If you plan to base yourself in Dublin for your Ireland vacation, you’ll want to venture out a bit. These are my favorite day trips from Dublin.
The Best Day Trips from Dublin Ireland
Dublin is an amazing city in one of my favorite countries. There are a million things to do in Dublin, but if you want to explore nearby, a day tour is a good option.
Ireland is full of incredible destinations and taking an Ireland road trip is a great way to see the whole island, but if you’re short on time, day trips from Dublin can be a great way to maximize your time.
Most international flights will take you to Dublin, the capital of the Republic of Ireland, and it’s a great place to base yourself. There is so much to do and see in the city and it’s also the city centre to some great places. Taking Dublin day trips is also a great choice if you don’t want to drive in Ireland. There are some great organized tour day trips from Dublin.
Here are my favorite day trips from Dublin Ireland.
Here's a Short Cut
Don’t have time to read a bunch of reviews and blog posts? Here are our top picks for visiting Ireland:
Get an Easy Ireland Itinerary
Our favorite hotels in Ireland
- Castle Hotel: Ashford Castle
- Dublin Hotel: Moxie Dublin
- Killarney: Killarney Royal Hotel
- Northern Ireland: The Fitzwilliam
Our favorite tours in Ireland
- Cliffs of Moher
- Northern Ireland Tour
- History Tour of Dublin
- Dublin Food Tour
- Book a Photoshoot in Ireland
Renting a Car in Ireland?
If you want to see authentic Ireland, I recommend you drive yourself. If you’re renting a car, there are two companies we prefer to use: Rental Cars and Expedia Cars. We have had no issues with them and have been able to find the best prices available.
Cliffs of Moher Day Trip from Dublin
This is probably one of the most popular day tours from Dublin. The Cliffs of Moher are quite far from Dublin, but worth a visit! It will take you around 3 hours to get to these majestic cliffs, so it’s definitely an all-day affair. Luckily you’ll have some stunning sites along the way as you drive across Ireland.
Distance from Dublin: 3.5 hours
Guided Tour: Cliffs of Moher & Galway
Ring of Kerry
The Ring of Kerry is another day trip from Dublin that requires a long drive. If you’re self-driving, be sure to leave early in the morning. This is Ireland’s most famous drive and for its outstanding natural beauty. The views are stunning!
Distance from Dublin: 3.5 hours to the beginning of the driving route.
Howth
Howth is a really quick and informative day trip from Dublin. It’s just a few miles north, but completely different than the big city. There are beautiful cliffs that are much less crowded than the Cliffs of Moher. Take a walk along the Howth Cliff Walk and grab some fish & chips, which Howth is famous for.
Distance from Dublin: 40 minutes
Guided Tour: 6 Hour Guided Tour
Kilkenny
Kilkenny is a charming, ancient town with cobbled streets and winding streets. It’s a great place to do a little shopping for handmade Irish goods to take home for a souvenir.
Distance from Dublin: 1.5 hours
Guided Tour: This amazing tour covers Kilkenny, Glendalough, Wicklow, and Sheepdog trails.
Glendalough and Wicklow Mountains Day Trip from Dublin
Wicklow Mountains National Park is one of the real gems in Ireland. Just south of Dublin, you can spend hours hiking the flower-covered hills and visit Powerscourt Estate and the famous Avoca Handweavers.
Distance from Dublin: 1 hour
Guided Tour: This amazing tour covers Kilkenny, Glendalough, Wicklow, and Sheepdog trails.
Connemara National Park
Another amazing National Park in Ireland, Connemara offers incredible views, hills, and lakes in a serene and tranquil setting. Be sure to check out the famous Kylemore Abbey.
Distance from Dublin: 3.5 hours
Guided Tour: Full Day Connemara National Park Day Trip from Dublin
Northern Ireland
You can take a day trip from Dublin to another country, Northern Ireland! While there are many similarities between the two, there are also some differences to be aware of. Northern Ireland is part of the UK and uses Pound Stirling currency and not Euros. You don’t need a passport to get into Northern Ireland and you’ll still drive on the left. Be sure to explore Giants Causeway, walk across Carrick-a-Rede, and walk through the Dark Hedges.
Distance from Dublin: 3 hours
Guided Tour: Northern Ireland Day Trip from Dublin
Killarney
The town of Killarney and Killarney National Park is one of my favorite places in Ireland. You could spend a month there and not run out of things to do. But it’s still worth going, even if just as a day trip from Dublin. You can tour Muckross House, Explore the Killarney Lakes, and ride in a Jaunting Car (traditional horse-drawn buggy).
Distance from Dublin: 3.5 hours
Guided Tour: Killarney & Kerry Tour from Dublin
Hook Peninsula
Hook Peninsula is a hidden gem located in Ireland’s Ancient East. You can explore Ireland’s most haunted mansion, Loftus Hall, and also the world’s oldest working lighthouse, Hook Head Lighthouse. It’s a beautiful piece of the island with not many tourists.
Distance from Dublin: 2.5 hours
Guided Tour: Guided Tour of the Ring of Hook
Belfast
Just a short drive from one capital to another, Dublin to Belfast, the capital of Northern Ireland. There are many places to visit here such as the Belfast City Hall, St. George’s Market, and a host of other tourist attractions.
Here you can explore the sometimes dark history of the country during this great walking tour and also visit the new Titanic Museum. Timed tickets must be booked ahead for the museum. Check out these unforgettable things to do in Belfast.
Distance from Dublin: 1 hour 45 minutes
I hope one of these will be the perfect Dublin day trip for you! Really, anywhere you spiral out from Dublin will be a great choice. It’s hard to go wrong in Ireland!
xo
Vanessa
Day Trips from Dublin Ireland FAQ
Definitely, I actually preferred taking day trips from Dublin when I visited Ireland. There are plenty of amazing places to explore that you can reach in just a few hours outside the city. It’s a historic and vibrant city, but there’s so much more to Ireland than just Dublin! From the lush green rolling hills of the Wicklow Mountains in County Wicklow to the majestic Cliffs of Moher in County Clare, there are lots of places just a short drive away that can easily be visited in one day.
If you really want to make the most of your Dublin trip, at least three days is recommended. That way you’ll have enough time to explore the city as well as make day trips to some of the nearby attractions, such as the Guinness Storehouse or the Cliffs of Moher.
I’d say the Cliffs of Moher Day Trip, Kilkenny, and Howth Peninsula are some of the memorable day trips from Dublin.
The Full Day Connemara National Park Day Trip from Dublin is one of the best organised day trips from Dublin. This trip takes you through some of Ireland’s most scenic countryside, and includes stops at Kylemore Abbey. You’ll also get to explore the stunning Kylemore Castle and her grounds.
