48 Hours in Dublin: A Weekend of Irish Charm, Culture and Pints

Dublin, a city more than just cobbled stone roads and pints of beer. A city with a heartbeat, a soulful place dripped in history isn’t just in the landmarks, but in the very air you breathe. From the first sip of creamy Guinness to the warm smiles of locals sharing their stories, Dublin wasn’t just a stop on my itinerary—it became a part of my traveler’s heart. A 48-hour trip to Ireland’s capital expect to find a city steeped in history and culture. What I didn’t expect was to fall head over heels for its lively streets, colorful buildings, and the ever-present sense of joy and festivity.

Day 1 in Dublin

You finally touch down in Irelands capital, you made it! No time for napping, lets get started on the best 48 hours!

Hotel Checkin

First things first, you gotta checkin to your hotel of course. We stayed at the Fleet Hotel, lovely hotel centrally located to everything and pretty budget friendly for a 4 star hotel. However, I did have some dissatisfactions with the hotel including no controlled AC and drunk people knocking at our door at 3am. Mostly a good stay, but could’ve been a little better.

How I like to get around Dublin

For major cities like Dublin, I highly recommend hoping on a Big Bus to or something similar. This bus takes you to all the major sites and attractions, they also provide headphones for you to listen to the commentary with 8 different languages including: English, Spanish, Italian, French, German, Russian, Japanese, Chinese, and Cantonese. I personally love getting these types of buses for 2 main reasons:

1. You are able to get to see many sights in a short amount of time. When you hop on a big bus it takes out the heavy lifting of looking up where to go and how to get there. They have different curated routes and you can stay on the whole way through, or hop off when you see something you wish to explore further. With only 48 hours in Dublin you will definitely get a lot out of hopping on a Big Bus.

2. You save money on Ubers /Taxis. You end up saving money on Ubers and taxis because this bus pretty much drops you off right in front of many major attractions and sites. Instead of Ubering across town you can hop on this bus and it will take you and you can enjoy some beaiutfil sightseeing and commentary on the way.

Food & Attractions on Day 1 in Dublin

Lets cut right to the chase (especially since you’ve only got 48 hours!), these are my recommendations for your first day in Dublin

Attractions & Sights:

Guinness Storehouse: Home of the official national drink and its most famous export the Guinness Beer. Spend a couple hours exploring the beautiful St James Gate Storehouse with so many different experiences. We did the Guinness academy experience that takes you through a tour and teaches you how to pour the perfect pint of Guinness. This ticket also includes admission to their beautiful Gravity bar that gives you a panoramic view of Dublin. Yes, you will still have a great time if you do not like or drink beer. Don’t make the same mistake I did… didn’t realize they also served hard cider as well as of beer whoops!

Trinity College: Trinity College, nestled in the heart of Dublin, Ireland, is a beacon of scholarly excellence and architectural grandeur. Founded in 1592 by Queen Elizabeth I, it’s the oldest university in Ireland and one of the most prestigious in Europe. Take some time to explore the college to immerse yourself in Irelands culture and history.

St Patricks Cathedral: As the national cathedral of the Church of Ireland, it dates back to 1191, making it a must-visit landmark for history buffs and architecture enthusiasts alike. With its towering spire, stunning Gothic design, and rich historical tapestry, including the famous writer Jonathan Swift’s final resting place, St. Patrick’s offers visitors a unique glimpse into Dublin’s medieval past and cultural heritage

Food

Boxty House: I seriously cannot shut up about this place. I recommend it to everyone going to Dublin. It is the coziest restaurant that resembles a house with upstairs and basement seating. With some of the best food I’ve ever had. Do not skip out on the wings, stew and fish and chips.

The Brazen Head: Irelands oldest pub is a must visit. With live music and a traditional Irish menu, you cannot go wrong with Brazen head.

The Old Storehouse Bar & Restaurant: I came across this place while doing research for this blog post and this has made it to my list when I come back to Dublin. Live music and amazing Irish food, sign me up!

Day 2 in Dublin

On to Day 2! We spent a lot of time doing a stereotypical Irish past time on Day 2.. Drinking. Of course you do not have to drink alcohol to enjoy the places I am going to share but be prepared to be downed in history (and alcohol haha) of the great whiskeys of Ireland.

Activities & Sights

Jameson Distillery: If you are a whiskey lover… hell even if you’re not, you have to go to the Jameson Distillery. Another place that has so much many stories on how they came to be and the interior design is so cool. We did a whiskey tasting that included 4 different types.

Pearson Lyons Distillery: This place was an impromptu decision and man am I happy we ended up here. Pearson Lyons is a church turned distillery much like the rest of Ireland, it is dripped in beautiful architecture and history. I really enjoyed our tour here and I would come just to see the whiskey machinary inside a church, its bizarre but fascinating to see.

Botanic Gardens: Whether you’re a plant enthusiast or just looking for a tranquil spot to unwind, the National Botanic Gardens in Dublin are a true gem that cannot be missed while in Dublin.

Food

The Bull & Castle: We came across this place walking home from the Gusiness Storehouse on day 1. It had such a charm to it the exterior was so inviting that we decided to make a reservation for day 2. We truly enjoyed our steakhouse meal with cuts of filets and sides galore. 8/10 for the Bull & Castle.

Temple Bar: Probably the most recognizable bar in Dublin , the Temple Bar. You will definitely want to come here for drinks and to take pictures of the iconic red building. With live Irish playing all day everyday, although a bit touristy, this is a must visit in Dublin.

Darkey Kelly’s: Another place I came across when conducting research for this post. Alongside the music, traditional Irish food, guests can enjoy a hearty selection of Irish fare, perfectly poured pints of Guinness, and a wide range of whiskies and beers. Darkey Kelly passes all of my restaurant review tests, I will 100% be adding this to my list when I return to Dublin.

Conclusion

After an exhilarating 48 hours in Dublin, it’s clear this city has a way of embedding itself in your heart. From the historic walls of St. Patrick’s Cathedral to the lush tranquility of the National Botanic Gardens, Dublin offers a blend of culture, history, and natural beauty that’s hard to find anywhere else. I highly recommend adding Dublin to any itinerary (especially summer and of course during St Patricks Day). I cannot wait to come back and explore more of this beautiful country including Blarneys Castle, Cliffs of Mohar and more!If you’d like to know how I spend 48 hours in different cities read more of my blog posts here <3