Dublin, Ireland is an incredible city that has a really different feel than most of Europe. While there are countless things to do in Dublin, you can see most of the major sites in just 2 days in Dublin.
Dublin Hotels
When staying in Dublin, I recommend staying in the center of the city so that all of the attractions are within walking distance. I recommend the Radisson BLU Dublin, which is a lovely hotel that is within walking distance of all the sites you will want to see.
Dublin Transportation
If you only in Ireland for 2 days in Dublin, you probably don’t need to rent a car. The city is laid out in a way that’s really easy to walk, so when I was in Dublin I just walked everywhere, although there are also buses. If you are planning on a longer trip in Ireland that starts in Dublin, check out my 7 Day Ireland Itinerary for more on renting a car and driving in Ireland.
2 Days in Dublin Ireland: Day 1
While planning our 2 days in Dublin, we decided to group the first day into all of Dublin’s historical sites and monuments, and then head to elements of modern-day Dublin on the second day.
The great thing about European cities in general – which is also true of Dublin – is that they are very walkable, and many of the oldest and most fascinating historical buildings are literally sitting next to a Starbucks. Dublin is no different, meaning that evening while you check out its historical sites, there will be plenty of modern stuff to see and do along the way.
Dublin Castle
Our first stop on our first day in Dublin was the Dublin Castle. If you’re looking for a dose of history in Dublin, the Dublin Castle is where it’s at. The castle was built in the 13th century and was a place of English and British rule over the Irish for centuries, until the Irish gained their independence in 1922. Now, it has come full circle and is a big Irish government complex. There are both self-guided and guided tours of the Dublin castle, and you can find tickets here.
Trinity Library
The Trinity Library belongs to Dublin’s Trinity College, and if you like books it is an absolute must see. The main points to see at the library are the Long Room, which is a stunning library that is home to 200,000 books.
Also at Trinity Library is the Book of Kells, which is a 9th century document containing the four Gospels. The book of Kells is considered the most famous medieval manuscript and Ireland’s most important cultural artifact. To see the Book of Kells exhibition, you can find tickets here.
Shopping on Grafton Street
For a change of pace near Trinity College, head over to Grafton Street for some expensive (window) shopping. Filled with gorgeous stores that make for a lovely walk, Grafton is a great spot to stop and see some of Dublin’s modern day culture.
Molly Malone Statue
The Molly Malone Statue in Dublin was also originally found on Grafton Street, and it was erected in 1988. It’s modern-day location is now on Suffolk Street in Dublin, and it represents a character from a famous Irish song, although she isn’t thought to have been a real historical person. The Irish love to laugh (including at themselves) and you can often hear them referring to the statue as “The Tart with the Cart” or “The Trollop With the Scallops.”
Basically, there is no one major historical story relating to the Molly Malone statue, but it’s famous in Dublin and has become a major cultural symbol.
St Patrick’s Cathedral
Okay, let’s be real. There are a LOT of cathedrals in Europe, and after a while they start to feel really repetitive. Not so with St. Patrick’s! You do need to buy tickets to St. Patrick’s Cathedral if you want to enter, but in my opinion it was 100% worth the price to see so much of Ireland’s history as told in the Cathedral.
The Cathedral is an active place of worship in addition to a tourist destination, but it also contains countless plaques, signs and displays explaining how different pieces of art in the Cathedral show Ireland’s history. It’s also – of course – a gorgeous Cathedral and pretty to look at, but the history here is really what sold me on it.
If you’re wanting to see more history during your first day in Dublin, there are also two nearby museums, which I have listed below.
Optional Museums:
2 Days in Dublin Ireland: Day 2
On the second day of our 2 days in Dublin, we chose to see Dublin’s modern-day attractions – many of which involve alcohol. That being said, you certainly do not have to drink to enjoy them!
Guinness Factory
On day two of our 2 days in Dubin, we started out with a visit to the world-famous Guinness Factory. Even if you don’t like Guinness (I didn’t before going here), it’s a must-see for the fascinating look into how Guinness is made and the company’s long history in Ireland. Plus, entrance to the factory includes a free pint at their sky bar, which gives you panoramic views of Dublin. That’s a win-win in my opinion! You can buy tickets to the Guinness factory here.
Temple Bar
After having a pint at the Guinness Factory, we headed on over to the Temple Bar area, which is 100% a tourist trap at night. That being said, it’s still gorgeous and definitely worth a visit in the daytime, especially to see all the flowering storefronts.
Ha’penny Bridge
Not far from the Temple Bar area, you’ll see the Ha’penny Bridge crossing the River Liffey. The river is quite small, but the bridge is pretty and is a great spot to stop and take a photo on your way to the next stop – the Jameson Factory.
Jameson Factory
Wisely, in my opinion, we did not go to the Guinness and Jameson Factories back to back, because that’s a lot of drinking in a little bit of time. The Jameson Factory is where Jameson whiskey is made, and it also offers a really interesting look at how whiskey is made and what gives it its distinct flavor. You do need to buy tickets to the Jameson Factory, but again they include a free drink and a big tour of the facilities. I also really liked that they did a tasting comparing Jameson to different Scotch and American whiskies, so even a non-whiskey connoisseur like me could tell the difference.
Where to Eat in Dublin
Dublin has a lot of incredible places to eat and the real trick is finding out which one to choose. I enlisted the help of an Irish friend who lives in Dublin to sort out the absolute best recommendations.
Breakfast Restaurants:
- Brother Hubbard
- Lemon Jelly Cafe
- Taste Food Company
Lunch/Dinner Restaurants:
- Bunsen – burgers
- Wishbone – wings
- Elephant Castle
- Whelan’s – rock music
Pubs:
- Hogan’s
- Camden Exchange
- Jimmy Rabbits
- Black Bird
That wraps it up for my 2 days in Dublin Ireland itinerary! If you’re planning a longer trip to Ireland, you may want to check out these other articles on Ireland: