10 Best Small Group Day Tours From Dublin
Last Updated on May 15, 2024
Planning a trip to Dublin and want to explore more of the country? We have carefully selected the best small group day tours from Dublin so you can explore Ireland’s highlights.
Luckily, Ireland is a pretty small country and it’s easy to visit the most popular places with just a day trip. If you don’t want to bother with renting a car and if you dislike big bus tours, then small group tours are ideal.
☘️BEST SMALL GROUP DAY TOURS FROM DUBLIN☘️
Don’t have time to read the whole article? The hands-down best choice is this Wicklow, Powerscourt, and Glendalough Day Tour with 16 people max and minimal travel time between stops.
I’ve only selected tours with up to 25 people, with good reviews, and from trusted Irish tour companies. I recommend booking from Viator (owned by TripAdvisor), they work with carefully selected local businesses and make booking a tour fast and convenient. I’ve also included a few options from GetYourGuide.
Whether you want to see the Cliffs of Moher, kiss the Blarney Stone, explore the Giant’s Causeway, or hike in the Wicklow Mountains, you’ll find plenty of small group tours that will take you to these must-see places in Ireland.
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This Article at a Glance
🥇Cliffs of Moher, the Burren, and King John’s Castle
⭐️ Rating: 4.5/5
🚶 Group Size: 25 people max
⌛ Duration: 13 hours
🥈Connemara Peninsula
⭐️Rating: 4.2/5
🚶Small Group
⏳ Duration: 12 hours
🥉Wicklow, Powerscourt, and Glendalough
⭐️Rating: 4.5/5
🚶 Group Size: 16 people
⏳ Duration: 8 hours
Wicklow, Glendalough, and Horse-Back Riding
⭐️Rating: 4.5/5
🚶 Group Size: 8 people
⏳ Duration: 8 hours
Newgrange & Knowth
⭐️Rating: 4.5/5
🚶 Group Size: 16 people
⏳ Duration: 8 hours
Aran Islands and Galway
⭐️Rating: 4.5/5
🚶 Group Size: 10 people
⏳ Duration: 14 hours
Giant’s Causeway and Bushmills
⭐️Rating: 4/5
🚶 Group Size: 25 people
⏳ Duration: 12 hours
Glendalough, Wicklow Mountains, and Kilkenny
⭐️Rating: 4.5/5
🚶 Group Size: 16 people
⏳ Duration: 8,5 hours
Blarney Castle and Rock of Cashel
⭐️Rating: 4.0/5
🚶 Group Size: 25 people
⏳ Duration: 12 hours
Things to Consider Before Booking Your Day Tour
Consider distances and driving time before booking and keep in mind you’ll spend a couple of hours in transportation for most of these day trips.
Weather is often bad in Ireland which can be disappointing. Make sure to pack rain gear and wear layers. You might want to bring snacks and water as well. For some tours, bad weather might require a change of itinerary.
The more places are included in the day tour, the less time you’ll get to spend at each stop, so you might feel rushed.
Make sure to read carefully the itinerary, what’s included, and the reviews, so you know what to expect. I would advise contacting the tour company after booking to confirm your reservation and the itinerary.
Best Small Group Day Tours From Dublin
1 – Cliffs of Moher, the Burren, and Bunratty Castle
⭐️ Rating: 4.5 out of 5 Stars | 🚶 Group Size: 25 people | ☘️ Check Rates and Availability
The Cliffs of Moher are simply a must-see when in Ireland. It’s one of West Ireland’s top tourist attractions and you’ll understand why once there. On this tour, you can choose to see the cliffs from above, at the visitor center, or from sea level with a cruise.
If you pick the cruise, there will be an additional fee, and note that the cruises only run from March to October.
On your way there you’ll drive by the Burren along the Wild Atlantic Way, offering some of Ireland’s most striking landscape.
Visiting the Burren was one of the highlights of my trip, the landscape is unique and like nowhere else. While you won’t have time to go for a hike at the national park, you’ll be able to take in the scenery while driving through the region.
“Incredible! Our group ended up just being 4 people so we got an extremely personal experience. Our tour guide, Nick, was great and very knowledgeable!”
– HALEY (READ MORE REVIEWS)
On your way back, you’ll stop at the 15th-century Bunratty Castle and Folk Park where you can have lunch, tour the castle, and have a glimpse of what rural life looked like centuries ago, before making your way back to Dublin.
All entrance fees are included, except if you pick the cruise, and you’re free to bring a packed lunch or have something at the cliffs or at the castle.
The tour is operated by PaddyWagon one of the leading tour companies in Ireland. Their guides and drivers are usually known for making the trip fun and informative.
2 – Connemara Full-Day Small-Group Tour from Dublin
⭐️ Rating: 4.2 out of 5 Stars | ⏳ Duration: 12 hours | ☘️ Check Rates and Availability
The Connemara is one of Ireland’s most beautiful regions. On this small-group day tour from Dublin, you’ll get to drive around the peninsula, seeing its wild landscapes, rugged mountains, and breathtaking lakes.
During the nicer month (April – October), you’ll get to go on a 1.5-hour boat cruise around Killary harbor and the fjords. The rest of the year, you will visit the Killary Sheep Farm where you’ll watch a sheepdog demonstration and be told about life in the Connemara.
“Long but great trip! Our excellent bus driver Jonathan made sure we were happy and content and even entertained us with some beautiful Irish singing”
– HELLEN (READ MORE REVIEWS)
You’ll then stop by the 19th-century Kylemore Abbey where you’ll have time to get lunch (not included) and take some photos. You might have time to visit the abbey but it’s not planned in the tour.
You’re last stop is the city of Galway where you’ll get free time to explore the downtown area. Try to catch a live traditional music performance at one of the pubs if you can!
3 – Wicklow, Powerscourt, and Glendalough Day Tour
⭐️ Rating: 4.5 out of 5 Stars | 🚶 Group Size: 16 people | ☘️ Check Rates and Availability
Just an hour south of Dublin lay the beautiful Wicklow Mountains known for its great hiking trails, stunning scenery, and hidden gems.
If you don’t want to feel rushed and spend many hours in transportation, I recommend booking this tour as the places visited are not too far from Dublin.
You’ll start the tour with a stroll around Powerscourt Gardens, considered some of the most beautiful gardens in the world. You’ll find a cafe and a souvenir shop there as well.
Then you’ll head to the charming Enniskerry Village where you can have lunch and stroll around.
“Very comfortable van for our small group. John gave us a detailed explanation of everything and all the tour activities were on time. The places we visited were stunning.”
– DANIELA (READ MORE REVIEWS)
In the afternoon, the tour will take you through Wicklow Mountains National Park with stops at the “PS I Love you” bridge and Guinness Lake. You’ll take the scenic road (aka the Old Military Road) so you can enjoy the beautiful scenery all around.
Then comes the highlight of this day trip: Glendalough, known for its ancient monastic settlement and the hiking trails up the mountains and around the 2 lakes. You’ll get free time to explore the ruins of the settlement and stroll around the first lake.
You can also just hang out at one of the cafes if you’re not up for a walk, it’s pretty flat though.
The tour does not include lunch and the Powerscourt entrance fee (9 euros).
4 – Wicklow and Glendalough Day Tour with Horse-Back Riding
⭐️ Rating: 4.5 out of 5 Stars | 🚶 Group Size: 8 people | ☘️ Check Rates and Availability
Run by the same company as above, this tour is similar except that the stop at Powerscourt is replaced with horseback riding. You’ll be assessed and then given a horse that matches your skills before heading for a 1,5-hour ride through the beautiful Wicklow’s countryside.
“This was a very great day and the guide was just marvelous! The horses are very well taken care of. The whole trip is smoothly and perfectly planned.”
– ANNA (READ MORE REVIEWS)
5 – Celtic History Tour: Newgrange & Knowth
⭐️ Rating: 4.5 out of 5 Stars | 🚶 Group Size: 16 people | ☘️ Check Rates and Availability
Also a great option if you want to stay close to Dublin and not spend many hours in transportation, this small group day tour will take you to 2 of Ireland’s most important historic sites.
Newgrange is the largest burial site and place of ancient worship in Ireland, aligned with the winter solstice, and a UNESCO World Heritage Site. You’ll start the day visiting it and you’ll get explanations about the site and its history on the ride there.
Right next to Newgrange, you’ll also get to visit Knowth, a smaller site with 17 tombs.
“This was the best tour we did in Ireland. I recommend it to everyone. Our guide, Johnny was a fount of information and brought many historic stories to life. “
– SERINA (READ MORE REVIEWS)
Then you’ll head to Oldbridge Estate where the Battle of the Boyne took place. You’ll learn more about Irish history and the importance of this fight between the forces of the deposed King James II and those of King William III.
The Monasterboice Monastic Site is the last stop of the day. It was founded in the 5th century by St Buithe and today, two churches from the 14th century remain as well as a round tower from the 10th century and many Celtic high crosses.
6 – Aran Islands Scenic Flight and Galway Rail Tour
⭐️ Rating: 4.5 out of 5 Stars | 🚶 Group Size: 10 people | ☘️ Check Rates and Availability
This tour is a great option if you want to see the Aran Islands but only have one day. A 3-hour train ride will take you to Galway where a shuttle awaits to take you to the airport.
The scenic flight is only 10 minutes and will take you to the island of Inis Mor. You’ll then visit the island, with some of the stops requiring a short hike, passing by thatched cottages, sandy beaches, medieval churches, and Celtic stone crosses.
Some of the highlights include the pre-Christian fort of Dún Aonghusa, the Seven Churches, and the charming village of Kilronan.
“The tour was well planned and very informative. We very much enjoyed both the train ride and the flight over to the islands. Frank our guide was so nice and very helpful! All the sights on the island were enjoyable.”
– SANDI (READ MORE REVIEWS)
Before taking the train back, you’ll have some free time to stroll around Galway.
The guide will meet you at the train station in Dublin and travel with you and your group. Meals are not included.
Note that the flight might be canceled last minute, even on your way there, because of bad weather. In this case, you’ll be offered an alternate tour of the Connemara region and a refund for the difference.
7 – Giant’s Causeway and Bushmills Tour
⭐️ Rating: 4 out of 5 Stars | 🚶 Group Size: 25 people | ☘️ Check Rates and Availability
This Northern Ireland day tour from Dublin is a great way to see the country’s highlights when you’re short on time.
Your day will start with a tour of the oldest licensed whiskey distillery in the world, Bushmills Distillery. You’ll get to see the factory at work, sample the beers they produce, and shop for souvenirs.
You’ll then have lunch at a local pub before starting on the Giant’s Causeway, where you’ll get skip-the-line admission to the Visitor Centre, free time to explore, and a visit of the interpretative center.
“This tour was a great way to see two outstanding attractions. We especially wanted a small group and the extra cost is well worth it. Though it is a long day stops along the way and returning to Dublin made the travel just fine. Our guide was informative and upbeat throughout the entire day.”
– TONI (READ MORE REVIEWS)
Travel along the coastal routes through the Glens of Antrim on your way to Belfast before returning to Dublin.
Everything is included except for food.
8 – Glendalough, Wicklow Mountains, and Kilkenny Day Tour
⭐️ Rating: 4.5 out of 5 Stars | 🚶 Group Size: 16 people | ☘️ Check Rates and Availability
I’ve already listed 2 tours for the Wicklow Mountains but this one also includes Kilkenny, a must-visit during a trip a Ireland.
On this tour, you’ll drive through Wicklow National Park and have some time in Glendalough to visit the ruins and walk around the lake.
Then you’ll spend the afternoon in Kilkenny. Once you arrive you can pick a place to have lunch before meeting back with the rest of the group to go visit the castle.
“Our tour was lovely. It was nice having just a small group along the way. Richard was very friendly and funny, and knowledgeable about the area. The van was comfortable and the drive between the sites was scenic and informative. We had the freedom to explore each site at our leisure and thoroughly enjoyed the day.”
– AMANDA (READ MORE REVIEWS)
The town is really charming with old colorful buildings and paved streets, perfect for a stroll. You’ll get some free time to explore on your own as well.
Lunch and the entrance fee for the castle (8 euros) are not included.
Overall Kilkenny is a nice town to visit and small enough to do so in a short time, but it will add driving time to the day compared to the two other options that include Wicklow.
9 – Blarney Castle and Rock of Cashel Day Tour
⭐️ Rating: 4 out of 5 Stars | 🚶 Group Size: 25 people | ☘️ Check Rates and Availability
If you don’t mind the long drive, and you know you won’t go to Southern Ireland or Cork later on, then this is a great day tour to take. You’ll visit two of Ireland’s most beautiful castles: the Rock of Cashel and Blarney Castle.
Entrance fees to both are included and you’ll have time enough to visit both thoroughly.
“Great trip, driver very knowledgeable”
– CHRISTINE (READ MORE REVIEWS)
The Rock of Cashel is one of the best-preserved medieval buildings in Ireland. There don’t miss the stunning Cormac’s Chapel from the 12th century, the Round Tower, and the Gothic Cathedral from the 13th century.
In Blarney, don’t miss kissing the Blarney Stone, believed to give the gift of dab.
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