How to Visit Powerscourt House and Gardens
Here's our guide on planning your visit to Powerscourt House and Gardens near Dublin, Ireland, including tips on what to expect, how to get there, and when to go.
Situated at the foothills of the Wicklow Mountains about 20 kilometers south of Dublin, Powerscourt House and Gardens is definitely an interesting place to visit.
Whether you are simply passing through County Wicklow on a road trip or heading to the Wicklow Mountains, Powerscourt has a little bit of wonder for everyone.
The estate features stunning gardens, a beautiful 18th-century house, and plenty of things to do for all types of travelers.
It was also voted among the best gardens in the world by National Geographic a few years ago.
In our case, Powerscourt was the first stop on our Ireland road trip itinerary.
After flying from Prague to Dublin Airport, we rented a car, left the city behind, and headed out to the Irish countryside.
We wanted to drive directly to Glendalough via Sally Gap, but as we had some spare time, we decided to make a short detour to Powerscourt.
After a tiring journey from our home country to Emerald Isle, the peaceful gardens and easy walking trails were a perfect activity for us.
We've put together this travel guide detailing everything you need to know ahead of your visit to Powerscourt House and Gardens.
Visiting Powerscourt House and Gardens
As mentioned above, we headed to Powerscourt directly from the airport.
Well, we also visited the local grocery store and a gas station to pay for using M50 along the way, but that's not the story you probably want to hear.
Anyway, after leaving M50, we quickly realized that the rumors about narrow Irish rural roads were more than just rumors.
Nevertheless, we arrived safely at Powerscourt, but we encourage you to read our guide on tips for driving in Ireland to find more information on this topic.
Powerscourt
After we passed the main entrance gate, the first impressions were quite remarkable.
The well-kept grounds are home not only to landscaped gardens and a lovely house but also to Powerscourt Golf Club and the luxury Powerscourt Hotel.
And the views of Sugarloaf Mountain on the left were breathtaking.
And while you can visit this place for just a relatively small amount of money, it has the feel that you can really spend much more here.
Powerscourt House and Gardens
Anyway, we left the car at the designated parking and walked inside the main house.
The parking was free, and finding an empty space wasn't a problem.
At the counter, we found out that the house is only used for commercial purposes, meaning that it's great for shopping or having a coffee (or weddings and corporate events) but not much for history lovers.
Here we should also note that the history of the estate dates back to the 13th century when the original medieval castle was built here.
If you are into history and want to see some interiors as they were originally used, then head to Kilkenny Castle instead.
Anyway, this information didn't deter us from buying the tickets; soon enough, we appeared in the gardens.
The wooded landscape, lovely views of Sugarloaf Mountain, fountains, ponds, and well-kept grounds provide a peaceful atmosphere.
Yes, the entire visit is basically just a simple walk around the gardens, but it's one of those activities that will make you leave your worries behind.
Simply put, it is a perfect retreat after a hectic day. As Powerscourt is one of the best day trips from Dublin, you can meet many Dubliners here.
The grounds are extensive, and there are lots of beautiful trees, plants, and flowers to admire.
We particularly enjoyed the Japanese Gardens, but there is much more to see, such as the Walled Garden or Italian Garden.
A team of professional gardeners maintains the grounds to a high standard troughout the year, and the results are beautiful.
However, the main reason we really enjoyed the walk around the complex was not the well-maintained gardens but the majestic trees.
The trees in the gardens were planted over the past two centuries, and the results of this effort are quite extraordinary.
Expect to see Douglas Firs, Atlantic Cedars, Corsican Pines, Noble Firs, and even Giant Redwoods.
By the way, the Douglas Fir on the River Walk is the tallest tree in Ireland.
Another great reason to visit Powerscourt is that it's accessible to all ages and abilities, so it's a great place even for families with kids.
Powerscourt Waterfall
After a couple of hours of exploring the grounds, we were ready to see another top attraction in this area, the Powerscourt Waterfall.
As this is a separate site, we created a new article, so don't forget to check it out.
Mind you, the waterfall is about seven kilometers from here, so it's better to drive there.
Things to Do in Powerscourt
The house and the gardens are nice, but some travelers might be looking for more activities than just an easy walk.
Powerscourt Distillery
Opened in 2019, Powerscourt Distillery offers guided tours of the whiskey distillery process.
The story of a distillery is interesting and offers an excellent introduction to whiskey, as it includes information on the history, storage, and process.
There are many distilleries scattered around Ireland - we visited Teeling Distillery in Dublin - and choosing which one to visit is not easy.
As you're already there, this might be a good opportunity to learn more about the world of whiskey.
Powerscourt Hotel
If you are not visiting Ireland on a budget, then you might consider staying at Powerscourt Hotel.
This luxury hotel, situated within the estate, only a short walk from the house entrance, offers everything you need and much more.
Expect Palladian-style architecture, luxurious amenities, rooms with panoramic views of Sugarloaf Mountain, a fine-dining restaurant, or a luxury spa.
Here you can see Powerscourt Hotel's availability.
Powerscourt Golf Club
Furthermore, Powerscourt Golf Club features some major Irish golfing tournaments and presents a challenge to golfers of all levels.
The golf course is open every day to visitors.
How Much Time Do I Need
In the end, we spent about two hours walking around the gardens.
The best part is that the best views and most interesting areas are quickly accessible, which is great if you are pressed for time.
However, there are many side trails, and if you are really interested in the plants and trees, you can easily stay here much longer.
As the entrance fee is not cheap, it makes sense to allow yourself about two to three hours for Powerscourt to get the most out of the trip.
How to Get There
The easiest way to get to Powerscourt is by car. There is no way around it.
Public transport only runs between Dublin and Enniskerry.
Luckily, renting a car in Ireland is easy. Here you will find more tips on how to get around Ireland.
Car
Powerscourt is about 30 to 50 kilometers from Dublin City Center, depending on the route you take.
While driving directly south toward the Powerscourt might seem quicker, the GPS navigation usually disagrees.
Depending on current traffic, it has a tendency to get you to M50 as quickly as possible.
Either way, be prepared that the journey usually takes more than an hour.
Dublin Airport is 50 kilometers north of Powerscourt, but the journey is often quicker than from the city center as you stay on M50 most of the time.
Glendalough is about 40 kilometers south of here. Just make sure to take the scenic route via Sally Gap in the Wicklow Mountains.
When renting a car, we use Rentalcars.com.
Bus
A 44 bus connects Enniskerry village directly with Dublin's city center. The ride takes about an hour and a half.
Keep in mind that the bus stops at the village, not Powerscourt, meaning you need to walk additional two kilometers to get there.
Tours
If you're staying in Dublin, you can consider taking a guided tour from Dublin.
Here you can reserve a Day Tour of Wicklow Mountains National Park or Private Day Tour of Wicklow.
Both tours include Powerscourt Garden and Estate and depart from Dublin.
Entrance Fee
A ticket to Powerscourt House and Gardens costs €11.50 per adult.
The family ticket is for two adults and up to three children and saves you some money.
They also offer annual membership, but that's obviously only aimed at locals.
Keep in mind that the Powerscourt Waterfall has a separate entrance fee of €6.50.
Therefore, visiting both places is not exactly cheap, and only you can say whether it's worth the money or not.
Travel Insurance
We never leave home without travel insurance that was designed to cover our expenses if something goes wrong during the trip.
Travel insurance protects against theft, flight delays, injury, illness, cancellations, and much more.
World Nomads provides travel insurance for travelers to cover their trip essentials, including sports and adventure activities.
SafetyWing is affordable travel insurance for backpackers, long-term travelers, and digital nomads.
Travel smarter and safer!
When to Go
Powerscourt House and Gardens are open all year round.
Obviously, spring, summer, and autumn offer the most impressive colorful display of flowers, plants, and trees.
We visited the gardens in May, and even though we are no gardening experts, it seems that this period is a great time to visit Powerscourt.
However, it also looked like the gardens were not in full bloom just yet, so visiting Powerscourt in the following months might be an even better experience.
Also, remember that this is an outdoor attraction, and it can rain here anytime.
Therefore, don't forget to check the forecast before you go, and make sure you dress for the weather.
On the other hand, this is probably one of those places that can be enjoyed even on a rainy day.
Here you will also find more tips on when to visit Ireland.
What to Pack
For starters, Powerscourt is not a remote wilderness like Connemara National Park or Killarney National Park, and your regular clothing should be fine.
On the other hand, the weather in Ireland is unpredictable and can change within minutes, even during short walks around the gardens.
Bring comfortable shoes, a small daypack, and a water bottle to stay hydrated.
Even though it was a beautiful day, we also brought our rain jackets just in case, but mostly to stay warm.
Still, at least make sure to have a travel umbrella with you.
Here you will find more tips on what to pack for Ireland.
Opening Hours
In the summer season, the grounds are open from 9:30 AM to 5:30 PM.
The opening hours in winter are 9:30 AM to 4:30 PM.
The last admission is 30 minutes before closing time.
The opening hours of Garden Pavilion, Cafe, Distillery, and Cool Planet Experience vary slightly.
Where to Stay
Chances are that you might be looking for lodging options near Powerscourt.
The five-star hotel at Powerscourt is luxurious and right next to the gardens.
It's also quite expensive, but that's expected. You can also stay in nearby Enniskerry, a small village just a short drive from here.
Alternatively, you can visit Powerscourt from Dublin, the capital city of Ireland.
Here are the best hotels near Powerscourt.
Enniskerry | Summerhill House Hotel - A charming country-house hotel situated just outside of Enniskerry, Summerhill House Hotel features a peaceful location, stylish rooms, a restaurant serving local cuisine, and free parking.
Powerscourt | Powerscourt Hotel - Hands down, Powerscourt Hotel is the best hotel in this area. This luxury accommodation is set on beautiful grounds right on the doorstep of the House and the Gardens. It has spacious and beautifully decorated rooms with panoramic views, a stunning spa, an award-winning restaurant, and an attentive staff.
Dublin | Riu Plaza The Gresham Dublin - A historic building located in Dublin city center, Riu Plaza The Gresham Dublin features spacious rooms overlooking O'Connell Street, a lovely restaurant, its own gym, and private parking (at a surcharge).
Is Powerscourt Worth Visiting?
Powerscourt is worth visiting even if you come here only to see the gardens, especially on a day when the weather is good.
Honestly, the house is nice, and everything, but the gardens were the highlight of our experience.
After spending a long day on the road, a peaceful walk around the gardens was exactly the type of experience we were looking for.
And if you're looking for a relaxing day trip from Dublin, Powerscourt might check your boxes.
While the walk through the gardens will be beautiful even in the middle of the winter, it's better to visit the gardens when they are in full bloom to get the most out of the trip.
Similar to Kylemore Abbey, the area feels a bit too commercial.
If you prefer quieter places, we enjoyed, for example, the charming gardens at Birr Castle.
Travel Resources
Here you can find links to all the travel resources we use and which you might find helpful when planning your next holiday.
Accommodation: When looking for accommodation, we usually search hotels via Booking.com or Hostelworld.
Tours: Although we love to travel independently, some places are better to visit with a guided tour.
We prefer GetYourGuide for its easy-to-use interface and solid reputation. Another great alternative is Viator.
Rental Cars: When going on a road trip, we always use Rentalcars.com, a reliable site for booking a rental car in advance.
Flight Tickets: When looking for flight tickets, you can search Skyscanner to find the best price.
Travel Insurance: World Nomads and SafetyWing cover against risks of travel.
