The Ultimate 2 Days in Dublin Itinerary

If you’re headed off to explore the Emerald Isle, there’s a very good chance that your plane is going to touch down in Ireland’s capital city–and there’s no better way to kick off a trip to Ireland than by spending 2 days in Dublin.

While Dublin may not boast the romantic beauty of Paris or the grandiosity of Rome, it is a compelling–and in places, gorgeous–city that is packed with interesting things to do.

No, you shouldn’t plan a trip to Ireland and base yourself for weeks in Dublin, but spending a couple of days in Dublin before you take off for green pastures and dramatic coastlines is an excellent idea.

Trying to put together a 2 day Dublin itinerary and not sure where to start?

Here’s what to do with a couple of days in Dublin!

Kate Storm in a red dress holding up a full Irish breakfast while sitting at a small table on the sidewalk in Dublin

How We Structured This 2 Day Dublin Itinerary

This Dublin itinerary is designed for a (potentially jetlagged) traveler touching down in the capital city before leaving to explore more of the Emerald Isle, which is how we’ve always experienced the city!

For that reason, it’s intended to give a nice overview of the best things to do in Dublin while also maintaining a lowkey pace that won’t exhaust you before you get to Ireland’s biggest natural treasures.

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However, if you’re taking a short city break or planning to spend a weekend in Dublin, this guide to spending 2 days in Dublin can work for you too.

If you’re a speedy sightseer taking a short trip to Dublin, though, you could also condense, say, 65% of this Dublin itinerary into one day and spend your second day in Ireland on a day trip outside the capital city, which would be our recommendation (here are the best day trips from Dublin).

Want to see as much as possible with only one day in Dublin and then hit the road? This popular Dublin in a day tour will show you the best of the city in very limited time, leaving you a full day to dedicate to somewhere else in Ireland.

Photo of Murrays Grill in Dublin Ireland with colorful flowers out front

The Complete 2 Day Dublin Itinerary

Day 1 in Dublin: Trinity College, Dublin Castle, Temple Bar + Beyond

Start your sightseeing at the General Post Office. 

Dublin’s General Post Office (or GPO) may seem like a strange place to kick off your 2 days in Dublin–but with impressive Georgian architecture, a prominent location on O’Connell Street, a beautiful interior, and a compelling history that involves playing a role in Ireland’s 1916 Easter Rising, it’s actually the perfect place to start.

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The GPO is still a working post office, so during business hours you’re welcome to take a peek inside.

If you want to learn more about the building’s 1916 history, though, we recommend visiting its Witness History exhibit (and if you want to learn even more about the 1916 Rebellion, a walking tour like this is a great way to start your trip to Dublin).

While you’re in the area, be sure to check out the nearby James Joyce statue as well!

Interior of General Post Office, the perfect first stop on a 2 Days in Dublin Itinerary!

Cross the Ha’Penny Bridge. 

Built in the early 19th century, the Ha’Penny Bridge earned its nickname (it’s technically called the Liffey Bridge) for a very simple reason: for the first 100 years of its existence, a ha’penny–or half pence–toll was charged to cross it.

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Today, crossing the bridge is one of the many fun things to do in Dublin, and is a great way to grab some views of the River Liffey.

Before crossing, book lovers like us may want to check out The Winding Stair, a delightfully cozy bookshop we enjoyed visiting on our latest trip to Dublin.

Ha'Penny Bridge crossing the River Liffey--don't miss this when spending a weekend in Dublin!

Head to Trinity College.

Located in the center of the city and dating to the 16th century, Trinity College is Ireland’s most prominent university.

It’s also a beautiful place to visit in Dublin and a popular tourist destination!

Head over to campus and admire its beauty while making your way to what is arguably one of the prettiest and best-known libraries in the world: the Long Room.

Dublin: Trinity College (June 2007)JoachimKohler-HB, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons

Step inside the Long Room and check out the Book of Kells. 

The Long Room at Trinity College holds around 200,000 volumes, is around 65 meters long, and dates to the 18th century… but honestly, all of those facts fade away very quickly when you’re confronted with the beauty of the room itself (at least for bibliophiles).

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Truthfully, the Long Room was on my list of must-see literary locations for years before I got a chance to step inside, and while the crowds (because there are definitely crowds!) ensure that it feels more like a tourist attraction than a peaceful library, it is an incredible place, and well worth experiencing during your 2 days in Dublin.

Access to the Long Room also includes a chance to see the Book of Kells, a 9th-century illustrated copy of the Gospel that written in Latin and is incredibly beautiful and well-preserved.

2025 visitors will be lucky to experience the Long Room and Book of Kells before the area is closed for restoration at the end of the year (though for 2026 visitors and beyond, be sure to check the official website before writing off the experience–the restoration project has already been postponed once).

The Long Room at Trinity College photographed from the center--an absolute must-see when spending 2 days in Dublin.

Say hi to Molly Malone.

The legend of Molly Malone is a short, sad one.

Molly Malone was said to be a fishmonger (possibly from the 17th century), who sold cockles and mussels in a wheelbarrow… and then died of a fever.

In some versions of the legend, she was also a prostitute.

Molly Malone’s legend and the song commemorating it are connected to Dublin, and on your walk from Trinity College to Dublin Castle, you’ll come across a statue dedicated to her.

Statue of Molly Malone as seen during 2 days in Dublin Ireland

Pay a visit to Dublin Castle. 

As compared to what you’ll find in Ireland’s small towns and countryside, it’s fair to say that Dublin Castle doesn’t look all that much like, well, a castle.

Not in the traditional sense, anyway!

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However, Dublin Castle has been an important government site in Ireland for most of its existence (the castle dates to the 13th century), including the present, and it is worth visiting.

If you’re in a hurry or simply jetlagged, you may want to merely check out the exterior–but if you’re interested in learning some Irish history, it’s best to head inside on a guided tour, which will take you behind-the-scenes to parts of the castle you can’t otherwise access.

Once you finish up in the castle itself, consider stopping by the nearby Castle Gardens or the beautiful Chester Beatty Library that is located right next door!

Portion of the exterior of Dublin Castle on a gray, cloudy day

Check out the Christ Church Cathedral.

There are few cities with two cathedrals… but Dublin is one of them.

While St. Patrick’s Cathedral is perhaps the more recognizable of the two, Christ Church Cathedral is equally compelling and actually predates St. Patrick’s Cathedral by more than 100 years.

The crypt is one of the most interesting parts of the cathedral, in part because of the mummified cat and rat that are on display there, famous for being mentioned by James Joyce in Finnegans Wake.

You can also find Ireland’s first copy of the Magna Carta here!

Christ Church Cathedral (Dublin)Ingo Mehling, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons

Head over to the Temple Bar district.

The Temple Bar district is undoubtedly touristy, not to mention expensive (even by Dublin’s pricey standards), but it’s also quite beautiful, and can be a fun way to introduce yourself to the city!

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Even if you’d rather stray further off the beaten path to eat and drink on your first night in Dublin, we still recommend at least walking through the Temple Bar district and admiring its cobblestone streets and decked-out, colorful buildings.

If you are looking for something to eat in the area, nearby Leo Burdock’s is famous for serving up tasty, traditional, and affordable fish and chips.

Temple Bar as seen on a summer day, with flowers over the entrance to the bar--an iconic bar, it's worth at least stopping by during a 2 day Dublin itinerary.

Day 2 in Dublin: Guinness, St. Stephen’s + More

Kick off your day in Dublin with a full Irish breakfast. 

There’s nothing quite like the delight of a full Irish breakfast (full as in complete, but also full as in, “you’ll be so incredibly full after eating one that you won’t be able to eat for hours”).

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Boasting a fried egg, sausage, Irish bacon/rashers, beans, black and white pudding, mushrooms, grilled tomato, and occasionally potatoes, eating at least one full Irish breakfast is a must-have experience during your 2 days in Dublin.

For this Dublin itinerary, we can absolutely recommend the delicious breakfast at Beanhive Coffee, which is just a stone’s throw from your first sightseeing stops of the day.

Full Irish breakfast as enjoyed at Beanhive--save this spot for your 2 day Dublin itinerary.

Digest with a walk through St. Stephen’s Green.

There’s no better place to walk off your heavy breakfast than lovely and peaceful St. Stephen’s Green!

This quiet and leafy public park dates back hundreds of years (though its current layout was developed in the 19th century).

It’s a beautiful place for a morning walk in Dublin’s city center!

Archway marking the entrance to St Stephen's Green in Dublin Ireland

Duck inside the Stephen’s Green Shopping Centre.

You don’t need to spend much of your 2 days in Dublin inside a shopping center, but this one is worth a quick look!

Located at the top of popular Grafton Street is right next door to St. Stephen’s Green Park, it has a stunning interior–just look at that light.

Interior of St Stephen's Green Shopping Centre with clock in the center of the photo

Stroll to St. Patrick’s Cathedral. 

Founded in 1191, St. Patrick’s is arguably the best-known church in Dublin–and it’s certainly one of the most impressive!

As the National Cathedral of the Church of Ireland, St. Patrick’s Cathedral is insanely beautiful inside and out and is open to visitors.

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Come to admire the Gothic architecture, to check out the Door of Reconciliation, or, for literary fans, to see where author Jonathan Swift is buried.

There’s also an incredible peaceful park right next door, so if you’d like to rest your feet a bit (or watch cute dogs–definitely a big selling point for us), feel free to settle on a bench for a few minutes.

Grab tickets to visit St. Patrick’s Cathedral today!

Exterior of St. Patrick's Cathedral in Dublin Ireland on a cloudy day.

Head to the Guinness Storehouse for the ultimate Dublin experience.

Dublin and Guinness go hand-in-hand, and a visit to the Guinness Storehouse is the perfect way to enjoy the famous brew!

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Learn some of the history of the iconic brand, learn how to pull your own Guinness, go for a taste test, and take a walk through the brewing process (in theory, that is–the beer is no longer brewed on the premises).

You can also check out some cool vintage Guinness advertising campaigns (one of my favorite parts of visiting), and top it all off by soaking in some of the best views of Dublin with a cold one in hand.

Jeremy Storm drinking a Guinness when spending a couple days in Dublin Ireland

As someone who takes a casual-at-best interest in beer, the views are another one of the highlights for me!

You can see all across Dublin and right over to the Wicklow Mountains from the lounge at the top of the Guinness Storehouse.

Your Guinness Storehouse ticket includes a drink, with Guinness, of course, being the most popular choice, but soft drinks available for under-18s and the non-drinkers among us.

Fair warning, though: the Guinness Storehouse gets packed.

Be prepared to share the space with plenty of other visitors!

Book tickets to visit the Guinness Storehouse (pint of beer included) today!

Two pints of Guinness being held up in front of a window at the Guinness Storehouse--definitely pay this spot a visit during your 2 days in Dublin Ireland.

Wrap up your 2 days in Dublin with dinner at an Irish pub. 

Visiting an Irish pub for an evening of tasty food and (hopefully) some live music definitely deserves to be part of your 2 day Dublin itinerary!

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There are plenty of pubs to choose from in Dublin, so whether you’re looking for a touristy good time at Temple Bar, a quiet, offbeat experience, or something in between, you’ll find one suited to your taste.

If you like chasing history, consider a stop at The Brazen Head, which purports to be Dublin’s oldest pub (established 1198) and boasts live music every night!

Collection of beer pulls with beer on top in a pub in Ireland

Where to Stay For 2 Days in Dublin

Budget

Abbey Court Hostel — Located right across the street from the River Liffey and less than a 5-minute walk to the Ha’Penny Bridge, Temple Bar, and more, you can’t ask for a better place to stay on a budget in Dublin than Abbey Court Hostel.

We stayed here during our first trip to Dublin, and while the accommodation and included breakfast were nothing to write home about–it’s a hostel, after all–we had no complaints and were thrilled with the location.

Check rates & book your stay at Abbey Court Hostel!

Exterior of Abbey Court Hostel in Dublin Ireland

Mid-range

Hotel St. George — We stayed at Hotel St. George on our most recent trip to Dublin, and were completely happy with the experience!

The location allowed us to comfortably walk to most of Dublin’s major sites, the room was clean and quiet, the lobby beautiful, and the customer service excellent. We would be happy to stay here again!

Check rates & book your stay at Hotel. St George!

Entrance to Hotel St George in Dublin Ireland. There are flowers hanging on either side of the door

Luxury

The Wilder — If you’re looking for a luxury experience in Dublin that lends itself to a bit of peace and quiet, the Wilder is the place for you.

Boasting impeccable reviews and an excellent location near St. Stephen’s Green, The Wilder is within easy reach of all of Dublin’s top sights, while also being far removed from the noise, hustle, and bustle of places like the Temple Bar District.

Check rates & book your stay at The Wilder!

Cobblestone streets surrounding colorful buildings in Dublin Ireland

Is 2 Days in Dublin Enough?

While Dublin is a fun city, and spending a couple of days in Dublin definitely enhances a trip to Ireland, we recommend being cautious of allotting too many of your precious days in the Emerald Isle to the city.

Outside of the large cities (large being a relative term, of course) is where Ireland truly shines as a travel destination.

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Two days in Dublin is the perfect amount to get a taste of the city if you’re spending roughly 10 days to 2 weeks in Ireland.

With only a week or so on the island, we’d recommend spending only one day in Dublin. With three weeks or more, you could consider dedicating more time to the city.

If you do have more than 2 days in Dublin, consider paying a visit to the Kilmainham Gaol, visiting the mummies at St. Michan, or touring one of the many fascinating museums in Dublin, from meaningful spots like the Irish Emigration Museum and Irish Famine Museum. to more lighthearted options like the Leprechaun Museum.

Whiskey lovers could also add a visit to the Jameson Distillery to their trip!

Photo of building in Dublin Ireland with flowers and flags on it. There are people walking in front of the building.

How to Get Around When Visiting Dublin

If you book a centrally located hotel in Dublin, you’ll find most of the destinations on this 2 day Dublin itinerary fairly accessible by foot.

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On our most recent visit to the city, we only used alternate transportation to get to and from the airport and to get back to our hotel after visiting the Guinness Storehouse.

However, if you would like to use Dublin’s public transportation system, you’ll find plenty of public buses available (exact change only, or you can purchase a transportation pass), as well as some trams.

Taxis and Uber are also both available in the city.

Photo of streets of Dublin with a tram approaching from the left

The Best Time to Visit Dublin, Ireland

There’s no doubt that if you’re hoping to see the sunshine or avoid bundling up summer is the best time to visit Ireland, and that includes Dublin as well.

However, this 2 days in Dublin itinerary works for any time of the year, so don’t shy away from the city if your opportunity to visit falls outside of June, July, and August–just be prepared for the distinct possibility of less-than-ideal weather, and to dress accordingly!

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If you are interested in spending a weekend in Dublin during the St. Patrick’s Day festivities, expect high prices, plenty of tourists looking to have a rowdy time… and whether that sounds fantastic or terrible to you is absolutely a matter of preference.

If you want to go, though, be sure to book your hotel way in advance.

Interested in celebrating Christmas on the Emerald Isle? You’ll find Christmas markets in Dublin (and other Irish cities), and while they can’t compete with those in, say, Germany, they definitely add a festive cheer to the season!

Colorful street in Temple Bar District, a must-see neighborhood when spending a couple of days in Dublin Ireland

Read More About Visiting Ireland

If you found this guide to spending 2 days in Dublin helpful, we’d love to continue to be part of your travel planning here on Our Escape Clause!

You can browse all of our blog posts about Ireland here, or read these guides:

Photo of colorful buildings in Dublin Temple Bar district, black text on white background reads How to Spend 2 Days in Dublin Ireland
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0 thoughts on “The Ultimate 2 Days in Dublin Itinerary”

  1. Have you driven through City Center at all? We went ahead and booked a car at the airport for convenience sake and now im wondering if learning to drive on the left side of the road in a busy city center is smart! We’re staying at a hotel in Temple Bar district.

    Reply
    • Hi Kurtis!

      Yes, once or twice. It’s not our favorite thing to do in Ireland, LOL.

      The Temple Bar district is very dense, and I’d recommend picking up your rental car as you get ready to leave Dublin if at all possible!

      If not, make sure you have a good GPS and be very careful navigating to a parking garage.

      Reply
  2. What a great post! Some of the Dublin spots I want to make sure I get to, but laid out in such a concise way with some great tips and recommendations! Going next yr. thank you!

    Reply
  3. This is exactly what we needed. A blog like this with great and important details… the best Ireland travel blog… We loved because of the step by step- it gives you a sense of a planned full day…

    Reply
  4. We used your itinerary last September – very useful – it was great to have all your info and we knew exactly what we could accomplish in our two days. Easy, walkable city. We added Dublin at the end of a European trip and did not rent a car. We used public transportation to and from the airport – easy to book and pay on-line with the company we used. Once we were in Dublin, it was all walking and we loved every minute.

    Reply

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