One of my goals with moving abroad was exploring more whether that was going to different villages in Ireland or neighboring countries. I hate to say I’ve started falling into my comfort zone and I haven’t made exploring as much of a priority. Luckily, when my mom visited me in August, it was the perfect excuse to be an actual tourist in Dublin. We did a lot in the few days she was here so this is my guide for things to visit when you have 4 days in Ireland, starting with exploring the Dublin city centre.
Exploring the Dublin City Centre
We started off by exploring the city centre by foot. We’re very fond of walking so we spent all day doing that. I had as many steps as I would at a music festival: over 20,000! It was exhausting and but well worth it.
Dublin is about 5km/3 miles long from Phoenix Park to Ringsend so it’s definitely walkable which is one thing I love about living here.
Here are some key attractions I’ve enjoyed if you’re exploring the Dublin city centre.
- St. Stephen’s Green – Dublin 2
- Type: attraction
- This is a beautifully manicured park that is lovely to walk through as it is to lay on the grass. There’s a lake on the northern end of it and a playground for children. Any spot is a great spot to relax and soak up the sun (when the weather is nice.) Coming from LA, I’m not used to parks looking this beautiful so I highly recommend visiting this.
- Trinity College – Dublin 2
- Type: attraction
- I’m sure many people would tell you to see the Book of Kells but my mom and I enjoy doing things for free if we can help it. But definitely do see it if you want; I hear it’s amazing! But if you want to go the free route, wandering the campus is also a great idea. The buildings are gorgeous and have been around for centuries. We joined a campus tour and stayed with them for a while. The tour guide was brilliant to listen to and it was interesting hearing about the college’s scandalous past.
- The Bottle Boy – Dublin 1
- Type: food/drink
- I took my mom here because it’s far away from the craziness of Temple Bar, Grafton St, and O’Connell St. After walking for hours, we needed a moment to relax. If you happen to go to The Bottle Boy on a warm, sunny day, it’s absolutely amazing. Grab a pint, find a seat at the small seating area outside, and enjoy the sun as you sip your drink beside the River Liffey.
- Provender Bread & Wine – Dublin 8
- Type: food/drink
- We came across this wine bar randomly after a long day at the Guinness Storehouse (more on that later) and walking. All we wanted was a quick bite and we got something more special. We ordered a small cheese board to curb the hunger and we were pleasantly surprised by how good it was! Provender Bread & Wine uses organic and artisan products which explains why such a small cheese platter was so delicious. Excellent cheese (even though we got there at the end of the day and not much was left), excellent crackers and nibbles, and excellent customer service.
- Phoenix Park – Dublin 8
- Type: attraction
- I’ve been here several times and nothing quite prepares you for the magnitude of Phoenix Park. It’s the largest city park in Europe and it’s absolutely worth a visit. I haven’t even seen all of it yet. There are sections with beautiful gardens but the deeper you get into the park, you’re just surrounded by wide, open space. It’s a great place to clear your mind or go for a cycle. There’s even a zoo, a cafe to grab some coffee, and I hear you can see deer run across sometimes. I haven’t seen that yet!
- The Guinness Storehouse – Dublin 8
- Type: drink
- Ok, if you’re going to Dublin, you almost HAVE to do the do the Guinness Storehouse tour. There are varying ticket tiers but the one we got was the one that included the Stoutie (a selfie on your stout). You start off heading up to the main floor which immediately sets the vibe. The gift shop, tour, and bar takes place in a pint glass that’s seven stories tall. Seriously. The gift shop has awesome merchandise that’s actually NOT tacky. The tour is self-guided and is such a treat for your sight, smell, and spatial senses. Trust me, it’s not a boring tour. You know how Disneyland has a way of making you feel like you’re experiencing something really special? That’s how I felt in the storehouse. If you get the Stoutie, your photograph will be taken and in minutes, it’s printed onto the head of your Guinness. I don’t understand how they do it but it’s honestly worth it. You may even get a free pint from one of the servers if you’re lucky. Your final stop will be at the Gravity Bar with a panoramic view of Dublin.
Honorable Mention – The National Botanic Gardens of Ireland
I didn’t get to show my mom this attraction while she was here but I’ve been there before on my own. The National Botanic Gardens of Ireland is tucked away in the north part of Dublin. It’s a sprawling piece of land with so many plants, flowers, a lake, and a couple large greenhouses. It’s another perfect place for relaxing on a sunny day.
As a bonus, you can also walk to Glasnevin Cemetery, Ireland’s national cemetery, which you can access through the botanic gardens. There are 1.5 million people are buried here which is wild to think about. The tombs and sacrophogi range from centuries old to present day.
4 Days in Dublin Map
If you’re like me and you want a visual of where everything is, check out my map that has all the spots I’ve been to in that are worth a visiting if you’re exploring Ireland.
