Should I spend 3, 4, or 5 days in Dublin?

Should you spend 3, 4, or 5 days in Dublin?

Not sure how much time you'll need in Dublin, Ireland? Most people spend two to five days in Dublin during their visit. After all, the welcoming city will let you grab some drinks at a bar, tour the famous sights and museums, learn about the history of the town, and taste delicious cuisine.

Dublin is the capital city of Ireland. It's filled with historic buildings and a laid back atmosphere. There are several nice parks and many good museums around town. Staying true to reputation, the residents in Dublin are friendly and welcoming. It's the perfect city to find a local pub and enjoy a Guinness with a group of locals.

Do you have 3, 4, or 5 days to visit Dublin? Here's our comprehensive breakdown of how much time you might need for your trip along with some suggestions for things to do.


Is 3 days enough time in Dublin?

Three days is usually not enough time to experience the welcoming city of Dublin, so you may find yourself somewhat rushed. You don't want to miss the chance to grab some drinks at a bar, tour the famous sights and museums, learn about the history of the town, and taste delicious cuisine. You'll likely want more than three days, as many tourists set aside around two to five days for their visit. However, if your schedule is tight, we have a handful of recommendations to make the most of your journey.

How to spend 3 days in Dublin

Don't miss the Guinness Storehouse during your trip to Dublin, as it's one of this destination's most well-known attractions. You should make sure to set aside enough time to see it.

The nightlife scene is very popular here. After dark, head out to one of the many venues around town. Temple Bar is where you'll find the greatest concentration of pubs and nightlife. The city is among the friendliest and most welcoming, and this is seen even in the vibe around town at night.


A few tour suggestions include:

  • Dublin Mountain Pub Tour ( small group Pub Crawl max 15 people) ($73)
  • Dublin Literary Pub Crawl ($19)
  • Classic Irish Pubs Private Tour of Dublin: Live Music, Beer and Nightlife ($136)

Dublin is a walkable city and easy to explore on foot. With only a day in the city, you'll have no trouble seeing the local sights. Because it is so compact and flat, it is easy to explore the city center on foot.

A number of fantastic museums and famous landmarks are found in Dublin, so spend at least one full day exploring those that look the most appealing to you. There are a number of museums around town including the National Museum of Ireland, the Little Museum of Dublin, and the National Gallery of Ireland.


A few tour suggestions include:

  • Irish Rock 'N' Roll Museum Experience Dublin ($23)
  • Dublin day trip to Cliffs of Moher, Ennis Town, Bunratty Castle ($84)
  • The Little Museum of Dublin All-Day Flexi Ticket ($21)

The restaurant and food scene here is top notch, so make sure you spend time at one of the local restaurants where you can taste the delicious cuisine. Seafood has become popular around town, but you can also try traditional favorites like stew, pancakes, or coddle.


A few tour suggestions include:

  • Food on Food: Dublin Street Food Tour with local guide ($29)
  • Dublin 6 Whiskey Tasting & 3 Food Pairing Walking Tour with Local ($83)
  • Dublin Irish Whiskey Museum and Gallery Guided Tour with Tasting ($24)

The public transit in Dublin is fast and efficient. Over the course of a few days, you should be able to explore the city quite easily and affordably. There is a comprehensive bus system around town.

The charming atmosphere and history of the old town area is worth exploring, so spend the day learning about the history and culture of the area. On the south side of the River Liffey are three different historic parts to the city. The Medieval Quarter is the oldest. To the east is Temple Bar, and further east is the Georgian Quarter.


A few tour suggestions include:

  • Dublin Private Walking Tour ($142)
  • A Silent Disco Walking Tour ($19)
  • Haunted Dublin Walking Tour ($24)

Live music is very popular in Dublin, so make sure you spend the evening exploring some of the more popular venues. The best places to hear live music around town are the back street pubs that feature local groups.


A few tour suggestions include:

  • Dublin Traditional Irish Music Walking Tour with Live Performance ($24)
  • Classic Irish Pubs Private Tour of Dublin: Live Music, Beer and Nightlife ($136)
  • Traditional Irish Musical Pub Crawl ($23)

Is 4 days enough time in Dublin?

Many visitors choose to spend around four days in Dublin. This would give you the chance to experience the city's most popular activities and grab some drinks at a bar, tour the famous sights and museums, learn about the history of the town, and taste delicious cuisine. Since many visitors prefer to spend around two to five days here, we have a few suggestions of things to do in the welcoming city.

Dublin Castle, Ireland Dublin Castle, Ireland

How to spend 4 days in Dublin

Having 4 days in Dublin will provide you with more time to take in the best activities in the city.

Shopping in Dublin is very popular, and it's easy to see why. Spend time exploring the many shops and boutiques to find the perfect gift, souvenir, or outfit. Head to Grafton Street to see a number of brand name and local shops. It's a pedestrian street that is fun to wander around.

There are plenty of restaurants you haven't tried yet, so don't miss another amazing meal at local places for lunch and dinner. Try to go out of your way to find the small, locally owned places that offer the charm and ambiance that can only be found in Dublin.

Is 5 days enough time in Dublin?

With five days at your disposal, you'll have more than enough time to take in all that Dublin has to offer, giving you the flexibility to unwind in your hotel or use Dublin as a base for day trips to nearby destinations. You can relax while enjoying the nightlife, the museums and landmarks, and the historic old town at your own pace. We have some suggestions of things to do below, too.

Dublin, Ireland Dublin, Ireland

How to spend 5 days in Dublin

With 5 days in Dublin, you'll have a bit more time to enjoy everything that the city has to offer.

Dublin is large enough to spend at least a full day exploring the local neighborhoods, attractions, and activities found around town. Despite its friendly, small town charm, Dublin is the largest and capital city of Ireland.


A few tour suggestions include:

  • A Unique and Fun 1 Hour city tour of Dublin ($37)
  • Boat Trip from Howth to Dun Laoghaire ($26)
  • Full Coverage Dublin PRIVATE City Tour With Locals ($188)

Because the nightlife scene is so popular here, you'll want to take full advantage of it more than once. From the bars and pubs to the nightclubs, there's something for everyone. Or, get some tickets to another show at the theatre such as a ballet or opera.

More Info

If you're looking for more information about Dublin, we have even more advice to help you plan your journey.

Budget Your Trip is all about finding out how much everything costs so that you can travel cheaper and longer. Created by avid travelers Laurie and Bryan, our goal is to help you plan your next trip on the right budget. With average daily travel costs that are calculated from the budgets of real travelers, plus an analysis of hotel and tour prices, you can find out how much money you need to plan your next adventure. We also have plenty of travel advice, accommodation reviews, and activity suggestions.

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