How to Spend 2 Days in Dublin Ireland: First-Timers Guide

If you’re planning to visit Dublin, you’ll need to know what to do in Ireland’s capital. Below is my itinerary for 2 days in Dublin, as that’s the perfect amount of time to spend. Dublin isn’t massive, and I tend to move fast and get a lot in when traveling, so with this limited time, I saw several notable sites.

Home to some of the best places to visit in Ireland, this guide takes you through the top things to do in Dublin in 48 hours. And if you have more time, check out this complete guide to Dublin that provides even more excellent places to check out!

A Note on Seeing Dublin in 2 Days

I did this trip solo and was able to do it comfortably within 2 days. Part of the time, my hostel mates joined me on my travels, but even then, we were able to keep a good but easy pace, which is why I believe 48 hours in Dublin is the perfect amount of time.

However, if you like to stop and smell the roses or are just traveling with a larger group around central Dublin, you may want to tack on another day.

Day 1: Tour Dublin’s Historic Heart

Christ Church Cathedral

First on your two-day itinerary in Dublin 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 the 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. This 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, a tour of this Church should be one of your 2 day Dublin itinerary!

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

St. Michan’s

Next on your 2 day 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 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) with an 800-year-old crusader! It’s supposed to be good luck; otherwise, I 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 day Dublin itinerary.

Update 2024: I am thrilled to say that I believe the crypts are now open after reading some recent Tripadvisor reviews.

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

Grab Lunch in Dublin’s Oldest Pub: Brazen Head

My favorite place I ate while in Dublin was Brazen Head. It is not only Ireland’s oldest pub but also a very affordable place to eat!

Established in 1198, this gastro bar is open seven days a week from noon to late. Food is served until 9 p.m. each evening. They also have live music seven nights a week from 9 p.m. Every Sunday: 3 pm-6 pm.

The Brazen Head is located on Bridge Street, where the original settlement that was to become Dublin got its name.

💡 Travel Tip: If you’re heading to Ireland but have some more time, explore other parts of the country beyond the borders of Dublin. While in Ireland, I took a train to Blarney Castle in Cork and a tour bus to the Cliffs of Moher.

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, making it worth a look during 48 hours in Dublin.

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 Benjamin Guinness paid for major reconstruction for St. Patrick’s 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?

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 this Irish castle is remarkable, 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 on Dublin Castle, and it seems they 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 add it to your 2 days in Dublin itinerary!

Walk Ha’penny Bridge + grab a bite in Temple Bar

Temple Bar is a busy neighborhood with crowded pubs hosting live folk music, DJ sets, and restaurants serving Asian, American, and Irish cuisine.

I only walked through this section of Dublin, but if I were to return, I’d definitely check it out as it’s a bit more lively area—and yes, touristy (but arguably one of Dublin’s most famous buildings)—to grab a bite and a drink.

If you want to check out Ha’penny Bridge, it’s nearby, so swing by before you get a Guinness or two in ya!

Or, if you’re trying to eat healthier, check out this great list of where to eat vegetarian in Ireland!

Day 2: Prison Time, Museums, and Guinness

Kilmainham Gaol

Kilmainham Gaol (Jail) is definitely worth seeing and was my favorite thing to do in Dublin. 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 candle for light and heat and had to make it last two weeks. Talk about poor conditions. Kilmainham Gaol closed its doors in 1924.

While also a filming location for several TV shows and films, what is most fascinating about this jail is the structure itself.

Fun fact: “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, as the light really fills the space.

The National Museum

One of the best things about Dublin is that it’s pretty cheap. Some things are free, so you can get a lot in for a little 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. Besides the cost, my favorite part of the Museum was the building—it is amazing!

It’s also Ireland’s leading museum institution. It strongly emphasizes national and international archaeology, Irish history, Irish art, culture, and natural history. The museum used to house the military, but it has been a museum for some time.

If you’re lucky, you can see one of their reenactments—I always love reenactments!

Alt: Trinity College

Ireland’s oldest university and home to the Book of Kells, a famous medieval manuscript from the 9th century filled with ornate Latin text and intricate illustrations. Visitors can also view the Long Room, considered one of the world’s most beautiful libraries.

I regret not visiting here during my 2 days in Dublin, but I made this trip long before I was obsessed with beautiful libraries! If you, too, are obsessed, check out my post on the Austrian National Library.

Lunch at One of Dublin’s Traditional Pubs

In addition to the Brazen Head, which I’ve mentioned above and was my favorite Irish pub, there are a lot of establishments to grab a bite and pint (or an Irish whiskey; they are a part of Dublin’s drinking culture), so here are the ten oldest pubs in Dublin for you to check out! Some of which are located in the Temple Bar district.

I highly recommend you try some traditional Irish food, such as Irish stew and soda bread.

Just don’t drink too much before your next destination on this 2 days in Dublin itinerary!

The Guinness Storehouse

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 of the Guinness Factory, you learn how they make beer and 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.

This Bar has a panoramic view of the city and is a must-see on your 2 days in Dublin itinerary. When my hostel mates and I went, we were lucky enough to be there on the clearest day they had had in five years! It is worth the visit and has 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 Guinness Storehouse 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.

Stroll Grafton Street

Grafton Street is one of the two principal shopping streets in Dublin’s city center — the other being Henry Street.

My hostel mates and I went down this street to check out some shops and grab a bite. It’s a cute place to hang out if you’ve got a bit of extra time. You can also see the Molly Malone Statue nearby.

Additional Things to Do in Dublin

Jameson Distillery

Bow St. is the original site where Jameson Irish Whiskey was distilled until 1971. It is now a visitors center that provides guided distillery tours, tutored whiskey tastings, a JJ’s bar, and a gift shop.

And if you stay at the hostel I recommend below, you’ll be within a stone’s throw of it!

St Stephen’s Green

When I visited Dublin, I recall it was a warm day ‘for Dublin,’ as I had come in from California. Many locals were sunbathing in St Stephen’s Green and having picnics as it’s a public park located in the city center of Dublin.

Surprisingly, St. Stephen’s Green was pivotal during the 1916 Easter Rising, a key event in the fight for Irish independence.

Irish Whiskey Museum

This museum, located in a historic Dublin building on Grafton Street, offers an unbiased history of Irish whiskey and its importance in Ireland’s past. You can take a tour or opt for the Whiskey Blending Experience.

Where to Stay in Dublin on a Budget

Generator Hostel Dublin

I’ve only stayed in Dublin once, but the place I stayed was incredible! I cannot recommend the Generator Hostel Dublin enough. Due to their top-notch security, I felt SO safe as a solo female traveler. We had a swipe card to get in and out of the building and our rooms. At a certain hour in the evening, it was required to swipe into the hostel, which meant that not anyone could just come in at night.

The staff was very attentive and kind. As I mentioned above, I also made friends with the other girls in my room, some of whom I’ve stayed in contact with since! Of course, no one can guarantee you’ll get along as swimmingly as we did, but I remember this place fondly partly because of them.

The Generator hostel’s location was central to everything I wanted to see, making it easy to walk to all the attractions. Most sites are only a short walk across the River Liffey. It’s also literally around the corner from the Jameson Distillery. I’m still kicking myself to this day for not going.

The only issue I recall from my time there is that the music was a little loud at night due to the events they host in the evenings, but this may have changed, so make sure to check recent reviews on Hostelworld.

Lastly, it was affordable and clean, making it my favorite place to stay on a budget!

Click here for the latest prices.

If you’re looking for another hostel recommendation, check out Jacob’s Inn Hostel in Dublin.

Getting to Dublin from the Airport

Dublin Airport is located just over 6 miles (10km) north of Dublin, and it is accessible by bus, taxi, car, or walking (if you really, really want to). When I visited Dublin solo and on a budget, I took the bus, as over 1,000 buses and coaches go to and from the airport daily. 

Buses operate from stops just a short walking distance from the airport terminals and are super easy to find. There’s even a map of Dublin Airport bus zones, bus stops, and the location of bus operators. You can buy bus tickets online from a range of operators. Dublin Bus Route 41, serving the city center via Dublin Airport, operates on a 24-hour basis.

How to Get Around Dublin + Map

Public transport is excellent in Ireland, but since I like walking, I didn’t use it other than on one occasion during my 2 days in Dublin. This guide could also be a walking tour for when you visit Dublin!

Even thought it is a walkable city, if you are looking for tips on transportation, check out this detailed article.

2 Days in Dublin Itinerary FAQ

Final Thoughts on 2 Days in Dublin

I highly recommend visiting Dublin, especially as a destination for solo female travelers, because it’s lovely, convenient, and fun! I have such fond memories of my time here and have heard nothing but wonderful stories from other travelers about their experiences as well.

Sincerely, I hope this itinerary helps you decide what to do in Dublin, Ireland. Please comment below if you have any questions or if I’ve missed something you love about Dublin!

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

Want to remember this? Pin this How to Spend 2 Days in Dublin, Ireland: First-Timers Guide article to your favorite Pinterest board!