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Touristy Ireland
Trinity College, Dublin

City Highlights

Dublin City Private Guided Tour

A full day exploring Dublin's landmarks and stories with a private local guide.

Price
€650 / group
Tour duration
8 hours
Group size
Up to 8 guests
  • Dublin, Co. Dublin

About this tour

Embark on an unforgettable journey with our full-day private city highlights tour. This tour offers an exclusive exploration of some of Dublin's most significant historical, cultural and modern sites, with a local guide who shares their knowledge and passion for the city's history and culture.

Your day begins with a convenient pick-up from your hotel or place of stay, and at the end of the tour you can return to your hotel or any other location in the city that suits your plans.

WHAT TO EXPECT
• Jeanie Johnston (approx. 1 hour) – a replica 19th-century ship that made 16 emigrant journeys to North America. Learn about the Irish emigrants who made the journey during the Great Famine.
• Custom House – one of Dublin's most important historic buildings and an architectural highlight.
• Book of Kells (approx. 1 hour) – one of the world's most famous medieval manuscripts, a masterpiece of Western calligraphy.
• Kilmainham Gaol (approx. 1.25 hours) – one of the largest unoccupied gaols in Europe and central to Ireland's path to independence.
• Guinness Storehouse (approx. 1.5 hours) – the history of Guinness, how it's made, and a pint with a view at the Gravity Bar.
• Teeling Distillery (approx. 1 hour) – the first new distillery in Dublin in over 125 years, with a whiskey tasting.
• Phoenix Park (approx. 1 hour) – one of the largest enclosed parks in any European capital, including the Papal Cross, Magazine Fort and Phoenix Monument.
• Ashtown Castle (approx. 30 mins) – a hidden gem in the heart of the park.
• Áras an Uachtaráin – the official residence of the President of Ireland.
• Howth Village – end the day in this picturesque fishing village with scenic coastal views, shops and restaurants.

FULLY CUSTOMISABLE
As this is a private tour, only your group travels with the guide. Your guide is always open to suggestions, so you can explore at your own pace and focus on the sites that interest you most – history, architecture, food, music or hidden gems. Start time is flexible, and in bad weather the itinerary can be adapted to include more indoor attractions.

Travel in a comfortable vehicle driven by your experienced guide, with light snacks and water provided throughout the day. Guides adapt stops and pacing for limited mobility – just let us know in advance.

What to expect

  1. Stop 1: Collection and Drop-off

    Start your day with a convenient pick-up directly from your hotel or place of stay. At the end of the tour, you can choose to return to your hotel or any other location in the city that suits your plans.

  2. Stop 2: Jeanie Johnston (Approx. +1 hour)

    Begin your tour with a visit to the Jeanie Johnston, a replica of a 19th-century ship that made 16 emigrant journeys to North America. Learn about the experiences of the Irish emigrants who made the journey during the Great Famine.

  3. Stop 3: Custom House

    Next, marvel at the architectural beauty of the Custom House, one of Dublin's most important historic buildings. Learn about its role in Dublin's history and its significance today.

  4. Stop 4: Book of Kells (Approx. +1 hour)

    Visit the Book of Kells, one of the world's most famous medieval manuscripts. Discover its rich history and the intricate artistry that makes it a masterpiece of Western calligraphy.

  5. Stop 5: Kilmainham Gaol (Approx. +1.25 hours)

    Explore Kilmainham Gaol, one of the largest unoccupied gaols in Europe. Learn about its role in some of the most significant events in Ireland's path to independence.

  6. Stop 6: Guinness Storehouse (Approx. +1.5 hours)

    Experience the Guinness Storehouse, a must-visit for beer lovers. Learn about the history of Guinness, how it's made, and enjoy a pint with a view at the Gravity Bar.

  7. Stop 7: Teeling Distillery (Approx. +1 hour)

    Visit the Teeling Distillery, the first new distillery in Dublin in over 125 years. Learn about the whiskey-making process and taste some of the finest Irish whiskeys.

  8. Stop 8: Phoenix Park (Approx. +1 hour)

    Take a break from the city's hustle and bustle with a visit to Phoenix Park, one of the largest enclosed recreational spaces within any European capital city. Enjoy the greenery, take in the views, and learn about the park's history and importance to the city.

  9. Stop 9: Papal Cross, Magazine Fort, Phoenix Monument

    While in Phoenix Park, visit the Papal Cross, erected for Pope John Paul II's visit in 1979, the Magazine Fort, with its rich military history, and the Phoenix Monument, a symbol of the park.

  10. Stop 10: Ashton Castle (Approx. +0.5 hour)

    Explore Ashton Castle, a hidden gem in the heart of the city. Learn about its history and the role it played in the city's development.

  11. Stop 11: Aras an Uachtaráin

    Visit Aras an Uachtaráin, the official residence of the President of Ireland. Learn about its history and its significance in Irish politics.

  12. Stop 12: Howth Village

    End your tour with a visit to the picturesque Howth Village. Enjoy the scenic views, explore the local shops and restaurants, and soak in the charming coastal atmosphere.

  13. Stop 13: Customizable Itinerary

    As this is a private guided tour, your guide is always open to suggestions and will accommodate your interests. If there's something else that captures your attention on the day, no problem. We'll do our best to ensure you get the most out of your day in the city.

  14. Stop 14: Comfort and Refreshments

    Throughout the tour, you'll travel in a comfortable vehicle driven by our experienced guide. We'll also provide light snacks and water to keep you refreshed during your journey.

Additional info

Start Time

The start time of the tour is flexible and can be adjusted based on your preferences. We aim to ensure a seamless experience.

Your tour company

Touristy Ireland

Award winning private tours around Ireland, tailored just for you. We're a local team of friendly, experienced guides who are passionate about Ireland's history and culture. From taxi drivers to chauffeurs and private small coach tours, our guides bring a unique perspective to each trip. Every tour is private and built around your interests, from Dublin city highlights to Newgrange, Glendalough, the Cliffs of Moher and the Giant's Causeway.

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What's included

Included

  • Private local guide / driver for the full day (approx. 8 hours)
  • Comfortable private saloon vehicle – your group only
  • Hotel, cruise port or airport pick-up and drop-off in Dublin
  • Fully customisable itinerary and flexible start time
  • Light snacks and bottled water

Not included

  • Attraction entry tickets (e.g. Book of Kells, Kilmainham Gaol, Guinness Storehouse, Teeling Distillery)
  • Lunch and personal expenses
  • Gratuities

Meeting point

Pick-up from your Dublin city centre hotel, cruise port or airport

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Good to know

Cancellation policy

Full refund: cancel 7 days or more before your tour. 50% refund: cancel between 7 days and 24 hours before your tour start time. No refund: cancellations within 24 hours of the start time. Tell us as early as possible if your plans change. We're happy to reschedule where we can, depending on availability. Cruise ship guests: if your ship can't dock in Dublin or Dún Laoghaire, we recommend travel insurance that covers shore excursions. If your cruise line cancels your arrival and you tell us before your pick-up time, we may be able to offer a partial refund or a credit towards a future tour, though we can't guarantee it.

Questions

How long does the Dublin City Private Guided Tour take?

A typical Dublin City Private Guided Tour lasts 8 hours, starting from your chosen pick-up location. This allows enough time to explore key sites such as Trinity College, Dublin Castle, and St. Patrick’s Cathedral, while also leaving flexibility for spontaneous stops.

Can the tour be customised to my interests?

Yes, absolutely. Our guide can tailor the day to include your favourite themes — history, art, architecture, or hidden gems. If there are places you’d prefer to skip, we can adjust the route on the day to make sure you get the most from your visit.

Where does the tour start and end?

We can collect you from any Dublin city centre hotel, cruise port, or airport. If you’re staying outside the city, just let us know and we can arrange a suitable meeting point or we can try arrange our guide to travel further a field if needed. Don't worry. We'll figure it out.

Are attraction entry fees included?

The tour price covers your private guide and vehicle. Entry fees to places like Guinness Storehouse or Christ Church Cathedral are not included, allowing you to decide which attractions you’d like to visit.

What happens in bad weather?

Dublin weather can be unpredictable, but our tours run year-round. We adapt the itinerary to include more indoor attractions when needed, and you’re welcome to bring umbrellas (Our guides generally have some in their vehicle) or rain jackets. The vehicle is always available to keep you warm and dry between stops.

Is the tour suitable for limited mobility?

Yes—your guide will adapt stops and pacing. Please let us know any mobility needs in advance so we can plan easy access routes.

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€650 / group

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