Glendalough and Wicklow Mountains tour from Dublin

Monastic ruins, mountain scenery and two lakes in a half-day from the city

This half-day guided tour from Dublin travels south through the Wicklow Mountains to Glendalough, the valley of two lakes, where you spend two hours walking to the Upper Lake and exploring the ruined Monastic City of St Kevin's monastery with its round towers and Celtic crosses. A local guide leads the route; the tour typically ends back in central Dublin by 12:45, making it suited to travelers with afternoon flights or limited time outside the city.

Step-by-step itinerary

Half day tour to Glendalough and Wicklow

• Introduction to Dublin City
• Drive south towards Wicklow Mountains
• Pass Sugar Loaf mountain and Roundwood village
• View Lough Tay (Guinness Lake)
• Explore Glendalough monastic ruins
• Walk to Upper Lake and along riverbank
• Return to Dublin

The Experience

The tour departs Dublin and heads south toward County Wicklow, passing Sugar Loaf mountain and descending through Roundwood, Ireland's highest village, with views of Lough Tay—the Guinness Lake—along the way. The drive itself is the first part of the day: dense forests, romantic brooks and the mountain scenery that drew filmmakers to shoot Braveheart and P.S. I Love You here. You'll see why those films chose this landscape before you ever reach Glendalough.

At Glendalough, you have two hours to explore the deep valley on foot. A leisurely walk takes you along the river bank to the Upper Lake, passing through woods where babbling brooks and cascades run between the two lakes. The monastic ruins—Celtic crosses, round towers and the remains of St Kevin's monastery—sit within this landscape, and the walk itself is as much the point as the archaeology. The valley earned its name, the valley of two lakes, and the scenery is what makes the stop linger.

The return journey heads back to Dublin, with the tour typically ending in central Dublin by 12:45. The five-hour total includes the full drive, the two-hour stop at Glendalough, and the return. An air-conditioned coach carries you throughout, with WiFi on board and USB points at every seat. If you're catching an afternoon flight, the timing is built around that constraint—the operator notes this is a popular choice for travelers maximizing their last hours in Ireland, and the schedule is fixed to make those connections possible.

What’s included

• Local guide leading the route.
• air-conditioned coach with WiFi and USB points at every seat.
• driver/guide throughout.
• fuel surcharge included.

Good to know

Easy physical levelStroller friendlyInfant seats availablePets welcomePublic transport nearby

Operated by Paddywagon Tours

Is this one for you?Book this tour if you're leaving Dublin on an afternoon flight or have a limited window in the city—the five-hour round trip and fixed 12:45 return time are built around that constraint, so the schedule holds and you're back with time to spare before heading to the airport.

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Top questions

What exactly is there to see at Glendalough?

Glendalough holds the ruined Monastic City of St Kevin's monastery, built around two lakes in a deep valley. You'll walk past round towers, Celtic crosses and the remains of the monastery itself, following a path along the river through woods and past cascades to the Upper Lake. The site is known for its archaeology and its setting—the valley landscape is part of what you're there to experience.

How much time do I actually spend at Glendalough?

You have two hours at Glendalough to walk, explore the ruins and take in the valley. That includes the leisurely stroll to the Upper Lake and time to move through the monastic site at your own pace.

Will I make a 2 p.m. flight from Dublin airport?

The tour typically ends in central Dublin by 12:45, and the operator notes it should return by 13:20 even with rare delays from severe weather. From the city center to the airport takes 40–60 minutes by bus or 20–30 minutes by taxi, so a 2 p.m. flight is tight but possible if you arrange ground transport in advance. Tell the driver about your flight time when you board, and he can offer general guidance on the timing.

Is lunch included on this tour?

Lunch is not included. You'll have time at Glendalough to bring your own food or eat before or after the tour, but no meal stop is built into the itinerary.

What's the drive like from Dublin to the Wicklow Mountains?

The drive south from Dublin passes through changing scenery—you'll see Sugar Loaf mountain, pass through Roundwood (Ireland's highest village), and view Lough Tay before reaching the mountains themselves. The route covers the landscape that filmmakers chose for Braveheart and P.S. I Love You, so the journey itself is part of the experience, not just transit to the main stop.

Can I bring luggage on this tour?

Yes. Luggage can be stored in the coach's storage compartment, or hand luggage can go in the overhead compartment. Valuables are at your own risk, and the company is not liable for damage or loss.