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Anthony Bourdain once said of Dublin, “If you’ve got any kind of a heart, a soul, an appreciation for your fellow man, or any kind of appreciation for the written word, or simply a love of a perfectly poured beverage, then there’s no way you could avoid loving this city.” I was born in Dublin, and don’t live far from there now. Yet, bias aside, I find it to be a remarkable city. Packed with history and a genuinely fun place to be. Do I think 48 hours in Dublin is enough? Definitely not! However, 48 hours in Dublin is long enough to enjoy the city, learn about it and leave impressed. This itinerary can help do exactly that. You get an insight into the city and many of its characteristics. It will enhance your experience, make you realise 48 hours in Dublin is not enough and leave you craving more!
Accommodation in Dublin
Dublin’s small size makes it very easy to find accommodation in a good place. There are very few parts of the city that are not within walking distance of what you will want to see. The city is broken down into postcodes ranging from Dublin 1 to Dublin 24. This is a great indicator of how close you are to the city centre. These numbers also include the suburbs of Dublin. In truth, only Dublin 1 and 2 are part of the city. Any accommodation inside these two will have you in the perfect location for exploring the city. Outside of these two, expect to use public transport. Unfortunately, I have no real advice on hotels or hostels as I rarely stay in the city.
Day 1 in Dublin
Breakfast
On many occasions, I recommend finding accommodation that provides guests with a free breakfast. This is not one of those times. Breakfast is becoming an increasingly big deal in Ireland. The grease filled, fried breakfasts are being replaced with healthier, fresher alternatives. Eating breakfast in Dublin is a delight. For me, Tang is the perfect place to start your culinary experience in the city. Tang serves up the best breakfast I have ever had in my homeland. Whether you choose their overnight oats or the pancakes, you are sure to be in for a treat. All the food is cooked to order, containing only the highest quality ingredients. I recommend the Shakshuka, eggs poached in tomatoes with roasted red pepper and harissa. Served with a side of sourdough bread and a coffee, the dish was nothing short of amazing.
Morning
Breakfast at Tang leaves you in a prime location to visit one of Dublin’s most famous sites, Trinity College. The oldest college in Ireland is steeped with history. The main attraction for visitors is the Old Library and the Book of Kells which is housed there. The Old Library and its main chamber, The Long Room, have over 200,000 books. It makes for one of the most incredible pictures you will get in all of Dublin. The Book of Kells is often regarded as Ireland’s finest national treasure. An illuminated, religious manuscript that dates back to 800AD, the Book of Kells has all four gospels from the new testament of the Bible. Don’t leave Trinity College without taking a stroll around the grounds of the college. History can be found everywhere there. Guided tours are available for those who wish to learn more.
Lunch
I am all for tying in the location of where you eat with what you are seeing in the city, once the food is delicious that is! This is exactly the case for lunch on day one. Umi Falafel serves up freshly cooked falafel packed in wraps or pita with a huge amount of salad and sauces. It can be quite messy to eat but totally worth it. The added bonus of visiting at lunchtime is that you make great use of their great lunch offer. For just €8, you get a wrap, wedges and a drink. Considering you will leave barely able to move, this represents one of the best deals in Dublin.
If Falafel is not your thing (what is wrong with you!!) then maybe you could check out Forno 500 across the road. Although I have yet to personally try their stone-baked pizzas myself, I have heard nothing but good things from anyone that has.
Afternoon
Just off of Dame Street, where you had lunch, is the entrance to Dublin Castle and its grounds. I suggest skipping past the castle for now at least and going to the Dubh Linn Gardens. It is said that this is where Dublin got its name from. There is not much to do there apart from enjoying the tranquillity as you digest your lunch. When ready, head on into the Chester Beatty Library. This, to me, is the most fascinating place in all of Dublin. A collection of manuscripts, artefacts and artworks that once belonged to mining tycoon Sir Alfred Chester Beatty. Beatty was a keen traveller, constantly adding to his collection that contained items from all over the world. Items there originated from Asia, the Middle East, North Africa and many more places. You could lose track of time very easily in this museum.
If you find yourself with time to spare, make your way into Dublin Castle. A visit there only takes about forty-five minutes and whilst it may not be a spectacular attraction, it is worth a look.
Dinner
Dublin is packed full of restaurants. Like any city, some of these are aimed purely at tourists. But among them, there is a great choice of fantastic places to grab a bite to eat. To find great food in Dublin, it doesn’t have to cost a lot or even be in too formal a setting. One of Dublin’s hottest places to eat now is Bunsen. A simple menu specializing in burgers and fries, but all done to a really high standard. If burgers are not really your thing, check out Elephant and Castle. Their menu has a wider range, the food is good quality and value but you won’t have far to walk to get there.
Evening
As a ‘local’, Temple Bar is almost a no-go zone. Alcohol prices are already higher in Dublin in comparison with the rest of the country. So why would you then go to an area of Dublin that has an increased mark-up on the price of a drink? Yet, every night of the week, Temple Bar is packed with people. Why is that? Because, above all else, it is fun. It is a good place to go for a drink. If you are a budget traveller then run from Temple Bar as fast as you can. If not, this is where you want to spend your night in the city. You will have a choice of bars to drink in, all with a different atmosphere and music selections. If this is purely a holiday or you have just 48 hours in Dublin, then enjoy yourself and enjoy Temple Bar!
Day 2 in Dublin
Breakfast
Another of Dublin’s hottest breakfast spots is Brother Hubbard. This café is actually open all day but it is their breakfast menu that is not to be missed. With an extensive menu as well as a huge choice of baked goods, it can be so hard to choose what to order. Whether you choose one of their breakfast items like granola or a smoothie bowl or decide to go with something more substantial and select from their brunch menu, you won’t be disappointed. I had the Turkish Eggs, a big portion of scrambled eggs with roasted red peppers and Turkish spices. Brother Hubbard also serves a mean cup of coffee. Although I slightly prefer Tang, Brother Hubbard is an excellent alternative to start your second day in Dublin.
Morning
Dublin has a very rich history. No visit can be complete without learning at least a bit about that. From outside Brother Hubbard take the LUAS (Dublin’s tram service) as far as Suir Road. From there, walk a few minutes until you reach Kilmainham Gaol (Jail in Irish). This former prison housed some of Ireland’s most famous and notorious prisoners. Many of the leaders of the 1916 Rising were brought to the jail and ultimately executed there. This was also the last stop for many prisoners before they were transported to Australia. Visits to the jail include a guided tour, which gives you a full insight into the history there. Nowhere else in the city allows you to dive deep into its history as Kilmainham Gaol does, it is a must-see even if you have only 48 hours in Dublin!
If you find yourself with some time to spare after visiting, check out Richmond Barracks. The newly renovated exhibition centre started out as a barracks for the British regiments fighting in the Crimean War and World War I. After the 1916 Rising, the barracks housed over 3,000 Irish rebels awaiting their sentence. This attraction is another incredible insight into the city’s history. Also, its close location to Kilmainham Gaol means visiting both, one after the other, is easy.
Lunch
The second day has a bit more travelling in it than the first. This is an unfortunate necessity to visit certain sights in Dublin. What you don’t want is for that to affect your food choices though. For that reason, I suggest taking the LUAS back to where you got on. A couple of minutes walk from there is Capel Street and Parnell Street. This is where you will find Dublin’s best Asian food. Most are Chinese but you can get some excellent Vietnamese food there. Pho Viet is a delicious choice. However, my favourite is Aobaba, a small chaotic shop selling huge bowls of Pho (Vietnamese Noodle Soup) for very little money.
It is a bit of a walk from there to this afternoon’s activity. However, on the way, check out the crypt at St. Michans Church. A visit to the crypt allows you to get up close and personal with some mummified bodies and skulls. Really creepy but very interesting.
Afternoon
Ireland’s most famous export, Guinness is an attraction in itself. People come from all over the world in search of the perfect pint of the black stuff. It comes as no surprise that the Guinness Storehouse is Dublin’s most visited tourist attraction. I didn’t find the tour to be great but no 48 hours in Dublin would be complete without a visit there. It was a more self-guided interactive experience than a brewery tour. Most come here for that much-coveted pint of Guinness at the end of the tour. Each entry comes with a token that can be exchanged for a pint in the Gravity Bar at the end of the tour. Not only does this bar do a great pint of Guinness. It also gives visitors a 360° view of Dublin City. To book your tickets to the Storehouse, click here.
An alternative to the Guinness Storehouse is the nearby Jameson Bow Street Experience. Although this is not a brewery tour either, it does involve a comparative whiskey tasting, as well as a free drink at the end. This is a must for any whiskey drinkers coming to the city. To read all about my experience at Bow Street, click here.
Dinner
For dinner on your second night, why not try something a bit more typically Irish? The Brazen Head, Ireland’s oldest pub, dates back as far as 1754, at least at its current location. Documents can be found containing ‘The Brazen Head’ from over a hundred years before that. They claim to have kept the true pub atmosphere of old, and I tend to agree with them. They have an excellent bar menu which provides visitors with hearty Irish fare, live music every night and one of the best pints of Guinness found in the city. A trip to The Brazen Head is almost considered a right of passage for any visitor to Dublin, just check out their ‘Wall of Fame’ if you don’t believe me. Some pretty famous faces have drunk, eat and even played there.
Whether you are just in Dublin for the weekend or use it as a gateway to other parts of Ireland, it is almost guaranteed that the city will leave a lasting impression on you. It has too much charm not to. The city is just filled with history. From the literature legends like James Joyce and Oscar Wilde to the musical icons such as U2 and Luke Kelly, Dublin has more than played its part in popular culture around the world. The above details what can be achieved with 48 hours in Dublin, however, I think the city needs more time than that. The longer you spend there, the more the city will open to you. You will begin to really appreciate Dublin for its history, its atmosphere and its undeniable soul.
To read more about Dublin, including the best food in the city, click here.
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I loved visiting Dublin – Brother Hubbard was incredible, already planning a trip back the next time I’m over! Wonderful post, full of great recommendations.
A great post the food looks amazing!!! Not yet to get to Dublin my husband is from the North, Co. Antrim so looking forward to heading down to Dublin this year as I’ve only really travelled round the North 🍀 happy St Patrick’s for Sunday 🍀
Great recommendations! The food looks sooo good, I’ll definitely be hitting up these spots when I make it to Dublin. Thanks for sharing!
Those foods, gosh! they look so tempting! 😋😋
Never knew Dublin could be this beautiful. Thanks for sharing!!
Love Dublin!
Could have used this post when I was in Dublin – great, thorough, well-written recommendations. Thank you!