3 Days in Dublin – The Perfect itinerary for First Timers

Are you planning to spend 3 days in Dublin?
Let me help! We began and ended our epic Ireland road trip in charming Dublin and it quickly became one of our favorite European cities. 

Dublin combines what I love most about traveling in Europe, a rich and fascinating history, blended with a contemporary culture, and beautiful architecture. We found the people to be really friendly, the food was excellent, and it’s a really easy city to navigate.

Trust me about this trip, it was excellent! I can confidently say that you should stay where we stayed, eat where we ate, and see what we saw. I feel like we made perfect choices!

Here’s how to spend three wonderful days in Dublin, inspired by how I explored the city.

Check out this map of all the highlights on your 3 Days in Dublin visit.

Your 3 Days in Dublin Itinerary

This 3 Day Dublin, Ireland itinerary takes you to the heart of Dublin, on the north and south side of the Liffey River, and takes you on a day trip to Howth. I’ll even tell you where to stay and where to eat along the way. 3 days in Dublin can easily be part of a full Ireland road trip.

Day 1 Morning – Take a Walking Tour

Breakfast Option
Taste Food Company
39-40 William St S
A locally sourced menu known for their comfort food and pastries.

Walking Tour

After breakfast, start the adventure off with a guided walking tour of the main sites in the city. Look for a free walking tour on line or book a top rated tour here. Our Dublin tour included a stop for a drink in the Temple Bar neighborhood.

The tour will likely include seeing the main sites. You can circle back in the afternoon, or over the next few days to the ones you want to explore more:

• O’Connell Bridge & Street & The Spire:
  O’Connell Street and its famous bridge is the main street in the Dublin city center and has several significant statues along its meridian.
  
• General Post Office (GPO):
  The GPO is the important site of the 1916 Easter Rising in Ireland – Ireland’s most critical point in history. The Easter Rising is what led to Ireland’s eventual independence from England in 1922.
  

Book a Top Rated Walking Tour of Dublin Here!

• Dublin Castle:
  This is the historic castle in the city which was originally a medieval fortress in 1204 and later was the seat of the English rule in Ireland until the 1922 rebellion. If you love a medieval castle mixed with Georgian opulence, then you’ll want to fit this into your 3 days.
  
• Christ Church Cathedral & St. Patrick’s Cathedral: 
  These medieval cathedrals are Dublin’s most important and impressive churches. Christ Church is Dublin’s oldest building and St. Patrick’s is a gothic cathedral that contains the tomb of famed Irish writer, Jonathan Swift. Both are a marvel to look at.

• Temple Bar District:
  This is the city’s most popular and oldest area. You’ll walk the cobblestone streets, see colorful, historic buildings, the famous red Temple Bar pub, and experience a touristy neighborhood with pubs, shops, and music.
  
• St. Michan’s Church:
  This church is famous for being the city’s original chapel 1095, and later housed mummified remains of parishioners. 
  
• Wolfe Tone Square & St. Audoen’s Church:
  These historic spots are National Monuments honoring Theodore Wolfe Tone who was the leader of the 1798 Irish Rebellion. This church is Dublin’s oldest medieval parish.
  

Day 1 Afternoon – Fish & Chips, Beer, Whiskey, and Deer!

Lunch & Stroll Down Grafton Street

Grafton Street is the main pedestrian street in Dublin. It runs from the St. Stephen’s Green to the College Green. You’ll find a ton of lunch and shopping options.

Bailey Bar & Cafe
Duke Street off Grafton Street
I can recommend the Bailey for lunch. This is a Dublin institution and former hub for literary giants and politicians. This pub is where we had the first of many excellent fish & chips!

After lunch, I’m suggesting some afternoon options below:

Option 1 – Visit the Guinness Storehouse

The Guinness Storehouse
St. James’s Gate

I’m going to share our experience and you can decide if you want to spend your afternoon here. The Guinness Storehouse is in the Liberties neighborhood which is over a 20 minute walk from the city center or a 10 minute Uber ride.

We booked Guinness Storehouse tickets prior to our trip because many people recommended it as one of those tourist things you should do. 

Book The Guinness Storehouse Experience Here!

The Guinness tour is self-guided. There is no guide taking you through the factory and you don’t see any actual Guinness being made. The displays are mildly informative if you take the time to read all the information on the walls.

The main attraction is the top floor of the factory known as the Gravity Bar with views of the city, where you’ll have to wait for a seat to sip your “free” (comes with price of admission) pint of Guinness.

My husband loved Guinness out of the tap in Dublin and was very happy once we got a seat. I found a different bar downstairs to get a gluten free cider and some Keogh’s Crinkle Cut chips to bring upstairs. 

Option 2 – Visit the Jameson Distillery

The Jameson Distillery
Bow St, Smithfield

If you’re a whiskey fan, which I am not, then you may want to consider visiting the original Jameson Whiskey factory for a tour. The former factory in Dublin offers tours and whiskey tastings. 

Option 3 – Phoenix Park

Parkgate Street near Heuston Station

Venture by Uber or public transport to Phoenix Park. This park is double the size of New York’s Central Park and San Francisco’s Golden Gate Park, on the south side of Dublin where Fallow Deer herds have lived for centuries and as you walk or picnic in the park, you’ll see the deer just grazing. Inside the park are monuments, gardens, a medieval castle, a zoo, and the President’s residence, called “Áras an Uachtaráin.”

Day 1 Evening – Dinner & Music in the Temple Bar District

Dinner Option
Leo Burdock’s Famous Fish & Chips
4 Crown Alley, Temple Bar

Leo Burdock’s Famous Fish & Chips has been a “famous” fish & chips spot in the Temple Bar district since 1913. It’s a very small restaurant, so feel free to order take out if you’re ready to bring food back and collapse at the hotel.

Temple Bar Pub

47-48 Temple Bar 
While you’re in the Temple Bar District and you’ll hear music playing from almost every pub. The most well known spot is the Temple Bar Pub. It will be loud and crowded inside, so be prepared!

Other popular pub/music spots:
The Brazen Head
20 Bridge St. Lower, Usher’s Quay
Dublin’s oldest pub. It’s been around since 1198!

Cobblestone
77 King St N, Smithfield
“A drinking pub with a music problem.”

Whelan’s
25 Wexford St, Portobello
“Dublin’s best original live music venue.”

Day 2 Morning – Trinity College, Book of Kells, National Gallery

Breakfast Option
The Pepper Pot
59 William Street
Known for their great egg dishes, homemade breads and pastries.

Book This Very Popular Book of Kells Tour and Dublin Castle Tour Here!

Visit the Trinity College Campus 

Make your way to the Trinity College Campus. Have your Book of Kells Experience tickets purchased in advance. You’ll be given an entry time and can organize your visit to the campus around that schedule.

Trinity College is Ireland’s most prestigious university. This school boasts graduates such as Oscar Wilde, Samuel Becket, Jonathan Swift, and E.T.S. Walton. As you wander the campus, look for:

• The Front Gate & Square – You’ll be struck by this gorgeous entrance to the courtyard and Georgian architecture.
  
• The Campanile – You can’t miss the 100 foot tall bell tower in the center of the campus built in 1853. If students walk under it when the bell rings, it is said they’ll fail their exams.
  
• The Dining Hall – Students have been eating in this dining hall since the 18th century.
  
• The Old Library – This building is the main reason for your visit. It houses the Book of Kells and the Long Room. Construction for this building began in 1712 and took 20 years to complete.
  
• The Douglas Hyde Gallery – If you can, make time for this contemporary art gallery on the campus.
   
• Sphere Within Sphere Sculpture – This is one of the bronze globe sculptures created by artist Arnaldo Pomodoro. His other sphere sculptures are at The Vatican and the United Nations.

The Book of Kells Experience

I insist you fit this into your plans! As I said, get tickets in advance and work your day around the entrance time.

This historic Old Library Building is beautiful, but what’s inside literally took my breath away. The Book of Kells is the book of the four gospels that was created by Celtic monks in 800AD. The artwork and detail of the book is mind blowing. Take a minute to consider how old and well preserved it is.

Pro Tip: Be sure to have your ear buds or headphones with you so you can download the QR code and listen to the tour as you go.

The Long Room

When you enter the Long Room, be prepared to gasp. The bookshelves have over 200,000 rare books. The vaulted ceilings, dark oak, and marble cover the space. And at the far end is the unusual globe piece called Gaia. This is an illuminated globe created by Luke Jerram and displays the NASA imagery of the earth. Gaia is just a temporary exhibit in the Long Room, so get there soon!

Day 2 Afternoon – Dawson Street & The National Gallery

Dawson Street & Lunch

Dawson Street is a charming street that runs from Trinity College to St. Stephen’s Green with upscale shops, lovely restaurants, and is home to the Mansion House which is the official residence of the Lord Mayor of Dublin.

Lunch
Lennan’s Yard
21 Dawson Street
Hands down, Best. Seafood Chowder. Ever. Anywhere. We went twice!

National Gallery of Ireland

While there are several very worthy art museums in Dublin, we’re so happy we chose the National Gallery. Perfect for a rainy afternoon, this FREE museum has a superb collection of Irish and European art. The building and gallery rooms are quite beautiful and calming. You might find a special exhibit when you’re there, either way, the permanent collection is totally worth the trip.

Visit the Molly Malone Statue

Suffolk Street at the Tourist Office/formerly St. Andrew’s Church
A few streets from Dawson Street you’ll find Suffolk Street. Here is the former St. Andrew’s Church which is now an information and tourist office.

This is also the site of the famous Molly Malone statue. Molly Malone is the legendary woman depicted in the Irish folk song “Cockles and Muscles.” Her statue is now a symbol of Ireland and a little controversial because people rub her brass breasts for good luck!

Day 2 Evening – Dinner & the Theater

Dinner Options
Trocadero
4 St. Andrew’s Street
We had a fantastic meal at this famous theater restaurant with its old world charm. You’ll see photos of many actors from over six decades.

The Stags Head
1 Dame Ct
A traditional Irish Pub with great food near Trinity College.

Theater Options
Dublin has a long and rich theater history. We don’t often think of it as compared to New York City’s Broadway, or London’s West End, but we should! Since the 1600’s there has been a theater scene in Dublin, so if you plan ahead, you can catch a show while you’re in town. Here are some venues to consider:

The Abbey Theater
26/27 Abbey Street Lower, North City
The Abbey is the National Theater of Ireland. First opened in 1904.

The Gaiety Theater
King St S, Dublin
The Gaiety is the city’s oldest active theater. Opened in 1871 and focuses on primarily musical and opera theater.

Smock Alley
6-7 Exchange Street Lower, Temple Bar
Originally built in 1662, and repurposed a few times since, Smock Alley specializes in drama, music, comedy, and dance performances throughout the year.

Day 3 Morning & Afternoon – Visit Lovely Howth

Breakfast
Brother Hubbard
153 Capel Street
This is the Brother Hubbard chain’s flagship restaurant in a great location. Known for their seasonal menus, locally sourced ingredients, and great service.

Day Trip to Howth

No visit to Dublin is complete without a train ride to the charming coastal town of Howth. Howth is the picture perfect village on the outskirts of the city. Gorgeous cliffs overlook the sea and fishing boats fill the harbor.

How to get to Howth

Take the 30 minute DART(Dublin Area Rapid Transit) train. See the train info below.The trains run about every 15 minutes and drop you off at the final stop in the village of Howth. You can easily walk through the town to the cliff trail and the harbor from there. Wear comfortable shoes or sneakers, no need for hiking boots.

• Trains leave from Connolly, Tara Street, and Pearse  stations. (We took the train from Pearse).
• Look for the DART train going northbound toward Howth.
• Buy a ticket at the machines or tap on with a Leap Card.
• Board the train and stay on until Howth Station (last stop).
• The ride takes about 30 minutes.

Explore Howth & The Cliff Path Loop

When you exit the train, follow signs to The Cliff Path Loop. The Loop is less than 5 miles from the train station round trip. It takes you up a hill in a neighborhood of homes with coastal views. You might wonder if you’re on the right path, but stay the course! You’ll see the trail up ahead. It’s not a difficult trail but it is magnificently beautiful. You can see Lambay Island, Ireland’s Eye, and Dublin Bay from the trail. Keep an eye out for Grey Seals.

Lunch by the Harbor

When you walk back down to town, stroll by the harbor, pass the lighthouse, and head to the seaside restaurants and shops. You’ll find fish & chips for lunch any of the quaint spots by the water. Then hop back on the train to the city.

Consider a Day Tour to Howth with this Top Rated Excursion!

Day 3 Evening – St. Stephen’s Green & Dinner

St. Stephen’s Green

For a late afternoon, early evening activity, stroll through the lovely St. Stephen’s Green. This beautiful Victorian park, filled with fountains, ponds, and paths, is a great place to enjoy on your way to dinner.

Dinner Options
St. Stephen’s Green paths will lead you to Dawson Street where you can try another of the great restaurants in that neighborhood. We had excellent meals and service at the following:

Cafe En Seine
40 Dawson Street
A French vibe, live music, and charming outdoor seating.

Ivy Dawson Street
13 Dawson Street
Always a great choice in many European cities, the Ivy restaurants are a superior brand. The one in Dublin did not disappoint!

Where to Stay in Dublin

The Green Hotel was the perfect choice for us. It’s a 4 star, lovely hotel, across the street from the St. Stephen’s Green park, within walking distance to all the key spots – and it’s affordable! I highly recommend The Green. Book The Green Hotel for the beginning of the trip and for the last night 2 nights as well.

When is the Best Time to Visit Dublin?

The best time to visit Dublin is basically, whenever you can go! Its a big city with a lot to do, so conventional wisdom is that dry days are better than rainy days when traveling. Here’s all the info you need to know for what to pack for Ireland!

May – June
Springtime in Dublin is everyone’s first choice:

• Mild weather (cool, but pleasant)
• Longer daylight hours
• Fewer crowds than peak summer
• Great for road trips and walking

July – August
Summer weather is lovely, but it’s also the primary tourist season.

• Warmest temperatures for Ireland
• Long summer days
• Lots of festivals and events
• More crowds, higher prices

September – October (this is when we visited)
Fall is a great time to visit, especially if you like fewer crowds and a damp and misty Ireland feel.

• Potentially fewer visitors
• Cozy pubs, misty landscapes
• Shorter days and more rain

November – March
Winter months will be cold, but also a lot less crowded. I’m sure the holidays in Dublin are very special and festive.

• Cold and rainy
• Least amount of daylight
• Fewer tourists
• Lower prices

Now you’re all set with the perfect 3 days in Dublin Itinerary.

In a nutshell…

Three days in Dublin is the perfect introduction to the Republic of Ireland’s capital and largest city. We were so happy to start the Ireland road trip with 3 days in Dublin and then finish it off with another 2 days in that exciting city!

You’ll find that Dublin is a great mix of history, culture, walkable streets, and genuinely warm people. It’s not just about the Guinness and the Jameson, although the pub scene is awesome. It’s about ancient cathedrals, iconic landmarks, and world-class museums.

The Book of Kells experience was a major highlight of our Dublin trip and my favorite excursion was the day we spent in Howth.

As a first timer, this Dublin plan will give you a full taste of the city and leave you planning a return trip.

xx,
Carrie