(Small Group) Shore Tour from Dublin:Dublin Highlights and Glendalough Day Trip
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September 2026
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Adults
Age 13 and over
Children
Age 12 and under
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Free cancellation up to 24 hours before. Same price on Viator, Outty earns a commission.
Traveler rating
3.7/5
Based on 26 traveler reviews. Ratings and reviews provided by Viator and Tripadvisor.
Quick answer
Is (Small Group) Shore Tour from Dublin:Dublin Highlights and Glendalough Day Trip worth booking?
(Small Group) Shore Tour from Dublin:Dublin Highlights and Glendalough Day Trip is a 8-hour experience in Dublin, Ireland, from $129 per person. It scores 52 out of 100 on the Outty Ranking, which we label “Worth a Look”, based on a 3.7/5 rating across 26 reviews. Cancellation is free up to 24 hours before the start time. Same-day spots are currently showing.
- Outty Ranking
- 52 / 100
- Rating
- 3.7/5 (26)
- Duration
- 8 hours
- From
- $129 per person
You will be collected in style by a luxury minivan from Dublin cruise ship terminal to join this small-group shore excursion. Your guide will begin the day with a panoramic tour of Dublin City, pointing out highlights su
What you get
About this experience
You will be collected in style by a luxury minivan from Dublin cruise ship terminal to join this small-group shore excursion. Your guide will begin the day with a panoramic tour of Dublin City, pointing out highlights such as Trinity College, O'Connell Street, the GPO, Molly Malone, River Liffey, Ha'Penny Bridge, Christchurch Cathedral, and St Patrick's Cathedral. You shall then continue south of Dublin to the nearby Wicklow Mountains. Here you will visit Glendalough. Your guides are considered Ireland's finest to inspire you on your journey. GUEST ADVICE: During peak- season (May 1st - September 30th) multiple cruise ships are expected at the major ports on a daily basis. This small group tour tends to sell- out well ahead of departure for most dates within this period. Accordingly, we recommend advance reservation where possible, to avoid disappointment.
What travelers are saying
Outty’s summary of the themes that recur across 25 traveler reviews. Written by us, not quoted from reviewers.
The guide
6 mentionsTravelers single out the guide as the reason the experience works.
Knowledge and storytelling
3 mentionsReviewers describe the commentary as informative rather than scripted.
Small groups
3 mentionsThe group size is repeatedly described as intimate rather than packed.
Photo opportunities
2 mentionsThe views and photo stops come up again and again.
Organization
2 mentionsPickup, timing, and logistics are described as running smoothly.
Food and drink
2 mentionsThe tastings and food stops are a highlight for most reviewers.
Traveler reviews
25 verified traveler reviews for (Small Group) Shore Tour from Dublin:Dublin Highlights and Glendalough Day Trip. Ratings and reviews provided by Viator and Tripadvisor.
Interesting day… Albeit a little bit scary
We had mixed feelings about our tour with Elegant Irish Tours . Our driver, Daren, was friendly, somewhat funny and entertaining, and he took us to some interesting places that we enjoyed seeing. Unfortunately, there were several issues that made the day much less enjoyable than we had hoped. Communication before the tour was poor. We were arriving by tender from our cruise ship and had explained that getting to the meeting point at the exact stated time might be impossible. We were also not allowed to have the driver’s phone number, which made coordinating our arrival much more stressful than it needed to be. To their credit, they did wait for us. Our biggest concern was the driving. Daren drove extremely fast, and honestly, we felt nervous and unsafe for much of the day. Although we arrived everywhere without incident, it was difficult to relax and enjoy the scenery when we were so uncomfortable with the speed At one point, we were also dropped off at a lake and left there for about an hour and a half, which felt like a lot of wasted time on a private/small-group tour. There were some enjoyable moments and Daren had a pleasant personality, but overall the poor communication, excessive driving speed, and the way the day was organized made this a disappointing experience for us.
via Tripadvisor
Glasgow tour
James was great had a nice day . It’s seems a little on the pricy side but he does pick up at port which many don’t . Saw the town the Glasgow cathedral and a museum . It was my request to head back a little early as I didn’t want to miss the ship . He is dressed in his Scottish clothing which is great and special .
via Viator
This was an excellent...
This was an excellent excursion and we would certainly do it again. We went all around Liverpool and saw a lot of interesting things.
via Viator
Excellent tour of the...
Excellent tour of the Irish countryside outside Dublin. Our driver/guide was extremely knowledgeable about Irish history and was (rightfully) proud of his country.
via Viator
Can’t get much worse
Let me start with the warning we received at booking; that if we didn’t show up on time from our ship we would be left. We got up early to get off the ship asap. We were on time and that’s when our problems started. First, we were informed that the small group tour that we paid extra for wasn’t going to happen because the bus broke down BUT we can get on the large group bus with everyone else who paid much less. Then instead of leaving people behind like we were warned we sat, and sat, and sat for 2 hours!!!!!! Finally our tour guide decided to leave and started the drive to Glenoalough. Our driver/ guide told us all about incidental things but nothing about the history or at all educational about where we were going and why it was important. We arrived and were told we had an hour and 15 minutes but still no information about where we were why it was important to the history of the site. The welcome center wasn’t much better because everything cost to get any information. With that being said it was truly beautiful and worth a drive up there. That was as good as the day got. From there, we started the drive back to Dublin. Our guide again babbled about nothing and told us his political views. He attempted to make a shopping stop (not on the tour) for just one person on the bus. He pulled into a car park (parking lot) that he couldn’t fit the bus and was a dead end. He had to back out and work to get us out of there for 15 minutes before he got us turned around and decided stopping for just one person to go shopping off the tour schedule was not a good idea. All of us had still not eaten since before 7 if we got a chance to eat at all! He then drove around Dublin in circles, talking about different sites to see but really showing us nothing and then dropped us off and gave us an hour and 15 minutes to eat lunch and sight see. All the places he told us to walk to were way too far with the time that we had left once we were able to obtain some food around 2 PM. Please remember this is after our day started by arriving at the bus at 7:30. Lunchtime took an hour and we walked to a shop just across the street in the hour we had left. Then it took us one hour to fight traffic to back to the cruise ship and that was our day. I would never recommend this tour and would encourage you to find your own way up to the mountains to check out the Glen and then rent E bikes so you can explore Dublin on your own. Way better use of your time and money. Those were just the highlights of our nightmare of a day on what was supposed to be a small group tour.
via Tripadvisor
Good to know
- Duration
- 8 hours
- Free cancellation
- Up to 24h before
- Minimum age to book
- All ages
- Availability
- Bookable today
- Booked in 30 days
- 9
- Verdict
- Worth a Look
Why this scores 52
The Outty Ranking is a weighted composite. Here is how this experience performed on each component.
(Small Group) Shore Tour from Dublin:Dublin Highlights and Glendalough Day Trip: questions travelers ask
Practical detail on this experience, plus the wider planning questions for Dublin.
How much does (Small Group) Shore Tour from Dublin:Dublin Highlights and Glendalough Day Trip cost?
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Prices start at $129 per person. The final price depends on the date, the time slot and the number of travelers, and peak weekends in Dublin usually price higher than midweek mornings. Live pricing and remaining availability are confirmed on the booking screen before you pay.
How long does (Small Group) Shore Tour from Dublin:Dublin Highlights and Glendalough Day Trip take?
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Plan for about 8 hours from start to finish, not counting travel to the meeting point. Most travelers leave another 30 minutes on either side so the rest of the day in Dublin is not rushed.
Is (Small Group) Shore Tour from Dublin:Dublin Highlights and Glendalough Day Trip worth it?
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It holds an Outty Ranking of 52 out of 100, which we label "Worth a Look". That score blends traveler sentiment (3.7/5 across 26 reviews), the depth of that review evidence, recent booking momentum, value for money against comparable last minute in Dublin, and how flexible the cancellation terms are.
Can I cancel or reschedule (Small Group) Shore Tour from Dublin:Dublin Highlights and Glendalough Day Trip?
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Yes. Cancel free up to 24 hours before the start time for a full refund. Inside that window the booking is non-refundable, and no-shows are not refunded.
Is (Small Group) Shore Tour from Dublin:Dublin Highlights and Glendalough Day Trip suitable for kids and families?
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Yes, all ages are welcome. Families should still weigh the 8-hour running time, and strollers are easier on the earlier, quieter departures.
How far in advance should I book (Small Group) Shore Tour from Dublin:Dublin Highlights and Glendalough Day Trip?
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Around 9 people booked this in the last 30 days, so popular slots go early. Two to three weeks ahead is comfortable in shoulder season, while summer weekends and holidays in Dublin can sell out a month out. Same-day spots do open up when other travelers cancel, so it is worth checking if you are already in town.
What should I bring or wear?
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Bring photo ID, your booking confirmation on your phone, a refillable water bottle and comfortable shoes. Dress for the weather in Dublin and add a light layer if any part of the 8-hour experience runs outdoors or after sunset.
Where does (Small Group) Shore Tour from Dublin:Dublin Highlights and Glendalough Day Trip start and how do I get there?
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The exact meeting point and directions are on your voucher once you book, and they sit in central Dublin within reach of public transport. Arrive 15 minutes early: late arrivals are treated as no-shows by most operators.
What are the best things to do in Dublin?
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On Outty we rank every Dublin experience on the same 0 to 100 scale, and alongside this one the highest scorers right now include Dublin to Cliffs of Moher, including Wild Atlantic Way and Galway, Dublin Highlights and Hidden Gems Guided Walking Tour, The Little Museum of Dublin Famous Guided Tour. The city page groups everything into most popular, highest reviewed, last minute and family-friendly so you can build a day around what actually delivers.
When is the best time to visit Dublin?
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Booking patterns follow the same curve: prices and queues climb in peak weeks, while shoulder season gives you better availability on the top-ranked experiences and more room to change plans.
How many days do you need in Dublin?
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Three full days covers the headline sights without sprinting. A workable rhythm is one anchor experience each morning, such as this one, an unhurried afternoon in a single neighborhood, then a food or nightlife booking in the evening. Five days lets you add a day trip outside the city.
Do I book through Outty or through the operator?
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Outty ranks and explains the experiences, then hands you to Viator to complete the booking with the operator directly. The price is the same as booking on Viator yourself, and Outty earns an affiliate commission on the referral, which is how the rankings stay free to read.
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