With beautiful architecture, wonderful museums, pretty parks, and some of the best pubs in the world, Dublin is the perfect destination for a weekend city break. The inescapable Irish charm permeates through the streets, accentuated by the sounds of traditional music, chatter, and laughter. As winter approaches, Dublin becomes even more enchanting as the town is lit up with sparkling Christmas lights and fires are lit in every pub. There is so much to explore in this fabulous city. Here is how to make the most of three days in Dublin: Dublin city break
Day One Dublin city break
After a delicious lunch on the terrace at Chez Max or inside the warm restaurant adorned with hundreds of French wine bottles, take a trip to the Dublinia Museum. dublin city break
Housed in a section of the famous Christ Church Cathedral, the museum takes visitors back in time through Dublin’s Viking and Medieval history. This is perfect for a fun and family-friendly activity.
Unlike many other cities, Dublin is home to two cathedrals. After exploring the Christ Church Cathedral, you can head to the nearby St Patrick’s Cathedral. Founded in 1911, it was originally intended to replace the Christ Church, but instead, these two beautiful structures coexist together.
With so much to squeeze into your city break, it is also important to take time to simply enjoy the atmosphere of the city. Take the afternoon to walk along the River Liffey and relax in the bars or cafes on the waterfront. dublin city break
Enjoy a tour through this unique and fascinating museum and learn about the history of Arthur McGuinness and the world-famous stout. dublin city break
Visit the tasting room where you will enjoy a mini pint in Arthur’s old library and finish the tour with a pint and 360-degree views in the Gravity Bar. Some tours even teach you to pour the perfect Guinness!
Day Two Dublin city break
Just a short walk from Trinity are three of Dublin’s greatest museums and all of them are free to enter. It is best to spend about two hours in each, or if you are short on time, pick one or two to visit.
The Archaeology Museum is where visitors can see the famous bog bodies, mummified by the peat bog that covers so much of Ireland, dating back to 400 – 200 BC. The Natural History Museum takes visitors through Ireland’s plant and mammal history, whilst The National Gallery of Ireland hosts an incredible display of European art dating from the 14th to the 20th century.
Continue your exploration of history as you wander down O’Connell Street past Dublin’s GPO. You can still see the bullet holes from the Easter Rising in the façade. From O’Connell Street, walk down to Grafton Street to do some Christmas shopping, and say hello to Molly Malone, the statue of Ireland’s most famous fictional character. dublin city break
In the evening get a true taste of Dublin by bar hopping through Temple Bar. With warm fires on every corner, fairy lights twinkling in the streets outside every pub, and an atmosphere that you can only find in Dublin, you are sure to have a fantastic night out. Temple Bar has some incredible pubs, but it can sometimes be a bit of a tourist trap. If you want to drink like a local, head to the bars on Dame Lane for a more affordable and authentic experience.
Day Three Dublin city break
If whiskey is more to your taste than stout, a lunchtime tour of the Jameson Experience is not one to miss. After a busy morning, relax with a walk in the National Botanical Gardens. dublin city break
Whilst this is certainly an oasis of calm and beauty, the gardens are also home to an important collection of plant species and cultivars from all over the world. After the gardens, walk into Glasnevin Cemetery where you will find the graves and memorials of Ireland’s most notable figures, including Michael Collins and Eamon de Valera. dublin city break
What better way to finish your Dublin weekend break than with a pint of the best Guinness in Dublin? The Gravediggers Pub, which is actually called John Kavanagh is known for pouring the best pint in Dublin, which means it is arguably the best in the world. Head back into town for a takeaway Bunsen Burger, known as the most delicious burger in Dublin, before hopping back on the bus to the airport.
It’s the perfect city for a weekend break, just the right size with plenty to explore and enough time to relax too. If you only have one or two days, buy a hop-on-hop-off bus ticket. They run throughout the day and take you to all the major sites across the city. Go for the scenery and stay for the charm, Dublin is sure to leave a mark on any visitor’s heart. dublin city break
Book your trip to Dublin with JourneyHero!