TRAVELING TO DUBLIN!
Are you traveling to Dublin and are curious about the best things to do? If you have 3 DAYS IN DUBLIN, we’ve got the ultimate itinerary to get you on the right track! You’ll eat the food, roam their streets, and maybe dance a jig and have a pint of the Black Stuff in Dublin’s best pubs!
I was just in Dublin and I have you covered with the ultimate itinerary for 3 days in Dublin. Dublin is such a vibrant city with lots to see and do and I want to make sure you do not miss out on anything! It will be a packed 3 days… so put on your comfortable shoes and set out for an epic adventure!
Let’s Pack for This Trip
When planning your trip to Dublin… remember it’s the city with 4 seasons in one day! Consequently, your packing list depends on what season you are going.
Summer/Spring/Fall – layers, definitely a raincoat, comfortable walking shoes/boots. I suggest items along these lines:
Merrell Boots ( I own these in 3 different colors… waterproof, SO comfortable, can be dressed up or down)…
or for men…
Columbia Pants (Men and Women… can be dressed up or down and are great for every activity!)…
or
Rain Jacket (Stay warm and shielded from the elements)…
Winter – layers, a puffy jacket that can be worn under a raincoat, warm socks, boots, warm hat (the wind kicks up), gloves, and a scarf.
Bear in mind, you will be swayed to buy an authentic Moreno wool sweater from one of the 100’s of shops you see selling them.
They are cozy and will be perfect to buy early in your trip! What a great souvenir to bring home. You will spend about $120 on average for one, nevertheless, the quality is exceptional!
Ireland is known as the Emerald Isle, and all that greenery takes plenty of watering, so rain is a possibility at any time of year!
Traveling To Dublin!
While planning your itinerary for Traveling to Dublin, here are some tips and suggestions.
-Electricity in Dublin is of the 220v standard, and power outlets use the same three-pin plug that you’ll find throughout the UK and the British Isles. Travelers from most countries, including continental Europe and North America will need a travel plug adapter or a universal adapter.
Be sure to leave electronics that don’t support 220v at home or you’ll need to purchase a voltage converter. Your cell phones and tablets/laptops have surge protectors in them and can be plugged in using simply a converter.
Your flat irons and curling irons ladies… not so much. You WILL fry them so leave them at home or try a converter. I have fried my share. Now I have a very tiny flat iron I purchased in Abu Dhabi for $4 a few years ago that has the European 3 pin plug that I bring. You can buy one once you arrive for very cheap! Try a store called Penney’s. They are downtown Dublin and carry EVERYTHING you could need for an extremely low price!
–Currency in Ireland (the Republic of Ireland) is in the Eurozone, so the currency is the Euro. You can get Euros from ATM’s, banks, and currency exchanges, although credit cards are of course widely accepted throughout the country.
Note that if you plan to visit Northern Ireland, you’ll need to switch to GBP as the currency in the UK is pound sterling.
Throughout this post, I will quote costs in Euros. The exchange fluctuates around 90 cents USD per 1 Euro. I tend to just call it even so that I don’t fret about it while traveling.
-Tipping is not mandatory in Ireland. They make a living wage (what a novel idea). That being said, leaving a few coins on the bar after your bartender has painstakingly poured a perfect pint of Guinness (it truly IS an art… have patience as it is a 2 step process and worth the wait!) will be much appreciated.
If you pay with a card, they will not open a tab for you most likely. You just pay for each round. There will not be a spot on the signature slip for a tip, so try to keep a few coins rattling around in your pocket to leave should you choose to do so. The cost of a pint of Guinness will vary across Dublin.
Obviously, it will be more expensive in more touristy areas. Temple bar was 7 Euros a pint. A few blocks away we found some as cheap as 5 Euros. Outside of Dublin, we found many were not more than 4 Euros.
Internet access is easy to find in the form of WiFi all around the city, as well as in the majority of hotels and coffee shops, so you shouldn’t have any trouble getting online. You can also pick up local SIM cards if you have an unlocked phone. You can pick these up at the airport usually.
Water in Dublin (and Ireland) is perfectly safe to drink unless otherwise posted. It actually tastes great!
Dublin Airport to the City
Flying in is just the first step in traveling to Dublin, next you have to get from the airport to Dublin city center. You have several choices about how to get from Dublin airport to the city center.
You can grab a taxi or hire an Uber (through the licensed taxi company as there are no private car Ubers in Ireland) to take you to the city to begin your 3 days in Dublin, but that can be pricey ($25 U.S. min depending on traffic for a taxi. Uber comes up even more expensive).
One thing to consider when traveling to Dublin is how much luggage you have. If you are simply backpacking it, the options include both bus or taxi. If you have a lot of luggage, I would strongly advise a taxi as the bus gets VERY crowded and you will be juggling your luggage in tight quarters.
I have flown into Dublin a couple of times. The first time, just because there were 4 of us sharing the cost, we chose a Taxi. Directly into the city to the Temple Bar district, it cost 28 Euros. It took about 20 minutes.
The second time there were only 2 of us, so I thought I would choose the Airlink Express. It is Dublin Airlink Express 747 from the Dublin International Airport directly to Dublin City Center.
Look for the tall double-decker bright green bus! It is $7.50 one-way ($14 return) and is fairly quick as the City Center is only roughly 6 miles away. Make sure to grab the pamphlet at the kiosk when you approach the bus waiting area.
This pamphlet lists all the major hotels and what stop to get off to access them. Keep in mind the bus does not linger at the stops, so know your stop and prepare to get off quickly.
If you take the bus, be aware it does make several stops on its route, and if you are staying anywhere around the Temple Bar District, stay on until the 7th stop. Before you go just check the route and landmarks close to your hotel/Airbnb.
The Airlink Express service operates two routes, the original 747 route between Dublin Airport and Heuston Rail Station and the new 757 route between Dublin Airport and Camden (Charlotte Way and Harcourt Street). It operates 7 Days a week – from 4.45am (06:30 am on Sunday) to 00.30am.
The link below will take you to routes for the Airlink Express.
During your 3 days in Dublin, you will notice that central Dublin is fairly compact and is best experienced by a combination of walking and public transportation. Taxis and bike hires are also options, although the roads are crowded and narrow so be careful on a bike. We would not recommend driving in Dublin. If your travels take outside the city afterward, wait to rent your car until you are ready to leave. Driving and finding parking in central Dublin can be difficult and parking can be expensive. If you are not flying in but rather driving to Dublin, we’d recommend parking your car when you arrive in the city and then use public transport until you leave the city center.
Things to do in Dublin
Dublin City Pass
While looking onto things to do in Dublin, check out the Dublin City Pass. You will see they have laid out the cost/benefit ratio for packaging all the main attractions into one ticket. They recommend a 3-day pass to see everything Dublin has to offer. This pass allows for free entry into over 25 of Dublin’s popular attractions. The cost online to purchase a 3-day Adult ticket is about 92 Euros. We would only recommend this if you feel you are going to take in all the attractions it has to offer. Otherwise, you aren’t saving any money. Check out their website regardless, for ideas of what to see link below.
Day 1
Hop On Hop Off Bus (HOHO)
Those who know us, know we tend to take advantage of The Hop On Hop Off Bus tours in almost every city we travel to. Not just for the great information you can gather while riding this sightseeing bus, but also simply as an affordable mode of transportation.
We often try to do this the first FULL day we have in a city as it helps us get the lay of the land and plot out the rest of our time there. We tend to buy our tickets before we arrive in the city, depending on the savings of pre-booking vs. the walk up ticket price. If they are close to the same, we buy the tickets once we have arrived.
If you plan to use these HOHO buses, we recommend doing this when you first arrive in Dublin to get a good overview of the city before you start exploring. We find these tours are great ways to get a good introduction to a new city although not as practical if you are trying to get from one place to another quickly. There are 2 routes (Blue route and Red route). With a combined 30 stops through 2 routes, you will cover a lot of ground on these busses. Each route if driven in its entirety takes 2 hrs.
In Dublin, almost everything is in walking distance if you enjoy walking! A mix of riding the bus and walking is perfect in Dublin. The bus offers a double-decker, sit-back-and-relax option though if you really want to see the whole city.
We started Day one walking to the Guinness Storehouse because even if we caught the first bus of the day, it would not have dropped us off at the Storehouse to make it for our 10:30 am tour. This is important to note. The bus is not a QUICK way to get from point A to point B, so be aware of your ticket times and walk if necessary! Once finished though, the bus conveniently picked us up right outside the Guinness Storehouse door. From here, we cruise the streets of Dublin, taking in the scenery from the upper deck, and learning fun facts from the GPS guided tour.
There are a couple of different companies that offer this service. Price them out and see what one grabs you. They all basically do the same routes and offer similar packages. We like to take advantage of the 48hr option, which includes a night tour as well if you’re up for it. We seem to gravitate to The Big Bus Tour in each city we travel to. In Dublin, the price for 2 days which includes a night tour and a walking tour, is 25 Euros. One of the cheaper cities we have done this in!
You can also try City Sightseeing. We have also used this company while exploring overseas. Both options are equally great!
The Guinness Storehouse!
What do you think of when you think of Ireland aside from green hills and castles? GUINNESS!! Your trip to Ireland is not complete without visiting Dublin’s #1 tourist attraction…
The Guinness Storehouse is on the site of St James’s Gate Brewery. This is where Ireland’s legendary “Black Stuff“, Guinness, has been brewed since 1759. It’s one of Ireland’s greatest success stories, with over 50 million barrels of Guinness being produced annually at St. James Gate brewery.
The Guinness Storehouse itself is a huge seven-story visitor attraction arranged around a central atrium. The Storehouse was built in 1904 and used for fermentation until 1988 but is no longer part of the active brewery. Note – you don’t actually see any brewing going on during the tour and it is self-guided. If you are English speaking, no need for the handheld narrative device.
While in Dublin, why not learn all about Guinness’ rich history. As you walk through each floor you will learn what goes into making a perfect pint of Guinness, ending in the rooftop bar for a perfectly poured pint of the “Black Stuff” and a view that rivals any view in Dublin.
The Guinness Storehouse is open 7 days a week 9:30 am – 7 pm (last admission is at 5 pm). Afternoon tours are VERY crowded. We went late morning and it was already getting pretty cramped. All adult tickets include a complimentary pint of Guinness (with a valid ID).
Tickets vary in price quite a bit depending on the time of day. The difference of only 30 minutes can save you a lot. Give yourself at least a couple of hours here. Follow this link to book your tickets in advance if you’d like saving money on walk-up prices. https://www.guinness-storehouse.com/en
Temple Bar District
You’ve heard all about it… now it’s time to see it for yourself! Hop off the bus (or make your way on foot) at the Temple Bar area and immerse yourself in its vibrant atmosphere. Albeit a touristy area of the city… you feel as if you’re getting a real Irish flavor as you stroll through the cobblestone streets, being enticed by the lively music pouring out into the streets from almost every pub!
Even in the afternoons, you are guaranteed to find all sorts of entertainment in this area. Street performers, walk up food shops, pubs, pubs, and more pubs! It’s easy to lose yourself here for an entire afternoon! Go for it… it’s an area worth exploring.
Temple Bar itself is an icon in the city. You’ll find it on every postcard and every brochure! From the street as you approach its cheerful red exterior, you won’t feel as if you are about to step into much more than a small pub with a friendly ambiance… until you get inside and you discover room after room, alcoves left and right, a small beer garden out back… and more pints of Guinness floating by on trays than you’ve ever dreamed of. It was where we chose to grab our FIRST pint of Guinness upon arriving into Dublin… and it did not disappoint.
People are right. Guinness just TASTES BETTER in Ireland! The postcards you see stuck on the walls everywhere are in fact free and they WANT you to take them! They make for a great and easy to pack souvenir from your time spent in this exciting area. Stamps back to America or Canada will cost you just over 1 Euro and can be bought at many of the shops around town.
This area has great shopping, more restaurants than you’ll have room for during your stay, and as I said… entertainment galore. Spend some time roaming around this area before taking advantage of the walking tour that is included in your Hop On Hop Off ticket.
Free Walking Tour
If you haven’t opted for the HOHO bus tour, I might still suggest taking a guided walking tour. We try to include a walking tour on all our trips. The company we love to use is called FREE WALKING TOURS. They are just that. FREE. You can reserve a spot or simply walk up to a guide holding an umbrella stating FREE WALKING TOURS and ask if there is room on the next tour.
The deal with these is, they don’t charge a fee for the tour and the company does not take a commission at the end. You simply TIP the guide what you see fit. It is proven that they will work hard for that tip because there is nothing stopping you from walking away at the end without ever forking over a cent. We are aware that a typical walking tour will cost around $10-$20/pp. We tip according to that scale and how well we feel the guide did. This will all be explained to you at the beginning of the tour. We love these tours and will continue to take them as we explore each new city.
Night Tour on HOHO
Take in a night tour on the Hop On Hop Off Bus. This is a 60-minute tour of the city where you stay on the bus throughout the tour. This is a way to discover the sights of Dublin as they sparkle after dark.
Along the way, you’ll enjoy entertaining commentary from their expert live guide, who’ll bring Dublin’s history and culture to life with local flair, always adding a joke or two. If you haven’t purchased a 2-day HOHO pass, the price of joining this tour is only 15 Euros/pp.
This night tour is truly one of the best things to do in Dublin at night, giving you great insight into the city as you pass through areas like Temple Bar and Docklands, and see iconic landmarks like Christ Church Cathedral and Trinity College lit up at night.
Best Pubs in Dublin
Check out our post on Dublin’s Best Pubs for ideas on how to round out your night. Whether it’s food, drinks, or live music you are after (or all three!)… we’ve got you covered. Rounding out day 1 of your 3 Days in Dublin, we say Sláinte!
Day 2
Waking up feeling refreshed (because the Guinness is only 4.2% in Ireland), let’s hit the ground running. Well, after a Full Irish Breakfast that is. The full Irish seems to be the best hangover cure after a night in this amazing city! So if you strayed from Guinness or simply drank too much of it, get yourself to one of these eateries STAT!
Day 2 of your 3 Days in Dublin can start with The traditional full Irish Breakfast. It includes bacon (traditionally back bacon), fried, poached or scrambled eggs, fried or grilled tomatoes, fried mushrooms, fried bread or buttered toast (the Irish brown bread is to die for!), and sausages (also known as “bangers”). Black pudding, baked beans, and bubble and squeak are also often included.
The best places in Dublin to find this are as follows:
- Queen of Tarts
Queen of Tarts’ hearty breakfast is not to be missed. The pastry shop’s savory meals are worth taking time out of your busy Dublin day to enjoy. The hearty breakfast, as it’s called on the menu is a perfect way to begin your morning. Consider accompanying this delicious meal with some of Dublin’s best tea.
Queen of Tarts, Cows Lane, Dame Street, Dublin 2, Ireland, +353 1 633 46812.
- The Hairy Lemon
While the doors to the famous Hairy Lemon open at 11.30am, their traditional Irish breakfast is served all day. It comes complete with your choice of fried or scrambled eggs. The Hairy Lemon is located next to the lovely St Stephen’s Green, which makes for an excellent outing on a sunny day.
The Hairy Lemon Pub, Stephen Street Lower, Dublin 2, Ireland, +353 1 671 8949
- The Bakehouse
The Bakehouse proudly serves brunch daily and includes a full Irish breakfast on the menu. Referred to as the Bakehouse grill, their variation of the full Irish breakfast includes all the staples and goes well with any of their delicious coffees and teas. Overlooking the River Liffey, the Bakehouse is a well-decorated, adorable cafe. Very centrally located.
The Bakehouse, 6 Bachelor’s Way, Dublin 1, Ireland, +353 1 873 4279
The Book of Kells and Old Library
Please note: Discounted Adult tickets available online only before 11:00 and after 15:00 every day.
The Book of Kells Exhibition is a must-see on the itinerary of all visitors to Dublin. Located in the heart of the city center in Trinity College Dublin (worth strolling around the campus), the Exhibition displays the Book of Kells, a 9th-century manuscript that documents the four Gospels of the life of Jesus Christ.
The Book of Kells is clearly one of Ireland’s greatest cultural treasure and the world’s most famous medieval manuscript. On top of that, the Exhibition also features access to the Long Room, one of the world’s most beautiful libraries, that houses 200,000 of Trinity College’s oldest books. This alone is worth the admission as it is a stunner of a room!
When planning your 3 days in Dublin, don’t make the mistake so many make and assume you can walk up to popular attractions such as this, and not have to wait in line. If you want to see The Book of Kells and the Old Library Exhibition, book ahead.
We suggest you book tickets before 11 am as they are discounted and the crowds are generally less in the morning. Tickets are again discounted after 3 pm. If you pre-book your tickets and choose the discounted time frame, you are looking at about 11 Euros/pp and you get to skip the line (queue) and walk in at your designated time. The lines get very long!
For an extra 5 Euros, you can book an audio guide. This is helpful to get the most of your experience. Book your tickets here
Irish Whiskey Museum
If you have worked up a thirst after taking in the Book of Kells, walk yourself across the street to the Whisky Experience (119 Grafton St) and treat yourself to a flight of whiskeys or dive right in a take the tour! War, famine, power struggles and politics – these are some of the ingredients that go to make up the story of Irish whiskey. Why not learn a little about your favorite liquid gold?
Take a journey back through time at the Irish Whiskey Museum. Learn the origins of Irish whiskey, its rise to glory and its dramatic fall and discover some new Irish whiskey brands. Tours run 60-90 minutes and range from 20 – 30 Euros depending on which tur you choose. If whiskey isn’t your thing, they have Guinness on tap along with mixed cocktails and it’s still a great place to have a drink in their lounge. https://www.irishwhiskeymuseum.ie/
We recommend walking along Grafton Street. This is one of the best-known streets in Dublin and one of the city’s main shopping streets. It’s a lively place with lots of stores, restaurants (check out the Porterhouse Central with its long mahogany bar), cafés, and street buskers (street performers).
The majority of the street is pedestrian-only making it a friendly place for walkers and tourists. Spare some change for the buskers if you stop to enjoy their talents. Remember, you are representing all of us while traveling abroad!
Molly Malone Statue
No visit to Dublin would be complete without a visit to one of the city’s most famous inhabitants —Molly Malone. Or at least, her statue. Molly Malone, as you are likely aware, is a fictional character who features in one of Ireland’s most well-known songs, Dublin’s unofficial anthem. It tells the story of a fishmonger plying her wares in Dublin. You might want to learn it before you go… the lyrics are very easy to learn!
As you can probably tell from the photo below, many tourists like to get “handsy” with her, particularly her breasts, and unfortunately, this has caused some of the bronze to be worn off. Molly stands proudly on Suffolk Street, in front of the Tourist Information Office. This is just a 2-minute walk from Trinity College and the Irish Whiskey Museum.
Hop On Hop Off Bus
After you’ve had some lunch (possibly at The PYG or the Stag’s Head... both in the vicinity, surrounded by other countless restaurant choices)… hop back on the HOHO to round out your afternoon (and getting the most out of your 2-day pass). Hop off when you see something interesting and the next bus will be along shortly (usually every 15-20 minutes) to collect you once again!
Saint Patrick’s Cathedral
One stop we recommend is Saint Patrick’s Cathedral. It costs 7.50 Euros and is worth the fee. Saint Patrick’s Cathedral is the National Cathedral of the Church of Ireland. The building is a busy place that serves as a place of worship, a visitor attraction and as a host for many events. This building is beyond incredible. You can also look up any events that might be happening and see if anything interests you. They have concerts and events which are free. https://www.stpatrickscathedral.ie/
Live Music in Temple Bar
If you are not exhausted and want to experience some more of the Dublin liveliness, we recommend exploring more of the Temple Bar District. It is a good place to discover the “craic”, the all-encompassing Irish word for having a good time. This is the party capital of Dublin, and if you’re seeking out pints of Guinness, live music, and lots of the aforementioned “craic”, this is definitely the place to come.
Just stroll through the streets in this area and wander into any one of the multitudes of pubs offering a lively beat that catches your ear. Many of the pubs serve oysters, mussels, and regular pub fare. We had our fair share of fish and chips and shepherd’s pie! Check out our post on Best Pubs in Dublin for some good ideas of where to tap your toes and quench your thirst!
We’re coming to the end of the second day of our 3 days in Dublin, and what better way to finish off than by watching the sunset over the River Liffey, which runs right through the center of the city. In summer months, the sun doesn’t set until around 1030pm. If the weather is good, we highly recommend taking a moment to enjoy the sunset view of Dublin.
Most of the city center bridges along the River Liffey will offer you a good view. The most famous bridge is the Ha’Penny Bridge, a cast iron pedestrian bridge built in 1816. Luckily, our Airbnb was directly on Bachelor’s Walk AT the bridge. We got to experience crossing this old beauty multiple times a day! This bridge is just at the edge of the Temple Bar district so if you’re not done with the CRAIC, head on back in for more partying!
Day 3
Dublin Castle
No visit to Dublin is complete without laying eyes on Dublin Castle. Known as the Historic Heart of Dublin, the castle is a great introductory to the over 3,000 castles found in Ireland! Guided tours are available every day for 12 Euros, or self-guided tours can be done if you fancy just wandering around on your own for 8 Euros. Hours are 09:45-17:45.
Rich in history, the castle boasts incredible architecture and from 1204 until 1922 it was the seat of English, and later British rule in Ireland. Located within the city center, you can easily walk here and enjoy a tour. Dame St. You can book your tickets online below.
Jeanie Johnston Tallship & Famine Experience
A 50 minute guided tour will lead you through the historic Jeanie Johnston Tall Ship. This is a way to gain insight into the tumultuous past of the Irish and what they had to endure during the famine and their voyage to the New world. This replica ship of the original (built in Quebec, Canada in 1847), will give you a glimpse into the life aboard many had to live.
Take in the detailed craftsmanship as you board the ship. Once inside, you will explore the cabins where your guide will lead you through the dimly-lit quarters to show what life was like for those passengers who made the transatlantic voyage to an uncertain future in the ‘New World’.
The Jeanie Johnston made 16 voyages carrying emigrants across the Atlantic to North America, and she was particularly noteworthy as she didn’t lose a single passenger or crew member on any of her voyages. Easily accessed from the city center, tickets and directions to this ship are found below. Tickets run around 10 Euros.
Jameson Whiskey Bow St. Experience
Round out your afternoon with a happy hour you won’t soon forget. Walk on over to the Bow St Jameson Distillery for a tour. Definitely book ahead and arrive a few minutes early to snap a few photos in their courtyard entrance. Don’t worry, you will definitely get to relax in their awesome bar space at the end of your tour!
They’ve been making whiskey for well over two hundred years, so they’ve got a few stories! Their aim is to take you on a journey from past to present; along the way, you’ll sample a few whiskeys and end your tour in their fantastic bar for a free cocktail or taster of whiskey. Tours range in price from 17 Euros depending on how extensive a tour you want. They have whiskey blending tours, whiskey cocktail making classes or simply the basic whiskey tasting tour… which in our opinion was anything but basic! Really worth the money and one of the best tours we did in Dublin.
Let’s Unpack This!
3 Days in Dublin is not nearly enough time to cover everything there is to do in Dublin. We have laid out for you in this itinerary the top sights and experiences we feel embodies this great city. Pick and choose what suits you and stop along the way to dance to the beat of your own drum, or rather tap your toe to your own fiddle! Dublin is a melting pot of culture, language, accents, food, music…and above all, CRAIC!
May the road rise up to meet you.
May the wind be always at your back.
May the sun shine warm upon your face;
the rains fall soft upon your fields
and until we meet again,
SLÀINTE!
