Ring a ring a rosie, as the light declines
-Pete st. John for the Dublin City Ramblers
I’ll remember Dublin city, in the rare ould times
If you are traveling to Ireland, you’ll most likely visit Dublin. Chances are, you’ll fly into Dublin, as it is the largest city in the country and makes a great starting point. However, it’s worthwhile spending at least one day in Dublin before exploring elsewhere.
Dublin (called Baile Átha Cliath in Irish) is the capital of the Republic of Ireland. A settlement has existed in its location since the 600s, first established by the Gaels, then by the Vikings. With over a thousand year’s worth of history, Dublin has created a unique identity, known for its humor and its liveliness.
There is plenty to see in Dublin, whether you like museums, pubs, parks, or just walking around cobblestone streets. This one-day Dublin itinerary will take you to a bit of each.
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How Long to Spend in Dublin
There is no right or wrong answer for how long to spend in Dublin. If you only have one day in Dublin, you can easily hit most of the well-known spots. If you have two days/ a weekend to spend in Dublin, that would allow you to get off the beaten path.
Population-wise, Dublin City and its suburbs have about 1.2 million people, making it about the same size as Dallas, TX. Geographically, Dublin is 118 square km/ 45.5 square miles, so there is quite a bit of ground to cover if you so choose. However, the city center is quite walkable.
Getting There
If you are flying into Dublin, you have several options for getting from Dublin Airport (DUB) to Dublin’s city center. The airport is about 10 km/ 6 miles north of the city.
- By car: Both regular taxis and Uber are available at Dublin Airport. Follow signs from either Terminal 1 or 2 to reach the taxi pick-up area.
- By bus: Dublin Express route numbers 782 and 784 will take you from the airport to areas in the city including Temple Bar, Trinity College, and Heuston Station. Bus tickets can be pre-purchased or when you board the bus.
Getting Around
If you are only in Dublin for a day (and are able-bodied), I encourage you to walk as much as possible. Walking around a city is the best way to see it (in my humble opinion).
However, if you need to rest your feet, it is easy to catch a ride on a double-decker bus. The local transit system, Dublin Express, has stops all over the city.
When I visit a new city with my family though, we like to take a hop-on hop-off bus tour. Your ticket is good for 24 hours, so you can spend your day in Dublin hitting all the spots you’d like to see, even if they’re a little more spread out. Plus, the bus drivers are not only full of fun facts about Dublin, but they sing as well!
Where to Stay in Dublin
As in most cities, staying close to the city center makes it easy to walk around. That said, prices tend to be a bit higher in the more popular, central areas.
Some nice central areas to stay in Dublin are:
- St. Stephen’s Green: high-end area around the park
- Temple Bar: lively area full of pubs and music
- The Liberties: close to distilleries and the Guinness Storehouse
My family and I stayed at a new hotel called The Chancery Hotel and had a great stay! The Chancery is high-tech, charming, and Green Hospitality-certified.
How to Spend One Day in Dublin
If your hotel in Dublin offers breakfast (especially a full Irish breakfast), take advantage of it; if not, swing into a cafe for a coffee and sausage roll, and you’ll be good to go.
It’s time to put on your raincoat and comfortable shoes (two of the most important things to pack for Ireland) and explore Dublin’s “fair city”!
Guinness Storehouse OR Teeling Whiskey Distillery
Am I suggesting you start your day in Dublin touring an alcohol facility that comes with free tastings? Yes, I am, but hear me out.
By starting the day with some of Dublin’s most popular tourist destinations, you’ll beat the crowds. I don’t recommend doing both in a row (or you may not do much more with your one day in Dublin), so pick one facility to start with. Are you more interested in beer or whiskey?
Guinness Storehouse
If you are interested in how beer is made, you’ll enjoy the Guinness Storehouse. Even if you’re not a fan of Guinness, the exhibits are fun, interactive, and informative.
Wind your way up the pint-shaped building, learning about how one of the most popular beers in the world is brewed until you reach the top floor. There you’ll be treated to a rooftop bar, with 360-degree views of Dublin City, as well as a freshly-pulled pint of Guinness.
The Guinness Storehouse is one of the most popular Dublin attractions and tickets must be purchased ahead of time. Book your ticket for the Guinness Storehouse Experience here before they sell out!
Teeling Whiskey Distillery
When we first arrived in Dublin Airport, my parents chatted with a fellow American who now lives in Ireland. He recommended going to Teeling Distillery as the best distillery experience, and I’m so glad we heeded his advice.
Dublin has a long history of whiskey distilleries, but Teeling is the first distillery to open in over 125 years. Their phoenix logo represents the return of whiskey distilleries to the city.
Take a guided tour through the distillery and learn about how the alcohol is aged in different types of barrels to create unique flavors. At the end of the tour, enjoy a whiskey-tasting experience.
Book your ticket for the Teeling Whiskey Distillery Tour and Tasting here.
St. Stephen’s Green
After you tour the storehouse or distillery, walk east toward St. Stephen’s Green. (You can pass St. Patrick’s Cathedral on your way, and either go inside or just admire from the street.)
St. Stephen’s Green is a quiet little oasis in the middle of the bustling city. It’s a nice spot to enjoy a coffee and watch the swans on the lake. Coffee shops on the edge of the park include Beanhive Coffee and These Hands Coffee.
Lunch
If you need more than just a bite, pop into The Duke Pub or Davy Byrnes, both of which are located on Duke Street.
The Book of Kells Experience OR National Museum of Ireland
It’s hard to fit in everything with just one day in Dublin, so like choosing your alcohol process of choice, it’s best to choose one museum experience. Are you more interested in books and art or history?
The Book of Kells Experience
One of the most popular things to do in Dublin is visit Trinity College, where the Book of Kells is located in the Old Library. The Book of Kells is a 1,200-year-old manuscript, intricately illustrating the four gospels of the Bible’s New Testament.
The Long Room is a famous chamber within the Old Library, usually full of rows and rows of books. However, as of 2024, most of the books in the Long Room at Trinity College have been removed due to the Old Library Redevelopment Project.
While the Long Room is empty, Trinity College is offering the Book of Kells Experience, an “immersive digital journey”. The Book of Kells Experience brings the pages of the book to life with video, music, and lights.
Learn from our mistake, and purchase your ticket for the Book of Kells Experience in advance.
National Museum of Ireland: Natural History or Archaeology
If you are sensitive to lights and sounds, or are just more interested in history, consider spending this part of your day in Dublin at the National Museum of Ireland.
There are two branches right next to each other: the National Museum of Ireland- Natural History and the National Museum of Ireland- Archaeology. Both are free to visit.
My family and I enjoyed visiting the Archaeology branch. We learned about the Viking history of Dublin and saw golden artifacts from the Bronze Age. However, we were most fascinated by the “bog bodies,” bodies that are thought to have been human sacrifices that have been preserved in bogs around Ireland for thousands of years.
Say Hello to Molly Malone
Did you know Dublin has an unofficial anthem? The song, “Molly Malone” tells the tale of a fish hawker named Molly, who died young. It’s a sad song, but man is it catchy.
No one can say for sure whether there was a real Molly Malone. Some believe she also worked as a prostitute at night and/or even as a spy. Either way, there’s a statue of her located on the intersection of Suffolk Street and St Andrew’s Street.
“In Dublin’s fair city
Where the girls are so pretty
I first set my eyes on sweet Molly Malone
As she wheeled her wheelbarrow
Through streets broad and narrow
Crying, “Cockles and mussels, alive, alive, oh!”
Cross the Ha’penny Bridge
Back in the day, the only way you could get from the north side of Dublin to the south was via a ferry across the River Liffey. In 1816 the first bridge was built across the river, but it cost a halfpenny to cross. People had to pass through a turnstile and pay the toll. This lasted for over 100 years until the toll was dropped in 1919.
It’s now free to cross; and as you do, it’s easy to imagine what Dublin might’ve looked like when the toll was in place. While perhaps not the most notable thing you’ll do with your one day in Dublin, it’s a fun little piece of history.
Temple Bar Area
One of the most popular things to do in Dublin is visit the Temple Bar area. Named for one of the pubs in the area, Temple Bar is now home to many other pubs, restaurants, theaters, and live music.
If you have one day in Dublin, even if you don’t drink, it’s worth visiting the area for the atmosphere. It’s a great place to catch live music if you want to cross that off your Ireland bucket list. However, if you don’t love crowds, stay for a bit, and then feel free to move on.
Some of the best pubs in Temple Bar are:
- The Palace Bar– Victorian bar with stained glass and excellent whiskey
- Oliver St. John Gogartys– lively spot with good food
- The Old Storehouse Bar and Restaurant– live music starts at 3pm everyday
Other Pubs and Restaurants in Dublin
When I was spending a day in Dublin, I found that the pubs started to fill up right when people got out of work. While some places don’t have music until 7 or 8 pm, it’s worth snagging a spot early if you want to beat the crowds.
Some of the best pubs in Dublin (according to some locals) are:
- Grogans
- The Stags Head
- The Long Hall
If you’re looking for more of a sit-down dinner, these restaurants in the area were recommended to me:
- The Winding Stair
- The Seafood Café
- The Shack Restaurant
Sit yourself down, have a pint, have a chat, and enjoy the end of your one day in Dublin!
I hope this one-day itinerary has helped you figure out what to do in Dublin for a day. Though it only scratches the surface, it’s still a lot to see.
If you can fit in more, go for it! It’s your day in Dublin after all.
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