Summers in Italy are HOT & HUMID! We’re always looking for a place to go and escape the heat. For this particular trip, we were looking for cooler locations with non-stop flights to and from Pisa Airport. When we were planning this trip, we knew that we wanted to go back to Poland. We loved Poland, which we visited the previous fall. Additionally, we’ve always wanted to visit Ireland. Dublin, Ireland, happened to tick the logistical boxes (short, direct flights) and has a reputation for cooler weather. Ryanair has a non-stop flight from Dublin, Ireland, to Gdańsk, Poland (and both cities have direct flights with Pisa). PERFECT. We planned for 5 nights in Ireland, and the arrival and departure times gave us a lot of the day in Dublin too.
Temple Bar, Dublin, Ireland
We were looking forward to cooling off and partying like we’re 42, because we were at the time! Our goal was pubs all day and in bed by 10. Okay, so most nights it was more like 11/11:30, and we didn’t spend all day, every day, in pubs. But we certainly went to our fair share of pubs. Read on to find out how we spent our time, what tours we took, and our restaurant finds.
Jump to a section of our 5 days in Dublin, Ireland
- Recap of our 5 days in Dublin, Ireland
- The exact tours we took
- Our restaurant finds & recommendations
- Do you need 5 days in Dublin
Recap of our 5 days in Dublin, Ireland
Day 1
Most Ryanair flights (and transatlantic flights) to Dublin land in the morning. Ours landed at 8:30 am, which meant it was too early to check into our hotel. We stayed at the Hampton Inn Dublin City Center. They have a great setup for holding luggage until you can check in. And we loved the large bathroom for guests to freshen up in when they couldn’t check in. Plus, Hampton Inn always has a great hotel breakfast. We made plans to have afternoon tea at a fancy hotel while we got over our early wake-up time. Our first day also included a nap and general exploration on foot.
At the time of writing/updating this, the best prices we found for the Hampton Inn Dublin City Center were on Trip.com, but we always recommend comparing on sites like booking.com, Expedia, and Agoda. Vio.com is a great site for finding low prices, but we weren’t able to find this hotel on their site at the time of booking.
Day 2
One of the top sights we wanted to see in Ireland is the Cliffs of Moher. Since this was a top priority, we planned it for day 2. While it’s not close to Dublin, we made every effort to make this possible. It turned out to be a bust because it was too foggy to see anything. Our tour included a stop at Bunratty Castle. We grabbed some Irish coffees to go at a nearby restaurant during this stop. This ended up being our favorite part of the day. Keep reading to find out how we made up for the Cliffs of Moher disappointment.
Day 3 & 4
On days 3 & 4, we explored and saw local sites in Dublin. We went to Christ Church, St. Patrick’s Cathedral, Dublin Castle, and Trinity College. At Trinity College, we got a tour of the Trinity College Library and the Book of Kells. For some time outside, we went to St. Stephen’s Green & Iveagh Gardens. In between it all, we strolled into lots of pubs and saw some buskers on Grafton St. We wished we had been able to spend more time in the Gardens. We recommend putting these into your plans a little earlier in the day (weather permitting, of course).
St. Patrick’s Cathedral, Dublin, Ireland
The Library at Trinity College, Dublin, Ireland
Dublin Castle, Dublin, Ireland
Day 5
To make up for the disappointing Cliffs day, we went to Glendalough Valley in the Wicklow Mountains. This once-glacial valley was the setting for the Braveheart wedding scene. After parking, we had about 90 minutes to take a short trail walk to Glendalough (the larger, lower lake). It was too cold to swim, but it was so beautiful. We also had time to explore the 6th-century monastic ruins, including the church, cemetery, and round tower. The breathtaking views were perfect for our last full day.
Views in Wicklow Mountains, County Wicklow, Ireland
Glendalough (Lower Lake), County Wicklow, Ireland
Monastic ruins cemetery, County Wicklow, Ireland
A cost-effective way to do either the Cliffs of Moher or the Glendalough Valley in the Wicklow Mountains tours is on one of those big tour buses with 50+ other people. This is an option we usually advise against. Why did we do it anyway? Logistically, it made sense. We weren’t going to rent a car, and all other options would have either taken longer or cost much more. We recommend choosing the days to do these two things based on weather. While you should book in advance, you might be able to get tickets within just a few days of the tour if you’re willing to risk it.
A Bit About The Temple Bar Neighborhood
We found great food in Dublin and wandered through the streets of the famed Temple Bar neighborhood. Is it touristy? YES. This place is like Disneyland for pubs. As Charlene put it, “Vegas with pubs instead of clubs, and without the gambling and strip clubs.” Is it worth a visit? YES! It may be touristy, but it is also super cute with the cobblestone streets and planter boxes full of flowers just about everywhere they can put them. If you aren’t into the pub scene, go in the early part of the day to take some photos and stroll. We also ventured into other neighborhoods in search of more authentic pubs with trad music. This was not as successful as we hoped it would be- even the pubs that were supposed to be ‘locals spots’ had become touristy.
Temple Bar neighborhood Dublin, Ireland
The exact tours we booked for our 5 days in Dublin, Ireland
Cliffs of Moher– would be absolutely fantastic if the cliffs are visible the day you go. Although we couldn’t see anything at the cliffs, the tour was well organized, and that is why we still recommend it. At the cliffs, there is also a visitor center with tons of information, and we did enjoy the simulation of the cliffs (complete with wind in your hair and a little mist). The tour was well organized, and there was a stop for lunch before reaching the cliffs.
Glendalough Valley (half-day tour) – this was probably our favorite part of our time in Dublin, although it was out of town… If you’re looking to see some of the beauty of Ireland, don’t miss this!
You don’t need advance tickets for Christ Church or St. Patrick’s Cathedral; you can buy them when you get there. Pro tip: St. Patrick’s Cathedral can get busy during high season. If you go in the morning or a little before closing, you may get to enjoy it with fewer people inside.
We recommend booking Dublin Castle as soon as tickets are available. Tickets are available 14 days in advance. You want to get the tour option before it sells out; This is the only way to see the Chapel Royal and the Viking excavation. Fun fact: Dublin was founded by Vikings.
At Trinity College, we recommend the tour, which is given by a proud student. The only way to see the Library at Trinity College is to include the tickets to the Book of Kells experience. You’ll want the combined ticket.
You do not need tickets for St. Stephen’s Green or Iveagh Gardens; they are beautiful public spaces. Bring a book or a picnic to enjoy the space like a local would.
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Our restaurant finds & recommendations in Dublin, Ireland
- O’Riordans – Great food that is somewhat reimagined. We had bruschetta with shrimp and chorizo, n’duja mussels, and fish n’ chips. Charlene said this may be the best fish and chips she’s ever had. The fish was sea bass instead of cod, and the mushy peas had a jalapeño flair. Delizioso! If you meet Christopher, tell him we said hello; he’s at least half the reason we went twice.
- McCaffertys – Good food and some live music; we believe they do trad music, but they weren’t the night that we went.
- Afternoon Tea at the Atrium Lounge at the College Green Hotel – treat yourself!!
- Vice Coffee for a delightful twist on a traditional Irish Coffee. Candace’s favorite was the Fancy Frankie, with orange cream.
- Temple Bar Pub Dublin, super famous and touristy, but worth a stop. The best advice is to go in the morning (they open around 10 am). This is when they have traditional Irish music and a good, calm pub vibe. It’s also a great time to get an Irish coffee before the bartenders are busy and rushing around.
- Griolladh at Arnotts makes great toasties quickly. We had the Rubio with brisket, citrus slaw, pickles, vintage cheddar, and Irish mozzarella. We agreed that we will think of this sandwich for the rest of our lives.
Fish n’ Chips at O’Riordans
Fancy Frankie Irish Coffees at Vice Coffee
Rubio toasty at Griolladh
Do you need 5 days in Dublin, Ireland?
We spent 5 days in Dublin. When we travel, we often spend more time in a city than the ‘recommended number of days’. We do this for two reasons. The first is to give ourselves more time to slow down and experience the city. The second is to give us an opportunity to go out of town on day trips, or repeat anything we want to. When we make it back to Ireland, it’s likely we’ll fly into Dublin, and we would absolutely spend more time there. However, we look forward to visiting some of the other towns in Ireland in search of a truly traditional Irish pub. We recommend 3 nights/2 days in Dublin if you plan to stay in other cities while you’re in Ireland.
Your Next Reads:
Travel Resources Page- if you’re planning a trip, check out our favorite resources for everything from transportation to tours and hotel rooms.
How to Plan an International Trip– 5 steps to planning your international trip.
13 Things We Always Do Before Taking A Trip– The trip is planned, and now you have a to-do list to complete before you go to the airport.
Useful Things To Do Before You Plan An International Trip– From making sure you can go to choosing where to go.
-XO, The Twins
How can we help? We would love to hear your questions!
Contact us by email at thetwins@twicethetraveler.com
A few of our top resources:
Viator – We found Viator over a decade ago, and it’s still one of the sites that we always check for tours. We’ve done everything from kayaking and hiking to guided museum tours, river cruises, wine experiences, and airport transfers on this site.
Get Your Guide – A marketplace for tours that is growing every day. Compare tours and reviews to find the best one for you. We typically find tours for larger historical sites and museums here.
VoiceMap – Get local experts in your ear. No big tour groups or straining to hear the guide. Download a walking history tour, museum tour, or even a walking food tour, then put your earbuds in and your phone away. This is our new favorite way to see a city!
Walks – This company curates some of the best and most exclusive VIP and small group tour opportunities. We use this company to find extra special experiences.
Devour – This tour company is obsessed with finding the most authentic and tasty food. We think that’s the best approach to a food tour! A food tour usually takes you to multiple locations to try the best foods in town, and they often include drinks. We highly recommend a food tour anytime you visit a new country or region.
DiscoverCars – These car rentals are not only competitively priced, but they are in just about every destination you might be headed to. A bonus: they have a high customer satisfaction rate, and we love that.
Visit our Travel Resources page for more of our favorite websites, apps, and products we frequently use to plan and enjoy a trip.
*No BS, we want to be transparent; some of the links included on this page may be affiliate links, and at no additional cost to you, we earn a commission if you make a purchase. We only recommend products and companies that we have vetted. Thanks for your support; this helps us bring you travel tips!
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