3 perfect days in Dublin


The Emerald Isle looks like a screensaver with its lush landscape of rolling green hills, quaint towns, and rugged, rocky coastline. But to fully experience Ireland, you've got to take some time to explore Dublin. It’s the nation’s urban heartbeat—home of literary legends like James Joyce and George Bernard Shaw, awe-inducing museums, and bustling pubs.
The beauty of Dublin is that it can charm you in any way you’d like. I’ve been a backpacker getting rowdy at Temple Bar, a history buff at the Brian Boru Harp in Trinity College, a hungry fish-and-chip hunter, and a regular picnicker at St. Stephens Green. We’ve scoured the top Tripadvisor reviews and ratings to incorporate travelers’ favorite picks, too. So if you have three days in Dublin, here are the sights and pints you should add to your list.
Save all the things you love
Tap the heart on any place mentioned below to save all your travel ideas in one place and build a custom itinerary. Learn more.
Top attractions in Dublin
DAY ONE

MORNING: A chill introduction
When you think of Dublin, pubs and more pubs probably come to mind. However, we suggest starting off by seeing a slower side of the city first. Grab breakfast at the cozy Stage Door Café near Temple Bar. Its awning proclaims, “There are no strangers here, only friends we have yet to meet” and between that and its hearty Irish meals, you’ll feel right at home. From there, stroll north to the Smithfield neighborhood and take a free tour of St. Michan’s Church. Dating back to 1095, you’ll see a lot of mummies, including one that eerily reaches out of its coffin as if to shake your hand.
Book a tour in Dublin
AFTERNOON: A feel for local life
Alright, you’ve earned a drink. Less than two blocks from the church is Jameson’s iconic Bow St. Distillery. Among the tastings, tours, and classes offered, the cask draw experience is as unique as it gets. Surrounded by aging barrels, you get to sniff and taste whiskey pulled right before your eyes. When hunger strikes, the adjacent Smithfield Square provides a glimpse into local life, with a quaint park, kid’s playground, and urban hangout area. The square is surrounded by a handful of restaurants like the trendy Third Space, which often hosts independent art exhibits and live tunes. Tip: Try the stellar Clonakilty black pudding roll, loaded with blood sausage and apple.
Travelers say: “Two happy gents greet you and usher you over to wet your whistle on some various Jameson drinks. The tour consists of 3D animations accompanied by the history of Jameson. As you progress, you will experience an almost light show as you smell the various scents from brewing. Finally, you end with a boisterous but refined tasting. I cannot recommend this tour enough, it truly spoke to the character of the Jameson brand and represented what true Irish tradition, heritage, and business look like.” —@Davis A
EVENING: Sports galore
Staying on the northside of town, it’s time to take in some of Ireland’s most unique sports. The Gaelic Athletic Association has teams throughout Ireland, but its largest stadium—which hosts a whopping 82,000 fans—is Croke Park. On a tour, you’ll learn about some of the typical Irish games like hurling (played with a stick and ball, yet similar to football) and Gaelic football (a crossover of rugby and soccer). End the evening at nearby Wallace’s Asti, a quaint Italian joint with a massive charcuterie spread (the Tagliere Sardegna), overflowing with cured meats, cheeses, breads, and grilled veggies.
DAY TWO

MORNING: A novel experience
Today, you’ll be exploring downtown Dublin. If you haven’t already ventured to a Centra convenience store, it’s worth stopping to check out its exceptional deli counter. Grab a sausage roll (pork sausage wrapped in puff pastry) from the Dame Street outpost, and you’re fueled up for the morning. From there, you can’t miss visiting the historic Trinity College, which first opened in 1592. Book a tour of the university’s Old Library and the Book of Kells. (Hint: You might recognize it from Harry Potter). The illuminations of the Christian gospels are that much more vivid and breathtaking in real life. Make sure to peep the Brian Boru Harp while you’re there—it’s the oldest in Ireland.
Explore the city’s cultural scene
AFTERNOON: A taste of Ireland
Back in the Temple Bar area, Darkey Kelly’s Bar has quite the story. It takes the name of an iconic Dubliner who owned a brothel, was burned at the stake for witchcraft... and later presumed to be Ireland’s first serial killer. Haunted history aside, the spot has Irish staples like beef and Guinness stew as well as bangers and mash. For grab-and-go fish and chips, Leo Burdock's is right down the street and is an Irish favorite. About five blocks south, St. Patrick’s Cathedral is the designated national cathedral of Ireland. The striking Gothic revival building has audio tours and guided walks, with admission running less than 10 Euros per person.
Travelers say: “Truly an Irish pub in every conceivable way. Despite being very busy, we were promptly shown to our table. We soon struck up a conversation with our neighbors who recommended the lamb shank. Before I had finished my first pint of Guinness, the food was served (with a smile). It was excellent. We had so much fun that we stayed much longer than we had intended. I highly recommend Darkey Kelly’s.” —@Peter
EVENING: A pub crawl
By now, you’ve walked by a million pubs, and tonight is the time to experience the iconic Temple Bar. Fill up at the Bohemian restaurant, The Shack, which has a delightful oak-smoked Irish salmon and slow-braised lamb shank, among other Irish bites. When looking for the perfect pub, stroll the cobblestone streets, and pop in whichever calls to you. Of course, the oft-packed Temple Bar is a quintessential stop, with open courtyards, live music, and generous pours of Guinness. Other favorites include The Brazen Head—the oldest pub in Ireland dating back to 1198—and Stag’s Head, which has appeared in several films, including Educating Rita.
DAY THREE

MORNING: Get your beer here
Good morning, sunshine. You likely consumed a lot of Irish whiskey and Guinness last night, so it’s time for a food rebound. Head west and wake up with a cup of joe at Legit Coffee Co. Dublin has an emerging specialty coffee scene, and Legit is a frontrunner due to its latte art and creative bites like a slow-cooked pulled pork benedict. While you’re in the neighborhood, you need to tour the Guinness Storehouse. It opens at 10 a.m. on weekdays and 9:30 a.m. on weekends. Tip: Get there early to beat the afternoon rush. With seven floors to explore—including historical information and a pour-your-own Guinness experience—you could spend all day here. Just save time for the rooftop Gravity Bar, where you’ll find panoramic views of the city skyline.
Food tours in Dublin
AFTERNOON: King of the castle
Spend your final afternoon on the city’s westside, starting with a tour of one of Ireland's most unique museums: Kilmainham Gaol. A historic jail-turned-museum, it’s where Ireland’s political prisoners were kept and executed throughout the centuries. Hop in a taxi and head west to Drimnagh Castle. The last remaining moated castle in all of Ireland, its stone stature and surrounding hedge-filled gardens are a nice oasis. En route back to the city center, have a late lunch at Tang Café, a Middle Eastern-inspired spot overlooking St. Stephen’s Green.
Travelers say: “This is truly a hidden gem, well worth visiting. The local community has led an amazing restoration of this historic place. There are so many layers of fascinating information to be experienced in the visit and guided tour. We were lucky to have Thomas, a local man with a strong connection to the castle and surrounding area, sharing his great knowledge and memories with us.” —@marigold170
EVENING: Shop and supper
Stroll through St. Stephen’s Green, which has a playground and a unique Garden for the Blind with signs in Braille. Then, check out the shops along nearby Grafton Street. You’ll recognize some of Ireland’s biggest names—like the Brown Thomas department store and Weir & Sons jewelry shop—as well as plenty of pubs and restaurants. Grafton Street is also home to some of the best steakhouses in town, including FIRE, Marco Pierre White, and Featherblade.
Know Before You Go
The summer months—June through August—are pleasantly warm, with highs typically hovering in the mid-60s. It can still get cold at night, with lows around 50 degrees, so you’ll still want to pack a coat or jacket. The summer is also full of festivals, including Pride, the James Joyce-centric festival Bloomsday, and the science and art-focused Festival of Curiosity. For budget travelers, you’ll find deals from December to February.
Dublin absolutely comes alive on Friday and Saturday and tends to be a bit quieter during the front end of the week (Monday through Wednesday). You can feel the weekend energy start to bubble on Thursday lending it a festive—but not raucous—vibe. Sundays tend to be the quietest as select museums and shops are closed or have limited hours.
Shops and restaurants are typically open from 9 a.m. to 7 p.m. on weekdays. These establishments may stay open an extra hour or two on Saturdays and close by 6 p.m. on Sundays. Pubs, by law and with rare exceptions, may be open from 10:30 a.m. to 11:30 p.m. Monday through Thursday; Friday and Saturday from 10:30 a.m. to 12:30 a.m.; and noon to 11 p.m. on Sunday. In a pinch, convenience stores—like Centra and Spar—are open 24 hours.
Northside / Smithfield / Dublin Docklands: Neighborhoods north of the Liffey River—like Smithfield and Dublin Docklands—are conveniently central, quiet, and more local. In Dublin Docklands, the Spencer Hotel has a fantastic wellness center, equipped with an indoor pool, sauna, steam room, and gym. In Smithfield, easyHotel is a budget option adjacent to Ireland’s military museum and five blocks from the Jameson Distillery.
Temple Bar: In Dublin’s party hub, you can stay out all night and know you’ll be coming back to a cozy hotel room. With that, stylish The Morgan Hotel is in the heart of the action and has a popular in-house restaurant, 10 Fleet Street Restaurant & Bar.
Saint Stephen’s Green / Grafton Street: Saint Stephen’s Green gives you a taste of the Irish countryside despite being in the city. Dotted in tulips, petunias, and trees, it’s a 15-minute walk to hotspots like Dublin Castle and Trinity College. Stauntons on the Green is a lux option that has rooms with fireplaces and Victorian-esque furnishings. Marlin Hotel is a more contemporary option that’s two blocks west and includes 300 studios and suites.
Public transportation: Dublin Bus is the principal public bus with more than 130 distinct routes. You’ll want to keep a lookout for the blue lollipop-shaped signs to identify Dublin Bus stops and make sure to wave down the buses as they don’t always automatically stop. Another bus option is Bus Éireann, which generally connects Dublin’s suburbs with the city center. To hail these buses, signs for their stops are typically red.
By train: DART (Dublin Area Rapid Transit) operates more than 30 stations and connects the broader region’s coastal areas to the city center. Luas is the city’s tram system—there are two lines (one that runs north-south and the other east-west) and nearly 70 stations as part of its network. Of all the stations in Dublin’s network, Connolly and Heuston are the largest and best links for multi-city adventures around Ireland.
By bike: Dublin is bike-friendly, with flat terrain and well-marked lanes/paths. Dublin Bikes has self-service bike rental stations throughout the city center. You may purchase one- or three-day tickets in advance online or at the stations themselves with a credit card. The first 30 minutes of a ride are free and then charges kick in.
By taxi: Taxis in Dublin often do not have a specific color. They’re identifiable by big TAXI or TACSAÍ lettering. If you’re struggling to hail one, Free Now is an app for scheduling a ride in advance or on the fly. Uber does operate in Ireland but does not source privately-owned cars, solely licensed taxis and limo drivers.
By car: If you haven’t driven on the left side of the road, Ireland may be your place to give it a whirl. Major rental companies like Europcar, Hertz, and Sixt have counters at Dublin Airport and throughout the city. On the insurance front, if you opt to use your own credit card insurance in Ireland, you will be charged an “Admin Fee” of approximately 30 Euros. The taxes related to car rentals are high, equating to a 15 percent fee.