Dublin: Planning a Weekend Trip

A few years ago, I made a weekend trip to Dublin with some girlfriends. We tried to see as many sites as possible in our two-day stay. Since then, I’ve made three trips to this city, and you can see a lot in a short period of time. If you stay in a local hostel, you can see most of the city by foot once you arrive from the airport. (Also, if you’re visiting multiple countries in Europe, Dublin is usually one of the cheaper cities to fly into.) Once you arrive in Dublin, make sure to pick up a free walking map of the city at the city’s information office instead of purchasing one or download the Dublin Google map and mark the locations you want to see.  

RELATED:If you plan on seeing more of the Emerald Isle, check out my tips on renting a car in Ireland!

Dublin Highlights

Sandeman’s Free Walking Tour

Sandeman’s operates three free walking tours. Just go to City Hall at 10am, 11am, or 2pm. The tour last three hours and hits all the highlights- Dublin Castle, Dubh Linn, Temple Bar, Georgian Dublin, Trinity College, Leinster House, Dublin’s medieval walls, Christ Church Cathedral, Chester Beatty Library, and more. I’ve taken several Sandeman’s tours in different European cities, and I have always been impressed by the information the guides present. The walking tours make it easier to explore the city on your own later on, so I suggest going on the morning tour. After our tour, we returned to Dublin Castle and had a picnic in the park. (The guides make a living off of tips, so don’t forget to bring some cash with you.) With all that walking, follow these tips for taking care of your feet!

Trinity College

If you’re a book lover like me, you need to see the library at Trinity College. Anytime you see a list of “The Most Beautiful Libraries,” Trinity’s library is on it.  The tall, oak bookshelves are an amazing site, holding over 200,000 books. Trinity College also showcases the Book of Kells, considered by many to be Ireland’s greatest treasure. It is a beautifully illustrated 9th century manuscript of the four gospels from the New Testament.

Riverdance

It’s cliché, and the Irish people laugh when you tell them that you’re going to see Riverdance. It’s an experience though. I only went because of a friend, but I don’t regret it.

Jameson and Guinness Brewery

Jameson Whisky and Guinness Beer both originated in Dublin, and both offer tours of their factories. We toured Jameson’s, learned about the history of whiskey making, and compared Jameson whiskey, Jack Daniels, and Scotch. Later in the day, we enjoyed a Guinness at a local pub. The Irish claim that Guinness tastes better in Ireland, so don’t skip it.

Temple Bar

The nightlife of Dublin resides on Temple Bar in Dublin. If you want to hear Irish music in a pub, plan on arriving in Temple Bar early to get a spot. The pubs fill quickly. If you can’t get into one of the pubs, no worries; there are also street musicians that come out at night. My friends and I enjoyed listening to an Irish band called Mutefish after we couldn’t find any room in a pub. There are also a lot of pub crawls that you can pay for, and you won’t have to worry about getting lost after a few drinks.

For fans of the film P.S. I Love You, check out Whelan’s on Wexford Street. It was a hike for us, but we loved seeing the pub featured in my favorite Gerard Butler film.

Grafton Street

This street is where you will find all your Irish souvenirs. (Here’s a list of souvenirs that won’t collect dust!) You can also find a variety of street performers who provide some amusement as you stroll down the street. Europeans pay high taxes, but Americans don’t have to pay the VAT taxes on some purchases. Make sure to check with the cashier about obtaining a VAT refund!

Dublin’s Doors

Take time to leave the city centre of Dublin and explore the Georgian townhouses, or specifically, their doors. There are many different stories of how the doors of Dublin became such an attraction for tourists.  When the 18th century townhouses were built, they had to be completely uniform. The residents of the townhouses began to paint their doors different colors and have elaborate door knockers and knobs, so they could distinguish their house from their neighbors when they came stumbling home from the pubs at night. Now, the doors are interesting pieces of art to observe on a nice stroll down Fitzwilliam Street.

Howth

On my first weekend trip to Dublin, my friends and I wanted to see the coast. When we went to the train station, the cashier recommended catching the train to Howth for only a few Euros. We fell in love with this harbor town. There wasn’t a tourist bus in site, but a beautiful harbor with local fishing boats. We ate lunch on the pier, saw sea lions playing in the water, and walked along the beach. We followed a trail up to some cliffs, and my friend and I stood on the cliffs of Ireland with just a fisherman for company. It was my favorite experience of the trip. It may not be as isolated anymore as Sandeman’s tour company now operates a day trip to Howth.

If you’re planning a to visit any other parts of Europe, check out my other city highlights posts on: London, Oxford, Madrid, Paris, and Amsterdam!

Do you have any other City Highlights for Dublin? Leave them in the comments and don’t forget to pin!