The Ultimate Weekend In Dublin Itinerary: The Best Things To Do, See And Eat!

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Ireland is one of the most beautiful countries we’ve been to with its rich history, outrageously green landscapes, and warm, welcoming locals. And there is literally no better place to start than in the capital city of Dublin. Now if you’ve traveled even just a little bit at all, you’ve most likely met some wild and crazy Irish people. Times that experience by 100 when you’re actually in the country itself—it’s gonna be a blast.

Dublin is full of pubs overflowing with Guinness, live music, and friendly locals ready to strike up a conversation. But there’s more to Dublin than just drinking (although that is definitely a must-do activity). The history is so rich and expansive, and the food is absolutely delicious and you’re going to experience it all with this ultimate weekend in Dublin Itinerary!

2 Day Itinerary For Dublin

We’ve all seen the famous temple bar and castle at the heart of Dublin on our Instagram feeds, but nothing compares to experiencing it for yourself. The music, the cobblestone streets, the lively atmosphere—it’s all just a small glimpse into the magic that is Dublin.

And with this 2-day itinerary, you’ll get a taste of everything that Dublin has to offer. From historical landmarks to traditional Irish food, here’s how you can make the most out of your weekend in Dublin!

Day 1 in Dublin

With only a couple of days to cover the city, we are starting bright and early. You’ll most likely be staying in the Temple Bar area which is perfect for getting around by foot. Our first stop will be at Il Valentino Bakery & Café (formerly Queen of Tarts). This is a must-try café in Dublin. They have some of the best coffee in the city and their freshly baked pastries are melt in your mouth good.  We recommend the pistachio croissant or a classic éclair.

After breakfast, take a stroll along the River Liffey towards Trinity College. This is one of our favorite places to start in the city. You can take a tour of the historic campus, but where we are headed is the Old Library of Trinity College, which houses the famous 9th-century Book of Kells. This is one of Ireland’s greatest treasures and definitely worth a visit.

The library literally looks like something in Harry Potter with old wooden shelves stacked high with dusty books. As somewhat of a history buff, I geeked out over the Book of Kells. If you aren’t familiar with it, it is an illuminated manuscript of the four gospels in Latin. The intricate details have been preserved for centuries and it truly is a masterpiece. We were shocked by the colors and how well they have stood the test of time.

If you want to combine your Book of Kells exhibition tour with Dublin Castle we highly recommend this tour, it’s one of the best ways to get insider knowledge as you walk the streets of Dublin from Trinity College to Dublin Castle! Be sure to check out our post on other castles to visit while in Ireland!

After learning about the Book of Kells, take some time to walk around Trinity College’s campus. It’s full of beautiful architecture and green spaces.

Image via Unsplash by Jeremy Matteo

After visiting Trinity College, take a walk through St. Stephen’s Green Park. This park is a peaceful oasis in the middle of the city and depending on the time of year, you’ll see people lounging around if it’s warm enough. Personally, we think it’s the most beautiful in autumn when the leaves change color.

From here you can head to Grafton Street, which is one of Dublin’s most famous shopping streets. Here you’ll find a mix of high-end shops, street performers, and plenty of pubs and restaurants to stop for a bite to eat. If your first coffee wasn’t enough, we highly recommend stopping in Bewley’s Café. On a cold day, their frothy white is heaven in a mug and they serve some delicious Irish lunch items if you’re hungry!

From Grafton Street, you take a short walk to Dublin Castle. This is definitely a highlight of your weekend in Dublin.

The castle was originally built in the 13th century when the Vikings invaded Ireland. Over the years, it has been renovated and transformed, but it still maintains its medieval charm. You are free to take self-guided tours of the grounds and the castle itself, but if you want a more in-depth experience, we highly recommend taking a guided tour. You’ll learn about the castle’s history and see some incredible artifacts. You’ll visit the state apartments and the Chapel Royal, both of which are stunning.

Image via Unsplash by KaLisa Veer

After your tour of Dublin Castle, head over to Christ Church Cathedral, just a short walk away. This stunning cathedral is one of Dublin’s oldest and most beloved landmarks, dating back to 1030. Known for its impressive architecture and rich history, Christ Church Cathedral also houses a fascinating medieval crypt. As you explore, take a moment to appreciate the blend of Romanesque, Gothic, and Victorian styles that make up this magnificent structure.

Don’t miss the opportunity to view the famous Trinity, a mummified cat and rat, preserved behind glass in the crypt—it’s kind of weird, but we were curious and couldn’t resist seeing it for ourselves.

Next, head to St. Patrick’s Cathedral, just a 10-minute walk from Christ Church. This is another must-see landmark in Dublin, with its towering spire and beautiful stained glass windows. It’s also the largest cathedral in Ireland, making it even more impressive.

The cathedral has a special spot in Irish history since it’s believed to be where St. Patrick baptized converts to Christianity. Also, a fun fact we learned on our tour is that Jonathan Swift, the guy who wrote Gulliver’s Travels, was once the dean of St Patrick’s Cathedral!

This is your last stop of the day before heading back to the Temple Bar area for some well-deserved dinner and drinks. So take your time and really soak in the beauty and history of this incredible cathedral.

We know, we’ve kept you busy. But as we mentioned, with only 2 days in Dublin, we are absolutely gonna make the most of it! You can head back to your hotel to freshen up, but nobody in Ireland will care if you turn up looking a bit disheveled after spending a day being a tourist.

Before we came to Dublin, we had always seen the famous Temple Bar Pub, you know the one with the bright red exterior and we thought that’s what everyone was referring to when they would say Temple Bar. But once we arrived, we realized that the whole area is actually called Temple Bar and it’s a pumping neighborhood filled with bars, restaurants, and street performers.

As the night goes on, this area gets more and more crowded with people looking for a good time. If you decide to grab a pint at the Temple Bar PUB (I know, I’m getting confused too), be prepared for a crowd. From what we’ve heard, locals don’t really go there as it’s more of a tourist spot, but the atmosphere is still pretty awesome and we had a great time.

If you’re looking for dinner away from the noisy crowds, you can cross the Ha’penny Bridge and head towards the neighborhood of Smithfield. The Winding Stair is a cozy restaurant with amazing food and a lovely view of the River Liffey.

After dinner, you can head back to the Temple Bar area for some traditional Irish music. The Old Storehouse is a popular spot with live performances every night, but it does get packed quickly so try to arrive early if you want to grab a seat.

Day 2 in Dublin

Let’s hope you didn’t drink too much Guinness last night because today we’re going to explore more of Dublin. Crossing back over the Ha’penny Bridge, start off your morning by grabbing some breakfast at Brother Hubbard North. This café is a can’t miss in the city. The owner has gone on to open four different locations, all with fresh ingredients and great coffee. We would go back to Dublin just for his homemade sourdough. It was so good!

After breakfast, it’s time to jump straight back into the history books by visiting Kilmainham Gaol, one of the most famous prisons in Ireland and a symbol of the country’s struggle for independence. It’s about a 40-minute walk from the city center, so this is when your Leap Card will come in handy.

The museum is by guided tour only, and personally, we think it’s best that way. By the end of the tour, you will have a deep understanding of the struggles that Irish people faced and how they fought for their freedom. It’s a heavy experience, but one that is necessary to truly understand the city and its people.

After Kilmainham Gaol, take a short walk over to The Irish Museum of Modern Art (IMMA) which displays modern and contemporary art. It’s located in the stunning Royal Hospital Kilmainham, which is worth visiting just for its beautiful architecture and gardens. After spending some time at IMMA, head north of the river to Phoenix Park, one of the largest urban parks in Europe. It’s a perfect spot for a walk or bike ride if the weather is nice.

Image via Unsplash by Andrew Meßner

Now that you’ve walked all over Dublin, you are probably starving. Since we are headed to the Guinness Storehouse later in the day, let’s grab some traditional Irish Fish and Chips for lunch at the Fish Shop. It’s right down the road from Phoenix Park and serves up some of the best fish and chips in the city. It’s flaky, crispy, and just the right amount of greasy.

After lunch, it’s time for another iconic Dublin experience—a tour of the Guinness Storehouse. This seven-story building is dedicated to telling the story of Ireland’s most famous drink, from its humble beginnings to becoming a world-renowned brand.

One of the highlights of the Guinness Storehouse tour is the Gravity Bar on the top floor. This bar offers a 360-degree view of Dublin and serves up a complimentary pint of Guinness with admission to the storehouse. It’s the perfect spot to take in the city while enjoying a cold, freshly poured pint.

Now, before heading to Dublin, we wouldn’t be caught dead drinking a Guinness, we’ve just never enjoyed the taste. But after this tour, we had a newfound appreciation for it and can even say that we now enjoy it! We also think it tastes different here, but maybe that’s just the Irish charm.

To end your day in Dublin, head back into the city center for some live traditional Irish music at one of the many pubs. If you missed this on your first night in town, then you HAVE to add it to the end of your day today!

This is a quintessential Irish experience and something you can’t miss while in Dublin. Some popular spots for live music include The Cobblestone, O’Donoghue’s, and of course the famous Temple Bar Pub.

At this point, we were happy to have some dinner at one of the pubs, but if you feel like going all out, The Quays Dublin is an excellent choice for some delicious seafood chowder and traditional Irish dishes. They also have a great selection of Irish whiskey if you’re over the Guinness for the night.

How To Get Around Dublin

The thing we will never stop loving about European cities is their walkability. That includes Dublin, where everything you could possibly want to see is within walking distance. This means you won’t have to rely on public transportation and can just take a casual wander (unless it’s raining, then the buses are a lifesaver).

But if you do want to experience Dublin with a bit more speed, there are plenty of options available. The bus system in Dublin is reliable and extensive, covering almost every corner of the city. Just make sure you have exact change or a Leap Card, which can be purchased at any convenience store. Failing that it is easy to jump in a taxi, Uber is also active here.

There is also a light rail system called the Luas, which connects the city center with the suburbs. This is a great option for getting to popular tourist spots such as the Guinness Storehouse or Kilmainham Gaol.

Another great option for getting around is by bike! With many designated bike lanes and rental stations throughout the city, biking allows you to cover more ground while taking in the sights at your own pace. You can also take advantage of the Dublin Bike Scheme, which offers affordable bike rentals for short trips around the city.

Mini Packing Guide

We’ve listed a few must have items for a trip to Dublin, but for a more extensive guide check out our Ultimate Eurotrip Packing Guide.

• Comfortable walking shoes – Number one on our list now and forever, comfortable walking shoes are a must for exploring Dublin as you’ll be on your feet 80% of the day!
• Raincoat or umbrella – It’s no secret that Ireland gets its fair share of rain, so be sure to pack a raincoat or umbrella just in case.
• A jacket with a hood – We’re not huge on packing umbrellas because they can be bulky, so we always opt for a light jacket with a hood instead.
• Layers – The weather in Dublin can be unpredictable, so it’s always good to have layers that you can add or remove depending on the temperature.
• Outlet adapter – Don’t forget to pack an outlet adapter if you’re from outside of Europe. Ireland uses Type G outlets.
• Portable charger – With all the walking and exploring you’ll be doing, your phone battery is bound to drain quickly. Be prepared with a portable charger to keep your devices charged throughout the day.

Map Of Dublin Itinerary

Below is an interactive Google Map with every location featured in the weekend in Dublin itinerary pinned to help with your trip planning.

Where To Stay In Dublin

We’ve listed our top 4 recommendations on where to stay during your weekend in Dublin, but be sure to see our Where To Stay In Dublin post for a neighborhood breakdown and where to stay in each of those locations!

• Zanzibar Locke – You can’t go wrong with this stay in Dublin, with a super high rating the aparthotel will have you feeling right at home on your stay. The suites are chic with an excellent coffee shop on site.
• Motel One – Right in the middle of Dublin, you can’t go wrong with Motel One. This trendy hotel offers stylish rooms and a bar that serves cocktails from noon to midnight, perfect for exploring the city by day and unwinding at night.
• Egans House – If you want a traditional Irish experience, look no further than Egans House. This charming guesthouse offers cozy rooms and a warm atmosphere, as well as a delicious breakfast to start your day off right.
• Jacobs Inn – Solo travelers and backpackers will love Jacobs Inn. The hostel is fun and modern, but extremely clean. They also have pod-style beds, so you can pay dorm prices for a little extra privacy.

History Of Dublin

Before we get into the nitty-gritty of how to spend your 2 days in Dublin, we want to really set the scene and give you a little background on Dublin.

Ireland has one of the craziest histories that so many people don’t know about. From invasions to uprisings, the country has been through a lot and continuously overcomes it all with its charm and resilience. The country may be small, but man do they have some heart!

Dublin is the capital city of Ireland, located on the east coast of the country. It’s definitely the most popular city for tourists to visit, which we learned during our road trip through Ireland. It’s the home of the Guinness brewery and the birthplace of many famous writers such as James Joyce and Oscar Wilde. But how the city came to be what it is today, wasn’t easy.

Dublin started out as a Viking trading post around 841 AD. It quickly became a key player in Viking power across the British Isles until the Normans invaded in the 12th century, bringing English influence into the mix.

Over the years, Dublin turned into a major hub, often caught up in conflicts because of its prime location and economic importance. By the 16th and 17th centuries, the English had a strong hold on the city, which made many Irish people push for more independence.

The fight for independence in the 20th century was huge, with Dublin being a central player during the Easter Rising in 1916. This was a game-changer for Irish history and eventually led to the Republic of Ireland being established.

After winning independence, Dublin blossomed into the cultural and economic hotspot it is today, mixing its rich history with a modern vibe. With this guide, you’ll be able to dive into this history through museums, famous landmarks, and the stories shared by the friendly locals.

Wrapping Up Your Dublin Adventure

We love cities like Dublin, it’s the perfect place for travelers who want a little bit of everything out of their destination. It has a rich history, a palpable culture, and great food and drinks. We honestly don’t think it gets better. And with everything being within walking distance, it’s easy to explore and see all the main attractions.

Whether you’re interested in history, art, or just having a good time, Dublin is the place to be. We know a weekend in Dublin is only scratching the surface, but with this guide, you’ll be able to make the most out of your time in the city and see all the must-visit spots.

Frequently Asked Questions