Hotel · 01
The Merrion Hotel
Dublin, Ireland
Europe / Ireland
Dublin
A 5-day city escape through Dublin, Ireland — hand-planned by Rachana, with where to stay, what to do and where to eat all mapped out.
- Ideal stay
- 5 days
- Best season
- May
- From
- $2,175–$5,495 pp
The place
About this destination
A 5-day city escape through Dublin, Ireland — hand-planned by Rachana, with where to stay, what to do and where to eat all mapped out.
My experience
This is Rachana's own 5-day itinerary for Dublin, Ireland — the version she'd plan for a close friend. It threads together stays she rates like The Merrion Hotel and Boutique member of Small Luxury Hotels, a day-by-day plan, and the meals worth booking ahead. Everything here is personally travelled and curated — no filler.
LuxuryCity Break
Through the lens · 6 frames
Photo journal
01
Day by day
The itinerary
Day 01
Arrival + Historic Dublin Core
- 01Check-in and relax
- 02Visit Trinity College Dublin
- 03See the Book of Kells
- 04Walk across Ha’penny Bridge
- 05Explore Temple Bar
- 06Irish Bars (evening)
- 07The Temple Bar Pub – lively, iconic
- 08The Long Hall – classic Victorian charm
- 09Dinner: (Vegetarian-friendly)
- 10Cornucopia – one of Dublin’s best vegetarian institutions
Day 02
Culture + Guinness Experience
- 01Visit Guinness Storehouse
- 02Immersive experience ending with panoramic city views
- 03Walk through Phoenix Park
- 04Optional: Dublin Zoo
- 05Umi Falafel – casual, vegetarian-friendly
- 06Fine Dining Dinner
Day 03
History + Distilleries
- 01Tour Kilmainham Gaol
- 02Visit Dublin Castle
- 03Explore whiskey culture at
- 04Roe & Co Distillery
- 05Pearse Lyons Distillery
- 06Glas Restaurant – refined vegetarian cuisine
- 07Irish Pub Night
- 08The Brazen Head – Ireland’s oldest pub
Day 04
Day Trip: Wicklow & Glendalough
- 01Full-day excursion to
- 02Wicklow Mountains National Park
- 03Glendalough
- 04Scenic lakes, hiking trails, and ancient monastic ruins
- 05Dinner: (Back in Dublin)
- 06Chapter One – modern Irish fine dining
Day 05
Coastal Dublin
- 01Take DART train to Howth
- 02Cliff walk and coastal views
- 03Optional visit to Malahide Castle
- 04Local cafés in Howth (many vegetarian-friendly options)
- 05Final Evening Pub
- 06The Cobblestone – authentic traditional Irish music
- 07Additional Food Recommendations
- 08Vegetarian / Cafés
- 09Brother Hubbard – excellent brunch & Middle Eastern
- 10Govindas – vegetarian Indian
- 11Fine Dining
- 12The Greenhouse
- 13Fade Street Social
- 14Key Tips
02
Where to sleep
Hotels worth booking
03
Tables to book
Restaurants
What to order
Local cuisine
Must try
Local speciality
Soda bread
Must try
Local speciality
Colcannon
Must try
Local speciality
Boxty
Must try
Local speciality
Irish farmhouse cheeses
Must try
Local speciality
A proper pint
04
Logistics
Getting there & around
01 · Private transfers
Pre-arranged private cars with English-speaking drivers for a seamless trip.
02 · Domestic connections
Short internal flights or transfers link the highlights.
03 · Airport arrival
A private meet-and-greet transfer is arranged from the moment you land.
The numbers
Budget breakdown
Total · per person
$2,175–$5,495 pp
USD
Breakdown
- Accommodation
- $300–$700 / night
- Food & dining
- $54–$154 / day
- Transportation
- $36–$105 / day
- Activities
- $45–$140 / day
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