# Dublin and Galway with a Dublin return · Longer intermediate stays and a return buffer

[Canonical itinerary](<https://zukio.com/trips/europe/return-gateway-loop/dublin-and-galway-with-a-dublin-return-z0788/>)

Longer intermediate stays and a return buffer

- Region: Europe
- Trip format: Return gateway loop
- Nights: 13
- Interests: Nature, Music, Arts & Theatre, Food & Drink, History

## Route and nights

- Dublin · 3 night(s)
- Galway · 4 night(s)
- Howth · 4 night(s)
- Dublin · 2 night(s)

Tradeoff: An extra night in each middle base gives you room for a missed connection, weather or a second interest.

Compare: Rail and local transport

## Day-by-day agenda

Suggested schedule. Times are local. Check hours and availability for your dates.

### Day 1 · Dublin

- 15:00 to 15:45 · Check in or drop off your bags · The Fleet
- 16:05 to 17:30 · Get oriented near your hotel and confirm the next day’s transport · Dublin. Keep the outing optional if you arrive late.
- 18:30 to 20:00 · Dinner near your hotel · Dublin
Overnight: [The Fleet](<https://www.hotels.com/ho219701/the-fleet-dublin-ireland/>) · Dublin

### Day 2 · Dublin

- 08:30 to 09:15 · Breakfast near Fleet Street · Fleet Street, Dublin
- 09:30 to 10:20 · Travel to the eastern entrance of Phoenix Park · Phoenix Park, Dublin
- 10:30 to 12:35 · Walk a signed route through Phoenix Park · Phoenix Park, Dublin. Choose a loop that fits your daylight and energy. Stay on public paths and keep a distance from wildlife. [Official information](<https://phoenixpark.ie/>)
- 12:50 to 13:55 · Lunch near the park or at Heuston · Heuston, Dublin
- 14:10 to 15:40 · Follow the Liffey east from the Heuston area · River Liffey, Dublin. Use transit if you prefer a shorter return to the city center.
- 15:50 to 16:55 · Pause for coffee near the Liffey crossings · Dublin city center
- 18:00 to 19:30 · Dinner near your hotel · Fleet Street, Dublin
Overnight: [The Fleet](<https://www.hotels.com/ho219701/the-fleet-dublin-ireland/>) · Dublin

### Day 3 · Dublin

- 08:30 to 09:15 · Breakfast near Fleet Street · Fleet Street, Dublin
- 09:40 to 10:40 · Walk along the Liffey toward Smithfield · Smithfield, Dublin
- 10:50 to 12:15 · Explore the public square and nearby streets around Smithfield · Smithfield Square, Dublin
- 12:25 to 13:35 · Lunch around Smithfield · Smithfield, Dublin
- 13:55 to 15:35 · Visit the National Museum at Collins Barracks if open · National Museum of Ireland, Collins Barracks. Check the current galleries. This stop is easy to shorten before the evening session. [Official information](<https://www.museum.ie/en-IE/Museums/Decorative-Arts-History>)
- 15:50 to 17:20 · Take a break and check the evening music listings · Dublin city center. Confirm whether the venue lists a session and whether a ticket or reservation is required.
- 17:45 to 19:05 · Early dinner close to your chosen venue · Dublin city center
- 19:30 to 21:30 · Optional traditional music session · Dublin city center. Use the actual start time. The Cobblestone in Smithfield is one place to check. [Official information](<https://www.cobblestonepub.ie/>)
Overnight: [The Fleet](<https://www.hotels.com/ho219701/the-fleet-dublin-ireland/>) · Dublin

### Day 4 · Galway

- 07:15 to 08:00 · Check out and collect your bags · The Fleet
- 09:00 to 14:10 · Travel from Dublin to Galway · Galway. Choose an actual train and confirm the station and transfer to your hotel. [Official information](<https://www.irishrail.ie/>)
- 14:10 to 14:55 · Lunch near your arrival point · Galway
- 15:05 to 15:55 · Check in or drop off your bags · Eyre Square Hotel
- 16:10 to 17:30 · Take a short orientation walk near your new base · Galway. Skip this walk if your arrival runs late.
- 18:30 to 20:00 · Dinner near your new hotel · Galway
Overnight: [Eyre Square Hotel](<https://www.hotels.com/ho278832/eyre-square-hotel-galway-ireland/>) · Galway

### Day 5 · Galway

- 08:30 to 09:15 · Breakfast around Eyre Square · Eyre Square, Galway
- 09:40 to 11:10 · Browse independent galleries and craft shops around the Latin Quarter · Latin Quarter, Galway. Pick a venue based on the current exhibition schedule.
- 11:25 to 12:20 · Walk past the Druid theater and nearby lanes · Druid Theatre, Galway
- 12:35 to 13:45 · Lunch in the city center · Galway city center
- 14:00 to 15:25 · Check exhibitions or programs at Galway Arts Centre · Galway Arts Centre. Check the published program. Keep an exterior walk and cafe as the backup. [Official information](<https://www.galwayartscentre.ie/>)
- 15:40 to 17:00 · Take a break and confirm evening performance details · Galway city center
- 17:30 to 18:45 · Early dinner near the performance venue · Galway city center
- 19:30 to 21:30 · Optional play, film, or performance · Galway city center. Check the Town Hall Theatre program or a venue you can reach on foot. Use the actual showtime. [Official information](<https://tht.ie/>)
Overnight: [Eyre Square Hotel](<https://www.hotels.com/ho278832/eyre-square-hotel-galway-ireland/>) · Galway

### Day 6 · Galway

- 08:30 to 09:15 · Breakfast around Eyre Square · Eyre Square, Galway
- 09:40 to 10:35 · Walk through the Latin Quarter toward St Nicholas’ Collegiate Church · St Nicholas’ Collegiate Church, Galway
- 10:45 to 12:00 · Browse the Galway Market stalls if trading · Galway Market. Check the calendar. If the stalls are closed, use the streets and independent shops around Church Lane. [Official information](<https://www.galwaytourism.ie/galway-market/>)
- 12:15 to 13:30 · Seafood lunch around the Latin Quarter · Quay Street, Galway. Compare menus for the day and leave room to choose a non-seafood option.
- 13:45 to 15:20 · Walk from Spanish Arch toward the Claddagh · Claddagh, Galway
- 15:35 to 16:45 · Pause for coffee or browse shops around Quay Street · Quay Street, Galway
- 18:00 to 19:30 · Dinner around the waterfront · Galway city center
Overnight: [Eyre Square Hotel](<https://www.hotels.com/ho278832/eyre-square-hotel-galway-ireland/>) · Galway

### Day 7 · Galway

- 08:30 to 09:15 · Breakfast around Eyre Square · Eyre Square, Galway
- 09:40 to 11:10 · Walk the Corrib from the city center toward Salmon Weir Bridge · Salmon Weir Bridge, Galway
- 11:25 to 12:20 · Visit the cathedral area if open · Galway Cathedral. Check access around services.
- 12:35 to 13:45 · Lunch around the West End · Galway West End
- 14:00 to 15:35 · Browse the Latin Quarter and check session listings · Latin Quarter, Galway. Check for a posted session and whether it requires a ticket.
- 15:50 to 17:15 · Take a break near your hotel before going out · Eyre Square, Galway
- 17:45 to 19:05 · Early dinner near the music venue · Galway city center
- 19:45 to 21:45 · Optional traditional music session · Latin Quarter, Galway. Choose a scheduled session and move the block to its actual start time. Taaffes on Shop Street is one place to check. [Official information](<https://taaffesbar.com/>)
Overnight: [Eyre Square Hotel](<https://www.hotels.com/ho278832/eyre-square-hotel-galway-ireland/>) · Galway

### Day 8 · Howth

- 07:15 to 08:00 · Check out and collect your bags · Eyre Square Hotel
- 08:45 to 15:30 · Travel from Galway to Howth · Howth. Check the train to Dublin, local connection to the DART, and onward service to Howth. Plan food around the confirmed route. [Official information](<https://www.irishrail.ie/>)
- 15:30 to 18:40 · Check in and confirm tomorrow’s first stop · King Sitric. Let your hotel or camp know if you expect to arrive late.
- 19:15 to 20:45 · Dinner near your new hotel · Howth
Overnight: [King Sitric](<https://www.hotels.com/ho2503107104/king-sitric-howth-ireland/>) · Howth

### Day 9 · Howth

- 08:15 to 09:10 · Breakfast near your hotel · Howth
- 09:30 to 12:00 · Explore public pier and harbor routes and walk the historic village streets · Howth Harbour. Stay on public paths and check weather before any exposed route. [Official information](<https://www.visitdublin.com/>)
- 12:15 to 13:30 · Lunch around the harbor · Howth
- 14:00 to 16:45 · Walk a shorter public route toward the village or return for a cafe break · Howth Harbour
- 18:30 to 20:00 · Dinner near your hotel · Howth
Overnight: [King Sitric](<https://www.hotels.com/ho2503107104/king-sitric-howth-ireland/>) · Howth

### Day 10 · Howth

- 08:15 to 09:10 · Breakfast near your hotel · Howth
- 09:30 to 12:00 · Choose a signed cliff walk only if conditions and access suit · Howth coastal walks. Check route conditions and use the harbor if footing or wind makes the cliff route unsuitable. [Official information](<https://www.visitdublin.com/howth-cliff-walk>)
- 12:15 to 13:30 · Lunch near Howth Harbour · Howth
- 14:00 to 16:45 · Use a shorter harbor route or take an indoor break if weather changes · Howth coastal walks
- 18:30 to 20:00 · Dinner near your hotel · Howth
Overnight: [King Sitric](<https://www.hotels.com/ho2503107104/king-sitric-howth-ireland/>) · Howth

### Day 11 · Howth

- 08:15 to 09:10 · Breakfast near your hotel · Howth
- 09:30 to 12:00 · Walk the public harbor streets and compare open seafood options · Howth Harbour. Check individual kitchen hours. [Official information](<https://www.visitdublin.com/>)
- 12:15 to 13:30 · Have a seafood lunch near the harbor if service fits · Howth
- 14:00 to 16:45 · Walk the pier or pause at a village cafe · Howth Harbour
- 18:30 to 20:00 · Dinner near your hotel · Howth
Overnight: [King Sitric](<https://www.hotels.com/ho2503107104/king-sitric-howth-ireland/>) · Howth

### Day 12 · Dublin

- 07:15 to 08:00 · Check out and collect your bags · King Sitric
- 09:25 to 12:30 · Travel from Howth to Dublin · Dublin. Check the actual DART service, station access, and hotel approach. [Official information](<https://www.irishrail.ie/>)
- 12:30 to 14:55 · Lunch near your arrival point · Dublin
- 15:05 to 15:55 · Check in or drop off your bags · The Fleet
- 16:10 to 17:30 · Take a short orientation walk near your new base · Dublin. Skip this walk if your arrival runs late.
- 18:30 to 20:00 · Dinner near your new hotel · Dublin
Overnight: [The Fleet](<https://www.hotels.com/ho219701/the-fleet-dublin-ireland/>) · Dublin

### Day 13 · Dublin

- 08:30 to 09:15 · Breakfast near Fleet Street · Fleet Street, Dublin
- 09:20 to 10:10 · Travel toward Inchicore for Kilmainham Gaol · Kilmainham Gaol, Dublin. The time block includes a buffer to reach your ticketed visit.
- 10:25 to 12:15 · Visit Kilmainham Gaol and its museum · Kilmainham Gaol, Dublin. Book a guided admission slot through the venue. Move the day to match a slot you can actually secure. [Official information](<https://kilmainhamgaolmuseum.ie/>)
- 12:30 to 13:35 · Lunch around Kilmainham · Kilmainham, Dublin
- 13:50 to 15:30 · Visit the Irish Museum of Modern Art or the Royal Hospital grounds · Irish Museum of Modern Art, Dublin. Check the gallery and grounds schedules. The short walk keeps the afternoon flexible. [Official information](<https://imma.ie/visit/>)
- 15:50 to 16:50 · Return toward the city center · Dublin city center
- 18:00 to 19:30 · Dinner around Dame Street · Dame Street, Dublin
Overnight: [The Fleet](<https://www.hotels.com/ho219701/the-fleet-dublin-ireland/>) · Dublin

### Day 14 · Dublin

- 08:10 to 09:00 · Breakfast near your hotel · Dublin
- 09:15 to 09:45 · Check out and collect your bags · The Fleet
- 10:00 to 10:40 · Optional final stop near your hotel · Dublin. Skip this if your departure needs the time.