5 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 Kilmainham Gaol, then Temple Bar in the evening.

   1. Morning

      Trinity College and the Book of Kells

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

   2. Late morning

      Guinness Storehouse

      Take the first slot of the morning to reach the Gravity Bar before it fills, and try pouring your own pint at the Guinness Academy. (2–2.5 hours, mid-priced).

   3. Lunch

      Lunch: Full Irish breakfast

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

   4. Afternoon

      Kilmainham Gaol

      Combine it with the Irish Museum of Modern Art in the Royal Hospital Kilmainham, about a 10-minute walk away. (1.5 hours, low cost).

   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: Ha'penny Bridge and Christ Church Cathedral

   Ha'penny Bridge, Christ Church Cathedral and National Museum of Ireland – Archaeology, then Temple Bar in the evening.

   1. Morning

      Ha'penny Bridge

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

   2. Late morning

      Christ Church Cathedral

      Cross the covered bridge to Dublinia, a hands-on Viking and medieval exhibition that children enjoy; combined tickets are usually available. (1 hour, low cost).

   3. Lunch

      Lunch: Irish stew

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

   4. Afternoon

      National Museum of Ireland – Archaeology

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

   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 Gallery of Ireland and Merrion Square

   National Gallery of Ireland, Merrion Square and Chester Beatty, then Camden Street and Wexford Street in the evening.

   1. Morning

      National Gallery of Ireland

      Use the Clare Street entrance into the glass-roofed Millennium Wing, where the café makes a good rainy-day break. (1.5–2 hours, free).

   2. Late morning

      Merrion Square

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

   3. Lunch

      Lunch: Dublin coddle

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

   4. Afternoon

      Chester Beatty

      Pair it with the Dublin Castle State Apartments, a few steps away across the castle gardens. (1–1.5 hours, free).

   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. Best for couples, families and food lovers.

   3. Evening

      Back in Dublin

      Dinner: try Soda bread.

5. Day 5: Dublin Castle and St Patrick's Cathedral

   Dublin Castle, St Patrick's Cathedral and St Stephen's Green, then South William Street and George's Street in the evening.

   1. Morning

      Dublin Castle

      Take the guided tour if you want to see the underground medieval and Viking remains; self-guided entry covers the State Apartments only. (1–1.5 hours, low cost).

   2. Late morning

      St Patrick's Cathedral

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

   3. Lunch

      Lunch: Soda bread

      Any pub with a kitchen; bakeries and farmers' markets sell whole loaves.

   4. Afternoon

      St Stephen's Green

      Enter through the Fusiliers' Arch at the Grafton Street corner, then continue to the Iveagh Gardens or the Little Museum of Dublin. (45 minutes, free).

   5. Evening

      South William Street and George's Street

      Cocktail bars, wine bars and the city's best-known LGBTQ+ venues around South Great George's Street.

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 5 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 14–19 hours of visiting over 5 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
• 4 days in Dublin

Questions travellers ask