Ireland is an amazing country to visit, and you will want to make sure to spend at least two days in Dublin, the spectacular capital city. Dublin is also a great place to base yourself if you want to take some day trips around Ireland, such as to the Aran Islands.
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History of Dublin
Dublin has a rich and complex history that stretches back over a thousand years. Its origins lie in a Viking settlement established in the 800s. This early settlement grew into a thriving hub of commerce, linking Ireland to trade routes across Europe. In the 1100s, Dublin came under Norman control following the Anglo-Norman invasion of Ireland.
By the 1700s, Dublin had become one of the most important cities in the UK, known for its elegant Georgian architecture and cultural institutions. However, much of its political power declined after the Act of Union in 1801, which centralized governance in London. The city later became a focal point for Irish nationalism, playing a key role in events like the Easter Rising, when Irish republicans staged an armed insurrection against British rule. Though the uprising was ultimately suppressed, it galvanized public support for independence.
In 1922, following the Irish War of Independence, Dublin became the capital of the newly established present-day Ireland. Throughout the 1900s, the city evolved from a relatively quiet capital into a vibrant cultural and economic center. Today, Dublin is known for its literary heritage, lively atmosphere, and historic landmarks, blending its deep past with modern innovation and global influence.
When to Spend Two Days in Dublin
Dublin is a great city to visit at any time of the year. However, Ireland is known for having very rainy weather, so you will want to keep that in mind when planning your visit. The summer months will offer the warmest weather, and the winter months will offer the cheapest prices. April to May or September to October are some of the best times to visit, as crowds are smaller and the weather is less rainy.
How to Get to Dublin
Dublin has one main airport, Dublin Airport, right outside of the city center. From the United States, the easiest way to get to Dublin is flying AerLingus. They have direct flights from all over the United States. Alternatively, Dublin is just a short hop from Iceland or London. Skyscanner is my favorite way to search for flights. You can easily book Ireland on points.
How to Get from Dublin Airport to the City Center
The cheapest way to get from the Dublin Airport to the City Center is by the Dublin Express. This bus leaves the terminal every 7 to 8 minutes to various stops in the city center. The bus costs €18, and you can buy your tickets online ahead of time.
The most convenient way to get to the city center is by using a taxi or Uber. You could also book a private transfer. This cost usually ranges from €22-€40 depending on the time of day. This is a good option if you have a group, as it will be faster and cheaper than the Dublin Express.
Transportation in Dublin
There are several forms of public transportation to get around Dublin. Overall, it is a very walkable city, and you will find yourself walking around the main sites. Buses and trams are the most cost-effective options for getting around the city. If you want a more organized way to get around, check out the hop-on, hop-off bus.
Where to Stay in Dublin
TripAdvisor is a great place to start your hotel search. Check out the best hotels in Dublin here! You can always try searching Priceline Express Deals for a better price or try to price match a hotel. On my first trip to Dublin, I stayed in a hostel. On my second trip, I stayed at the Temple Bar Hotel. This past trip, I stayed at the Hyatt Centric The Liberties Dublin, which is the overall hotel I would recommend.
Other hotel options include:
- The College Green Hotel Dublin
- Aloft Dublin City
- The Grafton Hotel
- Hilton Garden Inn Dublin City Centre
What to do During Two Days in Dublin
If this is your first visit to Dublin, you may want to get acclimated to the city with a Dublin walking tour. Alternatively, this Dublin tour will take you to many of the main sites. Depending on what you are doing, you may want this Dublin attractions pass or a Go City pass.
Day 1
Irish Immigration Museum
Cost: €21
Hours: 10am-6:45pm
The Irish Immigration Museum or the EPIC Museum, is the perfect way to start your two days in Dublin. It is located in the restored 1820s CHQ vaults. This is also the world’s first digital museum. It tells the story of the 10 million people who left Ireland and how Irish identity has influenced various things worldwide. Plan to spend at least an hour exploring the interactive exhibits. When finished, make sure to check out the Dublin Famine Memorial near the front of the museum.
Trinity College
Cost: €25.50+
Hours: Mon-Sat: 8:30am-6:30pm, Sun: 9:30am-5pm
Another must not miss spot during your two days in Dublin is Trinity College. Trinity College, founded in 1592, is Ireland’s oldest university. You can check out this Trinity College walking tour if you want something more formal or you can walk around the campus yourself.
Make sure to visit the Book of Kells in the Long Room. This stunning illuminated manuscript dates back to the 80ss and is located in one of the most beautiful libraries in the world, filled with 200,000 of the college’s oldest books. Make sure to book tickets in advance as they sell out quickly.
National Gallery of Ireland
Cost: Free
Hours: Sun-Mon: 11am-5:30pm, Tues-Sat: 9:15am-5:30pm
The National Gallery of Ireland is home to the nation’s collection of Irish and European art, including many works by Jack Yeats. This building is known for its unique architecture. It will take maybe an hour to get through all of the exhibits.
Dublin Castle
Cost: €8
Hours: 9:45am-5:45pm
For 700 years, Dublin Castle was the seat of British rule in Ireland. Today, you can visit the State Apartments, which include the infamous Grand Staircase and St. Patrick’s Hall. The Record Tower is the only surviving tower from its original 1204 construction. Around the area are also the gardens you can wander through.
Chester Beatty Library
Cost: Free
Hours: Varies
Located next to Dublin Castle, you will not want to miss the Chester Beatty Library. Inside this free museum is a collection of rare manuscripts, paintings and early printed books from across Asia, the Middle East, and Europe. You will spend at least an hour exploring what the library has to offer.
Christ Church Cathedral
Cost: €11.50
Hours: Varies
Dublin is home to several cathedrals. This Viking Church, originally founded in 1030, is known for its medieval crypt. This is the largest medieval crypt in Ireland and Britain. You can see the Irish version of the Magna Carta. Make sure not to miss “Tom and Jerry,” the mummified cat and rat of the cathedral.
St. Patrick’s Cathedral
Cost: €11.50
Hours: Varies
This cathedral, built in honor of Ireland’s patron saint, is the National Cathedral of Ireland and the largest in the country. St Patrick’s Cathedral was built on the site of an ancient well where St. Patrick is said to have baptized people. It is the final resting place of the author Jonathan Swift.
Darkey Kelly’s Pub
Cost: €€
Hours: Mon-Thurs: 11:30am-11:30pm, Fri-Sat: 11:30am-12:30am, Sun: 11:30am-11pm
Tonight, finish your first of two days in Dublin with a visit to one of the best pubs in Dublin, Darkey Kelly’s. It is located on one of the oldest streets in Dublin and is possibly named after Ireland’s first serial killer. This pub has live music every night, so it is a great place to unwind after a day of sightseeing.
Day 2
Kilmainham Jail (Goal)
Cost: €8
Hours: 9:30am-5:15pm
Start your second of two days in Dublin with a visit to the Kilmainham Jail. The Kilmainham Goal is a former prison where many of Ireland’s famous political leaders were held or executed here, including the leaders of the 1916 Easter Rising. To visit, you will be on a guided tour that takes you through the corridors and provides a haunting look into Ireland’s struggle for independence.
Guinness Storehouse
Cost: €22+
Hours: 10am-7pm
No two days in Dublin are complete without a visit to the Guinness Storehouse. Here you get to learn about the process of making Guinness. At the end, you get to visit the Gravity Bar and learn how to pour your own Guinness. Then, sip on your Guinness as you enjoy the views of Dublin from above. If you want a more detailed and unique experience, check out this Guinness connoisseur experience. Alternatively, you can got to the Guinness Open Gate Brewpub if you just want to try some different Guinness.
Whiskey Tasting
Cost: €20+
Hours: Varies by distillery
Next, head to one (or both) of the amazing Irish whiskey distilleries in Ireland. Both the Jameson whiskey distillery or Teeling Whiskey Distillery tour offer great tours. You can also visit to do just a tasting if you are not interested in the distillery part. Sometimes they have some good limited editions for you to try. The prices for tastings will vary depending on what you want to try.
St. Stephen’s Green
Cost: Free
Hours: Dawn to Dusk
This afternoon, head to St. Stephen’s Green for a nice place to stroll. It is Dublin’s most famous park, offering 22 acres of gardens, a lake, and winding paths. Famous figures such as James Joyce would often spend time here.
Little Dumplings or Sister 7
Tonight, to conclude your two days in Dublin, grab dinner at one of two places: Little Dumplings or Sister 7. Both of these restaurants serve delicious Asian dishes and a variety of dumplings. You can make reservations at both of them, so make sure to do that so you do not have to wait!
More Than Two Days in Dublin
If you have more than two days in Dublin, there are many other amazing things you can do, such as this delicious food tour, walk past the Ha’penny Bridge, visit the Irish whiskey museum, or do a photoshoot. Grafton Street has great shopping. Make sure to check out The Portal which is connected with other portals around the world in cities like Vilunis. Temple Bar is a fantastic area to pub hop. A quick visit to the Drimnagh Medieval Castle and Gardens is great when the weather is nice. Alternatively, Dublin is a fantastic place to base yourself to take some day trips to other parts of Ireland.
Day Trips from Dublin
The following are some of the best day trip options from Dublin.
- Cliffs of Moher Tour: A visit to Ireland is not complete without seeing the infamous Cliffs of Moher.
- Wicklow Mountains Tour: Fancy a visit to the Irish Countryside? You cannot go wrong with visiting the Wicklow Mountains and take in some famous filming sites.
- Blarney Castle from Dublin: Want the gift of gab? Then you will want to visit the Blarney Castle to kiss the Blarney stone.
- Howth boat ride: Howth is a small seaside town a short distance from Dublin.
- Newgrange: This Neolithic Tomb and UNESCO site is older than Stonehenge and the pyramids.
- Giant’s Causeway: This basalt formation is a must-see stop in Northern Ireland. Paired with Belfast makes a great day trip from Dublin.
Final Tips for Two Days in Dublin
Two days in Dublin is the perfect amount of time to explore what this amazing city has to offer. It is the perfect city to be paired with a trip to London or Iceland. I also recommend spending some time exploring the rest of Ireland and Northern Ireland with this itinerary.
