24 Hours in Dublin: What to See, Do, and Eat

Dublin may be a small capital by global standards, but this compact city packs an impressive cultural punch. If you find yourself with just 24 hours to explore Ireland’s vibrant capital, this carefully crafted itinerary will help you experience the city’s essential highlights without feeling rushed. From historic treasures to culinary delights, here’s how to make the most of a single day in Dublin.

Morning: Historic Dublin

8:30 AM: Breakfast at Queen of Tarts

Begin your Dublin adventure with breakfast at the delightful Queen of Tarts on Dame Street. This charming patisserie and café serves excellent coffee alongside freshly baked scones, hearty Irish breakfast options, and—as the name suggests—delicious homemade tarts. The cosy interior with its red walls and vintage décor provides the perfect setting to fuel up for a day of exploration.

9:30 AM: Trinity College and the Book of Kells

A five-minute walk from breakfast brings you to Trinity College, Ireland’s oldest university founded in 1592. The magnificent campus offers a peaceful retreat from the city bustle, with its cobblestone squares and stately Georgian buildings. The highlight here is the Long Room in the Old Library—an awe-inspiring chamber housing 200,000 of the library’s oldest books in towering oak bookcases.

Within the same building, you’ll find the Book of Kells exhibition, showcasing one of Ireland’s greatest cultural treasures. This lavishly decorated manuscript of the four gospels dates from around 800 AD and represents the pinnacle of medieval illumination. Booking tickets online in advance is highly recommended to avoid queues.

11:00 AM: Dublin Castle

A short walk through the city centre brings you to Dublin Castle, which has stood at the heart of Irish history for over 800 years. While not the turreted medieval fortress you might expect (most of that structure was destroyed by fire in 1684), the current complex offers fascinating insights into Ireland’s complex past.

The guided tour takes you through the magnificent State Apartments, the Gothic Chapel Royal, and the remains of the medieval tower and undercroft. Don’t miss the Chester Beatty Library within the castle grounds—a free museum housing one of the finest collections of manuscripts and books from across world cultures.

Midday: Culture and Refreshment

1:00 PM: Lunch at The Woollen Mills

After a morning of historical exploration, head to The Woollen Mills for lunch. This bright, modern eatery overlooking the Ha’penny Bridge serves contemporary Irish cuisine with an emphasis on local ingredients. Try their seafood chowder or the Irish lamb flatbread for a modern take on traditional flavours. The riverside location offers pleasant views of the Liffey and the bustling quays.

2:30 PM: National Museum of Ireland – Archaeology

Walk off your lunch with a stroll to Kildare Street and the National Museum of Ireland – Archaeology. This excellent (and free) museum houses treasures spanning 7,000 years of Irish history. Don’t miss the spectacular gold artefacts from the Bronze Age, the hauntingly preserved bog bodies, and the exquisite examples of medieval Celtic metalwork, including the famous Ardagh Chalice and Tara Brooch.

With limited time, focus on the “Treasury” exhibition for Ireland’s greatest archaeological hits, and the “Kingship and Sacrifice” gallery featuring the bog bodies if you’re intrigued by these remarkably preserved ancient remains.

Afternoon: Dublin Life

4:00 PM: Grafton Street and St. Stephen’s Green

Experience the pulse of Dublin with a leisurely exploration of Grafton Street, the city’s premier shopping thoroughfare. This pedestrianised street is renowned not just for its shops but for its street performers who provide an ever-changing soundtrack to your stroll. From opera singers to traditional musicians, the quality of performers is often outstanding.

At the top of Grafton Street lies St. Stephen’s Green, a beautiful Victorian park that offers a tranquil escape from the urban energy. Take time to wander its winding paths, observe the local Dubliners enjoying their green space, and perhaps feed the ducks at the ornamental lake.

5:30 PM: Literary Pub Crawl or Irish Whiskey Museum

Choose between two quintessentially Irish experiences, depending on your preferences:

Option 1: Begin the Dublin Literary Pub Crawl, which departs from The Duke pub on Duke Street. This highly entertaining walking tour combines literature, history, and good craic, as actors perform works by Joyce, Beckett, Wilde, and other literary giants associated with Dublin, all while visiting historic pubs where these writers found inspiration.

Option 2: Visit the Irish Whiskey Museum near Trinity College for an interactive tour tracing the rise, fall, and renaissance of Irish whiskey. The tour concludes with a guided tasting of several Irish whiskeys, giving you an appreciation for the subtle differences between various styles and distilleries.

Evening: Traditional Dublin

7:30 PM: Dinner at The Winding Stair

Named after the Yeats poem and housed in a former bookshop, The Winding Stair offers one of Dublin’s finest dining experiences. This restaurant serves sophisticated modern Irish cuisine with an emphasis on locally sourced ingredients. The floor-to-ceiling windows offer wonderful views of the Ha’penny Bridge and River Liffey. Their Irish charcuterie board, Kilkeel crab, and slow-cooked blade of beef are particularly recommended. Booking ahead is essential.

9:30 PM: Traditional Music Session at O’Donoghue’s

No visit to Dublin would be complete without experiencing a traditional Irish music session. Head to O’Donoghue’s on Merrion Row, a historic pub where the famous folk group The Dubliners regularly played in the 1960s. Most evenings, you’ll find talented musicians gathered in the front bar, playing lively jigs, reels, and ballads. The informal nature of these sessions, where musicians often drop in and out, creates an authentic experience far removed from staged performances for tourists.

Late Night: Temple Bar

11:00 PM: The Temple Bar District

While locals often avoid the Temple Bar area due to its tourist-heavy reputation and premium prices, it remains Dublin’s most famous nightlife district for a reason. The cobblestone streets lined with colourful pubs have an undeniable charm, particularly after dark.

For a slightly more authentic experience within Temple Bar, seek out The Palace Bar on Fleet Street, a Victorian-era pub with a fine selection of Irish whiskeys, or The Porterhouse, which serves craft beers brewed in their own microbrewery.

Morning After: Farewell to Dublin

8:30 AM: Breakfast at Bewley’s Oriental Café

Before departing Dublin, treat yourself to breakfast at the iconic Bewley’s Oriental Café on Grafton Street. This Dublin institution, with its Harry Clarke stained glass windows and elegant interior, has been serving Dubliners since 1927. Their traditional Irish breakfast will set you up for the day, or for a lighter option, try their famous sticky buns with a cup of their house-blend coffee.

Transportation Tips for Your 24 Hours

Dublin’s compact city centre makes it highly walkable, with most attractions in this itinerary within 20 minutes’ walk of each other. However, to maximise your limited time and explore beyond the immediate centre, having your own transportation offers valuable flexibility.

Easirent Ireland’s Dublin location provides convenient car hire options with competitive rates and excellent customer service. While you won’t need a vehicle for navigating the city centre itself (where parking can be challenging), having a car becomes advantageous if your 24 hours in Dublin forms part of a longer Irish adventure.

The ability to drive directly to your next destination—whether it’s the majestic Cliffs of Moher, the historic Boyne Valley, or the scenic Wicklow Mountains—allows you to experience more of Ireland’s treasures beyond the capital. Easirent’s efficient pickup process means minimal time spent on paperwork and maximum time enjoying Dublin’s many delights during your whirlwind visit.

Remember that Dublin operates on the left side of the road and features numerous one-way streets in the city centre. If you’re unfamiliar with Dublin driving, consider picking up your rental as you leave the city rather than upon arrival. Easirent’s location offers easy access to Ireland’s excellent motorway network, perfect for continuing your Irish adventure after your memorable 24 hours in Dublin.