Wicklow Day Tour: Private Guide, Powerscourt & Glendalough

Powerscourt Gardens, mountain passes and a 6th-century monastic site, all in one day.

A private guided day tour from Dublin to Wicklow takes you through the Wicklow Mountains, Powerscourt Estate, Lough Tay and Glendalough with a local guide and hotel pickup included. You design the itinerary: spend longer at the sites that matter to you, choose lunch at a pub or café that suits your diet, and decide whether to walk to the upper lake at Glendalough. The tour runs eight hours and accommodates all fitness levels.

Step-by-step itinerary

Stops and time spent at each

1. Powerscourt Estate1h 30m
2. Wicklow Mountains1h
3. Glendalough30m

Private guided tour of Wicklow highlights

• Pick up from chosen Dublin location
• Visit Powerscourt Gardens
• Lunch at café, restaurant, or pub
• Drive through Wicklow Mountains National Park
• Stop at Lough Tay for photos and history
• Guided tour of St Kevin's monastic site
• Optional walk to the upper lake

The experience

The driver collects you from your Dublin hotel and heads south into County Wicklow, known as the Garden of Ireland for its steep valleys and lake-filled mountains. Along the way you stop at Lough Tay (the "Guinness Lake," named for its dark water and the steep cliffs that frame it), where the guide talks through the landscape and you have time for photographs. The route passes through Wicklow Mountains National Park, where the terrain shifts from farmland to open moorland with views across windswept hills.

Powerscourt Estate sits on the edge of the mountains, and the tour includes entry at a reduced rate if you want to walk the formal gardens and see the house. If gardens aren't your priority, you skip it and spend the time elsewhere. Lunch happens at a small café, restaurant or rural pub in the hills. You choose the type of food and the operator finds a place that handles dietary needs, whether that's vegetarian, vegan or gluten-free. The guide eats with you and can answer questions about the area over a meal.

Glendalough, the day's final stop, is a 6th-century monastic site built into a valley between two lakes. You get a guided walk through St Kevin's site, where the round tower and stone churches stand among the ruins, and you can choose to hike further to the upper lake if you have the time and the legs for it. The whole day is built around what interests you. The guide is there to help you see what matters and to move at a pace that lets you take it in.

What’s included

• Pickup from your Dublin hotel.
• eight hours of private transport with air conditioning.
• a local qualified guide.
• entry to Powerscourt Gardens at a reduced rate if you choose to visit.
• a guided walk through St Kevin's monastic site at Glendalough.
• stops at Lough Tay and through Wicklow Mountains National Park.

Options for this experience

2 options

Private guided tour from Dublin to Powerscourt, Wicklow and GlendaloughGuide in English · 09:00Pickup is included

Private guided tour, tailorable to your preferencesGuide in English · 09:00Private guided day tour lasting 8 hours, running from Dublin to various attractions such as Dublin, Powerscourt Gardens, Wicklow National Park and Glendalough, plus others you choose. Your day, your way. Travel by minibus or limo, with pickup included.

You'll see the exact price of each option when you check availability.See dates and prices

Before you book

Days and timesEvery dayDeparts at 09:00

Book up to2d before

GroupPrivate

Live guideEnglish

Meeting point and pickupHotel pickup included.

Cancellation and refundsFree cancellation up to 24 h before the start. After that, no refund.

Paid on site€ 10

Prices and times updated today

Good to know

Low physical effortInfant seats availablePets welcomePublic transport nearby

Operated by Hilltoptreks

Is this one for you?Book this tour if you want to design your own day rather than follow a fixed itinerary. You choose which sites to visit, how long to stay at each one, and where to eat lunch. The private format and flexible schedule work well if you travel with family, have specific interests, or want to move at your own pace without waiting for a group.

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Top questions

What is Lough Tay and why is it called the Guinness Lake?

Lough Tay is a deep mountain lake in Wicklow known for its dark water, which resembles the color of Guinness beer, hence the nickname. The tour stops here for photographs and the guide explains the landscape and local history.

Can I visit Powerscourt Gardens on this tour, or is it optional?

Powerscourt Estate is included as an option on the tour at a reduced rate. You can choose to walk the formal gardens and see the house, or skip it and spend the time at other stops. The itinerary is yours to design.

What happens at Glendalough and how much time do I spend there?

Glendalough is a 6th-century monastic site with a round tower, stone churches and two lakes. You get a guided tour of St Kevin's site, and you can choose to walk to the upper lake if you want to explore further. The time you spend is up to you.

Can the tour accommodate dietary requirements for lunch?

Yes. The guide will take you to a café, restaurant or pub suitable for your diet, whether that's vegetarian, vegan, gluten-free or any other requirement you have. You choose the type of food and the location is arranged accordingly.

How long is this tour and what's included in the price?

The tour runs eight hours and includes hotel pickup in Dublin, transport with air conditioning, a local qualified guide, and entry to Powerscourt Gardens at a reduced rate if you choose to visit. Meals and drinks are not included.

Is this tour suitable if I'm not very fit or if I have mobility concerns?

The tour is suitable for all physical fitness levels. You choose how much walking you do. You can relax by the lakes at Glendalough, skip the upper lake hike, or take the pace that works for you. The guide adapts the day to your needs.