The Wicklow Mountains are Dublin’s back garden and Ireland’s best-kept secret from travelers who only know the Cliffs of Moher. Less than an hour south of the city, this national park covers 200 square kilometres of wild mountain terrain, heather-covered moorland, and glacial valleys that look like they belong in a Lord of the Rings film.
At the heart of it all sits Glendalough — a 6th-century monastic settlement tucked into a deep valley between two lakes. Founded by St. Kevin, who apparently chose the most dramatically beautiful spot in Ireland to build his monastery, Glendalough combines ancient history with some of the best hiking in the country.
I’ve compared the most popular Wicklow and Glendalough day tours from Dublin. Some are half-day escapes, others are full-day adventures that combine Wicklow with Kilkenny or Powerscourt Gardens. Below are my top picks, plus everything you need to know about visiting.
If You’re in a Hurry: My Top 3 Picks
- Dublin to Kilkenny, Wicklow, Glendalough & Sheepdog Trials — The bestselling option. Full day covering Glendalough, the Wicklow pass, a sheepdog demonstration, and the medieval city of Kilkenny. Outstanding value at under €50.
- Wild Wicklow Tour incl. Glendalough — The original and most awarded Wicklow tour. Smaller groups, a more entertaining guide style, and scenic stops that the bigger coaches skip.
- Glendalough & Wicklow Mountains Half Day Morning Tour — Perfect if you don’t want a full-day commitment. Leaves early, back by lunchtime, covers the highlights efficiently.
- If You’re in a Hurry: My Top 3 Picks
- What to Know Before Booking
- It’s much closer than the Cliffs of Moher or Giant’s Causeway
- Full day vs half day — what’s the difference?
- The mountain drive is half the experience
- The Best Wicklow & Glendalough Tours from Dublin
- 1. Dublin to Kilkenny, Wicklow, Glendalough & Sheepdog Trials
- 2. Dublin to Glendalough, Wicklow & Kilkenny Full Day Tour
- 3. The Original Wild Wicklow Tour incl. Glendalough
- 4. Glendalough & Wicklow Mountains Half Day Morning Tour
- What to Do at Glendalough
- Tips for Your Visit
- Frequently Asked Questions
- Is Glendalough free to visit?
- Can I do Wicklow and the Cliffs of Moher in one day?
- Is the sheepdog demonstration suitable for children?
- How much walking is involved at Glendalough?
- When is the best time to visit?
What to Know Before Booking
It’s much closer than the Cliffs of Moher or Giant’s Causeway
Glendalough is only about 50 kilometres south of Dublin. Half-day tours run 5 hours, full-day tours 8-10 hours. This makes Wicklow the ideal day trip if you don’t want to spend 12+ hours on a coach, or if you have a spare morning or afternoon.
Full day vs half day — what’s the difference?
Half-day tours focus purely on Glendalough and the Wicklow Mountain drive. You see the monastic ruins, walk around the lakes, and enjoy the mountain scenery. Full-day tours add Kilkenny (a gorgeous medieval city with a castle), Powerscourt Gardens, or unique experiences like sheepdog trials and horse riding.
If you’re short on time, the half-day is brilliant. If you have a full day free, the Kilkenny combo adds genuine depth — it’s one of Ireland’s most underrated cities.
The mountain drive is half the experience
The route through the Wicklow Mountains crosses the Sally Gap and passes Lough Tay (also called the Guinness Lake because the Guinness family owns the estate around it). The drive alone justifies the trip — sweeping views of blanket bog, mountain streams, and wild moorland that look nothing like the green fields you see in postcards.
The Best Wicklow & Glendalough Tours from Dublin
1. Dublin to Kilkenny, Wicklow, Glendalough & Sheepdog Trials
The most popular Wicklow day tour from Dublin, and the reviews explain why. This full-day tour packs in an extraordinary amount: the Wicklow Mountain drive, Glendalough’s monastic ruins and lakes, a live sheepdog demonstration in the village of Laragh, and then Kilkenny with its medieval castle, narrow lanes, and craft brewery.
The sheepdog trial is a highlight you won’t find on other tours — a local farmer demonstrates the incredible working relationship between shepherd and dog. It’s entertaining, educational, and genuinely unique. After that, the afternoon in Kilkenny gives you time to explore the castle, browse the craft shops, and grab a bite.
At under €50 per person for a 10-hour tour with all those stops, the value here is remarkable.
Duration: 10 hours
Price: From €48.37 per person
Departure: Central Dublin, early morning
Includes: Coach transport, guide, Glendalough visit, sheepdog demonstration, Kilkenny free time
Check Availability or read our full review
2. Dublin to Glendalough, Wicklow & Kilkenny Full Day Tour
Similar to the top pick but without the sheepdog demonstration — instead, you get slightly more time at both Glendalough and Kilkenny. The itinerary covers the same Wicklow Mountain scenic drive, a visit to the Glendalough monastic site and lakes, and an afternoon exploring Kilkenny.
The guides on this tour are consistently praised for their storytelling — Irish history, mythology, and local colour woven into the drive commentary. If you want a straightforward Wicklow-Kilkenny combo without the farm experience, this delivers the same core itinerary at the same price.
Duration: 9.25 hours
Price: From €48.37 per person
Departure: Central Dublin, early morning
Includes: Coach transport, guide, Glendalough visit, Kilkenny free time
Check Availability or read our full review
3. The Original Wild Wicklow Tour incl. Glendalough
This is the tour that put Wicklow on the tourist map, and it’s won practically every tourism award going. It runs on smaller coaches than the big operators, which means the driver-guide can take roads that full-size buses can’t — narrower mountain passes, quirkier stops, and viewpoints the larger tours miss.
The vibe is noticeably different from standard bus tours. Guides are selected for personality as much as knowledge, and the commentary is more entertainment than lecture. Expect detours to hidden waterfalls, photo stops at Lough Tay, and a longer stretch at Glendalough than most competitors offer.
The trade-off is no Kilkenny — this tour stays in Wicklow all day. If the mountains and Glendalough are your priority, it’s the superior choice.
Duration: 8.5 hours
Price: From €66.51 per person
Departure: Central Dublin, morning
Includes: Small coach transport, guide, multiple Wicklow stops, Glendalough visit
Check Availability or read our full review
4. Glendalough & Wicklow Mountains Half Day Morning Tour
The smart choice for travellers on a tight schedule. This half-day tour departs early, drives through the Wicklow Mountains to Glendalough, gives you time to explore the monastic ruins and lakeside walks, and has you back in Dublin by early afternoon.
You miss Kilkenny and the sheepdog trials, but you get the two things that matter most: the spectacular mountain drive and Glendalough itself. At under €40 per person, it’s also the cheapest option on this list by a wide margin.
Ideal if you’re combining Wicklow with another Dublin activity in the same day, or if long coach tours aren’t your thing.
Duration: 5 hours
Price: From €39.82 per person
Departure: Central Dublin, early morning
Includes: Coach transport, guide, Glendalough visit, Wicklow Mountain drive
Check Availability or read our full review
What to Do at Glendalough
The monastic ruins: The main attraction. Explore the round tower, cathedral, St. Kevin’s Kitchen (actually a church — the stone chimney confused people), Celtic crosses, and graveyard. Free to enter and endlessly photogenic.
The lower lake walk: A gentle 30-minute loop around the lower lake, passing the monastic ruins and through ancient oak woodland. Flat, easy, and beautiful.
The upper lake walk: More dramatic. Follow the boardwalk path to the upper lake, where cliffs rise directly from the water and the ruins of a tiny church sit on the far shore. Allow 45-60 minutes for this walk.
The Spinc trail: If you’re a hiker and have time, the Spinc (White Route) is a 9km loop that climbs the ridge above the upper lake for panoramic views. Takes about 3 hours — not typically possible on a guided tour, but perfect if you’re visiting independently.
Tips for Your Visit
Wear proper walking shoes. The paths around Glendalough are a mix of gravel, boardwalk, and natural ground. Trainers are fine for the lower lake loop, but anything more ambitious needs proper footwear.
Pack a waterproof layer. Wicklow is a mountain area with its own microclimate. Rain can appear without warning even on a forecast-clear day.
Bring insect repellent in summer. The wooded areas around the lakes can be midgy from June to August. A small bottle of repellent saves a lot of scratching.
Don’t skip the upper lake. Most tour groups only see the lower lake and monastic ruins. If your tour allows enough time, the walk to the upper lake is where Glendalough really shines — dramatic cliffs, mirror-still water, and far fewer people.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Glendalough free to visit?
Yes, the monastic site and lake walks are completely free. There’s a visitor centre with an exhibition and film (small fee) but most tours don’t include it as the guides cover the same history during the visit.
Can I do Wicklow and the Cliffs of Moher in one day?
Not on a guided tour — they’re in opposite directions from Dublin. If you have limited days, Wicklow is the better half-day option and pairs well with a Dublin afternoon. Save the Cliffs of Moher for a dedicated full day.
Is the sheepdog demonstration suitable for children?
Absolutely — it’s one of the most child-friendly elements of any Ireland day tour. Kids love watching the dogs work, and the farmer usually invites children to help with a demonstration. Free for under-5s on most tours.
How much walking is involved at Glendalough?
The minimum is about 1-2 kilometres around the monastic ruins and lower lake — flat and easy. If you walk to the upper lake, add another 2 kilometres each way on a slightly rougher path. No hiking experience needed for either route.
When is the best time to visit?
May through October for the warmest weather and longest days. Autumn (September-October) is spectacular for colours. Winter visits are atmospheric but cold and wet — the monastic ruins look hauntingly beautiful in mist, though.
Wicklow is the perfect complement to Dublin’s bigger day trips. If you’ve already seen the mountains, heading west to the Cliffs of Moher shows you an entirely different side of Ireland — raw Atlantic coastline and the Burren’s otherworldly limestone. Northward, the Giant’s Causeway makes for a packed but unforgettable cross-border day trip. And for those sticking close to Dublin, a morning walking tour through the city’s Georgian streets and Viking history pairs perfectly with an afternoon at the Guinness Storehouse.