Dublin in 7 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, Land & wander

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, Iconic sights

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, Food & markets

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

Day 4, Local neighbourhoods

Base: The Liberties, The historic district around the Guinness Storehouse and St. Patrick's.

Morning: A literary pub crawl tracing Joyce and Beckett.. A local favourite most visitors miss, worth the detour.

Afternoon: Explore The Liberties, The historic district around the Guinness Storehouse and St. Patrick's.

Evening: St. Stephen's Green and the Iveagh Gardens for a quiet break.. A local favourite most visitors miss, worth the detour.

Eat: A full Irish breakfast to start the day

Day 5, Day trip

Base: Howth (nearby), A fishing village with a cliff walk and seafood, on the DART line.

Morning: Slow start: coffee in Howth (nearby), then an unhurried walk before the heat or the crowds.

Afternoon: Explore Howth (nearby), A fishing village with a cliff walk and seafood, on the DART line.

Evening: Dinner at A proper pint of Guinness (it really does taste better here), then a quiet drink wherever the locals are in Howth (nearby).

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

Day 6, Hidden gems

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

Morning: Slow start: coffee in Temple Bar, then an unhurried walk before the heat or the crowds.

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

Evening: Dinner at Irish stew or coddle in a traditional pub, then a quiet drink wherever the locals are in Temple Bar.

Eat: Irish stew or coddle in a traditional pub

Day 7, Slow finish

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

Morning: Slow start: coffee in Georgian Dublin, then an unhurried walk before the heat or the crowds.

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

Evening: Dinner at Fresh oysters and seafood chowder, then a quiet drink wherever the locals are in Georgian Dublin.

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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