When planning my trip to Ireland, I was repeatedly told not to spend too much time in Dublin.
With that in mind, I put together the top seven can’t-miss things to do in Dublin so visitors can get the most out of their visit to the city as quickly as possible.
To be clear, I actually really like Dublin- but I can see why visitors like to head out Ireland’s biggest city to experience the countryside instead!
After your breakneck tour of Dublin, make sure to check out a few of Dublin’s famous pubs- but that’ll be it’s own post.
Stop 1
Take the Express Bus in from Dublin Airport- or a taxi!
I’ve taken the Dublin Express in from the airport both times I’ve visited Dublin and, insanely, the price has remained the same in the ten year interim; €10.
The Express is a dedicated service that goes between the airport and several stops in Dublin City- so there’s more room for your luggage than a regular bus would have! There are plenty of stops in Dublin, so make sure to figure out your closest stop before getting on the bus.
A taxi may be cheaper, and faster, depending on how many people are traveling. Irish Ubers are linked to their taxi services so it’s easy to order a car through the app or otherwise find the taxi stand to book a ride.
Stop 2- Walking Tour
After checking into your hotel, head out to Sandeman’s Free Walking Tour of Dublin. This two hour tour will help you get your bearings in the city and some historical backstory.
I’ll be honest, we ducked out of this tour about halfway through the two hour run time since we were close to St. Patrick’s Cathedral and that was our next stop!
Some guides may be more engaging than others so use your judgement.
Stop 3- St. Patrick’s Cathedral
Dublin’s most famous church is St. Patrick’s Cathedral– it’s the National Cathedral for the whole of Ireland!
The nearby Christchurch Cathedral is stiff competition for Dublin’s most popular church, but if I only had time for one, I’d pick St. Patrick’s!
I’ve seen gothic churches before, but this one was particularly excellent- well worth the €11.50 admission. Spend some time here admiring the pretty tiled floors and the stunning architecture.
Don’t miss the grave of Johnathan Swift- author of Gulliver’s Travels.
Stop 4- Lunch
Let’s get lunch! Two Pup’s Coffee was conveniently close to my hotel (and St. Patrick’s Cathedral), but also genuinely delicious!
I stopped here for lunch, but went back to check out their excellent selection of pastries. I particularly enjoyed their ham and cheese jambon and their almond croissant- though I was fascinated by the concept of their Guinness Cruffin.
There are plenty of seats, and the service is fast and friendly.
As their name implies, they are also pet friendly- though I didn’t see too many pups on my visit.
Stop 5- Teeling Whiskey Distillery
If you’re interested in whiskey, you have to check out Teeling Whiskey Distillery! It’s the first new whiskey distillery to have opened in Dublin in over 125 years.
They offer tours approximately every 20 minutes, starting at €22 per person. I was happy with the first tier of tastings, which came with a whiskey tasting and a whiskey-based cocktail, but true whiskey fans may want to upgrade to a higher tier tour which comes with more whiskey tastings.
The tour is relatively short, and ends at the distillery’s cocktail bar overlooking Newmarket Square. You can even skip the tour and spend an enjoyable hour taste testing the bar menu if you so choose!
Stop 6- Guinness Storehouse
You seriously can’t go to Dublin without a visit to the Guinness Storehouse! I know it seems touristy at first blush, but this was actually one of my favorite activities in the city.
Now I know what you’re thinking- back to back alcohol tours? And my answer is- yes, definitely!
I consider it more of an interactive museum than a brewery tour, and I had such a great time!
Visitors are invited to explore the Storehouse at their own pace, wandering through water fountain displays, the history of brewing set inside a giant beer barrel, Guinness tasting demonstations, and more.
The Gravity Bar with its 360 degree views over Dublin is the main draw for many visitors, and a wonderful place to enjoy a brew- included with your admission ticket!
Stop 7- Book of Kells Experience
Last on the docket is a visit to the Book of Kells.
The Book of Kells Experience is a must for history buffs and readers alike, demonstrating some of the finest examples of medieval art. Only one page of the book is shown each day, so each visitor’s experience tends to be slightly different.
Admission also includes a visit to the Old Library, one of the most beautiful libraries in the world. Keep in mind that most of the books in the library are removed for restoration until approximately 2028.
On my visit, we were lucky enough to see the Gaia installation- a huge rotating Earth suspended amongst the stacks- which was a nice consolation prize.
Don’t skip the digital experience in the Red Pavilion. The 360 projection that tells the story of the history of the Book of Kells is excellent!
Bonus- Marsh’s Library
If the €26 admission for the Book of Kells is a little too steep, try Marsh’s Library for only €8 instead. Just around the corner from St. Patrick’s Cathedral, this library is also stunning and still has all of it’s books in their shelves.
As a bonus, it’s also significantly less crowded.
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