This Irish city is one I keep coming back to, often spending 2 days in Dublin. It’s got this laidback, fun, and quirky vibe that makes it perfect to explore whether you’ve just touched down in Ireland or are looking to spend a weekend in Dublin, Ireland.
Plan a wonderful trip with this essential 2 day Dublin itinerary, perfect for travelers who want to see the main sites but also soak up some of the city’s local charm.
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Is Dublin worth visiting?
Yes, Dublin is totally worth visiting! It’s a great weekend trip in Europe or a vibrant city to spend a couple of nights before exploring the Irish countryside and smaller cities.
Dublin isn’t as picture-perfect as some other European cities but it’s a charming place with the River Liffey running through it, tons of traditional pubs, historical sites, cool museums, and the Guinness Storehouse.
About This 2 Day Dublin Itinerary – What to Do & See
Kick off your 2 days in Dublin, Ireland with this itinerary that gives you a little bit of everything – history, architecture, culture, and fun!
This first day is packed full of so many things to do, but as many of them are close to one another (and you don’t have to go inside and tour each one) I’m including them all as part of a day 1 self-guided walking tour with the option to tour whatever piques your interest.
The second day is a little bit slower with a bike tour or alternative tour in the morning (these last between 2-3 hours), a tour of the Guinness Storehouse (which is self-guided but usually takes 90 minutes to 2 hours), and visit to a local comedy show.
I do it this way because we as travelers tend to cover a lot of ground on the first day. But if there is anything you missed on day 1, you’ll have a bit of wiggle room on the second day.
Day 1 - Ha’Penny Bridge, Cathedral, Dublin Castle, Temple Bar
The best way to start your time in Dublin is to head straight for the center of the city. Hopefully you’re staying in a nearby hotel like this one to make things easier with only 48 hours in Dublin, Ireland.
This area has a special place in my heart. When I first started traveling, I went on a trip to visit my nana in Scotland. The cheapest way was to fly first to Dublin and then take a cheap flight to Glasgow.
My mistake as a newbie? I booked my second flight for the wrong month. So I ended up having to look for what to do in Dublin, including wandering along the streets looking for a hostel with rooms available. Good times, good times. I ended up having the BEST time and I’ve been back to this city 3 times since.
Ha’Penny Bridge
This is the cutest pedestrian bridge in Dublin. It’s right smack dab in the center and arches like a white rainbow – and I love it. Walk across it to explore more of Dublin and to enjoy views over the city over River Liffey.
It’s also historic, built in 1816. You can learn more about the Ha’Penny Bridge and many of the other best places to see when you book this Dublin walking tour.
These types of tours are my go-to when visiting a new city, especially when I’ve just arrived. They help you acquaint yourself with your surroundings, give you background info, and allow you to discover some hidden gems.
Ha’Penny Bridge Inn
While you’re at it, and since it’s your first time in Dublin, you might as well kickstart the day with an Irish coffee at the Ha’Penny Bridge Inn.
Even if you don’t want to enjoy the delicious concoction of whisky, coffee, and cream, it’s still a great spot to visit to see a traditional pub with coffee offerings and breakfast bites.
It’s one of those nostalgic places for me that I visit EVERY TIME I’m in Dublin.
Winding Stair Bookshop
Just on the opposite side of the river from the Ha’Penny Bridge Inn is one of my favorite book stores in Dublin. The Winding Stair Bookshop is a quaint, locally owned shop full of works by Irish and international authors.
If you’re a fellow slow travel book lover, then this a great chance to discover more Irish authors like Sally Rooney and Naoise Dolan. I bought my first copy of Conversations With Friends here – which is set primarily in Dublin.
If you want a unique souvenir or just love bookstores, stop here during your 2 days in Dublin, Ireland.
Christ Church Cathedral
Now walk 10 minutes, crossing the Grattan Bridge, toward some of the more historic places to see during a 2 day Dublin itinerary.
The Christ Church Cathedral has stood for nearly 1,000 years and it’s a must-see. Its Gothic and Romanesque architecture is so mysteriously wonderful and the cathedral is massive.
It even has a picturesque skyway bridge that crosses above Winetavern Street linking two parts of the cathedral.
The cathedral is open to the public daily, unless otherwise stated, from 9:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m.. Except on Sundays when it closes at 3 o’clock.
Bonus! Right behind the cathedral is a cool viking and medieval history museum. Some of my friends have been and they had a blast. It’s called Dublinia and you can find tickets here.
Dublin Castle
The Dublin Castle is a 13th century motte-and-bailey castle at the center of the city. It’s not the type of castle you might expect, as it’s not very storybook.
Nonetheless, it’s significant to Irish history and was built upon a Viking settlement. For the longest time it belonged to the English, then the British as a whole, and then finally in 1922 it was handed over to the Irish government.
The castle is open daily from 9:45 a.m. – 5:45 p.m. Last admission is at 5:15 though. You can buy tickets directly from their website or schedule a guided tour.
To make the most of your time, you can also book a combined guided tour of the Dublin Castle AND the Book of Kells Experience at Trinitiy College (mentioned below). It’s a popular tour and lasts 2.5 hours.
St. Stephen’s Garden Park
If the weather is decent, I highly recommend sitting in the grass at St. Stephen’s Garden Park. You can grab a takeaway coffee, the book you bought from The Winding Stair, and enjoy a half hour of downtime.
I love this option if you are traveling solo in Dublin or if you and your travel buddy both enjoy slow travel experiences.
Either way, the park is lovely to see. It’s a Victorian-era green park with tree-lined walking paths, numerous plants and seasonal flowers, a small lake, and plenty of places to sit and have a picnic in Dublin.
If you’d rather do a quick stroll through the park and keep checking off sites, visit the nearby National Museum of Ireland – Natural History. It’s one of the best free things to do in Dublin. And it’s open most days from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Trinity College
Ireland’s most prominent university dating back to the 16th century is a lovely place to see during your first time in Dublin.
Head to the campus and wander around to your liking, but one of the main highlights to see here is the Long Room – a 200-ft tall room filled with 200,000 of the library’s oldest books.
When you visit, you’ll walk through to the Treasury where the Book of Kells is held. Then, you can head upstairs to the magnificent Long Room – which is very picturesque.
As for the Book of Kells, this is a historic biblical text considered the world’s most famous medieval manuscript. Overall, it’s an illuminated manuscript Gospel book written in Latin, containing the four Gospels of the New Testament, created sometime around the early 9th century in either Scotland or Ireland.
You will need guided tour tickets to see the Book of Kells and the Long Room. If you just want to explore the campus on a self-guided tour, tickets are only €5.
For a book lovers experience, check out this skip-the-line tour to the Book of Kells and Old Town walk OR the combined tour with Dublin Castle.
Tip! If you’re traveling on a budget and looking for a free alternative, head to the National Library of Ireland. It’s beautiful and free to visit.
Temple Bar District
When it starts getting late, the Temple Bar district is a lively place to experience.
And if you’re wondering what to do in Dublin at night, this is where you should spend your first evening in the city – despite being undoubtedly touristic.
It’s also a very cute area with bright buildings with brick exteriors and flower-covered window sills.
My favorite bar here is Quay’s. They have live music every night and if you want to arrive earlier you have a traditional Irish dinner here too.
But if you just come for drinks and live music, Quay’s is SO much fun. Dance, sing, mingle, and enjoy the Dublin nightlife.
Day 2 - Bike tour, Guinness Storehouse, Comedy show
The 2nd day of your 2 day Dublin itinerary is a little less jam-packed with a couple of awesome tours and cultural experiences.
Coffee at a local cafe
I don’t know about you, but I have to visit a local coffee shop whenever I travel somewhere new. So, that’s why we’re starting off day 2 with just that!
Vice Coffee is one of the best specialty coffee shops in Dublin. So, if you’re a coffee lover, start the second day of 2 days in Dublin, Ireland off to a good start with a quality cappuccino or your drink of choice.
The place is really cute with indoor/outdoor seating including a quirky rooftop lounge. They also serve pastries and Irish coffee.
It’s part of Wigwam, another restaurant, so the main building will say Wigwam but there’s another circular sign that says Vice, so you’ll know you’re in the right place.
If this Dublin coffee shop isn’t convenient, some other tasty options are Recanto Brazil (great for breakfast), Bear Market Coffee, Grounstate Coffee (near Guinness Storehouse) and Craft Coffee Roasters.
Morning bike tour
I love exploring a city on bike, since much of Dublin is very flat, a bike tour is one of my favorite activities.
I have two recommendations for this, either hop on this morning bike tour around Dublin for a unique 2-hour experience with a storyteller guide, or rent bikes from GetYourGuide or use a Dublin city bike and use them to cycle to the Guinness Storehouse as it’s a 25-30 minute walk from the city centre.
For the bike tour, it usually starts at 10:30 a.m. so it’s a great way to spend the morning and see more sites before visiting the Guinness Storehouse.
Guinness Storehouse
If you’re coming from the bike tour instead of renting bikes for the afternoon, pass by St. Patrick’s Cathedral to take in another historic place.
If you’re hungry after the bike ride, grab lunch at someplace like Harkin’s Bar & Bistro, Catherine’s Cafe & Bakery, or Proof Urban Italian, which are all close to the Storehouse.
Otherwise, head straight to the Guinness Store – one of the absolute best things to do when seeing Dublin in 2 days.
Whether you like stout or not, the Storehouse is such a cool experience. You’ll learn about the history of Guinness, its various quirky advertising campaigns (as ad Advertising student, I loved this), and even how to pour a pint of the black stuff.
The tour concludes with a complimentary pint (that you poured yourself) and you can enjoy from the rooftop with its long windows overlooking Dublin.
River Liffey walk
Enjoy some leisure time with a walk along the river. There are numerous shops and eateries on either side of the street. So, allow yourself some free time to pop in and look around, hunt for souvenirs, and hunt for tasty snacks.
I bought my Claddagh ring (a traditional Irish ring with a heart, crown, and pair of hands on it that symbolizes your relationship status) from here on my second visit back in 2015 and I’ve been wearing every day since! I didn’t buy it at a shop along the river, though. I got it from a store called Claddagh Jewellers near St. Stephens Green Park.
Visit a local comedy club
Let’s be honest, the Irish are known for their witty senses of humor. That’s why going to a comedy show in Dublin is one of the best ways to soak up the local culture.
Luckily, there are plenty of places to see a paid and free show nearly any night of the week. Plus, they’re located right along the water in the center of the city.
Some recommendations include Craic Den Comedy Club, Laughter Lounge (often attracts big-name comics), and Hysteria Comedy Club for something more localized.
Check their websites or social media to see what’s on when you’re in town!
Where to Stay with 2 Days in Dublin, Ireland
Dublin is a very walkable city, so I recommend staying somewhere central so you can take advantage of not having to rely on public transport to get around. Here’s the best accommodation options and hotels in Dublin.
The College Green Hotel Dublin (5-star) – Central stone-covered hotel across from Trinity College. It has an underground vault cocktail bar and opulent rooms. See current rates for The College Green Hotel.
Wren Urban Nest – Hip hotel with good prices and bright & compact-style rooms, which are really popular these days. The whole hotel is beautifully designed. See current rates for Wren Urban Nest.
The Clarence Hotel (4-star) – Upscale, super central hotel with nicely designed rooms, beautiful eateries, and red-toned cocktail lounge. See current rates for The Clarence.
Jacobs Inn Dublin (2-star) – Budget-friendly hostel with shared and private rooms with pod beds with privacy curtains. It’s actually really lovely and has a cool bar with free drink tickets. Check current rates for Jacobs Inn Hostel.
What to do with more days in Dublin
If you’re spending more than just a few days in Ireland, I highly recommend doing a day trip or a couples of nights on the west coast of Ireland.
One of the most iconic places to see when it’s your first time in Ireland is the wondrous Cliffs of Moher in County Clare on the west coast. It’s a 3 hour drive away, so it’s best done as an overnight trip.
If you aren’t renting a car, definitely check out this 2-day tour from Dublin to Cliffs of Moher and along the Wild Atlantic Way, the country’s most famous drive.
Learn more about why you should visit Ireland’s captivating sea cliffs with these fun facts about the Cliffs of Moher. After all, they are the site of my legends and there’s much to discover.
When to Visit Dublin
The best time to visit Dublin largely depends on your travel style and what you hope to experience on your trip. However, May to September is a lovely time to visit as the weather is pleasant, making the city a joy to explore.
During late spring to September, Dublin has generally mild temperatures with average highs ranging from 15°C to 20°C (59°F to 68°F). Plus, the city’s parks (like the lovely botanical garden and St. Stephen’s Garden Park) are in full bloom.
There are also different festivals going on in May and June like the Dublin Dance Festival, Dublin Port Riverfest with boat races, music, and food stalls.
For my book people, June 16th is a special day called Bloomsday that celebrates James Joyce’s novel Ulysses, which is set in Dublin. The city hosts literary events, walking tours, and theatrical performances inspired by the book during this time.
However, if you prefer fewer crowds and lower accommodation rates, you might like to visit from March to May or late September and October. St. Patrick’s Day and Halloween can both be fun times to visit Dublin. Halloween actually originated in Ireland, after all.
FAQ
Here are some common questions I see about what to do in Dublin in 2 days, more or less.
What can I do in Dublin in 1 day?
If you have only 1 day in Dublin, I highly recommend walking along River Liffey, which is full of lovely pedestrian bridges and the heart of the city centre. Wander through Temple Bar and try a local whisky or Guinness, visit Christ Church Cathedral, and if you have time do a tour at either Trinity College or the Guinness Storehouse.
How many days do you need in Dublin?
A minimum of 2 days in Dublin will give you the opportunity to see all the main highlights, do a tour of Guinness Storehouse, and explore Trinity College. If you want to do 3 days, you can visit the coastline and perhaps do a boat tour or day trip.
What should I know about Dublin before I go to?
Ireland uses the Euro (€) as its currency. Tipping isn’t necessary but rounding up or leaving 10% is appreciated when the service is good. Dublin is also well-connected to the rest of Ireland and Northern Ireland, so it can work as a great base for exploring more places, whether by train, bus, or car.
