Dublin is a compact, talkative city where the Book of Kells at Trinity College sits ten minutes' walk from a perfect pint of Guinness. Tour Kilmainham Gaol for the history that shaped modern Ireland, then take the DART out to Howth for a cliff walk with fish and chips at the harbour. Expect big-city prices but small-town friendliness.
3-day Dublin itinerary
- Day 1: Trinity College and the Book of Kells (book ahead), Grafton Street, St Stephen's Green, evening pint in a traditional pub like Kehoe's
- Day 2: Kilmainham Gaol (book well ahead), Guinness Storehouse with the Gravity Bar view, walk or bike Phoenix Park
- Day 3: DART to Howth for the cliff walk and harbour lunch, back for Christ Church Cathedral and Dublin Castle
Where to stay: neighborhoods that make sense
- Temple Barcobbled and lively but loud and overpriced, visit for an hour rather than staying here
- Portobellocanal-side cafes and brunch spots, relaxed base 15 minutes' walk from the center
- StoneybatterDublin's hip village, great pubs like Walshe's and easy tram access
- Docklandsmodern hotels along the Liffey, quieter and often better value, short walk to the center
What to eat in Dublin
- Pint of Guinness at a proper pub like Mulligan's or Kehoe'sabout 6.50 EUR
- Full Irish breakfastabout 14 EUR
- Fish and chips from Leo Burdockabout 10 EUR
- Seafood chowder with soda breadabout 10-12 EUR
- Toastie and a pint at Grogan'sabout 12 EUR combined
Mistakes most first-timers make
- Drinking only in Temple Barpints run 8-10 EUR there versus 6-7 EUR in normal pubs a few streets away
- Not pre-booking Kilmainham Gaoltours sell out days ahead and walk-ins are rarely possible
- Getting a taxi from the airport by defaultthe Dublin Express and Aircoach buses cost about 7-8 EUR and take 30-40 min
- Overpacking the schedulethe center is small, leave time for a slow pub evening, which is the point of Dublin
Worth leaving the city for
- Howth (25 min by DART)cliff walk, seals in the harbour and top-notch fish and chips
- Glendalough (about 1 hour by car or tour bus)monastic ruins in a glacial valley in the Wicklow Mountains
- Malahide Castle (25 min by DART)12th-century castle and gardens plus a pretty coastal village
Getting around
From Dublin Airport the Dublin Express or Aircoach buses reach the center in 30-40 min for about 7-8 EUR. The center is very walkable - for longer trips get a Leap Card for buses, the Luas tram and DART, with most rides around 2 EUR.
Why this plan won't send you to a closed café
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