Dublin in 3 Days: tips, what to see, and much more
Dublin in 3 Days: tips, what to see, and much more
Explore the Irish capital at your own pace with this three-day itinerary: enjoy the city and see some of the Irish countryside close by.
A two-day stay in the Irish capital will give you the opportunity to visit the most important of the many things to see in Dublin. Thanks to its small size, those 72 hours will allow you to see a good part of the city’s attractions.
In addition, I also include in this itinerary an excursion that will give you the opportunity to tour the capital and have a taste of the Irish countryside at the same time. If you are a “Game of Thrones” fan, you will appreciate it even more.
Day 1: Dublin Essentials
The first day of your stay in Dublin will be spent exploring its main attractions. A great advantage of this itinerary is that you won’t have to leave the city centre to do it, so it’s perfect for walking the whole way.
Try an Irish breakfast
Full Irish is the traditional island breakfast. The ingredients and the name may vary slightly from area to area – for example, in nearby Belfast it’s known as ‘Ulster fry’ – and one of the best places to try it is The Woollen Mills. This establishment is located at 42 Lower Ormond Quay, near Ha’penny Bridge and the River Liffey.
If you’re wondering, the local breakfast consists of the following ingredients: bacon, sausages, black and white pudding, eggs, buttered potatoes, homemade Irish soda, brown bread and a cup of tea such as Barry or Lyons.
After tasting it, follow the riverbank towards the sea until you reach the next point on the itinerary.
Walk down O’Connell Street
This central Dublin street is home to three of Dublin’s must-see landmarks: The Spire (a giant metal obelisk), the post office and the monument dedicated to Daniel O’Connell O’Connell, a 19th century Irish hero.
Strolling along the wide pavements is a pleasure, with people always wandering the streets for shopping or a drink in the cafés and restaurants.
Visit the oldest university in the country
Cross the river and follow the signs to Trinity College. In a few minutes you will arrive at your destination. Founded in the 16th century, it is still a university, but you can visit it by booking a guided tour on the official website.
Writers of the calibre of Oscar Wilde and Bram Stoker trained here, strolled beneath the Bell Tower and along Library Square. You’ll see the historic library which houses the famous ‘Book of Kells’, a manuscript hand-illustrated by the monks of Kells.
Admire the figure of Molly Malone
Legend and a popular song tell that Molly Malone was a street vendor selling seafood. She was known for her beauty and died of a bad fever. Since then, her ghost has wandered the streets of the city.
If you’ve had a pint in one of Dublin’s finest pubs, you’ll almost certainly have heard the ballad as it is Ireland’s unofficial anthem. On Suffolk Street, a bronze statue portrays the woman with the cart she used to sell cockles and mussels.
Enter the National Cathedral of Ireland
This medieval building dates from the 13th century. It stands on the site of a well believed to have been used by Saint Patrick. Despite its age, it retains its original Gothic appearance. Its main charms are the stained glass windows, marble statues and medieval mosaics.
Guided tours are held regularly and if you want to book one, I recommend you take a look at the Cathedral’s website.
Take a stroll around Portobello
This area of the city is dotted with bars, cafes, shops and new establishments. It’s such a trendy area that The Irish Times has dubbed it ‘Hipsteria Lane’. You can take a stroll through the Iveagh Garden (it has a small labyrinth) or walk the paths in the wonderful St Stephen’s Green Park.
Finish the day with a tour of the Teeling Distillery (Newmarket 13/17) or treat yourself to a meal at Bastible, a modern restaurant with vegetarian options (South Circular Road 111).
Day 2: The sets of “Games of Thrones”
Wake up early on the second day. Tours usually leave between 6:30 and 7:00 from a central location in Dublin and head north.
In fact, the attractions on this tour are not in the Republic of Ireland but in Northern Ireland. The first stop is a mythical place on the island: the Giant’s Causeway.
A famous stretch of coastline
The Giant’s Causeway (Clochan Ain Afir in Celtic) is an essential stop on any trip to Ireland. It is a basalt promontory on the northern coast of Northern Ireland.
Legend has it that the geological formation was formed by the joint action of two giants: the Irishman Finn McCool and the Scotsman Bennandoner. When they were at loggerheads, they threw rocks into the sea and gradually a causeway was formed between the two coasts.
This stage normally lasts between one and two hours. You will have enough time to do one of the two routes; the green route will take you to the top of the cliff while the blue route takes you to the columns of the Giant’s Causeway. Make the most of your time here to take some panoramic photos.
Ballintoy Harbour
With a little imagination you can visualise the port of Pyke in the Iron Islands. This is the home of Theon and Yara Greyjoy in Games of Thrones.
In real life, it was a fishing port and a place frequented by smugglers. It is a popular destination, as this stretch of coastline is of rare beauty. The photos you can take here will be a hit on social media.
Fortress by the Sea
The ruins of Dunluce Castle are located in the village of Bushmills, a short distance from the Giant’s Causeway. Although of older origin, what remains of the fortress dates back to the 16th and 17th centuries, when it was inhabited by two feuding clans: the McQuillans and the MacDonnells.
Dunluce has been the backdrop for several historical events: in the 16th century, a Spanish galleon sank on the nearby rocks, inspired “The Chronicles of Narnia” and belonged to Winston Churchill.
Undoubtedly, most people know it from its appearance in Game of Thrones. In the HBO series, Dunluce is the residence of the Greyjoys, the kings of the Iron Islands.
The bus stops near the castle and you’ll have plenty of time to wander around and take some photos. If you arrive in the morning you will be able to capture the most evocative atmosphere. Early in the morning, the mist rising from the sea envelops the ruins creating a fairytale atmosphere.
Take a stroll around Belfast
The capital of Northern Ireland is a city that has been reborn after years of conflict. Its renewed vocation for tourism is evident in the Harland and Wolff shipyard which now houses the Titanic Museum. The famous ship was built on these docks and a visit will give you the opportunity to learn about its history.
Other attractions in Belfast include its murals, the Castle, St Anne’s Cathedral and the Botanic Gardens. After an hour and a half, the bus will take you back to Dublin.
Warm up with an Irish stew
After such an intense day, it’s time to recharge your batteries with a classic of the local cuisine: Irish stew. It’s eaten all year round, although it’s a typical dish for St Patrick’s Day, which is celebrated on 17 March.
The traditional stew is made using lamb, two types of potatoes (usually King Edward and the Desirée or Pentland Javelin variety), carrots, onion and spices (bay leaf, parsley, fresh thyme and black pepper).
Fortunately, Dublin has a number of restaurants where it is prepared to perfection:
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, a Lonely Planet favourite. The establishment has been praised for its authentic Irish food. It is located in the heart of the capital within walking distance of the Molly Malone statue (2 Suffolk Street). , the doyen of Dublin. It was founded in the 12th century and nearly a thousand years later still serves as an inn. Its name translates as “Brazen Head” and comes from a 13th century legend. According to the myth, there was a bronze face that could foretell the future (20 Lower Bridge Street). , one of the city’s best restaurants (Temple Bar 20/21). , a restaurant specialising in traditional food. As well as Irish Stew, you can order Wicklow Lamb Shank (roast leg of lamb), Dublin Coddle (a casserole with potatoes, sausages, bacon and onions) and Cottage Pie, the veal pie that’s a hit in Ireland and the UK (Temple Bar 14). , an unconventional place housed in a 19th century building. After the stew you can end your meal with a dram of whisky. They have a wide selection of Irish bottles (41/42 Stephen Street Lower).
Day 3: Nature and beer
Ireland is a green paradise and there is no shortage of places to connect with the land. One of the most famous is the Phoenix Park.
Lose yourself in the woods and meadows
Although only a few kilometres from the city centre, Phoenix Park will transport you to the Irish countryside. It’s easy to get there by bus (lines 25, 26, 37, 38, 39, 46A and 70) or train (Heuston is the nearest station). Note that most of the tourist buses stop here.
Phoenix Park is home to a large colony of fallow deer. These animals are not native to the island, but were introduced by the Normans in order to populate the Royal Forest.
You can see them in the meadows at the foot of the Papal Cross (a steel cross commemorating the visit of Pope John Paul II) and in the vicinity of the American Embassy. However, the park is very large and the fallow deer are often on the move. It is forbidden to feed them, but you can admire them by keeping your distance.
Take the morning to walk the trails and photograph the best spots. If you want to move faster, you can rent a bicycle or a tandem.
The park includes points of interest such as Fort Magazine, The People’s Gardens (Victorian-style gardens), a prehistoric tomb, Ashtown Castle and the Wellington Monument.
Taste a traditional recipe
Walking stimulates the appetite and no trip to Ireland can be complete without trying fish and chips. Cross the river and head towards Christ Church Cathedral, near the church is a city institution: Leo Burdock.
When Dublin was shaken by the 1916 uprising, this bodega was already serving fish and chips. Its premises are very popular and have been visited by Tom Cruise, Bruce Springsteen and U2. It celebrated 100 years of age in 2013 and its vinegar still marries splendidly with fish and chips.
Step inside a Dublin landmark
A short walk is the ideal way to digest lunch. Before reaching the next stage you have to walk for about twenty minutes.
The Guinness Storehouse was first opened in 1904 and remained in operation until 1988. It is now a museum and a popular attraction.
The tour starts on the first floor where you will find the famous 9000 year lease; in fact, in 1759 Arthur Guinness signed a lease on the St. James’s Gate Brewery at an annual rent of £45.
On the seventh and top floor you can enjoy a pint in the Gravity Bar which offers one of the best views over Dublin.
If you visit the Irish capital in March you can celebrate St. Patrick’s Day at St. James’s Gate Street Warehouses. At this time of year, the Guinness Storehouse comes alive with music, food and dancing. Admission includes a pint of the liquorice-coloured drink. I also recommend a visit during the Christmas season.
In December, the factory hosts a wonderful Christmas tree, there are concerts and you can enjoy a special menu with special edition Christmas pints.
Is Dublin worth visiting in three days?
In my opinion, three days is a perfect stay. Ireland’s capital is not too big and getting from one place to another is very easy. If you organise your activities well, you can see the essentials of Dublin and get a taste of the surrounding area.
Ireland is a beautiful country and if you want to see Galway or Cork, I recommend you dedicate at least five days to the trip.