What to see in Dublin in 3 days

Dublin is one of the cities you can't miss if you are thinking about travelling to Ireland. In this post we want to tell you what to see in Dublin in 3 days, whether you are an Erasmus student in Ireland or you are going on holiday for a few days, and for that we have compiled all the essential places you should visit to make the most of your stay.

What to see and do in Dublin

Spending a holiday in Ireland is something that most travellers put on their bucket list, as the Emerald Country looks like it is straight out of a fairy tale with its green landscapes, castles and ancient legends. The capital, Dublin, is a city you'll fall in love with, not only for all the unique places you'll discover, but also for the kindness and charm of the Irish people. If you can't wait to start your adventure, read on - your trip to Dublin will be unforgettable!

Ireland's capital is a fairly easy city to get around in just a few days. However, if you're only going for a weekend, you may have to cut down your Dublin itinerary a tad. If, on the other hand, you're a fan of adventure and need to make the most of your destination, this guide to what to visit in Dublin will come in handy.

What to see in Dublin in 3 days

Before we dive into the itinerary we have prepared so that you don't miss anything during your visit, here is the list of places you can't miss in Dublin in 3 days:

• The Spire
• Ha'Penny Bridge
• Molly Malone Statue
• Dublin Castle
• Dubh Linn Garden
• Chester Beatty Library
• Christ Church Cathedral
• St Patrick's Cathedral
• Temple Bar
• Book of Kells and Trinity College Library
• National Museum of Archaeology
• Oscar Wilde Statue (Merrion Square Park)
• Grafton Street
• St. Stephen's Green
• Guinness Storehouse
• Kilmainham Gaol
• Phoenix Park

Day 1

Depending on what time you arrive in Dublin on the first day, you can take the opportunity to see something else or simply prioritise what you want to do. From here we'll start with everything you can do from day one in the afternoon, but if you arrive in the morning, great! You'll have more time to get to know the city.

In this case we recommend you to book a Free Tour with which you can have a first contact of the city and see the most interesting places in a short tour of a couple of hours. This will give you the advantage of being able to move around later and also give you extra time to visit other places that require more time, such as museums, churches, etc.

Afternoon

If you arrive at noon, after lunch or in the early afternoon, start your route at The Spire, considered the tallest sculpture in the world and the traditional meeting point in Dublin. Along this avenue you will see historic buildings, hotels, shops and some traditional pubs and restaurants. Continuing south, head to the Ha'penny Bridge, named after the half penny you had to pay to cross it until the early 20th century.

From this pedestrian bridge, you can cross the River Liffey and continue on to the city centre, where you'll find the statue of Molly Malone, a fishmonger who supposedly travelled the streets of Dublin with her cart in the 17th century. Although there is no proof of this and it is not known whether Molly really existed, she has become a symbol of the city and the unofficial Dublin anthem is dedicated to her.

From there, walk parallel to the river to reach Dublin Castle. If you're too late to go inside (remember that most places to visit close between 5pm and 6pm), alternatively you can stroll through the Dubh Linn Garden, where you'll find the Chester Beatty Library, which we recommend you enter as it has a unique collection of texts, books and paintings from various regions of the world.

If you're feeling peckish, don't worry: the library has its own cafe for recharging your batteries, but if you fancy a bite to eat, you can find cafes close to your next destination. You can head to Christ Church Cathedral and visit its crypt, and then continue on to St. Patrick's Cathedral for a walk in the gardens or a little rest before dinner.

Night

On your first night in Dublin, you must visit the Temple Bar neighbourhood. This is a must! As well as being home to the pub of the same name, it is a very lively area at night and you can have dinner and a Guinness in any of the restaurants or pubs that you can find there. A tip is to avoid the most crowded ones and wander through the narrow streets of the neighbourhood, you're sure to find a hidden gem!

Day 2

On your second day in Dublin, we recommend that you get up a little earlier than usual to make the most of the day. Have a good breakfast to recharge your batteries!

Morning

Head to Trinity College and visit its impressive library and the exhibition dedicated to the Book of Kells, a manuscript illustrated by Celtic monks that is over 1000 years old; you won't regret it! Afterwards, head to the National Museum of Archaeology and marvel at its historical exhibits about Dublin. After your history lesson, stop for a break in Merrion Square Park and visit the statue of the writer Oscar Wilde.

Once you've recharged your batteries, continue on to Grafton Street for a spot of shopping or a stroll while listening to street music. You'll find St. Stephen's Green at the end of this street; it's the ideal place to take a short walk and a break from the hustle and bustle of the shopping area before lunch.

Afternoon

A trip to Dublin can't be considered a trip to Dublin without a visit to the Guinness Storehouse; whether you like beer or not, we're convinced that this visit to the brewery-museum of Ireland's most famous beer will amaze you, we promise! Once you have visited the whole tour, don't forget to go up to the Gravity Bar afterwards to enjoy a Guinness with a breathtaking view of the city. Don't forget to toast in true Irish style: Sláinte!

Night

There's nothing quite like immersing yourself in the culture of the place you're visiting, right? If you want to spend a night away from the tourist hustle and bustle, we recommend you cross the Liffey to the northern parts of the city and have a drink in a pub with live traditional Irish music; you're sure to have a night to remember!

Day 3

Last day in Dublin! We know it's all gone by so quickly but you still have a few hours left to enjoy the city, so off you go!

Morning

We suggest you start the day by heading to the west of the city to visit Kilmainham Gaol, the former prison where many leaders of the Irish independence revolts served their sentences, and learn a little more about the history of the city. As a curiosity, films such as "In the Name of the Father" and even a video clip of the Irish band U2 have been filmed in this prison.

Once you've finished, you can grab a snack or a coffee in the cafeteria before heading to Phoenix Park. If the weather is nice, you can hire a bike and ride around, as a walk might not be enough (remember it's the largest urban park in Europe!). If you're lucky and the weather is nice, you can even have a picnic when you stop for a break. Just watch out for the deer! They're friendly but they can get right to your food if you're not careful.

Afternoon

If it's time to catch your flight, make sure you don't forget anything! If, on the other hand, your flight is in the evening, make the most of it to see everything you've been missing: visit Dublin Castle, the cathedrals, a museum of your interest, a whisky distillery... or simply relax in your favourite corner of Dublin and improvise as you go along. It's up to you!

We hope you enjoy your visit to Dublin with these tips. You'll want to get back a second time, that's for sure!

Looking for accommodation in Dublin?

With Erasmusu, the preparations for your stay in Dublin will go smoothly. We are experts in student rentals, so you will find accommodation from rooms in shared flats, to studios, or even university residences. Our team will help you through the whole process so you don't have to worry about a thing - take a look and book your accommodation!

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