dublin
I visited Dublin with my boyfriend for our first ever ‘Extreme Day Trip,’ flying out from Bristol Airport at 07:20 and returning the same day at 21:20 - making the most of just 14 hours in Ireland’s vibrant capital. With such a tight schedule, we knew we’d have to prioritise the city’s highlights, from historic landmarks to tourist attractions and bustling streets. It was a whirlwind adventure packed with culture, great food, and plenty of Irish charm - proving you don’t need a lot of annual leave to make the most of a city break.
one day itinerary
09:00 - Get the bus from Dublin Airport, getting off at O’Connoll Street Lower.
09:45 - Start your day by visiting The Temple Bar, soaking up the colourful streets and quirky shops before the crowds arrive.
10:00 - Take a short walk along the River Liffey to see the iconic Ha’penny Bridge.
10:15 - Head to Dublin Castle, exploring the historic grounds and courtyard.
11:00 - Stroll through Saint Patrick’s Park and admire the nearby Christ Church Cathedral.
11:30 - Pick up a cheese toastie from Griolladh to tie you over until lunch.
12:00 - Enjoy a self-guided tour of the Guinness Storehouse, taking in the history and finishing with panoramic views from the Gravity Bar.
15:00 - Grab a late lunch at Smokin Bones, known for its relaxed atmosphere and generous portions.
16:15 - Visit Trinity College to enjoy the stunning Georgian architecture and grounds.
16:45 - Relax with an early dinner or a light meal in St Stephen’s Green Park. I picked up a delicious bowl from Sprout & Co.
17:00 - Wander along Grafton Street, experiencing its lively shops and street performances.
18:00 - Finish your day by taking a walk along O’Connell Bridge and grabbing a treat from The Rolling Donut.
18:30 - Get the bus back to the airport, with plenty of time to relax before your flight home.
HOW TO GET FROM THE AIRPORT
Dublin Express - A fast and affordable option from the airport to the city centre, the Dublin Express costs €6 per person each way. The journey takes around 14 minutes via the Dublin Port Tunnel, with coaches running every 10 minutes during peak times. It stops at key locations including Heuston Station, Temple Bar, and Harcourt Street, and also operates frequent services to Belfast.
Local buses - Routes 16, 41, and 19 run from just outside Dublin Airport to the city centre in around 45 minutes. A standard cash fare is €2.60 per person each way. Please note, drivers accept cash only and require exact change. Using a TFI Leap Card gives you a discounted fare, plus daily and weekly fare capping, this is a good option if you are going to be taking multiple trips.
Taxi - For those wanting a more direct and comfortable ride, taxis from Dublin Airport to the city centre typically cost between €30 and €45 one way.
We chose to take the local buses - route 16 into the city and 19 on the return - and found them comfortable and efficient. The addition of USB charging ports in the back of the seats was a helpful addition for topping up our devices on the way back to the airport.
GETTING AROUND
Dublin is a very walkable city, we only used public transport to get to and from the airport. If you're heading further afield, the city is well-connected by buses, the Luas (tram system), and the DART (coastal train). The furthest we walked was from the city centre to the Guinness Storehouse, which was about 2 km and took around 20 minutes.
THINGS TO DO
Dublin Castle - A landmark full of history and a perfect spot to soak up the city’s rich heritage. Tickets are available to enter the castle - €8 for a self-guided tour or €12 for a guided one - however, the grounds are free to explore. We enjoyed wandering around the courtyard and gardens, taking in the castle up close without the crowds.
Trinity College - Renowned for its stunning Georgian architecture and historic significance. The campus itself is home to several iconic buildings, including the Campanile bell tower standing proudly in Front Square, the beautiful Rubrics Building, and the grand Examination Hall.
The Temple Bar - The heart of Dublin’s cultural scene, where colourful streets and quirky shops set the tone for the day ahead. Arriving early was a good move - it gave us the chance to take photos and explore before the area filled up with tourists. The outside of the building is full of vibrant flowers, and there is often live music being played inside.
The Guinness Storehouse - No visit to Dublin would be complete without a stop at the Guinness Storehouse. Even if you’re not a fan of Guinness the self-guided tour took us a couple of hours but was well worth it, offering an entertaining and informative look at the history and brewing process of Ireland’s most iconic beer. The highlight was the Gravity Bar at the end of the tour, where you can enjoy a pint of Guinness (or soft drink alternative) while taking in panoramic views of the city skyline - a perfect spot to relax and soak up the atmosphere.
Tickets cost €26 per person, and since it’s a self-guided experience, you can explore at your own pace. Pre-booking is recommended but not essential, we visited on a Tuesday in July 2025 and easily booked on-site using the QR code displayed outside (which offered a small discount compared to booking inside). We didn’t have to wait, and joined the next session which began 5 minutes later. If you're visiting on a weekend, expect longer waits or book ahead to avoid disappointment.
Ha’penny Bridge - One of Dublin’s most iconic landmarks, this charming cast-iron pedestrian bridge spans the River Liffey. Officially named the Liffey Bridge, it opened in 1816. Before the bridge existed, seven ferries were used to cross the river. When the ferries fell into disrepair, the owner was given a choice to fix them or build a bridge. He chose the latter, and when the bridge opened in May 1816, he was granted the right to charge a half-penny toll for 100 years - hence the name Ha’penny Bridge.
Grafton Street - Dublin’s premier shopping destination, famous for its lively atmosphere, street performers, and a mix of high-end boutiques and popular stores. It’s the perfect place to soak up the city’s energy and pick up unique souvenirs.
St Stephen’s Green - A tranquil park in the heart of the city, perfect for a relaxing wander before heading back to the airport, or simply to have a sit down to break up the day. I enjoyed sitting here to enjoy an early dinner by the fountains.
St Patrick’s Park - A tranquil green space that offered a welcome respite from the bustling city streets. Nearby, we admired the stunning Christ Church Cathedral, one of Dublin’s oldest and most impressive medieval buildings.
FOOD AND DRINK
Griolladh - Griolladh serves up delicious gourmet grilled cheese sandwiches with bold Irish flavours. The OG (made with malted sourdough, vintage cheddar, and Irish mozzarella) costs just €5 and was the perfect pick-me-up.
Smokin Bones - A popular spot in Dublin for hearty, smoky barbecue dishes packed with flavour. Known for its relaxed atmosphere and generous portions, it’s a great choice if you’re craving ribs, pulled pork, or other American-style BBQ classics. I don’t eat meat, however my boyfriend enjoyed it and it was a popular spot with a queue forming after we arrived.
Sprout & Co - My favourite meal of the day - hands down. We found a local spot in Dublin that only has locations in and around the city, which is a shame because I’d go back just for this. I ordered the miso trout Tokyo Bowl, and it was delicious: lemony rice, charred broccoli salad, umami mushrooms, pickled cucumber, julienned carrot, coriander, scallion, all tied together with a sesame dressing, nori furikake, and miso chilli rāyu. The bowls are packed with fresh, vegan-friendly ingredients, and your choice of protein. The bowls are well priced and generous portions, mine kept me going all afternoon.
The Rolling Donut - The Rolling Donut has been serving Dublin since 1978, known as the original donut shop in the city. Offering a variety of sourdough and vegan options, we tried the Vegan Ferrero Rocher donut, it was delicious and the perfect sweet treat to end the day.
Keep reading to explore my photos, along with my highlights, and top tips for visiting dublin.
Keep reading to explore my photos, along with my highlights, and top tips for visiting dublin.
MY HIGHLIGHTS + TOP TIPS:
If you have the time, get the local bus from the airport, it is a fraction of the cost of the Dublin Express and we found it to be comfortable and efficient.
Visit the Guinness Storehouse for a self-guided tour, even if you’re not a Guinness fan. It’s both interesting and a fun way to spend a couple of hours, with plenty to learn about Ireland’s most iconic beer and some great views from the Gravity Bar.
It's free to explore the grounds of Dublin Castle, and we really enjoyed it. There's plenty to see, and we felt like we got a great experience, even without paying for the inside tour.
Grab a bowl at Sprout & Co - healthy, full of flavour, and generous portions.
Free public toilets are available at the Dublin Castle Visitor Centre and at Trinity College Arts Block.
Currency: Euro (€)
Plug Sockets: Type G
Drive: Left-hand side of the road.
Carry some cash, as card payments are not accepted on most public transport.