A Guide to a Long Weekend in Dublin, Ireland – A 3-Day Guide
How to Spend 3 Days in Dublin – Discover Dublin, Ireland
We recently spent an amazing weekend in Dublin filled with lots of exploring, live music and of course, Guinness. We flew out of Bournemouth (our local airport) on Friday evening and flew back Monday evening for a grand total of £23 each – thanks Ryanair! Making it the ideal spot for a weekend away exploring.
Dublin is Ireland’s capital and also its largest city, offering countless numbers of museums, attractions, and entertainment options to keep you busy for a long weekend. It’s also a great base to explore more of Ireland.
Here is our itinerary for 3 days in Dublin, Ireland. Including all of the top sights and a few lesser-known ones. As well as a 3-day itinerary, we will also provide you with tips on how to get around Dublin, tips on where to stay in Dublin, and how to save money during your 3 days in Dublin plus, essential planning tips with information on how to get to Dublin and also getting around once you are there.
Travelling to Dublin from England for a weekend in Dublin, Ireland
Dublin is easy to reach by plane and can also be reached via a combination of ferry, train, bus, or car. Dublin has one major airport, Dublin Airport with flights coming in and out from around the world.
You can check flight prices on Skyscanner – try and be as flexible as possible with dates as this will keep the price down and book as far in advance as you can to save money. However, we were able to get flights for a weekend in Dublin for under £30 so it’s certainly doable!
From the airport, it is easy to get into the city centre. There are many options including Uber, bus, Dublin Express shuttle transfer, rental car, or booking a private transfer. We got on the Dublin Express shuttle which costs $9 per person return and was quick and convenient.
Dublin is also connected by two ferry terminals, one in Dublin Port and one in Dun Laoghaire. The two main ferry companies which service these harbours are Stena Line and Irish Ferries.
Tips for planning 3 days in Dublin, Ireland
Money – Ireland is part of the Eurozone, so be sure to take euros with you when visiting Dublin, Ireland. There are lots of ATMs around the city so that you can withdraw cash if you need to. Credit cards and debit cards are widely accepted across the city, just ensure you tell your bank before arriving in Dublin to ensure no stop is put on your card when trying to pay for something. Also, check that your bank won’t charge you for using your card in Dublin. We recommend Monzo or Revolut.
Safety – Dublin is generally a very safe city, especially for the capital, but as with all cities, just be sure to keep aware, especially in busy areas like Temple Bar
Electronics – Dublin’s electricity is 220v and uses three-pin plugs like the United Kingdom. So, if you’re travelling from England or anywhere else in the UK then you have nothing to worry about! If you’re travelling from any other part of the world then be sure to bring your travel converter with you.
Is 3 days enough time to spend in Dublin?
Yes, 3 days are plenty! The city isn’t huge but has some really cool things to see. It’s a lot smaller than London so 3 days is plenty of time to really get to know the Irish city.
Where to stay for a weekend in Dublin, Ireland
There is a very large abundance of accommodation options in Dublin city centre and further afield. With plenty of Airbnb’s, hostels, hotels and beautiful 5-star hotels that can be found in Dublin. There really is something to suit everyone’s budget.
When choosing where to stay in Dublin it’s important to note that places to stay in Dublin get booked up quickly and can end up costing a lot if you leave it to the last minute. It can be quite hard to find the cheapest hotels in Dublin at short notice. There are quite a lot of hostel options which is what we went for, for our weekend in Dublin.
The cheapest hotel/ hostel in Dublin that we could find was the Generator Dublin. Located adjacent to the Jameson Distillery and just a short walk from Temple Bar the hostel has all of the facilities that you would want from a hostel but the look and feel of a hotel. We would really recommend it.
You can book to stay in Generator Dublin here.
Getting around Dublin
We all know the best way to really explore a new city or really any new spot is by foot – and Dublin is certainly no different. Exploring by foot means you’ll get a great feel for the city whilst saving money and also getting in those oh-so-important steps – it’s a win-win! However, if the weather decides to not be on your side, you stay far out of the city centre or you’ve had a few too many Guinnesses then you can easily get public transport around.
Public transport through the city is reliable, affordable, and easy to use. The best way to get around the city is the bus. There are stops on all of the main roads, you can check the bus times beforehand online or on Google Maps.
Taxis, Ubers, Trams and bike hires are also options. We don’t recommend driving in Dublin unless you are planning to stay on the outskirts or visit some spots outside of Dublin. Parking can be hard to come by and not fun to find, oh and expensive!
However, if you are planning on venturing outside of Dublin during your weekend in Dublin and need a car, we recommend picking one up at the airport and leaving it at your hotel until you are ready to leave Dublin. Or, even take a trip back to the airport to collect your car once you are ready to leave.
How to Save Money during your weekend in Dublin
Dublin isn’t the cheapest place that you’ll ever travel to, but as far as capital cities in Europe go, it isn’t the most expensive either. Your main expenses during your weekend in Dublin will be accommodation, eating out and drinks. Therefore, naturally, there are tons of ways to save money. The largest way that you can save money is to stay in a hostel with a kitchen so that you can cook and save money on accommodation. Staying in a hostel is definitely the best option for the cheapest hotels in Dublin.
There are also lots of free or inexpensive things that you can do in Dublin. If the weather is nice then there are tons of beautiful parks that you can relax in and you can easily spend hours just walking around the beautiful city. There are also a number of great free museums in Dublin including the National Museum of Ireland, National Gallery of Ireland, Dublin City Hall, and the Irish Museum of Modern Art.
Where to eat in Dublin Ireland as a vegetarian
Dublin is absolutely filled with incredible spots to eat. From Irish pubs to amazing brunch cafes. And, whilst traditional Irish food may not be obviously vegetarian don’t panic. There are still a ton of options for vegetarians to try out!
Tang Cafe – Brunch
First on the list is Tang Cafe, on Abbey Street. We both enjoyed one of the best Shakshukas that we have ever had accompanied by roast potatoes an oat milk flat white and a coconut milk latte. If we ever visit Dublin again then we’ll be dashing back here within an instant.
Eivissa Ibiza – Tapas
Located on William Street South this little Tapas bar feels like you’ve been transported to Ibiza. Slightly on the expensive side (when is tapas not?) but, well worth it for the incredible options. Make sure you try the Trufa Patatas.
The Tram Cafe – Brunch/ Lunch
An unlikely one to add to the list but one that we were so excited to of found. A unique, eclectic spot where we both enjoyed the vegan roll filled with vegan sausage, cheese, black pudding, chorizo crumb and all of the other incredible trimmings!
Top things to do in Dublin
1. Drink at an Irish Pub
An obvious one for any weekend in Dublin, right? You go to Ireland you drink in an Irish pub – whether that be a pint of Guinness or an orange juice. Dublin literally has an Irish Pub on every corner and they’re some of the best that we’ve ever been to. You’ll find a lot of pubs in and around Temple Bar. But, the area is extremely touristy so if you prefer somewhere quieter, head out of this area and slightly out of the city centre and you’ll find narrow streets filled with plenty of historic bars and restaurants that charge a considerable amount less than the pubs around Temple Bar and the main tourist areas.
2. Visit Trinity College
Trinity College isn’t just Ireland’s highest-ranked university, it’s one of the top universities in the world. Just outside the global top 100 (it’s ranked joint 101st). The main things to see and do when visiting Trinity College is visit the Book of Kells and the stunning library. Visitors can only access the Long Room and view the Book of Kells with a ticket. This can be bought here.
You can book a tour to visit Trinity College here.
3. Jameson Distillery Tour
Take a guided tour around the original home of Jameson whiskey. Located on Bow Street right next to Generator Dublin. it’s the ideal activity for any weekend in Dublin. Learn the story of John Jameson, and how whiskey is made and then enjoy a tasting session. You can book this tour here.
4. Visit Grafton Street
No visit to Dublin would be complete without a visit to Grafton Street, Dublin’s main shopping street. Complete with high street names, buskers and bars.
5. Walk over O’Connell Bridge
The O’Connell Bridge is a road bridge spanning the River Liffey in Dublin. It takes around 10 minutes to walk over it and is iconic. It’s the only bridge in Europe where the width of 50 meters is longer than its length of 45 meters! It is also an iconic photo spot with the River Liffey as a backdrop.
If walking isn’t your thing then we recommend the Dublin Hop on Hop off bus, it’s one of the top things to do in Dublin. You can book the bus here.
6. Visit Temple District during your weekend in Dublin
Possibly the most iconic spot in Dublin, the Temple area is Dublin’s most popular area, especially at night. Home to the famous Temple bar it should be included in any trip to Dublin plan. Located on the south bank of the River Liffey. The area was once marshland and has been transformed over the centuries into a wealthy neighbourhood, a red-light district and now an artistic spot filled with tourist-friendly pubs. Temple Bar is filled with cobblestone streets, numerous restaurants, cafés, pubs, hostels, and hotels. You really can find everything in this small, central area!
7. Take part in a Guinness factory Dublin tour
Home to Ireland’s most iconic beer, no matter whether you love it or hate it a Guinness factory tour is a must for any weekend in Dublin! It’s an amazing way to, in their words ‘experience the history, heart and soul of one of Ireland’s most famous beers’. During the tour, you’ll be taught how the world-famous drink is made, brewed and poured. Guinness has been brewed at St James Gate Brewery since 1759. Your self-guided tour will teach you about the founder of Guinness, Arthur Guinness. The Guinness factory tour is often named one of the top things to do in Dublin.
Want to visit Northern Ireland as well? Spend 72 hours there with the help of this guide!
You can book your Guinness factory Dublin tickets here.
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