The River Liffey in central Dublin, with the Ha'penny Bridge in the distance
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Dublin in 1 day

  • 1 day
  • 6.9 km on foot
  • 17 stops
  • Audio guide

Only got one day in Dublin? It's enough to get to know the city, because the historic centre fits into one long walk along the Liffey. This plan strings together our three routes: the highlights in the morning, eight centuries of history in the afternoon and the legends as the light fades. It's a full day, almost seven kilometres on the flat, for anyone who'd rather walk and listen to good stories than stand in queues.

One day in DublinA whole day by the Liffey

Start around nine at the Ha'penny Bridge with “Bridges, pubs and Georgian squares”: Temple Bar before the crowds, Trinity College, Molly Malone and St Stephen's Green, finishing at Merrion Square. Head back towards Dame Street for an Irish stew at The Stag's Head or O'Neill's. In the afternoon, “From Vikings to the Republic” takes you from St Audoen's past Christ Church, Dublin Castle and the GPO to the Garden of Remembrance. From there, cut across to Church Street for “Mummies, a stolen heart and a cat in the organ”, which ends near Whitefriar Street. Supper is fish and chips from Leo Burdock, a few minutes away.

  1. Morning

    Bridges, pubs and Georgian squares: Dublin's highlights

    Mixed · 2.4 km · 2 h

    1. Ha'penny BridgeAn iron bridge cast in England in 1816 that, for a century, cost half a penny to cross.
    2. Temple BarThe quarter of pubs and live music that, in the 1980s, was nearly flattened for a bus station.
    3. Trinity CollegeThe university Elizabeth I founded in 1592, where Swift, Wilde and Beckett studied and the Book of Kells is kept.
    4. Molly Malone statueIreland's most famous seller of cockles and mussels never existed, or at least nobody has ever proved she did.
    5. St Stephen's Green and Fusiliers' ArchA park opened to the public by a Guinness, an arch some called ‘Traitors' Gate’ and a ceasefire to feed the ducks.
    6. Merrion Square and Oscar WildeThe Georgian square of coloured doors, where Oscar Wilde grew up and now lounges on a rock.

    Start the audio guide See the route

  2. Lunch

    Try Irish stew at The Stag's Head. 1 Dame Court

  3. Afternoon

    From Vikings to the Republic: eight centuries on foot

    History · 2.5 km · 2 h

    1. St Audoen's ChurchDublin's oldest parish church still in use, with Ireland's oldest bells and the last surviving gate of the medieval walls.
    2. Christ Church CathedralThe cathedral a Viking king founded, Strongbow rebuilt and, seven centuries later, a whiskey distiller saved.
    3. Dublin CastleFor seven centuries the heart of English and British power in Ireland; in 1922, handed over to Michael Collins.
    4. Old Parliament House (Bank of Ireland)The world's first purpose-built two-chamber parliament, which lost its parliament in 1800.
    5. General Post Office (GPO)The Proclamation of the Republic was read outside it in 1916, and the bullet marks are still visible on its columns.
    6. Garden of RemembranceA cross-shaped pool and the Children of Lir turning into swans, on the spot where the Irish Volunteers were founded.

    Start the audio guide See the route

  4. Early evening

    Mummies, a stolen heart and a cat in the organ

    Mysteries & legends · 2 km · 1 h 30 min

    1. St Michan's ChurchA plain-looking church whose vaults preserved bodies naturally for centuries.
    2. The Brazen HeadThe sign says 1198; the records say 1613. In between there are rebels, highwaymen and the odd ghost.
    3. Christ Church CathedralA cat and a rat trapped in an organ pipe, Strongbow's broken tomb and a saint's heart stolen in 2012.
    4. St Patrick's CathedralA legendary well of St Patrick, a door with a hole that gave English a saying, and the tomb of Jonathan Swift.
    5. Whitefriar Street ChurchBehind a modest front on a busy street lie relics attributed to St Valentine.

    Start the audio guide See the route

  5. Dinner

    Try Fish and chips from Leo Burdock at Leo Burdock. 2 Werburgh Street

The map

Dublin in 1 day, on the map

Each route’s stops are numbered in order; the stars are the extra sights.

Mixed History Mysteries & legends

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Before you go

Tips for Dublin in 1 day

  • In winter it gets dark mid-afternoon, so do the mystery walk earlier and save the history route for last. In summer, with light until late, you can even leave it until after dinner.
  • Bring a light rain jacket rather than an umbrella: showers blow through in every season, and with the wind coming up off the river an umbrella won't do you much good.
  • If you want to go inside Christ Church or St Patrick's, or see the Book of Kells, buy tickets in advance and check opening times: one day leaves no room for queuing.

Questions

Dublin in 1 day: your questions

Can you see Dublin in one day?

You can see the core of the centre, because it's compact: the Liffey, Temple Bar, Trinity, both medieval cathedrals, the Castle and O'Connell Street all fit into a day on foot. You'll miss the big museums, Kilmainham and the Guinness Storehouse; that's what the 2- and 3-day plans are for.

How far will I walk in a day?

The three routes add up to about 6.9 kilometres: 2.4 for the highlights, 2.5 for history and 1.95 for the mystery walk. With the links between routes and lunch, reckon on 8 or 9 kilometres, nearly all of it flat.

Is the Book of Kells worth it if I only have one day?

It depends how keen you are. The visit takes a while and it's best to book a time slot; if you can fit it in, go as soon as it opens, before the walk. If you'd rather keep moving, you'll still see Trinity's Front Square and the Campanile on the morning route.

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