How to Spend 3 Days in Dublin, Ireland: Best Things to Do, See & Eat
Dublin has always been one of those cities I’ve wanted to experience, and this year I finally made it happen! I spent 3 nights in Dublin as a solo traveler, and it turned out to be the perfect amount of time to see the highlights, eat some amazing food, and even make new friends along the way.
What surprised me most is how easy Dublin is to navigate as a first-timer. It feels welcoming, compact, and walkable, yet full of history and charm. The pub culture is buzzing, the food scene has more variety than I expected, and the city feels safe for solo travelers.
If you’re planning a trip to Ireland, here’s my 3-day Dublin itinerary, plus some tips I wish I knew before going.
Where I Stayed
I checked into The Mayson, a stylish boutique hotel right by the river. My room had gorgeous views, the bed was insanely comfortable, and I loved that the hotel has everything you need on-site:
- Ryleigh’s Rooftop → my go-to for breakfast with a view (and later, for a proper Irish steak dinner).
- Elephant & Castle → casual but delicious; their Caesar salad and fries were perfect for room service on my first night.
- POWER Gym → boutique gym with classes, pool, and sauna — a huge plus for me as I try to stay active while traveling.
Day 1: Arrival in Dublin
My flight from Edinburgh was quick (about an hour), but I arrived late in the afternoon. To make things seamless, I booked an airport transfer with Kiwitaxi. Highly recommend if it’s your first time in Dublin and you don’t want to stress about finding transport — my driver was waiting with my name on a sign and even gave me local tips during the ride.
After checking into The Mayson, I decided to keep things simple. I ordered room service from Elephant & Castle (that Caesar salad hit the spot!) and rested up for a full day of exploring ahead.
Day 2: Guinness, Food, and Temple Bar
I started my day with breakfast at Ryleigh’s Rooftop at The Mayson — the food was amazing, and the views over the river made it even better. Afterward, I hit the POWER Gym to get a quick workout in.
The highlight of the day was visiting the Guinness Storehouse (book these in advance).
I actually booked tickets with some girls I had met through a Facebook solo travel group before my trip (✨ pro tip: join these groups (here are some: Females Flying Solo, Girls about the Globe, they’re great for meeting people).
Even if you don’t love Guinness or beer in general, you must go. The rumors are true — Guinness tastes completely different here in Ireland. It’s smoother, lighter, and honestly pretty good (coming from someone who doesn’t usually drink beer!).
For dinner, I went to EatTokyo, which has solid Asian food with nice lunch and dinner deals (a win in Dublin since it’s pricey).
We ended the night in the Temple Bar area. Yes, it’s touristy, but it’s also lively and fun. We checked out Bad Ass Café, which had live music — the perfect end to a fun day.
Day 3: Exploring with a Private Tour
For my last day, I booked a private tour with Context Travel called Sites and Insights: An Expert-Led Dublin Welcome Tour. Honestly, I hadn’t done much research before this trip, so it was amazing having a local expert guide me through all the must-see spots.
Since it’s a private tour, you can customize what you see. With my guide Jennifer (who was fantastic!), we covered:
- Dublin Castle
- Trinity College & the Book of Kells (another must-book-in-advance experience)
- Christ Church Cathedral
- O’Connell Bridge
- Arcade Street
It was such a great way to learn the history behind the places I’d been walking by and make sure I didn’t miss anything important. And if you’re interested in booking this tour or any of their other tours, you can use code FANCYNANCISTA for a discount!
That evening, I wrapped up my Dublin stay at Ryleigh’s Rooftop back at The Mayson. Between the Irish steak, tuna tartare, roasted veggies, and desserts like crème brûlée and sticky toffee pudding — it was one of the best meals of my trip.
Tips for Visiting Dublin
💸 Budgeting: Dublin is more expensive than I expected, especially for food and drinks. Look out for lunch specials and combo deals (EatTokyo is a good option).
🌧️ Weather: Like Scotland, Dublin is chilly, windy, and often rainy. Bring a raincoat with a hood — umbrellas don’t hold up well in the wind.
🚌 Getting Around: Dublin is walkable, but for buses you’ll need exact cash or a Leap Card (you can pre-order it, pick it up at the airport, or have it delivered to your hotel).
📍 Booking Attractions: Book the Book of Kells, Guinness Storehouse, and Kilmainham Gaol in advance — they do sell out.
🍀 See More Than Dublin: As much as I loved the city, Ireland’s countryside is where the magic happens. Think Galway, Howth, Bray, or the Slieve League Cliffs.
I used a private ride service with Daytrip when heading north to Donegal for a travel conference. The best part is being able to add stops along the way — I chose Bunglass Viewpoint at the Slieve League Cliffs, and it did not disappoint. Absolutely breathtaking.
If you’re short on time, consider organized day trips from Dublin to the Cliffs of Moher or Wicklow. A Go City Dublin Pass might also be worth it for easy access to top attractions.
Overall
3 nights in Dublin was a great introduction to the city. I got to see the highlights, try the food, experience the pub culture, and even fit in a guided tour and some solo travel adventures.
From here, I’m spending the next 6 days in the Donegal area of Ireland to explore the countryside and attend the TBEX Donegal Travel Conference. I’ll be documenting that experience too, so stay tuned for even more of my Ireland adventures!
Would I go back to Dublin? Absolutely. But next time, I’d spend more time exploring Ireland beyond the capital — because that’s where you really feel the heart of the country.
