How to Spend Your Time in Dublin with 3 Days

Planning a trip to Ireland but not sure what to do with your time in Dublin? This article will cover some of the best things to do in Ireland’s biggest city and how much time you need to actually spend here.

Dublin isn’t the grand European capital you might be used, but it is a wondrously gritty city with great museums and an even better pub and restaurant scene. Keep reading to learn more!

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Dublin Itinerary at a Glance

• Day One
  • The Little Museum of Dublin
  • Guinness Storehouse
• Day Two
  • EPIC The Irish Emigration Museum
  • The Book of Kells and the Old Library (Trinity College)
  • National Gallery of Ireland
• Day Three
  • National Museum of Ireland – Archeology
  • Christ Church Cathedral
  • St Patrick’s Cathedral

The Dublin Pass

Depending on how your final itinerary ends up looking, you may want to consider purchasing the Dublin Pass. This pass is an all-inclusive ticket that covers most of the attractions detailed in this article plus many others.

You can choose between a 1-to-5-day pass with prices ranging from €70 to €116. Before purchasing, be sure to price out your itinerary to make sure the Dublin Pass is worth it.

We skipped this pass because it actually would have ended up costing more than purchasing individual tickets to each attraction.

The Little Museum of Dublin

The Little Museum of Dublin is one of my favorite museums and serves as a great introduction to the city. The museum features several rooms in a 19th century Georgian home. Each room is filled with pictures, memorabilia and artifacts that tell Dublin’s history.

If you think museums are too pretentious, the Little Museum of Dublin is for you. Even when covering some of Dublin’s darker moments like the Irish Civil War, it still manages to do so in a decidedly approachable way.

The museum has both temporary and permanent exhibits, so you may want to check their website ahead of time for what will be on during your visit. Nevertheless, I encourage a visit regardless of what they’re currently showing. They also offer guided tours for an additional cost.

Guinness Storehouse

After The Little Museum of Dublin, the next best way to spend your first day in Dublin is at the Guinness Storehouse, home to one of Ireland’s most famous exports.

The Guinness Storehouse isn’t a brewery tour like you might expect, but it is a well-designed museum that tells the story of Guinness with interesting and interactive exhibits. There are several floors with each having their own theme.

My personal favorite was the Guinness World of Advertising on the third floor. This floor takes you through Guinness’s esteemed advertising history with posters, interactive exhibits, memorabilia and a theater showing some of the company’s famous commercials.

At the end of the tour is the Gravity Bar, a rooftop bar with panoramic views of Dublin’s skyline and the Wicklow Mountains in the distance. Your ticket gets you a complimentary pint of Guinness to enjoy while taking in the scenery.

Be sure to read my full guide to the Guinness Storehouse for a more in-depth review of the museum!

EPIC The Irish Emigration Museum

The winner of Europe’s Leading Tourist Attraction from 2019 to 2021 and a nominee in 2022 (from the World Travel Awards), EPIC The Irish Emigration Museum is an incredible experience.

This museum is unique in that there are no actual objects on display. From the moment you enter and receive your passport, everything is entirely interactive. There are touchscreens, motion sensor quizzes, audio recordings and television reels, all of which are used to wonderful effect to tell the story of the millions of Irish people who have emigrated across the globe.

It focuses on culturally significant people with Irish heritage, but it does so in a way that doesn’t feel like the story it’s telling is about singular people. Rather, it expertly weaves the different narratives into a larger tale of how Ireland and its people have shaped the world.

If you have Irish heritage like so many around the world (as the museum is quick to point out), this is a must-see museum. Even if you aren’t Irish, it’s still a must-see because of how entertaining and informative it is.

The Book of Kells and the Old Library

The Book of Kells is considered by many to be the finest intact piece of art from Europe’s Dark Ages. It’s a beautifully illuminated 9th century manuscript containing the four gospels, and it was assembled by several different individuals who used early Christian and Celtic motifs to illustrate its pages. The level of complexity and intricacy in its designs is stunning to behold.

Unfortunately, there is a big “however” when seeing the Book of Kells. You only get a very brief moment to look at two pages of the book itself. It’s housed behind glass in a small room where just a few visitors can observe it at once. These circumstances are understandable, but it is a lot of buildup for what only amounts to 30 seconds or so.

There is more included in your ticket to make up for this fact. Before viewing the Book of Kells, you walk through a museum with various placards and objects describing the history of the book and how it was made.

Then, after the room with the book, you can explore the Old Library’s Long Room at your leisure. This was my favorite part of the whole experience. The Long Room looks like it was pulled straight from the world of Harry Potter. Its dark wood interior contains row after row of ancient-looking tomes, marble busts of famous philosophers and several important items from Ireland’s history. It’s a bibliophile’s dream come true!

National Gallery of Ireland

As a free museum, the National Gallery of Ireland can be worth a walk through to see some of the art it has on display. It’s not a particularly memorable gallery when compared to many of Europe’s grander art museums, but it does have some interesting art from Irish painters on its ground floor.

The top floor boasts works from European painters. While there are no classics, it does have lesser-known works from Vemeer, Caravaggio, Rubens, Rembrandt and others.

Of all the attractions on this itinerary, the National Gallery is the most skippable. There are some nice works but no particular highlights.

National Museum of Ireland – Archeology

For a good look into Ireland’s Celtic, Viking and early Christian past, head over to the National Museum of Ireland – Archeology. This museum houses some of the most important archeological finds in Ireland including Stone Age tools, a large collection of Irish goldworks, and metal objects from across the ages. This museum and its objects are a good way to fill in the smaller details from the historic sites you can see across the country.

The objects are all interesting and, in some cases, gorgeous, but the highlight is the bog mummies. The bog bodies are believed to be a type of human sacrifice. They were killed by early Celts, and then dumped in Ireland’s bogs which created an environment that preserved the bodies.

The bog bodies displayed at the museum are remarkably preserved. It’s a little morbid but fascinating, nonetheless.

St Patrick’s Cathedral

Both of Dublin’s cathedrals seem to fly under the radar compared to their more well-known European counterparts. To be sure, they’re not as grand or pack as much cultural or artistic significance, yet despite those things, they’re still worth a visit.

St Patrick’s Cathedral was founded in the 12th century on the site where St Patrick baptized the local populace. Inside the cathedral is an engraved stone slab which supposedly covered the entrance to this well.

In addition to this stone slab, there are many burial plaques, tombs and statues of famous people to observe. Of particular note are some of the stunning stained-glass windows throughout the cathedral. Pay extra attention to the windows in the Lady Chapel behind the main altar. I found these to be very lovely to admire, especially as the sun was coming through when we were there in the morning.

Another of the cathedral’s claims to fame is that the author of Gulliver’s Travels, Jonathon Swift, was the dean here from 1713 to 1745. You can find his burial site and death mask near the entrance on the right side of the nave.

Christ Church Cathedral

Dublin’s other main cathedral, Christ Church, is located just a short walk up the road from St Patrick’s Cathedral. This cathedral is smaller and almost 200 years older than St Patrick’s. In fact, Christ Church Cathedral is thought to be the oldest building currently standing in all of Dublin!

The church was first established by King Sigtrygg Silkbeard. That’s not all that important, but how cool is that name?!

Anyways, as I said, Christ Church is much older than St Patrick’s and it certainly feels that way. Walking through its more intimate interior gives off strong Gothic and medieval vibes even though much of it was renovated in the 19th century. The decorative tiled floors are interesting with their various motifs and patterns. Be on the lookout for the amusing fox friars!

The best part of Christ Church Cathedral is its dark crypt where treasures of the cathedral are stored. Perhaps the most unique that everyone remembers is the mummified cat and rat. They were found in an organ being repaired. People believe the cat chased the rat into the organ where they both became stuck. An unfortunate ending, indeed!

St Patricik’s or Christ Church? If you’re pressed for time, you may want to consider only one of the cathedrals in your itinerary. They’re both unique from one another, so it comes down to personal taste. St Patrick’s is prettier and contains more cultural significance whereas Christ Church has a more evocative medieval flair and the intriguing crypt.

Explore Dublin on Foot

The best way to get around Dublin while seeing these sights is on foot. Dublin is walkable and has many interesting things to see while going from place to place.

There are a few spots you should definitely check out during some of your downtime. These include St Stephen’s Green, Merrion Square, Dublin Castle, O’Connell Street and Grafton Street. Two of those in particular are worth spending some extra time at: Dublin Castle and St Stephen’s Green.

Dublin Castle is a ticketed tour, but you can walk around the inner courtyard without a ticket. You can also view its exterior ramparts from Dubh Linn Garden.

St Stephen’s Square is a great spot for a leisurely walk or to find a bench to sit and relax for a bit in between museums. There are two large ponds filled waterfowl to admire. The park was also an important location during the Easter Rising of 1916, and there are signs throughout St Stephen’s detailing the events of that week.

Other Things to Do in Dublin

With the exception of one of the day trips, these are all attractions we considered but skipped for various reasons. You could add these into your itinerary or substitute with any of the things I recommend above.

This list is only meant to give a small sample of some of the other activities there are to do in Dublin. For more ideas, head to Visit Dublin!

Kilmainham Gaol

Kilmainham Gaol is an important site in Ireland’s struggle for independence. Political prisoners, along with common criminals, were held here during Ireland’s various uprisings against England.

The prison is routinely rated as a top attraction in Dublin, and it could be a must-see if you are interested in this part of Ireland’s history. Personally, I only knew a little about this history prior to visiting, so I didn’t think I’d appreciate a visit here. Now, after learning more about it during our time in Ireland, I would definitely visit on a return trip.

Gaelic Athletic Association Museum

The Gaelic Athletic Association Museum is dedicated to Ireland’s sporting history. It tells the history of Gaelic sports from ancient times up to the present day with a focus on hurling and Irish football. It even contains a section where you can try out your hurling and Irish football skills – sure to be popular with any children in tow.

Fans of these Irish sports can book an additional tour that takes you behind-the-scenes through Croke Park.

Jameson Bow St. Distillery Tour

Had we not done the Jameson tour in County Cork, we almost certainly would have done this one. From researching this and speaking with others who have done the Dublin tour, the experiences sound very similar.

The tour takes you through the distilling process before culminating with a tasting comparing different types of whiskeys and a complimentary drink. There are also various tastings you can add to your ticket if you are eager to learn more about Ireland’s famed Jameson whiskey.

Find out more about what the County Cork tour is like here!

Take a Day Trip

If you’re interested in getting out of the city, you could consider taking a trip to any number of nearby destinations. Options here are only limited by how much time you want to spend away from Dublin.

A day trip I recommend is to the Wicklow Mountains where you can visit a world-class garden at Powerscourt Estate, Ireland’s biggest waterfall and Glendalough’s monastic ruins.

Other options include the beachside resort town of Howth; the 3,200-year-old burial mound of Newgrange; or the Hill of Tara, a pre-Christian historic site.

Where to Eat and Drink During Your Time in Dublin

One of the best parts of Dublin is its wide variety of restaurants and pubs to enjoy. Here are just a few of the best ones to check out.

The Hairy Lemon

Trendy yet still with a hint of tradition, The Hairy Lemon is one of Dublin’s more popular pubs. We came here at random because we needed a place to sit for a bit. Coincidentally, we had seen it before but decided to skip it because it looked too chic. Once inside, we discovered that while it does have a modern ambience, it still feels like a classic Irish pub.

The Hairy Lemon manages to strike this balance by having a couple different seating areas. We sat in a cozy little snug right by the entrance, but I noticed many people coming in and disappearing. It wasn’t till I went to the bathroom that I realized there was a whole other section that felt a bit more like a modern sports bar.

Don’t hesitate to check The Hairy Lemon out regardless of which vibe you’re looking for!

Snugs are small, secluded seating areas found in Irish pubs. They typically can only seat a couple people at a time and are a hugely adorable spot for a pint.

Mulligan’s

Mulligan’s pub was the most authentic Irish pub we had a pint in during our time in Dublin. It has an unassuming exterior that keeps away tourists who haven’t done their research ahead of time. Inside, Mulligan’s is dark and has the dust of Dublin’s past resting gracefully on its surfaces. When we were there, only a handful of regulars were sitting in the pub (or sleeping in one individual’s case).

To top it off, the bartender was a delight to chat with while we had our drinks. It was about as authentic of an Irish pub experience as we could get.

Temple Bar

I’d be remiss if I didn’t mention the Temple Bar area. While we didn’t stop at the famous Temple Bar itself, the whole area is renowned for its cultural attractions and nightlife.

Frankly, I found the area to be touristy and a bit tacky. However, we did stop for a drink at the Ha’penny Bridge Inn on the outskirts of the neighborhood along the River Liffey with a view of the famous Ha’penny Bridge. This somewhat unassuming pub was a small gem in the middle of the rest of Temple Bar.

Cafe en Seine

For a change of pace from the Irish pubs, head to Cafe en Seine one block over from Grafton Street. As the name implies, Cafe en Seine is a Parisian cafe decorated with turn-of-the-century motifs.

You have the option of sitting inside or in their covered courtyard. The inside is elegantly decorated with art nouveau chandeliers, paintings and a fancy bar while the courtyard is made to look like you’re sitting on a Paris boulevard with different French-themed storefronts along the perimeter.

It’s as close as you can get to a relaxing glass of French wine in Paris without actually being in Paris.

The Ivy

The Ivy is another location for a more sophisticated change of pace from the Irish pub scene. It has a large open feel with floral decorations and plants adorning the interior everywhere you look. There are lots of large, comfortable tables surrounding a central bar area.

We made reservations at The Ivy for their afternoon tea. Despite the service being a little clumsy, the afternoon tea was great and had some delicious scones.

Reservations are encouraged for The Ivy.

My Tips to Have a Great Time in Dublin

I have two recommendations to help you enjoy your time in Dublin to the fullest. Dublin is an exciting city with unique neighborhoods, a thriving food and pub scene, and a rich variety of cultural attractions.

Despite those things, I did have a couple issues with Dublin that left me a little disappointed.

Do Dublin at the Start of Your Trip

Ireland packs a strong punch considering its size. There are more than enough natural wonders and delightful small towns to fill an itinerary yet still leave you wanting more. While Dublin is a fun city, it isn’t the best Ireland has to offer tourists. For that, you have to get out into the countryside.

For that reason, you should plan to visit Dublin at the start of your trip. We spent our time in Dublin after a week driving from one cute town to another. As a result, we both felt a little underwhelmed by the time we reached Dublin. The capital city just can’t compete with the rest of the country. By spending time in Dublin first, you can enjoy what it has to offer before experiencing the best bits of Ireland.

For more about that glorious Irish countryside I keep talking about, give my articles on Inis Mór and Connemara National Park a read!

Frame Your Expectations of Dublin

Similarly, Dublin itself is an interesting capital city. It has the museums and some grand architecture like other European capitals, but it lacks some of the wow factor you get at other capitals. To be fair, I’m not sure Dublin is striving for that aesthetic, yet it still bears mentioning.

Dublin feels very much like a working city with a population trying to earn a living rather than catering to visitors. By no means is that a complaint or saying it’s a bad thing. It’s just important to know what to expect to set appropriate expectations.

Dublin seems like a gritty, blue-collar town, which was not at all what I was expecting. Looking back, I appreciate it for what it is. However, at the time, that, coupled with the fact I saw it at the end of our trip (see my last point), made Dublin feel like a letdown.

Are 3 Days Enough Time in Dublin?

Absolutely. Three days may actually be overkill depending on how much time you have in Ireland.

Your No. 1 priority when planning your Ireland itinerary is to make sure you have enough time in the countryside and smaller towns. Once you have that figured out, then you can use the remaining time in Dublin.

You should spend at least two days in the capital city to get a good feel for the city. Two days will also be enough time to see a few of its must-see attractions while hitting some pubs. I would prioritize seeing The Little Museum of Dublin, EPIC The Irish Emigration Museum, Christ Church Cathedral and the Guinness Storehouse with two days.

If you are planning a longer itinerary, then three days is enough to see more of Dublin’s museums while having more time to relax. There are many more things to do if you want to spend more than three days here, but I recommend using that extra time to get away from the city.

More Posts for Planning Your Trip to Ireland

Here are some of the other itineraries I’ve written for some of Ireland’s charming small towns to help with your planning.

• County Cork
• Dingle
• Doolin
• Galway
• Kilkenny

And don’t miss my 13-day Ireland itinerary tying all these fantastic places together!

Thank you for reading this post. Paul Passing Through is a labor of love to which I’ve dedicated a lot of free time. If you’d like to show your support for my blog, you can Buy Me a Coffee to help fund the future of Paul Passing Through. I appreciate any contributions!

Resources to Book Your Trip to Dublin

Whether you’re looking for tours, hotels or flights, here are some tools to help get you started planning your trip to Dublin!

Look for activities and tours offered through GetYourGuide or Viator!

Still can’t find what you’re looking for? Check out my travel essentials pages for more of my recommendations.

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