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If you’re planning a trip to Dublin, Ireland, you’ll need to know how many days to spend. I tend to move fast and get a lot in when traveling, so with 2 days in Dublin Ireland, I was able to see a good number of the enchanting sites on offer. Dublin is the home to some of the best places to see in Ireland. All of which should be added to your 2 days in Dublin itinerary stat! And if you have more than 2 days in Dublin Ireland, I would advise you to check out this complete guide to Dublin that provides even more excellent places to check out!

Getting Around Dublin in 2 Days

Do you need to know how to get around in Dublin? Public transportation is excellent in Ireland, but since I like walking, I didn’t use it other than on one occasion, so you could use this guide as a walking tour of Dublin as well. Note, I did my 2 days in Dublin solo and felt perfectly safe when I did so I highly encourage Dublin as a solo female traveler destination. But if you are looking for tips on transportation, check out this detailed article on how to get around Dublin!

Christ Church Cathedral

First, on your 2 Days in Dublin Ireland itinerary is the Christ Church Cathedral. The Cathedral was founded sometime after 1028 when King Sitric Silkenbeard, the Hiberno-Norse king of Dublin, made a pilgrimage to Rome. This fact makes Christ Church Cathedral originally a Viking church that has stood in the former heart of medieval Dublin for almost 1,000 years!

The Foxy Friars is the nickname for the monks here; yes, I know; it sounds more like a stripper name. Christ Church Cathedral is the older of the city’s two medieval cathedrals, the other being St Patrick’s Cathedral.

You’ll find a crypt (the city’s oldest working structure), Strongbow’s final resting place, a rare copy of the Magna Carta, and their famous mummified cat and rat here. It is a beautiful church, and if you get the tour, they may even let you ring the bells! For that reason alone, it should be one of your things to do in Dublin in 2 days!

Fun fact: They also filmed many scenes of the Tudors here, including Anne Boleyn’s coronation.

Duration: Approx. 1 hour

ADMISSION COST FOR SELF-GUIDED TOUR + AUDIO GUIDE

*Onsite ticket prices. Book online to receive a discount.

€11.50 Adult
€10.00 Senior/Student
€4.00 Child (Under 12)
€27.00 Family (2 Adults + 2 Children)
Free Toddler (Under 4)

(as of March 2024)

2 days in dublin

St. Michan’s

Next on your two days in Dublin itinerary is St. Michan’s, an underappreciated church since it’s less well known, but not one to be missed! The first Christian chapel on this site dates from 1095 and was a Catholic church until the Reformation. Now operating as the Church of Ireland, it dates from 1686 and has served for more than 300 years. Probably the most unique experience I’ve had in a church is when I went into their crypts and got to “shake hands” (rub the finger) of an 800-year-old crusader! It’s supposed to be good luck; else I probably wouldn’t have done it!

Update 2020: Several crypts in St. Michan’s vaults were damaged by vandals in 1996 and again in early 2019. Following the 2019 incident, several mummified remains were desecrated, including the remains of a 400-year-old nun and the decapitation of the 800-year-old crusader whom I shook hands with. Historically, The church vaults were open to tours, receiving approximately 27,000 visitors in 2018. However, following the horrible 2019 incident, these tours were “canceled for the foreseeable future.” I’m sad this unusual experience will no longer be on the 2 days in the Dublin itinerary.

Update 2024: I am thrilled to say that I believe the crypts are now open due to reading through some Tripadvisor reviews recently!

Fun fact: Bram Stoker’s family were parishioners of this church and he was inspired to write Dracula here.

Duration: 35 Minutes

Photo from Andreas F. Borchert

ADMISSION COST FOR GUIDED TOUR

      • €7 – CASH ONLY

(as of March 2024)

St. Patrick's Cathedral 2 days in dublin

St. Patrick’s Cathedral

St. Patrick’s Cathedral, the younger medieval cathedral was founded in 1191 and is the National Cathedral of the Church of Ireland. With its 43-meter (141 ft) spire, St. Patrick’s is Ireland’s tallest church (not Cathedral) and the largest.

Christ Church Cathedral and St. Patrick’s are in a sort of rivalry since each is funded by one of the two leading alcohol distributors, Guinness and Jameson. I can’t recall which is which, but since major reconstruction for St. Patrick’s was paid for by Benjamin Guinness in 1860–65, I’m going to guess they are on the Guinness side. The Guinness family is viewed so highly that they get front-row seats in the church next to the President. What does that tell you?

Duration: Approx. 1 hour

ADMISSION COST

€10.00 Adult
€9.00 Student/Senior (60+)
€4.50 Child (6–12)
€28.00 Family (2 adults & up to 3 children)
Free Infant (<5)

(as of March 2024)

Note: They are part of the Go City Dublin Pass

GUIDED TOURS

You can learn more about the Cathedral by taking one of their free guided tours, which take place regularly throughout the day.

Monday – Saturday: 10:30 & 14:30

Sunday: No guided tours on Sundays

dublin castle ireland

Dublin Castle

Dublin Castle served as a military fortress, a prison, a treasury, and courts of law. For 700 years, from 1204 until independence, it was the seat of English (and then British) rule in Ireland. Rebuilt in the seventeenth, eighteenth, nineteenth, and twentieth centuries, Dublin Castle is now a government complex and hosts state ceremonies.

While Dublin Castle is awesome to look at, I should note that when I went, they said that they didn’t allow the public in as this is where their government is housed. However, I have since heard that they do guided and self-guided tours. So, if you’re looking for a castle in Ireland to tour, double-check online with this one beforehand.

Another great Irish castle to see nearby is Malahide Castle. Until 1922, it was the seat of the British government’s administration in Ireland. The castle was built by the dark pool (“Dubh Linn”) that gave Dublin its name.

Edit 2024: I checked up on Dublin Castle, and it seems they do indeed allow tours. I’m not sure what the deal was when I went back in 2013, but it seems if you’d like to visit now, you can. The state apartments, undercroft, chapel royal, heritage center, and restaurant are open to visitors, so I hope you do add it to your 2 days in Dublin Ireland itinerary!

Duration: 1-1.5 hours

GUIDED TOUR

(1 hour) (State Apartments, Medieval Undercroft, Chapel Royal and Exhibitions)

€12.00 Adult
€10.00 Student/Senior
€6.00 Child
€30.00 Family

SELF-GUIDED

(30 minutes approx) (State Apartments and Exhibitions)

€8.00 Adult
€6.00 Student/Senior
€4.00 Child
€20.00 Family

(as of March 2024)

Kilmainham Gaol

Kilmainham Gaol (Jail) is definitely worth seeing and was my favorite thing I did during my 2 days in Dublin Ireland. It opened in 1796 as the new County Gaol for Dublin. Many Irish revolutionaries, including the leaders of the 1916 Easter Rising, were imprisoned and executed in this prison by the British. As there was no segregation of prisoners, men, women, and children were incarcerated up to 5 in each cell. They were provided only a single candle for light and heat and had to make it last for two weeks. Talk about poor conditions. Kilmainham Gaol closed its doors in 1924.

Fun fact: While also a filming location for several TV shows and films, what is most fascinating about Kilmainham Gaol is the structure itself. “It is possible to see all ninety-six cells from a central viewing area. The use of light was deliberate and philosophical. It was thought that the huge skylight would spiritually inspire the inmates, while the out-of-reach cell windows would encourage them to turn heavenward.”

Even though it is a prison, this interesting design structure makes it almost beautiful in a way as the light really fills the space.

Duration: 1.5 hours

GUIDED TOUR

Kilmainham Gaol is a busy tourist site, so tickets must be pre-booked online. The Gaol can be accessed only by guided tour, with a maximum of 35 people per tour.

€8.00 Adult
€6.00 Senior
€4.00 Student
€20.00 Family (2 adults and 2-3 children under the age of 18)
Children under 12 are free of charge but still require a ticket

(as of March 2024)

national museum reenactment two days in dublin

The National Museum

One of the best things about Dublin is that it’s pretty cheap. Some things are even free, so you can get a lot in for a little with two days in Dublin for cheap! They may ask for a donation, as with The National Museum, but it’s recommended, not mandatory. I will say that I did donate, and please do so if you go. Other than the cost, my favorite part of the National Museum was that the building is just amazing!

The National Museum of Ireland is the country’s leading museum institution, with a strong emphasis on national and international archaeology, Irish history, Irish art, culture, and natural history. It used to house the military, but it’s been a museum for some time now. If you’re lucky, you can see one of their reenactments—I always love reenactments!

Duration: 1-2 hours

ADMISSION COST

Free admission to all their museums!

(as of March 2024)

The Guinness Gravity Bar

I originally wasn’t going to go to the Guinness Storehouse, but everyone I talked to insisted. I hate beer in America, but as they say, it really does taste better in Ireland! While going up seven stories, you learn how they make beer as well as see many of their advertisements over the years. You get a tasting about halfway up, and then when you reach the top, you get to the Guinness Gravity Bar.

The Guinness Gravity Bar has a panoramic view of the city and is a must-see on your 2 days in Dublin Ireland itinerary. When my hostel mates and I went, we were lucky enough to be there on the clearest day they have had in five years! It is definitely worth the view and is one of the most beautiful views in Dublin! Also, you get a free pint of Guinness with a shamrock drawn in the foam! For beer enthusiasts, you can learn how to pour your own pint at the Guinness Academy, but we opted not to.

Fun fact: The building is shaped like a Guinness glass, and if they were to fill it up with beer, there would be three pints of Guinness for every Irish person.

Duration: 1.5-2 hours

GUINNESS STOREHOUSE EXPERIENCES

          • Guinness Storehouse Experience
            €20 per person
            Average Time: 90 mins

          • Guinness Storehouse Experience + Stoutie
            €28 per person
            Average Time: 2 hours

          • Guinness Storehouse Experience + Guinness Academy
            €32 per person
            Average Time: 2 hours

(as of March 2024)

Where to Stay in Dublin on a Budget

I’ve only stayed in Dublin once, but the place I stayed was incredible! I cannot recommend the Generator Hostel Dublin enough! I felt SO safe as a solo female traveler due to their top-notch security. I also made friends with the other girls in my room, some of whom I’ve stayed in contact with since! Lastly, it was very affordable, centrally located, and clean!

Additional Recommendations for 2 Days in Dublin Ireland

1
Temple Bar A busy neighborhood with crowded pubs hosting live folk music and DJ sets and restaurants serving Asian, American, and Irish cuisine.
2
Trinity College Ireland’s oldest university and home to the Book of Kells, a precious 9th-century manuscript filled with ornate Latin text and intricate illustrations. Visitors can also view the Long Room, which is considered one of the world’s most beautiful libraries.
3
Grafton Street Grafton Street is one of the two principal shopping streets in Dublin city centre — the other being Henry Street.
4
Molly Malone Statue Bronze statue of a fictional fishmonger named Molly Malone, the star of a well-known Irish song.

I hope this 2 days in Dublin itinerary helped you figure out what to see during your 2 days in Dublin. Let me know if you have any questions by commenting below.

Looking for a day trip from Dublin?:  Try the Paddywagon Tour

Looking for things to do outside of Dublin?:  Try this 4 Days in Ireland Itinerary

Looking for a cheap place to eat in Dublin?: Try Brazen Head

Looking for vegetarian places to eat in Ireland?: If you’re like me and trying to eat healthier, check out this great list of where to eat vegetarian in Ireland!

Want to remember this? Post this How to Spend 2 Days in Dublin Ireland Cheaply article to your favorite Pinterest board!

2 days in dublin ireland 2 days in dublin ireland

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Michelle is a nerdy wanderluster with a love of history. A thirty-something traveler and occasional female solo traveler who you’ll find road-tripping across the United States or hostel-hopping in Europe. Currently residing in Southern California with a day job in marketing.

Comments:

  • 07/15/2013

    Ahh wow that’s so cool! I thought you could only do shapes in coffee, but beer? Never knew haha.

    reply...

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