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DUBLIN IS A CITY OF LIVING, BREATHING HISTORY.

All at once, it’s a modern business hub and an artifact of Irish resilience in the face of British oppression.

The city’s booming tech industry and international workforce have attracted the things that visitors love in a good destination — trendy restaurants, fantastic boutique hotels, and great shopping.

But the city’s fascinating past is fixed and unyielding.

TO ME, DUBLIN IS BEST VIEWED AS ONE BIG HISTORY LESSON, AND LUCKY FOR VISITORS, THE IRISH ARE SOME OF THE BEST STORYTELLERS IN EUROPE.

Because chances are, even history buffs will find something surprising and unknown among the stories of Dublin.

Two days in Dublin is the perfect amount of time to experience the highlights of the Irish capital, both historical and modern.

Read on for my recommended two days in Dublin itinerary! 🍀.

2 Days In Dublin: How To Plan The Perfect Weekend Itinerary

Top Experiences in Dublin

Planning your trip to Dublin?
Here are my FAVORITE experiences for a memorable visit to Dublin.

🔍 Discovery | Learn more about your destination

🤝 Connection | Meet locals, learn a craft, and trade stories

🎭 Performance | Immerse yourself in the local art and culture

Irish Traditional Music at the Cobblestone Pub

🚌 Excursion | Explore nearby places of interest

Dublin to Cliffs of Moher Day Trip

🚀 Adventure | Seek thrill and excitement in the great outdoors

Curious how to find the best experiences no matter what destination you visit?
Download my Europe Experience Planner now!

Best Time to Visit Dublin

THE BEST TIME TO VISIT DUBLIN IS BETWEEN LATE SPRING AND EARLY AUTUMN, GENERALLY FROM MAY TO SEPTEMBER.

Summer offers the warmest temperature and long days, but it’s also the busiest season.

Winter is a good choice for off-season travelers undeterred by cold weather, as prices will be more accessible.

NO MATTER WHEN YOU VISIT, BE SURE TO PACK FOR LAYERS AND RAIN GEAR, AS DUBLIN IS OFTEN SUSCEPTIBLE TO RAIN SHOWERS AND CHILLY WEATHER.

How to Get Around Dublin

Most of Dublin’s main attractions are located around the city center, and walking is often the best way to explore its historic streets and lively neighbourhoods.

NEVERTHELESS, DUBLIN HAS A PUBLIC TRANSPORTATION SYSTEM THAT INCLUDES BUSES, TRAMS, AND COMMUTER TRAINS.

The Luas tram system is useful for getting between key areas that are farther apart, like the city center and the Docklands, while DART commuter trains are better suited for day trips along the coast.

Taxis and rideshares like Uber are available, too, as are cheaper options like bike and e-scooter rentals.

If you’re combining your visit to Dublin with other cities in Ireland, renting a car might be the most convenient option.

Best Area to Stay in Dublin

I STAYED AT A SMALL AIRBNB IN THE PORTOBELLO NEIGHBORHOOD OF DUBLIN.

It was a central neighborhood that allowed me to explore on foot without being too far from any of the major attractions.

The best area to look for a hotel in Dublin will be in the streets around St. Stephen’s Green, or on the northern side of the River Liffey for more affordable options.

Day 1: St. Stephen’s Green, Dublin Walking Tour, the Guinness Storehouse, and Live Irish Folk Music

Morning: St. Stephen’s Green & Dublin Walking Tour

Start your day by grabbing a coffee and heading to St. Stephen’s Green, a historical park and garden in the center of Dublin.

I LOVE ANY PUBLIC PARK WITH WELL-MANICURED GARDENS.

And if you’re visiting in summer, St. Stephen’s Green will welcome you with impressive flowers.

But there’s more to this park then meets the eye.

During the Easter Rising in 1916, the park saw significant fighting between the Irish and the British.

THROUGHOUT THE PARK YOU’LL FIND PLACARDS RECOUNTING TALES ABOUT THIS BATTLE.

I think it’s a good idea to walk through St. Stephen’s Green early in the morning - it’s very peaceful and idyllic.

Plus, you can take any questions you might have about St. Stephen’s Green to your walking tour guide.

A GUIDED WALKING TOUR IS THE BEST WAY TO KICK-OFF TWO DAYS IN DUBLIN.

You’ll get a fantastic overview of major sites, the key history behind them, and intriguing stories or local legends.

Most Dublin walking tours will include some of the oldest landmarks in the city, including Dublin Castle, Christ Church Cathedral, and Smock Alley Theatre.

They’ll likely take you across Ha’penny Bridge, too, an historic pedestrian bridge over the River Liffey.

Afternoon: The Guinness Storehouse and Jameson Distillery Tour

AFTER A QUICK LUNCH, IT’S TIME TO LEARN ABOUT DUBLIN’S RICH BREWING AND DISTILLING HERITAGE.

Though these are two separate attractions, I recommend this combined tour that allows you to compare and contrast the histories of Guinness and Jameson in one afternoon.

Beginning at the Jameson Distillery on Bow Street, you’ll learn about Irish whiskey’s history and enjoy a tasting session.

From there, you’ll head to the Guinness Storehouse, Dublin’s most-visited attraction, to learn about the brewing process and enjoy a pint with panoramic city views.

THERE’S A TINY LEGEND THAT CLAIMS GUINNESS TASTES BETTER IN IRELAND, AND I HAVE TO AGREE!

Evening: Live Irish Folk Music

After dinner, seek out a piece of Ireland’s musical heritage at one of the city’s traditional pubs.

During my visit to Dublin, I stopped by The Cobblestone pub for authentic Irish folk music, and it was such a unique and charming experience.

THERE ARE NO TICKETS REQUIRED, NO OPENER OR MAIN PERFORMER.

Rather, it’s a jam session of musicians blending their sound, from the Irish fiddle and bodhrán drums, to the uilleann pipes.

If you’re looking for an even livelier atmosphere, Temple Bar has plenty of pubs with nightly performances, though it tends to be more touristy and crowded.

Day 2: Trinity College, Kilmainham Gaol, National Gallery of Ireland

Morning: Trinity College and the Book of Kells

Start your second day in Dublin by heading to Trinity College Dublin, a landmark university that counts a number of literary stars among its alumni.

Trinity College also houses several important artifacts in its Long Room Library, the most popular of which is the Book of Kells.

THE BOOK OF KELLS IS AN ILLUSTRATED BOOK OF GOSPELS DATING TO AROUND 800 AD.

Created in an age before the printing press, when all books were made by skilled Church calligraphers, the Book of Kells stands out for being, well, extra.

It’s considered one of the best examples of calligraphy, and an important piece of post-Roman art from the British Isles.

There are other interesting pieces in the Long Room Library, like the medieval harp that inspired the Guinness logo, and a copy of the 1916 Proclamation of the Irish Republic.

BE SURE TO ARRIVE EARLY, AS THIS IS A POPULAR ATTRACTION NOTORIOUS FOR CROWDS.

Afternoon: Kilmainham Gaol or National Gallery of Ireland

DUBLIN HAS NO SHORTAGE OF GOOD MUSEUMS.

But I found Kilmainham Gaol to be so unique and well-preserved that it just barely edged out the National Gallery of Ireland for my top recommendation.

Kilmainham Gaol is a former prison that played a key role in Ireland’s fight for independence.

Several of the uprising’s most important figures spent time here, and some of the art in their cells remain impressively preserved even a century later.

THE GUIDED TOUR GIVES VISITORS A DEEP UNDERSTANDING OF THE EVENTS THAT LED UP TO THE EASTER RISING OF 1916.

If you’re more interested in art than history, opt for a visit to the National Gallery of Ireland, instead.

Here, you can see works by Irish and European masters, including Velazquez, Vermeer, and Jack B. Yeats.

AS AN ADDED BONUS, ADMISSION IS FREE.

As I mentioned, Dublin has a wealth of great museums. Here are a few options:

Hugh Lane Gallery – an art museum with a collection of modern and contemporary art
Little Museum of Dublin – focuses on the 20th-century history of the city of Dublin
EPIC Museum – a museum dedicated to Irish emigration and culture
The Jeanie Johnston – a 19th century ship replica that tells the story of Famine-era emigrants to North America
GAA Museum – a sports museum dedicated to Gaelic sports like Gaelic football, hurling, and rounders

Evening: Go to a Show at One of Dublin’s Theatres

I visited Dublin to take part in a poetry workshop at Trinity College Dublin, and it made me very aware of Ireland’s literary history and storytelling power.

That’s why I would suggest taking in a play at one of Dublin’s theatres.

I SAW A PLAY AT THE NEW THEATRE, A SMALL VENUE THAT STAGES NEW WRITING FROM EMERGING IRISH PLAYWRIGHTS, AND ABSOLUTELY LOVED IT.

But there is also The Abbey Theatre, Ireland’s national theatre, which stages classic and contemporary Irish dramas.

Or The Gaiety Theatre, a grand space that specializes in musicals, opera, and dance performances.

And finally, Gate Theatre is another highly esteemed stage that presents classic and modern international plays.

IT’S A REAL TREAT TO ENJOY A BIT OF THEATRE WHILE TRAVELING, AND I CAN THINK OF NO BETTER PLACE TO DO IT THAN IN DUBLIN.

Conclusion

I HOPE THIS DUBLIN ITINERARY WILL INSPIRE YOUR OWN TRIP TO THIS FANTASTIC CITY!

As helpful as a structured itinerary can be, don’t forget to leave room for spontaneity. 😄

Taking a scenic walk along the River Liffey at dusk, passing landmarks like the Custom House and Samuel Beckett Bridge, can be just as exciting as pre-planned activities.

And though learning about Irish history - full of famine and subjugation - can be a bit glum, I choose instead to the resilience of its people. 🫶

Until next time,

Angela

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