Ireland · 3 days · 16 stops
3 days in Dublin – a ready-made itinerary
Dublin is small enough to see almost everything on foot. Day one covers Trinity College and the Georgian south side, day two the old town to the west with the castle, cathedrals and Guinness, and day three the Howth peninsula by the sea. The stops are in walking order.
In short
- Length
- 3 days, 16 stops
- Highlights
- Trinity College and the Book of Kells, Dublin Castle, Howth Harbour, Merrion Square, National Museum – Archaeology
- Where to stay
- Around St Stephen's Green, Portobello
- Getting around
- The centre is compact and easy to walk.
- Best time to go
- May to September is mildest with long days.
Free, sign in with an email code. In the app you only pick your start date and adjust the plan.
Plan created with AI support – please check opening hours, prices and routes before you go. YesTrip editorial team · Updated: .
Day 1
Trinity College and the south side
Trinity College and the Book of Kells
The old university with the 9th-century illuminated gospel book. Book a timed ticket in advance.
On the map (OpenStreetMap): Trinity College and the Book of Kellsabout 10 min on foot
Merrion Square
A Georgian square with colourful front doors. The Oscar Wilde statue is in one corner.
On the map (OpenStreetMap): Merrion Squareabout 5 min on foot
National Museum – Archaeology
Celtic gold and bog bodies, with free entry. Often closed on Mondays – check first.
On the map (OpenStreetMap): National Museum – Archaeologyabout 5 min on foot
St Stephen's Green
The park in the centre with a pond and bridges. Good for a break on the grass.
On the map (OpenStreetMap): St Stephen's Greenabout 5 min on foot
Grafton Street
The shopping street with buskers. Bewley's, the old café, is halfway along.
On the map (OpenStreetMap): Grafton Streetabout 10 min on foot
Temple Bar
The pub district with live music and cobbles. Loud and pricey – but worth one pint.
On the map (OpenStreetMap): Temple Bar
Day 2
Castle, cathedrals and Guinness
Dublin Castle
The seat of British rule for centuries. You can visit the State Apartments.
On the map (OpenStreetMap): Dublin Castleright next door
Chester Beatty
A museum of manuscripts and books from Europe, Asia and the Middle East, in the castle gardens. Entry is free.
On the map (OpenStreetMap): Chester Beattyabout 5 min on foot
Christ Church Cathedral
The city's oldest cathedral, with a large medieval crypt.
On the map (OpenStreetMap): Christ Church Cathedralabout 5 min on foot
St Patrick's Cathedral
Ireland's largest church. Jonathan Swift, author of Gulliver's Travels, was dean here and is buried here.
On the map (OpenStreetMap): St Patrick's Cathedralabout 15 min on foot
Guinness Storehouse
An exhibition about the stout in an old brewery warehouse, topped by the Gravity Bar with a 360° view. Book tickets in advance.
On the map (OpenStreetMap): Guinness Storehouseabout 25 min on foot
Kilmainham Gaol
The old prison where the leaders of the 1916 Easter Rising were executed. Guided tours only – book online early.
On the map (OpenStreetMap): Kilmainham Gaol
Day 3
Day trip to Howth
The DART suburban train runs from the centre to Howth, about 30 minutes.
Howth Harbour
A fishing harbour with piers. Seals often turn up by the east pier.
On the map (OpenStreetMap): Howth Harbourabout 20 min on foot
Howth Head
The cliff path above the sea, about 2–3 hours depending on the loop. Wear sturdy shoes – the path is narrow in places.
On the map (OpenStreetMap): Howth Headabout 2.4 km as the crow flies – by bus, train or taxi
Baily Lighthouse
The lighthouse at the tip of the peninsula. Then back to Howth for fish and chips by the harbour.
On the map (OpenStreetMap): Baily LighthouseDART back to the centre, about 30 min.
Ha'penny Bridge
The cast-iron footbridge over the Liffey from 1816. Best when lit up in the evening.
On the map (OpenStreetMap): Ha'penny Bridge
Good to know
Best time to go
May to September is mildest with long days. Around St Patrick's Day on 17 March the city is packed and hotels are expensive. It can rain all year – always bring a jacket.
Getting around
The centre is compact and easy to walk. There are also buses, the Luas tram and the DART coastal railway. Buy tickets at the machines, via the app or with the rechargeable Leap Card. Buses run from the airport to the centre; there is no rail link.
Where to stay
Around St Stephen's Green
Central and quieter than Temple Bar, close to Trinity College and Grafton Street.
Portobello
A residential area by the canal with cafés and pubs, about 15 minutes' walk from the centre.
Your plan
Start with this plan.
Copy it into YesTrip, pick your dates and make it yours: move stops, drop them or let the AI add more. On the road the app shows you the next stop and how to get there.
Dublin: frequently asked questions
Are 3 days enough for Dublin?
Yes, for the city and a trip to the sea. With more time, add Glendalough in the Wicklow Mountains or the Stone Age tombs at Newgrange.
Do I need a passport for Ireland?
EU citizens can travel with a valid national ID card. Ireland is not in the Schengen Area, so there are checks on arrival. Other visitors should check the entry rules for their nationality.
Do I need to book tickets in advance?
For the Book of Kells, the Guinness Storehouse and above all Kilmainham Gaol, yes. Kilmainham is often booked up days ahead.
How do I get from the airport to the city?
By bus – several routes go to the centre. The journey takes about 30–45 minutes depending on traffic.
Plan created with AI support – please check opening hours, prices and routes before you go. Coordinates checked with Wikipedia and OpenStreetMap (Photon). Photo: unbekannt, Public Domain, via Wikimedia Commons. More in Sources & licences. YesTrip is a trip planner, not a travel agency – nothing is booked.
More trip plans
United Kingdom · 3 daysLondon
Photo: Fuzzypiggy, CC BY-SA 3.0, via Wikimedia Commons
Netherlands · 3 daysAmsterdam
Photo: Kaz Alting, CC BY-SA 3.0, via Wikimedia Commons
Belgium · 3 daysBrussels
Photo: Celuici, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons
