Dublin Tours: Walking and Leisurely
Walking tours come very well recommended, and do give you a unique feel for Dublin. Highlights you might expect to see on a “pub crawl” tour include Merrion Square, the gardens and government buildings, the National Gallery, Newman House, and the Department of Public Affairs. A stop at a pub for a Guinness or a nonalcoholic refreshment is also part of the deal. More leisurely, coach oriented tours highlight sites such as the Bank of Ireland, St. Patrick's Church, Four Courts, and Leinstar House.
Price: Adults expect to pay from $62 to $69, depending upon cruise agenda.
Booking Advice: For tours of Dublin, it's well worth reviewing third party vendors for reduced prices and for variety. The Hop On/Off Bus tours are also quite reasonable! Walking city tours are rated as physically strenuous because these involve traversing 2 miles on surfaces that may not always be even. Leisurely tours are typically considered to be much easier.
Dublin Castle and the Book of Kells
These tours are on average an hour and 45 minutes in length. At the castle, you'll see the splendidly appointed rooms once home to the English appointed Viceroys of Ireland. Waterford crystal, Killybegs carpets, and antiques abound. Then you'll see the grounds and the library of Trinity College, which currently houses the medieval gospels referred to as the Book of Kells.
Price: Adults expect to pay from $70 to $80 through the cruise lines.
Booking Advice: These tours are typically rated as moderate as regards physical exertion. It is very much worth your while to look at third party vendors for price savings as well as for variety for this type of tour in Dublin.
Then There's Guinness...
These 4 hour tours of St. James' Gate Brewery, home of Guinness, begin with an informative film, and then your guide takes you through parts of the brewery so you can see how the famous brew is made. At tour's end, you can get a complimentary pint of Guinness to enjoy with the awesome view from a 7th story bar.
Price: Adults expect to pay from$59 to $62.
Booking Advice: Because of the walking involved, these tours are rated as moderate in terms of physical exercise. You may want to note that an adult ticket into the brewery is less than $20, and you can arrange for these online. Also, for around $78, you can get an adult “city pass” that assures your admission into a variety of famous sites and museums in Dublin.
Panoramic Dublin, & Glendalough
Within a 5 hour tour by coach, you're basically going to Wicklow Mountains where you'll see some lovely valleys and pastoral scenery. You'll also tour the ruins of Glendalough Monastery and visit Avoca Woolen Mill where you'll also be able to shop.
Price: Adults expect to pay from $70 to $80.
Booking Advice: These tours are rated as moderate with regard to physical exercise. Visiting Wicklow Mountains and the remnants of this monastery (in an incredibly beautiful glen) can be readily done for around $30 to $40 less per adult via third party vendors.
Powerscourt Estate
Even though the interior of this lovely manor home was destroyed in 1974, Powerscourt, built in the early 18th century is regarded as having some of the most beautiful gardens in Ireland. You'll have a tour of the estate grounds, and opportunity to shop in the gift shops nearby. These tour last from 4 to 8 hours, and the lengthier tours typically combine with city tours.
Price: Adults expect to pay from $52 to $79, depending upon the length and agenda of the tour.
Booking Advice: Due to the walking involved, tours of Powerscourt estate are rated as moderate as regards physical exercise. Third party vendors online have similar tours for at least $15 less.