The Only Dublin 3 Day Itinerary You Need

Whether you’re looking to discover its history and the culture, enjoy its great restaurants and bars, or just want to bathe in the warmth of the Irish people, Dublin has something for everyone. It’s a characterful destination that deserves a place on everyone's travel wishlist. Here at Plum Guide, we're just as particular about the quality of your time in the city as we are about the quality of your vacation home while there, so expect the very best from this essential Dublin 3-day itinerary.

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Start your Dublin trip by heading to Metro for breakfast. This Paris-esque café has some great options from ‘breakfast butties’ to pancakes. If the weather’s good you could even sit outside and watch the world go by. Next up, it's safe to say that no Dublin 3-day itinerary would be complete without a visit to the world-famous Guinness Storehouse. The drink is synonymous with the Irish and it’s only right that you find out why.

On this tour you’re taken through the full history and distillery process, getting to pour and drink your own pint (it’s trickier than you think). At the end, enjoy another pint while taking in special panoramic views of the city from the rooftop bar. After a few pints of Guinness, it's probably time for some shopping. Brown Thomas hosts an upmarket selection of stores including Prada, Gucci, and Chanel. Meanwhile, we’re particular fans of Avoca. We love their homeware products that have a modern aesthetic and we can highly recommend their original handwoven luxurious scarves, sweaters, or blankets made out of local Irish mohair.

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Having worked up an appetite, it’s time for dinner at a Michelin star Restaurant. Chapter One serves up an international menu in a refined setting. It’s been a favorite of many for years and underlines just how good this city is when it comes to food. A great option if you're celebrating a special birthday in Dublin.

Next, a few evening tipples. A visit to the world-famous Temple Bar is a must. This neighborhood may be a magnet for tourists but it's great fun and worth a place on any Dublin 3-day itinerary. Make sure to visit the ‘Temple Bar Pub’ itself – a world-famous venue that serves just about everything. It's very lively shall we say but you're sure to enjoy it. Another favorite of ours is O’Donoghues. Traditional musicians gather every night to play fiddles, tin whistles, bodhrans, and uilleann pipes while the drinks flow.

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Nursing a sore head? A hearty Irish breakfast at Lovinspoon should help you out. We love the atmosphere of this small cafe and despite its low prices, the quality of the food is second to none. Still shaking off that hangover? Wander over to Dublin Castle where you’ll discover 8 centuries of Irish history. You'll find St. Patrick’s Cathedral just around the corner too - Ireland’s biggest church and one of its oldest.

For the afternoon (and if you're not too fond of Guinness), head to the Jameson Distillery on Bow Street (and don't tell anyone about the not liking Guinness thing). Here you can tour the factory and learn about the history as well as the process of making this famous Irish Whiskey. There are also a number of tasting classes to choose from. Don’t blame us if you’re still mildly inebriated several weeks after returning home.

Dinnertime. Sitting pretty on the coast just outside the city center is Liath Restaurant. Run by head chef Damien Gray, this fine-dining experience received its first Michelin Star in 2020 and is very much the place to dine right now. Back in town, Piglet is a quiet, laid back spot to see the evening out. Tucked away on Cow Lane in the heart of Temple Bar, this is a real hidden gem. They specialize in Italian wines and serve up great cheeses and meats all night. La Cave, meanwhile, is another great wine bar with an impressive collection of over 350 bottles from around the world.

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For breakfast, check out Gerry’s Coffee Shop. If you’re looking for friendly staff (the Irish warmth is infectious) and fresh ingredients cooked to order, this is the place for you.

A city break doesn’t have to be urban so why not discover the glory of the Wicklow Mountains, just an hour’s drive out of Dublin? It’s practically the city’s back garden. Here, you can enjoy some peace and quiet by taking a scenic drive through the National Park or, if time allows, why not truly embrace the great outdoors and go for one of many well-mapped walks? It does rain a lot in Ireland, mind you, so bring some waterproof gear. If it’s really raining, though, then one of Dublin’s many museums may be a better bet. There’s the National Museum of Ireland, the Little Museum of Dublin, and EPIC - the Irish emigration museum. This one may be particularly interesting to those retracing family trees and connections.

For dinner, why not try out the ‘Tapas Trail’ experience? It’s Dublin’s best food and wine tour - a great way to explore the most popular and hidden restaurants. If you’ve already done enough walking for the day, you could try La Peniche. This French-inspired menu and buffet are served onboard a barge as it floats down the Grand Canal. Delicious food with a unique perspective of the city every evening.

And to round off your trip, another classic Dublin night. Some of our favorite traditional pubs sit just outside the Temple Bar area. The Brazen Head is Dublin’s oldest, dating back to 1198. It’s a lively spot with great heritage and live music every night. The Cobblestone is another great establishment with traditional Irish music playing in the front bar every night. Just remember you have to be back at the airport at 9 am in the morning, ok?

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