The Irish capital is a fantastic city to visit and you’ll be pleasantly surprised when you arrive to find that there are a lot of things to do in Dublin. Having spent just 2 days in Dublin we have much more to discover but we were able to see many of the main attractions in Dublin as well as find some hidden gems along the way.
If you’re flying into Dublin the airport is very close to the city centre and the various airport transfers will get you there in no time at all. The city is known for being one of the most expensive capitals in Europe, but there are actually a lot of free things to do in Dublin that’ll help keep you within your travel budget. If you’re thinking of spending 48 hours in Dublin here’s everything you need to plan the perfect trip.
Things to do during 2 days in Dublin
Visit the Trinity College library
The library at Trinity College dates back to 1592 and is the largest in Ireland. It’s also home to the Book of Kells which is an illuminated manuscript Gospel book written in Latin, dating back to the 9th century. It’s a beautiful piece of medieval history, and is considered a must-see in Dublin.
Entry tickets cost €19 or you can join a guided tour of the campus and library. I would recommend visiting early if you’re purchasing tickets on the day or you’ll be waiting for a long time to enter.
Walk around Trinity College
Trinity College itself is also worth walking around. If you’re taking a walking tour in Dublin, many of them will pass through here, and a few even include entry into the library. The college is near a number of other Dublin attractions, so it’s very easy to add to your 2 days in Dublin itinerary.
Stroll around St Stephen’s Green
Dublin is full of beautiful parks and St Stephen’s Green is no exception. It’s preserved in its original Victorian style and is centrally located. Dublin can get expensive, so it’s nice to know there are some free things to do in the city.
Hang out with Oscar Wilde
The Oscar Wilde statue is located in Merrion Square, a prominent stomping ground of the famous poet and playwright. It was commissioned by the Guinness Ireland Group in 1997, and is a unique thing to see in Dublin.
Sing a song with Molly Malone
The Molly Malone statue is located on Suffolk Street, right in front of an information kiosk. Many tourists like to come and take photos with this statue while singing the famous song, and why not? It’s a fun one!
Explore the historic streets
Dublin is full of quirky streets so take a break from your schedule and enjoy the atmosphere. Dame Lane is a favourite of mine and is great to visit if you want to enjoy the Irish pub scene as it’s home to one of the last remaining Victorian era pubs in Dublin, The Stags. You can’t spend 2 days in Dublin without visiting at least one pub!
Dublin Castle
A short walk from Dame Lane is Dublin Castle. It’s one of the most important buildings in Irish history, and from 1204 to 1922 it was the seat of English rule, followed by British rule. If you don’t have time to join a tour of Dublin Castle, make sure you walk around the grounds. There’s a lovely garden you can access across the street from the castle as well.
St Patrick’s Cathedral & Marsh’s Library
St Patrick’s Cathedral is the tallest and largest in Ireland, so it’s definitely worth taking a quick look at. Not only is it one of the city’s main attractions, it’s also something free to do in Dublin. Just behind it is Marsh’s Library, dating back to the late Renaissance. It was the first public library in the country, and is beautifully preserved. It costs €7 to enter, and can easily be visited during 2 days in Dublin.
Guinness Storehouse
Even if you aren’t a beer drinker, the Guinness Storehouse is a must-visit in Dublin. There are seven floors inside with lots of activities to keep you busy for a few hours, including the Gravity Bar. You’ll even given the opportunity to pull your own pint, and sample some unique flavours of Guinness.
Tickets cost €20.00 per adult through the official website, which includes at least 3 full pints of Guinness. I would 100% recommend going on this experience – it’s one of the best things to do in Dublin and worth every penny. For some more details and tips on the Guinness Storehouse, check out the Ultimate Guide to the Guinness Storehouse in Dublin, Ireland.
Guinness Storehouse Connoisseur Experience
When you purchase your ticket for the Guinness Storehouse, there’s an option to add-on the Connoisseur Experience which costs €95 in total. If you love Guinness, this is an absolute must. There are limited tickets available each day, and you’ll be taken in a small group to a private bar filled with all types of Guinness.
Here is where you’ll sample at least 5 different versions of Guinness and finish by pulling your own pint. The bartender also provides you with a lot of history and fun facts about Guinness. All of these drinks are on top of the pints you’re entitled to with the general Storehouse ticket, so you should expect to be stumbling down the streets of Dublin when you leave!
Enjoy the pubs in Dublin
It goes without saying that you need to visit at least one pub during 2 days in Dublin. If you can’t decide, The Hairy Lemon has quite an interesting back story to it, and is a charming traditional pub in the city centre with lots of quirky memorabilia decorating its interior!
Irish Whiskey Museum
The Irish Whiskey Museum is located right across the road from Trinity College, and is definitely a warm welcome on a cold and wet day. If you’re only spending 2 days in Dublin chances are you’ll meet with a little bit of rain. As well as taking a tour of the museum you can treat yourself to a whiskey tasting session where you’ll be able to sample a few different types of Irish whiskey.
Temple Bar
Throughout your 2 days in Dublin you can’t miss the Temple Bar neighbourhood. The famous The Temple Bar pub is completely packed inside during most hours of the day so I would suggest finding somewhere else to get a drink. But don’t forget to take a photo of the bar before you leave!
Walk across Ha’penny Bridge
Ha’penny Bridge was built in the late 1800s. It’s a beautiful iron bridge crossing the River Liffey and was once the only pedestrian bridge in Dublin. It gets its name from the toll it used to have when it was constructed, replacing the seven ferries that were in charge of carrying people across the river.
Take a look at the Hungry Tree
If you have time during your 2 days in Dublin take a walk over to King’s Inns. This is where you’ll find one of Dublin’s strangest attractions – The Hungry Tree. There are plenty of other unusual things to do in Dublin listed on Atlas Obscura too.
Jameson Distillery
If you love whiskey then Jameson Distillery should be at the top of your list. Our 2 days in Dublin didn’t give us enough time to go inside, but it’s on my list for next time. Visiting this distillery in Dublin is considered one of the best things to do in the city and is a great place to go if you’re looking for whiskey tours in Dublin.
Christ Church Cathedral
Christ Church Cathedral is another key historic site in Dublin. It was originally a Viking church and has almost 1000 years of history behind it. It’s also one of Dublin’s main tourist attractions, and we had just enough time during our 2 days in Dublin to stop by. There’s an entry fee of €10.50 per adult to enter, so if you’re visiting Dublin on a budget you can enjoy it from the outside instead.
Step back in time at a speakeasy
The VCC is difficult to find, unless you know where to look. It’s located in Temple Bar, and looks like a rusty door but ring the doorbell and you’ll be taken back to a time when alcohol was illegal. The cocktails are delicious and the food looked incredible too. Make sure to book ahead of time as it’s a very popular bar in Dublin.
Join a food tour in Dublin
Dublin’s Secret Food Tour is the best way to try local food and find some hidden gems along the way. It’ll only take up a few hours of your 2 days in Dublin and they’re able to cate to any dietary requirements. The tour is supposed to be secret, so I won’t spoil the fun for you except to say that you probably won’t need to book dinner in the evening after all of this delicious food.
Where to stay in Dublin
Iveagh Garden Hotel
Wondering where to stay during your 2 days in Dublin? The city is full of amazing hotels so it’s a difficult choice to make. We stayed at the beautiful centrally located Iveagh Garden Hotel, which is Europe’s first sustainable hotel. It’s absolutely gorgeous and the rooms are breathtaking, with lots of amenities included. I would recommend the superior double room if you want to treat yourself.
>> Click here for the most up to date prices at Iveagh Garden Hotel <<
Dublin is one of the best cities in Ireland to visit, whether you’re going for its vibrant nightlife or to experience the Irish culture and history. There’s something for everyone, and if you’re like us and only have 2 days to visit Dublin, there’s a lot you can pack in. Some of the most famous landmarks in Ireland can be found here, and even if you’re visiting Dublin on a budget you’ll have an amazing time.
If you love visiting city’s that have a fantastic food scene, Dublin is a great choice for traditional Irish dishes. But if you ever find yourself in the north of England, Manchester has an enormous amount of restaurants to choose from too. Don’t forget to follow me on Instagram for more travel tips!
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