9 Popular Day Trips From Dublin: Exploring Ireland

Dublin is an excellent base for exploring some of Ireland’s top attractions. With its central location, you’re just a short drive or train ride away from castles, coastal cliffs, ancient sites, and picturesque towns. Let's dive into this list of 9 of the best day trips from Dublin.

Howth

Just a short 30-minute train ride from Dublin, Howth is a small fishing village that offers incredible coastal views and rich history. Known for its hiking trails and seafood restaurants, it's a favorite among locals and visitors alike.

• Distance: Approximately 15 kilometers (9 miles)
• Time to Get There: 30 minutes by train or 30-40 minutes by car
• How to Get There:
  • Train: Take the DART (Dublin Area Rapid Transit) from Dublin City Center to Howth Station.
  • Car: Drive via the R105 road.

Activities and Attractions:

• Howth Cliff Walk: Take a scenic walk along the cliffs for breathtaking views of Dublin Bay and the Irish Sea.
• Howth Castle: Explore the medieval Howth Castle and its gardens.
• Seafood Dining: Sample fresh, local seafood at one of the village’s renowned restaurants.
• Howth Market: Browse through this local market filled with artisanal products and crafts.

Glendalough

Located in the Wicklow Mountains National Park, Glendalough is a magical monastic site dating back to the 6th century. This peaceful valley is perfect for history lovers and nature enthusiasts.

• Distance: Approximately 50 kilometers (31 miles)
• Time to Get There: 1 hour 15 minutes by car or 2 hours by public transport
• How to Get There:
  • Car: Drive via the M50 and N11 roads.
  • Public Transport: Take the St. Kevin's Bus from Dublin City Center directly to Glendalough.

Activities and Attractions:

• Monastic Ruins: Explore the ancient monastery, round tower, and stone churches.
• Wicklow Mountains Hike: Enjoy trails that take you through scenic landscapes, forests, and lakes.
• Glendalough Visitor Centre: Learn more about the area's historical significance.

Powerscourt Estate and Gardens

Located just 40 minutes south of Dublin, Powerscourt Estate is known for its stunning gardens, mansion, and waterfall. It’s one of the most popular estates in Ireland for a good reason.

• Distance: Approximately 30 kilometers (19 miles)
• Time to Get There: 40 minutes by car or 1 hour 30 minutes by bus
• How to Get There:
  • Car: Drive via the M50 and R117 roads.
  • Bus: Take the Bus Éireann 44 from Dublin City Center to Enniskerry Village, then walk to the estate.

Activities and Attractions:

• Powerscourt Gardens: Wander through the beautifully landscaped gardens, including Italian, Japanese, and rose gardens.
• Powerscourt Waterfall: Visit Ireland’s highest waterfall, located within the estate grounds.
• Powerscourt House: Tour the elegant mansion and enjoy the Avoca café.

Malahide Castle

A visit to Malahide Castle offers a mix of history, architecture, and beautifully maintained gardens. It’s a great day trip located just 30 minutes from Dublin city center.

• Distance: Approximately 14 kilometers (9 miles)
• Time to Get There: 30 minutes by train or 20-30 minutes by car
• How to Get There:
  • Train: Take the DART from Dublin City Center to Malahide Station.
  • Car: Drive via the R107 road.

Activities and Attractions:

• Castle Tour: Explore the nearly 800-year-old Malahide Castle, once home to the Talbot family.
• Botanical Gardens: Stroll through the 260-acre gardens featuring exotic plants.
• Butterfly House: A family-friendly spot where you can see various butterfly species.

Newgrange and the Boyne Valley

Newgrange, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, is one of the most significant prehistoric monuments in the world. This ancient burial tomb, dating back over 5,000 years, is located in the Boyne Valley, about an hour north of Dublin.

• Distance: Approximately 50 kilometers (31 miles)
• Time to Get There: 1 hour by car or 1 hour 30 minutes by bus
• How to Get There:
  • Car: Drive via the M1 and R147 roads.
  • Bus: Take Bus Éireann route 163 from Dublin City Center to Drogheda, then transfer to Bus 163 towards Newgrange.

Activities and Attractions:

• Newgrange Tomb Tour: Explore this ancient passage tomb, older than the pyramids.
• Boyne Valley: Discover the surrounding area, rich in history, including the Battle of the Boyne site.
• Bru na Boinne Visitor Centre: Learn about the Neolithic people who built these tombs.

Kilkenny

Kilkenny is a medieval city about 90 minutes from Dublin, offering a perfect mix of history, culture, and charm. Its well-preserved medieval architecture makes it a must-visit.

• Distance: Approximately 130 kilometers (81 miles)
• Time to Get There: 1 hour 30 minutes by train or 1 hour 30 minutes by car
• How to Get There:
  • Train: Take the Irish Rail from Dublin Heuston Station to Kilkenny Station.
  • Car: Drive via the M9 motorway.

Activities and Attractions:

• Kilkenny Castle: Explore one of Ireland's most famous castles and its stunning grounds.
• Smithwick’s Experience: Tour the brewery where Ireland’s oldest beer, Smithwick’s, is made.
• Medieval Mile Museum: Learn about Kilkenny’s medieval past through interactive exhibits.

Bray

This seaside town is a popular day trip from Dublin, just 40 minutes by train. Known for its long promenade, beach, and coastal cliff walk, Bray is perfect for a relaxing escape from the city.

• Distance: Approximately 20 kilometers (12 miles)
• Time to Get There: 40 minutes by train or 45 minutes by car
• How to Get There:
  • Train: Take the DART from Dublin City Center to Bray Station.
  • Car: Drive via the M50 and M11 roads.

Activities and Attractions:

• Bray Promenade: Walk along the scenic seafront, enjoying views of the Irish Sea.
• Bray Head: Hike to the top of Bray Head for panoramic views.
• Sealife Bray Aquarium: A family-friendly attraction featuring marine life exhibits.

Trim Castle

Trim Castle is the largest Norman castle in Ireland and is just over an hour away from Dublin. It’s a must-see for history buffs, as this castle was used as a filming location for the movie Braveheart.

• Distance: Approximately 45 kilometers (28 miles)
• Time to Get There: 1 hour 10 minutes by car or 1 hour 30 minutes by bus
• How to Get There:
  • Car: Drive via the M3 motorway.
  • Bus: Take Bus Éireann route 111 from Dublin City Center directly to Trim.

Activities and Attractions:

• Castle Tour: Take a guided tour of the castle and learn about its historical significance.
• River Boyne Walk: Stroll along the river and enjoy views of the castle and surrounding landscape.
• St. Patrick’s Cathedral: Visit the nearby cathedral with its towering spire.

The Rock of Cashel

Though a bit further from Dublin (about 2 hours), the Rock of Cashel is worth the trip. This historic site is a spectacular collection of medieval buildings set on a hilltop in County Tipperary.

• Distance: Approximately 160 kilometers (99 miles)
• Time to Get There: 2 hours by car or 2 hours 30 minutes by bus
• How to Get There:
  • Car: Drive via the M7 and M8 motorways.
  • Bus: Take the Dublin Coach route 717 from Dublin City Center to Cashel.

Activities and Attractions:

• Rock of Cashel: Explore the ancient ruins, including a round tower, cathedral, and high cross.
• Hore Abbey: Visit the nearby ruins of a 13th-century abbey.
• Views of the Countryside: Enjoy panoramic views of the surrounding countryside from the hilltop.

No matter which trip you choose from Dublin, you’re guaranteed a memorable experience. These popular day trips showcase the very best of Ireland’s charm, history, and natural beauty. However, there are so many amazing things to see in Ireland, check out this complete list of day trips available on GetYourGuide.com - anything you book can be canceled 24 hours prior to the date of your scheduled day trip.

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