Things to Do in Wicklow, Ireland in 1 or 2 Days

Last updated on September 12th, 2026 at 09:01 pm

I went to Wicklow on a guided day tour from Dublin on my very first trip to Ireland in 2015.

The day tour gave me a taste of what Wicklow is about with a visit to the Glendalough Monastic Site, a stop at the PS I Love You Bridge, and a pub lunch in Laragh.

Ever since, I’ve wanted to go back and experience Wicklow beyond the highlights, especially the hiking.

In May 2026, I finally returned for my birthday weekend. My goal was to spend as much time outdoors as possible and discover some of the best things to do in Wicklow beyond the typical day-trip stops.

The weather mostly cooperated, allowing me to hike the Spinc trail, take a beautiful drive through Sally Gap, and even spend an hour relaxing at the beach! The best part was taking in the stunning scenery at my own pace without feeling like I was rushing around to check off a list.

If you want to explore Wicklow beyond the typical day-trip highlights, I’ll share my favorite things I did during both of my trips and how you can fit them into your Ireland itinerary, even if you only have a day or two.

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The Best Things to Do in Wicklow

Hike the Spinc Trail

Hiking the Spinc Trail in Glendalough was the number one thing I wanted to do in Wicklow. On my first afternoon, very jet-lagged, I headed to the trailhead, and it did not disappoint!

There’s not much tree coverage throughout the hike, and it rained off and on, but it wasn’t too bad! An elevated boardwalk runs along the section between the summit and Glenealo Valley, which helps prevent a lot of muddiness.

The rain stopped when I reached the top, giving way to gorgeous blue skies and stunning views of the upper and lower Glendalough lakes.

I did the white route, which is 9.5km or 6 miles. It took me about 4 hours with multiple stops for photos and snacks. 

I felt really comfortable doing this hike solo, even while jet-lagged. It’s a very popular hike in Wicklow, so there were plenty of other people on the trail with me, which makes me feel better when hiking alone.

I parked in the upper parking lot, which is where the trailhead is for this hike. If you want to combine this hike with a visit to the Glendalough Monastic site, park at the lower parking lot. The walk between the two is about 2 km (1 mile), adding about 40 minutes to the hike. 

I’d planned to visit the site after my hike, but I was so tired I couldn’t be bothered to walk any further. Instead, I went to the Barrel Sauna for a recovery sauna and ice bath in Greystones!  

Alternative Hike: Devil’s Glen

The Devil’s Glen hike was near my Airbnb, and they recommended it to me for something a little less strenuous, but still beautiful. It’s less popular with tourists, but my Airbnb hosts said it was one of their favorites.

From the car park, you’ll walk down to the River Varty and follow it to a waterfall. Once you’re done enjoying the waterfall, you can follow the path next to the river back up to the car park. 

It will be muddy after a recent rain, so wear appropriate shoes!

Budget 1.5 hours for this 3ish mile hike! I did it on a Sunday morning before lunch, and it was the perfect start to the day!

Even More Alternative Hikes

If you’ve already done these two hikes, not to worry, there are plenty of others in the area. 

I use The Hike Life, a book by Irish outdoor influencer Roz Purcell, to plan my outdoor activities in Ireland. 

A few others from that book that were on my list that I ultimately did not have the time or energy to do were:

• Djouce in Ballinastoe Woods
• Lough Bray Loop: really wish I’d done this one!
• Great and Little Sugar Loaf

I highly recommend her book or at least following her on Instagram for ideas to get outside in Ireland!

Visit Glendalough National Park

In the 6th century, Glendalough was one of Ireland’s most important monastic sites. St. Kevin founded it, and the city flourished for hundreds of years, even amid multiple raids! 

I visited the site on my very first trip to Ireland in 2015 as part of a guided tour from Dublin.

Our tour guide explained the area’s history and the importance of the monastic city’s remains, like St. Kevin’s Church and the Round Tower, and we hugged St. Kevin’s Cross outside the Cathedral. 

It’s a famous tradition to hug the cross, and if your fingertips touch it, a wish will come true, or you’ll be absolved of sins.

I have a photo of it somewhere, but it’s been lost in the multiple laptop changes since 2015!

With the exception of having to pay for parking, it’s free to visit this important site in Ireland’s history. 

Drive the Sally Gap

The Sally Gap is a 16-mile scenic drive through the Wicklow Mountains, looping from Laragh to Roundwood with multiple viewpoints and hikes along the way.

Two popular stops are the Lough Tay Viewpoint and PS I Love You Bridge.

Lough Tay, also known as the Guinness Lake, is a beautiful lake on private property that was once owned by Arthur Guinness. There are spaces to safely park and carefully cross the road to view the lake from above.

There is also a viewpoint a short walk up a boardwalk trail in Ballinastoe Woods. 

I’d planned to do this, but it was such a cold morning, and I had a long drive ahead. So I just parked and enjoyed the view for a few minutes before continuing on to the bridge.

The PS I Love You Bridge was made famous by a movie of the same name. It’s where Gerard Butler’s character, Gerry, meets Hilary Swank’s character, Holly, and they share their first kiss and start their love story at this bridge. 

I LOVE this movie, but I do think the book is better.

There is a very small pull-out near the bridge. Be careful when crossing the road. The scenery is gorgeous, but you only need a few minutes here.

I did not finish the loop to see Glenmacnass Waterfall because I was driving all the way to Connemara and needed to get on the highway. 

But I wish I did, and it’s on the list for next time!

Explore Bray

Bray to Greystones

My favorite thing to do in Bray, one of Wicklow’s charming seaside towns, is the 7km cliff walk from Bray to Greystones.

I’ve done this walk twice. The first time, I did it in the traditional direction: starting in Bray and ending in Greystones. It was a blue-sky day in May 2015, and the views along the coast and heading into Bray were spectacular.

On my recent trip in 2026, it was an overcast day that turned stormy, but I got the walk in before the rain really came down! I started in Greystones and walked to Bray. 

It was still a really nice walk, but I think it’s best to do it the other direction because the views are more dramatic as you get closer to Greystones.

This is a great day trip from Dublin and super easy to do solo because the logistics are very straightforward. 

Take the DART to Bray, walk to Greystones and have lunch, then hop back on the DART to Dublin for dinner and a night in the pubs. 

Explore Greystones

Out of the three coastal towns in County Wicklow I mention here, Greystones is my favorite. It’s hard to pinpoint why, but I just really liked the energy and vibe.

There’s a jewelry shop called One Dame Lane where I almost bought a ring for myself on my 39th birthday, but they didn’t have it in my size. 

Daata is a great Pakistani restaurant where I ate after hiking the Spinc Trail.

And if you need a bit of recovery after a hike, there is a barrel sauna with cold plunge tubs. Next to that is a beer garden with multiple food options, which would be great for a sunny day. 

Visit Wicklow Town

I visited Wicklow for a matcha latte on my way to Britta’s Bay Beach. While there, I walked along the harborfront, checked out Black Castle, and walked down Main Street. 

It was a stormy Sunday afternoon, and I was surprised that most shops were closed. I was also surprised at the volume of vape shops on the main road.

An interesting place to visit is Black Castle. It’s the ruins of a castle overlooking the sea and Travelahawk Beach below. The beach is where St. Patrick arrived in Ireland in 432!

If I had to choose one of Wicklow’s main towns to visit, I’d pick Bray or Greystones over Wicklow. But if you have the time, you only need 1-2 hours. 

Relax at Brittas Bay Beach

After a stormy afternoon in Wicklow, the skies cleared, so I decided to check out Britta’s Bay Beach, which my research told me is one of the best beaches in Wicklow.

They were right! 

Britta’s Bay is a gorgeous white sand beach that stretches for 5 km. I saw only one other group of people while I walked the beach. I brought my book and lay in the sun to read. It was so peaceful!

There is a large parking lot; you do have to pay a few euros, and a toilet, which was really nice!

Have a Spa Day

After a few days of hiking and driving around Wicklow, I was physically and mentally tired. Plus, it was my birthday.

I decided to treat myself and booked a massage at Druids Glen. This is a large hotel with a golf course, restaurant, and spa – which is what I was after! 

When booking a spa service, you get access to a steam room, sauna, hot tub, and pool to use before your treatment.

The massage itself was lovely and the perfect way to welcome my 39th year! 

Visit Powerscourt House and Gardens

One of the most popular things to do in Wicklow is to visit Powerscourt Estate, House, and Gardens, and it’s the one thing that I haven’t done there!

My guided tour took us to Avoca instead, which was lovely. On my recent trip, I prioritized hiking and didn’t want to spend the money to visit. 

I haven’t personally visited Powerscourt yet, so I can’t give you my own review. That being said, my Aunt visited years ago and said it was beautiful. I mean, it has been voted one of the world’s top ten gardens, there are 47 acres to explore, and Ireland’s highest waterfall, so I don’t doubt that it’s worth a visit!

There are always new things on my list for the next time I’m in Ireland. 

Planning Your Wicklow Trip

Where is Wicklow Located?

Wicklow is located in Ireland’s Ancient East, about 1 hour south of Dublin by car.

County Wicklow includes towns like Bray, Greystones, Wicklow, Ashford, and Laragh, among others.

How to Get to Wicklow, Ireland?

There are different ways to get to Wicklow depending on where you want to go. 

DART to Bray or Greystones

For Wicklow’s coastal towns like Bray and Greystones, you can take DART from Dublin. Take the DART to Bray, then walk the cliff walk to Greystones. Then hop on the DART back to Dublin. 

St. Kevin’s Bus to Glendalough

If you want to visit Glendalough monastic settlement or go hiking, you can take the St. Kevin’s bus from Dublin to Glendalough Visitor Center. It does stop in other places like Bray, Roundwood, and Laragh upon request.  

There are two daily departures from both Dublin and Glendalough. It is quite a quick turnaround. If you take the morning departure from Dublin, you’ll only have a few hours in Glendalough before the return trip. 

It’s best to overnight in nearby Laragh so you can really enjoy the area without being rushed.

Rental Car

For more than a day trip or quick overnight, it’s best to rent a car so you can do various hikes in the area, visit the different towns, and even stay in more “remote” places than you could easily get to using public transportation.

Wicklow makes an excellent weekend getaway from Dublin and fits well into an east coast Ireland road trip.

How to Add Wicklow to a 7 Day Ireland Itinerary

How Much Time Do You Need?

You don’t need a full weekend as I did, but I had the time and wanted to check out multiple hikes in the area, so it was worth dedicating more time there.

Wicklow also makes an excellent day trip from Dublin if you want to do a guided tour or a cliff walk. 

You do need at least one day, and I’ll explain how to group various activities together to make it work!

If You Only Have One Day: Wicklow’s Coastal Towns

If you only have one day, I would recommend a day trip from Dublin to Bray. Have breakfast in Dublin, then take the DART to Bray. In Bray, stop at Catalyst Coffee for a snack to bring with you on the trail and to use the restroom because there aren’t any once you start the walk!

Enjoy the walk! 

Once in Greystones, have lunch at Bread41, Happy Pear, or Daata. You’ll walk through town to get back on DART to Dublin.

If You Have Two Days: Wicklow’s Coastal Towns and Mountains

If you have two days, I recommend spending the night in Laragh or Roundwood so you can hike in the Wicklow Mountains and enjoy the coastal towns.

You will need a car for this itinerary. 

I would follow the above one-day itinerary for your first day. But spend the night in Laragh or Roundwood.

On the second day, spend the morning in Glendalough, either checking out the monastic site or hiking the Spinc Trail. Have lunch at Wicklow Heather, then drive the Sally Gap before returning to Dublin or continuing on your Ireland road trip.

Want My Exact Wicklow Weekend Itinerary?

I had three full days in Wicklow; here’s exactly what I did!

Day 1: Arrived in Dublin from San Francisco. Picked up rental car, drove to Airbnb, stopping at a grocery store along the way. Had dinner at N11 Ashford, then promptly went to sleep

Day 2: Slept in until around 10:00 am, cooked breakfast, headed to the Spinc Trailhead. I got there around 1:00 pm. Hiked until 4:00. Drove to Greystones to have a recovery session at the Barrel Sauna. Dinner at Daata and back to the Airbnb to sleep!

Day 3: Slept in and had breakfast at the Airbnb. Hiked Devil’s Glen, which took 1.5 hours. Then went to Wicklow Heather for lunch. Afterwards drove to Wicklow Town, spent about 1.5 hours there, then drove to Britta’s Bay. I relaxed there for about an hour before returning to the Airbnb, where I made dinner and had a chill evening. 

Day 4: My birthday! I had a lazy morning, then headed into Greystones to walk to Bray. Stopped at Bread 41 for a sausage roll to enjoy on the trail. Arrived in Bray about 2 hours later. I got a matcha latte and a snack from Catalyst Coffee, then hopped on DART back to Greystones to get my car and go to Druid’s Glen for my massage. Afterward, I had my birthday dinner at Wicklow Arms.

Day 5: I had a long drive to Connemara. I planned to stop in Athlone for lunch and to visit Sean’s Bar. I had breakfast at the Hen and Hog, then drove part of the Sally Gap on my way out of the area. 

This was an incredibly long day. Google Maps said it would take 3 hours to get to Connemara; it took me nine with stops and traffic through Galway. That’s a lot of driving for one person.

What I’d Do Differently

Upon reflection, and now, with experience in these places, I would’ve changed a few things. After lunch on Day 3, I would’ve driven the entire Sally Gap, possibly hiking in Ballinastoe Woods. Then headed into Wicklow and Britta’s Bay. 

The way I did it required a lot of driving back and forth from my Airbnb to Glendalough, then passing my accommodations to get to the coast. 

I also realized that the back-to-back intense hiking was too much after a long international trip, so maybe such an outdoorsy section of a bigger Ireland itinerary would be better once I’ve acclimated to the time change!

Otherwise, I think the days worked perfectly for me and let me avoid feeling rushed between places. My favorite day was my birthday. It felt like I got to do all of my favorite activities in my favorite place.

Where to Eat in Wicklow

There are so many great restaurant options throughout County Wicklow! Here are some of my favorites from my trip!

Bread41: This Dublin Bakery has new locations in Bray and Greystones. I’ve visited the one in Dublin, and it was too packed to truly enjoy. This Bread41 location is quieter and had some people working at tables. I got a sausage roll to take with me on my walk to Bray.

Daata: I was able to sit at the bar at the last minute and ordered the chicken tikka masala with a glass of wine; it was delicious. Since I sat at the bar, I had views of them packaging takeout orders, which was incredibly busy! Daata seems very popular!

N11 at the Ashford House: I ate here upon arrival because I was jet-lagged and it was close to where I was staying. They have great pizza!

Wicklow Arms: A gorgeous pub where I had my birthday dinner. It was a Monday night, so it was quiet, but the food was delicious! 

Wicklow Heather: I booked in to Wicklow Heather for a Sunday roast; it wasn’t my favorite meal, but I loved the vibe. It’s a good spot after a nearby hike or for a coffee before driving to Sally Gap.

The Hen & Hog: A cute cafe in Ashford, near where I was staying. I stopped in for breakfast before my long drive to Connemara. The matcha was delicious and so was the avocado toast. 

Where to Stay in Wicklow

If you want to stay a night or two in Wicklow, you have plenty of options.

I stayed at a super cozy Airbnb near Ashford because it was about 20 minutes from everything I wanted to do there. I enjoyed my stay and loved the hosts. I just had to text them when I’d be back, and they’d start the fire for me. It was so cozy to come home to after being outside all day! 

But I forgot that 20 minutes on Google Maps is different from real-life driving on Ireland’s narrow roads! Everything takes just a little bit longer when you’re getting used to driving in Ireland again.

If you’re nervous about driving or are doing this as your first stop after an international trip, maybe staying closer to the hikes in the Wicklow Mountains in a town like Laragh or Roundwood is better. 

These towns put you closer to the trailheads and your bed when you’re wiped from a day spent outdoors.

Each town has pubs and restaurants, so you don’t have to go too far after your hike to refuel and rehydrate.

Here are a few places I would consider for my next trip, even though I haven’t personally stayed there yet:

• Lynhams of Laragh: A classic spot to stay, this family-run hotel is right in the heart of the Wicklow Mountains, and there’s a pub attached to it! Check rates and availability here.
• The Glendalough Hotel: I drove by here on my way to Glendalough and was annoyed that I’d somehow missed it during my research because it is so close to everything I wanted to do! And it overlooks the river, which is gorgeous! Check rates and availability here.
• The Martello Hotel: If you want a coastal stay, consider Martello Hotel in Bray. It’s on the waterfront, the views are excellent, and it has great reviews. It’s in a good location to walk Bray Head or just take a break from the city! Check rates and availability here.

I recommend mapping out what you want to do in Wicklow and picking a spot close enough to most of it. Bonus if breakfast is included!

Even after two trips, one of them a weekend spent in Wicklow, I’ve barely scratched the surface of the fun outdoor activities in the area. I still want to hike Sugar Loaf and Ballinastoe Woods, see Lough Ouler and Lough Bray, and, of course, visit Powerscourt Gardens. 

This is why I keep going back to Ireland. There is always more to see. 

If you’re trying to fit Wicklow into a short Ireland trip, my 7-day Ireland itinerary lays out the rest of the route, including how to see more of Ireland without a car!

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