Dublin, Medieval Dublin, and the archaeologists who have been answerable for uncovering Dublin’s previous.
Nearby St. Patrick’s Cathedral was initially based in 1191, and is claimed to be constructed on the positioning of a nicely that St. Patrick used to baptize individuals into Christianity. It’s each the biggest and tallest church in Ireland, and is thought for its stained glass home windows, and for being the resting place of writer Johnathan Swift.
Both cathedrals nonetheless have non secular companies and are open to the general public for excursions. You can pre-book tickets for both St. Patrick’s Cathedral or Christ Church, and also you most likely wish to permit as much as an hour for a go to.
Late afternoon: Dublin Castle
Next you may wish to go to Dublin Castle, which is near Christ Church Cathedral.
Dublin Castle dates again to 1204, when it was constructed as a fortress beneath the orders of King John of England. It’s gone by some renovations since that point (after a hearth within the late 1600s, it was rebuilt as a Georgian Palace, which is what you possibly can see at this time), however was used because the seat of British rule in Ireland till 1922.
Today, the citadel is usually a vacationer attraction. You can go to the previous state residences and Gothic Chapel Royal, and in addition see the place they’ve excavated previous the historical past of the present citadel into some Viking ruins.
The citadel is open for each self-guided and guided excursions, and you may wish to permit as much as an hour to go to.
Evening: River Liffey and Temple Bar
You’ll be near the well-known Temple Bar district at Dublin Castle, so it will solely be a brief stroll over to this energetic a part of town.
Start with a stroll alongside the River Liffey to see the long-lasting Ha’penny Bridge. This intricate iron footbridge was inbuilt 1816 as an alternative choice to a ferry that used to cross the river. Both the ferry and the bridge required the identical toll: a ha’penny (or half penny). Today, the bridge is likely one of the most photographed sights in Dublin.
After that, it is time to delve into the pub scene in Temple Bar. Yes, this space is tremendous touristy. And sure, there are many different (maybe higher) locations to exit for a pint. But most first-time guests to Dublin wish to see the well-known pink pub in Temple Bar, and that is completely okay!
You’ll discover a lot of historic pubs on this space (“the” Temple Bar Pub dates again to 1840!), lots of which serve up meals and stay music alongside pints of Guinness and Irish coffees. A number of value trying out that supply all of it embrace The Auld Dubliner, Oliver St. John Gogarty, and The Quays Bar.
I additionally love The Bank on this neighborhood, which is a chic restaurant inside an opulent former financial institution constructing on College Green. (Reservations extremely advisable for dinner.) You can at all times hit up a well-known pub afterwards.
A observe on getting round in Dublin
You’ll be capable to handle most of this itinerary on foot, as Dublin is a really flat and walkable metropolis. But there are many different methods to get round should you do not feel like strolling, or in case you run into some unhealthy climate (it’s Ireland, in any case; there is a motive it is so inexperienced!).
Other choices for getting round Dublin embrace:
- Bus – Dublin has good bus companies all through town – and so they’re shiny yellow, so you possibly can’t miss them! You’ll discover timetables listed at each bus station, and you may wish to have some change on you to make paying simpler. (Or it’s also possible to buy a pre-loaded Leap Card that you should use to pay simpler AND get diminished fares.)
- LUAS prepare – The LUAS is Dublin’s tram system (with “luas” that means “speed” in Irish). There are two traces of the LUAS working, with the Red Line being the one which runs east-west by town heart. There are ticket machines at each tram cease, or it’s also possible to use a Leap Card to pay for these. (There are additionally common rail companies, in addition to a commuter prepare referred to as the DART for anybody staying additional outdoors of city.)
- Taxi/Uber – Uber technically exists in Dublin (you should use the app), however Ireland doesn’t permit individuals to rent out non-public automobiles, so should you use Uber you are going to get a taxi anyway. The hottest app locals use in Dublin for taxis is known as Free Now – obtain it earlier than you go!
I typically do NOT suggest a rental automobile in Dublin, as parking within the metropolis heart will be tough.
Day 2 in Dublin
Today you possibly can absorb extra historical past at Trinity College, see Grafton Street and a few fairly parks, and go on a novel tour (or two).
Morning: Trinity College
Remember how I stated earlier that Dublin is a college city? I meant it! There are at least FOUR universities in Dublin, Ireland. And at this time I recommend visiting the oldest and most well-known one, Trinity College.
The college that will ultimately change into Trinity College dates all the way in which again to 1592, when it was created by royal constitution beneath Queen Elizabeth I. The college has an iconic historic campus in Dublin’s metropolis heart, and guests are welcome!
You can take a campus tour at Trinity, however most non-student guests go particularly to see the Book of Kells contained in the Old Library at Trinity*. This illuminated manuscript (which means it accommodates elaborate illustrations and ornamentations) accommodates the 4 Gospels of the New Testament, and dates again to someday across the yr 800 AD.
The Book of Kells is taken into account to be one in every of Ireland’s biggest cultural treasures, and 1000’s of individuals come to see it annually. Visiting consists of going by a small museum concerning the ebook, and you then get to see a pair pages of the Book of Kells itself. (No pictures are allowed of the manuscript.)
Afterwards, you additionally get time to wander across the Long Room contained in the Old Library, which is an unimaginable house that dates again to the early 1700s and is crammed with 200,000 of the Library’s oldest books. It’s a book-lover’s dream!
You must ebook timed tickets on-line upfront, and you’ll count on to spend as much as an hour or so going by the exhibit and library. I like to recommend reserving one of many first time slots of the day!
*Note: A large restoration/redevelopment venture is about to start on the Old Library in October 2023. They will probably be performing preservation upgrades to the Long Room, and reimagining the Book of Kells exhibition. The venture is about to take 3 years, that means should you’re visiting Dublin between October 2023 and late 2026/early 2027, you will not be capable to go to any a part of the Old Library. I’d suggest one other museum or a strolling tour this morning, or maybe simply have a later begin!
Late morning: Afternoon tea bus
I’ve completed afternoon tea bus excursions like this in each London and Edinburgh, and so they’re a lot enjoyable! You board a classic double-decker bus and experience it round Dublin. But together with attending to see the sights, you additionally get to get pleasure from a full afternoon tea!
The 90-minute tour runs 3 times per day (at 11 a.m., 1:15 p.m., and three:30 p.m.), and both the 11 a.m. or 1:15 tour ought to work, relying on whenever you go to Trinity College. You’ll get loads of meals to cowl you for lunch!
You can ebook the tea bus tour right here.
Afternoon: Molly Malone and Grafton Street
The afternoon tea bus tour begins and ends in Temple Bar, and from there it is a fast 5-10 minute stroll in the direction of the nook of Suffolk and St. Andrew’s to go to the well-known Molly Malone statue. “Molly Malone” is an Irish music that is change into form of the unofficial anthem of Dublin.
The statue of Molly and her cart of cockles and mussels is a well-liked photograph spot – and I’ll wager you possibly can guess from the photograph which a part of Molly you are supposed to the touch for good luck.
From the statue, it is a quick stroll down Suffolk Street to Grafton Street, the principle pedestrianized buying road in Dublin. You’ll discover all the key outlets right here should you’re eager about performing some buying. If you’d quite stick with sightseeing, it is nonetheless a road value strolling down.
Afternoon: Visit a park
At the underside finish of Grafton Street, you may discover St. Stephen’s Green, a stunning metropolis park with strolling paths, a decorative lake, and several other statues and monuments.
Not distant, Merrion Square Park is a smaller park with leafy pathways that is surrounded by stunning Georgian buildings. It’s value strolling round to see all the gorgeous colourful doorways right here, and Merrion Square can also be the place you may discover the Oscar Wilde Memorial (the poet was from Dublin).
Optional: Museum go to
St. Stephan’s Green and Merrion Square are each near a number of of Dublin’s notable museums. If you skip buying on Grafton Street, you may end up with sufficient time for a museum go to this afternoon.
A number of inside shut proximity embrace:
- The National Museum of Ireland – Natural History (free admission)
- The National Museum of Ireland – Archaeology (free admission)
- National Gallery of Ireland (free admission)
- The Little Museum of Dublin
- MoLI – Museum of Literature Ireland
From right here, you are additionally near a ton of eating places and pubs within the Grafton Street space. (My tip: Hit up the aspect streets off Grafton Street for higher choices.)
Evening: Optional pub tour
It’s been a protracted, busy day already, however should you’re up for an evening out, Dublin has a pair enjoyable pub crawl choices, with probably the most well-known one being a literary pub crawl.
This 2-hour-long tour consists of energetic guides who meld efficiency with a dose of Dublin’s literary historical past as you go to 4 historic pubs. Drinks usually are not included within the tour worth, so you possibly can imbibe as a lot or as little as you would like.
You can ebook this tour right here (and observe that it begins on Duke St., simply off Grafton Street).
Day 3 in Dublin
Today wraps up your time in Dublin, and options extra nice museums, a distillery tour, and choices for one more enjoyable night time out.
Morning: EPIC museum
Did you understand that roughly 70 million individuals worldwide at this time declare Irish heritage or ancestry? That’s a staggering quantity, particularly when you think about that Ireland’s present inhabitants is just about 5 million.
Since the 1800s, thousands and thousands of Irish individuals have been compelled to go away Ireland. Everything from warfare to famine to job alternatives have unfold Irish individuals far and broad across the globe. And EPIC The Irish Emigration Museum shares a whole lot of their tales.
This multimedia-heavy museum in Dublin’s Docklands space is basically wonderful, protecting first the historical past of emigration from Ireland and all of the issues that triggered it. The second half of the museum covers Irish peoples’ contributions around the globe in all the pieces from the humanities to sports activities to politics.
You want at the very least 2 hours to completely discover all the pieces right here, and you’ll both ebook a ticket upfront, or simply purchase one on the door.
Late morning: Another museum
Yes, this morning is museum-heavy, however there are such a lot of good ones to select from in Dublin! After EPIC, I’ll allow you to resolve which type of museum expertise you’d choose to have subsequent. A number of that I’d personally suggest embrace:
1. Jeanie Johnston Tall Ship
Located proper throughout the highway from EPIC, the Jeanie Johnston Tall Ship is a duplicate of the unique ship of that title, which made 16 journeys from Ireland to North America between 1847 and 1855. During this time, individuals have been fleeing Ireland as a consequence of famine; 2,500 individuals emigrated on the Jeanie Johnston alone.
Visiting the duplicate “famine ship” features a tour the place you may study concerning the ship, the famine, and the individuals who made the harrowing journey to North America. Tours final 50 minutes and run on the hour.
Not distant down Custom House Quay it’s also possible to go to the haunting Famine Memorial. The skeletal statues created by artist Rowan Gillespie are in remembrance of the Great Famine from 1845-1849.
2. GPO Museum
Found on O’Connell Street, the GPO (General Post Office) Museum is certainly inside a big (still-working) put up workplace. But the museum right here is an immersive and interactive one telling the story of the 1916 Easter Rising, the rebellion towards British rule in Ireland that will form the trajectory of contemporary Irish historical past.
The GPO served because the headquarters for the leaders of the Easter Rising, and the GPO Museum is a should for any Irish historical past buffs.
Just outdoors, it’s also possible to cease to see the 120-meter-tall Spire sculpture.
3. Leprechaun Museum
Want one thing that is much less miserable than famine and uprisings? Then you want to ebook a tour on the National Leprechaun Museum of Ireland on Jervis Street. Don’t let the title idiot you: this is not (simply) a foolish children’ museum. It’s a museum that celebrates the folklore and oral storytelling custom in Ireland.
A information will take you on a magical journey, beneath Giant’s Causeway, to the highest of a fairy hill, and even by a rainbow! You’ll cease in varied themed rooms to hearken to tales about all the pieces from leprechauns to giants to extra nasty beasties from Irish folklore.
This is a very pleasant museum that will be my private alternative for at this time! (You do must ebook tickets on-line upfront, and excursions final a bit beneath an hour.)
Note: If you do not thoughts a very busy day, you technically might squeeze in a go to to multiple of those museums this afternoon! But I do know not everyone seems to be as museum-happy as I’m.
Late afternoon: Jameson Distillery
You’ve already visited the house of Guinness, so it is solely honest that you simply go to an ode to Ireland’s different well-known drink: whiskey! My decide is to go to the Jameson Distillery on Bow Street, which is the situation of the unique Jameson Distillery in Ireland, relationship again to 1780.
The constructing is not a working distillery (Jameson is now made elsewhere in Ireland). Today it is an immersive customer expertise the place you may hear about John Jameson and the historical past of Irish whiskey, find out how the “water of life” is made, and naturally get pleasure from a guided tasting!
The normal tour right here is great, and consists of not solely a handful of whiskey tastings, but in addition a ticket for a whiskey cocktail which you could get pleasure from after your tour.
It is advisable that you simply ebook your ticket upfront, and the tour lasts about an hour.
Evening: One final night time out
If it is your final night time in Dublin, you then’ll most likely wish to have yet another night time out. I’ve two totally different strategies for you, based mostly in your journey type.
Option 1: Capel Street
For one other dinner and pub night time combo, head over to Capel Street tonight, which is on the north aspect of the Liffey. This road was became a pedestrian-only zone throughout the pandemic, and was so fashionable that Dublin City Council made it a everlasting car-free zone with outside consuming areas in May 2022.
The buzzy road is house to a lot of outlets, eating places, and pubs, and an area instructed me it has change into the brand new “it” spot for an evening out amongst youthful individuals in Dublin. There are a lot of worldwide eating places on the road, and all the pieces from conventional Irish pubs like McNeill’s to Dublin’s most well-known homosexual bar, PantiBar. There’s even an alcohol-free bar serving solely mocktails referred to as The Virgin Mary.
Option 2: Irish cabaret
The different possibility is a bit tricker to get to, because it’s outdoors of Dublin metropolis heart. You can take a taxi, however it will be simpler to get right here should you’re renting a automobile (not wanted in Dublin itself, however helpful should you plan to see extra of Ireland, like possibly on an Ireland highway journey).
The attraction is Taylors Irish Night & Cabaret at Taylors Three Rock, an Irish cabaret present that features a multi-course dinner (with whiskey included, in fact) and a present celebrating Irish music and dance. Yes, it is a bit kitschy, however in probably the most implausible approach.
I went to this present as a part of my Ireland tour with Globus, and may positively suggest it. (You can ebook upfront right here.)
If you might have extra time…
If you are going to be in Dublin longer than 3 days and do not plan on touring elsewhere in Ireland, then I’d suggest taking a day journey (or two). Ireland is pretty small, that means you may get to a whole lot of locations in simply a few hours.
Popular day journeys from Dublin embrace going to the Cliffs of Moher, seeing Giant’s Causeway and Belfast in Northern Ireland, and even going to go to Blarney Castle within the south.
Check out these day journeys:
RELATED: The Best Day Trips to Take from Dublin
Where to remain in Dublin
There are a lot of lodge choices in Dublin, however listed below are a few of my private picks:
Budget-friendly: Holiday Inn Express Dublin City Centre – “Budget-friendly” can in fact be relative in a serious metropolis, however this Holiday Inn Express generally is a steal when in comparison with different inns in Dublin. It’s centrally positioned on O’Connell Street, and consists of the normally Holiday Inn trappings like free breakfast. (Read opinions on TripAdvisor | Book a room right here!)
Upscale mid-range: The Grafton – With a wonderful location in central Dublin, the Grafton is likely one of the top-rated inns within the metropolis. The rooms are trendy and quiet, and you’ll get pleasure from nice cocktails on the on-site Bartley’s Bar. (Read opinions on TripAdvisor | Book a room right here!)
Upscale mid-range: Hyatt Centric The Liberties – Located within the barely quieter Liberties neighborhood close to St. Patrick’s Cathedral, you possibly can usually discover rooms at this luxurious lodge for a mid-range worth. Rooms are massive and modern, and you’ll nonetheless stroll to most issues in Dublin. (Read opinions on TripAdvisor | Book a room right here!)
Luxury: The Shelbourne – Looking for historic luxurious in Dublin? Then take a look at the Shelbourne on St. Stephen’s Green. The 5-star lodge dates again to 1824 and has performed host to well-known company, from diplomats to actors. (Read opinions on TripAdvisor | Book a room right here!)
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Who’s able to plan a visit to Dublin now?