Ireland

7 Days in Scotland and Ireland: A Detailed Itinerary

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If you are planning a 7 day trip to Scotland and Ireland, you have come to the right place! If you have a limited amount of travel time, whether you are working full time or on a budget (the struggles of a travel addict!), this itinerary will show what to do for 7 days in Scotland and Ireland.

What to do in 7 days in Scotland and Ireland

I based most of my time in Scotland, since there was more that I wanted to do there. However, I will need to go back to Ireland explore more of the countryside! Both countries are great for solo female travelers – they are SO safe, and not once was I ever uncomfortable or approached by anyone.

  • 1st day: Travel Day. Arrived in Edinburgh at about 2pm.
  • 2nd day: Edinburgh all day.
  • 3rd day: Went on a 2 day overnight group tour to explore the highlands and ride the Jacobite Steam Train! (aka the Hogwarts Express).
  • 4th day: Returned from my group tour and back in Edinburgh at 8pm.
  • 5th day: Another full day in Edinburgh!
  • 6th day: Fly to Dublin
  • 7th day: All day in Dublin
  • 8th day: fly home
Arthur’s Seat in Edinburgh, Scotland

Where to Stay in Scotland and Ireland

Edinburgh, Scotland: I stayed at the Safestay Edinburgh Hostel. It was located right off the Royal Mile and felt very safe. The beds had all-female dorms and curtains for added privacy. For $25 CAD per night it was a good deal!

Dublin, Ireland: I had made plans to stay at the Ashfield Hostel, which is right by Trinity College in Dublin and only $50 per night. A very central and busy location, which is perfect if you only have a short amount of time in Dublin. However, a friend graciously let me stay in her flat, located by the 3 Arena (about a 30 minute walk away from Trinity College). Both areas felt safe, although staying near Trinity College would mean you are closer to the main attractions.

 

How to get Around Scotland and Ireland in 7 days

Scotland and Ireland’s infrastructure is very easy for tourists. I used the airport buses to get into the center of town. I mostly walked around the cities – and sometimes used the Hop-on-Hop-off buses as well!

To explore the countryside, I went on day trips. As a solo traveler, going on a group tour is a nice way to avoid loneliness and meet other travelers. I didn’t rent a car because in Scotland and Dublin they drive on the left, and I am used to driving on the right. If you feel comfortable driving on either side of the road, then this could be an option for you.

7 days in Scotland and Ireland: Itinerary Details

Day 1: Travel day

I flew from Canada, and it was SO much cheaper for me to do a self-connecting flight. What does this mean? Well, I booked a direct round-trip flight from Canada to Dublin, Ireland. Then, I booked a separate round-trip flight from Dublin to Edinburgh, Scotland.

Self-connecting saved me a lot of money (literally hundreds of dollars), but it is more of a hassle. I had to leave to secured area after got through customs in Dublin, and then go back through security. Self-connecting is also risky because if there are any delays and you miss your connecting flight, there is little the airline can do for you.

It was my first time self-connecting, so if anyone has any experiences about this, let me know in the comments below!

To reduce the risk of anything happening, I arrived in Dublin at 7:30am, then flew onward to Edinburgh at 12:35pm. This gave me plenty of time to get through customs, go through security again, and then eat.

Evening: Walking Tour

Since I had all evening free to explore, I ate at the first place I could find, and then went on a free Harry Potter walking tour!

Walking tours are a great thing to do when you first arrive somewhere new, because they help orient you. If someone shows me where to go, it’s harder for me to get lost later!

St. Giles Cathedral along the Royal Mile – a common meeting place for most tour and walking groups!

Day 2: Free day in Edinburgh

Today I had the entire day to explore Edinburgh. Since I hadn’t planned a lot of activities that day, I actually ended up doing a lot more than expected.

Morning: Edinburgh Castle

I went to Edinburgh Castle. I had pre-booked my tickets online for entry first thing in the morning to try and beat the crowds. This activity takes a couple of hours. I recommend getting the audio guide too, so that you can have the exhibits and areas explained to you.

Afternoon: Princes Gardens and Calton Hill

After lunch at Greyfriar’s Bobby Bar, I did a hop on hop off bus tour (tickets can be purchased near Waverley Bridge. This is the first stop of the tour, and there will be sales people there to sell you a ticket if you don’t have one).

I also wandered through Princes Street Gardens, and walked up Calton Hill for beautiful views of Edinburgh (I took the hop on hop off bus to get to Calton Hill to save my feet from walking).

Read about what to do in 2 days in Edinburgh here.

7 days in Scotland and Ireland - a view of Edinburgh Castle
A view of Edinburgh Castle from Princes Street Gardens

Day 3 and 4: Group tour to the Highlands

If there is a group tour that you want to do, check which days they leave. The group tour I did only left on Tuesdays, so your itinerary may shift a little to accommodate for this.

There are LOTS of options for day or overnight trips from Edinburgh to suit your schedule and interests. Since I wanted to have 2 full days in Edinburgh, I only had time for a 2 day tour.

The tour that I went on was the Jacobite Experience: 2 Day Tour with Hogwarts Express. I went on this tour because I really wanted to see the Scottish Highlands, and also ride the Harry Potter train (I am a huuuuuge Harry Potter fan). Read more about my experiencing riding the Jacobite Steam Train here.

7 days in Scotland and Ireland - riding the Jacobite Steam Train

Day 5: Another full day in Edinburgh

Another full day in Edinburgh! I will admit, during my trip I was debating on whether I should spend the day in Edinburgh or last-minute book a day trip to explore more of the Highlands. I decided to stay in Edinburgh, and I’m glad I did!

Morning: Deans Village and a scenic walk

I spent the entire morning going on a scenic walk around Edinburgh. I went to Deans Village. It feels like you go back in time in Deans Village. Old buildings, narrow cobblestone lanes, and a river gently flowing through with a walkway next to it. It’s a photographers dream!

Afternoon: Royal Mile & Hiking Arthur’s Seat

After having Afternoon Tea at Eteaket, a cute and quirky tea shop, I then walked down the Royal Mile. I know, I was staying right off the Royal Mile but hadn’t walked down the whole thing yet! I started at the very top (near Edinburgh Castle) and then walked all the way down to the bottom at Holyrood Palace.

Since the start of Arthur’s Seat is very close to the palace, it was an easy decision to make the hike. Totally worth it! The views over Edinburgh were amazing. Read about my experience here.

In the evening (at 6:30pm) I had reservations to go on a 1 hour tour of Mary’s King Close. This tour starts right off the Royal Mile, and takes you underground to see the hidden streets and houses that are under the Royal Mile. It’s not scary (just a little claustrophobic because, well, you’re underground), so don’t be worried about going alone. You will be with a group the whole time!

7 days in Scotland and Ireland - a pretty street in Edinburgh
Picturesque Edinburgh

Day 6: Fly to Dublin

Today I had a flight at 2:10pm to Dublin, Ireland. There are multiple flights during the day, so pick a time that best fits with your schedule. My recommendation for your 7 days in Scotland and Ireland is to catch an early flight from Edinburgh to maximize your time in Dublin. I spent the morning aimlessly wandering around Edinburgh until it was time for my flight. If I could do it again, I would have chosen an earlier flight.

The original plan (aka: the expectation): I had planned to do a full loop on the Hop on Hop Off bus tour when I arrived in Dublin. The bus stop for the airport and 1st stop on the Hop on Hop Off tour are right next to each other, so it would have been easy to do.

My apartment was near the 6th stop on the bus tour too. I originally planned to get off on the 6th stop after doing a full loop.

My reality (aka: what really happened): Unfortunately my flight was delayed! (Thanks, Ryanair…). So by the time I got into Dublin, it was closer to 5:30pm. The last loop of the day leaves the first bus stop at 7pm, and an entire loop take 2 hours. So I didn’t have enough time. So, I instead went to my apartment for the evening and ate dinner. If you are staying right in the City Centre (near Trinity College), you will be able to fit more in since it’s so close to everything.

Day 7: Full day in Dublin

Today I had the entire day in Dublin. Thanks to my late flight, it was my ONLY day in Dublin, so I had to make the most of it! For full details of what I did in Dublin, read my post here.

I decided to get a Hop on Hop off bus ticket for Dublin so that I wouldn’t have to try and find my way to each attraction (I get lost easily) – the bus would do it for me! . I started off my day by doing the full loop of Dublin (it was raining in the morning, so this was a nice way to protect myself from the rain!).

The sights that I saw in Dublin were:

  • The full bus loop around Dublin
  • Ha’Penny Bridge
  • Trinity College
  • Book of Kells
  • Dublin Castle
  • Christchurch Cathedral
  • Trinity Bar
  • Grafton Street
  • St. Patrick’s Park
  • Little Museum of Dublin
7 days in Scotland and Ireland - Trinity College in Dublin

Day 8: Fly Home

I had to leave Dublin really early in the morning for my flight back home. I didn’t want to wait at a bus stop alone in the dark and really early/late at night, so I decided to take a taxi.

I’m sure the bus stop would have been completely fine, but I personally don’t like walking around alone when it’s dark. Especially when I am carrying my passport, money, etc. and look like I’m headed for the airport (aka: a tourist)!

My motto is “don’t skimp on your safety”, so instead of taking public transportation I booked a taxi with FreeNow. It is similar to Uber, and was recommended to me by my local Irish friend.

7 days in Scotland and Ireland: Final Thoughts

Overall this trip was great for exploring Scotland and getting a taste of Ireland. If you have more time in Ireland, I would highly recommend getting out of the city and seeing the countryside.

Have you traveled to either Scotland or Ireland? Let me know what your favourite thing was to do!

Dublin in 24 Hours – how to make the most of a quick trip!

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Even though it would be nice to explore a new place for well, forever, sometimes 24 hours is all you have. If you have 24 hours in Dublin, you have come to right place! Below I share tips on how to make the most of a short, but sweet, 24 hours in Dublin, Ireland.

Where to Stay

Try and find a place that is close to the City Centre and to public transportation. It will be easier to get to and from the airport and around Dublin. In my opinion, the closer to Trinity College area the better since it is very central.

When I was in Dublin for 24 hours, I had originally booked the Ashfield Hostel due to it’s good reviews and central location. However I ended up staying with a local near the 3 Arena. This was about a 30 minute walk to the main city centre. It was close to the airport bus stop AND a Hop on Hop Off bus stop, so it was easy access. Also, since I was exploring the area as a solo female traveler, I felt safe there too!

Suggested readings:

7 days in Scotland and Ireland: A detailed itinerary

Should you stay in hostels or hotels as a solo traveler?

How to get to and from the Airport

The bus

Dublin has a very efficient bus service (the Airlink) that makes multiple stops within the City Centre in Dublin. Buses run frequently (every 10-20 minutes).

Tickets can be bought either when you arrive at the Airport, or in advance.

If you buy a ticket in advance, print out a copy of your voucher so that you can exchange it for a bus card. Just go to the bus and information desk at Terminal 1 when you arrive. If you don’t buy it in advance, you will need to go here anyway to buy your ticket!

“Free Now” Taxi App.

On my way back from Dublin, I had a very early flight. I didn’t feel comfortable waiting at a bus stop when it was dark and very early. I’m sure it would have been fine, but I personally don’t like walking around in the dark in a new place. So I opted to get a taxi from the City Centre to the airport. It’s more expensive than the bus, of course, but I think it’s important to not skimp out on your safety!

My local Irish friend recommended “Free Now.” It is similar to Uber, and very popular. You can pre-book your taxi and track where it is. No need to use cash either, since you can use your credit card through the app.

Tips for 24 Hours in Dublin

If you only have 24 hours in Dublin, my tip is to invest in a Hop-on-Hop-off bus ticket. Is it touristy? Yes. BUT I wanted to see the main, touristy sights, so it was a great way to see them quickly and without getting lost. I was able to see SO much of Dublin with this ticket. It also included a one-way bus ticket to or from the airport, so it was good value for money.

I purchased my Hop-on-Hop-off ticket online since I got a discount (yaaay, saving money!). If you do this, print out your voucher and exchange it for a bus card at the Dublin airport. It can be done at the bus services and information desk in the arrivals section in Terminal 1.

If you are staying very close to the City Centre (around the Trinty College area), then you will be within walking distance to most attractions, so you may be able to fit even more in than what I was able to.

What to Do and See in 24 hours in Dublin

What you do in Dublin for 24 hours will all depend on what interests you. Tip: look at the Hop on Hop off map and pick out what attractions you want to see the most. Then, try and organize where you get off so that you don’t have to backtrack.

Personally for me, this is what I was realistically able to do for 24 hours in Dublin:

Do one loop on the bus (duration: 2 hours)

It was recommended to me by a local to do one loop on the bus. This gives you a good lay of the land and see the most of the city. The bus leaves the first stop at 9:00am, which is enough time to have breakfast before you start your day!

Book of Kells (duration: 1 hour)

The Book of Kells is a 5 minute walk from the last stop on the Hop on Hop off bus. There was a line to get a ticket (I waited about 20 minutes). I recommend buying your ticket in advance so that you don’t have to wait as long. You can buy your ticket before 11am the same day to get a discount.

Trinity College (duration: 30 minutes)

After the Book of Kells, spend some time wandering around Trinity College – it’s a beautiful campus (and it’s free!)

Dublin Castle (duration: 1.5 hours)

I then boarded the bus again and got off at Dublin Castle. You can either do a guided or self-guided tour. I opted for the more expensive guided tour since it will take you underground.

Christ Church (15 minutes)

A short walk away from Dublin Castle is Christ Church. There is an admission fee to get in. I decided to just have a peek inside and look outside of the building.

Christ Church

Explore the Temple Bar area (duration 30 minutes – 1 hour)

This area is PACKED. People were everywhere! It felt quite touristy, so I didn’t feel like sitting down to eat. Drinking there will cost you a small fortune too. I instead wandered around and popped into a few shops.

Walk up Grafton Street and see the buskers and shops (30 minutes)

Grafton Street is very close to the Temple Bar area, so it easily flowed. I picked up a to-go lunch from “Spar” (a local grocery store) so that I could eat it for later. There are lots of extremely talented musicians who busk along this road too!

Visit the Little Museum of Dublin (45 minutes – 1 hr)

This museum is FREE if you buy a Hop on Hop Off ticket. Make sure to ask your bus driver for a ticket to the museum the first chance you get! Otherwise you will have to wait for a bus so that you can ask for a ticket. I luckily made it in time to see their last guided tour of the day (at 5pm).

I would highly recommend going on a guided tour (which is also free!). For 30 minutes we had a guide explain the history of Dublin in such a funny and interesting way. It was fantastic!!

Have a picnic in Stephen’s Green park (30 minutes)

It was about 5:30pm after I left the museum, so I went to Stephen’s Green Park. The park is literally across the street from the Little Museum of Dublin. It’s huge, and very peaceful! I had a snack in the park. Be wary of the birds there – they will steal the food right out of your hand if you’re not careful! Trust me, it happened. Yes, it happened to me.

Other options: The Guinness Storehouse

I REALLY wanted to see the Guinness Storehouse. I don’t drink, but there are amazing views on the top level. We all know how much I love a good view! But unfortunately I didn’t have time.

The Guinness Storehouse is at a hop on hop off bus stop, but it is kind of far away so it would have taken me awhile to get back. Also, the last bus of the day leaves stop #1 at 7pm (which I wanted to take to get back home). So, unfortunately, time was not on my side!

If you plan to stay out after dark and take a taxi back home or walk, then you will probably have time to add the Guinness Storehouse.

Tips

  • Do one loop on the bus to get a lay of the land and see all of the city. Try and get a bus that has a live guide when you do this – they are hilarious!
  • Check what time the last loop on the bus is. When I went, the last bus left stop 1 at 7:00pm.
  • Plan where to go so that you don’t have to backtrack. Unfortunately the bus only does the loop in one direction!
  • Check the opening and closing hours of each attraction you want to go to.
  • Save the bus stops on Google Maps so that you can find them again. This can be done on the bus, while you are making your first loop.
  • Stay in a location that is within the City Centre, or along the Hop on Hop off bus route. I used that bus as my transportation for the day too.
  • If you are seeing the Book of Kells, buy your ticket online in advance. If you buy it the same day before 11am you will get a discount. The lines for online purchases is much shorter!

Of course more than 24 hours in Dublin would have been better. It’s such a fun city. There is still so much of Ireland that I want to see – like the countryside! But with only 24 hours, I feel like I got a good taste of what Dublin had to offer. What would you recommend seeing and doing if you only have 24 hours in Dublin? Let me know in the comments below!