Fáilte Tours Ireland, based in Co. Wicklow, runs private guided day tours from Dublin, taking visitors from the USA, Ireland, and Canada into the country's most scenic corners.

Why Day Trips from Dublin, Ireland, Are Worth Planning

You don't need a week to see the real Ireland. Some of the country's best scenery, history, and small-town charm sit less than two hours outside Dublin, which makes a well-planned day trip one of the smartest ways to experience Ireland without packing up your hotel room.

Wicklow Day Tour Ireland's Garden County

Priced from €69 per person, this full-day tour leaves Dublin and heads straight into the Wicklow Mountains. Highlights include:

• Glendalough—a 6th-century monastic site with a round tower and glacial lakes

• Hollywood Village—a stop for lunch at a local café or pub

• Guinness Lake (Lough Tay)—the dark-water lake beneath Luggala Estate

• Wicklow Town—a Viking-era harbor town on the coast

Kilkenny Day Tour—Ireland's Medieval Capital

For a history-heavy option, the Kilkenny Day Tour (from €99 per person) pairs a guided walking tour with free time to wander on your own. It covers:

• A guided walk through the Medieval Mile and St. Canice's Cathedral

• A lunch break with refreshments included

• Free time to visit Kilkenny Castle, browse craft shops, or walk along the River Nore

Which One Should You Choose?

If you want dramatic landscapes, pick Wicklow. If you'd rather walk cobbled streets and hear stories about Norman merchants, Kilkenny fits better. As the team at Fáilte Tours puts it, "Take your time to enjoy… and we take care of everything else."

Both tours depart from and return to Dublin, so there's no need to change hotels or plan logistics. You can browse both itineraries and book directly on the Day Tours page.