How long is a Glendalough day trip from Dublin?

About 8–9 hours for an organised tour (depart 08:30, return 17:00–18:00). Driving independently takes about 50–60 minutes each way to the valley. The monastic site needs 1.5–2 hours; add a mountain walk if you want 3–4 hours on the ground. Currency is EUR; no border to cross.

Is Glendalough worth a day trip from Dublin?

Yes, especially if you want to escape the city. The monastic site is one of the finest in Ireland, the valley is beautiful, and the drive through the Wicklow Mountains passes some genuinely dramatic moorland scenery. It is the easiest scenic day trip from Dublin — close, cheap and rewarding.

Can you get to Glendalough without a car?

Yes. The St Kevin's Bus runs twice daily from Dublin city centre (Dawson Street) to Glendalough, taking about 1.5 hours. Organised day tours are more popular and include a guide. Driving is easiest for flexibility.

What is included in a Wicklow Glendalough day tour?

Most tours include coach transport, a guided stop at Glendalough monastic site, a drive through the Wicklow Mountains (Sally Gap or Wicklow Gap), and sometimes additional stops at Powerscourt Waterfall, the Avoca Handweavers village, or a sheepdog demonstration. Glendalough has no separate entrance fee — the site is freely accessible.

How long do you need at Glendalough?

The monastic site takes about 1–1.5 hours at a comfortable pace. Add the Lower Lake walk (20 minutes return) and Upper Lake loop (1 hour return) if you want to walk. For a longer hike to the Wicklow Way or the Poulanass Waterfall, allow half a day from Glendalough alone.

What currency is used in Wicklow and Glendalough?

EUR. County Wicklow is in the Republic of Ireland. There is no border crossing; Wicklow is part of the same country as Dublin.

Wicklow Mountains and Glendalough day trip from Dublin 2026

Why Wicklow is Dublin’s best backyard

The Wicklow Mountains begin almost immediately south of Dublin city — within 20 minutes of the M50 ring road you are on open moorland, and within 50 minutes you are deep in a glacial valley that feels entirely removed from the capital. This proximity, combined with the quality of what’s here — Glendalough, Powerscourt, the Sally Gap, the Wicklow Way — makes it consistently the most popular day trip from Dublin.

The destination anchor is Glendalough (Glen of the Two Lakes): a 6th-century monastic settlement founded by St Kevin, with a round tower, a cathedral and several smaller churches arranged beside two lakes in a glacial valley. It is one of the finest early medieval sites in Ireland and is in remarkably good condition. The surrounding woodland and mountain walks extend the visit well beyond the monastic site itself.

How to get there

Organised day tour (most popular)

The Wild Wicklow Mountains and Glendalough tour is consistently the most praised Wicklow day tour — award-winning, small-group format (typically a minibus of 20 or fewer), departing from Dublin around 08:30 and returning by around 17:30. The route covers the Sally Gap moorland, a stop at Lough Tay (the Guinness Lake, famously dark) and about 2 hours at Glendalough. About €35.

The Glendalough and Wicklow Mountains guided trip is a similar full-day format at around €28, a slightly larger group but good value if the Wild Wicklow tour is sold out.

For those who want to combine Wicklow with Powerscourt estate, the Wicklow, Powerscourt and Glendalough day tour includes a 1-hour stop at the Powerscourt estate gardens.

If you want to combine Wicklow with Kilkenny in a single day, the Wicklow Mountains, Glendalough and Kilkenny tour does both — a long but efficient 9-hour day covering the mountains and Ireland’s best-preserved medieval city.

Driving independently

The most flexible option. From Dublin: take the N11 south, then the R762 via Roundwood to the Wicklow Gap road or the R115 via the Sally Gap. Glendalough is signposted from Laragh. Total: about 50–60 minutes without stops.

A self-drive day might include: Powerscourt Waterfall (signposted from Enniskerry, €8 per car), the Sally Gap moorland road, Lough Tay viewpoint, Glendalough, and the return via Avoca and Rathdrum. About 6–7 hours with relaxed stops.

Parking at Glendalough costs €4–€6 per car and fills quickly on summer weekends. Arrive before 10:00 or after 15:00 for manageable parking.

Bus from Dublin

St Kevin’s Bus departs from Dawson Street twice daily, stopping at Roundwood and Glendalough. One way takes about 1.5 hours; cost around €15. Check current timetable at stkevinbus.com. Good for independent walkers who want to do the Wicklow Way sections.

What to see at Glendalough

The monastic site

The core of Glendalough is the walled monastic city, entered through a double-arched gateway — the only complete medieval monastic gateway surviving in Ireland. Inside: the Cathedral (the largest church, with a fine carved west doorway from the 12th century), St Kevin’s Kitchen (a small church with a round tower rising from its nave), and the main Round Tower — 33 metres high, used as a belfry and place of refuge. The tower was completed around the 10th century; it is still in excellent condition.

There is no admission fee to the monastic site itself. The Glendalough Visitor Centre (entrance €5) has exhibits on the monastic history and is worth visiting for context.

The lakes

The Lower Lake is immediately adjacent to the monastic site; a gravel path runs along its south shore. The Upper Lake, about 1.5 km further into the valley, is longer and more dramatic. St Kevin’s Cell — a hermit’s beehive hut dating from the 8th or 9th century — sits on a ledge above the upper lake and can be reached by a short scramble.

Walking routes

Lower Lake path: 30 minutes, flat, suitable for all ages
Upper Lake loop: 1 hour, mainly flat, good views
Poulanass Waterfall: 45 minutes each way from the upper lake, through forest
Wicklow Way section: From Glendalough, the Wicklow Way long-distance trail heads into the mountains; sections of 2–3 hours are accessible without needing the full route

The Sally Gap and Wicklow moorland

The drive through the Wicklow Mountains — whether via the Sally Gap (R115) or the Wicklow Gap (R756) — is one of the most atmospheric roads in Ireland. Both routes cross high moorland: brown heather, blanket bog, scattered granite boulders, no trees, and views that can extend 40 km on a clear day.

The Sally Gap route passes Lough Tay (the Guinness Lake), named for the dark colour of the water caused by peat. Guinness once used the lake in an advertisement; a replica Guinness label fits perfectly over the view. The estate at the lake’s edge is private property; the viewpoint is from the road.

What’s included and what costs extra

Organised tours typically include:

Coach transport and guide
Stops at the Wicklow moorland (Sally Gap or Wicklow Gap)
1.5–2 hours at Glendalough
Sometimes a sheepdog demonstration (adds 30 minutes)

Not usually included:

Glendalough Visitor Centre admission (€5)
Meals and refreshments
Optional Powerscourt entry

There is a café and a pub near the Glendalough visitor centre; the pub (The Wicklow Heather) is good for lunch.

Combining Wicklow with other destinations

Wicklow + Kilkenny: The Wicklow Mountains, Glendalough and Kilkenny tour covers both in 9 hours — one of the best-value day tour options for seeing two very different types of Irish landscape and heritage.

Wicklow + Powerscourt: Add Powerscourt estate (gardens and waterfall) to the route — either on an organised tour or when driving independently.

Wicklow alone: If you love walking and want most of the day at Glendalough and in the mountains, the full-day trip focused purely on Wicklow gives the best experience.

For context on all available day trips, see best day trips from Dublin and the family day trips from Dublin guide for younger travellers.

Frequently asked questions about Wicklow and Glendalough day trip guide

Is Glendalough worth a day trip from Dublin?
Yes, especially if you want to escape the city. The monastic site is one of the finest in Ireland, the valley is beautiful, and the drive through the Wicklow Mountains passes some genuinely dramatic moorland scenery. It is the easiest scenic day trip from Dublin — close, cheap and rewarding.
Can you get to Glendalough without a car?
Yes. The St Kevin's Bus runs twice daily from Dublin city centre (Dawson Street) to Glendalough, taking about 1.5 hours. Organised day tours are more popular and include a guide. Driving is easiest for flexibility.
What is included in a Wicklow Glendalough day tour?
Most tours include coach transport, a guided stop at Glendalough monastic site, a drive through the Wicklow Mountains (Sally Gap or Wicklow Gap), and sometimes additional stops at Powerscourt Waterfall, the Avoca Handweavers village, or a sheepdog demonstration. Glendalough has no separate entrance fee — the site is freely accessible.
How long do you need at Glendalough?
The monastic site takes about 1–1.5 hours at a comfortable pace. Add the Lower Lake walk (20 minutes return) and Upper Lake loop (1 hour return) if you want to walk. For a longer hike to the Wicklow Way or the Poulanass Waterfall, allow half a day from Glendalough alone.
What currency is used in Wicklow and Glendalough?
EUR. County Wicklow is in the Republic of Ireland. There is no border crossing; Wicklow is part of the same country as Dublin.