7 Days in Ireland: A Day-by-Day Itinerary

Seven days on the island of Ireland can run from Dublin’s Trinity College and Guinness Storehouse to Galway’s Spanish Arch and Salthill Beach, with Dublin as the first base and Galway as the second. It leaves out everything beyond these two cities.

At a glance

• Recommended length: 7 days
• Cities: Dublin, then Galway
• Main transport: buses and coaches
• Journey tool: National Journey Planner
• Dublin in April: high 54°F (12°C), low 39°F (4°C)

Is 7 days enough in Ireland?

Seven days is enough for the main sights of two cities. Dublin gets four days: Trinity College, the Guinness Storehouse, Kilmainham Gaol, Dublin Castle, St Patrick’s Cathedral, EPIC and both sites of the National Museum of Ireland. Galway gets three, from the cathedral and the Latin Quarter to the City Museum and Salthill Beach.

With one more day, the natural addition is a second day in Galway, since the museum has three floors of galleries and the Salthill beaches are several small coves worth walking one by one. With one less day, drop the second National Museum site at Collins Barracks and combine the Guinness Storehouse with Kilmainham Gaol on a single day.

Anyone who wants the countryside will need extra days. Rural Ireland is reached mainly by bus, so add that time on top of this plan.

When to plan 7 days in Ireland

From January to March, Dublin sees between 10 and 13 rainy days a month. April is a little milder, with a high of 54°F (12°C).

Where to stay in Ireland for 7 days

Fáilte Ireland publishes registers of approved and registered accommodation across Ireland. They list hotels, guesthouses, bed and breakfasts, historic houses, hostels, self-catering and more. Choose one place in Dublin for the first four nights and another in Galway for the last three.

Maynooth Campus Conference & Accommodation, in County Kildare, offers rooms on a university campus, from student style to superior suites.

Getting around Ireland in 7 days

Buses and coaches are one of the main ways to get around the island, and the bus is the main form of transport in rural Ireland. Bus Éireann runs coaches in the Republic of Ireland, and Translink does the same in Northern Ireland. For the move from Dublin to Galway, the National Journey Planner compares bus, train, tram, ferry and taxi journeys across the whole island. Check it the day before. All public transport on the island runs above ground.

7 Days in Ireland, day by day

Day 1: Trinity College and the Book of Kells

Trinity College Dublin was founded in 1592 and is Ireland’s oldest university. The Book of Kells is displayed in Trinity’s Old Library, which makes it the anchor of the day.

Spend the rest of the day around the college, then plan the evening in the city center.

Day 2: Guinness Storehouse and Kilmainham Gaol

The Guinness Storehouse is at St. James’s Gate Brewery. Kilmainham Gaol is one of Dublin’s most popular visitor attractions, so go early in the day.

Do the brewery first, then the gaol, and leave the evening free.

Day 3: Dublin Castle and St Patrick’s Cathedral

Dublin Castle is a major government complex and a key tourist attraction. St Patrick’s Cathedral stands at St Patrick’s Close, Dublin, D08 H6X3.

Both are in the city, so this is a day for walking between them. On a rainy day, both stops give you shelter.

Day 4: EPIC and the National Museum of Ireland

EPIC museum is in the chq Building, Custom House Quay, Dublin 1, D01 R9Y0. The National Museum of Ireland has two sites: Kildare Street, Dublin 2, D02 FH48, and Collins Barracks, Benburb Street, Dublin 7, D07 XKV4.

Pick EPIC plus one National Museum site if the day feels full. The last day in Dublin works well for a coach ticket to Galway, which you can plan in the National Journey Planner.

Day 5: Galway Cathedral and the Latin Quarter

Galway Cathedral stands on the west bank of the River Corrib, a little north and west of the city center. From there, head to the Latin Quarter, which is less than five minutes’ walk from Galway Market.

To reach the Latin Quarter, head south down Lombard Street and look to the right.

Day 6: Spanish Arch and Galway City Museum

The Spanish Arch is one of two remaining arches on the Ceann na Bhalla (The Head of the Wall), and it is home to the Galway City Museum. The museum is at Spanish Parade, on the banks of the River Corrib, close to The Claddagh and Galway Bay.

Inside, three floors of galleries hold the original statue of writer Pádraic Ó Conaire and a Galway Hooker, the Máirtín Oliver. The Galway Tourist Information Centre is in the same building, at Spanish Parade, Galway, H91 CX5P, so it is a good place to ask about the last day.

Day 7: Salthill Beach

Salthill Beach is made up of several small beaches separated by rocky outcrops. Walk it in sections and stop where the shore suits you.