Day Tour from Dublin: Wicklow Mountains, Glendalough, Powerscourt

Explore Wicklow’s beauty on a private day tour from Dublin. Visit Powerscourt, Guinness Lake, and Glendalough with a personal guide. Book now!

Duration: 8 hours
Cancellation: 1 day learn more
Highlights
  • Powerscourt House & Gardens - Experience a guided tour of one of Ireland’s most exquisite estates, renowned for its magnificent house and breathtaking views of one of Europe’s top gardens, ranked 3rd Best Garden in the world by National Geographic. Spanning 47 acres, the estate features Italian and Japanese gardens, statues, ornamental lakes, and scenic walks set against the backdrop of Wicklow’s Sugarloaf Mountain. You’ll also have the opportunity to shop for Avoca design scarves and throws and enjoy a coffee at their gourmet deli Food Market.

(Admission is €12.50 and is paid separately)

  • Powerscourt Waterfall - This stunning natural wonder is a must-see, with water cascading from a height of 121 meters, making it the tallest waterfall in Ireland. The ancient rock formations surrounding the waterfall enhance its dramatic beauty. Standing near Powerscourt Waterfall, you’ll be soothed by the gentle roar of the water, creating a peaceful and meditative atmosphere. Being in such a natural setting, especially near a waterfall, can uplift your mood and enhance your overall well-being. The serene beauty of the area can inspire feelings of happiness and contentment.

Admission is €7 and is paid separately

  • Glendalough Monastic Settlement - Enjoy lunch at an award-winning restaurant in Wicklow before heading to Glendalough lakes and monastic site, one of Ireland’s most picturesque destinations.

Located in the lush landscape of County Wicklow, known as the “Garden of Ireland,” the mystical valley of Glendalough is steeped in ancient legends and framed by two serene lakes. Glendalough offers a journey into Ireland’s stunning natural beauty and rich cultural heritage.

In Glendalough, time seems to pause, allowing you to escape the worries of the world. It’s a place where history and the present merge, where nature and spirituality coexist, inviting you to be part of its enchanting story. Glendalough invites you to explore one of Ireland’s most beautiful destinations, where magic feels real, and every moment is an adventure waiting to happen.

  • Guinness Lake - Also known as Lough Tay, Guinness Lake is a pristine, crescent-shaped lake surrounded by rolling hills and lush forests. Its clear waters reflect the sky, creating a captivating scene. The name “Guinness Lake” comes from its dark, peaty waters, which, along with the lake’s shape and the white sand at the top, resemble a perfectly poured pint of Guinness. The guide will share intriguing stories about the Guinness Family and their estate. Lough Tay has been featured in Vikings, Excalibur, and other films.
What's Included
  • Private transportation
  • Bottled water
  • In-vehicle air conditioning
  • Guiding
What's Not Included
  • Lunch
  • Entry/Admission - Powerscourt House & Gardens (€13.5) and Powerscourt Waterfall (€7)
Additional Information

If you are limited on your time in Dublin area, then you will love this comprehensive excursion. Get picked up at your hotel and have an amazing fun filled day with your personal tour guide!

Discover the lush landscapes of County Wicklow, “The Garden of Ireland”, through this exclusive tour, where every detail is expertly arranged just for you. Depart from Dublin in the comfort of your private vehicle and unwind as you take in the breathtaking scenery, all while receiving fascinating insights from your knowledgeable guide along the way. Our tour brings you to the magnificent Powerscourt Waterfall, the exquisite Powerscourt Gardens, iconic Guinness Lake and the ancient 6th century ruins of the serene Glendalough valley. It’s a carefully planned journey that immerses you in the riches of Wicklow’s natural beauty and historical treasures.

We are flexible on the itinerary and make sure you do not waste your valuable time.

Location
Dublin
We can pick you up from any meeting point in Dublin area or beyond (in most cases this is the hotel you're staying in or it can be any other pick up point of your choice)
Cancellation Policy

For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.

Customer Ratings
5.0
(24 Ratings)
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Lightpacker784828
Aug 15, 2024
Wonderful outing - lots to do and see - We went to the Glendalough Monastic Monument, followed by a wonderful and refreshing hike to the Wicklow mountains. We were blessed with good weather. Diana was a fantastic guide, who paid attention to the fact that I enjoyed hiking, which was why the iteniary deviated, that was a great suggestion. The views were stunning. Afterwards, we had tea at Powerscourt. I highly recommend this particular tour! .
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Mayme714
Jul 30, 2024
Awesome Tour - From the moment we contacted Diana, she was amazing. She responded to every email we sent promptly and helped us create the perfect itinerary based on our must see list. She was very knowledgeable in the history of the places we visited and gave us the perfect amount of time to explore each location. We went to Guinness Lake, Ballinastoe Woods, Wicklow, Glendalough, and Powerscourt Abbey. Highly Recommend.
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Jet41249134405
Jul 21, 2024
Wicklow Day Tour - We booked a private day tour with Gateway to Ireland for the Wicklow Mountains and had an amazing day with our guide Diana. Pre-trip communication was clear and responsive to my questions and requests. We visited Glendalough and hiked along the Wicklow Way above Lough Tay (Guiness Lake), which was the main request for the day from the teens in our party. Diana found us a nice vegetarian restaurant for lunch and when our afternoon plan was not met with the expected enthusiasm from the teens, Diana graciously switched gears (and set aside the research she had done for my original request) and came up with other suggestions, which earned a 10/10 from the teens. I had never used a driver/private guide before and it was a splurge. Diana made it worth it and I won't hesitate to hire her again on our next visit to Ireland!
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Amrithram
Jul 10, 2024
Idyllic day trip with the perfect guide - This day trip to idyllic countryside from Dublin with Diana as our guide was fantastic from beginning to end. I traveled with my two children (10 and 4). It was a very last minute trip, booked the night before, but she was prompt and professional and coordinated all of the logistics. Diana tailored the experience beautifully to make sure that all three of us got maximum enjoyment from the trip. She had deep knowledge about the history around the places we visited, and was very personable. She even offered to take all of the photos of the trip for us to download later, so that we could enjoy the day without taking out our phones. For the kids, she added small little treats, such as a flora/fauna detective hunt at Powerscourt Gardens, a trip to the playground at Powerscourt Waterfall, and an ice cream break at Glendalough. My daughter is obsessed with Tangled (the Rapunzel animated film), and Diana found a way to take us a stone tower at Glendalough that was exactly like the one in the film. Our family is vegetarian, and for lunch Diana found an authentic Irish restaurant in Laragh that was also vegetarian-friendly. We couldn't have asked for a better trip. The sights themselves did not disappoint, and Diana as the guide made sure to keep all ages happy and relaxed throughout.
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Amrith_r
Jul 10, 2024
Idyllic day trip with the perfect guide - This day trip to idyllic countryside from Dublin with Diana as our guide was fantastic from beginning to end. I traveled with my two children (10 and 4). It was a very last minute trip, booked the night before, but she was prompt and professional and coordinated all of the logistics. Diana tailored the experience beautifully to make sure that all three of us got maximum enjoyment from the trip. She had deep knowledge about the history around the places we visited, and was very personable. She even offered to take all of the photos of the trip for us to download later, so that we could enjoy the day without taking out our phones. For the kids, she added small little treats, such as a flora/fauna detective hunt at Powerscourt Gardens, a trip to the playground at Powerscourt Waterfall, and an ice cream break at Glendalough. My daughter is obsessed with Tangled (the Rapunzel animated film), and Diana found a way to take us a stone tower at Glendalough that was exactly like the one in the film. Our family is vegetarian, and for lunch Diana found an authentic Irish restaurant in Laragh that was also vegetarian-friendly. We couldn't have asked for a better trip. The sights themselves did not disappoint, and Diana as the guide made sure to keep all ages happy and relaxed throughout.
Review provided by Viator
Lindak117
Jul 10, 2024
It was a great day Diana is a great guide she knows a lot of history of the area - She picked up right at the port for our Port Day It was a great day Diana is a great guide she knows a lot of history of the area the car was nice. She took photos all during the trip lunch was at a very nice local restaurant (not included in the price) we both enjoyed are day off the ship
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Erin_m
Jul 1, 2024
Lovely day trip to Wicklow, Glendalough, and Powerscourt Gardens from Dublin - What a wonderful trip! Diana picked us up at our hotel and drove us over to Powerscourt then to the Wicklow Mountains and Glendalough. Everything was perfect. She even made sure we had vegetarian lunch options, which was an unexpected surprise. The mountains are stunning and Diana has a vast knowledge of trees and plants, which was really lovely for us as we wanted to know what all the different trees and flowers were. I only wish we had more time with her and hope to return to do a longer hiking trip with her in the future. I can’t recommend this tour more. Five stars ⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️
Review provided by Viator
Ellen_w
Jun 27, 2024
A Great Escape from Dublin! - Diana was a wonderful guide for the day! She was personable, polite, kind and knowledgable. Glendalough was so old and very interesting to see. Guinness Lake was beautiful, even though the wind was wild!! We loved our lunch at Powerscourt and had fun climbing the rocks around the waterfall. We took a nice snooze on the ride home! All in all, a great day was had by adults and children alike!!! Thank you Diana for a great tour of the Irish Mountains and countryside!
Review provided by Viator
921alexandriab
Jun 18, 2024
Exceptional Experience with Gateway to Ireland Tours - I recently experienced a private tour from Dublin to Wicklow, Glendalough, and Powerscourt with Gateway to Ireland Tours, and it was truly exceptional. Our guide, Diana, was outstanding. Her deep knowledge and engaging storytelling brought each location to life. Diana provided detailed explanations about the history, wildlife, and flora, enhancing our appreciation of the sites. She efficiently picked us up and dropped us off at our hotel, saving us valuable time and adding convenience to our day. Diana navigated the roadways with skill, allowing us to focus on the stunning scenery. She also ensured we adjusted our itinerary to make the most of the weather, helping us avoid the rain. Starting our day at Glendalough allowed us to enjoy the peacefulness of this spiritual site before it got crowded. Diana's insights into the ruins and the site's history, including the unique monastic gateway, were fascinating. The landscapes of Wicklow were breathtaking, and Diana provided ample opportunities for photos while sharing intriguing facts about the area's history and natural beauty. At Powerscourt, the beautifully maintained gardens were a delight to explore, and we ended the tour at the impressive Powerscourt Waterfall. Diana's extensive knowledge of the estate's history and botanical features added depth to our visit. The tour was tailored to our interests, offering flexibility and a relaxed pace. Diana's enthusiasm and expertise made the day truly memorable. Thank you, Diana and Gateway to Ireland Tours, for an incredible day that we will cherish for a long time. I highly recommend this tour to anyone visiting Dublin— it was by far the most magical tour we’ve experienced.
Review provided by Tripadvisor
I9549cieileenw
Jun 16, 2024
A fun-filled tour of Dublin and nearby attractions - The tour takes us to some of the most beautiful scenic sites in Ireland. Diana the guide is very personable and helpful. She takes pictures for us so the memories of this trip will always be with us for us to relish. For a trip like this, having an excellent guide means the world to us. With Diana doing the driving and providing some of the most interesting back stories makes it so much more fun, frees us from the tedium of planning, and allows us to nap and rest between attractions. This has to be the most wonderful tour of Dublin and nearby attractions, executed at our own pace.
Review provided by Tripadvisor
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