If you’re planning to spend 48 hours in Dublin, one thing quickly becomes clear: this city is overflowing with charm and adventure. Even if you’ve wandered its lively streets before, you’ll know there’s no way to experience it all in just two days. That’s part of Dublin’s appeal. It keeps calling you back for more, and trust us, a second or third trip is completely justified. In this guide, you’ll find the highlights you can soak up in a short visit. From soulful spots to magical corners, these are the places that make Dublin such a memorable city.
Things To Do
Trinity College Library – The Book of Kells Experience
For us, stepping into Trinity College Library was like crossing the threshold into a bibliophile’s dreamscape. The grandeur of the place is stunning – that enormous globe, suspended above, seems to orbit the room in its own magical universe. We visited when lots of the books were not actually there due to conservation concerns, but the library’s atmosphere still pulsed with literary energy. Towards the end, the immersive Book of Kells experience truly swept us off our feet. If your heart beats for the world of books as ours does, you simply cannot miss this sanctuary – nourishment for the soul🫶🏻.
TIP💡You do have to book tickets to the library! We actually did not know this – and rocked up on the first day with no tickets expecting to waltz in. It gets booked up fast so we would recommend booking in advance. Book tickets here.
The Guiness Storehouse Experience
While it might be a classic tick on every tourist’s bucket list, the Guinness Storehouse absolutely lives up to the hype – and the price tag. Spread across five vibrant, interactive floors, it offers far more than just the famous gift shop. There’s a brilliant tasting experience and the iconic Gravity Bar, which boasts some of the best panoramic views over Dublin. We ended up spending three hours here. It’s incredibly interesting, immersive, and easy to lose track of time in. For just €6 extra, you can have your face printed on a pint of Guinness. It’s a quirky souvenir and about as reasonably priced as any pint you’d find in town. Book tickets here!
Explore the Vintage Shops of Dublin
We love the big sights, but honestly, the best thing is just wandering and seeing what you find. Dublin’s streets are full of colourful shop fronts and quirky corners, and we ended up stumbling into loads of vintage shops. Thrifting is a vibe, and places like Dublin Vintage Factory and Badlands Vintage are worth a visit for old-school finds. If you’re after more treasures, Flip Clothing and Nine Crows are definitely worth a stop🪩.
Grafton Street Shopping & George’s Street Arcade
We’re not massive shoppers ourselves, but a wander through Dublin’s high street shops is genuinely a treat. If the weather’s doing its usual Irish thing and rain’s on the cards, ducking in and out of these vibrant stores is a great way to spend an afternoon. They’re far from your average shops. Bright colours, quirky displays, and plenty of character add charm to the city centre. George’s Street Arcade, especially, has its own funky vibe. It’s the perfect spot to pick up cool souvenirs or little knick-knacks to remember your trip by!
Free Attractions
We were surprised by just how many free attractions Dublin has to offer. The National Gallery of Ireland and the National Museum of Ireland were particular highlights. We loved wandering through the gallery and were wowed by the stunning artworks. The magnificent Victorian building was just as impressive. There’s plenty more we didn’t get round to seeing, including the lush Botanical Gardens, the historic Dublin Castle, and both St Stephen’s and St Patrick’s Cathedrals. They’re all firmly on our must-see list for next time!
Places to Eat
- The Stags Head – A proper Dublin institution, this pub serves up hearty classics in the cosiest old-school surroundings – grab a seat and soak up the atmosphere over a toastie and a pint.
- Surf Lemon Jelly Café – Perfect for a lazy brunch or a quick coffee, Lemon Jelly Café is all about good vibes, top-tier pancakes and people-watching just off bustling O’Connell Street.
- Xi’An Street Food – If you fancy something not too Irish, pop into Xi’An Street Food. They offer both takeaway and sit in – the decor is pink and vibrant and it is super reasonably priced.
- Bread 41 – This bakery-café is the spot for flaky pastries and a morning coffee. It gets busy really quickly and the goods sell out fast, so don’t hang about!
- Rotana Grill – When you’re craving falafel, shawarma or a slap-up Lebanese feast, Rotana Grill’s friendly staff and generous platters hit the spot every time.
- Toca Tapioca House – We were looking for something a little less heavy and food for the soul (after all the Guinness!) and this place serves up colourful bowls, fresh juices and boho vibes which is just what we needed.
- Tang – Healthy, vibrant and full of flavour, Tang’s buzzing café scene is perfect for salads, homemade treats and a cheeky flat white to refuel between adventures. The Hummus Eggs were unreal.
- Restaurant Six – If you’re looking for something a little up market, treat yourself at Restaurant Six. It offers a super stylish setting and creative menu which will make dinner feel like a proper occasion – ideal for a special night out.
- WILDE Restaurant – If you’re after a little luxury, WILDE brings you beautiful art deco interiors and dishes that look (almost) too pretty to eat – a proper treat for foodies.
Places to Drink
- The Dame Tavern – Tucked away just off Dame Street, this cosy little gem is always buzzing and perfect for a pint and a bit of craic with the locals. We found the staff extremely friendly and would highly recommend to pop in.
- O’Donoghues Bar – Famous for live trad music and a properly lively crowd, O’Donoghues is where you go if you want the true Dublin pub experience that everyone is chasing.
- Bar Swift – A little more stylish than your average Irish pub, Bar Swift feels like it blends London cool and Dublin’s drinking scene.
- The Ferryman – Located on the riverside, it was definitely the place to be on a sunny evening! People overflowing in to the streets created such a community atmosphere. A gorgeous place to catch golden hour, soak up the city’s maritime vibes over a pint.
TIP💡The Ferryman is for 23s and over! (not that we have an issue there) but FYI for the younger crowd.
- Dockers – Old-school and full of character, Dockers is perfect for a relaxed drink and a chat in a proper Dublin boozer.
- The Hairy Lemon – Actually known for both food and drink with it’s quirky interiors and a cracking atmosphere make The Hairy Lemon a favourite for both locals and visitors.
- The Temple Bar – A must-visit for first-timers, The Temple Bar is iconic, colourful and always guarantees a lively night out. We wouldn’t recommend spending too much time here, but it is pretty and mandatory to take your selfie outside of!
TIP💡We found visiting out of season and during the week best to get a snap of The Temple Bar and massively avoided the crowds.
Dublin seems to be a never-ending city, and there is so many places on our list for our next visit. Let us know where your favourite places are and your hidden gems! 💘
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