Bronze statue of Molly Malone in Dublin city center.

3 Days in Dublin

By Stuart Bak

Steeped in a history and heritage that takes in the Anglo Saxons, the Vikings and many towering titans of 20th-century literature, Dublin is one of those cities that screams ‘Culture’ with a capital ‘C’. Galleries, gardens and Guinness; castles, cathedrals and craic – Dublin has enough thrilling things to do to keep even the most jaded sightseer happy for days at a time.

Dublin is also an eminently walkable city, with a compact center and relatively flat (if occasionally cobbled) terrain. But don’t let that stop you getting your bearings on a hop-on hop-off bus tour. As well as preserving your feet for bar-hopping in the evening, the tour comes with live commentary that’s full of blarney, and calls at an epic 23 (count em!) Dublin landmarks, including the castle, St Stephen’s Green, Kilmainham Gaol and the Jameson Distillery, to name just a few.

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Our guide picks out some of the best of these and wrangles them into an almost-manageable itinerary for your three days in Dublin. Dive in for our top recommendations, including:

  • Dublin Castle
  • Christ Church Cathedral
  • The Molly Malone Statue
  • The Book of Kells
  • St Stephen’s Green
  • Temple Bar
  • Jeanie Johnston Tall Ship
  • The Guinness Storehouse

Day 1: Historic Dublin

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Our recommended first stop (whether exploring by bus or on foot) is Trinity College, the esteemed 16th-century Dublin seat of learning which counts such literary legends as Oscar Wilde, Samuel Beckett, Jonathan Swift and Bram Stoker among its alumni. Guided tours of Ireland’s oldest university give you the lowdown on these and other famous students as you stroll its leafy, cobbled squares and admire grand neoclassical buildings including the Campanile (pictured), Provost’s House and Chapel. Step inside the ornate Museum Building to admire its soaring marble columns, domed central hall and extraordinary carvings.

On encountering the towering shelves of the Old Library’s atmospheric Long Room for the first time, you might be forgiven for thinking you’ve stepped straight into the pages of a Harry Potter novel. It’s here that you can observe the Book of Kells, a remarkable ninth-century manuscript that details the four gospels of the life of Christ and is the undisputed star of the Trinity College show.

No trip to Dublin would be complete without snagging that all-important selfie by the bronze statue of sweet Molly Malone, fictional star of the old ‘Cockles and Mussels’ ballad, as she hawks her wares along Suffolk Street. We challenge you not to find yourself humming the tune to yourself as you head onto Grafton Street. This is Ireland’s premier shopping street, a pedestrianized cornucopia of capitalism that’s chock full of big-brand stores, plus dozens of bars and restaurants at which to pause for refreshment and watch the buskers and street performers. You never know, you might even spot Ireland’s next megastar – musicians including Damien Rice and Bono started their careers right here.

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After lunch, leave Grafton’s carnival atmosphere behind and make for nearby St Stephen’s Green, an idyllic Victorian oasis of manicured gardens, vibrant flower beds, and all manner of monuments and sculptures. Look out for Henry Moore’s abstract memorial to W.B. Yeats and the imposing bust of James Joyce and. You could even go full Dublin immersion mode and finally get around to tackling Ulysses (or at least a few pages of it) in a quiet spot by the duck pond. If you’re not yet all sightseeing-ed out, you might also consider squeezing in one of the nearby museums, among them the mighty National Gallery, Irish Whiskey Museum and Irish Museum of Modern Art (IMMA).

But you came here for the craic as well as the culture, right? In which case, get ready for an evening of rabble-rousing Irish entertainment in the cobbled lanes of the Temple Bar district. The most iconic pub here is the Temple Bar itself, with it’s distinctive red facade, colorful hanging baskets and live bands. But really there are dozens of typical Irish bars to choose from here. We recommend bar-hopping to find the best craic, with an occasional dram of whiskey and/or pint of Guinness to keep your energy levels up!

Day 3: Medieval Dublin and Mmmmore Guinness

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We’re going to take it a little more easy with a trip to Dublin’s medieval quarter on day two. And, yes, there will be more Guinness in the evening. But first up is 13th-century Dublin Castle, with its sumptuous state apartments, ancient Viking defenses, and beautiful castle gardens. Once home to the dark tidal pool (Dubh Linn) from which the city takes its name, the gardens now form an ornamental oasis perfect for strolling or simply watching the world go by.

You’ll also want to make a pilgrimage to Christ Church Cathedral, the city’s oldest building at nearly 1,000 years young. There’s loads to see and do inside this medieval gothic masterpiece. Seek out the crypt with its ancient memorials and mummified cat and rat, immortalized in Joyce’s Finnegan’s Wake. Admire the vaulted ceilings and soaring stained glass windows, and pay your respects at the final resting place of Richard de Clare, 2nd Earl of Pembroke aka Strongbow. You can even view a rare copy of the Magna Carta and the heart of 12th-century saint Laurence O’Toole. Fascinating stuff.

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Cathedral fanatics can continue their religious experience at nearby St Patrick’s, named for Ireland’s legendary snake-hater. Or pop just next door to Dublinia where you can travel back in time to get a taste of what Dublin life was like in Viking and medieval times. Alternatively, having whet your appetite for Temple Bar last night (how’s the head, by the way?) it’s worth returning to for a mooch around its many independent shops, cute cafés and cool galleries.

You were promised Guinness, so Guinness you shall now have. Hit up the Guinness Storehouse for your fix of the black stuff, accompanied by 360-degree views of the city from its 7th-floor Gravity Bar. You can also stock up on cans in the shop, where other souvenirs of your visit include Guinness coffee, Guinness cookbooks and Guinness apparel.

Day 3: Immerse Yourself in Irish Culture

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On your final day in Dublin, it’s time to fully immerse in the city’s rich culture. And no, we don’t mean more Guinness. Today is the day to stop by one of the museums or tours you missed along the way. The National Gallery, with its extensive collection of art spanning the last seven centuries, including works by Rembrandt, Vermeer, Caravaggio, Goya and several Irish artists, is particularly good. Then there’s the Irish Whisky Museum – great for understanding Ireland’s long-standing relationship with the hard stuff – and the Jameson Distillery, great for sampling it for yourself. Join a literary walking tour that takes in the Dublin Writers Museum, Gutter Bookshop and a cozy pub like Toners, once frequented by Joyce, Stoker and Patrick Kavanagh. Looking for something a little less... highbrow? Visit King’s Landing and Winterfell and go beyond the wall on this studio tour of some of Game of Thrones’ most iconic locations.

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If you really want to get under the skin of Irish culture, we’d suggest choosing just one of these and pairing it with a visit to the aptly named EPIC Irish Emigration Museum and Jeanie Johnston Tallship. Between them these two fascinating museums peer deep inside Ireland’s soul. Go on a moving and revealing journey through Irish identity and heritage at EPIC and discover the tallship’s critical role in helping thousands of desperate people flee the Great Famine in search of a better life in North America.

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Getting around Dublin
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Getting around Dublin

If you're heading to Dublin this year and wondering how you'll be getting around the city, wonder no more. In this guide, we'll highlight all of the best ways to get around Dublin so you can make the most of your trip! Including: What is the easiest way to get around Dublin? Is Dublin easy to get around without a car? How many days do you need to see Dublin? Getting around Dublin: Public Transport What is the easiest way to get around Dublin? Walking is arguably the easiest and best way to get around Dublin. It's a relatively small city that is more than traversable by foot. But we'll get into that more down below! Is Dublin easy to get around without a car? Yes! Alongside the aforementioned walking, there are a ton of other ways to get around the city or even out of it. From trams to buses to national trains, you'll never be far from quick and affordable public transport. If you're traveling to Dublin from the States or another part of the world, we recommend you take a break from driving and let public transport do its thing. How many days do you need to see Dublin? It depends on how many things you want to do in the city! If you have a concert or other event to attend, or like the look of a number of Dublin attractions and experiences, you may want to spend 3-4 days in the city to make the most of it. If you want to travel outside of Dublin and see Ireland' natural beauty in all its splendor, maybe add a day or two to that. So, let's talk about getting around Dublin and the different forms of public transport you can take! Getting around Dublin: Buses You'll see Dublin's bright yellow buses all over the city, and they're easily one of the best ways of getting around Dublin. Buses run from the city center to the outer suburbs and vice versa from around 6AM until around 11PM, depending on the route. If you see any large blue or green lollipops sprouting from the ground, you've just seen a bus stop. There, you'll find maps, routes, and any other info you need to know. Cost-wise, journeys are determined by travel distance, so the longer you go, the more you pay. However, if you get a Leap Card, you can travel whenever and wherever you want without worrying about that. But what is a Leap Card? Image courtesy of EternalMoments/Shutterstock Getting around Dublin: Leap Cards Leap Cards allow unlimited travel on all buses or trains for a specific period of time. You buy a card for either 1, 3, or 7 days, depending on the length of your stay, and then tap it whenever you get on a bus or go through train gates to board any vessel. A 1-day ticket costs €8, a 3-day ticket costs €16, and a 7-day ticket costs €32. So, the more days you plan to use it, the less the daily cost. To pick one up, there are a couple of options to consider. Firstly, you can simply order it online. However, it does get delivered to your home address, so you need to book it far enough in advance of your trip to ensure it arrives in time! Alternatively, if you're reading this on the plane ride over, you can pick one up at the airport. Head to the T1 arrivals lounge and go to Wright's Airport Convenience Store. While it works on most forms of travel, it won't work on attractions like Dublin's Hop-on Hop-off Bus Tour. But don't worry, we've got you covered! Getting around Dublin: DART DART stands for Dublin Area Rapid Transit, which is very clever when you think about it. While you may not use DART much if you're planning on spending most of your time in the city center, it's still an easy and affordable way to get around if you need to make longer journeys. DART serves over 30 stations, but you'll need to check ahead to see if it reaches a stop near you or your destination. If you're heading to the coast, DART is a quick and easy way to do it! DART trains run every 10 minutes from most stops, from 6AM - 12AM Monday - Saturday, and 9.30AM - 11PM on Sundays. Like buses, DART trains determine their cost by distance, so it's hard to talk about without knowing how far you're traveling. But, with a Leap Card, you needn't worry. Getting around Dublin: LUAS LUAS is Dublin's tram service, which is arguably the best way of getting around Dublin if you want to sightsee as you go! There are two lines, Red Line and Green Line, but since Dublin is so small, it's enough to get most people to where they're going. Trams run from 5:30AM - 12.30AM Monday to Friday, 6.30AM - 12.30AM on Saturdays, and 7AM - 11.30PM on Sundays. And guess what? Yes, repeat after us: your journey time determines the price. Look online if you want to buy single tickets, or pick up a Leap Card and throw caution - and worry - to the wind. Getting around Dublin: Irish Rail You'll only use Irish Rail if you're traveling out of Dublin, so bear that in mind. If you are, you'll be leaving from Dublin Connolly (which serves North Ireland and Northern Ireland, or Heuston, which serves the south. Ticket prices depend on distance, shocker, but just get a Leap Card and be done with it! Getting around Dublin: Walking And finally, perhaps most importantly, Dublin is a very small city. So small, in fact, that walking is arguably the best way to get around. If you're not familiar with walking, it's when you put one foot in front of the other until you reach your destination. It's a great way to burn off those Guinness calories while breathing in what scientists call "fresh air". Try it today and see the benefits for yourself! And that's everything you need to know about getting around Dublin! If you want some vacation inspiration to level up your visit, check out Go City! With our All-Inclusive Pass and Explorer Pass, you can see all of Dublin's best bits for one low price!
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Guinness drinkers toasting in Dublin.
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Things to do in Dublin in Winter

Dublin is lively year-round, but rarely more so than in winter, when festive fairy lights illuminate the streets and cozy wood-paneled pubs become the focal point for traditional Irish sing-alongs and spirited Guinness-fueled banter. Sure, it’s a little on the chilly side, but that drop in temperature also (generally) keeps the usual tourist hordes at bay, meaning much shorter queues at attractions and more chance of nabbing a snug nook in even the most popular Temple Bar drinking holes. So wrap up warm and read on for our guide to the best things to do in Dublin in winter, including: Temple Bar pubs Whiskey distillery tours The Guinness Storehouse Christmas markets Dublin winter festivals Game of Thrones tours Winter walks in Phoenix Park Visiting Dublin in Winter With the exception of the ever-popular Christmas and New Year period, winter is the cheapest and least busy time to visit Dublin, as bars, restaurants, hotels and airlines slash prices and run competitive promotions to drum up business. As ever, booking well in advance is likely to win you the best bargains. Yes, even for breaks over the somewhat more expensive festive season. Temperatures in Dublin tend to stay on the, shall we say, cool side between December and February. But we’re talking mid 30s to mid 40s, so it’s hardly the Siberian tundra. Even snow and frost are also relatively rare compared to, say, nearby Scotland, but don’t let that fool you. Iit’s the wind chill you have to watch out for here: an icy blast that makes it feel waaaay colder than the thermometers suggest and will have even the hardiest holidaymaker scuttling for the nearest toasty pub or heated indoor attraction. It should go without saying, then, that winter in Dublin is no time for exposed necks and legs (though you may well run into Christmas revelers who appear to disagree). A good, long winter coat, ideally with some degree of waterproofing, should be considered essential. Layer up and accessorize with as many wooly hats, scarves, socks and gloves as you see fit, and bring a decent pair of walking shoes for strolling the ice-cold cobbles and wandering in (potentially snowy) city parks. The great news is that, due to the lack of winter tourists, you’ll find queues at even the most popular attractions to be almost non-existent, meaning less time standing around waiting in the cold. A pass from Go City can also save you money while giving you the flexibility to visit as many top Dublin attractions as you like, including bucket-listers like the Guinness Storehouse, Christ Church Cathedral and the EPIC Irish Emigration Museum. Things to do in Dublin in Winter Get yourself out of that chill wind and into the (relatively) warm interiors of some of Dublin’s most famous attractions. You’ll of course want to experience a little of Ireland’s rich heritage, and there are a few ‘must-see’ places that will help you do this. Kilmainham Gaol Museum is essential for any understanding of the darker side of the Emerald Isle’s history, thanks to its role in the Easter Rising executions and Irish War of Independence. Meanwhile, the EPIC Irish Emigration Museum and Jeanie Johnston Tallship explore how the Great Famine forced thousands of desperate Irish citizens to flee in search of a better life in North America. Hit up Trinity College for a flavor of Dublin’s literary heritage (Oscar Wilde, Samuel Beckett, Jonathan Swift and Bram Stoker all studied here) and to see the truly remarkable Book of Kells – a ninth century religious manuscript housed in the college’s Harry-Potteresque Old Library – up close. Connoisseurs of more contemporary cultural phenomena will find much to enjoy on a studio tour that takes in iconic sets and costumes from Game of Thrones. Want more? There are several day trips out of Dublin that visit classic Game of Thrones locations. Raven-eyed fans are bound to recognize Westeros in sites that include Tollymore Forest Park, Ward’s Castle and Inch Abbey. Phoenix Park, a 17th-century royal hunting ground, is now one of Europe’s largest enclosed urban parks. Perfect, in other words, for long winter strolls in its wild woodland, spotting fallow deer and impressive monuments along the way. Afterwards, shake off the chill in one of Temple Bar’s friendly pubs, where you’re all but guaranteed traditional live music and some of that legendary Irish craic you’ve heard so much about. It won’t be too long before you develop a taste for the country’s excellent whiskies and stouts. Which is where the local distilleries and Guinness Storehouse come in. Try the Jameson or Teeling whiskey distilleries to find out how the golden nectar is made and, of course, sample a drop or two yourself. And make a beeline for the space-age Gravity Bar atop the famous Guinness Storehouse for a perfect 119.5-second pour of the black stuff. What’s on: Dublin Winter Events Christmas is big business in Dublin. So, if you’re lucky enough to be here when the cobbled lanes and cathedrals are all aglitter with fairy lights, you’re in for a treat. The impressive grounds of medieval Dublin Castle are where it’s at for the biggest and best Christmas market in town. Expect twinkling tinsel-festooned trees, a carousel, an open-air bar serving up festive cheer by the bucketload, and all the usual trimmings (roast chestnuts, mulled wine, courtyard stalls brimming with Christmas knick-knacks). And there’s more castle-based Christmas market fun to be had just beyond the city limits, at the atmospheric medieval strongholds in Howth and Swords. Other festive events worthy of your attention in and around the capital include the age-old tradition of the Christmas Day swim. That’s right: every year hundreds of hardy souls don their smalls – and Santa costumes – for a bracing dip in the icy waters of Dublin Bay. The ‘Forty Foot’ at Sandycove is by far the most popular location for this annual folly, but you can also choose to freeze your bits off in the waters at Clontarf, Skerries, Portmarnock and more. Staying in town for New Year? Thaw yourself out and prepare for a three-day extravaganza of lively events, including a torchlit procession to Dublin Castle, light shows over the Liffey, live music, street entertainment and stacks more. And, if you thought things were about to let up in January, think again. Dublin’s busy winter roster blasts away any back-to-work blues with a Temple Bar-based festival par excellence. TradFest kicks off late in the month and runs well into February, bringing the bars and streets to life with traditional Irish folk music and more. We’re talking buskers galore, as well as live shows in several pubs and even performances in the hallowed halls of Trinity College and Christ Church Cathedral. In other words, it’s a great time for fans of fine music, world-class entertainment and, well, good times in general, to visit the Irish capital. Save on things to do in Dublin Save on admission to Dublin attractions with Go City. Check out @GoCity on Instagram for the latest top tips and attraction info.
Stuart Bak

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