3 Days in Dublin
In just three days, we explored ancient cathedrals, chased sea winds along cliffs, tasted whiskey where it’s born, and soaked in stories both legendary and local. This guide isn’t about ticking boxes. It’s about feeling the city, walking its rhythm, and discovering the balance between tourist highlights and quiet corners. Whether you’re planning a weekend getaway or a short city escape – here’s how we made the most of our time in Dublin.
Step by step, pint by pint. 🍀
Explore the Days
Day 1 – Arrival & Howth
From runway to rugged cliffs.
Fish & chips by the sea, a breathtaking cliff walk, and a seal sighting.
Day 2 – City & Whiskey
From cathedrals to cocktails.
Historic sights, hidden gems, Guinness… and Jameson to finish.
Day 3 – Wicklow Wild
Mountains, myths, and mist.
Fairytale cafés, Viking lakes, and monastic calm in Glendalough.
📍Day 1 – Arrival & Howth Cliff Walk. We landed in Dublin in the early afternoon and jumped straight into the rhythm of the city – and soon after, into the salty air of the sea. From airport to cliffs, this was one solid start.
13:20 – Arrival at Dublin Airport
Smooth flight, smooth landing. First things first – we grabbed the Leap Visitor Card at the airport newsstand, which gave us access to trams, buses and the DART train. Super easy. Then we made our way outside to the Dublin Express stand, where the staff were super helpful and got us tickets for the ride into town. Quick, smooth, no stress.
14:00 – Check-in at The Spencer Hotel
We checked into The Spencer, located right by North Wall Quay. The location was ideal – just steps from a tram stop and close to the river. We were also lucky to get an early check-in, which gave us time to breathe before heading out. The only downside? Paper-thin walls – we could hear pretty much everything from the hallway and neighbouring rooms.
So if you’re a light sleeper: earplugs recommended. 😅 Still, the comfort and location outweighed the noise.
14:45 – 🚉 DART to Howth
Bags dropped, Leap Card in hand – time to escape the city. We took the DART train to Howth, a beautiful seaside village just about 30 minutes away. A relaxing ride with sea views, and a great way to get into a different kind of Irish vibe. The further we got from the city, the calmer and fresher everything felt.
15:30 – 🐟 Fish & Chips by the Harbour
As soon as we arrived, we followed our stomachs straight to the harbour. There are plenty of restaurants along the water – we picked one that looked good and weren’t disappointed. Fish & chips with sea breeze and seagull soundtrack? A must. Simple, classic and satisfying.
16:00 – 🚶 Harbour Walk
After lunch, we took a slow walk through the harbour. Fishing boats, locals walking their dogs, the sound of the waves… There was something timeless about it – like the town was quietly carrying on, no matter who was watching. We paused often, took photos, then put the camera down again. It was peaceful, no rush, and felt like the calm before the cliffs.
16:30 – 🌿 Howth Cliff Walk
This was the highlight. The cliff walk is everything we hoped for – stunning, a bit wild, and incredibly refreshing. Windy paths, steep drops, the Atlantic stretching out forever. We didn’t race it – we walked slow, took it in, let it all land. 📸 And while we took a few photos… most of the time, the phone stayed in the pocket. That’s when you know it’s good.
17:50 – 🦭 Unexpected Visitor
As we returned to the harbour, we noticed a gentle ripple in the water – something moving quietly near the boats. We paused, looked closer… And there it was: a seal, just for us. Floating, calm, unbothered. No crowd, no spectacle – just us and that soft, perfect moment.
18:00 – Return to Dublin
We caught the DART back to Dublin, tired in the best possible way. Messy hair, full heart, slightly windburned cheeks – and that feeling that Day 1 already delivered more than expected.
💚 What I loved most:
The cliffs. Not just the views – the stillness, the height, the sea air. That moment when I realised I hadn’t spoken or taken a photo for 10 minutes… just walked and felt. Pure travel gold.
✨ Quick tips:
• Get your Leap Visitor Card at the airport – it covers DART, trams, buses.
• Buy your Dublin Express ticket at the official stand outside the terminal.
• Howth is perfect for a relaxed half-day trip – do it on Day 1 to reset your mind.
• Bring a windbreaker – even in sunshine, the cliffs can surprise you.
• Watch for seals near the harbour – sometimes magic shows up quietly.
📍Day 2 – Dublin Old Town, Castles & Whiskey Vibes. From cathedrals to cobbled streets.
We wandered Trinity’s courtyards, explored castles and hidden gems, and ended with whiskey warmth and a sauna wind-down.
08:30 – Breakfast at the Hotel
We started the day easy, enjoying a calm breakfast at The Spencer – great spread, strong coffee, no rush. It felt good to take it slow before hitting the city.
09:00 – Walk through Trinity College
Our first steps led us to the legendary grounds of Trinity College. We didn’t enter the Long Room Library – most of it was closed for renovation – but just being on campus felt inspiring. Stone paths, quiet courtyards, centuries of knowledge all around.
09:30 – Molly Malone & Keogh’s Café
Next stop: a quick photo with Dublin’s favorite fishmonger, the Molly Malone statue, followed by a warm-up coffee at Keogh’s Café. Local, cozy, and the perfect refuel before diving into the historic core.
10:00 – 🏰 Dublin Castle
We had a reserved time slot right at opening, and it paid off – no crowds, just calm exploration. We wandered through old halls, royal rooms, and quiet courtyards that seemed to whisper centuries-old stories. A beautiful and immersive way to connect with Dublin’s layered past.
10:45 – 🏛️ Chester Beatty Library
Tucked just behind the castle, this free museum is a true hidden gem. Manuscripts, ancient art, and spiritual texts from all over the world fill its halls – and not a tourist crowd in sight. Peaceful, fascinating, and totally worth a slow, curious detour.
11:30 – ⛪ St. Patrick’s Cathedral (Outside Only)
We arrived at the famous St. Patrick’s Cathedral, but decided to skip the interior this time. Instead, we took a slow walk around the grounds, admired its towering architecture, and soaked in the calm of the surrounding gardens. Even from the outside, it’s a striking and memorable stop.
11:45 – 🛡️ Dublinia & Christ Church Cathedral
From saints to swords – next up was Dublinia, the Viking-themed museum, where we got a combo ticket that included Christ Church Cathedral right next door. Interactive, fun and packed with quirky historical facts. Not just for kids!
13:00 – 🍻 Temple Bar & Guinness
You can’t come to Dublin and skip Temple Bar, even if it’s tourist central. We embraced the cliché, ordered a fresh pint of Guinness, listened to live music, and soaked in the vibe. Sometimes being a tourist is the point.
13:30 – Ha’Penny Bridge & Local McDonald’s Stop 😄
We crossed the iconic Ha’Penny Bridge, snapped a few pics… and then gave in to curiosity and tried the Irish McDonald’s. Don’t judge – it’s part of the travel experience too. (And yep, it hit the spot.)
15:00 – 📍The Spire
A quick detour to The Spire, also known as the “Stiletto in the Ghetto” by locals. It’s massive, metallic and… very Dublin.
16:00 – Chill Break at the Hotel
Back at The Spencer, we took a much-needed break – recharging before the evening’s whiskey-filled finale.
17:00 – 🥃 Jameson Distillery Bow St.
Our tour started with a short explore around the exhibits, followed by a guided whiskey tasting that was both educational and delicious. A perfect combo of storytelling, sipping, and Irish heritage. Highly recommended – even if you’re not a whiskey fan, the experience alone is worth it.
18:30 – Sauna Session & Chill Vibes
We wrapped the day with a hotel sauna session and a bit of Netflix downtime. No better way to recharge after a long day of city walking and whiskey sipping.
💚 What I loved most:
Honestly? The rhythm of the day. From medieval towers to modern pints, it flowed effortlessly – and that final glass of Jameson? Perfectly Irish.
✨ Quick tips:
• Book Dublin Castle and Jameson tours ahead.
• Visit Chester Beatty – it’s free and fantastic.
• Temple Bar is busy… and still worth it.
• Mix touristy stuff with local cafés for balance.
• Take breaks! Dublin rewards slow walkers.
📍Day 3 – Wild Wicklow: Lakes, Legends & Guinness Stew. Our third day in Ireland was all fresh air, myths, and one epic stop: Lough Tay – a.k.a. Kattegat from Vikings. We joined the Wild Wicklow Tour and let someone else do the planning.
08:15 – Breakfast at the Hotel
We kicked off the day with a quiet breakfast at The Spencer. Good coffee, warm food, and that calm before heading into the wild hills of Wicklow. Simple and grounding – just what we needed.
09:15 – Pick-up | Grand Canal Hotel
Just across from our hotel, we boarded the tour bus and left Dublin behind. Our guide had great energy and a real Irish sense of humour – always a good sign.
09:50 – 🌳 Killiney Hill Walk
A short hike with epic views of Dublin Bay. Fresh breeze, green hills, and a gentle start to the day.
11:15 – ☕ Avoca Kilmacanoge
A dreamy café and shop stop. We had a warm coffee, wandered through handmade crafts and soaked up the Irish cottagecore vibe. Honestly? Felt like we were in a fairytale.
12:45 – 📸 P.S. I Love You Bridge
A brief stop at the iconic film location – easy to recognize, hard not to smile if you’ve seen the movie.
13:20 – 🛶 Lough Tay (Kattegat / Guinness Lake)
For me, this was the highlight of the entire day. Lough Tay – the dramatic dark lake with a light beach – was the filming location for Kattegat in Vikings. Standing there, in that misty landscape, was surreal. Bucket list moment: achieved.
14:00 – 🍲 Lunch in Laragh
A cozy Irish pub lunch: Guinness stew, mashed potatoes, and brown bread, washed down with a pint. Comfort food level = expert.
15:00 – Glendalough: Monastery & Lakes
Glendalough was more than a stop – it was an experience. Ancient ruins, peaceful lakes, light rain on our jackets… and stories from long ago. 📜 Legend says: Saint Kevin came here to live in solitude. A blackbird laid her eggs in his hand – and he held still until they hatched. A lesson in stillness, patience, and deep connection with nature.
16:30 – 🥃 Final Toast & Return to Dublin
Before boarding the bus, we got a surprise: a shot of Irish whiskey to warm the soul. We headed back toward the city – tired, content, and grateful for the calm.
18:30 – Evening at the Hotel
Back in our room, we kept it simple: light dinner, sauna session, and Netflix in bed. No big plans, no rush – just soaking in the day.
💚 What I loved most:
Lough Tay. It wasn’t just beautiful – it was personal. A place I dreamed of for years, suddenly under my feet. Add the drizzle, the wind, and the view… and I was exactly where I needed to be.
✨ Quick tips:
• Wear layers – you’ll thank yourself at Glendalough.
• Stop at Avoca – coffee, gifts, cozy vibes.
• Don’t overplan – let this day take you.
• Vikings fans? Just go. You’ll feel it.
We joined this one, and totally recommend it:
👉 Wild Wicklow Tour via GetYourGuide
🍀 Final Thoughts – Big Vibes in a Short Time
Dublin may be compact, but it’s full of layers. From the wild cliffs of Howth to the peaceful stillness of Glendalough – with the city’s pulse in between – this trip gave us the perfect rhythm. We didn’t rush. We didn’t overplan. We just let the days unfold, stayed open, and followed the vibe.
If you’re heading to Dublin, I hope this guide helps you find your own flow – and reminds you that the best travel stories often come from what you didn’t expect.