With its rich culture, fascinating history and epic scenery, Ireland is truly a magical holiday destination. Ireland’s capital city, Dublin, has a thriving nightlife scene, tons of great restaurants and a wealth of galleries and museums to explore. Dublin is also a transport hub, making it a great city to base yourself in when you visit Ireland. These day trips from Dublin will let you branch out and explore the country.
On this list, you’ll find day trips to suit all types of travellers, from family groups to students on a budget. With frequent train and bus services to nearby towns and cities, you can easily plan day trips from Dublin by train or hire a car to make the most of Ireland’s untamed rural areas. Whatever you’re in the mood for when you travel, these Dublin day trip recommendations will help you plan an unforgettable stay on the Emerald Isle.
Best historical day trips from Dublin
While you’ll find plenty of historical attractions in Dublin itself, getting out of the city will also give you access to a wealth of Irish culture. Check out these Irish day trips if you love finding out about the past.
Kilkenny
Distance from Dublin: 1h 30min by car or around 2 hours by train.
Price: Kilkenny Castle cost about €8 (£6,80)
What to bring: Comfy shoes
Expert tip: Jerpoint Abbey is around a 20min drive from Kilkenny so include this time in your itinerary
Kilkenny, in southeast Ireland, is an absolute must-visit for anyone interested in Irish culture or medieval history. The town is home to famous historic buildings, such as Kilkenny Castle, St Canice’s Cathedral and the 17th-century merchant’s dwelling Rothe House & Garden. Visitors to Kilkenny can also take a guided tour of Jerpoint Abbey,which was built in the 12th century, or see the exquisite stained-glass windows at Black Abbey. Kilkenny is also home to the Medieval Mile Museum near the castle, where visitors can see ancient carvings and original Celtic crosses. The museum has interactive areas for kids and an audio tour so you can learn while you explore.
Cork
Distance from Dublin: 3 hours by car or 2h 40min by train.
What to bring: Walking shoes and comfortable clothes
Expert tip: Visitors heading to Blarney Castle should be aware that the final admission to the site is 1 hour before closing time, so make sure to check the schedule before you set out.
Additional tip: Even if Cork can be done in a one-day trip from Dublin, it is quite a journey, and you may also enjoy spending the night to make it a two-days trip.
If you plan to hire a car in Dublin, you can take a drive south and visit the historical city of Cork. One of Cork’s most famous historical attractions is Blarney Castle & Gardens, which is located around a 15-minute drive from the Cork city centre. Surrounded by gorgeous woodlands and a mystical lake, Blarney Castle is the site of many Irish myths and legends and is also home to the Blarney Stone. According to local custom, anyone who kisses this magical stone will be given the ‘gift of the gab’ and will be able to win people over with their words. Meanwhile, if you venture into Cork City itself, you can visit historical sites like Saint Fin Barre’s Cathedral and Cork City Gaol.
Best Dublin day trips for music and culture
Ireland is known for its great nightlife and its lively traditional music scene. If you want to soak up the culture or enjoy the craic during your Ireland trip, these day trips from Dublin are for you.
Galway
Distance from Dublin: 2h 45min by bus or around 2h 30min by car.
What to bring: Water
Expert tip: Visit in summer for the most bustling atmosphere
Undoubtedly a hub for Irish culture, the colourful town of Galway is a great place to visit if you want a fun day out in Ireland. You’ll find a great range of bars and pubs in Galway, including traditional watering holes with live bands and music. Try the whiskey selection at Garavan’s Bar or enjoy some traditional tunes at Tig Choili.
Drogheda
Distance from Dublin: 40 minutes by car or 1 hour by train.
What to bring: Wellies for the nearby beaches
Expert tip: Enjoy lunch at the Black Bull Inn
If you want to stay closer to home during your Dublin trip, you can find plenty of things going on in the nearby city of Drogheda. Like Galway, Drogheda is known for its classic Irish pubs. Popular local favourites include the Black Bull Inn, which serves hearty pub lunches throughout the day, and Sarsfield’s Bar, which has a beer garden and often has live music. Drogheda is also home to the TLT Concert Hall and the Highlanes Gallery.
Best day trips from Dublin for dramatic landscapes
Ireland has some of the most spectacular and rugged scenery in the world and is a brilliant place for avid hikers to visit. Located on Ireland’s east coast, Dublin is within reach of many famous scenic spots. If you’re hoping for some dramatic pics or some great Instagram content, these Irish day trip locations will meet your needs.
Tipperary
Distance from Dublin: 2 hours by car or by train and around 3 hours by bus.
What to bring: Hiking shoes
Expert tip: Take your bike to enjoy the nearby cycling trails
Tipperary is a paradise for hikers, cyclists and anyone who loves remote, scenic spots. Put your bike on your car and pack your comfiest walking shoes and some snacks for the journey. Hikers visiting Tipperary for a day trip can stroll part of St. Declan’s Way, which is a famous walking route running from Ashwell Lot to Tipperary. You can also explore the Lough Curra hiking area around the beautiful Glen of Aherlow.
Glendalough
Distance from Dublin: 1h 20min by car and around 1h 40min by bus and train.
What to bring: Comfortable shoes and waterproofs
Expert tip: Drive to Glendalough to make the most of the scenery
A day trip to Glendalough will take you through some of Ireland’s most beautiful and dramatic scenery en route. The area is home to the incredible Upper Lake, which has great hiking trails around it where you can soak up the remote atmosphere and breathtaking views. If you’re travelling to Glendalough by car, there’s a car park next to the lake, making it easy to reach the trails. The area also has an ancient monastic site, which makes visitors feel that they have travelled back in time.
You might find that some of the Glendalough scenery is familiar to you. This is because Glendalough is also the filming site for some famous romantic blockbusters – perfect if you want to impress on a couple’s getaway. After you’ve worked up an appetite on the trail, you can stop off at the Glendalough Green Café for some coffee and cake.
Best family day trips near Dublin
Sometimes keeping the whole family happy while you travel can be a feat. If you’re travelling with kids and want a fun, family-friendly day out, these Dublin day trips are ideal.
Clara Lara Funpark
Distance from Dublin: 1h 30min by car or around 2h 15min by bus or train.
Price: Around €30 (£25,60)
What to bring: A change of clothes for the water rides
Expert tip: Plan a full day at the park to make the most of the activities
Located between Glendalough and Rathdrum, Clara Lara Funpark provides a day of outdoor adventure that both kids and adults will enjoy. You can reach the park by car, or take the train or bus to Glendalough and take a short taxi from there. Once you arrive, you can go on the park’s massive water slides or try kayaking or rowing on the lake. The park also has a go-kart racing course, a zipline and an obstacle course.
Bray
Distance from Dublin: Just under 1 hour by car or by train.
Price: Around €14 (£11,90)
What to bring with you: Credit or debit cards, as the Bray Aquarium operates cashless.
Expert tip: Visit at feeding time to see the fish most active
The seaside town of Bray is located just south of Dublin and is the ideal spot for a relaxing day out with kids. The town is home to the Sea Life aquarium, which is a great place to take kids when the weather is poor. The aquarium houses hundreds of species, with sharks, octopi, stingrays and tropical fish.
If the sun is out when you decide to visit Bray, you can stroll along the seafront and get ice creams from Gelateria Seafront, which looks out over the promenade. Visitors staying for dinner in Bray will find next-level fish and chips on offer at the Butler & Barry restaurant.
Best days trips from Dublin for food and drink
Ireland has a great international food culture and plenty of fun places to try if you’re a foodie through and through. Try out these hot destinations for food in Ireland.
Limerick
Distance from Dublin: 2h 30min by car.
What to bring: A raincoat
Expert tip: Take a stroll in Coolwater Garden after lunch
Limerick is a vibrant city with tons going on, making it perfect for a day trip out of Dublin. The best part about visiting Limerick is that, between visiting attractions, you can chow down at some incredible central restaurants. For a true fine-dining experience in Limerick, visitors can book a table at the Michelin-starred East Room Restaurant. The menu here combines foraged local and seasonal ingredients with artisanal skills to create mind-blowing cuisine.
If you’re looking for something more casual, you will also find plenty of great options. Try Russells Select Bar, which has a carvery and finger food menu, or Katie Dalys Heritage Pub & Kitchen for burgers, fresh seafood and more.
Dundalk
Distance from Dublin: 1 hour by car or by bus.
What to bring: Comfortable shoes
Expert tip: If you’re travelling with kids, hit the indoor trampoline park
If you want a relaxed day out that’s not too far from Dublin, Dundalk is a lovely place to visit. For a small place, Dundalk has a high number of excellent restaurants, making it a great destination to enjoy lunch and dinner. Dundalk is an especially exciting place to visit if you love fresh seafood, as its connection to the coast means that this is one of the area’s prime delicacies. Grab lunch at restaurants like The Spotted Dog or The Windsor Bar & Restaurant and then enjoy a seafood supper at Kingfisher Bistro.
The perfect day trip from Dublin, by Lily Greenall
Anyone fascinated by Celtic and medieval history will love a day out in Kilkenny. Here are my recommendations for the perfect Kilkenny day out.
1. Take the bus at 8:00 to arrive in Kilkenny around 9:40.
2. Visit the Kilkenny Castle and the Medieval Mile Museum.
3. Enjoy lunch at Matt the Millers Bar & Restaurant on the waterfront.
4. Discover Smithwick’s Experience for a brewery tour and tasting.
5. Have dinner at the Butcher restaurant.
6. Take the bus at around 19:45 to get back to Dublin at 21:30.
Frequent questions about day trips from Dublin
Can you do a day trip from Dublin to London?
Travelling from Dublin to London takes around 1h 15min by plane and around 9 hours by road, including a ferry journey. This means it is not possible to have a day trip to London from Dublin.
Can you do a day trip to Cork from Dublin?
You can get from Dublin to Cork by train in around 2h 40min, making Cork a great option for a day trip from Dublin.
