Best 2 Days In Dublin Itinerary – A Local’s Guide To Dublin’s Fair City

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For many, Dublin is the gateway into Ireland and the start of most Irish itineraries. Here, you’ll find a picturesque yet modern city, built upon a complex history and proud traditions. Through this 2 days in Dublin itinerary, get an insider’s guide on what to do in Dublin (and what to leave out) in order to get to the heart of Dublin’s Fair City. 

I recently stumbled upon a post on Facebook, which asked readers what the most disappointing city they had visited in Europe was. Naturally, my curiosity got the better of me and as a very proud Irish person, I was aghast to see Dublin, my adopted city of over 10 years, listed amongst responses.

Putting my patriotic pride to one side, I asked myself “is Dublin worth visiting“? Once I got over my initial shock, the answer was a very obvious, overwhelming yes – whether you’re planning on discovering Dublin in a weekend or a week, your options are endless and you’ll be hard pressed to run out of things to do. This is quite a feat, when you take into consideration Dublin’s relatively petite and compact nature.

Upon sifting through the comments, I realised that those who had mentioned Dublin had not done Ireland’s capital any justice at all. Their visits seemed to focus on the heavily touristic Temple Bar district and they lamented about how overpriced it was – unfortunately the same applies to any touristy destination in any city in the world, and any Dublin itinerary that is built around Temple Bar as an ‘authentically Irish’ experience is going to lead you very, very astray.

Dublin is an extremely lively, friendly city that is awash with history, culture, beautiful public spaces and a huge range of top quality eateries. A lot of these highlights are, rather wonderfully, located either in or within easy reach of Dublin’s city centre, making Dublin extremely accessible and easy to get around. You can discover a lot of Dublin in 2 days on foot.

If you were to ask me what should you not miss in Ireland, then Dublin would be one of those places listed. As the gateway to the country it also holds the keys to much of Ireland’s history and culture and can be a great place to begin any trip to Ireland.

By the end of this local’s guide to Dublin, you’ll see exactly why Dublin is extremely worthy of 2 days of your time, whether for a city break or as part of a longer itinerary in Ireland, and know exactly where to go and what to do to really make the most of your time.

Table of Contents

1. Dublin itinerary 2 days – an overview
2. Best 2 days in Dublin itinerary in detail
3. Getting to and around Dublin Ireland
4. Where to stay in Dublin for 2 days
5. Where to eat during your two days in Dublin
6. Planning your 2 days in Dublin Itinerary – common questions

Dublin itinerary 2 days – an overview

Before we jump into this itinerary in full, here’s a brief overview of what your proposed 2 days in Dublin should look like.

Map of 2 day Dublin itinerary

To help you to visualise this itinerary for your two days in Dublin, I’ve included all spots mentioned on a handy Google Map. If you want to save and use this map for your own trip, just click the star to the right of the map title heading to view in Google Maps.

Best 2 days in Dublin itinerary in detail

Day One of your two days in Dublin itinerary

1. Walking tour of Dublin

Visit time: approx. 2 hours, depending on chosen tour

On your first day in Dublin, you’ll kick things off with a walking tour to get your bearings and an overview of the city, which will stand you in good stead for your 48 hours in Dublin. Choose a tour that best reflects your own interests, whether that is history, food or literature. I’ve included below some of the best walking tours of Dublin. 

Best tours in Dublin

• 1916 Rebellion Walking Tour: the 1916 Rising was an important catalyst in Ireland’s future, which paved the way for the independence from Britain that followed in subsequent years. You are in extremely expert hands on this tour – guide Lorcan Collins is an historian, author and podcaster who has endless knowledge of this period of Ireland’s revolutionary history and his tour comes with outstanding reviews. His podcast is also superb! 
• Delicious Dublin Food Tour: this extremely popular food tour is run by food blogger Ketty Quigley, who moved to Ireland from France nearly 20 years ago. Ketty is passionate about Irish food, and has designed a tour that takes into consideration Ireland’s food heritage, but also takes on board the food revolution that has happened in recent years. 
• Dublin Literary Pub Crawl: you may need to shuffle around day 1 of this itinerary a little bit to do this one a bit later in the day, but this tour is perfect for those who want to discover some of the places in Dublin that inspired some of Ireland’s greatest writers, while also taking stock of some of Dublin’s pubs. Complete with actors who recite pieces of prose and poetry, this is a memorable tour in Dublin that you’ll still be talking about when you return home!
• Dublin Highlights Walking Tour: this Dublin tour is a great all-rounder, which takes you on a looped route around some of Dublin’s most prominent sites. Starting on O’Connell Street at the GPO, you’ll also take in the River Liffey, the Italian Quarter, Dublin Castle, some of Georgian Dublin’s most important buildings, Trinity College and an introduction to Viking Dublin at Christ Church Cathedral – told you it was an all-rounder!
• Irish Whiskey Museum: this Irish Whiskey and Brunch tour run by the Irish Whiskey Museum is the perfect experience for whiskey lovers and those who wish to get more acquainted with the history of Irish whiskey and its production process. Whiskey samples are accompanied by a brunch of Irish smoked salmon, breads and whiskey marmalade, so I wouldn’t be visiting the Irish Whiskey Museum on a full stomach!

2. Christ Church Cathedral

Visit time: 45 mins – 1 hour

Getting there: most easily reached by walking from Grafton Street area and down Dame Street

After your walking tour of Dublin, make your way to Christ Church Cathedral, which is reachable on foot from city centre within about 15 minutes, depending on where you’ve been deposited at the end of your tour! One of Dublin’s oldest buildings, the cathedral dates way back to medieval times, tracing its origins back to 1028 and once forming the heart of what was the centre of medieval Dublin – it actually started its days as a Viking church.

Christchurch Cathedral boasts some spectacular architecture, including an expansive nave, exquisite Gothic features and a Medieval Crypt that extends underneath the entire cathedral. The crypt is one of the largest in Ireland and the UK.

It’s home to many interesting artefacts, including church silver, a rare copy of the Magna Carta Hiberniae  and, rather interestingly – the mummified remains of a cat and a rat (known locally as Tom and Jerry) who were thought to have become stuck in the organ and perished many moons ago. These famous residents even received a mention in James Joyce’s ‘Finnegan’s Wake’. 

Top tip: Included with your tickets is either a self-guided or a guided tour. Note that with a guided tour, you may get a chance to ring the famous bells of Christ Church Cathedral!

3. Dublinia

Visit time: 1 hour

Dublinia is located right beside Christ Church Cathedral, located in fact within the medieval cathedral’s Synod building. Offering a self-guided experience, this museum takes visitors back to medieval Dublin and is a must-visit for those with a particular interest in the Viking history of Dublin. It also makes for a more child-friendly alternative to neighbouring Christ Church Cathedral if you are visiting Dublin with kids.

The experience is an immersive one, featuring artefacts found during digs on Dublin’s quays near the museum and also bringing history to life through its exhibitions. You’ll discover how is was that the Vikings came to settle in Dublin, how the city grew up around them, and what it was like to live in Medieval Dublin during that time.

4. Lunch – Smithfield

Visit time: 1 hour

12 minutes walk from Dublinia and Christ Church Cathedral

By now, you’ll surely be starving, so make your way across the River Liffey to Smithfield and one of the best coffee shops in the city, Urbanity. Urbanity is a small-batch coffee roasters with a somewhat Nordic vibe, that also produces extremely tasty, creative dishes that are built around local produce. Fill up here on food and grab a cup of coffee before continuing with your Dublin 2 day trip. 

5. 14 Henrietta Street

Visit time: 1.5 hours

10 minutes walk from Urbanity 

In the early to mid 1700’s, when Ireland was firmly under British rule, Dublin underwent a period of serious economic prosperity, propelling itself to the position as second largest city in the British Empire. As it still at this point maintained its own separate parliament, Dublin was an extremely attractive city to the wealthier classes and the period saw a boom in building, which shaped much of the architecture that remains in Dublin to this day.

Henrietta Street is the most intact collection of early to mid-17th century houses that exists in Ireland from this period. Starting its days as a much sought after address for Dublin’s most elite, over the next 150 years Henrietta Street and other streets like it succumbed to a gradual downward spiral, when British rule abolished the parliament in Dublin and the ruling classes relocated to London and elsewhere in the British Empire.

Over the course of time, what were once the homes of Dublin’s richest became instead overcrowded slums, or ‘tenements’ for the poorest families in the city. By 1911, over 850 people lived on Henrietta Street, with over 100 people occupying number 14 alone. 

14 Henrietta Street has been rescued from dereliction and turned into instead into a fantastic facility that details Dublin’s social history across three centuries. The house and the people who lived in it are vividly brought to life in an evocative and often emotional way by extremely expert guides. A visit to Henrietta Street makes Dublin’s history personal and humanistic. For those interested about the stories of the people who have lived in Dublin over the centuries and who they were, this is a must-see attraction during your two days in Dublin. 

6. Kilmainham Gaol – an exploration of Irish political history

Visit time: 2 hours

Getting there: you can either get a taxi (approx 10/15 minutes depending on traffic) or by taking the Luas (approx 35 mins total). Walk 10 minutes to Jervis St Luas stop from Henrietta Street. Take the Luas in the Saggart direction to Suir Road Luas stop (15 mins) and then walk 10 minutes from there to Kilmainham Gaol.

Kilmainham Gaol Museum is an absolute must-see in Dublin. The gaol (Gaelic term for ‘jail’ and pronounced the same way) is an extremely important icon in the quest for Irish political independence. Here, the rebels of the 1916 Rising were imprisoned and executed and many other important and high profile political prisoners were incarcerated here during its lifetime. 

A spine-tingling visit, but for me and many others, a visit to Kilmainham Gaol is one of the best things to do in Dublin, with a great exhibition that takes you succinctly through Ireland’s history and quest for independence from Britain. You’ll learn about some of the prisoners who were held at Kilmainham and see the cells and conditions in which people were incarcerated. 

Why is Kilmainham Gaol so important to Irish history? Ever since Ireland’s shores were first invaded in 1196 by Strongbow, Irish people have relentlessly fought to maintain their identity, culture and freedom over the course of what has almost been a millennium of British involvement in Ireland. If you wish to understand the foundations upon which modern day Ireland has now been built, it’s important to understand all that has gone before and Ireland’s complicated but close relationship with the United Kingdom. 

Top tip | the Irish Museum of Modern Art is located nearby at the old Royal Hospital Kilmainham. With over 3,500 pieces of modern and contemporary art dating from the 1940’s to the present day, it is the home to Ireland’s largest and most important collection of modern art. If you’d like to include a visit on your Dublin itinerary, it makes the most sense logistics wise to combine with a visit to Kilmainham Gaol. 

7. Guinness Storehouse for sunset pints in the Gravity Bar

Visit time: 2 hours

Getting there from Kilmainham Gaol: on foot, the walk will take you around 20 minutes, or get a taxi (approx 5/10 minutes depending on traffic). You could also head back to Suir Road Luas stop (heading towards Point Village/Connolly station direction) and disembark at the St. James’ stop, but you’d be just ask quick walking. 

In 1759, Arthur Guinness perfected the (still secret) recipe to Ireland’s famous dark, dry stout and thus was born the iconic brand of “Guinness” as we know it today. The Guinness Storehouse is a fantastic interactive experience at “the home of the black stuff“,  the vast St. James’ Gate facility, which takes you through the history of Guinness, the brewing process and the impact that Ireland’s most famous export has had worldwide. 

Make sure not to miss the exhibition dedicated to Guinness’s advertising over the years – you’ll recognise many and it’s really interesting too to see some of Guinness’ older ads as well. A trip to the Guinness Storehouse is not just limited to those that like Guinness (many don’t enjoy the taste) – it’s an extremely fun, educational and interactive experience that is enjoyable for both Guinness drinker and non Guinness drinker alike. 

The highlight for many is getting to pour their own pint and there are few other places in the capital from which you are better located to watch the sun set over the rooftops of Dublin than from the Gravity Bar at the Guinness Storehouse. And as for whether the Guinness tastes better when you’re getting it straight from the source – I’ll let you decide!

As I am recommending a specific time in the day that’s also quite a popular one, I’d strongly suggest that you purchase your Guinness Storehouse ticket in advance. 

Day two of your two days in Dublin itinerary

1. Trinity College & The Book of Kells

Starting time: as early as you can – first entry to Book of Kells at 8am if you can make it!

Duration: 1-2 hours

Trinity College is probably one of the most iconic sites in Dublin. Established in 1592 by Queen Elizabeth I, Trinity College has been around for quite some time. Many of Ireland’s famous citizens have attended as students, including Oscar Wilde, Jonathan Swift, Bram Stoker and the artist J.B. Yeats.

It may seem strange that such a large campus with sprawling sports grounds is located smack bang in the centre of Dublin, but originally, the college was located on the outskirts of the city, with Dublin city centre later being redesigned and Trinity College finding itself smack bang in the middle of those plans.⁣

Trinity is also famous as the home of one of the most beautiful libraries in the world, The Long Room. Over 200,000 texts are housed underneath its lofty wooden vaults and the library is fringed by the gleaming white busts of famous Irish writers and and ancient philosophers. Its most famous ward, however, is the Book of Kells, one of the most famous manuscripts in the world. 

Ireland is known as the land of saints and scholars, and our literary heritage started all the way back with the production of the 8th century AD Book of Kells. One of the most preeminent pieces of medieval art to come out of Ireland and the British Isles, the book was created around 800AD and features elaborate geometric designs, lots of colour and complicated interlacing patterns. 

2. Chester Beatty Library

Duration: 1 hour

Getting there: 5 minutes walk from Trinity College Dublin 

The Chester Beatty library is very often an overlooked gem in Dublin. Located within the Dublin Castle complex (a set of palace buildings built upon the foundations of a medieval castle dating from the 13th century, that served as a seat of administration during British occupancy), I would recommend that you visit the Chester Beatty before you visit the castle itself. 

The library is home to an exceptional collection of Middle and Far Eastern objects of religious art that are extremely unique, together with many ancient texts including many of the Pauline apostles that date back to the 2nd and 3rd century and which form some of the earliest sources of the bible to be found on papyrus. 

There is also a sanctuary like rooftop terrace and to top it all off, entrance is free – making this a truly wonderful hidden gem in Dublin. 

3. National Museum of Ireland – History and Archaeology

Duration: 1.5 hours

Getting there: Dawson Street is a 10 minute walk from the Chester Beatty Library

The National Museum of Ireland – History and Archaeology is a history lover’s paradise, making it a top attraction to visit during your 2 days in Dublin if you are a history lover. Located on Dawson Street, next to the Natural History Museum and Leinster House, the museum explores some of Ireland’s ancient history and is home to some of Ireland’s ‘bog bodies’, which are Iron Age bodies that have been found over the years in bogs, in an almost perfectly preserved manner.

Offering a comprehensive overview of prehistoric Ireland, the museum’s history exhibits boast a collection of the finest prehistoric goldwork in Europe, dating from 2200 BC to 500 BC. Also obtain a look into the lives of Neolithic farmers and their burial rituals, with a reconstructed Passage tomb and tools and personal objects exhibited too. 

The museum is also home to some of Ireland’s very impressive Viking gold hordes and church treasures, such as the Ardagh Chalice, the Tara Brooch and the Derrynaflan Hoard. When you see all of the gold laid out together in some of the exhibitions it’s almost too much to take in! The museum houses a display of findings from the excavations at Dublin’s Wood Quay (located close to Christ Church Cathedral) too, which was the medieval centre of Dublin and is the most important Viking site in Dublin. 

4. Lunch in St. Stephen’s Green Park

Duration: 1 hour

Located within a couple of minutes walk from Dawson Street, all recommendations are within no more than around 5 minutes away – Sheridans is closest. 

St. Stephen’s Green is a beautiful public space that is located in the heart of Dublin 2, close to Grafton Street and beside St. Stephen’s Green Shopping Centre (which is worth popping your head into for 5 minutes, as the interior structure is beautiful), which is Dublin’s main shopping area on the south side of the city. An oasis of calm in the middle of what is a very busy city centre, it’s the perfect place when the sun is shining to have some lunch al fresco.

Pick up some organic wine and a toastie from Loose Canon on Drury Street, a salad box from Blazing Salads (also on Drury Street) if you’re feeling healthy, or some Irish cheese and charcuterie or a sandwich from Sheridans Cheesemongers and bring it with you to enjoy in the park.

5. Merrion Square Park and its Georgian doors

Duration: 30 minutes

5 minutes walk from St. Stephen’s Green

When you’ve finished feeding the ducks and getting lost in the magical nooks and crannies of Stephen’s Green, make your way around the corner to Merrion Square Park, a smaller, rectangular shaped park that is well known for the distinct Georgian buildings that fringe it. 

If you want to see some of the famous “Dublin doors”, there’s pretty fabulous selection of Georgian doors on many of the elegant townhouses that fringe the square. If time allows, walk down Mount Street Upper to the unique Pepper Cannister Church, which is thus named as it resembled a pepper pot and is placed rather haphazardly in the middle of a roundabout that leads onto the canal!

Top tip | on a Sunday, the railings on the perimeter of Merrion Square Park become an open air art gallery, with dozens of artists exhibiting and selling their paintings during the day. A painting could make for a very special souvenir from your time in Dublin!

6. National Gallery of Ireland

Duration: 45 minutes

A couple of minutes – adjacent to  Merrion Square

Unfortunately, there is not enough time to explore the National Gallery in full if you follow this 2 day itinerary for Dublin as prescribed. There is, however, some time to pop in and see some of the gallery’s pieces of Irish art. I’d recommend in particular that you go to the Jack B. Yeats room, who is one of Ireland’s most famous artists and brother of famous writer W.B. Yeats – they were quite the talented pair!

The gallery itself is housed within a beautiful classical building that has a most interesting modern extension, meaning it’s worth popping in just to admire the building alone. The great thing about the National Gallery, too, is that entrance is free so it makes popping in and out quickly very feasible. 

7. EPIC The Irish Emigration Museum

Duration: 1.5 hours

Getting there: 10 minutes walk from the National Gallery

From the 18th century onwards, Irish people began to emigrate in large numbers, searching for better fortunes and a means to break the poverty cycle they faced in Ireland. Emigration reached its peak in the 19th century, driven in the most part by the Great Famine, which saw 1 million of the Irish population die due to starvation and another 1 million emigrate, with many leaving Ireland’s shores on the infamous ‘coffin’ ships.

The trend continued into the 20th century and because of this, over 70 million people worldwide claim Irish heritage and can trace their roots back to Ireland. Using cutting-edge technology, the interactive museum at EPIC provides visitors with an award winning, immersive experience that explores the triggers and period of emigration in Ireland, who these people were, and the triumphs and struggles they faced when they left Ireland.

For an additional fee, there is also an Irish Family Centre, through which people with Irish heritage can trace their routes and discover who their ancestors were, with the assistance of a genealogist. EPIC is an absolute must-visit in Dublin for those with links to Ireland and a place that those with Irish heritage should not leave off any trip to Dublin.

8. Jeanie Johnston Tallship & Famine Experience

Duration: 1 hour

Getting there: located on the Quays very close to EPIC

A visit to the Jeanie Johnston is the perfect follow on from a visit to the EPIC museum. The experience imparts on visitors the tale of an Irish coffin ship (called thus as many did not survive the harsh, perilous journeys), and how hundreds of thousands of people fled Ireland during the Great Famine in the 19th century, to seek a better life in North America. ⁣

The tour includes time spent both above and below deck, where you’ll see the rather sobering conditions in which 200 people ate, slept, cooked, suffered illness and lived on top of each other for up to two months on end. The tour includes the stories of actual passengers on the ship and what became of them once they reached North America. 

Highly worth visiting for those who want to learn more about the Great Irish Famine and especially for those who can trace their Irish heritage back to emigrants who left Ireland via the coffin ships of the 19th century. 

9. Howth Summit for sunset

Duration: 2+ hours

Getting there: walk to Tara Street DART station – less than 10 minutes. At the Tara Street station, take the next DART heading north to Howth – 25 minutes. Once in Howth, the walk from the train station to Howth Summit via the Cliff Path will take approx. 45 minutes.  

The final stop on your Dublin itinerary offers an extremely memorable way to end your 2 days in Dublin.

The suggested trip to Howth is dependent on two things – firstly, that you are visiting Dublin during the months of April-October, so that you have enough daylight left to get to Howth in time for the sunset and second, that the evening is rain-free and relatively clear in order so you can see the sunset.

Howth Head offers some of the most beautiful views along the Dublin coastline.

It is a relatively gentle hike to the Summit that is suitable for non-experienced hikers, taking you along a dramatic cliff and through wild Irish heather before your glorious prize reveals itself; a marvellous view of the Baily Lighthouse as the sun begins to dip below the horizon and turns the sky to pastel shades.

Alternative things to do during your 2 days in Dublin 

Dublin Writer’s Museum

Located in a classical home on the Georgian Parnell Square, the Dublin Writers Museum is the place to go if you’re keen to deepen your knowledge of Dublin’s literary heritage. The museum offers a fascinating glimpse into the lives of a number of great Irish authors, together with their most important works. This is a must see in Dublin for anyone that is keen to understand more about Dublin’s most famous writers. 

Great North Wall

One of my favourite walks to take in Dublin, the Great North Wall stretches out into Dublin Bay and the Irish Sea, offering exceptional views of Howth, Dun Laoghaire and the Dublin Mountains. To top it all off, at the end of the walk, you’re rewarded by reaching the jauntily red Poolbeg Lighthouse, which has been safely shepherding ships into Dublin Bay since 1767. 

The official route starts at Pigeon House Road in Ringsend and is 8km in total to Poolbeg Lighthouse and back, but I prefer to start from the little beach at Beach Road instead. This route is a lot more picturesque, and traces a path along the bay, taking you through Irishtown Nature Reserve and past Poolbeg Beach, before depositing you at the beginning of the part of the Great Wall that stretches out into the sea. It’s around 9km in total and I’d allow myself around 2 hours to stop and take it all in at a few points along the way!

Phoenix Park

The Phoenix Park is the largest walled city park in Europe, spanning an area of over 1,700 acres. Within its walls, you can discover Áras an Uachtaráin, the official home of the Irish president, Dublin Zoo, a resident deer population and a polo club, amongst others.

Approximately a third of the park in covered in deciduous trees, which include oak, horse chestnut, ash and beech. The Phoenix Park also boasts an impressive diversity, containing 50% of the mammal species and 40% of bird species found in Ireland, making it one of the most biodiverse areas in Ireland. On a sunny day, nothing beats heading to the Phoenix Park with a picnic, where you can cycle around the park in the sun and pitch up when you find a spot that takes your fancy. 

Grand Canal Dock

This is the more modern part of Dublin that I referenced earlier on in this post! To soak up some of Dublin’s more modern architecture, walk along the Liffey to Dublin’s Docklands, taking in features such as the Samuel Beckett Bridge, the Convention Centre and the Famine Memorial. Walk to Grand Canal Dock (especially cool when lit up at night), where you’ll find the Bord Gais Energy Theatre, as well as the European headquarters of tech giants like Google and Facebook.

Getting to and around Dublin Ireland

Now that you’ve covered off what you’ll do in Dublin in 2 days, you’ll want to know what the best way to travel to Dublin is and how to get around during your 2 days in Dublin itinerary.

How To Get To Dublin For Your 2 Days in Dublin Itinerary

Dublin International Airport is Ireland’s largest airport, servicing many countries and airlines worldwide. For context, in 2018 Dublin Airport saw over 30 million passengers pass through its doors.

From within Europe, you’ll usually be able to get to Ireland pretty easily by direct flight. It’s also well serviced by many North American airports and if there are no direct flights, it’s usually possible for the most part to reach Dublin with only one other connecting flight. 

How to get from Dublin Airport to Dublin City Centre 

Dublin Airport is 7km north of the city centre, and much to the chagrin of both Irish and non-Irish passengers of the airport, it is not connected to the city by train. Instead, you will have to rely on either a bus service (public or private) or taxi to take you onwards to your accommodation.

Getting from Dublin Airport to Dublin city centre by bus

Public transportation is in the form of the Airlink Express, a shuttle bus service that runs up to every 10 minutes from both Terminal 1 and 2 of the airport and drops passengers into Dublin city centre, to a range of different key locations in Dublin city centre.

An alternative bus option is the privately run Aircoach service. This has a couple of different routes, a plusher vehicle and while timetables are not as frequent as the Airlink Express, their routes are also further reaching, should you be travelling to areas like Dun Laoghaire or Leopardstown. 

Getting to Dublin Airport to Dublin city centre by taxi

When you exit Arrivals, there is an official taxi rank to the right – just follow the signs for it when you are exiting the airport. Taxis are usually very readily available and cost approximately €25-30 to get to Dublin city centre, a bit more if you’re travelling beyond this – they are fully metred, however and do not operate on a fixed fee basis. 

While the likes of Uber is not technically permitted within Dublin airport, it is still possible to order a taxi via the FreeNow app (a European Uber equivalent). Costs will be the same, as the taxi is still metred and note that drivers will ask you to meet them at a bus and car park that is located a couple of hundred metres away from the main door. 

The best way to get from Dublin Airport to Dublin city centre – private transfer

Now that you have all the options, the most stress-free way of getting from Dublin Airport to city centre is to pre-book a private transfer, where a driver will meet you in Arrivals and whisk you to your destination in a jiffy. 

Get Transfer offers fair pricing to Dublin city centre for around €25-30 on a fixed rate basis (depending on drop-off location and vehicle type). For around the same price as hailing a cab from outside the airport, you can get to your hotel with minimum fuss-  it’s a no-brainer for me. 

How To Get Around Dublin 

The best way to get around Dublin is on foot, so make sure you pack some good walking shoes! As capital cities goes, Dublin is quite small and the city centre is compact and very walkable. 

Should you wish to be spirited between Dublin’s sites by vehicle, then a good option is the hop-on hop-off open top bus, which is also a great way to see the city centre.

Should you wish to get to areas along the coastline, then Dublin’s local train service is called the DART, and stops at numerous stations along the coast both north and south of city centre. You can read more about  the DART and view a map here. 

Dublin also has an electric tram service called the Luas, which has two lines – the Red line that runs along Dublin city centre’s north side of the River Liffey and stretches out to west Dublin at Tallaght, and a second Green line, which carries passengers from St. Stephen’s green out to south Dublin. The lines are also both connected and are a handy way to travel across and around parts of Dublin’s city centre. 

You can purchase tickets for both the DART and the Luas from terminals at the stops, but if you plan on utilising both more than once, it’s probably a better idea to purchase a Leap Card from a newsagent and then top up accordingly. Once you have your Leap Card, you just tap on and tap off at the beginning and end of each journey (don’t forget to tap when you get off, as you’ll be charged for the maximum journey length if this is the case). 

There is also Dublin Bus, the public bus network, but I don’t think you’ll need to utilise this to get around during this 2-day Dublin itinerary. It can also be a bit awkward and has a rather unreliable timetable. Anything you can’t reach via the DART or Luas I would advise you to just hop in a taxi for. 

Where to stay in Dublin for 2 days

While there are lots of quality places to stay in Dublin, these do book up quickly as Dublin tends to receive a lot of visitors. I would strongly suggest that should you see a hotel in Dublin that you like, you should book it immediately, especially if it offers free or flexible cancellation, or risk being disappointed further down the line. This especially applies to weekends, summer, St. Patrick’s Day and Christmas periods. 

Below are my recommendations for luxury accommodation in Dublin.

Where to eat during your two days in Dublin

A surprise to some visitors, but Ireland has become quite the foodie hotspot and Dublin has not escaped this food revolution. There are endless options for eating in Dublin, catering to a wide range of tastes and personal preferences. Luckily, I’ve created an article with the best restaurants in Dublin for foodies, which should answer any food needs you have during a weekend in Dublin! 

Planning your 2 days in Dublin Itinerary – common questions

How many days do you need in Dublin Ireland – are 2 days in Dublin enough?

You’re probably wondering how many days to spend in Dublin, particularly if you’re spending some additional time exploring the rest of the country. I think 2 days in Dublin are perfect in order to see a lot of the city’s popular attractions and to get a solid cultural and historical immersion too.

If you do have a little bit of extra time on your hands and have 3 days in Dublin, I’d recommend taking a little bit more time to stretch out this 2-day Dublin itinerary (as it is pretty jam-packed) and to soak in the atmosphere of Ireland’s capital city. I’d make sure to incorporate some time exploring Dublin’s coastline, so get out of the city centre and visit some of its most beautiful areas, such as Howth, Dun Laoghaire or Killiney. You can even head to the Dublin mountains if you fancy a hike.

If your 3 days in Dublin encompasses all of your time in Ireland, it might be worthwhile taking a day trip outside of Dublin to see some more of Ireland (in particular, the countryside). For this, you can either hire a car and take a self-guided tour, or take all the stress and logistical problems out of it all, and join a well-reviewed guided tour to some of Ireland’s most popular locations – you can even pop up to Northern Ireland for the day.

You can see of the most popular day tours from Dublin below, or alternatively, click here for more. 

Do you need a car in Dublin?

I would recommend against driving in Dublin – you won’t need a car to get around the Irish capital and if you’re starting a longer Ireland itinerary in Dublin, try and pick up your rental car when you are ready to leave Dublin as otherwise, you will have to pay for parking for your rental car (and it will sit unused) while you are working through your Dublin 2 day itinerary. 

When to visit Dublin

Again, a common question to ask – when is the best time to visit Dublin? The summer months of June-August will be the busiest but is also when the weather is (usually!) at its best, and Dublin is really at its pinnacle too when the sun is shining, as locals and visitors alike make the most of its expansive, public, outdoor areas and parks. Room rates are highest in summer, however, and popular tourist attractions are also at their busiest. 

The shoulder months of late April/May and September/early October can also bring with them very pleasant weather, slightly less busy conditions and also some lower accommodation rates – so this is probably the best time to visit Dublin.

That being said, you don’t visit Dublin (or Ireland) for the weather, so if you don’t mind colder temperatures, Dublin can be magical in December in the run up to Christmas, is full of atmosphere and there is a great buzz around the city. Make sure, however, to book your restaurants well in advance as many popular restaurants in Dublin book out weeks in advance in the month of December.

Finally, is to visit Dublin for St. Patrick’s Day. As a resident of Dublin, I find this time a little bit hectic and I usually tend to leave the city and go somewhere else to celebrate, but if you’ve never been to the parade or been in Dublin for St. Patrick’s Day, then it’s definitely an experience and guaranteed good fun! Do expect that hotel room rates/Airbnbs etc can become astronomically priced at this time though. 

Is Temple Bar a tourist trap?

This old chestnut! While doing my research as part of writing this article, I was aghast to see Temple Bar listed on many itineraries as ‘the‘ place to go to have an authentic, Irish experience of pub culture and nightlife in Dublin. Unfortunately, this is some very misplaced advice.

Temple Bar, simply put, is a bit of a tourist trap. Due to the concentrated number of pubs it houses, the area attracts a lot of stag parties and large groups, with extremely overpriced drinks in its pubs. Most Irish people and even more Dubliners tend to avoid the area for those very reasons, so because of this (after all, it’s the people that most often create the atmosphere), any sort of drinking or nightlife experience in Temple Bar is totally non-authentic and aimed at tourists.

If you really want to get your picture outside of the Temple Bar pub itself though, then by all means, go ahead! The Temple Bar district itself is a picturesque little spot of cobbled streets (if you can put the neon to one side). If you do decide to spend some time here, I’d encourage you to check out some of the independent stores in the area instead of its public houses, and keep your visits to Dublin pubs outside of Temple Bar. 

Where should I go for the best night nightlife in Dublin?

In light of what I’ve just said above, you may be now scratching your head and wondering where to go for a pint of the black stuff, or for a cocktail or two. Luckily, Dublin is such a fun city and there really are no shortages of options. Below are some good starting points and after that, see where your feet take you:

• Baggot Street Upper and Merrion Row – try Toners, Doheny & Nesbitt or the famous O’Donoghue’s, which is world-renowned for its live traditional music sessions
• Grafton Street area: Kehoe’s on South Anne Street and McDaid’s on Harry Street. 
• South William Street, Drury Street, George’s Street and Fade Street: most places on these streets are worthy of a visit. Special call-outs include Grogan’s, The Hairy Lemon, The Bar With No Name, Drury Buildings or Chelsea Drugstore for cocktails and The Long Hall on George’s Street for a pint. 
• For rooftop views and cocktails: head to the (outdoor) rooftop bar at the 5 star Marker Hotel in Grand Canal Dock, or for a live DJ and more lively atmosphere, try Sophie’s at the Dean Hotel on Harcourt Street. 
• If you plan on staying out late: Harcourt Street or Camden Street
• For traditional, live Irish music: The Cobblestone pub in Smithfield 

Planning a trip to Ireland? Some must read posts:

DUBLIN RESTAURANTS | Insider’s Guide: The Best Restaurants In Dublin For Foodies

KILLARNEY | A Curated Guide Of The Best Things To Do In Killarney Ireland

KILLARNEY HOTEL REVIEW | A Boutique Bolthole in Killarney, Ireland – Cahernane House Hotel Review

KILLARNEY AIRBNBS | The Best Airbnb Killarney Holiday Rentals

IRELAND SHORT BREAK IDEAS | 7 Blissful Ideas For A Wonderful Short Break In Ireland

IRELAND 7 DAY ITINERARY | 7 Day Ireland Itinerary – A Local’s Guide To Discovering The REAL Ireland

IRELAND CASTLE AIRBNBS | The Best Castles For Rent In Ireland On Airbnb

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