Dublin

One Day In Dublin Itinerary

One day isn't nearly enough to scratch the surface of Dublin, but if that's all you've got, this itinerary covers the main sights plus a taste of local Dublin. It's a busy day with a lot of walking, but by the end you'll have seen more than most people manage in a weekend.

I'm a Dubliner and a tour guide in the city, this is what I recommend for one day in Dublin.

Note: This guide assumes you're already in Dublin. If you're landing on a red-eye and want to know what to do on arrival day, here's a special itinerary for that.

Dublin Without Maps

Dublin's twisted streets confuse visitors. Viking cities weren't built for tourists. My solution is walks which follows one main street (or river). Like a walking subway line. Never worry about getting lost!

Today, you'll do two of these walks:

Dame Street Walk. From Trinity to Guinness & all the famous sights.
The Grafton Street Walk. Where locals go in Dublin.

Morning: The Dame Street Walk from Trinity to Guinness

This morning, you'll follow Dame Street Walk. It will bring you past all the most famous tourist spots in Dublin.

It starts at Trinity where you can see the Book of Kells, then through the (super touristy, but I know you have to see it) Temple Bar district before continuing on to Dublin Castle, Dublinia Viking Museum, Christchurch Cathedral and the wonderful St Audoen's Church.

The walk ends in the eclectic Liberties area, home of the Guinness Storehouse and Dublin's whiskey triangle. Pearse Lyons Distillery is my favourite to visit. Get a coffee and treat in one of the cafes here to keep you going.

You have the morning for this walk, so pick the one attraction you want to visit.

Book ahead for Trinity, Guinness or any of the distilleries. Everything else, you can pay at the door.

For full details on this walk.

Prefer a Bus or a Private Tour of Dublin?

I will show you around: Come on a private guided tour with me. My Jet Lag Tour is specifically for your first day in Dublin. No getting lost on my tour.
Hop-on, Hop-off Bus. If you prefer a bus to walking, take the Hop-on, hop-off bus. You can cover all the main spots in 90 minutes.

Lunch in The Creative Quarter

Take a 10 minute taxi back to Trinity College. This will save your legs and time on your one day in Dublin.

A two minute walk from Trinity is Wicklow Street which becomes Exchequer Street (it's a Dublin thing). This is the best culinary corner of Dublin.

I like Fallon & Byrne for a restaurant quality sandwich. The Old Stand for pub food, Fitzers Bistro for upmarket and Cornucopia for vegetarians, Murphy's for ice cream after.

Afternoon: The Grafton Street Walk for a Local Vibe & Parks

This afternoon, you're going to use Grafton Street as your main street. This is where you'll find Dubliners on a Saturday afternoon. This walk is not so much ticking off must-see sights, rather taking in the ambience of our lovely city.

I do use some liberty with Grafton Street as the spine, because you'll wander off it a lot. That's ok, this is the best area in Dublin. Go explore.

Creative Quarter
This is where you had lunch. Walk slowly past the independent shops. Go to lunchtime theatre at Bewley's Cafe. Make your own Claddagh ring. People watch while having a pint outside Grogan's. Revel in the beauty of Powerscourt Townhouse Centre.

Grafton Street
Listen to the buskers, chat to the flower sellers, walk down its side streets for some of Dublin's best pubs like Kehoes, McDaids and Nearys. More on Dublin's best pubs here.

Stephen's Green
Bring some peas for the ducks in Stephen's Green. Find the Iveagh Gardens, it's hidden but worth finding. The Little Museum of Dublin is simply superb, I love the performance, comedy and history on show.

The Vintage Afternoon Tea Bus Tour leaves outside the Green and is a fantastic way to spend an afternoon. Its reviews are the best I've seen of anything in Dublin.

Here's more details on this walk.

Rest & Freshen Up

Go back to your hotel for a short rest and to get ready for the evening. For a one night stay, you want somewhere extremely central, like NYX, The Grafton or The Green. For 5 star, go with the The Shelbourne or The Westbury.

Dinner on Camden Street

Camden Street is where Dubliners go out at night. Temple Bar is for the tourists. So walk or take a taxi to Camden Street. Have a pre-dinner Guinness in Devitts or Cassidy's.

You have so many dinner choices here, but you'll need to book ahead. Dublin is busy seven nights a week.

Mr S - Meat heavy but heavenly, cooked over an open flame. A totally unique spot for Dublin.
Delahunt - Refined and modern Irish cooking in a Victorian grocer's
Camden Kitchen - A small bistro off the main street, you'll feel like a local. My most regular place to eat in Dublin.

Nightcap In A Speakeasy on Dawson Street

Time for one last nightcap in the unexpected Peruke & Periwig. The cocktails in this atmospheric bar will having you reflecting on a perfect day in Dublin.

You'll just wish you were staying for one more day.

What You've Covered Today

You’ve seen tourist Dublin, local Dublin, had lunch in the Creative Quarter, done a tour or two, had the best Guinness of your life in an historic pub, had dinner where the locals go, and even fit in a cocktail.

There are Dubliners who haven't seen this much of the city in a year. Congratulations, you're an honorary Dubliner now.