4 days in Dublin

Day by day

1. Day 1: Trinity College and the Book of Kells and Guinness Storehouse

   Trinity College and the Book of Kells, Guinness Storehouse and St Patrick's Cathedral, then Temple Bar in the evening.

   1. Morning

      Trinity College and the Book of Kells

      Allow 1–1.5 hours (mid-priced). The cobbled campus itself is free to walk through; come early or late in the day, when Front Square is quiet.

   2. Late morning

      Guinness Storehouse

      The visit ends in the rooftop Gravity Bar with a pint and a 360-degree view to the Dublin Mountains.

   3. Lunch

      Lunch: Full Irish breakfast

      Cafés and pubs across the city, many serving it all day.

   4. Afternoon

      St Patrick's Cathedral

      Allow 1 hour (low cost). Visit Marsh's Library next door, an 18th-century public library with its original dark-oak bookcases and wire-caged reading alcoves.

   5. Evening

      Temple Bar

      Hear the music here, then walk five minutes to pubs on Dame Street or in Smithfield for a better-value pint.

2. Day 2: Kilmainham Gaol and Ha'penny Bridge

   Kilmainham Gaol, Ha'penny Bridge and Christ Church Cathedral, then Temple Bar in the evening.

   1. Morning

      Kilmainham Gaol

      Guided tours lead through the cramped old wing and the bright Victorian east wing, familiar from many films, and a museum covers the prison and the struggle for independence.

   2. Late morning

      Ha'penny Bridge

      Allow 15 minutes (free). Cross at dusk when the bridge lamps come on, then follow the Liffey Boardwalk east to O'Connell Bridge.

   3. Lunch

      Lunch: Irish stew

      Traditional pubs and restaurants around Temple Bar, Smithfield and the Liberties.

   4. Afternoon

      Christ Church Cathedral

      Down there, among church treasures, lie a mummified cat and rat found trapped in an organ pipe.

   5. Evening

      Temple Bar

      The busiest cluster of pubs and live music, popular with visitors and groups; expect crowds and higher prices.

3. Day 3: National Museum of Ireland – Archaeology and National Gallery of Ireland

   National Museum of Ireland – Archaeology, National Gallery of Ireland and Merrion Square, then Camden Street and Wexford Street in the evening.

   1. Morning

      National Museum of Ireland – Archaeology

      Allow 1.5–2 hours (free). Combine it with the National Gallery and Merrion Square, all within a five-minute walk.

   2. Late morning

      National Gallery of Ireland

      Yeats. Entry to the permanent collection is free.

   3. Lunch

      Lunch: Dublin coddle

      A handful of traditional pubs and restaurants, mostly in winter.

   4. Afternoon

      Merrion Square

      Allow 45 minutes (free). Walk down Merrion Square East and along Fitzwilliam Street for the long Georgian vista towards the Dublin Mountains.

   5. Evening

      Camden Street and Wexford Street

      A long strip of bars, late venues and music pubs south of St Stephen's Green, with a younger local crowd.

4. Day 4: Day trip to Howth

   About 30 minutes by DART each way. Getting there: DART from Connolly, Tara Street or Pearse.

   1. Morning

      Travel to Howth

      About 30 minutes by DART (DART from Connolly, Tara Street or Pearse); about 15 km.

   2. Day

      Howth

      A fishing village on a rocky peninsula at the northern tip of Dublin Bay, with a cliff path around Howth Head looking out to Ireland's Eye and the Baily Lighthouse, seals in the harbour and seafood restaurants along the West Pier.

   3. Evening

      Back in Dublin

      Dinner: try Soda bread.

Before you go

Reserve timed tickets for Trinity College and the Book of Kells, Guinness Storehouse and Kilmainham Gaol before you travel; the rest of this plan needs no advance booking.

Where to stay for this itinerary

With 4 nights, Temple Bar keeps most of this route within easy reach. For a calmer or cheaper base, Grafton Street and St Stephen's Green ($$$$) suits first-timers, shopping, couples and luxury. Compare every area.

Pace and daylight

The sights in this plan add up to roughly 12–16 hours of visiting over 4 days, before meals and getting between them. Daylight runs from about 7.5 hours in December to 17 hours in June, so in winter start early and keep museums for the afternoon.

More or fewer days

• One day in Dublin
• 2 days in Dublin
• 3 days in Dublin
• 5 days in Dublin

Questions travellers ask