13 Best Day Trips from Dublin

“The Fair City” Dublin is a richly layered destination of character, community spirit, and culture and is Ireland’s big hitter. While the city is overflowing with things to see and do, chances are you might tire of urban exploration. And what’s even better is that most of Ireland’s gorgeously wild countryside can be reached easily by day trips from Dublin. The best day trip from Dublin takes you to Ireland’s craggy coastline and stunning hilltops in no time at all. Moreover, they offer the opportunity to get to know the Emerald Isle a little better. After all, Ireland is no less than a love letter to the beauty of nature. And you’ll be surprised at how easy it’s to reach most of the country’s top tourist attractions from Dublin. Not for nothing is Dublin one of the most beautiful places in Ireland!

What also helps is that Ireland is considered one of the most peaceful countries in the world. So, what are you waiting for? Here are the 13 best day trips from Dublin, Ireland.

Howth and Malahide Castle

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Malahide Castle is one of Europe’s most famous castles, which you’ll get to discover on this Full-Day Howth and Malahide Castle Tour. This best day trip from Dublin begins with an exploration of Dublin Bay, after which you get to marvel at Malahide castle and the lush gardens. Your guide tells you all about the stories, myths, legends, and facts about this 11th-century castle, which the Talbot family owned for eight centuries. What’s more, you also get to gawk at the pretty Irish villages such as Malahide and port city Howth. The optional Summit cliff hike allows you to enjoy breathtaking views of the Wicklow Mountains and Dublin bay.

• Tour duration: 7.5 hours
• Distance from nearest city/town: 1 hour from Dublin
• Transportation: Bus

Giant’s Causeway & Glens of Antrim

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The famous Giant’s Causeway is the only UNESCO World Heritage Site in Northern Ireland. You get to explore that and more on this Giant’s Causeway & Glens of Antrim Day Tour, the best day trip from Dublin. Take the early morning train to Belfast, your first stop being the lovely Glens of Antrim. Criss the Carrick-a-Rede rope bridge if you’re brave enough, or click pictures to make memories. On clear days, you can see as far as the Scottish coast! It’s here that the tour takes you to the highlight of the tour, the stunning Giant’s Causeway, where you can click pictures and enjoy views of the North Atlantic. There’s even a photo stop to admire medieval Dunluce Castle.

• Tour duration: 1 day
• Distance from nearest city/town: 3.5 hours from Dublin
• Transportation: Train and bus

Belfast

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The capital of Ireland, Belfast, is famous for being the birthplace of the ill-fated ocean liner Titanic. This Full-Day Belfast Tour with Titanic Experience is another best day trip from Dublin. Catch an early morning train to Belfast, complete with snacks to fuel you for your day ahead. A local train transfer takes you to Belfast’s city center, where a hop-on hop-off sightseeing tour takes you around the city. It also stops at the Titanic Quarter, where you have a complimentary admission to explore the place where the ocean liner was built. Optional visits on this tour include the 1845-built Crumlin Road Gaol and the Falls and Shankill Roads. Finally, take some time to shop in the city center.

• Tour duration: 11 hours
• Distance from nearest city/town: 2 hours from Dublin
• Transportation: Rail and coach

The Cliffs of Moher & Bunratty Castle

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This Cliffs of Moher & Bunratty Castle Tour is one of the best day trips from Dublin, Ireland to explore the Cliffs of Moher, one of the world’s most incredible cliffs. After taking an InterCity train to Limerick, you set off for the treaty city, Bunratty Castle, and Folk Village. Your lunch on this day is a traditional Irish one at a Doolin Pub! Then, it’s on to the best part of the tour, the majestic Cliffs of Moher on Ireland’s wild Atlantic coast. Snap pictures of the wild waters of the North Atlantic crashing against the lush cliffs. After traveling through Burren’s unique lunar landscape and crossing Galway Bay, you reach Galway, which singer Ed Sheeran sang amazingly about!

• Tour duration: 1 day
• Distance from nearest city/town: 3.5 hours from Dublin
• Transportation: Rail and coach

Connemara and Galway

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This Connemara and Galway Full-Day Tour is the best day trip from Dublin. The tour takes you to some of the most spectacular interior landscapes of Ireland, such as Cong, Connemara, and Galway Bay. Your first stop is at the charming village of Cong to explore the Cong Abbey ruins and the stunning lake views. Here, you can also visit one of the local cafés that are perfect for lunch. You continue through to some of Ireland’s remotest landscapes, the mountains of Connemara with deserted valleys and lakes. The tour continues to Galway Bay, where you finally drive along the Atlantic Coast to reach and experience Ireland’s coolest city, Galway! Here, you even have the option of joining a walking tour with a local guide.

• Tour duration: 12 hours
• Distance from nearest city/town: 2.5 hours from Dublin
• Transportation: Coach

Celtic Boyne Valley

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This Celtic Boyne Valley Tour is one of the best day trips from Dublin, Ireland. Travel around the country’s Ancient East to the Celtic Boyne Valley in County Meath, the home of the ancient High Kings of Ireland. You first visit the Neolithic tombs of Loughcrew, the 7th-century Fore Abbey Christian monastery, and Ireland’s spiritual center, the Hill Of Uishneach. The tour is helmed by a knowledgable guide, who tells you about the history of these places with lavish interiors and still-intact rock art. Finally, you travel to one of the best-preserved examples of Irish Angle-Norman castles, Trim castle, before heading to the Hill of Tara. Did you know that you can see almost a quarter of the Irish landscape can be seen from here? Yes!

• Tour duration: 10 hours
• Distance from nearest city/town: 1 hour from Dublin
• Transportation: Coach

Cork, Cahir Castle, and Rock of Cashel

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This best day trip from Dublin takes you to the stunning landscapes of Southern Ireland. Your Cork City, Cahir Castle, and Rock of Cashel Tour begin with a stop at the magnificent Cahir Castle. It’s one of Ireland’s best well-preserved castles on the rocky Suir River island. Next, we stop at the picturesque Cork on the River Lee, where you have two hours to explore this Irish city with markers, bell towers, and a cozy atmosphere. You can even ring the bells at the 300-year-old St Anne’s church! The tour’s final stop is Rock of Cashel, one of Ireland’s most iconic locations. Wander around the spectacular medieval buildings, including a Gothic Cathedral, a traditional Irish Celtic Cross, and a Circular Tower.

• Tour duration: 12 hours
• Distance from nearest city/town: 2 hours from Dublin
• Transportation: Coach

Blarney Castle

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This Blarney Castle Full-Day Tour from Dublin is the best day trip from Dublin. It takes you to one of Ireland’s most famous castles, Blarney Castle, via panoramic views of the County Tipperary and the Galtee Mountains. The castle is most famous for being home to the legendary Blarney Stone. The legend goes that if you kiss the stone, you receive the “gift of the gab” for seven whole years! Later on, wander the gardens and grounds, the Witch’s Cave, and even enjoy tax-free shopping.

• Tour duration: 13 hours
• Distance from nearest city/town: 3 hours from Dublin
• Transportation: Coach

Trim Castle and Slane Whiskey Distillery

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This Trim Castle and Slane Whiskey Distillery is the best day trip from Dublin, especially for travelers who like smaller group tours. As you leave Dublin, the luscious Irish countryside comes into view as you arrive at the striking medieval fortress of the 10th-century Norman Trim Castle on the gushing River Boyne. After the tour guide explains the castle’s history, you head to the Hill of Tara and its group of archaeological monuments. After a delicious lunch, the tour continues to Slane Castle, which overlooks the site of the Battle of the Boyne. The natural amphitheater here has hosted many major rock concerts, including RHCP, Guns & Roses, U2, and more. The last stop is the Slane Whiskey Distillery, the maker and manufacturer of smooth, flavorful, triple-casked whiskey. As you head back to Dublin, you also make a short pit stop at the haunting Monasterboice ruins.

• Tour duration: 9 hours
• Distance from nearest city/town: 1 hour from Dublin
• Transportation: Coach

Kerry

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Head deep into the heart of Southern Ireland with this Kerry Full-Day Tour from Dublin, one of the best day trips from Dublin, Ireland. This full-day tour takes you to an unspoiled and mystical Irish region with quaint towns and landscapes from the last Ice Age. Your first stop is one of Ireland’s most picturesque villages, Adare, with lovely stone structures and thatched cottages. Next, head to Killarney National Park with stunning views of Torc Waterfall, Aghadoe, Black Valley, and the Lakes of Killarney. You’ll then pass through Killorglin, the home of the ancient Celtic Puck Fair, and enjoy a panoramic drive along the Dingle Peninsula and the Atlantic Coast. The final stop is the gorgeous Inch Beach, one of Ireland’s most famous beaches, stretching for miles.

• Tour duration: 14 hours
• Distance from nearest city/town: 3.5 hours from Dublin
• Transportation: Bus

Wicklow Mountains

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Head out to the Irish countryside on this Glendalough and Wicklow Mountains Guided Trip, the best day trip from Dublin. Soak in the Wicklow side of Irish life as your luxury bus takes you through romantic babbling brooks, dense forests, and sparkling lakes. When you arrive in Wicklow, you will see the scenery made famous by films such as Braveheart and P.S. I Love You. Once you arrive in Wicklow, you’ll be welcomed by dramatic forest trails, steep valleys, rugged peaks, and mountains. Finally, you head to enchanting Glendalough, home to a 6th-century monastic settlement and one of Ireland’s most breathtaking scenery.

• Tour duration: 5-9 hours
• Distance from nearest city/town: 1.5 hours from Dublin
• Transportation: Bus/coach

Killiney Hill & Dalkey Castle

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If you’re interested in a short best day trip from Dublin, then this Dublin Surrounds Day Tour of Killiney Hill & Dalkey Castle is perfect for you. Board a luxury coach and travel out the east coast to the 16th-century Dalkey Castle. Check out the living history actors and guides who practically take you back in time to the Tudor era. Adventurous travelers can even climb the battlements to soak in the magnificent views of the mountains and sea. Your next stop is Dalkey town, where you can visit cafes, cookshops, and artisan bakeries. However, the tour’s highlight is the breathtaking drive up the coast road to Killiney Hill, complete with panoramic coastal views. After lunch in Kilmacanogue and a walk around the lush Jameson estate, visit Ireland’s highest pub, Johnnie Fox’s, a famous old-style Irish pub.

• Tour duration: 7 hours
• Distance from nearest city/town: 1 hour from Dublin
• Transportation: Luxury coach

Game of Thrones Filming Locations

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Games of Thrones fans, this fully immersive Full-Day Game of Thrones Filming Locations Tour is just the thing for you. This tour takes you to the most iconic Game of Thrones filming locations in Northern Ireland. Your tour actually begins with a GOT quiz to see who’s crowned King or Queen in the North! Your first stop is Tollymore Forest Park, where a short trek takes you to multiple season one locations. The next stop is the small fishing village of Strangford Lough, where you can enjoy a delicious lunch. Then, there’s again a trek around Old Castle Ward to visit another set of locations, including the location of Winterfell. The final stop is Inch Abbey, where your guide will give you replica shields and swords, Stark banners, and real wool Stark cloaks for clicking photographs.

Just So You Know

• Ireland is famous for its Viking history, but did you know that they found Dublin twice? The first was in 841 AD, and the second time was in 917. After it was founded a second time, it transformed into a very wealthy settlement and developed into what is now the city of Dublin. Today, Dublin is Ireland’s biggest city, ahead of its capital Belfast.
• O’Connell Street in Dublin is Europe’s widest street, measuring 49m (160 feet) in width. It’s not Paris’ Champs Elysees, as you might have thought, which is the widest avenue in Europe. 
• The tourist hub of Temple Bar is nothing less than an institution in Dublin. Check out our list of top things to do in Dublin, which has Temple Bar on the list.
• Interestingly, In fact, U2’s lead vocalist and music great Bono owns a hotel, the Clarence Hotel, and a few buildings in Temple Bar. Here are some of the other best hotels in Dublin.
• Ireland is famed for its groundbreaking gender laws and LGBTQ mindset, and Dublin is at the nucleus of its gay culture. Check out some of the top gay-friendly hotels in Dublin.