Dublin is a city where Viking lanes meet Georgian elegance, where literary giants—Joyce, Wilde, Beckett—loom as large as its beloved pub culture. You’ll wander past colorful doors, cross the River Liffey’s storied bridges, and hear fiddles spark to life as evening falls. In a week, you can savor its museums and music, then break away to sea cliffs and monastic valleys.

Expect four seasons in a day: pack layers and a rain shell. Tap-to-pay is widely accepted, and a modest 10–12% tip is appreciated for good service. Food-wise, Dublin has moved far beyond clichés—think modern Irish cooking, stellar seafood from nearby coasts, and café culture powered by outstanding local roasters.

Getting in: Fly into Dublin Airport (DUB). From the terminal, Dublin Express 782/784 or Aircoach 700 reach the center in 25–35 minutes (€8–10), and taxis typically cost €30–40 depending on traffic. Compare and book flights via Omio (within Europe) or Trip.com and Kiwi.com (from outside Europe). For intercity trains and buses in Ireland, check Omio trains and Omio buses.

Dublin

Dublin’s compact core makes it ideal for walkers: grand squares around St. Stephen’s Green, the bustle of Grafton Street, and the historic northside with the GPO and literary pubs. The river divides neighborhoods with distinct feels—from elegant Georgian streets to creative quarters like Portobello and Stoneybatter.

Top sights include Trinity College’s Book of Kells, medieval St. Patrick’s Cathedral, Dublin Castle, and the Guinness Storehouse. Don’t miss the National Gallery for Caravaggio’s “The Taking of Christ,” or a stroll on the seaside in Howth for cliff views and a plate of just-landed seafood.

Where to stay (bookable picks):

• Classic luxury: The Merrion Hotel (art-filled townhouses, serene garden, and a superb restaurant).
• Iconic and central: The Shelbourne, Autograph Collection (on St. Stephen’s Green; historic bar and spa).
• Smart mid-range: Clayton Hotel Burlington Road (spacious rooms, easy bus links to the center).
• Stylish budget/social: Generator Dublin (Smithfield; private rooms and dorms, lively bar).
• Prefer apartments? Browse VRBO Dublin stays and hotel options on Hotels.com Dublin.

Day 1 — Arrive, Unwind, and First Toast

Afternoon: Land in Dublin and check in. Stretch your legs with a gentle loop: St. Stephen’s Green’s ornamental lake, Grafton Street’s buskers, and the handsome colonnades of Trinity College. Pop into Bewley’s Grafton Street for a mid-afternoon pick-me-up—classic tea salon, stained glass by Harry Clarke, and excellent scones.

Evening: Dinner at The Winding Stair (seasonal Irish—think Carlingford oysters, hearty beef, stellar Irish cheese—overlooking the Ha’penny Bridge) or Etto (small plates, great wine list; book if you can). For your first pint, step into The Long Hall (a 19th-century time capsule) or The Palace Bar (a literary haunt on Fleet Street) for a richly poured Guinness and traditional session atmosphere.

Day 2 — Dublin’s Historic Heart: Trinity, Castle, Cathedrals

Morning: Beat the crowds with an early-entry tour to see the illuminated manuscript that defines Irish heritage.

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

After Trinity’s Long Room (one of Europe’s most photogenic libraries), continue to Dublin Castle’s grounds to trace the city’s Norman roots.

Afternoon: Lunch at The Pepper Pot Café in Powerscourt Townhouse (glorious roast chicken sandwiches, apple cake, and balcony views). Walk to Christ Church Cathedral to see the medieval crypt, then St. Patrick’s Cathedral to meet the city’s Gothic icon and the resting place of Jonathan Swift.

Evening: Dine at Spitalfields (award-winning Irish cooking; order the beef and bone marrow pie if it’s on) or Mister S (wood-fired Irish meats and veg). For music, O’Donoghue’s on Merrion Row is a reliable bet for live trad sessions—elbow-to-elbow, instruments in full flight.

Day 3 — Stout, Whiskey, and Stories

Morning: Ease in with specialty coffee at 3fe Grand Canal (try a flat white and a cardamom bun) or Bread 41 (fresh pastries, laminated perfection). Stroll through the Liberties, once the city’s industrial heart and now a blend of old distilleries, creative studios, and markets.

Afternoon: Dive into Ireland’s twin tipples with a guided experience that pairs the country’s most famous beer with its most storied whiskey.

Dublin Jameson Distillery and Guinness Storehouse Guided Tour

You’ll trace the rise of stout at St. James’s Gate, then taste your way through Jameson’s Bow St. home. Expect history, humor, and a perfectly poured pint at the Gravity Bar with panoramic city views.

Evening: Dinner near the Liffey at The Woollen Mills’ successor spot, The Winding Stair (if you didn’t go on Day 1), or head to L. Mulligan Grocer in Stoneybatter for a gastropub feast and Irish craft beers. Nightcap at Peruke & Periwig—Victorian snugs, inventive cocktails named after musical eras.

Day 4 — Sea Breezes in Howth

Morning–Early Afternoon (tour): Head to the coast for dramatic views, photogenic lighthouse shots, and a postcard-perfect harbor town.

Howth Coastal Half-Day Bus Tour from Dublin with Live Guide

After your cliff walk, stay for seafood: Octopussy’s Tapas for stellar prawns and calamari, or Aqua for refined plates and bay views. Grab a 99 ice cream on the pier if the sun’s out.

Afternoon: Return to town and browse the National Gallery (free), focusing on Irish painters and that famous Caravaggio. Coffee stop at Coffeeangel or Vice for a mid-afternoon reset.

Evening: Try Variety Jones (tasting menu; wood-fired, inventive—book ahead) or Fish Shop (Benburb Street) for exceptional fish and chips with natural wines. Later, The Cobblestone in Smithfield is legendary for trad music—musicians first, chatter second.

Day 5 — Wicklow Mountains, Glendalough, and Medieval Kilkenny

Full-day tour: Swap city streets for lakes, valleys, and castle-lined lanes on a beloved countryside route with expert commentary.

Dublin to Glendalough, Wicklow and Kilkenny Full Day Guided Tour

Expect photogenic stops in the “Garden of Ireland,” time among the monastic ruins of Glendalough, and a wander through Kilkenny’s medieval core. It’s a rich sampler of countryside and small-city charm in one day.

Evening (back in Dublin): Keep dinner easy: Bunsen for a spot-on classic burger, or Shouk in Drumcondra for Middle Eastern plates (the cauliflower is famous). If you’ve energy, The Brazen Head (claims 1198 origins) offers live music; yes, it’s popular, but it’s fun.

Day 6 — West Coast Adventure: Cliffs of Moher and Galway

Full-day suggestion: Set out early for Ireland’s most dramatic cliffs and a taste of Galway’s artsy lanes. Most day tours run 12–13 hours, with photo stops in the lunar-like Burren and 1–2 hours in Galway; budget roughly €75–90 per person. Bring layers—Atlantic winds can be bracing even in summer.

Evening (late return): A low-key supper near your hotel: Leo Burdock (Dublin’s classic chipper) for cod and chips, or Brother Hubbard (Middle Eastern-leaning comfort plates). A quiet pint at Toners or Kehoe’s rounds off a big day nicely.

Day 7 — Georgian Strolls, Markets, and Farewell

Morning: Brunch at Bread 41 (arrive early; cinnamon “twists” and sourdough are worth the queue) or Tang (vibrant shakshuka, flatbreads, and great coffee). Wander the Georgian quarter around Merrion Square—statues, colorful doors, and a peek into Oscar Wilde’s Dublin.

Afternoon departure: If time allows, swing past Phoenix Park (one of Europe’s largest city parks; keep an eye out for deer) or visit Kilmainham Gaol for a sobering chapter of Irish history (advance booking recommended). Then make for DUB—allow 2.5–3 hours before an international flight. For European trains or airport buses, compare on Omio; for flights, check Omio (Europe) or Trip.com/Kiwi.com for long-haul.

Optional swaps and add-ons (if you prefer to tweak days):

• Hop-on Hop-off overview: Big Bus Dublin for flexible sightseeing and live commentary.
• Guinness-only fast access: Guinness Storehouse Experience if you want to roam at your own pace.
• Guided city walk: Dublin Highlights and Hidden Gems Walking Tour to uncover backstories and local lore.

Where to eat and drink—quick-hit favorites to slot in any day:

• Breakfast/Coffee: Bread 41 (bakery), 3fe (specialty roaster), Coffeeangel (multiple locations), Keogh’s (scones), Queen of Tarts (cakes and quiche).
• Lunch: Fallon & Byrne (food hall deli), Cornucopia (vegetarian stalwart), The Pepper Pot Café (Powerscourt), Dough Bros (Neapolitan-style pizza pop-up appearances; check social), Tang (fresh, bright plates).
• Dinner: Chapter One by Mickael Viljanen (splurge; book well ahead), Variety Jones (inventive tasting), Bastible (seasonal), Spitalfields (hearty classics refined), Fish Shop (seafood + natural wine).
• Pubs & Music: The Long Hall, Toners, Kehoe’s, The Cobblestone, O’Donoghue’s, The Bank on College Green (grand Victorian interior).

Booking pointers: Secure central lodging via Hotels.com Dublin or VRBO for walkable access to most sights. For rail/bus options and airport transfers, use Omio. For flights, compare on Omio (Europe) or Trip.com and Kiwi.com.

This 7-day Dublin itinerary layers stone-steeped history with easy day trips, live music, and a deep dive into the city’s food-and-drink renaissance. You’ll leave with windswept cheeks, a phone full of cliffside photos, and a head full of stories—exactly as Dublin intends.