Dublin is the perfect destination for a 2 day city trip. With its charming streets, historic buildings, live music artists, pubs, and unusual people, Dublin is sure to make your two days in the capital of Ireland unforgettable. In this 2 days in Dublin itinerary, you will discover all the best things that Dublin has to offer and get the most out of your two days in this beautiful city. You can also find the best day trips from Dublin, the best places to stay, and the top restaurants to eat at during your 2 days Dublin city trip. Make the most of your two days in Dublin with this comprehensive guide. Enjoy your time in this vibrant city!
What to do during your 2 days in Dublin?
Dublin is a compact city, making it the perfect destination for a 2 days trip. Here you can explore cathedrals, pubs, live music, and museums that have become renowned around the world. So, get planning your 2 days in Dublin itinerary and start exploring the Ireland capital!
Tip: below you see the map for all activities, accommodations, eateries, and metro stations that are included in our recommended 2 days in Dublin itinerary. In addition, we have made a map per day, which makes it easier to orientate yourself. Click on the top right corner to enlarge the map. If you click on the star symbol next to the title you can save this map in your Google Maps account. On the map, you can show or hide different categories. You can use these maps to navigate when you are in Dublin and explore our suggested 2 days itinerary for a memorable experience.
2 Days in Dublin | day 1
On your 2 days in Dublin, you will discover many sights in the historic center of Dublin. Start the day by having breakfast at +/- at 9:00 am. After breakfast, you will walk to Trinity College. The doors are open to the public from 10:00 am.
If you are visiting Dublin for two days, you can start your day at Keoghs Café. Here you have several options for breakfast, such as a typical Irish breakfast of €12,50 / $13.36 which includes toasted bread, egg, bacon, sausage, tomato, and pudding. We are huge fans of porridge €6 / $6.41 so it is definitely worth trying. It’s a cute little café where you can have a great start to the day. From Keoghs Café, it is just a 3-minute walk to Trinity College and the perfect place to begin your two-day exploration of Dublin.
#1.1 Trinity college
If you’re planning a trip to Dublin and only have 2 days in the city, then Trinity college grounds are a must-see. This historic campus is one of the best places to visit in Dublin and offers a great opportunity to explore the beautiful buildings, monuments, and details surrounding this iconic destination.
The Book of Kells, located in the library at Trinity College, is considered one of Ireland’s greatest national treasures and should definitely be included in any 2 days in Dublin itinerary. The incredible decoration and illustrations of this book will take your breath away. Another highlight of a visit to Trinity College is the Long Room; an awe-inspiring chamber filled with towering bookcases. A tour guide is recommended to skip the queues and to get the most out of your time here. Alternatively, you can explore the grounds independently, at your own pace. Either way, a visit to Trinity College should be an absolute priority when visiting Dublin in 2 days.
#1.2 Historic Center
One of the best ways to spend 2 days in Dublin is by walking through the historic center of Dublin. When you visit different places spread over the city, you automatically walk through different streets and pass nice places. We have made a short walking route that you can follow.
After visiting Trinity College, walk to Grafton Street. This is the street in Dublin where you will find well-known brands but also small boutiques. The best part when walking through this street is that artists are performing live music.
Walk from Grafton Street to Ha’penny Bridge to cross the river. This bridge connects the center with all the pubs in the north of Dublin where mainly locals live. In the past people needed to pay one penny to use this bridge, nowadays it is free.
After crossing the river, walk to the General Post Office which used to be Dublin’s post office. When you stand in front of the building you will be impressed because of the size of the building. You can see that the building is inspired by Roman construction. Today a museum is located here. In this museum, you will learn what the city has been through and how it has changed into the city as we know it today. Tickets cost €15 / $16.03 per person and can be purchased on-site.
Your next stop is 14 Henrietta Street, this is one of the most special places to visit during your two days in Dublin. This museum was regarded as the best museum in Europe in 2020, in this museum you can see how families have lived here for the past 300 years. It offers a unique opportunity to step back in time. During your visit, you will visit all areas with a guide and learn how it was to live in Dublin back then. It is only possible to visit it via a tour. It is not necessary to purchase tickets €12 / $12.82 per person upfront.
After visiting 14 Henrietta Street, walk to the Guinness Storehouse. This city walk takes about 3 hours. If you like, you can also discover the historic center of Dublin by taking a city walking tour. Check for prices and see if there are any spots left on a city walking tour here before you go.
You can have a lot of fun taking a bike tour in Dublin. You will be able to see more places and visit places that only the locals know about. You can find out how much it costs and if there is space available by clicking on the link.
Lunch at Bite of Life
After visiting the historic center of Dublin it’s time for lunch before visiting the Guinness Storehouse. Our recommendation is to have lunch at Bite of Life. This is in the direction of the Guinness Storehouse, 15 minutes walking distance from Bite of Life.
It is a small restaurant that is cozy. Here you can order sandwiches, toasted bread, and bagels. Also, it is worth trying the coffee, it has good taste. The best thing about your visit is the staff, they are nice and funny. It’s a pleasant place to eat something and continue exploring Dublin. If you are looking for something where you can have lunch with different courses you better look elsewhere, this place is simple but serves what you need, good food! Lunch here is a lot cheaper compared to most places, if you order two sandwiches with coffee, it costs €15 / $16.03 per person.
Where to stay in Dublin
Option 1 good price: Harcourt Hotel
The location of the Harcourt Hotel is perfect, as you are only a few minutes from the center. The breakfast is very good, you have many choices. Also, the staff is very nice. A special place for a very competitive price!
Check actual prices and availability for Harcourt Hotel here.
Option 2 fully equipped: Clayton Hotel Charlemont
The rooms at Clayton Hotel Charlemont are beautiful, especially the amenities you have are very good. The hotel is only a 5-minute walk from the center. If you are looking for a luxury room with all facilities, close to the center, then this hotel is the place for you to stay.
Check actual prices and availability for Clayton Hotel Charlemont here.
#1.3 Guinness Storehouse
When you are in Dublin, the drink Guinness is worth trying. Also visiting the Guinness Storehouse is fun to visit regardless of whether you like alcohol or not. This museum is located in the former fermentation factory in the Guinness brewery. The building of the museum is impressive because of its industrial architectural style and the fact that it is so huge. During your visit, you will learn how Guinness is made and how this drink became a national drink.
At the end of your visit, you arrive at Gravity Bar where you can try a Guinness for free. Here you can pick a spot and enjoy a panoramic view of the city. Check actual prices and availability for Guinness Storehouse here.
#1.4 St. Patrick’s Cathedral & Christ Church Cathedral
After visiting the Guinness Storehouse, it’s a 15-minute walk to St. Patrick’s Cathedral. This cathedral was founded in 1191 and is the largest cathedral in Ireland. When you arrive at the cathedral, two things stand out, firstly the cathedral itself with its unique architectural style, but also the romantic park located next to it. Take a seat on one of the benches in the park and enjoy the view. When you enter the cathedral you will be surprised by its charm. Especially the altar with unique arches is beautiful to see. The opening hours of St. Patrick’s Cathedral are daily from 9:00 am to 5:00 pm.
If you like to visit churches and cathedrals, after visiting St. Patrick’s Cathedral you can also visit Christ Church Cathedral. This cathedral is a 6-minute walk away and, like St Patrick’s Cathedral, it is one of Dublin’s main attractions. The special thing about this cathedral is that it is one of the oldest and largest cathedrals in Ireland and Britain.
Dinner at Leo Burdocks Christchurch
After the first fun day in Dublin, it’s time for dinner. You can eat very well in this vibrant city. A dish you should try is a classic one: fish n’ chips. One of the best places to try this in Dublin is Leo Burdocks Christchurch. This place is so good that they even have a wall of fame showing which celebrities have already visited this place. The place is very small, so after you have received your food we recommend walking to Dubh Linn Garden to eat it on one of the benches. Prices are €11,95 / $12.77 per person.
#1.5 Enjoy a drink in a pub in the evening
The most famous area to go to a pub is the temple bar. However, many locals don’t think this is the best place to experience the real pub feeling. This is because most people (tourists) come here to drink instead of enjoying the Celtic music and atmosphere. We didn’t like it and quickly went elsewhere.
There are plenty of nice pubs in the area where you can still experience real pub life. During your Dublin city trip, in our opinion, a visit to The Old Storehouse Bar & Restaurant and The Auld Dubliner is worth visiting. Here they play live music and serve good drinks :).
Tip: walk to the temple bar and enter some pubs. When you enter the pub you will immediately notice whether this is a pub that appeals to you or not. We liked The Old Storehouse Bar & Restaurant because this is a bar combined with a restaurant so you can sit relaxed.
2 Days in Dublin | day 2
Spend two days in Dublin and you won’t be disappointed especially when you start the second day hiking in Howth! First, you start your morning by having breakfast at Beanhive Coffee or your accommodation, before heading out. when returning to Dublin you visit attractions like the Jameson Irish Whiskey Museum, castle, and city park. Make sure you have breakfast between 8:00 am and 9:00 am to start the day right!
At Beanhive Coffee you can order various richly filled sandwiches, a typical Irish breakfast, and a vegan breakfast based on beans. It costs €14-19 / $14.96-20.30, which includes a cup of coffee. You can also order a sandwich that you can take with you to eat while hiking in Howth.
#2.1 Hiking in Howth
Just outside the bustling city center of Dublin, 30 minutes away by train, lies a quaint fishing village called Howth. Here, you can enjoy the perfect day trip for those with 2 days in Dublin: The Howth Cliff Walk. From the moment you set foot onto this trail, you are treated to a verdant and beautiful landscape – lush green hills and sparkling blue seas as far as the eye can see! This is why both locals and travelers alike love it so much – that within such a short journey from Dublin city center, you can experience an entirely different environment.
The Howth Cliff Walk offers several routes of varying difficulty and distance, ranging from the easy and short Green Route which takes around 3 hours to trek 12 km and see gorgeous views of Ireland’s interior, to the more adventurous and longer Red Route to explore even more striking sights. All trails are clearly marked with signs guiding your way.
Getting to Howth from Dublin is incredibly easy – just take the northbound Dart train from either Pearse Station or Connolly Station or Tara Street Station for €6,50 / $6.95 return.
And if you have time during your two days in Dublin, then don’t forget to take a day trip out to one of Ireland’s most spectacular natural attractions – The Cliffs of Moher! Find out more about this iconic spot here.
Lunch at The Fumbally
After the walk-in Howth, it is nice to take a whiskey tour. We recommend visiting Teeling Whiskey Distillery. After getting off at Dublin Pearse train station you can eat at They Fumbally which is close to Teeling.
The Fumbally is a restaurant that focuses on healthy dishes. The Fumbally is an authentic and unique place, with a relaxed atmosphere. You can enjoy good coffee and treats here, but most importantly are the excellent dishes that you can order for lunch. You can order dishes from different countries. It will cost you approximately between €9-15 / $9.62-16.03 per person to eat here.
Tip: if you are in Howth during lunchtime you can also eat at Beshoff Bros Howth or Wrights Seafood & Steaks Bar & Restaurant. At Beshoff Bros Howth you can order traditional fish n’ chips. Wrights Seafood & Steaks Bar & Restaurant is a pleasant place to visit when you want to relax for a bit, they have an extensive menu that is mainly fish oriented.
#2.2 Teeling Whiskey Distillery or Jameson Distillery Bow St.
On the first day you visited the Guinness Storehouse and after the hike in Howth is it nice to visit a whiskey museum. The two most popular options are Jameson Distillery Bow St. or Teeling Whiskey Distillery. Both give a different experience and are fun to visit.
The big difference is that Jameson has been giving tours for a longer period and lets you taste more different whiskeys during the tour. Teeling is less popular, so it is not so crowded. The big advantage of Teeling is that they still produce whiskey here. In terms of price, a ticket for Jameson costs €30 / $32.06 and for Teeling €18 / $19.23. It’s hard to determine which one is better. Our advice is to visit Teeling as they are still in production and it is less crowded. In addition, Teeling has won in the last couple of years Dublin’s best tour experience which shows how good it is. Tickets for Teeling can easily be pre-purchased here.
#2.3 Dublin Castle
After visiting Teeling (or Jameson) Whiskey Museum, make sure to head to Dublin Castle – just a 15-minute walk away. This castle has stood since the 13th century and has housed not only Vikings but also English and British rulers. In 1922 with Irish independence, Dublin Castle was returned to the Irish. You can spend around an hour exploring the castle both inside and out – you’ll be pleasantly surprised by its beauty! Plus, you’ll find an added bonus: a museum located in the castle itself for you to explore. Tickets cost €8 / $8.55 per person and can be purchased at the entrance.
#2.4 Relax in St. Stephen Green
If you have two days in Dublin, make sure to include a leisurely stroll through St. Stephen’s Green Park – just a 10-minute walk away from Dublin Castle. This city park is situated in the heart of the city center and features plenty of historical objects and buildings to explore. Take time to relax, pick up a drink on Grafton Street and enjoy it while sitting on one of the park’s many benches. Spend some time soaking up the magical atmosphere of St. Stephen’s Green Park!
#2.5 Evening Walk The Dark Side
Before enjoying the evening, there is one more activity that is fun for a certain group of travelers. You can take a tour called The Dark Side. On this evening tour, you’ll visit some places in Dublin that have dark stories. This tour starts at 5:00 pm and is a great way to close your 2 days in Dublin itinerary because in 2 hours you will see Dublin differently and learn a bit of history that is a bit sinister. These tours are only given on a weekend. Check actual availability for The Dark Side here.
Dinner at The Old Storehouse Bar & Restaurant
On your two days in Dublin, make sure to pay a visit to The Old Storehouse Bar & Restaurant. Sit back and relax in this pleasant atmosphere, and if you’re feeling peckish, their simple but great dishes are sure to leave you satisfied – we recommend their spicy chicken wings & chips for €15.95 / $17.04! Be sure to finish your 2 days in Dublin in true Irish tradition with a drink of Guinness!
Other attractions that you can do during your 2 days in Dublin
In addition to the 10 activities in this two-day itinerary, there are plenty of other things to do to make your two days in Dublin even more special. Feel free to include some of the items from the list below, but be sure not to overdo it – after all, you don’t want your two-day stay in Dublin to be too rushed!
- Kilmainham Gaol: is a prison and is one of the highlights to visit in Dublin. With the tour, you see the gardens, and the cells and get to know the history of the prison in 1 hour. It isn’t the most enjoyable place to be, but one that indicates what it was like to live in a cell until 1924. Above all, it is an informative tour, because the guide tells the history and fun facts in an exciting way. A must if you want to do something different than usual.
- Phoenix Park: is the largest city park in all of Europe. You can see deer in this park which is great fun. The park has been open for 350 years and is a nice piece of Dublin’s history. You can visit the park by walking or you can rent and bike. A very nice activity is to have a picnic in the afternoon. Be warned because the deer are interested.
- Swords Castle: this castle is more than 800 years old and has a rich history. It is very easy to get here, as it is only a 10-minute drive from the center.
Day trips from Dublin
If you have more than 2 days in Dublin, it’s nice to discover more places in Ireland. We recommend the following day trips from Dublin. Read more information about the specific tour via the links.
- Cliffs of Moher, Kilmacduagh Abbey & Galway: this is the best day trip to do from Dublin, here you will visit the Cliffs of Moher, one of the most incredible landscapes to see in Ireland. During the tour you will also visit two lovely villages;
- Glendalough, Wicklow Mountains, and Kilkenny: during this day you will visit a huge lake and a beautiful castle;
- Giants Causeway, Dark Hedges, and Belfast: in the far north of Ireland you can visit Giants Causeway, which is a beautiful stretch of the northern coast of Ireland.
Where to stay in Dublin?
When visiting the popular city of Dublin, finding a suitable place to stay can be tricky due to the overwhelming number of options. However, prices for a double room are €50-110 / $53.43-117.54 per night – somewhat pricey, so you’ll likely want to choose wisely. We’d recommend making a reservation for Harcourt Hotel or Clayton Charlemont Hotel – both located on the same street! Harcourt Hotel offers a comfortable stay at an accessible price point, while Clayton Charlemont Hotel provides extra luxury.
Good price:
Harcourt Hotel
The location of the Harcourt Hotel is perfect, as you are only a few minutes from the center. The breakfast is very good, you have many choices. Also, the staff is very nice. A special place for a very competitive price!
Fully equipped:
Clayton Hotel Charlemont
The rooms at Clayton Hotel Charlemont are beautiful, especially the amenities you have are very good. The hotel is only a 5-minute walk from the center. If you are looking for a luxury room with all facilities, close to the center, then this hotel is the place for you to stay.
Where to eat in Dublin?
In our two-day itinerary for Dublin, we provide you with some of the top places to eat throughout the city. You can find a detailed list of these recommendations near the start of this article, as well as a handy map that shows you exact locations.
| Day 1 | Day 2 | |
| Breakfast | Keoghs Café | Beanhive Coffee |
| Lunch | Bite of Life | The Fumbally |
| Diner | Leo Burdocks Christchurch | The Old Storehouse Bar & Restaurant |
Transportation in Dublin
From Dublin airport, you can travel to the city center by bus for €3,50 / $3.74 per person or a taxi +/- €30 / $32.06.
In Dublin using the bicycle or bus is a good way to travel. You can rent a bike with Dublin Bikes. It is also possible to use the bus to visit different places in Dublin, in this case, we recommended using the Hop-on Hop-off bus.
To travel long distances in and around Dublin the most confident way to use the train is called DART (Dublin Area Rapid Transit). By train, you can easily visit different places along the coast of Ireland from the center of Dublin.
If you want to make a road trip in Ireland, we recommend renting a car through Rentalcars. We use Rentalcars when we want to travel by car to discover new destinations. They’re easy to use and book with.
The best period to visit Dublin
Many attractions in Dublin are indoors, making it great to visit Dublin all year round. The best period to visit Dublin is during the spring to autumn period from March to November. We do not recommend the winter months of December to February due to the bad weather.
The temperatures in spring, summer, and autumn are the most pleasant. The average temperature in summer is around 17ºC / 62,6°F and in spring and autumn around 12ºC / 53,6°F.
The only drawback to traveling during the summer is that during this period there are school holidays, so prices are slightly higher compared to other periods.
Summary: Dublin is great for traveling in spring and autumn with the summer being the best in terms of temperature, only it is busier because of the school holiday period.
Is Dublin safe to visit?
Dublin is a safe city to visit. You can travel all over Ireland without any problems. Of course, you have to use your common sense.
Travel insurance
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Dublin 2 day itinerary FAQ
1. How many days do you need for Dublin?
When you travel to Dublin it is important to determine how many days you need. Dublin is perfect to visit during the weekend because 2 days are enough. As you have read, you can visit the main attractions of Dublin in 2 days.
In our opinion, 1 day in Dublin is simply too short, you can get a global picture of the city, but you don’t have enough time to get to know the city well enough.
2. Important City trip Dublin tips
- During your Dublin city trip you will be walking a lot, so wear good shoes;
- Dublin can get busy on weekends due to the weekend tourists, so try to get up early as possible;
- In Dublin, you can visit many museums and other important ones. To save time, it is recommended to book skip-to-line tickets in advance. In this itinerary for 2 days in Dublin, you can read which ticket we recommend for each part;
- If you are going to visit a lot of museums and other places of interest, buying The Dublin Pass is cheaper than buying individual tickets.
Conclusion why is Dublin the perfect city trip?
With two days in Dublin, you have the perfect opportunity to get to know the city and its culture. Marvel at the beautiful buildings, take part in unforgettable activities, indulge in delicious food, and soak up the atmosphere of the fun, music-filled evenings. Sláinte – enjoy your time here, as we have!
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What do you think of Dublin? Share your thoughts in the comments below!
Disclaimer: the prices mentioned in this article may differ from the current situation. We regularly update our articles. Would you like to help us to provide to best possible insights to help other travelers leave a comment with the latest information. Thanks!
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