Dublin is a city that attracts a huge footfall of tourists each year and is ready to welcome you too. If you are planning a trip to Ireland, the Dublin 2-day itinerary is the perfect guide to help plan your weekend.
Dublin is the capital of Ireland and is considered one of the most beautiful cities in the world. The amalgamation of the city’s old-world charm and modern, vibrant energy, along with a long list of attractions, makes it a top choice for many people.
We used a Dublin Go Card which gave us access to 35+ attractions in the city and is well worth the money if you are looking to visit many of these attractions in Dublin.
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The Best Dublin 2 Day Itinerary
Dublin has something for every traveller. The famous Irish writer, James Joyce, wrote “When I die, Dublin will be written on my heart” and that is how many feel after visiting.
Dublin Center city has it all, historic castles, beautiful landscapes, traditional pubs, and modern bars. Read on for the perfect 2-day itinerary.
Table of Contents
Planning Your Trip
We use the below booking platforms to plan our trips. We hope you find them useful too!
Where to Stay in Dublin
There is a wide range of accommodations available in Dublin, including hotels in Dublin with swimming pools, so you will not be short on options. Here are our top suggestions for the best places to stay in Dublin for any budget.
Luxury –The Marker Hotel is a Leading Hotel in the World and one of the most luxurious in Dublin. Located in Grand Canal Square, this hotel features a ground-floor cocktail bar & brasserie, a spa, and a state-of-the-art gym. There is also a 23 m infinity pool, sauna, and steam room. All rooms have free wifi, air conditioning, and a 40-inch LED TV.
Book your stay at the The Marker Hotel – A Leading Hotel of the World here.
Mid-Range –Belvedere Hotel Parnell Square is a beautiful hotel located in the city centre of Dublin. The bedrooms are spacious with free wifi and an elegant en-suite bathroom. The hotel has a restaurant serving breakfast and an evening menu and the lounge hosts an Irish night that features traditional Irish music, dancing, and food.
Book your stay at Belvedere Hotel Parnell Square here.
Budget – Hazelbrook Lodge is located in the city centre of Dublin, a 15 minute walk from the famous Temple Bar. There is a communal living room and free wifi.
Day 1
Museums
Surrounded by museums, Dublin is a treasure trove for those who have a keen interest in history and heritage. A wide range of museums can be found all over the city and most are within walking distance.
The Little Museum of Dublin is the place to explore an eccentric version of the last century in the city. The National Leprechaun Museum is another fascinating place. It is a privately owned museum dedicated to Irish folklore and mythology, engaging visitors through the tradition of storytelling.
EPIC The Irish Emigration Museum showcases the history of the Irish diaspora and emigration to other countries. It’s unlike most museums, it’s a fully interactive experience. A visit here will uncover inspiring stories of the Irish people who travelled the world.
Trinity College’s Long Room
Home to a collection of 200,000 of the oldest books, Trinity College’s Long Room was built between 1712 and 1732. This library room is a treasure chest for people who love to read!
Initially, it had a flat ceiling but around 1860, the library was given a distinctive and beautiful barrel ceiling, creating more space for other works when the existing shelves were full. The interior has marble busts of famous philosophers and writers which line the central walkway of the nearly 200-foot-long room, created by sculptor Peter Schemakers.
During your exploration, make sure to take a look at the famous Book Of Kells. It is an extraordinary illuminated manuscript gospel book, written in Latin. This book is famed for its intricacy, detail, and illustrations amongst medieval manuscripts.
St. Patrick’s Cathedral
For over 800 years, Saint Patrick’s Cathedral has been a part of Ireland’s history and is one of the few buildings left from medieval Dublin. The cathedral was founded in honour of Ireland’s patron saint in 1191 as a collegiate church and later, its status was raised to cathedral. The construction of its current form started in 1220.
Located in St Patrick’s Park, the cathedral is world famous for its choir. Founded in 1412, they still perform daily (during school term time).
Another cathedral worth visiting is the wonderful Christ Church. This iconic cathedral is the official seat of the archbishop of Dublin. Its construction was completed in 1030 making it older than the other two famous cathedrals in Dublin. It is famed for its beautiful architecture and 12th century crypt.
If you are looking for a good bag for your time exploring Dublin, we can highly recommend the Wandrd Bag PRVKE 41L if you are carrying camera equipment around the city. If you are looking for a smaller backpack, The Nest by Tropicfeel is one of the most comfortable bags I have ever owned and perfect for a city break.
River Liffey
Experience the wonderful riverside vibes of Dublin and take a stroll along River Liffey. Dividing Dublin into northern and southern parts, the river offers wonderful views no matter which side you wander on.
There are various activities to do here, including river cruises and kayaking.
There are also places like the magnificent Custom House to see as well as 20 incredible bridges. Out of these 20, the most recognised and famous is the Ha’Penny Bridge. No trip to Dublin is complete until you have crossed this bridge!
Parks and Gardens
Experience an afternoon of tranquility amongst Dublin’s lush greenery, there are many wonderful spaces to choose from.
St Stephen’s Green is a favourite spot amongst locals. Spread across 27 acres, this park is surrounded by iconic Georgian architecture and gives out a quintessential Victorian vibe. The area has tree-lined avenues, a duck pond, ornamental gazebos, and a bandstand which is still used in summer.
Phoenix Park is another space that holds special importance amongst the locals. This park was initially built as a royal hunting ground in the 17th century. With an area of almost 1750 acres, it is the largest enclosed city park in Europe.
The park’s attractions include the famous and probably oldest Dublin zoo, the official residence of the President of Ireland, the Victorian People’s Flower Gardens, Farmleigh House, and the US Ambassador’s residence.
Tourists can enjoy some quality time while strolling around the park or can have an adventurous trip and pay a visit to the oldest zoo in Europe.
Day 2
Kilmainham Gaol
Decommissioned in 1924, this former prison is now a museum. It was originally called the ‘new gaol’ as it became the new county gaol when it opened in 1796. It was not just common criminals held here, but also some of the most influential political prisoners involved in Ireland’s fight for independence.
Browsing through the museum is like flipping through the pages of history. An enthralling exhibit on the history of Irish nationalism gives you access to some of the former prisoners’ personal belongings and letters.
This is one of the best Dublin attractions with teens as there is so much to learn about. Visits here are by guided tour only so booking is essential.
Dublin Castle
Visiting Dublin Castle is like visiting the nerve centre of Dublin. This is the place that gave the city its name-‘Dubh Linn’. The site where this castle was built was called the Black Pool as the castle garden was constructed where the River Liffey met the River Poddle.
You can explore the historical chapters of Ireland here through various temporary and permanent exhibitions. The castle has a huge collection of paintings by artists from all over the world. Apart from these, you would find collections of sculpture, furniture, clocks, china, glassware, prints, tapestries, stained glass, and textiles from the 17th century to the present day.
Within the castle, you would find the magnificent State Apartments, the Chapel Royal, a 13th-century Tower, and some of its Medieval structures.
Food and Drink
No Dublin experience is complete without trying the local food and special drinks on offer.
As a tourist favourite, Dublin has embraced many cultures in their food scene so you will find various kinds of markets, bars, pubs, and more.
Just some of the markets that you can explore are Moore Street Market, Irish Village Markets, and Temple Bar Food Market. Here you can buy fresh produce and indulge in some delicious delicacies.
Ireland is also famous for its whiskey. Jameson whiskey distillery is a great stop for whiskey lovers. You can enjoy a detailed tour and have a taste of this premium whiskey itself. They also offer whiskey blending as well as cocktail classes.
If you are an ale fan, you must pay a visit to the famous Guinness Storehouse. They hold the country’s most famous stout and offer you the best history lessons about the beverage while you sip on a freshly brewed Guinness. If you are visiting Dublin in February and the weather outside is cold and wet, this is a great place to spend the day.
If you decide to stay in Dublin for longer than 2 days, a day trip to Howth from Dublin is highly recommended to add to your Dublin itinerary.
How to Prepare for your Trip to Dublin
Before you set off on your way to Dublin, there are a number of things you will need to get organised to ensure a smooth and enjoyable journey. These include what to pack, where to stay and what is the best insurance for your trip to Ireland. All of this is discussed in detail below.
Where to Stay in Dublin
There is a wide range of accommodations available in Dublin, so you will not be short on options. Here are our top suggestions for the best places to stay in Dublin for any budget.
Luxury –The Marker Hotel is a Leading Hotel in the World and one of the most luxurious in Dublin. Located in Grand Canal Square, this hotel features a ground-floor cocktail bar & brasserie, a spa, and a state-of-the-art gym. There is also a 23 m infinity pool, sauna, and steam room. All rooms have free wifi, air conditioning, and a 40-inch LED TV.
Book your stay at the The Marker Hotel – A Leading Hotel of the World here.
Mid-Range –Belvedere Hotel Parnell Square is a beautiful hotel located in the city centre of Dublin. The bedrooms are spacious with free wifi and an elegant en-suite bathroom. The hotel has a restaurant serving breakfast and an evening menu and the lounge hosts an Irish night that features traditional Irish music, dancing, and food.
Book your stay at Belvedere Hotel Parnell Square here.
Budget – Hazelbrook Lodge is located in the city centre of Dublin, a 15 minute walk from the famous Temple Bar. There is a communal living room and free wifi.
What to Pack for Your Trip to Dublin
When it comes to packing for a trip to Dublin there is one item of clothing that you are going to need all year round: a waterproof. It rains in Dublin on average 250 days a year, meaning that during your trip to Dublin, you can expect rain at some point. Due to this, the number one item on your packing list is a good waterproof jacket.
Second to that, another item to not leave home without is a good pair of warm and, if possible, waterproof boots. You will find yourself doing a lot of walking in Dublin
You will definitely need a hat and gloves during the winter months as the wind chill can be bitter.
Given the beautiful sights and scenery that you are no doubt going to see around Dublin, we highly recommend packing a good camera for your trip. If you want to read more about the cameras we use and why we love them, check out the link below.
Photography Equipment
Main Photography Camera – Sony A7v Mirrorless Camera and Sony A7iii Mirrorless Camera
Microphone – Sony Mic ECM-B1M
Main Lens – Tamron 17-28mm f/2.8
Zoom Lens – Tamron 70-180mm f/2.8
Camera Tripod – ZOMEI Z669C Camera Tripod
Gorilla Pod – JOBY JB01507-BWW GorillaPod
Action Camera – GoPro Hero 11 and Insta 360 One RS
Drone Camera – DJI Mavic Pro 3
Camera Bag – Wandrd PRVKE 41L and The Nest by Tropicfeel
Phone Tripod – Manfrotto MKPIXICLAMP-BK, Mini Tripod with Universal Smartphone Clamp
Sturdy Phone Tripod & Selfie Stick – ATUMTEK 61″ Selfie Stick Tripod, Sturdy Phone Tripod Stand with Wireless Remote
Hard Drives – LaCie Rugged Mini, 5TB, 2.5″, Portable External Hard Drive
SSD – SanDisk Extreme Pro 1TB Portable NVMe SSD
Travel Adapter –Worldwide Travel Adapter Universal Travel Plug with 4 USB Ports+Universal AC Socke
What is the Best Travel Insurance for Dublin
I know travel insurance is the least enjoyable thing to purchase and look at when you’re planning a trip, however, you wouldn’t want to be without it in the event that something happened. Accidents can happen anywhere and the extortionate medical bills will ruin your trip if you are not covered.
To ensure you have a stress-free trip with no worries about potential medical bills, make sure you cover yourself when you travel. We can recommend using SafetyWing, a backpacker-friendly and cheap insurance company that provides good coverage and support. It is also nomad-friendly, unlike most other insurance companies, meaning you do not need to worry about being out of your home country for too long.
Get a quote for your travel insurance right here and get covered!
So there you have it, all of the best things to do in Dublin including cathedrals, riverside and various other attractions. If you have visited Dublin recently, let us know what you thought of the sights listed above, or if you have any suggestions let us know in the comments below.
Also, remember to share this with your friends and family that you are going to share this amazing experience with. Sharing is caring and we want to ensure that everyone is fully prepared to maximise their experience completing this stunning walk.
If you are planning an Ireland trip soon then check out our other Ireland content right here. Come and find us on social media to see where we are currently exploring. Tag us in your photos from your stay and we will share them with the rest of our community of explorers and backpackers.
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