The Emerald Isle is aptly named. Green pastures, rolling hills, wide open sky– Ireland is beautiful. While every town in Ireland is worth visiting, you can’t plan a trip to the country without including the capital Dublin in your itinerary. While you can certainly spend much longer in Dublin, I think 3 days is the perfect amount of time to allow you to see the sights before moving on to the rest of the country. Here’s my perfect itinerary for 3 days in Dublin!
Day 1
Breakfast
Start your day off at POG on Tara Street. Breakfast is the most important meal of the day, and in my opinion, it’s the best way to start off a vacation in a new city. Dublin has a ton of fantastic breakfast and brunch options, but POG is one of the best! They are known for their selection of protein pancakes (All four signature stacks are AMAZING), but they also offer a selection of other breakfast options that are both delicious and healthy. You can’t go wrong here!
Trinity College Long Room and Book of Kells
After you’ve eaten your fill, it’s time to start your sightseeing by visiting the Trinity College Long Room. Book lovers will want to stay here forever! The architecture and design of the Long Room is picturesque, and the atmosphere is amazing. If you’re lucky, you’ll be able to catch a look at the Book of Kells. The Book of Kells is an illustrated manuscript of the four Gospels (Matthew, Mark, Luke, John) thought to have been crafted by Celtic monks around 800 A.D. It’s a really neat piece of history! You can’t flip through the pages of the book yourself– they keep it open inside a glass display case usually)– but it’s definitely worth taking a look! To enter the Long Room and see the Book of Kells, you’ll need to book a tour from the college to gain access.
Lunch
For Lunch, I recommend grabbing something lighter since breakfast was so heavy. Poulet Bonne Femme is perfect for a lighter lunch. They specialize in rotisserie chicken, so you can order a full rotisserie chicken, part of one, or a sandwich with a list of delicious sides. Best of all, this restaurant is on the way to our next stop, so there will be no unnecessary detours (yay for walkers!)
Molly Malone Statue
Continue around the block until you reach the Molly Malone Statue. Local legend says that Molly Malone was a fishmonger (and perhaps prostitute) in the 1800’s who suddenly died from fever. Some stories say her ghost continued to haunt the streets of Dublin after her passing. She’s become somewhat of a folklore character, cemented in songs as well as stories. While kind of touristy, catching a look at the statue as you walk by is something everybody should do while visiting Dublin for the first time.
Irish Whiskey Museum
Continuing on, our next stop is the Irish Whiskey Museum. Whether you like history, whiskey, or both, this is such a cool place! The tour lasts about an hour, and you’ll be taken through a fascinating journey of how whiskey has played a huge part in the culture and development of Ireland. There is also a whiskey tasting experience at the end for whiskey aficionados.
Walk down Grafton Street
After leaving the museum, it’s time for something a little less structured. Dublin’s most famous street is mere steps away. Stroll down Grafton Street and enjoy the atmosphere. Buskers and street performers are common, and there is a wide selection of shopping options. If you’re looking for a snack, try some gelato at Gino’s.
Dinner
As you near the end of Grafton Street, hang a right toward Sheehan’s Pub. Delicious local cuisine with large portions– that’s what I like after a long first day in a new city, and Sheehan’s definitely fits that bill. The bangers and mash is particularly good. Sheehan’s has been around for over 8 decades, and it’s still family run.
The Cobblestone Pub (Live Music)
If you’re not exhausted from the day yet, you can finish up at The Cobblestone Pub. Every day of the week, live music is played at the Cobblestone. You’ll get to hear local artists performing traditional Irish music and more. Grab an uber or taxi and head over here for a great time!
Day 2
Breakfast/Coffee
For day 2, I recommend you start with local coffee and pastries. Dublin has a number of awesome local coffee shops. 3fe and Kaph are two local favorites. The Bald Barista is also a great option, and it’s only a 9 minute walk to our first destination of the day.
Dublin Castle
Start the day of activities with a tour of Dublin Castle. Originally built in the early 13th century, the Dublin Castle has served as a government building in various capacities since then. Self-guided tours with audio headsets are available as well as in-person tours that must be reserved same-day at the castle. The tours offered by tour guides do include a few extra areas in and around the castle, so if you really enjoy history, art, or architecture, I would say the few extra dollars are definitely worth it. You can spend anywhere from half an hour to 2 hours easily here. If you find yourself here long enough for your stomach to start rumbling, there’s a nice restaurant inside the grounds.
Lunch/Brunch
If you chose not to eat at the restaurant in the Castle, then you’re probably getting pretty hungry right about now. There are two little hole-in-the-wall restaurants I highly recommend on our way to the next stop. If you’re craving something heavier, Bottega Toffoli has authentic Italian cuisine. The pizza is super fresh! If you want something else, a little further down the street you’ll find Rosie’s Cafe, a local cafe with freshly-made fare and quality ingredients.
Christ Church Cathedral
Built nearly 1000 years ago, the Christ Church Cathedral really feels like a piece of history. The architecture inside and out is stunning, and there are some really neat things to do and see here. Upon entrance, you can grab a map with a QR code that provides audio guide. Check out the crypt and the museum. You can easily spend a couple hours here just looking around. Depending on when you visit, there may be some performance happening, so that could be an extra treat. If you’re interested in exploring more of the cathedral, you can also join a guided tour that will take you up to the bell tower. If you’re not afraid of spiral steps, this is a great addition!
Dublinia
If you’re not toured-out yet, and you didn’t spend too long at the cathedral, check out Dublinia next door. Dublinia is a museum that focuses on Medieval and Viking history. It’s a highly interactive museum with fun and informative exhibits. If you have kids with you, this is a must. Also a plus, you can buy a combination ticket with Christ Church Cathedral to make the museum even more affordable. Last entrance is at 5, and they usually close at 6, so if you have the time and aren’t tired, I highly recommend you check Dublinia out!
Dinner and a Show
For your second night in Dublin, you should check out some of the mega talent on stage! Depending on what shows are on, and which days of the week you find yourself here, I recommend you catch a performance at either the Gaiety Theatre, the National Concert Hall, or the Bord Gais Energy Theatre. Between these three, you usually have a wide selection to choose from. Whether you want comedy, music, dance, or anything in between, you can usually get it here. Check out each theater’s website and choose which performance sounds best to you!
Before your show, I recommend grabbing some food. If you’re catching a performance at the Gaiety Theatre, you have to grab dinner at BIGFAN. The Chinese food here is both reasonably priced and delicious. If you’re going to the National Concert Hall, I recommend stopping at The Coburg just across the street inside the Conrad. You can get a nice, fancy dinner without breaking the bank here, and you can’t beat the location. If you find yourself going to the Bord Gais Energy Theatre, try Herbstreet or Nutbutter. Both places craft their plates with only the best ingredients and have hip atmospheres.
Day 3
Dublin Zoo
Start your morning at the Dublin Zoo. Personally, I love a good zoo, and the Dublin Zoo does not disappoint! Located in Phoenix Park, the layout of the zoo is top-notch, and it feels very spacious. There are a variety of animals and exhibits, and there’s plenty to do here. Best of all, you can complete the zoo at your own pace on your own timeline.
Lunch
After leaving the zoo, take a stroll through Phoenix Park to the Phoenix Park Tea Rooms. The Tea Room is such a cool place! The staff is friendly, the food is tasty, and it’s reasonably priced. Enjoy something fresh while resting your feet. You’ll need to gather your energy before the next stop!
Kilmainham Gaol
Kilmainham Gaol was at one point a jail for hundreds of people outside Dublin. Today it functions as a museum to transport people back to the past. I highly recommend booking a guided tour of the jail 28 days in advance as they sell out quickly. If you can’t get a tour, you can still visit the museum here (and it’s free!) This is such a neat thing to do while you’re in Dublin, and it’s an experience you can’t get in many other places. It can be a really emotional tour, and you’re bound to learn a lot. Don’t miss it!
Johnnie Fox’s Hooley Show (four course meal included)
A four course meal, traditional Irish dancing and music, and lots of craic– what’s not to love? Spend your last night in Dublin out at Johnnie Fox’s. Make arrangements online for shuttle tickets if you’re staying in the center of Dublin. Let them drive you there and back so you can enjoy your evening without stressing about travel. This is such a fun way to end your three days in Dublin. Make sure you book your tickets ahead of time.
There you have it– Three days and nights in Dublin! After your three days here, try some of the beautiful surrounding areas to extend your trip further. You could spend weeks in Ireland and still have much to see.