Dublin Days

Dublin is one of those cities that somehow feels cozy and chaotic at the same time. However, it was the perfect two day getaway this past weekend. We packed so much into 48 hours but without making it feel rushed. Here is exactly how I would do Dublin in 48 hours, if I were you. 

Our first stop was the Guinness Storehouse, which I did not expect to love as much as I did. It was immensely cinematic and was surprisingly immersive as the exhibits walked us through how it is intricately made. Walking though the brewing process felt like a mix between a museum and a movie. Even if you are not a huge beer person, which I am not, I found it worthwhile. The tasting session was a highlight and we even had our photo printed on top of a pint! The best part of this tour was the sky floor bar, where you get a full panoramic view of Dublin. 

Later in the day, we set off to the Book of Kells Experience at Trinity College. It offers a student discount, which I recommend to book in advance for the best times since it sells out quite quickly. Seeing the Book of Kells in person was surreal, especially after learning all about its history through the exhibits. My absolute favorite part of the experience was seeing Gaia in the Old Library. Gaia is a massive floating installation of Earth that rotates in the center of the library surrounded with statues of famous scholars. 

After that, we decided to check off one of the most popular Dublin destinations at the moment, which is going to Xian Street Food to try the infamous spice bag. I had heard about it everywhere on social media and it lived up to all the hype. The crispy chicken and fries smothered in spices, peppers and onions were delicious. I wish there was one in Chinatown London because it would be the perfect addition to the area. As much as I love fries, I do prefer fried chicken so we returned the next day for a small box of just crispy chicken. 

That night, we hit the Temple Bar area for some pub hopping. Starting with Temple Bar Pub (obviously), Mulligan’s, then Fitzsimons, and ending at Bad Bobs. Fitzsimons was hands down the best. The secret cellar was open that night, echoing the live music from down below. The atmosphere and tunes were a perfect location to sit with a pint and play cards. Bad Bobs had a lively environment as the packed crowds surrounded the live guitar player. If you are looking for a concert-like pub, Bad Bobs is the one. 

The second day was one full of nature. We did a Wild Wicklow Mountains and Glendalough tour. It was absolutely stunning from start to finish. We walked around Killiney Hill first, where we saw these insane views where the sea meets the mountains. Then, we stopped at Avoca Kilmacanoge for coffee. I would highly recommend sitting outside on their patio, if it is warm enough. 

Wicklow Mountains National Park was incredible. The valleys between the peaks were breathtaking. It even started hailing when we reached the viewpoint, which somehow made the experience feel even more Irish. For lunch, we went to Lynham’s of Laragh, where I had a Guinness beef stew that I am still thinking about. Easily a 10/10.

We ended at Glendalough after a little drive as the weather completely flipped. The sun came out and lit up the lake, making the landscape look very magical and peaceful. It was the perfect area to walk around and take the breathtaking views in. There are a few coffee, food and ice cream stalls nearby to have a quick bite in between your nature walk. 

To wrap up the trip, we returned to Fitzsimons and this time to the upper bar. There were three performers playing nonstop hits and the energy on the dance floor was insane. It was crowded but easy enough to move around, the drinks were reasonably priced and it was the greatest atmosphere overall. This is my #1 pub recommendation for your Dublin trip.