Dublin in 3 days

A literary, lively capital of Georgian streets, historic pubs, Guinness and easy escapes to wild coast and cliffs. Best time to visit: May-September. Average daily budget: $110 to $180 USD.

Day 1, Get oriented

Base: Temple Bar, The cobbled nightlife quarter of pubs and live music (lively but touristy).

Morning: Book of Kells & Trinity Library. The illuminated medieval manuscript and the stunning Long Room.

Afternoon: Explore Temple Bar, The cobbled nightlife quarter of pubs and live music (lively but touristy).

Evening: Guinness Storehouse. The brewery experience with a panoramic Gravity Bar pint.

Eat: A proper pint of Guinness (it really does taste better here)

Day 2, Go deeper

Base: Georgian Dublin, Merrion and Fitzwilliam squares, colourful doors and museums.

Morning: Kilmainham Gaol. A powerful tour through Ireland's fight for independence.

Afternoon: Explore Georgian Dublin, Merrion and Fitzwilliam squares, colourful doors and museums.

Evening: Pub & live-music night. Trad sessions and pints in the city's historic pubs.

Eat: Irish stew or coddle in a traditional pub

Day 3, Hidden side

Base: Trinity & Grafton Street, The university, Book of Kells and the main shopping street.

Morning: The Howth cliff walk and seafood, 30 minutes out on the DART.. A local favourite most visitors miss, worth the detour.

Afternoon: Explore Trinity & Grafton Street, The university, Book of Kells and the main shopping street.

Evening: The free, excellent National Museum of Archaeology.. A local favourite most visitors miss, worth the detour.

Eat: Fresh oysters and seafood chowder

Hidden gems

The Howth cliff walk and seafood, 30 minutes out on the DART.
The free, excellent National Museum of Archaeology.
A literary pub crawl tracing Joyce and Beckett.
St. Stephen's Green and the Iveagh Gardens for a quiet break.

Getting around

The compact centre is best on foot. The LUAS tram and city buses cover longer hops, and the DART coastal train reaches Howth, Dún Laoghaire and Dalkey easily. For the Cliffs of Moher or Wicklow, take a day tour or regional transport; you won't need a car in the city.

Safety

Dublin is friendly and generally safe. Keep usual city awareness for pickpockets and late-night rowdiness around Temple Bar, where drinks are also notably pricey. Weather is changeable year-round, so pack layers and a rain jacket whatever the season.

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