Welcome to “Daycation Dublin”, 1 Day In Dublin – your guide to experiencing the charm, culture and cuisine of Ireland’s vibrant capital city in just one day! Join us on a whirlwind journey through Dublin’s iconic landmarks, hidden gems and culinary delights, perfect for those seeking to make the most out of a short stay in this captivating city.
What is a daycation?
A daycation typically refers to a short trip taken during the day, usually within a relatively short distance from one’s home or usual place of stay. Unlike a traditional vacation which often involves an extended period away from home, a daycation is focused on enjoying and exploring new places, or simply relaxing for a day before returning home in the evening.
Daycations are popular for those looking to unwind without the need for extensive planning or time off work, offering a convenient and refreshing escape from the daily routine. Not only that but the cost of one day’s travel is significantly smaller than a holiday.
A daycation to Dublin though?
Flights from Liverpool and Manchester to Dublin take roughly 45-60 minutes and can cost as little as £15 (carry on, no luggage). If you fancy a short trip away but don’t want the faff of a hotel and would prefer to come home to your own bed, a daycation is the perfect holiday.
Our flight left at 6 am from Liverpool which meant that we touched down in Dublin before breakfast but don’t worry, we researched the most perfect spots for you to replenish those energy supplies.
Click here to see flight schedules and prices to Dublin Or scan the QR code below
The bus from the airport
Airport Bus No.41 is the cheapest (roughly 15 euros) and it runs every 15-30 minutes (timetable here). If you’re only spending the day, the DoDublin freedom card is not worth it.
Prices in Ireland are in euros and everywhere we went, including the bus station took card and google pay/apple pay. We didn’t take any cash but we are a mostly cashless family now.
A 1-day Dublin Itinerary: Daycation Dublin
Here is a full day’s itinerary for Dublin city.
This is a budget itinerary where everything we visited was free. The only things we paid for were the travel and food.
If you land before 7 am
Make your way through the deserted streets to find the talking statues, a walk along the boardwalk, cross over on the bridges next to the river and the memorial to the Famished people.
The memorial to the Famished people stands as a poignant testament to a harrowing chapter in Ireland’s history. Opposite the financial district of the city, this solemn monument pays tribute to the countless lives lost during the Great Famine of the 19th century. As Dublin continues to thrive and evolve, the monuments stand as a timeless reminder of the importance of empathy, solidarity, and the ongoing pursuit of a world free from hunger and injustice.
Breakfast
Head to the Irish potato cake company cafe where I promise you won’t be disappointed. The potato cakes are delicious.
If you have a little person with a very sweet tooth, next door is The Sweetest Thing where you’ll find chocolate pancakes, crepes and hot chocolate.
It felt like we’d been up so long, that sharing a crepe was necessary and delicious.
Walk down The River Liffey and admire the view. The wooden boardwalk, the little bridges and the colourful buildings make Dublin one of my favourite cities.
Morning Ideas
National Photographic Archive See incredibly old photos of Ireland and people taking photos of Ireland with very old cameras. Brilliant to see female photographers featured heavily. Nearly all the photos are blsck and white.
St Stephens Green Dublin is one of the greenest cities I’ve seen in western Europe and this large park has two lakes in it. It was bustling with people when we visited on a Sunday.
The Little Museum of Dublin Sadly this wasn’t open the day we visited but it does look really good.
The National Gallery of Ireland This is very arty so if you don’t like Irish art, give it a miss.
The National Museum of Ireland, Natural History The Dead Zoo is full of strange stuffed dead animals. Some of the animals that used to live in Ireland were enormous!
Merrion Square Park Another large park opposite the Natural History Museum, this one has a pyramid memorial in it.
The Zoological Museum By far, the absolute best museum we went to. It is run by zoological students who go around with you and explain what there is to see. We were able to hold a Narwhal Tusk here which was brilliant. This was very interactive and fun for our teen and us.
Lunch
The Mongolian Barbeque A really cool restaurant where you can choose all of your food and sauce ingredients at a food station and then watch the men cook it. It was also deliciously fresh.
Afternoon
Trinity College Walk through the grounds of this beautiful university, see the spherical ball and the clock tower
Chester Beatty Your kids might not be interested in ancient scripture but there is a water feature running through the bottom floor of the building and you can upstairs onto the roof garden and look at the Dubh Linn Garden below
Afternoon Food Break
Charap Bubble Tea Cool little shop that serves you through a window if you want.
Beer from The Temple Bar My husband really wanted a beer whereas all I could think about was coffee and donuts lol.
Off Beat Donuts Sit next to the River Liffey while soaking in the picturesque views of the cityscape and watching the boats ride up and down.
Need To Charge Your Phone?
Cafe Nero, O’Connell Street Lower, has charging points upstairs and a free toilet to use.
Map Of All The Places Mentioned
This is an interactive map, you can download it from google and use it if you want.
Daycation Dublin? Absolutely Not, I Need More Time In Dublin
Dublin is a brilliant city. It is vibrant and fun and there’s loads to see and do. The food is fantastic and all in all, it is one of my favourite cities to visit.
If you want to spend long in Dublin, use this interactive map to search for accommodation across multiple platforms.
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See Our Other Posts
See some of our other posts from Ireland or look below for relevant posts.
