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 major worldwide airport, it is the town nearly all 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 received a younger vibe that may be a whole lot of enjoyable.
If you are headed to Dublin for the primary time, here is how I might spend 3 days there.
I most just 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 occasions within the final 15 years.
When to go to Dublin
When is the perfect time to go to Dublin? Honestly, I do not suppose there is a dangerous 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 perfect 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 may expertise moist, chilly climate any time of 12 months!
3 days in Dublin itinerary
Do you really want three entire days in Dublin? I really suppose you may match the primary Dublin highlights into 2 days in the event you plan fastidiously, however with 3 days you’ll squeeze in some distinctive issues that I believe will show you how 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 will hit up among the most well-known websites in Dublin just like the Guinness Storehouse, a cathedral, Temple Bar, and extra.
Morning: Guinness Storehouse
You might as properly 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 entire 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 every thing from historic promoting to the way to correctly style Guinness.
Every go to to the Guinness Storehouse comes with a ticket so you may get pleasure from a pint on the Gravity Bar on the seventh ground, which gives 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 just a little 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 may ebook your ticket right here. (And whilst you do should be 18+ to get pleasure from a pint on the Gravity Bar, youngsters CAN nonetheless go on the tour.)
Afterwards, you may 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 12 months 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 had been liable 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 properly 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 creator Johnathan Swift.
Both cathedrals nonetheless have spiritual 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 means of some renovations since that point (after a fireplace within the late 1600s, it was rebuilt as a Georgian Palace, which is what you may see in the present day), however was used because the seat of British rule in Ireland till 1922.
Today, the fort is generally a vacationer attraction. You can go to the previous state flats and Gothic Chapel Royal, and in addition see the place they’ve excavated previous the historical past of the present fort into some Viking ruins.
The fort is open for each self-guided and guided excursions, and you will 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 the town.
Start with a stroll alongside the River Liffey to see the enduring Ha’penny Bridge. This intricate iron footbridge was in-built 1816 as a substitute for 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 among 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 crimson pub in Temple Bar, and that is completely okay!
You’ll discover a number of historic pubs on this space (“the” Temple Bar Pub dates again to 1840!), a lot of which serve up meals and stay music alongside pints of Guinness and Irish coffees. Just a few value trying out that provide 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 really helpful for dinner.) You can at all times hit up a well-known pub afterwards.
A be aware on getting round in Dublin
You’ll be capable of 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 in the event you do not feel like strolling, or in case you run into some dangerous climate (it’s Ireland, in any case; there is a cause it is so inexperienced!).
Other choices for getting round Dublin embrace:
- Bus – Dublin has good bus companies all through the town – they usually’re vivid yellow, so you may’t miss them! You’ll discover timetables listed at each bus station, and you will wish to have some change on you to make paying simpler. (Or you may as well buy a pre-loaded Leap Card that you should use to pay simpler AND get decreased 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 means of the town heart. There are ticket machines at each tram cease, or you may as well 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 exterior of city.)
- Taxi/Uber – Uber technically exists in Dublin (you should use the app), however Ireland doesn’t permit individuals to rent out personal vehicles, so in the event 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 usually do NOT suggest a rental automotive in Dublin, as parking within the metropolis heart could be tough.
Day 2 in Dublin
Today you may take in extra historical past at Trinity College, see Grafton Street and a few fairly parks, and go on a singular tour (or two).
Morning: Trinity College
Remember how I mentioned earlier that Dublin is a college city? I meant it! There are at least FOUR universities in Dublin, Ireland. And in the present day I counsel visiting the oldest and most well-known one, Trinity College.
The college that may finally turn out to be 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 12 months 800 AD.
The Book of Kells is taken into account to be certainly one of Ireland’s biggest cultural treasures, and 1000’s of individuals come to see it annually. Visiting consists of going by means of a small museum concerning the ebook, and then you definitely 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 unbelievable house that dates again to the early 1700s and is stuffed 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 may count on to spend as much as an hour or so going by means of the exhibit and library. I like to recommend reserving one of many first time slots of the day!
*Note: A large restoration/redevelopment challenge 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 challenge is about to take 3 years, that means in the event you’re visiting Dublin between October 2023 and late 2026/early 2027, you will not be capable of 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 achieved afternoon tea bus excursions like this in each London and Edinburgh, they usually’re a lot enjoyable! You board a classic double-decker bus and journey 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 thrice 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 if 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 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 turn out to be type of the unofficial anthem of Dublin.
The statue of Molly and her cart of cockles and mussels is a well-liked picture spot – and I’ll guess you may guess from the picture which a part of Molly you are supposed to the touch for good luck.
From the statue, it is a brief stroll down Suffolk Street to Grafton Street, the primary pedestrianized purchasing road in Dublin. You’ll discover all the foremost retailers right here in the event you’re interested by performing some purchasing. If you’d moderately stick with sightseeing, it is nonetheless a road value strolling down.
Afternoon: Visit a park
At the underside finish of Grafton Street, you will discover St. Stephen’s Green, a beautiful metropolis park with strolling paths, a decorative lake, and several other statues and monuments.
Not far-off, 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 will 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 purchasing on Grafton Street, you may end up with sufficient time for a museum go to this afternoon.
Just a few 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 in the event you’re up for an evening out, Dublin has a pair enjoyable pub crawl choices, with essentially 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 may imbibe as a lot or as little as you want.
You can ebook this tour right here (and be aware 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 realize that roughly 70 million individuals worldwide in the present day declare Irish heritage or ancestry? That’s a staggering quantity, particularly when you think about that Ireland’s present inhabitants is barely about 5 million.
Since the 1800s, thousands and thousands of Irish individuals have been pressured to depart Ireland. Everything from struggle to famine to job alternatives have unfold Irish individuals far and large 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 actually wonderful, overlaying first the historical past of emigration from Ireland and all of the issues that brought about it. The second half of the museum covers Irish peoples’ contributions around the globe in every thing from the humanities to sports activities to politics.
You want a minimum of 2 hours to totally discover every thing right here, and you may 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 form of museum expertise you’d desire to have subsequent. Just a few 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 identify, which made 16 journeys from Ireland to North America between 1847 and 1855. During this time, individuals had been fleeing Ireland because of famine; 2,500 individuals emigrated on the Jeanie Johnston alone.
Visiting the reproduction “famine ship” features a tour the place you will be taught 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 far-off down Custom House Quay you may as well 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) submit workplace. But the museum right here is an immersive and interactive one telling the story of the 1916 Easter Rising, the rebellion in opposition to British rule in Ireland that may form the trajectory of recent 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 exterior, you may as well 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 that you must ebook a tour on the National Leprechaun Museum of Ireland on Jervis Street. Don’t let the identify idiot you: this is not (simply) a foolish youngsters’ 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 means of a rainbow! You’ll cease in varied themed rooms to take heed to tales about every thing from leprechauns to giants to extra nasty beasties from Irish folklore.
This is a very pleasant museum that may be my private selection for in the present day! (You do must ebook tickets on-line upfront, and excursions final just a little beneath an hour.)
Note: If you do not thoughts a very busy day, you technically may 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 will 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 additionally a ticket for a whiskey cocktail that you could get pleasure from after your tour.
It is really helpful 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, then you definitely’ll most likely wish to have yet another night time out. I’ve two completely different ideas for you, primarily based in your journey model.
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 changed into a pedestrian-only zone throughout the pandemic, and was so common 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 number of retailers, eating places, and pubs, and a neighborhood instructed me it has turn out to be the brand new “it” spot for an evening out amongst youthful individuals in Dublin. There are a number of worldwide eating places on the road, and every thing 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 choice is just a little tricker to get to, because it’s exterior of Dublin metropolis heart. You can take a taxi, however it will be simpler to get right here in the event you’re renting a automotive (not wanted in Dublin itself, however useful in the event 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, after all) and a present celebrating Irish music and dance. Yes, it is a bit kitschy, however in essentially the most incredible 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’ve 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 will 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 number of resort choices in Dublin, however listed below are a few of my private picks:
Budget-friendly: Holiday Inn Express Dublin City Centre – “Budget-friendly” can after all be relative in a serious metropolis, however this Holiday Inn Express is usually a steal when in comparison with different lodges in Dublin. It’s centrally positioned on O’Connell Street, and consists of the often Holiday Inn trappings like free breakfast. (Read opinions on TripAdvisor | Book a room right here!)
Upscale mid-range: The Grafton – With a superb location in central Dublin, the Grafton is among the top-rated lodges within the metropolis. The rooms are fashionable and quiet, and you may 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 may typically discover rooms at this luxurious resort for a mid-range worth. Rooms are massive and up to date, and you may 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 try the Shelbourne on St. Stephen’s Green. The 5-star resort 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!)
READ NEXT: 10 Days in Ireland: The Perfect Irish Road Trip Itinerary
Who’s able to plan a visit to Dublin now?