Planning a trip to Ireland’s capital? This Dublin itinerary covers the best things to do in Dublin, live music spots, incredible restaurants, and unforgettable day trips across Ireland.
Whether you’re visiting for a weekend or spending a full week exploring Ireland, Dublin has the perfect mix of history, entertainment, and scenic adventures to keep you busy.
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Best Activities to Add to Your Dublin Itinerary
Tour Kilmainham Gaol
The Kilmainham Gaol tour was one of my favorite tours that I’ve ever taken while traveling.
Learn about the fascinating history of the jail that housed leaders involved in Irish rebellions and independence movements.
Tickets sell out quickly, so reserve your spot early.
Take a Dublin Walking Tour
One of the best ways to start your Dublin itinerary is with a walking tour through the city center. Dublin is extremely walkable, and a guided tour helps you learn about Irish history, rebellions, literature, and local culture while getting familiar with the city layout.
- Classic Dublin Walking Tour – book this tour if you are interested in learning about the must-see spots in Dublin
- Dark Dublin Walking Tour – book this tour if you are interested in learning about Dublin’s dark past including serial killers, ghosts, and more
Visit the Book of Kells
The Book of Kells is one of the most famous attractions in Dublin. Visit the famous Long Room library, which feels straight out of a movie.
This attraction is extremely popular, so booking tickets in advance is highly recommended.
Visit the Guinness Storehouse
No Dublin itinerary is complete without visiting the Guinness Storehouse.
Even if you are not a huge beer drinker, the experience is interactive and entertaining. You’ll learn about the brewing process and the history behind Guinness. Don’t miss the Gravity Bar, which offers panoramic views across Dublin.
Take a Distillery Tour
You could check out the ever popular Jameson Distillery tour, or visit one of the smaller distilleries listed below.
- Stillgarden Distillery
- Pearse Lyons Distillery
Relax in Phoenix Park
Phoenix Park is one of the largest urban parks in Europe and a great place to escape the busy city center. The park is known for its wild deer, walking trails, and large open green spaces.
Visit Howth
Interested in seeing some coastal beauty near Dubin? Howth makes a great half-day trip.
Popular things to do in Howth include:
- Walking the cliffs
- Exploring the harbor
- Watching seals near the marina (don’t get too close to them, seals can carry an antibiotic resistant bacteria in their mouths which can be dangerous to humans if bitten)
- Eating fresh seafood
You can go on your own or take a guided tour.
Watch the Belvedere Show
The Belvedere Irish Night combines traditional Irish dancing, live music, and dinner into one entertaining evening. It’s touristy, but still a fun way to experience Irish music and dance during your Dublin itinerary.
Best Day Tours For Your Dublin Itinerary
Cliffs of Moher Day Tour
If you don’t have enough time to stay in Galway, don’t worry, you can still see the famous Cliffs of Moher. There’s a number of full-day tours from Dublin, but I would recommend taking this tour from Galway instead that also includes a visit to the Aran Islands.
Northern Ireland Day Tour
Many Northern Ireland day tours from Dublin include:
- Belfast
- Giant’s Causeway
- Dark Hedges
- Scenic coastal viewpoints
- Titanic Museum
This is one of the most popular full-day tours from Dublin.
Wicklow, Glendalough, and Kilkenny Tour
This scenic tour typically includes:
- The Wicklow Mountains
- Glendalough
- Kilkenny
- Stops throughout the Irish countryside
It’s one of the best day trips for travelers wanting castles, mountains, and historic villages.
Restaurants to Add to Your Dublin Itinerary
Boxty
A great place to try traditional Irish dishes like Irish stew, boxty pancakes, and seafood chowder.
The Millstone Restaurant
Known for classic Irish cuisine in a cozy setting near Temple Bar. Highly recommend the steak.
Temple Bar Inn Restaurant
A delicious restaurant option if you’re staying near Temple Bar.
Fish Shack Cafe
Popular for fish and chips and fresh seafood.
Il Vicoletto
A highly rated Italian restaurant known for fresh pasta and cozy atmosphere.
Rosa Madre
An excellent seafood-focused Italian restaurant in Temple Bar.
SOLE Seafood & Grill
One of Dublin’s top seafood restaurants and ideal for a nicer dinner during your trip.
Best Live Music For Your Dublin Itinerary
Dublin’s pub scene is one of the highlights of visiting Ireland. Many pubs feature traditional Irish music nightly.
Some of the best spots for live music include:
- The Temple Bar Pub
- The Old Storehouse
- The Hairy Lemon
- Whelan’s
- Bruxelles
Temple Bar is the most famous nightlife area in Dublin, but you can find live music throughout the city.
Where to Stay in Dublin
- Temple Bar Inn Hotel – affordable, excellent hospitality, and delicious restaurant onsite
- Mercantile Hotel – centrally located within walking distance of many top sights
- The Chancery Hotel – a modern hotel with stylish rooms and higher price tag
Final Thoughts on This Dublin Itinerary
This Dublin itinerary combines historical tours, haunted history, distilleries, live music, coastal scenery, and incredible food into one unforgettable trip.
From exploring Kilmainham Gaol to listening to live Irish music in a crowded pub, Dublin offers a lot to do. Add in scenic day trips to places like the Cliffs of Moher or Northern Ireland, and it’s easy to see why Dublin is one of Europe’s most popular city destinations.