Dublin’s story begins with Viking longboats and grows through Georgian elegance to today’s creative capital of the Emerald Isle. Cobblestoned streets, colorful doors, and the River Liffey set the scene for a city that balances literary heritage with contemporary food, coffee, and music.

From Trinity College’s Book of Kells to the Guinness Storehouse, culture sits shoulder-to-shoulder with cozy cafés, sea swims, and cliff walks. A short hop by DART train brings you to harbors like Howth and Sandycove, while the Wicklow Mountains and Glendalough monastic valley are a restorative day trip away.

Practical notes: Dublin is wonderfully walkable—pack layers for brisk coastal breezes and intermittent showers. Tipping is modest (10% in restaurants if service isn’t included). For value, mix free museums (National Gallery, Chester Beatty) with pubs serving hearty Irish dishes and neighborhood bakeries for breakfast.

Dublin

Affectionately called “the fair city,” Dublin is compact, friendly, and full of character—from the Georgian squares of the southside to the market streets and trad-music pubs north of the Liffey. Neighborhoods like Stoneybatter, Smithfield, and Portobello reward slow wandering and café-hopping.

Top sights include Trinity College and the Book of Kells, Dublin Castle, St. Patrick’s Cathedral, Kilmainham Gaol, and the Guinness Storehouse. For a sea-air reset, hop to Howth for cliff trails and seafood shacks or to Sandycove for a dip at the Forty Foot and a stroll on Dun Laoghaire’s pier.

• Stay: Search centrally around Stephen’s Green, Merrion Square, Smithfield, and Grand Canal Dock for easy walks to most sights.
• Eat & drink: Dublin’s culinary scene blends classic Irish ingredients and modern techniques—think brown bread and oysters, slow-braised beef and seasonal veg, plus an ever-evolving specialty coffee scene.
• Fun fact: Dublin’s iconic doors were painted bright colors, lore says, so tipsy residents wouldn’t wander into the wrong homes.

Where to book your stay

• The Shelbourne, Autograph Collection (5-star classic on St. Stephen’s Green)
• The Merrion Hotel (elegant Georgian townhouses, serene courtyard)
• Clayton Hotel Burlington Road (great value, walkable to the canal and Green)
• Generator Dublin (stylish budget base in Smithfield)
• More hotels on Hotels.com or apartments on VRBO.

Getting there and around

• Flights: For flights within or to/from Europe, compare on Omio. Coming from outside Europe, check Trip.com for global routes to Dublin (DUB). Typical taxi into the center runs ~€30–40; the airport bus options cost ~€8–€12.
• Trains/Buses: For intercity and regional planning, use Omio trains and Omio buses. The coastal DART to Howth or Sandycove takes ~30 minutes each way (about €6–€9 return).
• Local transit: Leap Visitor Card gives unlimited bus, tram, and DART travel for a set number of days—great value if you’ll be moving around.

Day 1: Arrival, First Stroll, and a Riverfront Welcome

Afternoon: Arrive, check in, and take an easy orientation loop: Grafton Street buskers, St. Stephen’s Green, and Merrion Square’s colorful doors. Duck into the National Gallery (free) for an hour—Jack B. Yeats to Vermeer in compact, digestible galleries.

Evening: Dinner at The Winding Stair (seasonal Irish—think cockles, smoked fish, and brown bread—overlooking the Ha’penny Bridge). For a classic first pint, Kehoe’s draws a lively after-work crowd; Grogan’s is for stout and toasted sandwiches under literary portraits. Early night to beat jet lag.

Day 2: Hidden Gems and Neighborhood Flavor

Morning: Breakfast at Brother Hubbard North (Middle Eastern-leaning plates, superb house-baked breads) or Bread 41 (cult bakery—cardamom buns and excellent coffee). Wander George’s Street Arcade’s indie stalls.

Afternoon: Join the Dublin Highlights and Hidden Gems Guided Walking Tour for local storytelling through lanes, markets, and lesser-known plazas—ideal for getting your bearings without rushing. Expect engaging guides who are often creatives themselves.

Evening: Dinner at Etto (small plates—veal and pork meatballs, stellar wine list) or Uno Mas (Spanish-leaning sibling: boquerones, Iberian pork). Nightcap at The Stag’s Head—Victorian snugs and cut glass.

Day 3: Trinity, Book of Kells, and Castle Quarter

Morning: Coffee at Shoe Lane (Parliament St) and aim early for Trinity College to view the Book of Kells and the Long Room library; morning slots are quieter. Meander through campus courtyards to College Green.

Afternoon: Cross to Dublin Castle’s State Apartments and the excellent Chester Beatty (free; world-class manuscripts and art). Lunch at Tang (bright, veg-forward bowls and flatbreads) or The Pepper Pot in Powerscourt Townhouse (sandwiches on their legendary soda bread).

Evening: Treat yourself at Spitalfields (updated Irish comfort—Coddle croquettes, beef-and-bone-marrow pies) or keep it casual with Bunsen (short, perfect burger menu). For trad music, O’Donoghue’s on Merrion Row often hosts lively sessions.

Day 4: Stoneybatter and Phoenix Park, Like a Local

Morning: Proper Order Coffee Co. in Stoneybatter pulls precision shots; take a leisurely walk to Phoenix Park—one of Europe’s largest city parks—where deer occasionally graze near tree-lined avenues.

Afternoon: National Museum of Decorative Arts & History (Collins Barracks) is a free, spacious browse; if you’re traveling with kids or love animals, Dublin Zoo sits within Phoenix Park. Lunch at L. Mulligan Grocer (gastropub—black pudding Scotch eggs, Irish beef).

Evening: Fish Shop (Queen St) is a tiny seafood gem—lightly battered hake and natural wines. Catch uncompromising trad and folk at The Cobblestone in Smithfield; go early as the back room fills fast.

Day 5: Howth Head—Cliffs, Seabirds, and Harbor Eats

Morning: Take the DART to Howth (about 30 minutes), or let a guide lead with the Howth Coastal Half-Day Bus Tour from Dublin—great for stories, viewpoints, and an easy-paced walk along the cliffs.

Afternoon: Reward the walk with seafood: Octopussy’s for tapas-style plates or King Sitric for sit-down, harbor-view dining. Stroll the pier to spot seals and browse the fishmongers.

Evening: Back in town, dinner at Matt the Thresher (oysters, Dublin Bay prawns) or Searsons on Baggot Street for a relaxed pint and hearty plates.

Day 6: Coffee, Liberties Heritage, and the Home of Guinness

Morning: Start at 3fe (Grand Canal) for benchmark specialty coffee and a pastry. Walk the Liberties—old weavers’ lanes and modern distilleries—to St. James’s Gate.

Afternoon: Book the Guinness Storehouse Experience for interactive brewing history and a perfectly poured pint in the 360-degree Gravity Bar. Expect ~2–3 hours; tickets are typically ~€30–€35 depending on time/date.

Evening: If you prebook Kilmainham Gaol (powerful, moving), it pairs well geographically; otherwise linger in the Liberties. Dinner at Arthur’s (comforting pub fare and frequent live music) or Ryan’s of Parkgate Street (Victorian bar, steaks and oysters).

Day 7: Full-Day Escape—Wicklow Mountains, Glendalough, and Kilkenny

Let someone else do the driving on the Dublin to Glendalough, Wicklow and Kilkenny Full Day Guided Tour. Walk the lakes and monastic ruins at Glendalough, gaze across heathered hills, and wander Kilkenny’s medieval lanes and castle grounds. Expect an early start, 12–13 hours total, and ~€65–€85 per person depending on inclusions.

Day 8: South Bay: Sea Swim, Pier Walks, and Hill Views

Morning: If it’s Sunday, browse the People’s Park Market in Dún Laoghaire; otherwise grab coffee at Bear Market and walk the East Pier to watch ferries and anglers. Brisk dip at the Forty Foot in Sandycove for the brave—then warm up with tea.

Afternoon: Lunch at Hartley’s (classic seafood, vintage station setting) or The Purty Kitchen (historic tavern, hearty mains). Ride a stop or two to Killiney; ascend Killiney Hill for sweeping views of Dublin Bay and the Wicklow coast.

Evening: Dalkey is lovely at dusk—pub-hop between Finnegan’s and The Queen’s or book DeVille’s for French-Irish comfort. DART back to the city (~30 minutes).

Day 9: Galleries, Design Shops, and Easy Eats

Morning: Network Café (Aungier St) for seasonal brunch plates or Vice Coffee Inc. for espresso. Pop into Irish Design Shop and the nearby Powerscourt Townhouse for Irish-made ceramics, textiles, and gifts.

Afternoon: Choose between the National Gallery (free) or IMMA (modern art in a leafy setting). Lunch at Umi Falafel (crispy sabiche, sharing salads) or Pi Pizza (Neapolitan pies; short, excellent menu). Grab sweet treats from Murphy’s Ice Cream (Dingle sea salt is a favorite).

Evening: Literary pub trail: The Palace Bar (Fleet Street) and The Long Hall (exquisite Victorian interior). For dinner, Brother Hubbard North (spiced lamb, great vegetarian choices) offers value and flavor without fuss.

Day 10: River Views, Last Tastes, and Departure

Morning: Final breakfast at Bread 41—arrive early for pastries—and a stroll across the Ha’penny Bridge for photos. Pick up souvenirs at the Kilkenny Shop (Nassau St): woolens, Irish pottery, and gourmet preserves.

Afternoon: If time allows, take a mellow Dublin Sightseeing Cruise on the River Liffey (about 45 minutes) for a last perspective on the quays and bridges before your flight. Then head to the airport with a pocketful of brown-bread crumbs and good memories.

Budget & pacing tips: With a mid-range budget, mix free museums and park days with one or two paid tours, set lunches (often better value), and DART/Leap Card travel. Reserve popular restaurants and major sights (Book of Kells, Kilmainham Gaol, Guinness) in advance, especially on weekends.

How to book trains/buses and flights

• Trains around Ireland and DART/coastal routes: check schedules via Omio (trains).
• Intercity coaches and airport buses: browse Omio (buses).
• Flights within/to/from Europe: compare on Omio (flights).
• Flights from outside Europe: search Trip.com.

Ten days in Dublin gives you time to settle in: linger over coffee, chat with shopkeepers, and watch the Liffey’s light change throughout the day. With coastal walks, warm pubs, and a restorative Wicklow excursion, you’ll leave both soothed and inspired—much like the city itself.