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3 days in Ireland Itinerary

If you are planing a short trip to Ireland and aren’t sure what destinations and activities you should focus on – then this is the post for you!

What this post will cover:

  1. Top things not to miss in Dublin
  2. Great day trips to get a sense of the rest of Ireland

Hopefully you can return to this beautiful country for a longer trip in the future, and this itinerary will give you a small taste of Irish history, culture, food, and nature!

View of the River Liffey in Dublin, with modern and historic buildings along the riverbanks under a clear blue sky.
Views of Dublin from the River Liffey.

Day 1: Get your bearings in Dublin

There’s so much to do in Dublin, and with a short trip you may not be able to cover too much ground. Here are a few highlights not to miss:

  • Walk through the Temple Bar neighborhood. Either go it yourself or check out a walking tour that points out the highlights and hidden gems!
    • Some other great spots include PoolBeg Lighthouse, Christchurch Cathedral, Spire of Dublin, and Trinity College
    • Walk along the river and enjoy views of the bridges – like Ha’Penny
A bright red lighthouse stands near a stone pier overlooking the sea, with a Safe Water mural on the adjacent wall under a blue sky.
Bronze statues of emaciated figures stand on a cobblestone walkway, with buildings and bare trees in the background under a clear sky.
A street view of The Temple Bar pub in Dublin, Ireland, featuring its red exterior, green plants, and hanging lights.
A tall, metallic spire rises into a blue sky with scattered clouds, seen from below, with part of a building and a bird visible.
Stone bell tower with statues stands over an arched walkway, with red-brick buildings and blue sky in the background.
White pedestrian bridge crosses over a river, with buildings and a cloudy blue sky in the background.

From left to right, clockwise: Poolbeg Lighthouse; Great Famine Memorial along the river Liffey; Temple Bar in Temple Bar neighborhood; Ha’Penny Bridge; Trinity College; The Spire.

A poached egg on toast topped with grated cheese, sautéed mushrooms, microgreens, and green sauce on a white plate.
A delicious brunch at Brother Hubbard – featured in Somebody Feed Phil!
  • Visit the EPIC immigration museum.
  • Check out a distillery – I really enjoyed Liberties Distillery – unlike some of the other distilleries in the area, they let you take tours while the distillery is operational so you can really appreciate the process.
Two large copper pot stills with domed tops are positioned inside a distillery with metal platforms and industrial lighting.
The distillery at Liberties.
  • Enjoy some traditional Irish music, dancing, and brews. Some bars like The Church Bar have live music and dancing most nights of the week.
A circular bar with shelves of colorful liquor bottles, glassware, and jars, beneath an ornate ceiling with warm lighting.
The gorgeous Church Bar.

Day 2: Visit Monastic ruins of Glendalough

  • Get out of the city and ramble by car or bus to the countryside area of Glendalough. If you don’t have local transport, consider an organized tour to the area.
  • Walk along the lake, visit the waterfalls, and explore the monastic ruins
  • Pop by a local pub and experience pub culture on the way back
A wide valley with green fields, scattered trees, and dense forested hills under a partly cloudy sky.
A tall, round stone tower stands among gravestones and trees under a cloudy sky.
A narrow stream flows downhill through a mossy, wooded area with bare trees and green undergrowth.
Old gravestones stand in a grassy cemetery with a stone church, trees, and cloudy skies in the background.

From left to right, clockwise: rolling hills of the Wicklaw Mountains; the monastic ruins of Glendalough, some of the oldest buildings in all of Ireland; Cemetary ruins; waterfall by the lake.

Day 3: Take a bus tour to Western Ireland and the Cliffs of Moher

  • Leave the harrowing driving to someone else and take a day trip to visit the unparalleled cliffs of Moher. Spend a few hours walking the cliffs and enjoying the views (weather permitting!)
  • Stop by some ancient castles along the way
  • Enjoy views of the otherwordly Burren landscape, and pass through cute, narrow, Irish villages
Aerial view of Irelands steep coastal cliffs—perfect for your Ireland travel itinerary—with grassy tops, caves, and waves crashing below.
Views of the Cliffs of Moher on a gorgeous day.

Hopefully this overview provides some inspiration on how to start planning a great trip to Ireland!

Rebecca runs The Adventure Beckons, a travel and outdoor adventure blog based in Vancouver, British Columbia. As an experienced traveler to over 40 countries and counting, she provides her readers with practical travel itineraries from day trips to multi-week adventures. She strives to balance nature and hiking with the must-see tourist highlights that are genuinely worth your time and money.

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