4 Days in Dublin

By <a href="#author-bio">Stuart Bak</a>
By Stuart Bak
Wooden Guinness barrel.

Four days is the perfect amount of time to liberally drench yourself in Dublin’s rich heritage, from its medieval center and imposing castle to lively cobbled lanes lined with bars and restaurants, illustrious literary culture, beautiful parks and fine museums. Our guide takes in all of these and more, leaving plenty of time to enjoy the legendary craic and sample the city’s most famous exports: the twin joys of Guinness and whiskey. So, pack your passport, walking shoes and Alka-Seltzer and get ready to say ‘sláinte’ to Dublin! Our guide includes:

  • Christ Church Cathedral
  • Dublin Castle
  • Malahide Castle
  • Trinity College
  • Temple Bar
  • St Stephen’s Green
  • EPIC Irish Immigration Museum
  • The Guinness Storehouse
  • Grafton Street

Day 1: Dublin: A Brief History

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One of the best things about Dublin is how compact and easily walkable it is. A well-planned itinerary will mean you never have to stroll far for the next big-ticket attraction. But do wear comfy shoes to tackle the ubiquitous cobbles! Our suggested itinerary kicks off with a handful of Dublin’s must-sees, all within just a few minutes’ walk of each other.

Trinity College, Dublin’s stunning 16th-century seat of learning is our first port of call. Here, aficionados of Irish literature can walk in the footsteps of exalted alumni including Oscar Wilde, Samuel Beckett and Bram Stoker, to name-drop just a few. Wander the cobbled quadrangles and admire the grand neoclassical architecture ahead of the main event: a guided tour of the atmospheric Old Library that takes in the extraordinary Book of Kells, easily the most astonishing preserved medieval manuscript in the British Isles, if not the entire planet.

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Suitably awed, head over to Grafton Street, grabbing a selfie by the statue of Molly Malone – she of the classic ‘Cockles and Mussels’ ballad (known locally (and rather unkindly) as ‘the tart with a cart)’ – on the way. A fine spot for lunch (and a shopper’s paradise), Grafton Street also brims with street performers. Expect to enjoy music, magic and all manner of other sensory delights as you dine. This will no doubt whet your appetite for an evening in Temple Bar, Dublin’s legendary nightlife district, where cobbles, colorful characters and great craic are all but guaranteed. But before all that, make sure to spend an afternoon chilling in the relative peace and tranquility of stunning St Stephen’s Green. Manicured gardens, vibrant flower beds, duck ponds and monuments to James Joyce and W.B. Yeats are the order of the day in this lush Victorian idyll.

Day 2: Dublin’s Best Museums and Booze

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Dublin’s museums are plentiful, offering myriad methods of getting under the skin of this fine city. You can view timeless masterpieces by some of the world’s greatest ever artists – Caravaggio, Goya, Monet, Picasso, Rembrandt, Turner, Vermeer and more – at the excellent National Gallery, and explore the best of contemporary local art at the Irish Museum of Modern Art (IMMA). Delve into the city’s storied history at the, well, epic EPIC Irish Emigration Museum and discover how desperate Irish citizens fled the Great Famine aboard the Jeanie Johnston Tallship in the 19th Century, in search of a better life in North America.

Whiskey connoisseurs will also be in clover in Dublin. Ireland’s complex relationship with the amber nectar is explored in depth at the Irish Museum of Whiskey, and you can sample it for yourself on distillery tours at (amongst others) Jameson and Teeling, as well as in pretty much any Irish bar worth its salt.

Image of Adult, Female, Person, Woman, Alcohol, Beer, Beverage,

Prefer books to booze? Get yourself down the Writers Museum and Museum of Literature Ireland, where exhibits celebrate the great and good of Irish wordsmithery, from Shaw to Sheridan, Joyce to Wilde. A Game of Thrones studio tour and a National Leprechaun Museum offer further fantastical japes and prove beyond all doubt that there really is something for everyone in Dublin!

Head full of dragons, poetry and folklore, mosey on down to the Guinness Storehouse for a well-deserved pint of the black stuff, accompanied by panoramic views from its space-age 7th-floor Gravity Bar, taking in Dublin Bay, the Wicklow Mountains and everything in between. You can continue the party at Guinness's Open Gate Brewery, an experimental taproom where you can sample the iconic brewer’s newest tipples.

Day 3: Day Trip to Malahide Castle

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Sure, there’s stacks more you can be doing in Dublin on day three of your getaway. But what could possibly be more decadent than taking a break from your city break? Banish the specter of last night’s overindulgence on a day trip out to magnificent medieval Malahide Castle, a stunningly preserved stone fortress on the north Dublin coast. Set in 260 acres of glorious parkland, this turreted confection and its grounds promise diversions enough to fill an entire day. We’re talking opulent interiors bedecked with period furniture, carved friezes and huge portraits of the Talbot family, who owned the castle between the 12th century and the 20th. There are also botanical gardens featuring a four-acre walled garden plus several glasshouses (including a Victorian conservatory), a butterfly garden and a fairy trail. Heck, there’s even a cricket pitch in the grounds. How the other half live, eh?

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If that doesn’t tickle your pickle, alternative out-of-town marvels include the picturesque harbor town of Howth (also with its own castle, natch), and the marvelous 18th-century folly that is Casino Marino, a Tardis-like gem of neoclassical architecture just beyond the city limits. A cold pint or three of Guinness awaits the weary traveler on their inevitable return to Temple Bar in the evening – the promise of lively banter, traditional Irish music and cozy pub nooks providing the perfect antidote to sightseeing fatigue.

Day 4: Medieval Dublin

Image of Arch, Gothic Arch,

Morning! How’s the head today? Delighted to hear it! Because there’s still A LOT to see before we send you off on your merry way. First up on our whistle-stop tour of medieval Dublin is Christ Church Cathedral, where the arresting site of a mummified cat and rat locked in eternal chase should help shake off that biblical hangover of yours. And that’s not all. There are many more weird and wonderful highlights to seek out inside this, the city’s oldest building (around 1,000 years, but who’s counting?). Check out those epic vaulted ceilings and ogle stained-glass windows that rival those of York Minster and Canterbury for sheer scale and vividness. There’s even a rare copy of the Magna Carta for your perusal as well as the inevitable relics, among them the heart (encased inside a heart-shaped casket) of 12th-century saint Laurence O’Toole.

Continue your religious pilgrimage at nearby St Patrick’s, named in honor of Ireland’s snake-chaser-in-chief. Or pop just next door to the excellent Dublinia experience, where immersive and interactive exhibits take you back to the Dublin of Viking and medieval times.

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Last but by no means least, Dublin Castle should be considered an essential element of your 4-day Dublin itinerary, if only to secure a selfie in front of its imposing medieval tower. The castle’s sumptuous state apartments, Viking defenses, gothic Chapel Royal, and formal gardens, once home to the dark tidal pool (Dubh Linn) from which the city takes its name, are also well worth a few hours of your time.

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
Stuart Bak
Freelance travel writer

Stu caught the travel bug at an early age, thanks to childhood road trips to the south of France squeezed into the back of a Ford Cortina with two brothers and a Sony Walkman. Now a freelance writer living on the Norfolk coast, Stu has produced content for travel giants including Frommer’s, British Airways, Expedia, Mr & Mrs Smith, and now Go City. His most memorable travel experiences include drinking kava with the locals in Fiji and pranging a taxi driver’s car in the Honduran capital.

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Things to do in Dublin in Spring

Spring is a wonderful time to visit Dublin, as the city shakes off its Christmas hangover and emerges, butterfly-like, from the cold of winter. It’s a time when rising temperatures bring beautiful blooms, fab festivals and a tentative trickle of tourists to the city streets; when mild and often sunny days make for great sightseeing weather. There’s also the not-so-little matter of the world’s biggest St Patrick’s Day street party on March 17, more (much more) of which later. For now, dive in for our guide to the best things to do in Dublin in spring, including: The National Botanic Gardens Picnics on St Stephen’s Green St Patrick’s Day festivities Long walks in Phoenix Park The Guinness Storehouse Foodie walking tours of Dublin Dublin Dance Festival Visiting Dublin in Spring The difference between early and late spring in Dublin is significant. You’ll probably still want a winter coat and umbrella in March, a fairly damp month with temperatures that struggle to get out of the 40s. April is much milder and drier and, as temperatures approach a balmy 60°F, you might even get away with toning down the chunky knitwear and layers of thermal undergarments. Though not quite shorts and t-shirt weather, May is noticeably milder, especially in the afternoons, though mornings tend to remain crisp and cool. Indeed early- to mid-May could just be the ‘Goldilocks’ moment to make your Dublin vacation: the weather is pleasant, hotels have yet to hike prices for the peak summer season and that trickle of tourists is still more of a stream than a surge, meaning queues to get into the big-ticket attractions won’t be too daunting. It’s also a fine time for day trips and long country walks outside of Dublin, as Ireland’s famously picturesque landscapes blaze back into life with vibrant wildflowers, emerald-green fields and gamboling lambs. Don’t forget though that the spring weather can change in a heartbeat here, especially along the coast, so be sure to check the forecast and dress appropriately. Pro-tip: always carry waterproofs with you even if the forecast is for a dry day. You’ll thank us later! A pass from Go City can save you money while giving you the flexibility to visit Dublin attractions galore, including the Guinness Storehouse, Teeling Whiskey Distillery, Dublin Zoo, St Patrick’s Cathedral, Malahide Castle and more. Things to do in Dublin in Spring March is a good time to tick off some of Dublin’s big hitters, while the weather is cool and the temptation to stay largely indoors remains strong. We’re talking Trinity College, with its legendary Book of Kells; the Guinness Storehouse, where your perfectly poured pint (119.5 seconds, fact fans) is complemented by glorious 7th-floor views of Dublin’s skyline; and world-class cultural institutions such as the National Gallery of Ireland and the Museum of Literature Ireland (MoLI). Then of course there’s St Patrick’s Day (did we mention St Patrick’s Day?). Everyone should spend March 17 in Dublin at least once in their life; there’s truly no better place to celebrate the nation’s snake-chasing patron saint than right here in the capital. Revelers can expect a multi-day sensory extravaganza (usually running from March 15-19) that takes in live entertainment, funfairs, treasure hunts, art workshops, people (and animals) dressed as leprechauns and, of course, gallons of Guinness. The cobbled streets of Temple Bar, with their traditional Irish bars and folk music venues, are at the epicenter of the festivities, and the place to make new BFFs and unforgettable memories – well, at least until the next day when your powers of recall may be somewhat, shall we say, compromised. Don’t miss the huge St Patrick’s Day Parade, which weaves its colorful way along O’Connell Street from Parnell Square at around lunchtime on the 17th. April and May are the time for more sedate pursuits, as the mercury creeps gently upwards and those biblical St Patrick’s Day hangovers become a distant memory. Take a trip to the National Botanic Gardens with their beautifully restored Victorian conservatories, intricate herbaceous borders, and heaven-scent rose gardens. Or picnic on the lush lawns of St Stephen’s Green, a Victorian idyll of manicured pleasure gardens, vibrant flower beds, and sculptures and statues galore. See if you can spot James Joyce, W.B. Yeats and Arthur Guinness as you munch on your Tayto crisps. Spring is a fine time to explore Dublin on foot. Work up an appetite with a hike around fabulous Phoenix Park, home to herds of wild fallow deer, immaculate Victorian flower gardens, a prehistoric burial chamber and an ornamental lake. Afterwards, reward yourself with a walking tour of the city’s top foodie hotspots. Should the mood take you, you can also be out of the city and into the countryside in no time at all. Join a bus tour to the charming seaside village of Howth, where you might spot puffins, gannets and seals, as well as sampling some of Ireland’s finest fish and chips! Spring day trips to the Cliffs of Moher and otherworldly Wicklow Mountains also run regularly from the city center. What’s on: Dublin Spring Events Spring in Dublin isn’t just about St Patrick’s Day. In fact there are, to be sure, several more major festivals worthy of your attention. May is particularly busy, with both the Dublin Dance Festival and International Literature Festival to get involved in. The first is an all-singing, all-dancing toe-tapper of an event, spanning nearly three weeks in which the world’s finest dancers and choreographers strut their spectacular stuff on stages across the city. In addition to the many dance showcases – from traditional to contemporary – there are workshops, film screenings and discussions galore, as well as, of course, classes designed to turn you and your two left feet into a pirouetting, pasadoble-ing professional in no time at all. If you like nothing more than a good page turner, then the International Literature Festival Dublin is sure to be right up your street. And what better place to host the event than the city that bequeathed us such literary heavyweights as Oscar Wilde, Samuel Beckett, Iris Murdoch, James Joyce, Bram Stoker and Maeve Binchy. Bookworms will be in clover thanks to an epic roster of readings, interviews and signings with household-name authors and debates and discussions on genres that run the gamut from children’s fiction to stately poetry. 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
Stuart Bak
Three kids with ice cream cones.
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Things to do in Dublin in Summer

Ok ok, so the Caribbean it ain’t, but summer in Dublin is nevertheless a pleasant season defined by warm, (mostly) dry days, lively festivals and events aplenty, and evenings balmy enough to dine al fresco. Unsurprising, then, that the months of June to August are among Dublin’s most popular. Read on for our guide to visiting Dublin in summer, including Bloomsday and Dublin Pride celebrations, what to expect from the weather and, of course, the best places to sample the black stuff. Our guide includes: The Guinness Storehouse St Stephen’s Green Phoenix Park Dublin bike tours Temple Bar Howth Maritime & Seafood Festival The Wicklow Mountains Bloomsday Dublin Pride Visiting Dublin in Summer Dublin’s summers are pleasantly warm affairs with July – the hottest month of the year – having been known to hit (gasp!) the dizzy heights of the high 60s. This is Northern Europe after all, where ‘pleasantly warm’ is a relative term. So if you’ve been picturing sizzling Mediterranean beaches for your summer vacation, move along please, you’ve come to the wrong place. Like the weather here, summer tourism in Dublin is generally mild... with the occasional downpour. In other words, even though May to September is peak season in Ireland, the attraction queues are rarely overwhelming and, though hotel prices have – to be sure – increased with demand, there’s still plenty of affordable accommodation to be had, especially if you’re willing to stay a little outside of the center. However, there will still be occasions when tempers fray due to waiting times at, say, the popular Guinness Storehouse or Book of Kells, just as there will be times you’ll be glad you packed an umbrella and waterproof walking boots. As for what else you should pack for your summer adventure in Dublin, layers are your friend. While you might (just about) get away with short sleeves and bare legs on hotter days, you’ll be thankful for that cardigan and pair of comfy jeans after sunset. Things to do in Dublin in Summer Outdoor types rejoice! For Dublin is an adventurer’s paradise, with stacks of al fresco activities to get involved in both inside and outside the city. First up on our hotlist of recommendations is – and bear with us on this one – Dublin Bay’s beaches! Ok sure, it takes a brave soul to take the plunge and dive into the icy Irish Sea without first donning a wetsuit, but the sweeping sandy beaches along this stretch of coastline are perfect for picnics, scenic strolls and, well, just chilling on the sand with a good book and a glass of vino. Hit up Dollymount Strand (pictured) or Sandymount, or head a little further afield for the many #humblebrag Insta opportunities presented by beautiful beaches at Portmarnock, Killiney and Howth. Sticking with the outdoor theme, summer is as good a time as any to rent a bike and explore Dublin at your own pace. Pedal your way to big-ticket attractions including medieval Christ Church Cathedral, with its creepy crypt and resident (mummified) cat and rat. Wobble riverside to the historic Kilmainham Gaol Museum, famed for its role in the Easter Rising executions and Irish War of Independence, and essential to any meaningful understanding of Irish history and heritage. Don’t forget to stop off at the Guinness Storehouse for some much-needed refreshment along the way! Many of these attractions and tours are included with a pass from Go City, meaning you can save money if you plan to visit a few of them. Dublin’s lush public parks really come into their own in summer. Stroll the seemingly endless pathways of the sprawling Phoenix Park, a former royal hunting ground that’s home to herds of fallow deer, and is almost as big as Dublin itself! And picnic on the lawns of St Stephen’s Green, a verdant Victorian oasis at the end of busy Grafton Street, where a bust of James Joyce, abstract Henry Moore sculpture of W.B. Yeats and imposing statue of brewing magnate Arthur Guinness provide points of interest among the greenery, gardens and duckponds. Day trips to the dramatic Cliffs of Moher and charming seaside village of Howth present further opportunities to experience Ireland’s wild, untamed beauty. Ramblers and romantics alike will also get a real kick out of the Wicklow Mountains south of the city, where long walks in otherworldly landscapes dotted with rivers, bogs and neolithic tombs will have you coming over all Bill Bryson. What’s on: Dublin Summer Events There’s plenty going on during summer in Dublin. Dublin Pride has been a June fixture in the city for 40 years, promising a rollicking roster of events celebrating LGBTQ+ culture, including queer-history walking tours, hard-hitting theatrical drama, world-class drag acts, lively club nights, live music and more. The festival’s focal point is the colorful Pride Parade, which sees O’Connell Street transformed into party central, as flamboyant floats and extravagantly costumed revelers wobble and weave their way down to Pride Village in Merrion Square. Bookworms will find much to enjoy on Bloomsday, which any James Joyce fan worth their salt will tell you falls on 16th June, as depicted in his novel Ulysses. In fact, Bloomsday runs for several days around the 16th, and features performances, readings and other events, many taking place at the very locations and establishments referenced in the book. Get into the spirit by dressing the part: think Edwardian garb including shawls, frilly blouses and fancy hats for the ladies, and Joyce-style britches, braces and straw hats for the lads. Similar in name only, Bloom is Ireland’s largest gardening festival and promises five days of green-fingered fun every June. Expect exquisitely presented gardens spanning some 10 acres of Phoenix Park, with a side order of celeb-chef cookery demonstrations and a difficult-to-resist artisan food market. In August, the Dublin Horse Show canters into town, bringing racing, showjumping and dressage events galore to the eager (and well-dressed) masses, as well as plenty of family fun including kids’ entertainment and pony rides. Last but by no means least, September’s Howth Maritime & Seafood Festival caps off the Dublin summer schedule with a welcome return to the beach. We’re talking two days of family fun in one of Ireland’s prettiest seaside towns. As the name suggests, you can expect some of the finest seafood this fair isle has to offer, as well as funfairs, treasure hunts, circus acts, Irish dancing, boat rides and stacks more. 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
Stuart Bak

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