17 Best Things To Do In Dublin When Visiting Ireland

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Dublin, Ireland, is a city full of legends, history, and magic. In the capital city of the Republic of Ireland, you will hear the stories of the Vikings that founded the city and how religion shaped much of its history.

Of course, you can see modern changes and lore while sipping on a Guinness or exploring the outdoors. While there are plenty of things to do in Dublin, it is a city that can be a perfect weekend getaway or a long-term visit. Dublin is also a great city for solo travelers, couples, and of course, traveling nomads.

Whether you want to explore the past or jig down Grafton Street, here are some of the best places and things to do while in Dublin.

Best Time To Visit Dublin

The best time to visit Dublin is during the shoulder seasons, which are April-May and September-October. The weather is mild and there are fewer tourists than in peak season.

If you want to experience Dublin during a festival, then plan your trip around St. Patrick’s Day (March 17th) or Halloween (October 31st).

Dublin City Pass

If you’re planning on doing a lot of sightseeing while in Dublin, then you might want to consider buying a Dublin City Pass.

The pass includes free entry into many of Dublin’s top attractions as well as a Hop-on Hop-off bus tour.

You can buy a 1, 2, or 3-day pass, and it’s valid for 30 days from the first time you use it.

The Dublin City Pass costs approximately €59 for a 1-day pass, €69 for a 2-day pass, and €79 for a 3-day pass.

Best Things To Do In Dublin

There are countless things to do in Dublin. In the capital city of Ireland, you will be surrounded by history and culture that goes back centuries. If you’re wondering what to do in Dublin, here are the best things to do in Dublin while you are in town.

Don’t forget to check out the end of the article for popular day trips to Dublin.

Have a Pint at the Guinness Storehouse

No trip to Dublin would be complete without a visit to the Guinness Storehouse. Located at Saint James Gate Brewery, you cannot leave Dublin without a pint of the dark stuff. You can take a tour of the seven-story factory and learn how Guinness is made.

Learn about the history of the world-famous beer. At the end of the tour, you can get one complimentary pint in their 7th-floor bar, which offers 360-degree views of Dublin below.

Get in on Whiskey tasting at Jameson Distillery

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If alcohol and history about liquor is your thing, don’t miss visiting the famous Jameson Whisky Distillery for some whiskey tasting.

Learn about the Irish whiskey-making process and taste some of the Jameson products at the Old Jameson Distillery. The tour takes you through the different steps of whiskey production. You will learn about the history of Jameson and how it became one of the most popular whiskeys in the world.

See the Ancient Book of Kells and Walk Through Trinity Library

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Located on the campus of Trinity College Dublin, the Trinity Library and Book of Kells are both legends in their own right. The Book of Kells is on display. Written more than 1,000 years ago possibly by Saint Columba, the illustrations document the Gospels of the New Testament.

After seeing the book, you continue your tour through the Long Room of Trinity Library. Manuscripts and first additions line the walls as you make your way through. 

Hear the Tails of Ireland’s Most Wanted at Kilmainham Gaol

A now-abandoned prison (or “gaol”), Kilmainham Gaol has played a major role in Irish history. This is where leaders of the 1916 Easter Rising were eventually executed for their role in trying to get Irish Independence.

A tour will explain their actions and their importance of them, while also giving you a peek at modern Irish history. You are bound to learn some fun facts about Dublin and Ireland.

Reflect on History at Saint Patrick’s Cathedral

According to legends, where Saint Patrick’s Cathedral was built is where Saint Patrick performed his baptism on converts 1,500 years ago. Even though Saint Patrick is a Catholic saint, the church became a Church of Ireland house of worship in the 16th century. You can attend worship services here still.

Snack on Traditional Fish and Chips at the Famous Leo Burdocks Fish n’ Chips

traditional-fish-and-chips

Leo Burdocks Fish n’ Chips has been in Dublin for more than a century. It was open during both world wars and 1916 Rising. If you visit the original location, near Saint Patrick’s Cathedral, you can see the wall of fame featuring some of the more famous patrons over the years.

For more top-notch dishes, don’t miss going on one of the exciting Dublin food tours. You will get to sample various items along with learning more about the food traditions and culture.

Romantic Things To Do In Dublin

Ireland is known for being romantic. From rolling green hills and stories of kings and queens and faeries, there is a draw to those who want a romantic weekend together. Here are some suggestions to see the more romantic side of Dublin:

See the Historic Dublin Castle

While not the fanciest castle, Dublin Castle was built 800 years ago and has withstood countless moments in history. You can either take a guided or self-guided tour through the stately rooms and grounds. Many will even bring their lunch here to have in the gardens! 

Take a Day Trip to Glendalough

About an hour outside of Dublin in Wicklow County is Glendalough Valley. Here you can visit the ruins and cemetery of a medieval monastery. A short hike up from the ruins is the shores of Glendalough Valley, which is perfectly picturesque and romantic for any couple visiting.

See the Famous Riverdance Show

During the summer months, the Gaiety Theater will showcase Riverdance. This beautiful Irish dance show has toured worldwide for the last 25 years. After watching their performance, you will quickly understand why.

Browse the Shops on Grafton Street

Found next to Trinity College, Grafton Street is where you can window shop or buy high-end designers and souvenirs of your trip to Dublin. It is a pedestrian street, so you can wander aimlessly without worrying about cars. You can also spend hours walking from each street performer, ranging from musicians to magic acts and more.

 Find a Traditional Irish Music Session

Around Dublin, you will of course find many pubs. And while those should certainly be visited, to experience the culture, many of them true Irish-pubs will put on “sessions”. This is when a group of Irish musicians, who might not even know each other, bring their instruments and play traditional Irish music.

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Outdoor Things To Do In Dublin

While Ireland sometimes gets a bad reputation for being very rainy, that’s not always true. And the rain doesn’t last long if it does! This means you can get outside and explore the green spaces and streets of Dublin with ease. If you find the sun and wonder what to do in Dublin, here are some outdoor suggestions:

Going Bar Hopping Around Temple Bar

If you’re looking for the “craic” (Irish slang for a good time) you will of course want to explore Temple Bar. Temple Bar is the main drinking district in Dublin, although there is a pub called Temple Bar as well here. While some of the pubs are a little touristy, it is still worth spending a night walking between the pubs and clubs.

Walk the Shores of the River Liffey

popular-river-liffey

Separating the north and south parts of the city, the River Liffey runs through Dublin. On either side, you can find cute cafes and dining options, shops and accommodations, and memorials of Irish history. See the iconic Half Penny Bridge and take a canal tour to learn more about the river. 

You can also take a boat tour and see Dublin from another perspective on the waters.

Explore Phoenix Park

dublin-phoenix-park

Less than 2 miles from the heart of Dublin is Phoenix Park. This walled-in park is 1,700 acres and is the perfect spot for a lunchtime picnic. See the ancestors of the deer that were brought to the park in the 17th century when it was used as a hunting space.

Drive past the official residency of the President of Ireland and the residence of the Ambassador to the Republic of Ireland from the United States.

Say Hello to the Animals at the Dublin Zoo

beautiful-dublin-zoo

Also in Phoenix Park is the Dublin Zoo. Built nearly 200 years ago, this is one of Dublin’s best attractions. You can see animals and wildlife from around the world and one of the world’s oldest zoos.

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Go to a Match at Croke Park

Croke Park is one of the largest stadiums in Europe. Home of the Gaelic Athletic Association, you can see a lot of Irish sports here. County teams will come and play Gaelic Football or Hurling. When a match is in town, you will see all of the local pride at Croke Park.

Take the Cold Plunge at Forty Foot

Mentioned in James Joyce’s “Ulysseus,” Forty Foot is a cliff jump in north Dublin. Located in Dun Laoghaire, people have been jumping into the frigid Dublin Bay here for more than 250 years.

Where To Stay In Dublin

As a popular travel destination of Ireland, Dublin has a wide range of accommodation options catering to different travelers. Here are some well rated accommodations in Dublin.

Hostels In Dublin

Jacobs Inn: The hostel is only steps away from Connolly Station and Busaras, Ireland’s main bus station! It also provides easy access to central areas and attractions like Trinity College or Christ Church Cathedral. Dorms are capsule style and has privacy curtains.

Abigails Hostel: Bright and airy in central Dublin. It is modern and has good security features for a hostel. There are both privates and dorms catering to very diverse groups of travelers visiting Dublin.

Abbey Court: Clean hostel with beautiful facade overlooking the Liffey River. The hostel is also known for the amount of facilities on site including cinema room, pool tables and hammocks.

Mid Range Accommodations In Dublin

Hyatt Centric The Liberties Dublin: An international name offering a stylish hotel in a good location. The 4-star hotel also has a nice classy bar and lounge to relax and a fitness center.

Hard Rock Hotel Dublin: Another established name in the city center that has a modern and stylish decor. The hotel is around many local restaurants and bars, but you can already find a cozy restaurant and bar on-site.

Luxury Hotels In Dublin

The Marker Hotel: A luxury hotel in Dublin’s business and cultural quarter. It has an amazing amenities including an infinity pool, spa, sauna and fitness center. The hotel also features a rooftop lounge with an amazing city view.

The Merrion Hotel: Conveniently located in central Dublin, this classic hotel features spacious and amazing Georgian decoration. It also has great amenities like a beautiful garden, spa, pool and Michelin star restaurants.

What To Do Around Dublin

No matter what time of year you visit the Emerald Isle, there is always plenty of things to do in Dublin. Whether you want to be outside exploring with people or holding your beau’s hand, you will find many engaging activities in Dublin while visiting. It is a special city in a magical country that everyone should go to.   

There is also a bunch of popular day trips to the famous landmarks in Ireland from Dublin.

Getting To Dublin

The easiest way to get to Dublin is by flying into Dublin Airport (DUB), which is located about 10km north of the city center. Once you’re at the airport, you can take the Airlink express bus into the city center for about €7 one-way.

If you’re coming from within Europe, you can also take a Ryanair or Aer Lingus flight into one of Dublin’s smaller airports like Shannon (SNN) or Cork (ORK). From there, you can take a bus or train into the city.

Getting Around Dublin

The best way to get around Dublin is by walking or taking public transportation. The city center is relatively small and easy to navigate on foot. If you’re planning on doing a lot of sightseeing, then you can purchase a Leap Visitor Card, which gives you unlimited access to Dublin’s bus, tram, and train system for 1-7 days.

If you’re renting a car, be aware that parking in Dublin can be difficult and expensive. The best bet is to find a hotel with free parking or to use one of the many Park and Ride facilities located on the outskirts of the city.


PIN THESE TOP THINGS TO DO IN DUBLIN FOR LATER!

PLANNING YOUR TRIP? CHECK THESE RESOURCES!

Book Your Flight

I usually use a combination of 2-3 of the following search engines to find cheap flights: Skyscanner, Momondo, Google Flights

Find Your Accommodation

Booking.com is my usual platform for finding accommodation options as they have one of the largest selections. Hostelworld is great for booking hostels. For more private or long term accommodation, Airbnb is my go-to platform.

Travel Insurance

Travel insurance is important for to protect yourself against unforeseen circumstances. I usually look at a few insurance companies depending on my travel needs.
  • SafetyWings for Travel Health Insurance
  • IMG Global for added Insurance when doing activities outside of usual coverage
Packing for your trip? Check out the packing list for ideas on what to bring

For more travel resources, check out my resources page for best platforms and companies to use when you travel.

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Welcome To NomadsUnveiled
This is Rax. For over a decade, I have traveled to over 60 countries - from a budget backpacker to a business traveler, expat and then a digital nomad. You can find insights and perspectives from myself and other world travelers that will inspire your journey of discovery.

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