Day one morning: the south side
Start your weekend at Trinity College, visiting the Book of Kells and the Long Room early before the crowds build. Then stroll down Grafton Street, Dublin's main shopping street, often enlivened by buskers, and into St Stephen's Green, a beautifully landscaped Victorian park with a lake, bridges and flower beds.
For lunch, head to one of the cafés and restaurants in the streets around the green, where you will find everything from traditional pub fare to modern Irish cooking.
Day one afternoon and evening
Spend the afternoon at the National Museum's archaeology branch or the National Gallery, both free and both nearby. Then wander towards Dublin Castle and Christ Church Cathedral, a beautiful medieval building with a vast crypt.
In the evening, eat in the Temple Bar area or nearby, then find a pub with a traditional music session. Even if Temple Bar itself is not your scene, it is worth walking through once to see its lively, cobbled lanes.
Day two morning: the Liberties
The Liberties, one of Dublin's oldest neighbourhoods, is home to St Patrick's Cathedral, where Jonathan Swift was dean, and to the Guinness Storehouse. Combine the two for a full morning, finishing with views from the Storehouse's rooftop bar.
Alternatively, take a tour of Kilmainham Gaol, a short ride west, for a moving insight into Irish history. Book well ahead either way.
Day two afternoon: north of the Liffey
Cross the Ha'penny Bridge, a graceful iron footbridge, and explore the northside. Walk up O'Connell Street, the city's grand central boulevard, past the General Post Office, a key site of the 1916 Rising, to the Hugh Lane Gallery.
Finish with a walk in the Phoenix Park, one of the largest enclosed city parks in Europe, where a herd of wild deer roams freely. It is a fitting end to the weekend before heading back to the airport.
If you have an extra half day
With a few more hours, ride the DART coastal train south to Dún Laoghaire for a walk along the pier, or explore the Docklands, where modern architecture, a tall ship and the poignant famine memorial sculptures line the river. Alternatively, spend the time in the Chester Beatty or simply relax in a café in Portobello, watching the city go by. A short trip rarely feels complete without a slow afternoon somewhere, and Dublin is a city where an unplanned conversation in a café or pub can easily become the highlight of the weekend.
Good to know
- Pre-book timed tickets for Trinity, Kilmainham and the Storehouse.
- Check in online up to 72 hours before your flight home from DUB.
- A Leap card makes buses and trams cheaper and easier.