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Spend An Amazing Weekend in Dublin|2-day Itinerary
Dublin is one of the most amazing places in Ireland. There are so many things to do here that you might want to extend your trip for more than a weekend. We have listed a two-day itinerary for you, with all the information about travel and some essentials. You will also find a separate list of the cafes and pubs that you can check out.
All the places mentioned in the itinerary are given in the sequence.
How to reach to Dublin
Airlink Express- It is the best and the cheapest way to travel between Dublin Airport and City Centre.
Many other bus services travel from the airport to many different locations. Some of them are GoBus, Airport Hopper, and Airbus.
How to travel in Dublin
Traveling in Dublin is relatively easy as they have many options for you, which saves time and saves money. Coastal train, the DART, or public bus network can be used for long routes. The Luas tram system will help you get to the places nearby as it is a bicycle renting system.
If you are here for only a few days, then the Leap Visitor Card would be the best deal in terms of bus and rail options.
You can also download the official Ireland Journey Planner Transport to get easy access to all the travel options available; it is free and includes everything, even ferries and walking.
Bus
Buses are used from the airport to anywhere and for the small routes inside the city. Dublin Bus website allows you to access all the bus routes, their timetable, and the charges.
If you are in Dublin for a couple of days, then you can get the DoDublin Card, which is priced at €35 per person and gives the holder 72-hour unlimited access to:
- All Dublin Bus services
- Free entry to the Little Museum and a walking tour
- The Airlink Express airport transfer bus
- The DoDublin city tour services
DART and rail
DART (Dublin Area Rapid Transit) is the best way to roam around Dublin and has the best scenic views while traveling to the destination. It provides free Wi-Fi and is the speediest way to get around the city. It starts from the city’s two main stations, Heuston and Connolly.
Taxi and car
You can find many taxi pickup points across the city. The drivers are the best person to provide you information about the place’s hidden gems.
If you are unfamiliar with the highway routes, then renting a car service is also a widely available option.
Bicycle and motorbikes
It is the best way to travel along the nature trails. For anyone who loves cycling, it can be a lovely doorstep for all the locations.
To hire a motorcycle, click here for the Celtic rider services.
Best time to visit Dublin
Summer would be the best time to explore Dublin as the sun in this time sets around during 8 or 9 at night, and so you can have a whole long day with you to visit the different sites in here.
Compared to the winter season, when the sun sets around 4 or 5 pm, you will not have much daylight to explore many things here.
Where to stay in Dublin
Dublin’s best thing is that you don’t need to worry about your accommodation as the city is very compact so wherever you stay, all the hotspots will be within walking distance.
The Merrion Hotel
It is a 5-star hotel, located in the city center. It is a vast 142 room luxury hotel and has almost every kind of service available. A lot of paintings and furniture in the hotel is back from the 18th century. You will also have access to a minibar in your room itself.
Address: Merrion St Upper, Dublin 2, Ireland
The Gibson Hotel
This hotel is located very close to the Dublin 3 Arena, which an entertainment complex. If you are someone who loves music, this should be the best place for you. It has got all the necessary amenities, and the best thing is that there’s a tram stop right outside the hotel, which brings you to Dublin’s center.
Address: Point Square, North Dock, Dublin, D01 X2P2, Ireland
The Westin Dublin
This hotel is the best location to stay, as it is close to almost all the top tourist attractions in Dublin and very close to the most famous Temple Bar and a lot more pubs. They also provide three dining options, which are pretty good and loaded with many food varieties. The staff is also accommodating.
Address: At, College Green, Westmoreland St, Dublin, Ireland
Essential information for travelers
Safety: Dublin is generally a safe city in all the areas, but there are some locations that you should try to avoid- Ballymun, Thomas Street, and Clondalkin.
Mobile network and connection: eir, Three, and Vodafone these three are the best mobile network connection in Dublin.
Currency:
Power:
Cafes and Restaurants
There are some excellent cafes and restaurants in Dublin that you might want to try during your breakfast, lunch, or dinner time.
Chapter One
This restaurant has such an aesthetically pleasing ambiance. It’s perfect for some fancy time. The food here is even better. It is very famous for its Irish coffee.
Closed on Sunday, Monday, and Tuesday
Address: 18-19 Parnell Square N, Rotunda, Dublin 1, D01 T3V8, Ireland
PRESS Café
This place is lovely to have lunch, and they have so many sandwiches and some specials that change every day. It is just a few minutes away from the Dublin city center. They also have showcases objects of typography tools and vintage paintings. It is decorated with different kinds of indoor plants and thus has a very fresh environment.
Address: Haddington Rd, Dublin, Ireland
The Greenhouse
They are known for the Irish cuisine that they offer, and they do make sure that their customers remember their dining experience. The service is outstanding as it is one of the high-end restaurants.
Address: Joshua House, 21 Dawson St, Dublin 2, D02 TK33, Ireland
For a detailed list of some more places to eat in Dublin, click here and head on to our blog.
Pubs- To experience the nightlife of Dublin
The Brazen Head
It is considered to be the oldest pub in Dublin but still is a very lively place. There’s a live music show every night. The authentic traditional Irish pub makes it one of the most famous pubs in Dublin.
Address: 20 Lower Bridge St, Usher’s Quay, Dublin, D08 WC64, Ireland
O’Donoghue’s
If you are interested to learn about Irish music, then this is the best place. As every night there’s a music session by different groups of bands. This place was itself started by a famous Irish band.
Address: 15 Suffolk St, Dublin Southside, Dublin, D02 C671, Ireland
Palace Bar
It is the best pub in the Temple Bar as it is an authentic Irish pub. The bar is divided by a wooden partition and is a lively and fantastic place to be at night. You cannot miss this; it is the best pub that you will come across in Dublin.
Address: 21 Fleet St, Temple Bar, Dublin 2, D02 H950, Ireland
The Bankers Bar
It is located very close to Trinity street and thus is popular among students. As the name suggests that this building was a bank earlier and has many rumor stories around this.
Address: Trinity St, Dublin, D02 A440, Ireland
There are many more pubs that you should try out, McDaid’s, Toners and Johnnie Fox’s Pub.
Day 1
Guinness Storehouse
Photo By: Louis Hansel from Unsplash
Guinness Storehouse is one the most visited tourist attractions in Dublin. This venture dates backs to a long time ago, and we can learn about its overall history from the guided tour there. The whole seven-floor building tries to explain the process of making the perfect poured pint. It is now the biggest stout brewery in the world. And after the complete tour, you can visit the rooftop Gravity Bar and treat yourself to a glass of Guinness.
Address: St. James’s Gate, Dublin 8, D08 VF8H, Ireland
Timings for Guinness Storehouse:
Wednesday to Sunday- 2 pm to 9 pm
Closed on Monday and Tuesday
Charges for Guinness Storehouse:
Adults- €25
Students and senior citizens- €18.5
To get more details about the storehouse, click here and head on to my blog.
St. Patrick’s Cathedral
Photo By: Tatu Lajunen from Getty Images
It is just a 5- minute drive away from the Guinness Storehouse. Cathedral is one of the oldest tourist attractions in Dublin. It was built 800 years ago and is considered to be the largest cathedral in Dublin. They have a beautiful park, very close to the church. You can go there and have a relaxing time with your friends or family.
Timings for St. Patrick’s Cathedral:
March – October:
Monday to Friday: 9am – 5:30pm.
Saturday: 9am – 6pm.
Sunday: 9am – 10:30pm/12:30pm – 2:30pm/4:30pm – 6pm.
November – February:
Monday to Saturday: 9:30am – 5pm.
Sundays: 9am – 10:30am/12:30pm – 2:30pm
Charges for St. Patrick’s Cathedral:
Adults: € 8
Students: € 7
Address: St Patrick’s Close, Dublin 8, A96 P599, Ireland
Dublin Castle
Photo By: chezzzers from Getty Images
The castle is just a few minutes away from the cathedral. It is one of the most critical buildings in Irish history. You can have a full guided tour of the castle or collect the brochures available in 17 different languages. You should check this place out, as it will provide you with the Irish culture’s true essence.
Timings for Dublin Castle:
Every day from 9:45 am until 5:45 pm.
Charges for Dublin Castle:
Entry:
Adults- € 8
Students and over 60s- € 6
Children from 12 to 17- € 4
Guided Tour:
Adults- € 12
Students and over 60s- € 10
Children from 12 to 17- € 6
Address: Dame St, Dublin 2, Ireland
St. Stephen’s Green Park
Photo By: dpe123 from Getty Images Pro
This beautiful place is open for all the visitors. You should come here and relax for a while after the fantastic day that you have had. The park has 750 trees and is covered with bushes around. Children’s playground and walking trails are the highlights of the park.
Timings for St. Stephen’s Green Park:
Monday to Saturday- 7:30 am to dusk
Sunday and bank holidays- 9:30 am to dusk
St. Stephen’s Shopping Centre
It is located next to the park and will perfectly end your day. It has all the things you can take back to your home to remind you of this memorable trip. The interior of the shopping center is stunning. You can have your dinner here as they have some amazing food menu to offer.
Address: St Stephen’s Green, Dublin, D02 HX65, Ireland
Temple Bar
Photo By: Matheus Camara Da Silva from Unsplash
It is one of the liveliest places at night. There are so many good bars inside; grab a chair and a beer and sit with your friends. Live music is something that you will come across in every other pub. There are also some excellent restaurants inside. You cannot miss this place, as it will show you the night culture of Dublin.
Address: 47-48, Temple Bar, Dublin 2, D02 N725, Ireland
Day 2
Trinity College and Library
Photo By: walrichard from Getty Images
It dates back to 1592 and is the largest library in Ireland. Today, it has over 6 million books and a bunch of famous manuscripts. If you have a friend here who’s a college student, you can get entry quickly from the pass. But if you don’t know anyone, then the entry could take a bit of time.
Address: College Green, Dublin 2, Ireland
Jameson Distillery
If you’re someone who likes whiskey and wants to learn about its history and the procedure behind its making, then this a must-visit. They will provide you with detailed information about whiskey. You can also buy some bottles from there, but try to purchase something that you might not have access to, as it is a bit expensive.
Timings for Jameson Distillery:
Monday-Thursday and Sunday: 10 am – 5:30 pm (last tour).
Friday and Saturday: 10am – 7pm (last tour)
Charges for Jameson Distillery:
Adults- € 22
Students- € 18
Address: Bow St, Smithfield, Dublin 7, D07 N9VH, Ireland
Kilmainham Gaol
Photo By: David Kim from Getty Images
It is just a five-minute ride from the Distillery. If you are interested in this prison history, then you should visit here. They will provide you with a guided tour. And you can also learn about the former prisoners and look at some of their belongings.
Timings for Kilmainham Gaol:
April – September: Open daily from 9 am until 6 pm.
October – March: Open daily from 9:30am until 5:30pm.
Charges for Kilmainham Gaol:
Adults- € 8
Over 60s- € 6
Students and children from 12 to 17- € 4
Children under 12- Free
Address: Inchicore Rd, Kilmainham, Dublin 8, D08 RK28, Ireland
Dublin Zoo
Photo By: Fam Veld from Getty Images Pro
It is located inside Phoenix Park. It is one of the world’s oldest zoos and is home to 100 different species of animals. A small train is there to get you around the zoo. There are also some cafes and restaurants that you can check out.
Timings for Dublin Zoo:
9:30 am to 6 pm
Charges for Dublin Zoo:
Adult- €19.5
Child- €14
Address: Phoenix Park, Saint James’ (part of Phoenix Park), Dublin 8, Ireland
Phoenix Park
Photo By: thomaszsebok
It is one of the world’s largest city parks. You can come here to relax in the evening. The beautiful gardens and walking trails will make your mind calm from the whole busy day that you have had. There are also some fantastic sculptures inside.
Address: Dublin 8, Ireland
Dicey’s Garden Club/Bar
It is very popular among tourists as well as the residents. You will find the cheapest drinks here. The smoking area and an outdoor heated beer garden also add to the place.
Address: 21-25 Harcourt St, Saint Kevin’s, Dublin 2, D02 YF24, Ireland
Conclusion
I hope that this itinerary was helpful to you. Dublin is so much more than the fancy pubs and restaurants; the glorious history of this place is mesmerizing. It is one of the most incredible places ever. Beautiful sceneries and traditional music add up more to this place.
To know about some more places in Dublin, click here to get to my blog.
Let me know in the comment section about the place that you liked the most.