Dublin in 2 Days: a Weekend Itinerary
Two days in Dublin: day one for Trinity College, Dublin Castle and Temple Bar, day two for Kilmainham Gaol, St Patrick's Cathedral and the Guinness Storehouse.
By dublin.de editorial team · Travel editors · Last updated: June 2026
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Dublin in a weekend
Two full days are enough to cover the city's highlights if you plan your route well. This itinerary spends day one in the compact centre south of the Liffey, then sends you west on day two, where Kilmainham Gaol, the cathedral and the Guinness brewery sit close together. All times are guidelines; the order is chosen so that opening hours and walking distances line up.
Day 1 – Trinity, the old town and Temple Bar
The first day begins at Trinity College with the Book of Kells and the Long Room, continues along Grafton Street to St Stephen's Green and on to the Chester Beatty Library in the grounds of Dublin Castle, one of Europe's best free museums. After the castle and Christ Church Cathedral, there's time in the evening for Temple Bar – early enough for dinner before the pubs fill up.
Day 2 – Kilmainham, St Patrick's and Guinness
Day two starts with the guided tour of Kilmainham Gaol, the former prison where the leaders of the 1916 Easter Rising were executed; booking ahead in good time shapes the rest of the day. On the way back, you'll pass the Royal Hospital Kilmainham with IMMA, then St Patrick's Cathedral and the old Marsh's Library. The Guinness Storehouse makes the fitting finale: it stays open latest in the evening, and the view from the Gravity Bar is a good way to say goodbye to the city.
For more on tickets and transport, see the guides to the Leap Card and the Dublin Pass.