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One day in Dublin: a local’s guide

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In this blog, we’re sharing local knowledge to help you make the most of 1 day in Dublin, with an itinerary that captures the city’s vibrant culture, ensuring your time in Ireland’s capital is truly unforgettable.

It’s walkable, so you won’t need to worry about public transport or traffic. Plus, it’s packed with variety, giving you a real feel for different parts of the city.

Most Dublin itineraries highlight iconic spots like the Guinness Storehouse, Dublin Castle and Temple Bar, which are must-sees for any visitor.

However, our guide will take you off the beaten path, with hidden gems allowing you to experience the city like a true local. Ready to explore our 1-day Dublin itinerary? Let’s dive in!

Your local guides

We are Evelina and Laura, your local Dublin guides, here to show you how to experience Dublin city like a true Dubliner. 

Our 1 day itinerary explores Dublin’s history, culture, food, and incredible sights, giving you a real insider sense of the city.

Evelina is a travel content creator who shares Irish hikes, hidden gems and beautiful travel destinations on her Instagram page.

Laura is a travel blogger and content creator, sharing the best of Ireland with her audience on her blog, YouTube channel, Instagram and TikTok.

Your itinerary

• Morning
  • Trinity College Dublin
  • Trinity Trails walking tour
  • Book of Kells Experience
• Lunch
  • Mrs Reid’s Café
• Afternoon
  • Dublin’s iconic cathedrals
  • Smithfield and 360 views of Dublin
• Early evening
  • Traditional Irish music at the Cobblestone
• Dinner
  • Drury Street and Fade Street area
• Night time
  • Entertainment at the Stag’s Head
• Where to stay in Dublin
• YouTube video: One day in Dublin

Morning

Trinity College Dublin – a historic start to the day

Want to know one of Dublin’s best kept secrets? During summer months, you can stay within the walls of Trinity College Dublin and wake up to breathtaking views of the historic campus. 

One of the most affordable and unique places to stay in the city, Trinity Summer Accommodation is ideal for travelers on a budget, with access to a shared kitchen and living spaces where you can unwind and feel right at home.

After you wake up on Trinity campus, start your morning with a stroll through its historic squares. Next, we recommend heading to Keogh’s Café, located just outside Trinity’s front gates on Trinity Street, for a hearty Irish breakfast. Keogh’s is a local favourite and a bit of a hidden gem serving amazing breakfasts and pastries that will set you up for the day. 

Be sure to make your coffee a take-away and head back to Trinity’s beautiful Front Square to sit in one a bench and soak up the atmosphere before your culture packed day in Dublin.

Trinity Trails Walking Tour

Once you’re fuelled up and ready to go, the next stop on your 1-day Dublin itinerary is the Trinity Trails walking tour. If you’re a history lover, this is a must-do! The guided tour takes you through Trinity’s leafy campus, immersing you in fascinating stories that have shaped Ireland’s oldest university. Along the way, you’ll walk in the footsteps of famous past students like Oscar Wilde, Samuel Beckett and Bram Stoker and learn about stunning architecture.

Our guide, Anne (a past student) was fantastic and really brought the magic of Trinity to life. The highlight of the tour was getting to see inside the Museum Building. It took our breath away the moment we stepped through the front door.

The Trinity Trails walking tour lasts about 45 minutes and ticket prices start at €16. We booked our tickets online and received an email with a Google map link for our meeting point, which was at the bell tower (known as the Campanile) located in Trinity’s front square.

The Book of Kells Experience

To get the most out of your morning in Trinity, we recommend combining your Trinity Trails walking tour with a visit to the Book of Kells Experience.

Your journey begins at the Old Library here you will view the Book of Kells (which is 1,200 years old) and its stunning artwork. Afterwards, explore the Long Room and see for yourself why it is one of the most beautiful libraries in the world! Walking under the barrel vaulted ceiling, breathing in the scent of aged wood made us feel like we were transported back in time.

The addition of Gaia, an illuminated installation featuring NASA imagery of Earth, adds a mesmerising touch that you simply must see for yourself. It is a true masterpiece and looks stunning in social media photos!

After leaving the Old Library, you will continue to the Red Pavilion – a new immersive digital experience located less than a minute’s walk away.

Begin with exploring the Secret Life of the Collections, where stories and precious artefacts from the Old Library come to life. Then, step into Book of Kells 360 for an extraordinary journey through the pages in the Book. Finally, finish with a real wow moment in the Reimagined Long Room – a digital reconstruction of the Long Room library chamber, which shows its past, present and future.

Combining the Trinity Trails walking tour with a visit to the Book of Kells Experience takes about 2 hours in total and offers a unique dive into Ireland’s history and culture.

Lunch

Mrs Reid’s Café

After a morning packed full of history and immersive experiences, it’s time for a well-deserved break. Just a 15 minute walk from Trinity, tucked away on a street corner, you will find Mrs. Reid’s, one of our favourite lunch spots in the city. Mrs. Reid’s is an affordable, casual café that serves a delicious selection of fresh sandwiches, salads, and coffee in a cosy atmosphere. A perfect place for a pit stop before the afternoon’s adventures. They often have a special lunch offering which is always a great choice!

Afternoon

Exploring Dublin’s iconic cathedrals

St. Patrick’s Cathedral, located just around the corner from our lunch spot, was founded in honour of St. Patrick, Ireland’s patron saint and is one of the few remaining medieval buildings in Dublin. There’s a beautiful park outside, which is one of our favourite places to people watch and soak up the atmosphere of this vibrant part of the city.

To learn more about the fascinating history of St.Patrick’s Cathedral, you can take a guided tour which costs €10 for an adult ticket. It’s also worth checking on the website if there are any events taking place. They often have themed, seasonal tours and live choir performances.

Just a few minutes walk from St. Patrick’s Cathedral, you will find Christ Church Cathedral, which is over 1,000 years old, making it the oldest medieval cathedral in Dublin. It was originally a Viking church and is known for its stunning interior and crypts, with hidden treasures throughout the building. Christ Church Cathedral offers a self guided tour, which includes a free audio guide and costs €11 per adult ticket.

Smithfield and 360 views of Dublin

For the next part of your day in Dublin, let’s cross the river and head towards Smithfield, which was named the second coolest neighbourhood in the world by Time Out Magazine in 2023. Smithfield is a real blend of old and new Dublin and is a great place to take a break from the bustling city centre.

Here, you’ll find one of Dublin’s best-kept secrets: the Smithfield Viewing Tower, but be warned, it’s over 250 steps to the top! If you fancy grabbing a coffee before taking on the climb, pop over to Proper Order Coffee Co, just a 2 minute walk from the tower. This is one of Dublin’s top coffee spots and offers some of the most delicious pastries in the city.

Back to the 250 steps up to the viewing tower…we know it’s a tough one, but we truly think the 360-degree views of the city are more than worth it. Plus there is a high chance you will have it all to yourself – a true hidden gem in Dublin.

You can buy your ticket online or alternatively pop into the Generator Hostel on the ground floor and purchase it at reception. Tickets cost €10 and the receptionist will open the door to the steps for you – making it feel like you are embarking on a secret mission!

As you approach the end of the climb, breathtaking views of the entire city unfold before you. From here you can spot famous landmarks like the Poolbeg Chimneys, Croke Park, the Dublin Mountains, the Guinness Brewery and the towering Spire (Europe’s tallest sculpture).

Early evening

Traditional Irish music at the Cobblestone

After taking in the 360 degree views of the city, it’s time to experience an authentic Dublin tradition – Irish music. We think the best place for this is The Cobblestone, which is located a short walk from the viewing tower in Smithfield.

This family-run pub is known for its “real Irish music” sessions, meaning that there are no set performances. Musicians from all over Ireland gather to play and share their love for Irish culture and it’s as traditional as it gets. Every time we have visited, there’s been such a different, but wholesome vibes that bring locals and tourists together over the love and respect for Irish music.

Dinner

Drury Street and Fade Street area

As your day in Dublin draws to a close, it’s time to head back towards Dublin city centre. There are lots of fantastic eateries just outside the gates of Trinity, and we recommend exploring the vibrant streets around Drury Street and Fade Street area. We love MASA for amazing Mexican style food. It’s budget-friendly for Dublin city centre but doesn’t take bookings – so get there early to put your name on the walk up list. If you are in need of a casual quick bite, try Mani Pizza for delicious wood-fired pizza slices. Alternatively, for an upmarket experience, we recommend l’Gueuleton which puts a French twist on Irish ingredients. A bonus with this popular spot is that it doubles up as a restaurant and a bar, serving delicious cocktails and there is often a DJ in the evening time.

During the summer period, the Powerscourt Centre area is full of locals, sitting outside, enjoying a drink and the buzz of the city. This is the perfect place to relax and take in the atmosphere after a jam packed day of exploring Dublin.

Night time

Entertainment at Stag’s Head

If you’re not quite ready for the day to end and you would like to experience some local entertainment, head to one of Dublin’s oldest and most loved pubs – the Stag’s Head. This historical pub, located on the lively Dame Court (close to our dinner spots) spans over three floors. There is different entertainment each night ranging from traditional Irish music sessions to comedy and even ukulele evenings. The interior of the Stag’s Head is full of gorgeous fittings from the Victorian era and the bar is famous for featuring in famous movies such as The Treaty and Educating Rita.

Where to stay in Dublin

If you’re spending more than a day in Dublin, and you’re wondering where to stay, we highly recommend basing yourself in the heart of the city centre. Trinity Summer Accommodation is a great option during the months of June, July and August and offers some of the most affordable rates in Dublin. You’ll wake up to historical Dublin landmarks, Trinity Trails walking tours and the Book of Kells Experience on your doorstep, with everything on our 1 day in Dublin itinerary just a walk away. Alternatively, there are several hotels and boutique guesthouses near Trinity in Temple Bar and Grafton Street. Learn more about the best areas to stay in Dublin here.

Final thoughts

We hope our one day Dublin itinerary gives you a real feel for what this amazing city has to offer. From Irish history and culture to stunning views and traditional live music, Dublin has a bit of everything to help you experience the heart of Ireland and its people.

To get a taste of what awaits you in Dublin, be sure to check out our YouTube video below, where we guide you through our one-day itinerary step by step. We wish you an unforgettable adventure in Dublin and hope you discover some of the finest experiences Ireland’s capital has to offer!

YouTube video: One day in Dublin