If you're planning a visit to Ireland and looking for the best day trips from Dublin, we have a location you need to check, being one of the most fascinating and most accessible when in Dublin: Glendalough, its Monastic site and the Wicklow Mountains.
In this guide, we will guide you through the logistics of visiting Glendalough, how to arrive at the site, what's the best hike, and everything you need to know. We will also give you a few information if you're looking for accommodation in Dublin and surrounding areas and how to rent a car in Dublin to get the most out of your trip.
Before deep-diving into the Glendalough guide, a quick reminder: if you need to organize your trip to Ireland and look for logistical support directly from Ireland, get in touch with us. If you need to organize your trip to Ireland and you are looking for logistical support directly from Ireland, get in touch with us. Sign up for the newsletter and contact us via email to tell us about your trip to Ireland and ask us everything you need.
What is Glendalough
Glendalough is literally a valley within the Wicklow Mountains, and it's the home of the monastic site of the same name. The monastic site was founded by St. Kevin in the 6th century, who choose to establish a monastic settlement here because of its calmness and stunning nature. The ruins of the Old Monastic Site of Glendalough are scattered all around the Valley, but the biggest part is definitely the Round Tower, which stands 30m high, and it's one of the best-preserved monuments of the whole of Ireland. The name Glendalough in Irish translates to "valley of the two lakes," and The Upper and Lower lakes are definitely the biggest catalysts of the area, like the monastic site.
Where is Glendalough
Glendalough is located in the Wicklow Mountains National Park that covers an area of 20,000 hectares and covers much of upland Wicklow. Dublin and Glendalough's distance is 36 km, making the Valley one of the most chosen destinations from a day trip from Dublin.
How to get to Glendalough from Dublin?
The easiest way to get to Glendalough from Dublin is 100% by car: the itinerary from the Capital city to the Valley is stunning. You will also have the opportunity to stop and admire the landscape, including the famous Guinness Lake.
If you don't have a car, you can take a direct bus departing from Leeson Street and arriving at Glendalough Visitor Centre; the bus departs twice daily and it takes approximately 1h 15m.
There is no direct train service to Glendalough from Dublin (or any other place in Ireland!).
Multiple tours depart daily from Dublin to Glendalough, allowing you to sit and arrive directly to the Valley comfortably; some of these tours also include a guide, others don't, so you can enjoy the area at your own pace, making sure to get back to the bus on time for departing.
These are some of the tours to Glendalough that we recommend:From Dublin: Wild Wicklow Mountains and Glendalough Tour: an 8.5-hour scenic bus tour and explore the hills, valleys, and historic sights of out-of-the-way locations.
Wicklow Mountain, Glendalough & Kilkenny Full-Day Tour: a full-day tour of the Wicklow Mountains, the monastic site of Glendalough, and the medieval city of Kilkenny.
Glendalough and Wicklow Day Trip: Explore Ireland's luscious green landscapes on this tour to the Glendalough valley, as well as Wicklow and Kilkenny.
How to pronounce Glendalough?
Glendalough is an Irish word for "valley of the two lakes," and it's pronounced
Glen-DA-LOCK
If you ask for information on the area, make sure you spell the name correctly to avoid confusion.
Do you have to pay into Glendalough?
There is no entry fee to Glendalough nor the Wicklow Mountains National Park. If you arrive at the site by car, you may need to pay for parking. There are two main car parks: One at the Upper Lake, which costs €4 for the day, and one at the visitor center, which costs €4 a day at weekends and during the summer months but is free at other times of the year.
What to see in Glendalough?
Glendalough's Monastic site is possibly the most important historical attraction in the area. It's hard to miss it; ruins are scattered around the area, so make sure you check the signs not to forget anything. The Upper and the Lower Lakes are unmissable and easily accessible, even for people not really into hiking.
It takes between 2 and 4 hours to complete the loop from the Visitor Centre crossing the two lakes, and the walk is easy and pleasant.
What to do in Glendalough?
Hiking is one of Glendalough's most popular activities; in fact, Glendalough has many ways marked trails/routes from easy to difficult. One of the best hikes in the area is the Spinc, a tough climb that overlooks the Glendalough Valley, its lakes, and the surrounding Wicklow Mountains; we recommend you start the 10 km hike from the Poulanass waterfalls and end it at the old Miner Village, before stretching for a few more Km into the Upper and the Lower Lake. In total, 9 trails are starting from Glendalough: the Visitor Centre has all the information you may need.
Is Glendalough worth seeing?
It is, indeed. Even if you're not into Monastic and religious things, Glendalough is worth visiting for its nature, its breathtaking views, its location. It's just the perfect escape from the city, one of the best ways to experience Ireland at its best and start enjoying its atmosphere.
How long do you need in Glendalough?
It is impossible to define how long do you need to stay in Glendalough. It depends on what you want to do and see how deep you want to discover the area and your main interest. Overall, you can easily spend one full day in Glendalough to realize you've only scratched its surface.
What's the best time to visit Glendalough?
Glendalough is open all year round and for Irish and people living in Ireland every day and every season is suitable for a visit, no matter the weather. If you're planning a visit to Dublin or Ireland and want to know what's the best time to visit Glendalough, we recommend you look at spring or summer: the days are longer, and the sun may shine. High season means more tourists, so make sure you're prepared for the flow of people flocking to Glendalough, especially on weekends, and plan on heading out early so you can start your day without too much hassle.
Bear in mind that the weather is quite unpredictable in Ireland, so even a marvelous sunny day may become a rainy day. Pack and dress appropriately, and you will enjoy Glendalough at its best.
Where to eat in Glendalough?
You can plan a picnic in Glendalough and stop for refreshment all along the way. Food is available at the parking lots if you want to have something quick on the go. But if you want to end up your day in Glendalough at its best, we recommend you book a dinner or lunch at the amazing Wicklow Heather that offers locally sourced organic produce cooked in the traditional Irish way. One of the most loved dishes is the traditional Wicklow lamb.
Can you swim in Glendalough?
It is possible to swim and pad in the Upper Lake in Glendalough, but there is a lifeguard on duty, so entering the lakes is doable at your own risk. Just remember that the lake is deep with sudden depth changes.
Can I camp in Glendalough?
Camping is strictly not permitted in the valley of Glendalough. Camping is only permitted in the National Park, but you need to check the rules and restrictions to avoid fines. Campfires are permitted neither in the National Park nor in the Glendalough Valley.
What are the best places to stay in Glendalough?
There is no huge amount of good accommodation in the area, so we highly recommend going a bit further afield and driving over to it. The majority of the people chose Dublin as their main accommodation, and reach Glendalough by car/bus. We're inclined to suggest you do the same, to avoid being disappointed.
We have a whole article where we recommend the 13 best hotels in Dublin from a local standpoint. Among them:
- Hilton Garden Inn Dublin Custom House: very close to the city but not too close;
- Maldron Hotel Pearse Street: in a non-touristic place, it's a certainty, and on the corner, you'll also find one of the best pubs in Dublin;
- Aloft: very close to the Guinness Storehouse, a contemporary and young hotel for smart and casual people;
- The Dean: a contemporary, stylish, and functional hotel in the city center. It includes a restaurant on the rooftop.
Clearly, there are tons of options for Dublin accommodations based on prices and individual needs; click HERE to find your place in Dublin via Bookings.
If you prefer to sleep in the countryside, then these are the places that we strongly recommend close to Glendalough:
Glendalough Video
Have a look at our video for having a feeling of what Glendalough and the Wicklow Mountains are:
A trip to Ireland is always worth it
if you need to organize your trip to Ireland and look for logistical support directly from Ireland, get in touch with us. If you need to organize your trip to Ireland and you are looking for logistical support directly from Ireland, get in touch with us. Sign up for the newsletter and contact us via email to tell us about your trip to Ireland and ask us everything you need.
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