Dublin grew from a Viking settlement on the River Liffey into a Georgian powerhouse and today’s literary capital, home to Joyce, Wilde, and Beckett. Cobblestones whisper old stories, but the city beats to a modern rhythm—craft coffee, inventive bistros, and a live music scene that spills out of snug pubs.

Travelers come for icons like the Book of Kells, St. Patrick’s Cathedral, and the Guinness Storehouse, then linger for the humor and hospitality known as “the craic.” Day trips unfurl Ireland’s drama: ferny monastic valleys in Wicklow, sea-sprayed cliffs in Howth, and the Atlantic edge at the Cliffs of Moher.

Practical notes: Dublin is walkable; pack layers for changeable weather. Tap water is safe; contactless cards and the Leap card work on public transport. Tipping is appreciated (10–12% in restaurants). Book major sites and popular restaurants in advance, especially around St. Patrick’s Day and summer weekends.

Dublin

Compact, creative, and convivial, Dublin rewards slow exploration. Georgian doors gleam in Merrion Square; buskers belt classics on Grafton Street; the Liffey glints under the Ha’penny Bridge. Set aside time for Kilmainham Gaol, EPIC The Irish Emigration Museum, and the National Gallery to trace the city’s soul.

Food-wise, Dublin is on a roll: from soda bread and seafood to Michelin-starred tasting menus. Spend evenings in characterful pubs—The Stag’s Head, O’Donoghue’s, The Palace Bar—where trad sessions feel like time travel. By day, hop a DART to Howth for cliff paths and salty chips on the pier.

Where to stay (our top picks + search pages):

• The Merrion Hotel (5-star Georgian elegance, serene spa; near the National Gallery): Check rates
• The Shelbourne, Autograph Collection (grand dame on St. Stephen’s Green; celebrated afternoon tea): Check rates
• Clayton Hotel Burlington Road (great value 4-star in Dublin 4, easy bus links): Check rates
• Generator Dublin (stylish budget option in Smithfield, steps from the Jameson Distillery): Check rates
• Browse apartments and houses on VRBO (ideal for families and groups): Dublin stays on VRBO
• Compare hotels citywide: Dublin hotels on Hotels.com

How to get to Dublin:

• Flights within/to/from Europe: compare carriers and times on Omio (Flights). London to Dublin is ~1 hour; many fares run €30–€120 off-peak.
• Long-haul flights (from the Americas, Asia, etc.): check prices on Trip.com and Kiwi.com. Nonstop New York–Dublin is ~6–7 hours.
• Train + ferry from Britain: London Euston–Holyhead–Dublin via Rail & Sail takes ~7–8 hours; compare options on Omio (Trains) and Omio (Ferries).

Airport to city: Dublin Express and Aircoach buses run ~25–35 minutes to the center (~€8–€12); taxis are ~€30–€40 depending on traffic.

Day 1: Arrive, Georgian Dublin, and a Warm Irish Welcome

Afternoon: Arrive and check in. Stretch your legs on Grafton Street up to St. Stephen’s Green, then wander Merrion Square to admire the colorful Georgian doors and the Oscar Wilde statue. Pop into the National Gallery for a quick look at Irish masters—perfect for a calm reset after travel.

Evening: Dinner near the Liffey at The Winding Stair (Irish seafood chowder, lamb with colcannon, Irish cheeses) overlooking the Ha’penny Bridge, or try Etto for small plates and an excellent wine list. Cap the night with trad music at O’Donoghue’s on Baggot Street—compact, lively, and legendary for spontaneous sessions.

Day 2: Trinity, the Book of Kells, and Dublin’s Medieval Core

Morning: Enter Trinity College early for the Book of Kells—an illuminated 9th-century manuscript that anchors the city’s scholarship. Skip lines and gain context with this guided experience:

Dublin Book of Kells, Castle and Molly Malone Statue Guided Tour

Afterward, stroll past the Molly Malone statue and into the courtyards of Dublin Castle.

Afternoon: Visit Christ Church Cathedral’s crypt and St. Patrick’s Cathedral, where Jonathan Swift served as dean. Lunch at The Woollen Mills (smoked haddock fishcakes, Guinness bread) or Cornucopia for excellent vegetarian comfort food on Wicklow Street.

Evening: Book dinner at Spitalfields in The Coombe (crispy pig’s head croquettes, sharing pies). Finish with cocktails at Peruke & Periwig on Dawson Street—Victorian salon vibes with a creative, literature-inspired menu.

Day 3: Kilmainham, Guinness, and a Whiskey Nightcap

Morning: Tour Kilmainham Gaol to trace Ireland’s road to independence—sobering and essential. Coffee and pastries at Bread 41 (cardamom buns, croissants) near Pearse Street before you go.

Afternoon: Dive into Ireland’s most famous stout at the multi-story museum-meets-brewery experience:

Guinness Storehouse Experience

Enjoy the Gravity Bar’s 360° city views with a perfectly poured pint. If time allows, continue the spirits theme at the Jameson Bow St. Distillery (45-minute tasting tours run frequently—book ahead).

Evening: Dinner at The Old Spot (Dublin 4) for a polished gastropub spin on Irish classics—think roast chicken, grilled hake, and sticky toffee pudding. Nightcap at The Palace Bar (a Victorian whiskey haven) or Bowes on Fleet Street for a deep Irish whiskey list.

Day 4: Day Trip—Wicklow Mountains and Glendalough

Venture south into County Wicklow, the “Garden of Ireland,” for ferny valleys, mirror-still lakes, and ruins wrapped in birdsong. This full-day guided tour includes the monastic city of Glendalough and time in Kilkenny’s medieval lanes:

Dublin to Glendalough, Wicklow and Kilkenny Full Day Guided Tour

Expect a 9–10 hour day with scenic roads, photo stops, and pub or café options in Kilkenny. Bring layers and waterproofs for quick-shifting mountain weather.

Day 5: Museums, Georgian Squares, and Theater Night

Morning: National Museum of Ireland – Archaeology (bog bodies, Celtic gold) pairs well with the National Gallery’s Caravaggio and Jack B. Yeats. Coffee at 3fe (Grand Canal) for benchmark Irish roasting; try a flat white and a slice of banana bread.

Afternoon: Linger in Merrion Square and St. Stephen’s Green; pop into the Little Museum of Dublin for witty storytelling of the city’s 20th-century quirks. Lunch at Ely Wine Bar (Irish charcuterie, grass-fed beef) or Brother Hubbard (Middle Eastern–leaning salads, lamb flatbreads).

Evening: See a show at the Abbey or Gate Theatre—contemporary productions with deep roots. Dinner before or after at Mr Fox (creative Irish cooking, seasonal tasting menus) or Variety Jones (open fire, shareable plates; book far in advance).

Day 6: Howth Head—Cliffs, Seals, and Sea Air

Morning: Ride the DART from Tara Street/Connolly to Howth (~30 minutes; ~€6–€8 return; check Omio (Trains)). Hike the Howth Cliff Path—choose a 6–10 km loop for lighthouse views, gorse-scented hills, and seabird cliffs.

Afternoon: Lunch on the pier—Wright’s of Howth for oysters and Dublin Bay prawns, or a paper cone of chips at Beshoff’s. Browse the weekend market for brownies and artisanal cheeses; look for seals bobbing near the fishing boats.

Evening: Back in the city, dine at L. Mulligan Grocer in Stoneybatter (Irish farmhouse cheeses, scotch eggs, seasonal mains) with a stellar craft beer list. End with live trad at The Cobblestone—no frills, all heart.

Day 7: Day Trip—Cliffs of Moher and Galway (Wild Atlantic Way)

Finish your week at the edge of Europe. This full-day tour sweeps across the Burren’s limestone pavements to the Atlantic’s 700-foot Cliffs of Moher, with time to enjoy colorful Galway:

Dublin to Cliffs of Moher, including Wild Atlantic Way and Galway

Expect a 12–13 hour day with coastal panoramas and free time in Galway’s Latin Quarter. Pack a windproof layer; ocean breezes can be bracing even in summer.

Optional adds if you have extra energy: Big Bus hop-on hop-off loop for easy city orientation; EPIC The Irish Emigration Museum for interactive storytelling; George’s Street Arcade for indie Dublin; Afternoon Tea Bus for sightseeing with scones and clotted cream.

Useful local bites and sips throughout the week:

• Breakfast/Coffee: Bread 41 (bakery), Two Boys Brew (brunch in Phibsborough), 3fe (roastery), Cloud Picker Café.
• Lunch: The Fumbally alternatives—try Tang (salads, flatbreads), The Rolling Donut (sweet treat), The Winding Stair (daytime service some days), Brother Hubbard.
• Dinner: Chapter One by Mickael Viljanen (two-star finesse), Bastible (seasonal Irish), Spitalfields (gastropub classics elevated), The Old Spot (neighborhood favorite).
• Pubs with character: The Stag’s Head (Victorian interior), The Long Hall (ornate bar), The Palace Bar (whiskey), The Celt (live trad most nights).

One more taste-forward option in the city:

Dublin Historical Centre Food Tour with 8 Food Tastings & Drinks

Getting around: Walk central districts; use the DART for coastal spots and Dublin Bus/LUAS trams for farther neighborhoods. For intercity trips beyond this itinerary, compare trains and buses on Omio (Trains) and Omio (Buses).

Wherever you wander—bookending your days with coffee and a pub tune—you’ll feel Dublin’s warmth. A week here pairs story-rich streets with wild landscapes, leaving just enough undone to promise a return.