36 Hours In Dublin, Ireland - Updated 2024

36 hours in dublin
Anne
Anne 
Updated
| 4 min read

The capital of the Republic of Ireland, Dublin lies on the east coast of the country at the mouth of the River Liffey. The historic city includes many interesting sights to see, including the 13th-century Dublin Castle with its museums and cafes and the 12th-century St. Patrick’s Cathedral. Find out about the history and culture of Ireland in the National Museum in the city or explore the lovely parks, including Phoenix Park, which hosts Dublin Zoo, or St. Stephen’s Green. Also of interest is the Guinness Storehouse, which outlines the story of this famous beer, with tastings available and a rooftop bar. For those with limited time to explore the city, the following is an itinerary for 36 hours in Dublin, Ireland.

Day 1: Afternoon — Head to Dublin’s Temple Bar district for lunch (from USD 167.0)

TEMPLE BAR - DUBLIN
Source: Photo by user William Murphy used under CC BY-SA 2.0

Explore the Temple Bar neighborhood​ of Dublin, with its cobbled lanes and quaint boutiques selling local arts and crafts and fashion clothing. While there pop into the National Photographic Archive with its pictorial history of Ireland or the Temple Bar Gallery and Studios, exhibiting contemporary art. Enjoy lunch in one of the riverside restaurants like Quay, with its traditional Irish menu, or head to I Monelli, an Italian restaurant with vegetarian and vegan options. The Boxty House serves seafood and Irish cuisine and also has a range of dishes for vegetarians and vegans.

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Dublin Private Tour with a Local Guide

Duration: 3 hours

4 reviews

Day 1: Late afternoon — Visit the Guinness Storehouse

Guinness Storehouse exterior 3
Source: Photo by Wikimedia Commons user Steven Lek used under CC BY-SA 4.0

Learn the history of Guinness beer and how it is made while exploring each of the seven floors of the Guinness Storehouse, which is located in the St. James’s Gate Brewery in Dublin. When you get to the top floor, enjoy the perfect pint of Guinness in the famous Gravity Bar with expansive views over the city.

Guinness Storehouse

Address: St James’s Gate, Ushers, Dublin 8, Ireland

Hours: 9:30 AM–5:00 PM

Website: Guinness Storehouse

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Day 1: Night — Slip into Ireland's oldest pub, Brazen Head, for some live music and drinks

D-day is here! The Irish Pub Awards are tonight and we are honoured and excited to be nominated! Good luck to The Brazen Head and all nominees ??????

Posted by The Brazen Head on Wednesday, 21 November 2018

Enjoy dinner and drinks at the Brazen Head, Ireland’s oldest pub which dates back to 1198. The lantern-lit pub was historically a meeting place for rebels in the city and has an award-winning restaurant. While there, be entertained by live Irish music sessions. A visit here is a true historic Ireland experience.

Brazen Head

Address: 20 Lower Bridge St, Merchants Quay, Dublin, Ireland

Hours: Monday–Thursday, 10:30 AM–12:00 AM, Friday and Saturday, 10:30 AM–12:30 AM, Sunday 12:30 PM–12:00 AM

Website: Brazen Head

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Day 2: Morning — Have a traditional Irish brunch at Green 19

It's nearly the weekend guys. Don't miss out on the sexiest Brunch in Dublin! #green19 #camdenstreet #dublin #brunch #3hailmarys #prosecco #ireland #eggs #digin

Posted by Green 19 on Thursday, 20 April 2017

Enjoy a full Irish brunch at Green 19, including sausage, bacon, black pudding, tomato, patatas bravas and eggs done just how you like them. If that is too much food to handle, the award-winning restaurant also offers delicious French toast, corned beef hash, truffled poached duck eggs and other delights.

Green 19

Address: 19 Camden Street Lower, Dublin, Ireland

Hours: Sunday 12:00 PM–10:00 PM, Monday–Thursday, 11:00 AM–10:00 PM, Friday and Saturday 11:00 AM–11:00 PM

Price for two: 22–40 EUR (25–45 USD)

Website: Green 19

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Dublin (Region) Tour Guide

Diana M

Diana M

Hi there! I am Diana :) My passion in life (next to my loved ones) is travelling and meeting new people, showing others the beauty of the world, art in various forms. My private guided day tours are experiences that are unique and are a great way to do an interesting activity without being overwhelmed. You get to do something only few other travellers would get to do and a chance to gain a loc... Read more

Tours by Diana

Dublin (Region) Tour Guide

Dave Kavanagh

Dave Kavanagh

Hello, My name is Dave and I am a local and national licensed Tour guide in Dublin, I operate walking tours taking you to some of Dublin's most iconic landmarks and buildings while discussing our great heritage and culture, we are known here in Ireland for our storytelling so expect lots of great stories on this tour.

Tours by Dave

Dublin (Region) Tour Guide

Alan

Alan

Dublin (Region) Tour Guide

Anne Browne

Anne Browne

Hi - I’m Anne - a native Dubliner. I love this ancient city and am passionate about sharing the history and hidden gems. We have cathedrals, Georgian architecture, castles, distilleries, museums, libraries. Let me show you where the Vikings arrived and founded Dublin 1000 years ago. I also like to visit Wicklow and Newgrange - prehistoric sites an hour from Dublin. I always ensure visitors hav... Read more

Tours by Anne

Day 2: Afternoon — Walk off your brunch by touring St. Patrick’s Cathedral, Christ Church Cathedral and Dublin Castle

St. Patrick’s Cathedral

St Patrick's Cathedral Exterior, Dublin, Ireland - Diliff
Source: Photo by Wikimedia Commons user Diliff used under CC BY-SA 3.0

Founded in 1191, St. Patrick’s Cathedral is the National Cathedral of the Church of Ireland. It is also the tallest church in the country, with its 43-meter (141-foot) spire. Enjoy a tour of this beautiful church, where St. Patrick baptized Christian converts more than 1,500 years ago. Of interest to note, the term “chancing your arm” originates from St. Patrick’s Cathedral, after Gerald Mor FitzGerald, the 8th Earl of Kildate, thrust his arm through a hole in a door to shake hands and attempt a truce with James, Earl of Ormond, in 1492. The hole can still be seen to this day.

St. Patrick’s Cathedral

Address: St Patrick’s Close, Wood Quay, Dublin 8, Ireland

Website: St. Patrick’s Cathedral

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Christ Church Cathedral (from USD 12.0)

This beautiful Cathedral is known more formally as The Cathedral of the Holy Trinity and is one of the oldest buildings in Dublin. It has been a place of pilgrimage for nearly 1,000 years. The cathedral is known for its striking architectural features and floor tiles. The Medieval Crypt in the cathedral is the largest of its kind in Ireland and can be seen under the cathedral. Of interest here is a mummified cat and rat, both of which were trapped in the church’s organ during the 1860s.

Christ Church Cathedral

Address: Christchurch Place, Dublin 8, Ireland

Tip from tour guide

Alan

Alan
Dublin

The tomb of Anglo-Norman knight Richard de Clare

When you're in the cathedral, stop by the tomb of Anglo-Norman knight Richard de Clare, better known as Strongbow. On August 23, over 850 years ago, he landed in Ireland and played a vital role in shaping the history of Dublin.

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Dublin Christ Church Cathedral Admission Ticket

Duration: 45 to 60 minutes

229 reviews

Dublin Castle

The Dubhlinn Gardens Dublin Castle 01
Source: Photo by Wikimedia Commons user J.-H. Janßen used under CC BY-SA 3.0

Dublin Castle was built in 1230 by King John of England and was a defense center at the time. The castle has also been used by the Royal Mint and has been a police headquarters. The attractive castle grounds are a major attraction during a guided tour where your will learn about the Record Tower and the history of the castle. Explore the State Bedrooms, State Apartments, State Drawing Room, the Medieval Undercroft, the Chapel Royal and the Throne Room.

Hours: Price: Adults: 4.50 EUR (5 USD)

Dublin Castle

Address: Dame Street, Dublin 2, Ireland

Hours: Monday–Friday, 10 AM–4:45 PM, Saturday & Sunday, 2 PM–4:45 PM

Price: Adults: 4.50 EUR (5 USD)

Website: Dublin Castle

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Day 2: Evening — Meander down Grafton Street and pick up some souvenirs

Grafton St, Dublin
Source: Photo by Wikimedia Commons user Donaldytong used under CC BY-SA 3.0

Grafton Street is one of two shopping streets in Dublin’s city center. It is considered to be the fifth most expensive shopping street in the world. Grafton Street was named for the illegitimate son of Charles II of England, Henry Fitzroy, the 1st Duke of Grafton. While strolling the street, enjoy performances by various buskers, window shop in the many high-end stores or get some souvenirs to take home. There are also numerous restaurants, cafes and pubs in the area.

Grafton Street

Address: Grafton Street, Dublin, Ireland

Website: Grafton Street

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Day 2: Night — Book a table at The Winding Stair and enjoy some after-dinner drinks at The Palace Bar

The Winding Stair Bookshop & Café, Dublin


Enjoy dinner at The Winding Stair Bookshop & Café, a traditional Irish restaurant which overlooks the River Liffey and Ha'Penny Bridge. The cafe was named after the Yeats poem and became a landmark in Dublin in the 1970s and 1980s. The cafe is a popular meeting place in the city for musicians, artists and writers. Enjoy tasty, old-fashioned home cooking made from locally-sourced produce. There is a beer menu listing the products of local and international microbreweries and an excellent boutique wine list. Browse the bookshop downstairs, which retains the old bookshelves, memories and photos.

The Winding Stair

Address: 40 Lower Ormond Quay, North City, Dublin 1, D01 R9Y5, Ireland

Hours: 12:00 PM–5:00 PM, 5:30 PM–10:30 PM

Price: 42–80 EUR (48–91 USD)

Website: The Winding Stair

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The Palace Bar, Dublin

Posted by The Palace Bar on Thursday, 2 February 2012

The Palace Bar is a Victorian bar established in 1823 and one of the oldest pubs in Dublin. The bar features a timeless ambience and a beautiful, stained-glass skylight. Enjoy Irish music sessions while drinking the best local beers and wines. Watch sporting events in the popular upstairs bar.

The Palace Bar

Address: 21 Fleet St, Temple Bar, Dublin 2, Ireland

Hours: Monday–Thursday 10:30AM–11:30PM, Friday and Saturday 10:30AM–12:30AM, Sunday 12:30–11:30PM

Prices: Moderate

Website: The Palace Bar

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Have fun on your brief trip to Dublin, Ireland

Enjoy taking in the historic sights of Dublin, while dining on traditional Irish fare and listening to traditional Irish music in the pubs of the city.

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Any must-sees we missed? Tell us about them in the comments section or write a post here to help out fellow travelers!
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Anne Sewell was born in England, but has spent most of her life in Africa - Malawi, Zimbabwe and South Africa - and now resides on the beautiful Costa del Sol in southern Spain. She loves writing...Read more

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