Should I spend 1 or 2 weeks in Dublin?
Should you spend 1 or 2 weeks 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 friendly city will let you grab some drinks at a bar, tour the famous sights and museums, learn about the history of the town, and enjoy the live music scene.
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 one or two weeks 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 one week enough time in Dublin?
One week is more than enough time to see pretty much everything in Dublin. You can move at your own pace and relax in your hotel. You could also use Dublin as a base for exploring the nearby destinations. You'll find some great day trips in the region.
How to spend a week 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:
- Afternoon Dublin Mountain Pub Tour(small group pub crawl max 15) ($75)
- Dublin Epic Pub Crawl: Experience Dublin's pubs and nightlife ($15)
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:
- Book of Kells, Dublin Castle, Christ Church Cathedral Tour ($72)
- The Little Museum of Dublin All-Day Flexi Ticket ($21)
- Dublin in a Day: Book of Kells, Guinness, Distillery & Castle ($148)
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:
- Wicklow Scenic and Musical History Coach Tour ($59)
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 ($158)
- A Silent Disco Walking Tour ($20)
- Walking tour in Merrion Square Park - Dublin Rogues Tour ($27)
You can't miss out on tasting the fantastic cuisine at one of the best restaurants in town, so make sure you find somewhere special for lunch or dinner. Seafood has become popular around town, but you can also try traditional favorites like stew, pancakes, or coddle.
A few tour suggestions include:
- Delicious Dublin Food Tour ($82)
- Dublin Irish Whiskey Museum and Gallery Guided Tour with Tasting ($25)
- Dublin Walking Food Tour With Secret Food Tours ($115)
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.
As the live music scene is so popular in Dublin, make sure you spend another evening finding more of the area's best places to take in a show. Often, many of the local venues are near one another, so you can hop from place to place.
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:
- Luxury Tour Of Waterford Crystal & Kilkenny City Tour ($213)
- Full Coverage Dublin PRIVATE City Tour With Locals ($232)
- Boat Trip from Dublin City to Dun Laoghaire ($27)
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.
After you've explored most of Dublin, take a day trip to one of the many beautiful destinations nearby.
A few tour suggestions include:
- Northern Ireland Highlights Day Trip Including Giant's Causeway from Dublin ($96)
- Titanic Belfast Experience,Giant’s Causeway, Dunluce Castle Day Trip from Dublin ($96)
- Kilkenny, Wicklow Mountains, Glendalough, Sheep Dog Trials, Day Trip from Dublin ($50)
As the live music scene is so popular in Dublin, make sure you spend another evening finding more of the area's best places to take in a show. Often, many of the local venues are near one another, so you can hop from place to place.
Dublin is such a huge city that you can easily spend another day in one of the neighborhoods that you haven't visited. Look for those hidden gems and local spots where most tourists don't go. Or, pick another neighborhood with local charm that you haven't fully explored yet.
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.
Is 2 weeks enough time in Dublin?
Two weeks provides ample opportunity to explore the entirety of Dublin at your own pace to grab some drinks at a bar, tour the famous sights and museums, learn about the history of the town, and enjoy the live music scene. Then you can use the city as a convenient base for venturing into nearby destinations where you'll discover exciting day trip options.
Dublin Castle, Ireland
How to spend 2 weeks in Dublin
With 2 weeks in Dublin, you'll have plenty of time to enjoy everything the city has to offer at your own relaxed pace. You'll want to spend plenty of time experiencing the city's neighborhoods and hopping around the bars and clubs. You can also relax at your hotel, or casually explore this city looking for hidden gems. Also, consider taking some day trips to nearby destinations where you can explore more of the region.
A few trip suggestions:
- Northern Ireland Highlights Day Trip Including Giant's Causeway from Dublin ($96)
- Titanic Belfast Experience,Giant’s Causeway, Dunluce Castle Day Trip from Dublin ($96)
- Kilkenny, Wicklow Mountains, Glendalough, Sheep Dog Trials, Day Trip from Dublin ($50)
- (Small Group) Shore Tour from Dublin:Dublin Highlights and Glendalough Day Trip ($119)
More Info
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