One Day in Dublin: A Classic Dublin City Centre Day Out

About This Dublin City Itinerary

One Day in Dublin City Itinerary Rating: Intermediate
This Dublin itinerary is recommended for people with the following interests: culture, food, shopping

Classic Dublin City Centre Itinerary in Brief

1. Coffee at Coffeeangel, Butlers Chocolate Cafe, or Beanhive Dublin
2. Explore the Trinity College Dublin campus
3. See the Book of Kells
4. Lunch Choices in Dublin City Centre
• Vegetarian comfort food at Cornucopia
• Sandwiches and cakes at Avoca
• Soup and a baguette at Le Petit Parisien
5. Shop Powerscourt Townhouse
6. Browse Stephens Green Shopping Center
7. Window shop on Grafton Street
8. Learn and taste a bit of history at the Irish Whiskey Museum
9. Pub Stop at the Porterhouse Nassau Street
10. Dinner Choices in Dublin City Centre
• Boulevard Cafe
• Green Hen
11. Evening Activities in Dublin City
• Gaeity Theatre
• Murphy's Ice Cream

Explore other one day Dublin City itineraries here:

Classic Dublin City Centre Detailed Itinerary

Start your day with a well-crafted cappuccino at Coffeeangel near Trinity College Dublin (TCD). If you prefer chocolate, consider Butlers Chocolate Cafe as an alternative choice.  You'll get a free chocolate with each hot drink that you purchase. Beanhive Dublin is your best bet if you like intricate latte art. Make sure to request an ample sprinkle of chocolate on top of your beverage as well. Both Coffeeangel and Butlers are located along Nassau Street. Once you've had your coffee, cross the street and enter the Trinity College Dublin campus. Walking TCD is one of the best free things you can do in Dublin.

You'll find photo opportunities galore at TCD with plenty of historic architecture and pretty green spaces. If the building is open, step inside the Ballroom Physical Laboratory at Trinity. We had the opportunity to visit during the annual Open House Dublin when a retired Professor of Physics from Trinity College Dublin decked out in gown and top hat whisked us inside for a tour of the historic lab which was built over 100 years ago. The Physical Laboratory building features a fascinating array of historical lab equipment in period cases. We also sat in a historic lecture hall where Erwin Schrödinger gave a lecture titled What is Life?

No visit to Trinity College Dublin is complete without a visit to the Book of Kells. The Book of Kells dates back over 1000 years and is one of the most popular tourist attractions in Dublin. One of the most amazing things about the Book of Kells beyond the age of the volume are the intricate illustrations that accompany the text. The Book of Kells exhibit also gives a glimpse into life in Ireland and Scotland at the time the book was created as well as the life of a modern Trinity College student. The Book of Kells tour ends in the Long Room of the Old Library -- a dark wood paneled area lined with busts of famous writers and old musty tomes from floor to ceiling. What a great atmosphere to study in! The Book of Kells visit costs 11 - 14 EUR for adults at the time of writing. The Book of Kells is extremely popular so definitely book in advance online to avoid disappointment.

For lunch, you have a few options in Dublin City Centre. Sample vegetarian comfort food at Cornucopia. The food is wholesome and excellent value for money. Enjoy delicious stews, soups, casseroles and quiches. Cornucopia is always packed but there is additional seating upstairs.

Avova craft shop in Dublin's City Centre features an upstairs cafe that's perfect for coffee and cake. The vibe is shabby chic. Enjoy a sandwich or if your sweet tooth strikes, opt for a slice of tart lemon cake washed down with a skinny latte for lunch.

If you are in the mood for French cuisine, sample soup and a baguette at Le Petit Parisien. Le Petit Parisien is tucked away behind an unassuming storefront on Wicklow Street in Dublin. Eyeball the cakes and pastries near the entrance and then seek out a cozy table near the back. We especially enjoyed minted pea soup with brown bread and a ham and cheese sandwich on a baguette. The soup was one of the best I've had in Ireland and was very thick, chunky, and hearty. The mint added that little something special to the dish. Take a look at the French inspired curios that surround you while you eat.

After lunch, it's time for some shopping with great atmosphere. Head over to Powerscourt Townhouse, an old Georgian building that has been transformed into a boutique shopping mall. You'll find crafty shops and high end clothing along with ample photo opportunities in the center enclosed courtyard.

For a wider variety of modern shops, browse the nearby Stephens Green Shopping Centre. The architecture looks Victorian but it's actually modern. Nonetheless, Stephens Green Shopping Centre is one of the most Instagrammable spots in Dublin. You'll find department stores like Dunnes, international chains like Benetton and value-for-money options like Tiger and TK Maxx. Stephens Green Shopping Centre is a great place to get inside to warm up on a cold day.

You'll also find ample high-end shopping along Grafton Street. Grafton Street has a great buzz. You'll find buskers singing their hearts out, places to nip in and grab a snack, bookstores to browse and more. If you happen to visit in the lead up to Christmas, Grafton Street is positively radiant with brightly lit chandeliers and Christmas lights. Don't miss it!

Take a break at the bottom of Grafton Street (the end closer to Trinity College Dublin) to learn about and taste a bit of history at the Irish Whiskey Museum. The Irish Whiskey Museum recounts the rise, fall, and rise again of the Irish Whiskey industry and is the one brand agnostic whiskey tour that you'll find in Dublin. I've covered our tour of the Irish Whiskey Museum in a separate post here.

Time for a pub stop! Make your way to Porterhouse Central on Nassau Street, one of Dublin's first craft beer brewers and pubs. You'll find a diverse selection of craft beer styles and great buzz inside the pub.

For dinner, try Boulevard Cafe for a great value-for-money early bird 2-course special on weekdays. The interior has a rustic feel with pale flowers hanging from the walls. Start with a lovely butternut squash soup with homemade brown bread. For your main course, try salmon served with thinly sliced courgettes or the beef bourguignon which is extremely comforting if the weather outside is cold. If you have dinner at Boulevard, definitely save room for dessert! Boulevard Cafe offers a number of homemade cakes and tarts. I'm particularly fond of their light and airy cheesecakes.

For a more upscale dining experience, try the Green Hen. Here you'll find French-inspired cuisine with an Irish twist. For those who like to eat in peace, the Green Hen does not allow children under 12 after 5 pm.

After dinner, head to the Gaeity Theatre for a show. The Gaeity is one of Dublin's most centrally located theatres near Stephen's Green and has great atmosphere for shows ranging from dance revues like Riverdance to musicals like Once. If you're in the mood for a more low key evening, head over to Murphy's Ice Cream instead. Murphy's is Dingle-based and offers some of the best ice cream in Ireland. Try flavors like sea salt or brown bread. Murphy's is open late: until 10:30 pm every night of the week.

Map of This Dublin City Itinerary: 

Guide to Sidewalk Safari Dublin City Itineraries

• Leisurely: No need to get up super-early to start this itinerary which is always good if you experienced a little too much of Dublin's famous craic the night before. Take your time exploring the sights on these itineraries or take detours that you discover on your own in the process of following my suggestions.

• Intermediate: You should be able to comfortably fit in the activities recommended even if you don't get an early start. There is a fair amount of walking involved in these itineraries to get from place to place.

• Ambitious: Lots to see plus a lot of walking. Make sure to get an early start or you won't make it to everything on the list.

The perfect formula for a day out in Dublin City includes: breakfast/coffee, morning activities, lunch, afternoon activities, a pub stop, dinner, and evening fun.

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