Spending 2 Days in Dublin, Ireland: Best Guide for First-Times

Dublin is largely the forgotten major city of Ireland with many tourists opting to skip the city all together. I’m not going to lie, after talking to many other travelers I didn’t know how much I was going to enjoy the major city either. But with the help of this 2-day Dublin itinerary, you’ll find more that Dublin has to offer.

Sure, Dublin has an edge to it. It’s got that industrial city vibe that’s oozed into the locals. But, for whatever reason, I found that to be charming. The red brick buildings, public houses on every corner, and rich history makes it a great little capital to explore.

Spending 2 days in Dublin is the perfect amount of time. This Dublin itinerary will help you see the highlights while also finding some unique things to do along the way. And maybe by the end of your trip you’ll find the same charm I did.

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Is Dublin worth visiting?

If you’re planning a trip to Ireland Dublin is certainly worth visiting. Not only will you likely fly in or out of Dublin, making it the perfect stop, there are also some great attractions to see. Though I wouldn’t spend your entire visit in Dublin, I’d recommend making it a 1-3 day stop along your Ireland itinerary.

Best Places to Stay in Dublin

Dublin has a lot of great neighborhoods within walking distance of many major attractions. Choosing the best neighborhood is largely based on what kind of atmosphere you want. But with only two days, I’d recommend staying in one of these two neighborhoods. This will help you stay closer to the main attractions, as all are very walkable.

Keep in mind that Dublin is an expensive city to stay in, especially in mid-range to luxury hotels. You can save money by using hotel points for your room (which is what I did!).

The Liberties (My top pick!)

Historically, The Liberties was a pretty shady area, known for its women, whiskey, and gambling. Nowadays the area is one of the best little corners of Dublin. Home to the revitalized whiskey distilleries, Guinness Storehouse, and great bars and restaurants.

Within the neighborhood you’ll find Christ Church Cathedral, Marsh’s Library, Guinness Storehouse, and numerous distilleries. You’ll also find the famous Brazen Head, some incredible baked goods at Bakeology, and the Liberty Market.

Where to stay in The Liberties

• Hyatt Centric The Liberties ($$$) | The newly open Hyatt property has some of the best Hyatt property management I’ve seen. The rooms are well dressed, the staff is super helpful, and the location couldn’t be better. If you want, you can book directly with Hyatt to earn World of Hyatt points on your stay or use points for your stay.
• Maldron Hotel Kevin Street ($) | Located near St. Patrick’s Cathedral and the Dublin Castle this property is great for those looking to snag a good deal in Dublin. The hotel is fairly basic, so if you’re okay with a few amenities for a fair price this is the hotel for you.
• Raddison Blue Royal Hotel ($$) | This Raddison property consistency has some of the best hotel reviews in The Liberties. With a location near the Temple Bar neighborhood, you’ll find the hotel is close to a lot of attractions you’ll want to see in Dublin.

Temple Bar

Located on the south bank of the River Liffey, the Temple Bar district is known for its lively music scene, pubs, hostels, and numerous restaurants. Many would describe the Temple Bar district as the heart of Dublin’s nightlife.

Because of that you might enjoy this area due to its proximity to a lot of bars and restaurants. However, the neighborhood can be quite loud and stay that way into the early morning hours.

Where to stay in Temple Bar

• The Fleet ($$) | With a rooftop terrace and modern amenities, this small hotel is really right in the heart of it all. If you’re looking something reasonably priced in a great location in Dublin, this is the hotel for you.
• Zanzibar Locke ($$) | These apartment hotel rooms are stylish and centrally located. If you need more space to work or have plans on cooking your own meals look no further.
• The Westbury Hotel ($$$) | If you’re looking for something on the edge of Temple Bar that’s higher end the Westbury Hotel can be a great choice.

2 Days Dublin Itinerary

Day 1: Historic highlights

Today is all about visiting the historic highlights of Dublin. Founded in 841 AD by viking settlers, Dublin has a long and rich history worth exploring. And while many of the buildings you see today are from the 18th and 19th centuries, you will find a mix of Viking, medieval, and more modern Irish history throughout today’s exploration.

>> Be sure to check out my helpful guide to visiting Ireland on a budget to help you save money on your trip!

Morning

Start your morning with some of the best coffee in Dublin at Copper + Straw. They have a few locations but the most centrally located is in Temple Bar. With high quality, single origin coffee blends roasted in Belfast, you’ll find some amazing coffee options. Cooper + Straw also works with a handful of premium bakeries for some pastries and breads, too.

If you’re looking for something a bit more substantial, consider stopping at Beanhive for a full Irish breakfast. A full Irish breakfast includes meats, eggs, some vegetables, bread, and baked beans. It’s a lot and will certainly keep you going around town!

Start your morning with a free walking tour of Dublin with Rick Steves AudioEurope app. The app has two Dublin walking tour options but I recommend the South Bank, which includes a lot of Dublin’s historic highlights.

During your walk be sure to snag tickets to the Book of Kells and Trinity Library. You can book tickets online for as little as €19 per person. These tickets can be harder to get than the €25 option but if you see this option book it! Even you opt to miss the library, do take the time to walk around the Trinity College campus.

You free walking tour will also take you to Christ Church Cathedral. Christ Church is the oldest cathedral in Dublin, founded in 1030 by the Vikings. And, if you’ve ever seen The Tudors the church might be recognizable since it was utilized in the TV show frequently. You can book admission and a self-guided tour for just €11.

Travel Tip! If you are visiting Christ Church as a family you can gain admission for just €25 booking direct.

Christ Church Cathedral is also home to Dublinia, a Viking-era and medieval museum discussing life in the early era of Dublin’s history. If you happen to have purchased a GoCity card for Dublin the museum is included in your pass, too.

Afternoon

Spend your afternoon exploring one of my favorite neighborhoods, The Liberties. Start with lunch at one of the many amazing restaurants in the area (that tend to the cheaper than the Temple Bar area, too). Fourthcorner serves under €15 wood fired pizzas and €6 focaccia. Or consider a sandwich at the Cheeky Pig. You’ll find some great deals, like under €10 chicken wraps and truffled BLTs.

There’s nothing more Irish than whiskey, especially in The Liberties. This neighborhood used to be outside the old Dublin city walls, known for the slogan “welcome to hell”. Here, the illegal became legal. Whiskey distilleries have revitalized in the area in recent years, too.

Even if you don’t drink whiskey I recommend taking a tour. You learn a lot about this part of Dublin, exploring some unique culture throughout the tours. Dublin Liberties Distillery is one of the cheapest options and their tour was really good. Great displays, information, and tasting are all included in your guided visit.

If you’re interested in a more famous distillery, Teeling is a popular choice. Like Dublin Liberties Distillery, Teeling produces their products on-site with a great, interactive tour. I’d recommend skipping Jameson, as their production isn’t in Dublin. It’s better to visit the historic distillery in Middleton.

Evening

For dinner consider a upscale meal at the oldest wine bar and restaurant, La Cave. Their menu is a preselected course dinner for a decent price point. Opium is another unique dining option serving a variety of uniquely curated Asian dishes. But if you’re looking for something on a smaller budget the White Rabbit is a great choice, too.

Nightlife in Dublin is abundant – just take to Temple Bar and you’ll find plenty of comedy shows, late-night bars, and oddities throughout the early morning hours. I recommend spending the evening enjoying some of the many entertainments!

If you’re visiting on a Sunday-Tuesday night, consider taking to the donation-based Comedy Crunch show. This show is incredible and even includes free ice cream during the performance! If you’re looking for a more formalized program, In Stitches has performances often in a theatre setting.

Another option is one of the many evening ghost tours of Dublin. The Dark Dublin walking tour is one of the most famous but all are pretty much the same. Ghost and haunted tours give historical interpretations of dark times in Dublin throughout the city.

Day 2: Unique things to do in Dublin

On day two spend your day diving deeper into some of the unique and off-the-beaten-path attractions of Dublin. With amazing street art, the Silicon Docks, and The Spire of Dublin – you’ll find plenty of little places to explore today.

Morning

Start your morning with a fresh pastry at one of the best Parisian bakeries in Dublin, Bread 41. Or snag a coffee at Shoe Lane Coffee, and enjoy it while taking a stroll down the scenic River Liffey.

This morning take the tram to the National Botanic Garden of Ireland. The gardens were founded in 1795 and are home to over 16,000 plant species. The gardens are completely free to visitors but you can pay €5 for a guided tour. If anything the gardens are worth the visit for the glasshouses alone – perfect for photos!

If you’re looking to stay closer to central Dublin, there are many national museums to choose from, too. The most popular is the National Museum of Ireland – Natural History. The Natural History Museum is known for it’s self-described “Museum of Dead.” But if you’re more of an art lover you could instead choose to visit the Decorative Arts museum.

Afternoon

There are a lot of great experiences still to be had in Dublin (and so little time to do them!). First, if you’re looking to experience a variety of Irish food be sure to join Secret Food Tours Dublin Walking Food Tour. This food tour is the perfect way to get to learn a lot about Irish culture and history through many of the best restaurants and pubs around the city.

Or, if you want to bring home a personalized piece of Ireland, join a silversmithing class and make your own ring. Silver has been worked in Ireland since the Bronze Age, and this award winning experience lets you bring home a sterling silver ring.

evening

If you’re looking for a unique dinner spot try The Church. This church turned 21st century restaurant and bar first opened to the public in 1701. The restaurant kept the charm and original structure during the conversion. And they even offer a self-guided tour to learn about the building’s history.

This evening consider grabbing tickets to one of the many productions at the famous Abbey Theatre. The theatre was founded in 1904 by famous writers to revive Irish culture and storytelling. The theatre continues to see famous actors in performances, too. So don’t be surprised if you see Cillian Murphy!

Or, consider wandering into one of many traditional Irish pubs for an evening of live Irish music. O’Donoghue’s is known for it’s authentic music scene and the perfect place to grab a pint.

If you want something more high end the Vintage Cocktail Club is a speakeasy bar within the Temple Bar district. The speakeasy features modern, vintage, and classic cocktails in a candlelit room.

Best things to do in Dublin (with only 2 days)

With a 2 day Dublin itinerary means you can’t do everything. But I hope you find some things that excite you and make you want to return! So you don’t miss any of the top attractions, here is a complete list of all things you don’t want to miss when visiting Dublin:

Trinity College & The Book of Kells: Ireland’s oldest university houses the famous Book of Kells, an extraordinary illuminated manuscript within the beautiful Old Library. You can also take a guided or self-guided tour of Trinity College’s grounds.

Dublin Castle: Founded in 1204, Dublin castle was the cornerstone of English and later British rule over the Irish. Within the walls you’ll find a long history of Dublin, including medieval and Viking structures that still survive today.

Chester Beatty Library: This museum offers an impressive collection of global manuscripts, ancient texts, and artifacts—perfect for history enthusiasts. It’s a great alternative to the Book of Kells, too.

Christ Church Cathedral: This medieval cathedral, famous for its crypts and stunning interior, showcases the history of the Viking era.

Guinness Storehouse: Ireland’s iconic brewery that includes self-guided tours. The Storefront tickets usually sell out, so be sure to book your ticket in advance.

St. Stephen’s Green: The oldest park in Dublin, this is the best place for a peaceful stroll around the Victorian park in the heart of Dublin. The park is especially great for a coffee or lunch break.

Grafton Street: Experience Dublin’s main shopping street, filled with boutiques, cafés, and live music by local buskers. Perfect place to pick up a few items from your travels.

Teeling Distillery: With many Irish distilleries to choose from in Dublin, Teeling has a few tour choices to choose from that can fit any traveler or budget.

Molly Malone statue: Dublin icon in a statue that’s located near Trinity College.

Ha’Penny Bridge: Built in 1816, this iconic bridge uniquely made of cast iron sees over 20,000 pedestrians every day.

More Ireland Tips + Recommendations

• Get your complete breakdown of how to save money on your trip to Ireland with this helpful guide
• Check out the incredible Ring of Kerry (a top highlight for any visit to Ireland)
• Don’t miss the Kerry Cliffs either!
• Visiting in the fall? Check out my complete packing list