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11 amazing places to visit in Dublin

You may think you know Dublin, but how much of it have you really uncovered? It’s time to make the most of the unique blend of culture to be had in the capital. Walk in the footsteps of literary giants, visit secret rooftop gardens and experience the city in new ways.

Get out and explore, starting with these 11 amazing places to visit in Dublin.

• 1 . Museum of Literature Ireland (MoLI)
• 2 . Windmill Lane Recording Studios
• 3 . Chester Beatty
• 4 . Marsh’s Library
• 5 . Jameson Distillery Bow Street
• 6 . EPIC The Irish Emigration Museum
• 7 . Croke Park Stadium Tour, Skyline Tour & GAA Museum
• 8 . National Print Museum
• 9 . Glasnevin Cemetery Museum & National Botanic Gardens
• 10 . Hugh Lane Gallery
• 11 . James Joyce Centre

Museum of Literature Ireland (MoLI)

Delve into Dublin's literary history and get better acquainted with giants like W.B. Yeats, James Joyce and Oscar Wilde. A trip to the Museum of Literature Ireland (MoLI) on St Stephen’s Green is a great way to learn the tales behind the writers and their work. Roam the interactive displays, download an audio guide to explore at your own pace, or book a 50 minute guided tour. 

The museum building was once University College Dublin’s Newman House where Joyce himself studied, and you can see the first copy of 'Ulysses' here. Get a feel for Joyce's student days as you stop at the Commons Café in the original dining halls, and pause with a cuppa as he would have.

Windmill Lane Recording Studios

Head to Windmill Lane Recording Studios in Ringsend for a slice of local musical history. A familiar name in the world of music, the Rolling Stones recorded 'Voodoo Lounge' here, Lady Gaga laid down tracks for 'Born This Way', and Kylie Minogue worked on 'Fever'.

Best of all, you can tour this space that’s been hosting musical greats since 1978. See how the magic happens, as you watch a recording session and hear stories of the studios' history. Round off the day nicely with a takeaway treat from 3FE Coffee nearby on Grand Canal Street. 

Chester Beatty

On the grounds of Dublin Castle , Chester Beatty is a museum and library that will take you on a global journey. You’ll see Asian paintings, North African costumes and Middle Eastern manuscripts as you hop across continents and centuries of cultural tradition. American mining engineer Sir Alfred Chester Beatty left this amazing collection to Ireland after his death in 1968.

Stop by the stunning rooftop garden to find a peaceful haven in the city centre, then head downstairs for Middle Eastern food from the Silk Road Café. After, take a walk through Dublin Castle’s courtyard and drop into an exhibition at the Coach House Gallery . 

Marsh’s Library

Lose yourself in Ireland’s oldest library, where regulars included famous writers like Bram Stoker and Jonathan Swift. As you gaze upon the 25,000 rare books at Marsh’s Library you can easily imagine days gone by, with many still in the spot where they were first placed in the 1700s. Come midnight, the ghost of Archbishop Narcissus Marsh is said to rummage through the bookcases.    Walk over to St Patrick’s Cathedral mere steps away to admire the spectacular architecture. If you time it right, you might catch one of the incredible choral performances that take place regularly. You can get a joint ticket to enjoy both of these neighbouring experiences.

Jameson Distillery Bow Street

Crowned the World’s Leading Distillery three years in a row, Jameson Distillery Bow Street has been a staple of Dublin culture since opening in 1780. Just off Smithfield Square, the operation covered five acres by 1886 and grew into a ‘city within a city’.    These days you can enjoy a tour of the historic building, learn how their world renowned whiskey is made and even blend some yourself at the Black Barrel Blending Class. After all that hard work, kick back with a cocktail in JJ’s Bar. This is great for groups, so get some friends together and plan to make an afternoon of it. 

EPIC The Irish Emigration Museum

Make your way to the striking CHQ Building overlooking the Liffey to immerse yourself in the experiences of Irish emigrants. At EPIC The Irish Emigration Museum , you'll discover the past as it’s brought to life through imaginative visual displays and interactive experiences. Explore Ireland’s struggle for independence, and witness the letters of thousands of Irish emigrants lost to the Great Famine. You can even trace your own ancestry at the museum’s Irish Family History Centre. 

A short walk around the neighbouring Dublin Docklands will reveal other iconic landmarks including The Jeanie Johnston Famine Ship , Custom House , Samuel Beckett Bridge and Convention Centre. 

Croke Park Stadium Tour, Skyline Tour & GAA Museum

Go behind the scenes at Croke Park , the home of Irish sport. On the Stadium Tour you'll venture pitchside, to Hill 16 for amazing views and beyond. Snap a selfie on the team bench and soak up the heritage of this iconic arena. You can take your visit to new heights with a Skyline Tour to see jaw dropping views as you move along a rooftop open air walkway. Experienced guides point out the Spire and Dublin Bay as you see the capital from a new perspective and look out over the field from the viewing platform.    Entry to the GAA Museum is included in both tours, and sporting fans can marvel at the 3000 year history of Gaelic games. Once you've checked out the exhibits and Hall of Fame, test your own hurling and football skills in the Interactive Game Zone.

National Print Museum

Discover Ireland’s only print museum and celebrate an art form that changed the world. At the National Print Museum , modern exhibits from names such as Annie Atkins and Damn Fine Print reveal the power of the printed message. Reaching into the past, the permanent collection includes an original 1916 Proclamation of the Republic (declaring Ireland's independence from the United Kingdom).

You can explore the layout of an old Dublin printshop, see classic machines at work from letterpress to Linotype, and browse original prints to take home. Pop into the bright PRESS café onsite for a Cloud Picker coffee and if you’re visiting at the weekend, try the delicious brunch menu. 

Glasnevin Cemetery Museum & National Botanic Gardens

Glasnevin Cemetery Museum is Ireland’s oldest cemetery. Some of Irish history’s most important figures are buried here including revolutionary leader Michael Collins and former Irish president Éamon de Valera. A choice of walking tours are on hand to guide you through its story stretching back nearly 200 years. But before you head inside the gates stop into John Kavanagh’s pub , more commonly known as The Gravediggers, for some refreshments. 

Through a shared wall, a linking gateway from the cemetery leads to the immaculate National Botanic Gardens . Stroll through the picturesque rose gardens, enjoy the tropical atmosphere of the Great Palm House and wander among the 15,000 plant species that inhabit the grounds.

Hugh Lane Gallery

The Hugh Lane Gallery is a must for art lovers, with one of Ireland's most exciting collections of modern and contemporary work. Impressionist paintings by Monet and Pissarro keep company with the creative mess of Francis Bacon’s reconstructed studio, donated after the painter’s death and relocated from London. Even the dust was catalogued and carefully put in its proper place.

Make time to visit the Stained Glass Room to marvel at intricate work by Harry Clarke, and meet some famous Irish personalities face to face in portraits including W.B. Yeats. 

James Joyce Centre

Dedicated to the literary icon, the James Joyce Centre should be on the 'to do' list for any fan of the written word. Get involved with the interactive display of his most well known work 'Ulysses ' as it brings the novel to life. There’s lots of Joycean artefacts on show including the original door from No. 7 Eccles Street, the home address of 'Ulysses ' lead character Leopold Bloom.

Free audio tours are available, and walking tours take you outside to streets which provided the backdrop for so many of Joyce’s stories. Every year on June 16, the Centre also organises the Bloomsday Festival, a global celebration of 'Ulysses ' , its author and his place in world literature.   

Experience Dublin  

Dublin is jam packed with incredible things to see and do. Don't stop at this list, check out what’s on in Dublin and start planning your Dublin City break. 

The Ultimate Travel Guide to Dublin

Dublin, the heart of the Republic of Ireland, is a truly wonderful city to visit. Located on the country’s east coast along the River Liffey, the cultural capital is full of historic buildings and landscaped gardens.

The lively pub scene is one of the best in the world, and the amount of literary and cultural history here will definitely inspire you. The city has produced some of the world’s best thinkers, as well as the best liquor! From Oscar Wilde to Guinness and Jameson, the locals will show you how to expand your mind during the day and have an enjoyable evening out.

As you’ll soon find out, there’s an endless amount of incredible Dublin attractions that will keep you entertained throughout your entire trip. Follow this Dublin travel guide to discover all of the best things to see, do, and eat in the Irish capital.

This ultimate travel guide to Dublin will show you all the most beautiful places in Dublin, what to expect when visiting, where to stay in Dublin and things to do in Dublin which will help you in planning a trip to Dublin.

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Table of Contents

How to get to Dublin

Dublin’s international airport is 10 kilometres north of the city. Many low-cost airlines now fly to Dublin and there are hundreds of daily flights, so visiting is more affordable than ever.

To get from the airport into the city, there is an express bus service called Airlink. This public bus departs from Terminal 1 Arrivals and takes about 40 minutes. It costs €6 one way or €10 for a return fare. There’s also Aircoach, which is a 24-hour service.

It departs from both Terminal 1 Arrivals and Terminal 2 Departures every 15 minutes. The fare is €7 one way or €12 return.

Travellers coming from the UK can also arrive via ferry. Dublin Port is minutes from the city centre by the number 53 bus. The Liverpool to Dublin ferry takes around eight hours, while the Irish Ferries can take you from Holyhead, Wales to Dublin in three-and-a-half hours.

What to expect in Dublin

English and Irish are both official languages in the Republic of Ireland. Despite Irish being the first national language, English is more predominantly spoken as a native language.

In fact, less than a third of the country’s population can speak Irish, compared to the 99% who speak English. As a result, you’ll find English street signs and menus everywhere you go.

The currency used in Dublin is the euro. 10 per cent tips are happily accepted, though not necessarily expected unless you are somewhere particularly touristy.

There has been some recent controversy this year around service charges going towards the owners of an establishment, rather than to the servers.

If you see a service charge is listed but want to make sure your servers are being tipped, feel free to ask and personally tip in cash.

How to get around Dublin

Dubin has numerous modes of public transport, making it easy to get anywhere you need. That being said, the central area is very pedestrian-friendly, so you may not even need to use transport very often.

If your feet get sore, the best option around the city is the Dublin Bus. An adult fare within the city centre is €2.15 and can be purchased on board using exact coins. If you’re planning on exploring the main sites in Dublin only, the hop-on-hop-off bus is perfect as well. 

If you’re travelling between the north to the south sides of Dublin, or along the Dublin Bay coastline, Dublin Area Rapid Transit (DART) is the most convenient option.

These trains are fast, yet will be busy during peak commuting hours. The LUAS tram network also connects the city to outer neighbourhoods if you’re looking to explore further.

The best time to visit Dublin

If you don’t mind higher hotel prices and increased crowds, June to September is the best time to visit Dublin. Not only is it summertime and therefore the warmest weather, but it’s also when the majority of festivals are held.

In June, there’s Taste of Dublin and LGBTQ Pride, and in July and August, you’ve got the Dublin Irish Festival and the Electric Picnic Festival. There are a lot of art and theatre events in September, include the Dublin Fringe Festival and the Dublin Theatre Festival, as well as the Dublin Festival of History. 

Another popular time to visit is during Saint Patrick’s Day in March. Experiencing Dublin during the city’s biggest festival of the year will guarantee your trip is one to remember.

On the other hand, if you’d like to avoid the crowds, spring and autumn are milder yet enjoyable seasons.

Things to do in Dublin

Wondering how to pass the time during your trip? Here are some of the best things to do in Dublin, Ireland:

Shop along Grafton Street

The number one place to shop in Dublin is Grafton Street. It’s one of the most expensive shopping streets in the world, with many global fashion brands and fancy restaurants. The narrow, winding thoroughfare begins at Saint Stephen’s Green and ends at College Green, spanning only 600 metres.

If you’d prefer to window shop, there are always street performers and buskers about to keep you entertained. Coming to Grafton Street on Christmas Eve is a popular tradition among Dublin families, as the intimate street becomes its most fun and festive.

Get to know Dublin Castle

The historic heart of the city, Dublin Castle, takes up over 44,000 square metres near Dame Street. The Irish government complex dates back to the 13th century and has been used as a royal residence, military garrison, and defence fortification.

The Record Tower, next to the Chapel Royal, is the only remaining tower of the original medieval castle. This well-known attraction is ideal for learning about Ireland’s history , or simply wandering around and appreciating the historical architecture.

On the grounds of Dublin Castle is the Chester Beatty Library, a museum which houses a range of unique collections.

The two main collections, Sacred Traditions and Artistic Traditions, both display Persian, Turkish, Arabic, Islamic and Western pieces. You’ll find a range of fascinating manuscripts, drawings, papyri, and religious texts.

Check out Temple Bar

While the name might confuse you, Temple Bar refers to an entire neighbourhood within central Dublin. It’s one of the top cultural hotspots in the city and has become super trendy over the past few decades.

Today, the area is made up of cobbled pedestrian-only streets, a ton of busy pubs with live music, and incredible restaurants serving international cuisine. 

Of course, there is a bar within the area called Temple Bar. The iconic dark-red corner building always has people coming and going. With a selection of over 450 different whiskeys, scotch and bourbon, this is no surprise!

Since this bar is so popular with tourists, it can be pretty crowded and difficult to find seating. That said, it’s worth stopping by for a look before moving on to other more low-key pubs. 

Visit the Oscar Wilde House

The famous poet and playwright Oscar Wilde was born and raised in Dublin. The Wilde family home, now a part of Trinity College, is open for guided tours by appointment.

Even from the outside, you can see that the house is a stunning example of Georgian architecture. Wilde’s mother would hold salons here as he was growing up, and many prominent literary figures would gather to discuss poetry. 

Across the street in the corner of Merrion Square is a stone statue of Oscar Wilde lounging on a large white quartz boulder. The surrounding park is filled with granite pillars engraved with many of his best-known quotes. Take some time to stroll around this green, leafy area at your leisure

Admire the Christ Church Cathedral

One of Dublin’s foremost architectural gems is the Christ Church Cathedral in the middle of the city. Founded in 1030, it’s one of Dublin’s oldest structures, though it has been rebuilt over the centuries.

For instance, the exterior was almost completely resurfaced during restoration in 1875, yet the original Norman style of the church remains.

A guide can take you up to the top of the bell tower and give you some interesting insights into the church’s long history. Even if you don’t have time to go inside, stop by and marvel at the incredible stonework, stained glass windows, and landscaped gardens.

Explore the old Kilmainham Gaol

The former prison known as Kilmainham Gaol is a fascinating attraction in Dublin . Decommissioned as a prison in 1924, the building was eventually restored and opened to the public as a museum in 1971. 

You can enter the cells of renowned prisoners like Robert Emmet and see crafts made by past inmates. Both genders were imprisoned here without segregation, although women were treated far worse than the men.

During the late 18th and early 19th centuries, public hangings were conducted in front of the prison. Many will tell you eerie stories about hauntings and ghostly sightings.

The gaol has become a significant part of Dublin’s history and culture, with numerous movies being filmed here, including the video clip for the U2 song ‘A Celebration’.

What to eat in Dublin

Irish cuisine is full of many hearty and traditional dishes that you’ll love trying out . Here are some of the top local foods to taste while in Dublin:

• Soda bread: Slices of bread made with bicarb soda and buttermilk, eaten with a ton of butter. There are so many family recipes for soda bread that no two will taste the same. Some prefer it sweet with honey and sugar, while health nuts will include seeds and oats.
• Irish stew: A one-pot dish made with mutton, potatoes, onions, parsley and thyme. These days, lamb is more commonly used in place of mutton, which is harder to find. On a cold day, this will be your go-to meal.
• Colcannon: A common side dish of mashed potatoes, cabbage, butter and spring onions.
• Boxty: A traditional potato pancake topped with spring onions. It’s usually served for breakfast alongside eggs and bacon. Fancier cafes or restaurants, however, may plate it up with smoked salmon, cream, and grilled tomato. (pictured below)
• Bacon and cabbage: A pretty self-explanatory family favourite. Large boiled bacon chunks are used, rather than the thinner rashers you may be used to. Mashed potatoes are often added as well, and a parsley sauce is poured liberally over the entire plate.

Where to stay in Dublin

For the trip of a lifetime, stay at the extravagant Merrion Hotel . Created from four Georgian townhouses, the hotel includes a cocktail bar, a spa, a steam room, private dining rooms, and a two-star Michelin restaurant.

Many of the elegantly designed rooms and suites overlook beautifully landscaped gardens. At the Merrion, you’re guaranteed to experience old-world charm with the very finest service.

For a comfortable stay without the hefty price, there’s the Sandymount Hotel . The rooms are warm, cosy and minimalist. Located right by the Lansdowne Road DART station, the hotel is a relaxing place to come back to for a peaceful night’s sleep.

There aren’t many budget-friendly accommodation options in Dublin other than hostels. Fortunately, many are modern, clean and centrally located – it is possible to see Dublin on a budget .

Ashfield Hostel and Abrahams Hostel are two of the top-rated hostels in Dublin City Centre, with both dorm beds and private rooms available. Free walking tours and a simple breakfast are offered daily.

Tours to do in Dublin

One of the most enjoyable ways to see the city is on the Dublin Viking Duck Sightseeing Tour . Take to the River Liffey in a remodelled amphibian warcraft boat while you wear a Viking hat.

You’ll pass attractions like the Christ Church Cathedral, Dublin Castle and Saint Patrick’s Cathedral as you practice your Viking roars. If you’re travelling with your family, don’t miss this entertaining tour for all ages.

A two-hour electric bike tour is an option as well. See both the top attractions and the lesser-known sites as you easily get around on a motorised bike. It’s a great way to soak up the charming culture and history of Dublin without getting too tired.

As you discovered earlier, Dublin has some incredible culinary options. A t hree-hour food tour will introduce you to some of the city’s most popular restaurants and pubs that offer traditional Irish cuisine. You can also learn how a classic Irish coffee is made.

Once you’ve covered the food scene, you can become better acquainted with Irish whiskey!

A one-hour guided tour of the Irish Whiskey Museum starts by educating you about the development of whiskey throughout the centuries and amusing you with a few anecdotes.

It ends with a complimentary whiskey tasting session, where you can sample different brands of Irish whiskey. 

If you want to visit the popular Guinness Storehouse, you can purchase a skip-the-line entrance ticket in advance on Viator .

This tour is self-guided so you can explore at your own pace. It’s recommended that you set aside at least an hour and a half, although you’ll likely find yourself wanting to stay for as long as you can.

Throughout the seven floors of the brewery, you can learn about the history of Guinness, the brewing process, and its founder, Arthur Guinness.

Of course, you can also sample a free pint at the Gravity Bar, which overlooks the city from high above. Since the Guinness Storehouse closes at seven o’clock, you should definitely arrive by mid-afternoon at the latest.

Day trips from Dublin

Dublin’s location creates a myriad of opportunities for fun day trips.  

Firstly, there’s a 13-hour day trip to the Cliffs of Moher , a 14-kilometre stretch of sea cliffs. Take a luxury coach to County Clare, where you’ll embark on a walk across the amazing cliffs.

Look out and see the stunning Aran Islands, and explore more of Burren National Park. You’ll also get a chance to visit the charming village of Doolin for lunch, then wander Galway’s vibrant Latin Quarter.

Another great trip you can take is to the famous Blarney Castle. Depart from central Dublin in an air-conditioned coach to County Kildare, a few kilometres from the city of Cork. The medieval castle stands 27 metres high and dates back to 1446.

The castle is perhaps best known for the Blarney Stone. Legend has it that those who kiss the stone will receive “the gift of the gab”, or eloquence when speaking. After kissing the stone, continue travelling through the picturesque Irish countryside and visit Cahir Castle and the Rock of Cashel.

A different scenic tour to go on is a nine-hour trip to Wicklow County . Take a guided tour of the sixth-century monastic ruins in Glendalough, hike through the breathtaking Wicklow Mountain National Park, and shop for unique Irish crafts at Avoca Handweavers.

You can also stop at Sally’s Gap, where scenes from Braveheart were filmed, as well as the romantic bridge from the movie ‘P.S. I Love You’.

Recommended tours in Dublin

• Cliffs of Moher Day Trip from Dublin
• Wild Wicklow Tour including Glendalough from Dublin
• Blarney Castle Day Trip from Dublin
• Limerick, Cliffs of Moher, Burren and Galway Bay Rail Tour from Dublin
• Northern Ireland Highlights Day Trip Including Giant’s Causeway from Dublin
• Celtic Boyne Valley Day Trip from Dublin
• Skip the Line: Guinness Connoisseur Taste Experience at the Guinness Storehouse
• Book of Kells Early Access Tour with Dublin Castle
• Jameson Distillery Bow St. Experience
• Game of Thrones® & Giants Causeway from Dublin (Touring Exhibition on Summer)

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Sam, a seasoned traveler across four continents and 49 countries, is a leading authority in travel planning. Her website, Travelling King, offers tailored itineraries and expert guides for seamless trips. Sam's expertise in luxury travel, fast travel, and destination guides keeps her at the forefront of the travel community.

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15 Best Hotels in Dublin

By Nicola Brady

There’s nothing quite like the Irish welcome. Whether you’re staying in a lavish five star hotel or a funky boutique hostel, you can expect to be met with warmth, friendly chatter, and a lot of opinions about where you should get your first pint. When it comes to hotels, Dublin plays to its strengths—expect plenty of classic Georgian architecture mixed with cool design and functionality, and no matter where it falls on that spectrum, you'll find charm in spades. Here are our picks for the best places to stay in Dublin, with a range of picks to suit your needs.

All listings featured on Condé Nast Traveler are independently selected by our editors. If you book something through our links, we may earn an affiliate commission.

The Alex Hotel Arrow

Fresh off a renovation and rebranding, The Alex, which stands on a site formerly occupied by a train station, is officially one of Dublin's cool kids. Its airy lobby is home to a posh co-working space where guests and passersby type away on laptops among sleek Art Deco fixtures and forest-green marble tables. The hotel nods to its history through design details like a ticker sign above the elevators and leather luggage straps affixed to wardrobe drawers. The rooms at The Alex have an endearingly chic vibe. They're outfitted with super-soft beds covered with herringbone throws from Foxford Woolen Mills, an Irish heritage brand; 1950s-style radios; and (supremely useful, but often absent) bedside electrical outlets. Executive-level rooms also have Nespresso machines and offer access to the lounge, a funky little room with regularly replenished snacks and drinks.

The Marker Hotel Arrow

Dublin’s Docklands are known as the “Silicon Docks,” with the European headquarters of Facebook, Google, and Airbnb all taking up residence here. The Marker Hotel, a sleek geometric building in the middle of Grand Canal Square, is the district’s unofficial landmark. There’s a hip vibe throughout, from the light-filled lobby to the bedrooms bursting with pops of color. The moodily lit infinity pool is the best in the city, with a eucalyptus-scented steam room. Open seasonally, the rooftop bar has killer views of the city and as far out as the Dublin mountains. Guests have guaranteed access—and you're guaranteed to make friends with the bartenders.

Number 31 Arrow

Situated in an unassuming location, Number 31 is an under-the-radar property that consists of a stunning Georgian townhouse and a modernist mews linked by a beautiful private garden. Its legendary breakfast, which frequently wins awards, is served family-style at a communal table and consists of fresh breads (including a to-die-for cranberry-orange nut loaf) and preserves, plus cooked-to-order classics like eggs Benedict. This is the best boutique hotel in Dublin, hands down.

The Westbury Arrow

From the second you walk into The Westbury in Dublin and up the grand, bifurcated staircase, it’s hard not to be impressed. Settle into one of The Gallery's plush armchairs for afternoon tea, grab a seat in The Sidecar for a perfect martini, or book a table at WILDE, an impeccable restaurant with a luxurious 1930s feel, for a full meal. Upstairs, the rooms and suites are light-filled and tranquil, with large bathtubs and Irish art; beds are dressed in crisp Lissadell linens and sumptuous Blanc d'Ivoire throws, and bathrooms have marble and heated floors. (If you're really looking to go all out, splurge on the Presidential Suite, a penthouse with its own bar and a huge bathroom—complete with a private sauna and steam room.) The Westbury is a classic city meeting place, and it's ideal for a special occasion—you’ll find guests celebrating big birthdays, anniversaries, and other milestones. In December, The Gallery is filled with folks taking a break from Christmas shopping on Grafton Street. This is unbridled Irish luxury at its finest, and the service is always exemplary. 

María Casbas

Jessica Chapel

Madison Flager

Generator Dublin Arrow

Smithfield is one of the coolest areas in Dublin city, and the square in the middle of the village has undergone a complete transformation in recent years. There’s a reason Generator chose this location for its base in the Irish capital—it matches the hip aesthetic of the luxury hostel brand perfectly. Situated beside the Jameson Distillery (and its striking red-brick tower), the hostel has a hugely social bar that spans the breadth of the building, with whiskey-bottle chandeliers and giant murals. Young and fun, with a party-like atmosphere, this hostel offers remarkable quality and stylishness for the price.

The Cliff Townhouse Arrow

The buildings that line St. Stephen's Green are among the most impressive in Dublin—grand Georgian structures with creeping ivy and arched doorways. Today one of these buildings is home to Cliff Townhouse, a small hotel that feels almost like a restaurant with rooms. The seafood served in the beautiful dining room is some of the best in town, and the marble-topped Oyster and Champagne Bar is the perfect spot for knocking back a half-dozen oysters and a screaming-cold glass of bubbly. Four of Cliff's nine rooms overlook the park—obviously these are the ones to go for. Light-filled thanks to large sash windows, they're outfitted with plaid pillows, Donegal tweed blankets, and padded velvet headboards.

Iveagh Garden Hotel Arrow

Since this hotel opened in 2018, its chic and stylish lobby has attracted many an Instagrammer. The nifty design is evenly distributed throughout, from the Art Deco wallpaper to the uplit library walls. Rooms nod to their setting—a classic Georgian building—but feature cool modern touches, like a golden geometric light that hangs from a coffered ceiling in one of the suites. Padded gray headboards offer a contemporary edge, and bursts of color come in the form of mustard and turquoise. Iveagh Garden isn't just all show and no substance—rather awesomely, it sources its energy from an underground river.

Fitzwilliam Hotel Dublin Arrow

Never one to shy away from color or pizazz, The Fitzwilliam is a Dublin hotel that will stop at nothing to please guests, from the airy lobby scented with lemongrass to the sexy bar tucked away at the back. It’s also home to Glover's Alley, a new restaurant with a pink 1920s dining room and a French-inspired menu. Rooms feature pops of color throughout—some even sport chartreuse bathtubs—and quaintly packaged Murdock toiletries (apparently one of Michelle Obama’s favorite brands). Before your stay, someone will call to ask about what you want from your room and how he or she can help make your trip the best it can be. It’s an old-fashioned touch that makes all the difference.

InterContinental Dublin Arrow

Formerly the Four Seasons, the InterContinental Dublin is tucked away in the leafy and well-to-do district of Ballsbridge . The luxurious notes hit you the moment you step through the door, when you’re met with crystal chandeliers and swaths of marble. The Lobby Lounge, with navy armchairs and gold couches, is a popular spot to sit with a glass of wine or cup of tea and people-watch; it also affords a great view of the inner courtyard garden through its Victorian-style conservatory windows. Even the entry-level rooms are ample and luxurious, with silky-soft beds and bathtubs so deep that even the tallest among us can take a soak. While you’ll certainly be taken care of, you won't be bothered—no one's going to ask you if you’re okay every five minutes. Which is refreshing.

Conrad Dublin Arrow

Located across from the National Concert Hall and just a few minutes from two of Dublin’s most beautiful parks, the Conrad benefits from its dreamy location. Although its setting hasn’t changed, its 2017 renovation cemented its reputation as one of the most impressive hotels in town. The bright lobby, which draws influences from the nearby Iveagh Gardens, is filled with branch-like light fixtures and neutral greens—a color scheme that continues in the rooms. Another impressive thing to come from the refurb is The Coburg, a sexy brasserie with impeccable food. Rooms are muted and calming, with woven blankets, Irish art, Nespresso machines, and international charging stations. Some have private balconies—a rarity in Dublin.

Kelly's Hotel Dublin Arrow

Situated right on the bustling South Great George’s Street, Kelly’s is a hotel that's still a bit of a secret, even among Dubliners. The property blends rustic red-brick charm with clean modern touches; it's home to Bar With No Name, one of the hottest drinking dens in town. The fairly basic rooms are uncluttered and sleek, with bright white walls, linens, and bed frames. The furniture has an industrial, raw feel to it; hooks, for instance, stand in for full wardrobes. For a hotel stay that doesn’t compromise on style—and doesn’t break the budget—you can’t beat Kelly’s.

The Shelbourne, Autograph Collection Arrow

The Shelbourne is more than just a hotel. It holds a place in the heart of many Dubliners and is essential to the fabric of the city. One of the oldest hotels in the city, it has welcomed dignitaries from all over the world since opening in 1824—the Irish Constitution was even drafted in one of the upstairs rooms. Its history is inescapable. Pay a visit to the tiny Shelbourne Museum in the reception area to see hefty guest books from throughout the ages, menus from the early 20th century, and letters from former guests. The famed bar, No. 27 , is oft referred to as Dublin's living room. To stay at The Shelbourne is to step back in time and live out your Georgian fantasies. It’s luxurious, it’s distinguished, and it’s always worth a visit.   

The Dean Hotel Arrow

Every tiny aspect of The Dean is hip, from the Tracey Emin neon art over the desk—it spells out “I Fell In Love Here”—to the in-room mini-Smeg fridges and record players. Even the teeny Pod Rooms, with their padded three-wall headboards and Marshall amps, somehow work. A rooftop bar, Sophie’s, is always filled to the brim, as is the lobby bar (which offers live entertainment). If you’re joining the party? Great. If you're hoping for a peaceful night's sleep? Look elsewhere.

Dylan Hotel Arrow

The recently renovated Dylan is fun, stylish, and well thought through. The original rooms have retained their quirky details, such as oversized misshaped armchairs or bedside lights shaped like branches. The new rooms, meanwhile, are an absolute delight, with minimalist copper night tables and padded headboards that curve ever so slightly around the bed. Because the hotel isn't located quite in the city center, the surrounding streets are blissfully quiet without being too far from the action. On a nice day, you can move like a cat to follow the sun—the front terrace gets all the morning light, while the new back patio is great for afternoon tanning.

The Merrion Arrow

The Merrion was created from four townhouses that date back to the 1760s; as striking as the façade may be, nothing compares to the interior. The lobby, all marble columns and doormen in top hats, leads to a plush drawing room where guests take tea by a roaring fire. The food here is exceptional; the hotel is home to Restaurant Patrick Guilbaud, one of  only two two-Michelin-starred spots in Ireland, and the Garden Room, which is set within the hotel's manicured private garden. There’s a large collection of private art (you can take self-guided tours with an audio headset), too. A timeless treasure, this is one of the finest hotels in Dublin, if not in all of Ireland.

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Savvy Travel Advice

3 Days in Dublin Ireland: The Perfect Dublin Itinerary

Last updated: December 18, 2023 - Written by Jessica Norah 39 Comments

Dublin is Ireland’s capital and largest city, offering an endless number of museums, attractions, and entertainment options. We’ve put together a recommended Dublin itinerary to help you get the most out of your 3 days in Dublin. It includes all the main highlights of the city such as Trinity College, the Guinness Storehouse, the Temple Bar neighborhood, and Christ Church Cathedral as well as a few lesser known sites.

We suggest using this Dublin itinerary as a starting point for planning your 3 days in Dublin, and you can edit it to create your own personalized itinerary that reflects your own needs and interests. In addition to the 3 day itinerary, we also provide tips on how to get around Dublin, a map of each day’s suggested attractions, tips on where to stay in Dublin, and how to save money during your 3 days in Dublin.

Table of Contents:

Planning for 3 Days in Dublin

Before we share our suggested day-to-day itinerary, here is some essential planning information on getting to Dublin, getting around Dublin, tips for saving money, how to find accommodation, and further resources for planning and making the most of your 3 days in Dublin.

Getting to Dublin

Dublin is easy to reach by plane and can also be reached via a combination of ferry, train, bus, or car. Dublin has one major airport, Dublin Airport with flights coming in and out from around the world.

From the airport, you can get into the city via taxi, Uber, bus, Dublin Express shuttle transfer , rental car, or by booking a private transfer .

Given that Ireland is an island with no bridge or tunnel connections, you can’t obviously reach Dublin directly by train or car if you are starting your trip outside of Ireland or Northern Ireland. If you are arriving from the UK or continental Europe, you can drive or take a bus or train to a ferry port in the UK or France, and then take a ferry to reach Ireland.

Dublin Port is the most convenient port for those wishing to visit Dublin. Stena Line and Irish Ferries both have a number of ferry routes to Dublin. The ferries take both foot passengers and cars. You can also check out the rail and sail options if your trip to Dublin will involve both train and ferry crossings.

If you traveling by train or coach to Dublin, you can check rates for tickets and schedules for both buses and trains on sites like thetrainline .

NOTE . If you plan to rent a car, please check your rental agreement as bringing a car to or from Ireland may be against your car’s rental terms (particularly if you want to take it on any ferry crossings). For instance, even cars rented in Ireland or Northern Ireland can sometimes not be brought by ferry over to Scotland or England and vice versa.

How to Get Around Dublin

Central Dublin is fairly compact and is best explored by a combination of walking and public transportation. Cabs, Uber, and bike hires are also options.

We would not recommend driving in Dublin unless you are planning to stay on the outskirts of the city or visit places outside the city as driving and finding parking in central busy locations can be difficult and parking can be expensive. If you are driving to Dublin, we’d recommend parking your car when you arrive in the city and then use public transport until you leave the city center.

Dublin has a good public transportation network which includes public buses , trams , and rail services  (for going outside the city center or outside the city). We used the bus several times on our most recent trip and found it easy to use.

There are also a few hop-on hop-off (HOHO) buses in Dublin, such as the City Sightseeing Bus and the Big Bus Open-Top Tours . If you have a Dublin Pass , you’ll get a free one day sightseeing bus ticket .

If you plan to use these buses, we recommend doing this when you first arrive in Dublin to get a good overview of the city before you start exploring. We find these tours are great ways to get a good introduction to a new city although not as practical if you are trying to get from one place to another quickly.

Best Time to Visit Dublin?

We love visiting Dublin at any time of year, and it really depends on your preferences. Dublin is a great year-round destination as most attractions are open year round in the city.

But we’d say spring, summer, or early autumn would be our recommended times of the year for a first time visit. Although winter is a great time to visit as well as it is less busy and you can enjoy the holidays, but it will also be darker and colder at that time of year. Halloween in October (believed to have originated in Ireland), Christmas in December, and St. Patrick’s Day in March are all accompanied by big celebrations and festivities in the city.

In terms of weather, you’ll have warmer days and more hours of sunlight in the summer. It may also rain less. However, whenever you visit, you will want to be prepared for rain so be sure to pack a rain jacket and/or umbrella. Ireland is known as the Emerald Isle, and all that greenery takes plenty of watering, so rain is a possibility at any time of year!

Where to Stay in Dublin for 3 Days

There are a range of lodging options in Dublin to suit all budgets and travel styles, from hostels to apartments to B&B’s to luxury hotels . If you are looking for a comfortable good-value hotel, we’ve stayed at a number of mid-range hotels in the city like the Ireland-based  Maldron hotels . We would recommend booking lodging in or near the city center to make the most of your time in Dublin.

Our current favorite way to find the best price on hotels when traveling in the UK is Booking.com. We find they tend to have the widest choice of listings, good discounts if you use them regularly, and an excellent selection of properties from hotels to apartments. See their Dublin city center listings here  to get started.

If you’d prefer an apartment or room, then you might also want to check out Plum Guide . They usually have some lovely properties available. Another option is Vrbo , who have many listings in Dublin.

If you are not finding what you want on those sites, check out our guide to the best AirBnB alternatives for lots of other accommodation booking options for your trip.

How to Save Money in Dublin

As a capital city in Europe, Dublin is not a budget destination but it is also not the most expensive city either. Generally, you’ll find that the main costs are going to be food, entertainment, accommodation, and sightseeing.

There are loads of ways to save money. Budget accommodation include hostels, budget motels, and rooms in private homes. You can save money on food by cooking for yourself or getting take away. There are also lots of free or inexpensive things you can do from admiring the city’s architecture and city parks to having a pint in a pub to enjoying a free city concert.

There are a number of great free museums in Dublin which include the National Museum of Ireland, National Gallery of Ireland, Dublin City Hall, and the Irish Museum of Modern Art. Also keep an eye out for discount cards, coupons, and special deals to save money on tickets, tours, and meals.

Our favorite way to save money on sight-seeing in Dublin is to invest in a Dublin Pass which allows for free entry into over 35 of Dublin’s popular attractions (see full attraction list ). It also comes with a free hop-on, hop-off bus ticket and additional discounts on food, shopping, and tours. It also includes fast track entry to many of the included attractions.

We’ve used the Dublin Pass twice when visiting the city, and for a three day visit, the savings can really add up. You can read our review of the Dublin Pass to figure out if it is worth investing in for your trip and more about our experiences using it.

Other Practicalities for Traveling to Dublin

Power:  Electricity in Dublin is of the 220v standard, and power outlets use the same three pin plug that you’ll find throughout the UK and British Isles. Travelers from most countries, including continental Europe and North America will need a travel plug adapter  like these or a universal adapter like this . Be sure to leave electronics that don’t support 220v at home or you’ll need to purchase a voltage converter .

Currency: Ireland (the Republic of Ireland) is in the Eurozone, so the currency is the Euro. You can get Euros from ATM’s, banks, and currency exchanges, although credit cards are of course widely accepted throughout the country. Note that if you plan to visit Northern Ireland, you’ll need to switch to GBP as the currency in the UK is pound sterling.

Internet:  Internet access is easy to find in the form of WiFi all around the city, as well as in the majority of hotels and coffee shops, so you shouldn’t have any trouble getting online. You can also pick up local SIM cards if you have an unlocked phone. For more options on getting online when travelling, check out our  guide to getting online when travelling  to help you figure out the best options.

Water:  The water in Dublin (and Ireland) is perfectly safe to drink unless otherwise posted. If you don’t like the taste, bottled water is widely available.

Safety:  We’ve never had any problems with safety when visiting Dublin, just take basic precautions with your valuables and personal safety, and you should be fine.

Further Resources for Planning your Dublin Trip

For information on events, happenings, and more ideas for what to do in Dublin, take a look at the official Visit Dublin website . If your travels are taking you elsewhere in Ireland, check out the official Ireland tourism website and our recommended two week itinerary for the UK and Ireland which includes Dublin.

There are several great day trips you can take from Dublin. For instance we’ve done a day trip to the Cliffs of Moher . Day tours also visit Belfast and the Northern Ireland Coast which has fantastic attractions like the Giant’s Causeway, Titanic Museum, and the Dark Hedges .

If you are looking for a guidebook, you might want to get a copy of the Rick Steves’  Dublin Snapshot Guide  or latest Ireland guidebook . For a good street map to help you navigate Dublin’s city center, we personally love the laminated Streetwise maps by Michelin.

3 Day Dublin Itinerary: How to Spend 3 Days in Dublin

Dublin has a large number of attractions, museums, shows, and potential things to do. This can be overwhelming for first time visitors so we’ve put together our suggested 3 day itinerary that takes in Dublin’s most popular attractions, museums, and neighborhoods. We’ve also tried to arrange them in a logical order so you spend less time traveling around the city and more time sightseeing.

Use this as a guide and starting point for planning your 3 days in Dublin, not as a definitive itinerary. This itinerary is pretty jam-packed and may be too packed for someone who wants to explore the city at a more leisurely pace. It also reflects some of the most popular highlights, but you’ll want to add or substitute places that reflect your own special interests. For example, it doesn’t include attractions like the Dublin Zoo, Avia Stadium, the botanical gardens, the wax museum, or trips out to Dalkey or Malahide Castle.

Be sure to check on admission days and hours for any must-see attractions before you set out as some attractions close for one day per week, or may be closed due to a special event or renovation. Many attractions have reduced winter hours and longer summer hours.

For all attractions with an admission fee, we’ve noted there is an entry fee by writing “(fee)” next to them. Note that since many people use the  Dublin Pass , the attractions that are included on the Dublin Pass (at the time of this writing) are starred (*) denoting that passholders receive free entry so they have “(fee*)” next to them. We do our best to provide the most updated information, but things change so you may want to double-check fees and check the latest list of attractions included by the Dublin Pass before your trip.

Dublin Itinerary Day 1

For the first day of our suggested 3 day Dublin itinerary, we have you exploring the area south of the River Liffey in the western part of central Dublin. Today you’ll learn about Dublin’s medieval and Viking past, have a chance to visit the city’s two famous cathedrals, pay a visit to one of Ireland’s most famous prisons, and end your day of sightseeing with a pint of Ireland’s most famous brew!

Dublin Castle

We’re going to start with a visit to Dublin Castle (fee*). There has been a castle on this site since 1166, although most of the current complex dates from the 18th and 19th century and doesn’t look too much like a medieval castle anymore. However parts of the medieval castle still exist and the State Rooms of the castle are still used for official state engagements. Many famous figures have visited the castle including Queen Victoria and Queen Elizabeth II, and Dublin-born author Bram Stoker worked as a civil servant at the castle for several years before moving to London.

Visitors to Dublin Castle can see the excavation site of the Viking and medieval parts of the castle, the Gothic Chapel Royal, and the State Apartments. You can purchase a ticket for either a self-guided visit of the castle or guided tour. Dublin Pass holders can take a self-guided tour for free or upgrade to a guided tour for just £3 extra. Do bear in mind that access to Dublin Castle may be restricted due to government events or activities, so check the official website before your visit to avoid disappointment.

Within the Dublin Castle complex are also the Garda Museum (Irish Police museum) and the Chester Beatty Library museum. Both of these are free and worth visiting, especially the library museum, if you have time.

Christ Church Cathedral

Dating back to 1028, Christ Church Cathedral (fee*) is Dublin’s oldest medieval cathedral and is found in the heart of what was once medieval Dublin. Although it dates back to medieval times, the Christ Church cathedral that exists today is a mix mainly of Gothic, Romanesque, and Victorian elements. It serves as the seat of the Church of Ireland (Anglican church) in Dublin. Fans of the Showtime TV show The Tudors  will likely find it recognizable as many of the cathedral scenes from the show were filmed on site here.

There is a lot to see at Christ Church cathedral. First there is the beautiful nave and main building, which contains the organ, the Musician’s Corner, and some tombs including the disputed tomb of Strongbow , a medieval Norman-Welsh earl and warlord. There’s also the crypt which is the largest cathedral crypt in the British Isles. The crypt contains a number of items of interest, including monuments, a mummified cat and rat that were found stuck in the organ pipe, and an extensive silver collection.

The cathedral’s choir is very well known throughout Ireland and those who enjoy choir music may want to make time to listen to the choir for evensong which is normally performed several evenings a week in the cathedral.

You can visit the cathedral as part of a self-guided tour, or join a guided tour (additional fee) that are offered on most days at set times (check website for times). You can purchase tickets in advance here .

Next door to Christ Church Cathedral is Dublinia  (fee*), a fun family-friendly museum which tells the story of medieval and Viking Dublin. Along with the cathedral, this part of the city was at the center of medieval Dublin, although construction and city changes mean that not much else has survived from that time period.

At Dublinia, visitors can learn all about life in medieval Dublin on a self-guided visit, told through various mediums, which includes interactive exhibits. This being medieval times, there is naturally a large section dedicated to the Plague, or Black Death, which was responsible for the deaths of thousands of Dubliners. A part of the museum also covers how archaeologists have unearthed artifacts to help understand and bring the past to life. At the end of the visit, there is also the chance to climb the steps of the medieval St Michael’s Tower.

Most tours are self-guided; however, once per day, they do a guided tour in English of one of the sections of the museum with a costumed actor guide. These interactive tours are well worth taking, especially if you have children, and help bring a bit more life into the information. Check times before visiting if interested in the tour.

Dublinia and Christ Church Cathedral are next door and connected by the Synod hall and bridge. Both attractions are included for free with the Dublin Pass, but if you are not planning to buy a Dublin Pass but still want to visit both attractions, you can purchase a discounted combined ticket for both at the Dublina’s welcome desk.

St. Patrick’s Cathedral

If you are interested in visiting another cathedral, you can also visit the nearby  St. Patrick’s Cathedral  (fee*). Dublin is unique for having not one, but two cathedrals and both date back to the medieval period. It is believed that St. Patrick’s Cathedral (fee*), founded in 1191, was initially intended to replace Christ Church but for whatever reason this did not happen and the two cathedrals have had to learn to co-exist together. Like Christ Church, it is part of the Anglican Church of Ireland.

St. Patrick’s Cathedral is the National Cathedral of the  Church of Ireland and its spire makes it the tallest church (but not cathedral) in Ireland and the largest. It is said that Saint Patrick used a well on this site to baptize people in Dublin approximately 1,500 years ago. The author of Gulliver’s Travels, Jonathan Swift , once served as dean of St. Patrick’s and is buried within the cathedral. It is an impressive cathedral and the church can be visited on a self-guided visit. An audio guide is available for an additional fee.

You can buy tickets for St. Patrick’s Cathedral here .

Interested in seeing more of Dublin’s Churches?  There are loads of churches you can visit in Dublin. If you are surprised like we were that both of the cathedrals in Dublin are part of the minority Christian faith of Ireland (Anglican), this is because both cathedrals changed from Roman Catholic to the Anglican Church of Ireland following the Protestant Reformation. If you are looking for the main Roman Catholic church in Dublin, you might want to visit St. Mary’s Church which is the episcopal seat of the Roman Catholic Archbishop of Dublin. Also if you enjoy church crypts, you might to visit St. Michan’s parish church , an Anglican church with an interesting crypt that is open on most days for public tours.

Kilmainham Gaol

We’re coming towards the end of the first day of our three day Dublin itinerary. Our next attraction is a little further out of the city, but worth the trek if you have the time.  Kilmainham Gaol  (fee) is a former 18th century prison which is today run as a museum by Ireland’s Office of Public Works.

Kilmainham Gaol opened  in 1796 and closed in 1924. During this period it housed convicts convicted of crimes ranging from stealing food to murder. In the early 19th century, about 4,000 prisoners were transported to Australia. In the early 20th century, it was mainly used to house rebels and military prisoners, and the leaders of the 1916 rebellion were notably held here and executed. Film fans may recognize this as the filming location for the prison that Michael Caine is held in the original Italian Job movie .

Kilmainham Gaol can only be toured as part of a guided visit, with tickets sold for specific times of the day. Tickets are usually available for walk-ins, however this is a very popular attraction and we recommend buying your ticket in advance online to avoid disappointment.

Guinness Storehouse

Our final stop on the first day of our three days in Dublin is Dublin’s most popular visitor attraction—the Guinness Storehouse  (fee*). We think this is an absolute must for most people when visiting Dublin! It is interesting even if you are not a big fan of Guinness or even beer.

The Guinness Storehouse is on the site of St James’s Gate Brewery. This is where Ireland’s legendary drink, Guinness, has been brewed since 1759. It’s quite the success story, with over 50 million barrels of Guinness being produced annually at St. James Gate brewery. The Guinness Storehouse itself is a huge seven storey visitor attraction arranged around a central atrium. The Storehouse was built in 1904 and used for fermentation until 1988, but is no longer part of the active brewery.

The tour, which is self-guided, goes across all seven floors, and you’ll learn a bit of everything including the  founder Albert Guinness’ story,  how Guinness is made, and how the brand’s iconic advertising has changed from the 18th century to now. Once you’ve learnt everything you can about Guinness, the tour culminates at the Gravity Bar on the seventh floor. Here you’ll get to sample a pint of the good stuff (included with your ticket), and admire a spectacular view of the city. Not a bad way to end your first day in Dublin, we think you’ll agree.

This is one of the most popular attractions in Dublin so we recommend that you  buy your tickets online , which will save you money compared to buying them on-site and you also have access to the fast track queue. You also get free entry and access to the fast track queue with the Dublin Pass.

Want more Guinness? After the Guinness Storehouse closes, you might want to make your way to the Open Gate Brewery  at St. James Gate to try some of the latest Guinness beers as well as experimental batches. It is a bar which is located within the Guinness active experimental brewery facility and is currently only open to the public on Thursday, Friday, and Saturday evenings. To visit, you must reserve a spot in advance online and you must be 18 years or older to enter.

Dublin Itinerary Day 2

On the second day of your 3 days in Dublin, we suggest visiting more of Dublin’s classic sites,  seeing one of Ireland’s top cultural treasures, taking a break in the city’s most popular green space, visiting one or more of its free museums, and watching sunset over the River Liffey. Then after dinner, we recommend heading out to experience some of Dublin’s nightlife in the famous Temple Bar neighborhood. Today’s itinerary has you exploring the eastern area of central Dublin south of the River Liffey.

Trinity College and the Long Room

Trinity College  Dublin, officially the College of the Holy and Undivided Trinity of Queen Elizabeth near Dublin, is the only college of the University of Dublin. It was founded by Queen Elizabeth I in 1592 and is widely regarded as the finest university in the country. The college has a rich history and is an impressive place to wander around and visit.

One of the most popular attractions in Trinity College is the Old Library (fee), also known as the Long Room. This dates from the 18th century, and houses over 200,000 books which are kept across two  floors. The library is over 200 ft long, and is a sight you have to see when you visit Dublin! When you visit Trinity Library, you can also see a section of the Book of Kells . This 9th century decorated copy of the four gospels is the world’s most famous medieval manuscript and is regarded as Ireland’s greatest cultural treasure.

Entry to both the Book of Kells and the Long Room are included in the same ticket, which you can buy directly from the Trinity College Dublin website , or in person when you arrive. You can also take a walking tour which includes the Book of Kells as well as Dublin Castle.

Molly Malone Statue

No visit to Dublin would be complete without a visit to one of the city’s most famous inhabitants —Molly Malone. Or at least, her statue. Molly Malone, as you are likely aware, is a fictional character who features in one of Ireland’s most well-known songs , which tells the story of a fishmonger plying her wares in Dublin. As you can probably tell from the photo below, many tourists like to touch her statue, particularly her breasts, and unfortunately this has caused some of the bronze to be worn off.

The statue of Molly Malone was historically located on Grafton Street, but due to construction work on Grafton Street at the time of writing, she can currently be found just outside the Irish tourist information office on Suffolk Street.

Grafton Street

On your walk from the Molly Malone statue to the next site, the Little Museum of Dublin, we recommend walking along Grafton Street. This is one of the best known streets in Dublin and one of the city’s main shopping streets. It’s a lively place with lots of stores, restaurants, cafés, and street buskers (street performers). The majority of the street is pedestrian-only making it a friendly place for walkers and tourists.

Little Museum of Dublin

If you are interested in life in Dublin through the 20th century and up to the present day, then you should consider a visit to the Little Museum of Dublin (fee*). This museum of the people will take you on a journey through life in 20th century Dublin. It has over 5,000 artifacts on display across three floors, including a room devoted to Ireland’s most famous musical exports: the rock band U2.

It’s worth noting that the Little Museum of Dublin, as the name suggests, is a relatively small museum. As a result, visitor numbers are carefully managed, and the main exhibition has to be seen as part of a guided tour which lasts about an hour and begins at the top of every hour. Slots on these tours can fill up quickly at busier times of year, so to avoid disappointment we would recommend booking in advance, which you can do here . If you don’t want to do the tour, the temporary exhibitions can be seen on a self-guided visit.

St. Stephen’s Green

Once a marshy common grazing area, St. Stephen’s Green is one of the Dublin’s most popular green spaces and a nice place to take a short break from sightseeing. It includes trees, a lake, a playground, a number of labeled plants (including some in Braille), fountains, statues, and memorials. This city center park is located just across from the Little Dublin Museum.

Those who enjoy gardens and green spaces might want to also visit the nearby Iveagh Gardens , a Victorian era garden featuring a rose garden, cascades, and yew maze. The garden is free to visit.

Dublin’s Free Art Museums & History Museums

We recommend using the afternoon for time to visit a museum or two. Dublin offers a number of free museums which include three locations of the National Museum of Ireland, the National Gallery of Ireland, and the Irish Museum of Modern Art. You can’t visit all of these museums so I’d based your choice on your interests, time, and location.

In terms of today’s itinerary the nearest museums to St. Stephen’s Green (10 to 20 minute walk) are the National Gallery of Ireland, National Museum of Ireland – Archaeology, National Museum of Ireland – Natural History, and Dublin City Hall. But you can adjust the itinerary to fit as needed.

All the museums mentioned offer free general entry at the time of writing. Temporary and special exhibitions usually require a ticket and fee, and these are normally free for those with Dublin Passes.

History & Science Lovers:

• National Museum of Ireland – Archaeology – This museum tells the history of Ireland through archaeology, presenting a wide range of objects from metalwork to weapons to religious objects to  preserved Iron Age “bog bodies”. Includes objects from Ireland as well as those found in other parts of the world.
• National Museum of Ireland – Natural History – This museum houses a large collection (around 2 million specimens) of zoological and geological artifacts and exhibits collected from around the world.
• National Museum of Decorative Arts & History – A museum that will appeal to both art and history lovers. It is filled with decorative arts, jewelry, furniture, costumes, weapons, Asian art, & history exhibits.
• Dublin City Hall  exhibition – An interesting exhibit that tells the story of the city of Dublin from the first Viking invasion to the fights for Irish independence to modern Dublin. Notable artifacts on display during our visit included the Seal of Dublin City, the Great Mace of Dublin, The Sword of the City, and one of the original Proclamations from the 1916 Easter Rising. Note the City Hall suspended its entry fee in 2016 and was still free when we visited last in 2017 but the entry fee may be reinstated in the future (free for Dublin Pass holders).

Art Lovers:

• National Gallery of Ireland  – This is Ireland’s national collection of Irish & European art, including works by Burton, Turner, Monet, and Caravaggio. This would be my choice if I was only going to visit one art museum in Dublin (although modern art lovers would probably prefer one of the other museums).
• Irish Museum of Modern Art – Ireland’s largest collection of modern and contemporary art by both Irish and international artists located in a 17th century hospital building arranged around a large central courtyard. A good bet for modern art lovers.
• Hugh Lane Art Gallery – A contemporary and modern art museum housed in a 18th century former home that includes the Francis Bacon studio. Founded in 1908, it is believed to be the first public gallery of modern art in the world.

Sunset over the River Liffey & Ha’Penny Bridge

We’re coming to the end of the second day of our three day Dublin itinerary, and what better way to finish off than by watching the sun set over the River Liffey, which runs right through the center of the city. If the weather is good, we can highly recommend taking a moment to enjoy the sunset view of Dublin. Most of the city center bridges along the River Liffey will offer you a good view. The most famous bridge is the Ha’Penny Bridge , a cast iron pedestrian bridge built in 1816.

You might also want to take a boat tour of the river during your trip to Dublin. If you are interested in taking a boat tour of the River Liffey or exploring the beautiful Dublin Bay (a UNESCO Biosphere Reserve), there are a number of boat tour options in Dublin, including dinner cruises. Just be sure to book in advance.

Temple Bar District

If you are not too tired and want to experience some of the Dublin nightlife, we recommend exploring the popular Temple Bar District. It is a good place discover the “craic”, the all-encompassing Irish word for having a good time. This is the party capital of Dublin, and if you’re seeking out pints of Guinness, live music, and lots of the aforementioned “craic”, this is definitely the place to come.

Yes, the prices are higher than everywhere else in town, and it’s also going to be full of tourists. But there are plenty of locals out here too, and you’re pretty much guaranteed a good time.

The most visited bar is The Temple Bar , but there are loads of bars in this area to grab a pint and many also offer food. A few others to consider are The Palace Bar , a traditional Victorian-era pub, The Brazen Head which is believed to be Ireland’s oldest pub dating back to 1198, and Buskers which offers a more contemporary bar atmosphere with modern cocktails.

If you prefer, you can also take an evening pub crawl tour with a guide, like this one . This can be a fun way to experience some new venues and meet different people from around the world.

Dublin Itinerary Day 3

On the final day of our Dublin itinerary, we recommend crossing the river to explore the area of central Dublin north of the River Liffey. In the morning, we recommend learning a bit more about Dublin’s history by visiting a few of the recommend museums to learn about Ireland’s emigration history, the 1916 Easter Uprising, and Dublin’s rich literary history. It is a busy morning/afternoon if you want to visit them all so if you want a more relaxed day, I’d choose the attractions that are of most interest rather than trying to visit them all. Then later in the afternoon we recommend sampling some Irish whiskey and then going out for a night of traditional Irish food, drink, and entertainment. 

Jeanie Johnston Tallship & Famine Experience

The Jeanie Johnston tallship (fee*) is a remake of the original Jeanie Johnston, a three-masted sailing ship that was originally built in Quebec, Canada, in 1847. It was one of the so-called “famine ships”, which was used to transport emigrants between Ireland and North America. During the Great Famine in Ireland from 1845 to 1849, about one million people died in the country and a million more people left Ireland to seek a new life, primarily to the United States, the UK, Canada, and Australia. Liverpool was a particularly popular city for emigrants and it is estimated that today about three-quarters of the population has Irish roots.

Today you can take a guided tour of this replica ship built in the 1980’s, and learn about life on board for both the emigrants and crew. The Jeanie Johnston made 16 voyages carrying emigrants across the Atlantic to North America, and she was particularly noteworthy as she didn’t lose a single passenger or crew member on any of her voyages. It can be quite a moving experience, particularly if you had family who would have undertaken a similar voyage. On our tour, one of our fellow tour participants became quite emotional when he revealed that his ancestors had actually sailed on one of the original famine ships from Ireland.

Visits are given as part of a guided tour which lasts about 50 minutes. Be sure to check on tour times before you visit.

EPIC The Irish Emigration Museum

Ireland has experienced a number of periods of mass emigration, not just during the Great Famine, and many Irish people continue to emigrate. If you want to learn more about the Irish emigration experience, EPIC The Irish Emigration Museum  (fee*) is a museum that tells the story of Irish emigration around the world. I reland is a country that has had its fair share of troubled times and this has led to an estimated 9 to 10 million people having emigrated since 1700! 

Through a self-guided interactive experience, the museum guides you through the personal stories of many people who have emigrated and their journeys. You’ll learn what caused them to emigrate, what that process was like, and what their new lives were like in their new home country. If you’ve ever visited Ellis Island in New York and learnt about immigration into the USA, this is a great counterpart to that experience. We both enjoyed the museum, and learned a great deal.

The museum is located in the CHQ building which is also home to several restaurants and cafes if you are looking for a convenient coffee, meal, or snack after your visit.

You can buy your entry ticket in advance online here .

Trying to find out more about your own Irish heritage? If you are specifically trying to find out more about your own Irish heritage, you might want to stop in at the Irish Family History Centre afterwards (located near the EPIC gift shop) to look up genealogy information. You can also book a private consultation with a on-site genealogist for more assistance.

GPO Witness History Exhibition

If you’re interested in learning a little bit more about 20th century history in Ireland, particularly the 1916 Easter Rising , a visit to the GPO Witness History Museum  (fee*) should be high on your list. This is found in Dublin’s General Post Office (GPO) on O’Connell Street, a beautiful Georgian building built in 1814 and one of Ireland’s most famous buildings.

In the self-guided exhibition you’ll learn all about the events of the 1916 Easter Rising as well as the events leading up to the uprising and the subsequent effects. On Easter Monday 1916, a group of Irish republican rebels who wanted Irish independence from Great Britain stormed the GPO and seized control of the building. This forced occupation lead to a bloody 6 day affair, which lead to the death of over 450 people which included civilians, British military officers, police, and rebels. The exhibition uses direct witness accounts, documents, and interactive exhibits to tell the story. There’s also a memorial to those who were killed in the rebellion, including an outdoor sculpture for the children killed.

It’s an informative and interesting experience, and definitely worth a visit for those interested in this period of Irish history. There is also a cafe on the ground floor, and we enjoyed coffee and pastries here after our visit.

Dublin Writers Museum

Time for some literary themed attractions. Ireland is famous as being a nation of storytellers and Dublin is a UNESCO designated City of Literature. One of the best places to learn about the literary heritage of Dublin is at the Dublin Writers Museum (fee).

This museum has displays dedicated to some of the most notable writers in Irish history, including James Joyce, Jonathan Swift, George Bernard Shaw, Oscar Wilde, and William Yeats to name but a few. It is housed in a beautiful 18th century mansion on Parnell Square, and is next door to the present-day Irish Writers Union.

For anyone with an interest in writing and Ireland’s literary heritage, this is definitely a museum not to be missed. Visits are self-guided and tickets can be purchased on-site.

James Joyce Centre

If you want to learn more about Irish writers, you might want to seek out information on specific writers. One of the most famous Dublin born writers is James Joyce who wrote the 20th century classic Ulysses ( free on Kindle ), and the James Joyce Centre (fee) is dedicated to the author and his writings.

Here you can learn all about both the life of James Joyce, as well as his famous novel, told via film and exhibits. The museum also has the front door from No. 7 Eccles Street on display, which readers of Ulysses will know as being the home of protagonist Leopold Bloom.

Other Dublin Literary Spots? If you are looking for more literary spots consider visiting the  National Print Museum , doing a  Dublin Literary Pub Crawl , seeing some of Dublin’s beautiful libraries (Trinity’s Long Room, Marsh’s Library, Chester Beatty Library), or browsing for books at some of Dublin’s many popular book shops. The birthplace museum of George Bernard Shaw (33 Synge Street) was closed several years ago but there are hopes that it will re-open. But even if closed, you can see the plaque outside as well as many others literature related plaques in Dublin such as the one on Bram Stoker’s birthplace at 15 Marino Crescent (private home) and the plaque at Oscar Wilde’s childhood home at Number 1 Merrion Square (owned by the American College Dublin).

Jameson Distillery

Time to learn about (and drink!) another famous Irish beverage: whiskey! One of the most well-known Irish whiskeys is Jameson’s Whiskey, which you can learn about and sample at the Jameson Distillery on Bow St.

This is a fully guided tour through the former Jameson Distillery at which you’re going to learn all about the history of Ireland’s most famous whiskey, which was distilled at this site from 1780 until 1971. The tour is a lot of fun, and you get to try Jameson’s whiskey, as well as compare its flavor to other leading whiskeys to see if you can tell the difference. At the end of the tour you also get a whiskey to enjoy at the bar at your leisure.

Tours can be booked online , which is the best option to avoid disappointment as this is a popular attraction. Although you can also buy tickets and book a tour on arrival. Holders of the Dublin Pass have a free tour included .

Want more Irish Whiskey? If you are interested in Irish whiskey, there are several other whiskey experiences and tours you can take in Dublin in addition or as an alternative to the Jameson Distillery tour. If you are interested in visiting an active whiskey distillery, you might try the distillery tour and tasting at the Teeling Whiskey Distillery  (fee*) which opened in 2015 and is the first new distillery in Dublin in 125 years. A free Teeling distillery tour and tasting is available for Dublin Pass holders. Other Irish whiskey experience options include the Irish Whiskey Museum Experience  (fee) and taking a whiskey tasting tour  (fee) with a local around Dublin’s pubs. Book any of the whiskey experiences or tours in advance if you can as they are all popular.

Not interested in Whiskey? If whiskey is not of interest, I’d skip this visit. You can spend more time at the prior attractions or alternatively consider sitting down to relax for an afternoon tea or a coffee nearby, visiting Dublin Zoo  (fee*) within Phoenix Park, visiting the National Botanic Gardens of Ireland (fee*), or exploring one of the city’s many free museums (see Day 2 list).

Traditional Irish Night Out

Ok, we’re coming to the end of our three days in Dublin! How about going out with a bang, and celebrating all that is fun in Dublin, with a night of Irish food, drink, and some traditional Irish entertainment?

There are a number of locations offering various types of traditional Irish evening entertainment whether you just want to find a pub with some live music or you want to go to an entertainment show. We’ve attended the  Traditional Irish Night show at Dublin’s Belvedere Hotel and you can read about our experience . We also heard good things about Taylor’s Irish Night , although this is located a little south of the city center. Other options include the Irish House Party  dinner and show, a dinner cruise on a canal barge , or an evening pub crawl with traditional Irish music.

Save Money in Dublin with the Dublin Pass

We think a great way to save money is on sightseeing with discount passes and cards. Our recommended way to save money on sight-seeing in Dublin is to invest in a Dublin Pass .

We’ve used these on a couple of occasions when visiting the city, and for a 3 day trip that includes visiting a number of attractions, the savings can really add up. You can read our Dublin Pass review for more information.

As noted before, the Dublin Pass is popular among travelers to Dublin and one we recommend for active sightseers to the city. We wanted to give you an example of the cost savings over 3 days in Dublin if you have a Dublin Pass.

The following is based on the above itinerary for 2 adults:

if you used the sightseeing bus and visited all of the main attractions listed on the suggested 3 day Dublin itinerary included in the Dublin Pass, it would cost you €198.5 at normal adult admission prices (April 2023 prices). A 3-day Dublin pass currently costs €109. This means you would save €89.5 per person or €179.00 for 2 adults!

Obviously you might not want to visit all the sites listed, but you can see from the above that even if you visited fewer sites, you would still save money with the pass if you plan to visit a number of attractions in Dublin.

The pass can also save you time by allowing you to skip the ticket lines and join fast-track lanes at many sites. Definitely a discount pass worth checking out before your trip to Dublin.

Walking Tours of Dublin

If you’d like to take a guided walking tour of Dublin, which can be a great way to learn about the city from an expert guide, then there are a few options to choose from. Different walking tours focus on different subjects, with some being more broad, whilst others might narrow down on a specific subject. Here are a few to give you some ideas of what is available.

• This full day tour of Dublin with one of our favourite walking tour companies, Take Walks, includes Trinity College, the Book of Kells, the Guinness Brewery, Dublin Castle, and a whisky distillery.
• This personalizable private walking tour with a local can be adjusted to meet your interests and availability
• This 2.5 hour guided bike tour lets you cover many of the highlights of the city
• This 1.5 hour guided walking tour focuses on the spooky history of Dublin, from ghosts to cults!
• This 2-3 hour walking tour covers the main highlights of the city as well as a few hidden gems. A good general introduction to the city.
• This 3.5 hour food tour will have you sampling many of the city’s famous dishes and drinks
• This 3 hour food tour with Devour Tours (we love their food tours!) has you sampling some of the best of the Dublin food scene

As you can see, there are plenty of tour options to choose from!

And that’s the end of our 3 day Dublin itinerary! Hopefully this Dublin guide and itinerary has given you a good idea for what you can do with 72 hours in Dublin.

What would you do with 3 days in Dublin? Have you been do Dublin? If so, what were your favorite things to do? If you are planning a trip to Dublin, feel free to reach out with any questions as you plan your trip. Just type any comments or questions in the Comments section below and we’ll be happy to answer them.

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Alex Post author

October 2, 2023 at 10:16 am

I am currently planing on visiting Dublin for the first time and this is exactly what I needed! Great descriptions of the many places to visit and plenty of options. I will definitely use your Google Maps itinerary and adapt it to my personal preferences.

Thanks a lot!

Jessica & Laurence Norah Post author

October 2, 2023 at 6:24 pm

So glad you are finding our Dublin itinerary suggestions helpful in planning your upcoming trip. Yes, we try to give a lot of suggestions so people can tailor an itinerary to their own interests, budget, and speed. If you have any questions as you plan your trip to Dublin just shout!

Best, Jessica

Tony Post author

August 20, 2023 at 9:16 pm

G’day guys, from the land Aus,

Great Blog and really insightful information on Dublin.

We are in the early stages of planning an extensive trip Sep/Oct 2024, with intentions of touring Ireland/Scotland primarily, and then spending some in London.

We are looking at spending around 14 days touring each location(Ireland/Scotland), which seems to be the recommended duration. We have looked at Touring companies and they can become quite expensive. We are looking to self drive, organise our own accommodation etc. giving us flexibility in what we see and where we go.

Thus, do you have any suggested itineraries for both Ireland and Scotland. Any advice would be extremely helpful

We have read your Blog London Itinerary: 6 Days in London which will suit what we are looking for from London.

Many Thanks Tony

August 23, 2023 at 12:35 pm

Glad you enjoyed our blogs on Dublin and London, you should be able to put together your own personalized itinerary based on those posts. Also I would consider if the city passes would be worth it for your trip, if spending 6 days in London I would definitely recommend it there.

So if you were considering a touring company, I would recommend taking a look at Rabbie’s, they are an Edinburgh based company and lead tours all over the UK and Ireland. You can see their Ireland tours here and their Scotland tours here . They offer a big range of tour options, from short day trips to longer (10-14 day) trips.

What I might recommend if you like the idea of tours but also want some independence is to consider something like basing yourself in places and taking tours from there. You can easily independently tours places like Dublin, Belfast, Edinburgh, Glasgow, etc. and many places you can easily get to via train (or bus or ferry). Then for seeing more countryside, islands, and smaller places, most can be reached via tours (such as day tours or longer 2-5 night tours) from the larger cities. That would give you a nice mix of tours and independent travel without needing to worry about driving and there would be less to plan/book, and might be a happy medium between booking a tour and planning everything yourself.

Happy to help you plan an itinerary but would need to know an idea of the sort of places you definitely want to go, activities you like to do, budget, hobbies, general plan of travel (starting/ending point), etc. A couple who loves castles, museums, & shopping is going to want a very different itinerary who someone who is focused on golf, whisky distillery tours, birdwatching, and beaches.

You can see our Scotland content across our two blogs and here . We don’t have nearly as much Ireland content but you can see what we have here and here . We have guides on all the major cities in Scotland as well as Dublin and Belfast and day trip ideas for lots of places and that should give you a good idea of the kinds of places you are likely going to want to visit. But of course we have been to many places we haven’t written about, especially in Scotland, where we’ve traveled pretty extensively over the 5 years we lived there. The other thing that might help you have an idea of what kind of places you want to visit is the Rabbie’s tours (and other tours) as they often cover the highlights and things travelers are most interested in seeing.

Are you planning to fly between Ireland and Scotland, and then train from Edinburgh to London?

Anyway, hope that helps get you started, and happy to help with more questions and an itinerary as you get further into your planning!

Leonie Cornell Post author

October 17, 2021 at 7:35 am

Hi. I love your 3 day itinerary. We aim to be in Dublin for 4 nights and so 3 and a bit days. Love HOHO buses, and so will probably do the Dublin pass. We then have an 11 day tour booked ( or it will be once we organise.) This tour was meant to be in 2020, and so our dream is already 3 years old. We are in our late sixties, so a little reluctant to hurry around. But really interested in Guinness storehouse, the Gaol, EPIC and I might want to to see Trinity college again ( had a half day in Dublin in 2013 as part of a whistle stop tour of UK and Ireland) Your advice is timely and very recent so gives me a lot of hope. Do you know how early you need to book things like the Guinness storehouse? I am worried that using the pass we will only be able to book once we arrive and pick up the pass and may miss out.

October 17, 2021 at 2:06 pm

I am happy to hear that you are working on rebooking your trip to Ireland! And glad that you are enjoying our Dublin itinerary and yes, I think if you are planning 3-4 days in Dublin, you’ll probably save money with a Dublin Pass as long a you plan to visit several of the attractions which it is sounds like you plan to do.

Our itinerary is pretty busy, so I think since you want a more leisurely visit, I’d do less than what we suggest each day so you are not in a huge rush. It should help you choose the places and attractions that are of the most interest to you. You can also stretch out these attractions over an extra day or two as well if you do want to do/see a lot.

If you get the Dublin Pass, depending on the number of days you have in Dublin, I’d make sure you do all the things included on the Pass on consecutive days. So if you have 4 days total and a 3 day Pass, you might use the first day to sightsee and visit any places that are free or not included on the pass (e.g., the Gaol, Trinity College) and then do the rest on the other three days (HOHO bus, EPIC, Guinness Storehouse, museums, Saint Patrick’s, etc.) to make the most of your pass.

Now, the COVID-19 pandemic has changed things quite a bit in terms of the Dublin Pass. The Dublin Pass is now an online only product, so you can order it at home. As of 2021, there’s no longer a physical pass to pick up. Instead, the pass is a QR code that you can show on your smartphone, or you can print it out at home before you travel. We recommend having it both on your phone and to print the QR code as well as back-up (just in case there is an issue with your phone, such as it runs out of battery, etc.).

When you buy the pass, you will be sent the pass code (a number), your QR code, and instructions. You can then use this to book any attractions that require reservations, you’ll just need to put in your Dublin Pass details. There’s a list of those you can see here , along with instructions on how to book.

Most attractions did not require reservations before the pandemic, but a number of attractions to require reservations now so it is good to pre-book attractions at least a couple of days before you plan to visit. Some attractions also have more limited hours and opening times so I’d recommend checking on all the places you plan to visit to ensure they are open and to see if they require reservations. For the Guinness Storehouse, they recommend booking at least 24 hours in advance, but we’d suggest booking as soon as you have your pass and know your exact dates.

Using your pass number to book does not activate the pass. The pass only activates the first time an attraction scans the code. So you can start making reservations for attractions as you soon as you purchase your passes.

Hope that helps and just let us know if you have any further questions.

Wishing you a great trip to Dublin! Jessica

October 17, 2021 at 4:07 pm

thank you Jessica. That solves many of my questions. I have used a city pass before, so I should have realised the activation only happens at the first attraction. But I can book attractions ahead without paying upfront, so that is good. We hope to spend 3 weeks all up in Ireland and including Northern Ireland, so getting excited now. regards

October 19, 2021 at 5:41 am

Happy to help!

Yes, so you do have to purchase the Dublin Pass upfront to book attractions, of course, but you can do that before you leave for your trip (as soon as you make the purchase). But you don’t have to pay for the individual attractions that are included with the pass to make the bookings, you just need to give them your pass information to secure the bookings.

3 weeks is a great amount of time to spend in Ireland and Northern Ireland – so much to see and do and wishing you a wonderful trip!

Jenny Post author

July 26, 2020 at 3:11 pm

Hi! How much woul it take to travel to Dublin, Ireland?..I am from Phils. I am looking forward for an answer. Thanks?

July 27, 2020 at 10:48 am

It really depends on what you plan to do, where you plan to stay, and how long you plan to stay in Dublin. You can stay on a lower budget if you want to stay say in a hostel, eat at lower priced eateries or cook your own food, take public transit, and buy an attraction pass to save money on attraction fees.

I’d check out prices to get to Ireland, lodging you are interested in, and attractions you really want to visit to get an idea of how much your trip may cost. Once you are a bit further in your planning and know what you want to do and can tell me more about your budget, I would be happy to help you decide if your budget is reasonable or not for what you want to do.

Just note that now, as in most countries, there are travel restrictions for anyone traveling to Ireland from overseas. Travelers from most countries are currently are subject to a 14 day quarantine on arrival.

Janet Hindman Post author

November 2, 2019 at 7:44 am

This is very helpful. Some girlfriends and I are planning a trip to Ireland. We plan on staying in Dublin and doing a few day trips out but primarily just staying in the Dublin area. Thanks for sharing all this wonderful information.

November 2, 2019 at 8:08 am

Thanks so much for taking the time to comment and glad you found our information helpful!

Yes, there is plenty to do and if you have more than 3 days in Dublin there you can take your time and explore at a more leisurely pace. We give lots of suggestions in our itinerary and those suggestions can be spread out over several days. If you plan to visit several attractions (especially higher priced ones like Guinness Storehouse), you might want to consider the Dublin Pass to save money.

Also plenty of day trips you can take from Dublin to nearby places when you want a break from the city! Just let us know if you have any questions.

November 2, 2019 at 8:48 am

Thanks. Yes we are planning on about an 8-9 day stay

Borislava Apostolova Post author

April 26, 2019 at 6:45 am

Very helpfull and usefull!!!Thank you!

April 27, 2019 at 10:33 am

Glad you found our Dublin itinerary helpful! Best, Jessica

Patty O'Brien Post author

January 17, 2019 at 11:08 am

Your article is very helpful. I will be visiting in February for 6 1/2 days- along with my daughter and her friend (18 year old). I have printed out the map and 3 day itinerary. We are just doing one big day trip up to Belfast and Giant’s Causeway and I booked a day/time for the Goal. Other than that we are just going to wing it.

[in October 2017 I took the two of them to Ireland and we did the Southwest – Lahinch to Dingle to Kerry to Tipperary – back up to Ennis – and they loved it – driving was frightful for me – but fun. This time I want to relax and soak it all up. no driving!]

January 17, 2019 at 12:40 pm

Great, glad to hear that you are planning another trip to Ireland, sounds like you had such a great experience back in 2017. There is plenty to do and see in Dublin and surrounds without a car. Laurence also recently wrote a Dublin Pass review which may be useful in saving money since you will be in the city for several days.

We also have a post on things to do in Belfast and a guide to highlights of the Causeway Coastal Route that may be of interest for your day trip to Northern Ireland.

Have a wonderful trip! Jessica

Frances Scheele Post author

January 16, 2019 at 10:27 am

this information seems to fit the bill for me. I will be 80, still active, and do not want to play mountain goat and climb mountains or explore very large castles. I do use tours as they provide transportation for me. I would also like information on seeing Belfast and Waterford. these are the cities that interest me the most and I know I would be able to see. thanks for all that you can provide. Fran Scheele

January 16, 2019 at 11:52 am

Glad you are finding our Dublin itinerary helpful for planning your time in Dublin. You can reach both Belfast and Waterford easily by train from Dublin, or you can join a guided tour from Dublin.

We have a guide to the top things to do in Belfast as well as a suggested 2 day itinerary that you can check out.

If you’d like to do a day tour to Belfast or 2 day tour, we’d check out these options on GetyourGuide and Viator . Some also visit other destinations in Northern Ireland like the Giant’s Causeway, Castle Ward, and the St. Patricks Centre.

We don’t have any posts on Waterford Ireland although we did get some Waterford crystal when we were last in Ireland 😉 You can get to Waterford by train on your own or you can take a guided day tour from Dublin, such as this one (by train) or this one (by coach) .

Hope that helps, and let us know if you have further questions. Wishing you a wonderful trip to Ireland.

Bill Post author

January 7, 2019 at 5:17 pm

Thank you so much for this! It is so helpful in our planning! I can’t seem to find your write up for the day trip to the cliffs of Moher. I’d love to learn how you chose to do that.

January 7, 2019 at 5:44 pm

Hi Bill, Glad you are finding our Dublin itinerary helpful! Oh, yes, I mention a day trip to the Cliff of Moher but didn’t include the link as it is on our other travel blog (Finding the Universe) and you can read about the day trip here . I will also add it to the article. Just let us know if you have any other questions. Best, Jessica

sally sullivan Post author

July 21, 2018 at 10:19 am

Hello, We love visiting Dublin Ireland and this post lists some of our favourite places! We also made time to go on a wonderful pub tour in the wicklow mountains with Rural Pub Tours. Its a small group tour which enables you to see unique pubs that would otherwise be difficult to get to. Shane is the owner and driver and he is so much fun. If you decide to check it out, you won’t be sorry!

July 22, 2018 at 12:53 pm

Hi Sally, Glad you enjoyed our Dublin itinerary and thanks for the pub tour tip! Maybe we’ll check it out the next time we are in Dublin and want to do something outside the city. Best, Jessica

Rob+Ann Post author

May 4, 2018 at 11:02 am

This is an awesome itinerary! Although, we could be entirely happy just stumbling around Dublin for a few days. It’s such a great city, at once charming and exciting, historic and modern. What we didn’t do – but will next time – is invest in the Dublin Pass! Besides the savings, we find the passes often get us to go places we might otherwise pass by. Pinning this one for later – Thanks guys!

May 6, 2018 at 12:38 am

Hi Rob & Ann, Yes, we definitely agree about the passes. We find that city passes like the Dublin Pass often encourage us to stop by museums or attractions we probably would not have visited otherwise because of the entry fees. Hope you get back to Dublin soon! Best, Jessica

andrew Post author

May 2, 2018 at 1:07 am

Amazing, Dublin is a must visit the place, from the beautiful historical monuments to museums, picturesque landscapes to the trendy flea market. Visiting Dublin is a treasure, I have been there and fall in love with the astonishing city.

May 2, 2018 at 12:02 pm

Hi Andrew, Thanks for taking the time to comment – yes we love Dublin too 😉 We haven’t been to the flea market there, perhaps on our next trip if it is happening! Best, Jessica

Jessica Post author

May 1, 2018 at 6:38 am

What a treasure trove of incredible information! I visited Dublin a few years back, but would love to go again. I especially loved the experience at the Guinness Storehouse! I pinned this for my next trip there, thanks!

May 1, 2018 at 1:33 pm

Hi Jessica, Yes, the Guinness Storehouse is definitely a crowd pleaser and they seem to keep just adding new parts to it 😉 Glad you enjoyed our Dublin itinerary and hope you get a chance to return to Dublin to see more! Best, Jessica

Anna Post author

May 1, 2018 at 1:40 am

Hopefully, I´ll get a chance to visit Dublin any time soon. You’ve put together such a great itinerary! I love cities where you can walk a lot! The Old Library in the Trinity College has been on my travel bucket list for a while! I get super excited every time I see that many books

May 1, 2018 at 1:27 pm

Hi Anna, If you love books and literature, you’ll probably really love Dublin as it some great literary spots. If you like libraries, there is obviously the beautiful Trinity College Long Room but you would probably also like Marsh’s Library and Chester Beatty Library. There are also a few good literature related museums as well as some great book shops 😉 Hope you get a chance to visit Dublin soon! Jessica

Nath. Post author

April 30, 2018 at 7:09 am

Thanks for creating this great guide to Dublin Jessica and Laurence :).

I also recommend going to see a play (often with fantastic actors) at the Abbey Theatre or at the Gate Theatre. Temple bar can be fun but drinking there is expensive.

A couple of good pubs with live Irish music: O’Donoghues Bar or The Cobblestone. Two great traditional pubs: The Brazen Head or Mulligan’s.

My first impression on discovering Dublin: grey buildings, grey sea, grey sky. But don’t let that put you off, Dublin is an old city with a young population and lots on offer.

You’ll leave with a warm fuzzy feeling.

April 30, 2018 at 7:25 am

Hi Nath, Glad you enjoyed our Dublin itinerary and thanks so much for those great recommendations! We’ve been to The Brazen Head but not the other pubs you recommend, only so many pubs you can visit each time 😉 We’d love to see a play or other performance in Dublin at one of the theatres – and will try to do that on our next trip.

Oh, yes, the weather can have such a major factor in first impression when traveling. We had OK weather in Dublin on our last trip but I remember my very first visit to London (similar experiences in Edinburgh and Aberdeen) – it was cold, raining, hailing, and windy! Not a good first impression but seeing it in the sunlight the next day and exploring some of the attractions helped change that 😉

Anda Post author

April 29, 2018 at 2:09 pm

Great guide for visiting Dublin. A lot of useful information in it, like always. It’s good to know what the Dublin pass covers. I didn’t realize you would need to a voltage converter in Ireland.

April 30, 2018 at 2:45 am

Hi Anda, Yes, Dublin has a lot to offer and the Dublin Pass can be a good investment if you plan to visit a number of the covered attractions. We’ll probably use it again on our next trip to Dublin as there are still several sites we haven’t visited that are included on the Pass.

Yes, like all of Europe (and most of the world), Ireland uses 220v but some countries (particularly the USA) do not and the USA uses 110v. You don’t want to plug a 110v applicance into a 220v outlet or vice versa without a converter. You could damage the device and/or the electrical system (I’ve accidentally ruined a handheld water heater and flat iron this way over the years). Now the good news is that most newer electronics are dual voltage these days meaning that work with both 110v and 220v (e.g., laptops, tablets, phones) but most other things (e.g., curling irons, flat irons, hair dryers, DVD players, some phone chargers) are not. It should be labeled on the device or in the manufacturer’s book. We buy dual voltage appliances or have two of things (e.g., flat irons) for the things we travel with a lot.

Anisa Post author

April 29, 2018 at 12:41 pm

Wow such a comprehensive list of attractions in Dublin, one of my favorite cities. I have been a few times but did not know about some of the museums you mentioned. I will have to check them out on my next trip.

April 30, 2018 at 2:37 am

Hi Anisa, Glad you enjoyed our post, and glad we could mentioned a few additional places to visit on your next trip to Dublin! Best, Jessica

Lolo Post author

April 29, 2018 at 12:16 pm

I am a full on believer now of these city passes! They definitely save a lot of money, especially when transportation is included! I just said to my husband a few minutes ago, we should look into other city passes! I think this was a sign haha

Hi Lolo, Yes, we often use discount city or region passes, as they save us a lot of money since we go to so many places. Although you do have to watch out as some are not the best deals especially if you are not visiting a ton of attractions. But I’ve used them in the USA, Europe, Korea, etc. and have found them a really good way to save money without skipping places we want to visit. The Dublin Pass is one we’d definitely recommend as it is easy to save money if you plan to visit several more pricey attractions! Best, Jessica

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Dublin   Travel Guide

Courtesy of Peter Unger | Getty Images

Why Go To Dublin

Like many modern cities, Dublin is a melting pot. Along with its traditional Irish culture, Dublin has been infiltrated by a host of glorious international influences. The city is the largest in Ireland, and its fast-growing immigrant population brings people from all over the world. The influence of these cultures is evident in the diverse and vibrant culinary scene that can be found here. That said, Dublin has held on to some of its classic characteristics. Known for its traditions, fine literature, folklore, customary music and dance, and fresh pints of Guinness are never in short supply. Travelers should expect to experience the traditional alongside the contemporary on their next trip to Dublin. Signing up for one of the best Dublin tours is a great way to experience Dublin's duality. The Irish capital is a mixture of history with a little debauchery that can be found on nearly every street corner.

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• # 2 in Best Places to Visit in Ireland
• # 10 in Best Places to Visit in June 2024
• # 14 in Best Family Vacations in Europe

See All 4 Rankings

Best of Dublin

Best hotels in dublin.

• # 1 in The Merrion
• # 2 in The Westbury
• # 3 in The Shelbourne, Autograph Collection

Best Things to Do in Dublin

• # 1 in Trinity College and The Book of Kells
• # 2 in St. Patrick's Cathedral
• # 3 in Chester Beatty Library

Popular Tours

Cliffs of Moher Tour Including Wild Atlantic Way and Galway City from Dublin

(13200 reviews)

from $ 84.70

Dublin Jameson Distillery and Guinness Storehouse Guided Tour

(1250 reviews)

from $ 121.62

Dublin Book of Kells, Castle and Molly Malone Statue Guided Tour

(2361 reviews)

from $ 64.07

Dublin Travel Tips

Best months to visit.

The best time to visit Dublin is June through August when temperatures are warm (for Ireland anyway) and festivals fill the streets. This also constitutes the most expensive time to visit, with high hotel rates and airfare prices. It's also the most crowded time of year. If you're looking for a deal and fewer tourists, come in the winter (the low season) with your heaviest coat. Spring and fall offer a happy medium – moderate temperatures (again, for Ireland), crowds and prices.

Weather in Dublin

Data sourced from the National Climatic Data Center

What You Need to Know

Pub proficiency Dublin is pub central. Blend in with the local scene by learning this tidbit: When ordering the requisite Guinness (or any other brew), you call a half pint "a glass" and a full 16 ounces "a pint."

Pack layers No matter the time of year, Dublin is prone to cold, rainy streaks. Pack layers and a rain coat as sometimes an umbrella is not enough to keep you dry when it’s pouring outside.

Seek the building sides Street names are usually plastered along the sides of buildings rather than on signs.

How to Save Money in Dublin

Avoid eating and drinking in Temple Bar  If you can, drink and dine in areas like Smithfield, Portobello or Phibsborough for more authentic food and drinks at better prices. Many of the Temple Bar neighborhood's restaurants and bars are known for being tourist traps.

Travel in the winter  Dublin is cold and gray in the winter, but the hotel deals are hot.

Be prepared to walk  Taxis are expensive. Instead of forking over your euros, rely on your own two feet or take the bus or tram.

Consider a day trip If you're interested in seeing some of the country's most majestic places, such as Kilkenny Castle and Glendalough, sign up for one of the best Ireland tours . Tours are led by knowledgeable locals who take care of the transportation and planning for you. 

Culture & Customs

The Irish are a very friendly people, especially compared to the reputation of their stiff upper-lipped neighbors (sorry, England), so get to know them.

Dublin's official currency is the euro (EUR). Since the euro to U.S. dollar exchange rate fluctuates often, be sure to check what the current exchange rate is  before you go. Major credit cards are accepted at most restaurants and shops.

As for tipping, all industries in Ireland have a mandated minimum wage so tipping isn't a large part of the culture. Some restaurants will add a service charge of 10 to 15 percent to the bill so no tip is expected. If there is no service charge, it's customary to tip the same amount. When it comes to transportation, taxi drivers don't expect a tip but many travelers will round the bill up to the nearest euro or leave 5% if the driver was especially hospitable. One place to never worry about tipping? The pub. 

What to Eat

Ireland's economic revival in the 1990s was accompanied by a culinary renaissance of new, sophisticated restaurants that ditched meat and potatoes for more lively European cuisine. Now in Dublin you'll find a great mix of medium- to high-price range restaurants, which offer an astounding diversity of options. The best restaurants are found south of the Liffey, but you should be prepared to pay well for a meal. Dublin restaurants include a high value-added tax on dining.

For cakes, pudding, tarts, tea and more, recent travelers highly recommend you visit Queen of Tarts , a Dublin bakery on Dame Street. But if it's an entire Irish meal you're after, try the traveler-recommended L'Ecrivain for its delicious menu and intimate ambiance, perfect for a romantic dinner. Meanwhile, foodies should check out the contemporary Chapter One in the Rotunda neighborhood. Other cuisines, such as Thai, Asian fusion and Indian, are very popular, too; recent travelers especially praise the Indian restaurant, Veda , in Cabinteely Village. For a crash course in traditional and contemporary Irish cuisine, sign up for one of the best Dublin tours .

Dublin is relatively safe, especially the city center and surrounding attractions, even at the wee hours of the morning. Overall, visitors should take caution against petty crimes like pickpocketing and car break-ins. But visitors should note that the area around Temple Bar can get pretty raucous as all the drunken revelers exit the bars and clubs. There is also a drug problem within Dublin city, predominantly heroin, so visitors should be mindful of suspicious activity, street beggars and paraphernalia in alleyways. In the unlikely event that you are a victim of a crime, reach out to Irish Tourist Assistance Service , which offers free and confidential services to tourists. 

Getting Around Dublin

The best way to get around Dublin is by foot. The city's compact size makes strolling to and from the top attractions a cinch. Plus, some brisk walking will help lessen the (caloric) effects of all those pints from the pub. If you're flying into Dublin Airport (DUB), you can take a taxi, bus or airport shuttle into the city center. To save some coin, you can purchase a DoDublin hop-on, hop-off bus tour and Dublin Express airport bus combo ticket (you can purchase fares on the airport bus without buying a DoDublin Card). Aircoach also offers service between the airport and the city.

Once in the city, you can also try out the bus and tram systems, which have lines that crisscross the city. You'll find taxis lining up in ranks throughout Dublin. These are expensive, but preferred over driving a rental car. The ride-hailing app Uber also operates in Dublin, but only allows licensed taxi and limousine drivers to offer rides. Ireland has prohibited Uber from hiring out private cars.

Entry & Exit Requirements

A valid passport is required for United States citizens traveling outside the mainland by air or sea, as well as for U.S. citizens trying to re-enter the country. You won't need a visa unless you plan on staying longer than three months. Visit the U.S. State Department's  website  for the latest information on foreign exit and entry requirements.

The Ha'Penny Bridge, Dublin's oldest pedestrian bridge over the River Liffey, earned its nickname from the halfpenny toll originally required to cross. 

Explore More of Dublin

Things To Do

Best hotels.

You might also like

London, England

# 1 in  Best Family Vacations in Europe

# 5 in  Best Destination Wedding Spots in Europe

# 10 in  Best Places to Visit in Ireland

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The 7 Best Hotels in Dublin

Dublin is a moody, literary city. It’s a great city for history buffs and book lovers as it is home to lots of authors and poets. Here, you’ll find castles, traditional pubs, and countless opportunities to experience live music.

Dublin is fairly compact, making all the sights, activities, and walking tours easy to do. You can get pretty much anywhere on foot.

Therefore, when you’re thinking of a hotel, don’t worry too much about where it is located (unless it’s far from the center). The city’s tram system makes it easy to get around too.

Here’s my list of the best hotels in Dublin:

1. Harcourt Hotel

2. Clarence Hotel

Downstairs, there’s a luxurious cocktail bar and a fantastic restaurant serving elevated Irish fare, including daily breakfast and a bottomless brunch on Sundays.

3. Maldron Hotel Kevin Street

4. The Dean

I also love the chill rooftop bar/restaurant with it’s view of the city. There’s also a sauna and a heated outdoor pool. Overall, you really get a lot of value here, considering the amenities and central location.

5. The Alex

The staff here really go out of their way to help and keep things clean (the property is always spotless). The hotel also has a fitness center and a few excellent in-house eateries. The buffet breakfast (which can be included in your stay) has a ton of options too.

6. The Spencer Hotel

Rooms here are spacious and minimally designed in a soft, pastel color palate. They have lots of natural light too, thanks to the floor-to-ceiling windows. The bathrooms are also large, with a shower/tub combo and complimentary Rituals bath products. Rooms also have a mini-fridge and a coffee/tea maker. It’s a classy property that offers excellent value for your money.

7. The Hendrick Smithfield

I always love visiting Dublin. Brimming with cozy pubs, world-class whiskey, and home to an impressive literary history, Dublin , it’s a city with character and one of my favorite places to visit in Europe . Stay at one of the hotels above to super charge your visit.  

Book Your Trip to Dublin: Logistical Tips and Tricks

Book Your Flight Use Skyscanner to find a cheap flight. They are my favorite search engine because they search websites and airlines around the globe so you always know no stone is left unturned.

Book Your Accommodation You can book your hostel with Hostelworld as they have the biggest inventory and best deals. If you want to stay somewhere other than a hostel, use Booking.com as they consistently return the cheapest rates for guesthouses and cheap hotels.

Don’t Forget Travel Insurance Travel insurance will protect you against illness, injury, theft, and cancellations. It’s comprehensive protection in case anything goes wrong. I never go on a trip without it as I’ve had to use it many times in the past. My favorite companies that offer the best service and value are:

• Safety Wing (best for everyone)
• Insure My Trip (for those over 70)
• Medjet (for additional evacuation coverage)

Looking for the best companies to save money with? Check out my resource page for the best companies to use when you travel. I list all the ones I use to save money when I’m on the road. They will save you money when you travel too.

Want More Information on Dublin? Be sure to visit our robust destination guide on Dublin for even more planning tips!

Got a comment on this article? Join the conversation on Facebook , Instagram , or Twitter and share your thoughts!

Disclosure: Please note that some of the links above may be affiliate links, and at no additional cost to you, I earn a commission if you make a purchase. I recommend only products and companies I use and the income goes to keeping the site community supported and ad free.

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Dublin Travel And Leisure

Dublin Travel and Leisure

In the heart of Ireland lies Dublin, a vibrant city that offers a unique blend of historical charm and contemporary attractions. With a population of approximately 1.4 million people, Dublin is the largest city in Ireland and serves as the country’s cultural and economic center.

Dublin’s rich history is evident in its architecture, with landmarks such as Dublin Castle and St. Patrick’s Cathedral dating back to the medieval period. For visitors interested in delving into the city’s past, a visit to the National Museum of Ireland is a must. Here, one can explore fascinating exhibits that showcase Ireland’s heritage, including its renowned Celtic artifacts.

When it comes to leisure activities, Dublin has something for everyone. The city’s vibrant nightlife scene is renowned, with numerous pubs and clubs offering live music and a lively atmosphere. Temple Bar, located in the city center, is particularly famous for its buzzing energy and traditional Irish music sessions.

For those seeking a more tranquil experience, Dublin’s many parks provide the perfect setting for relaxation. Phoenix Park, one of the largest enclosed urban parks in Europe, offers serene picnic areas and is also home to Dublin Zoo. Visitors can enjoy a leisurely stroll or rent bicycles to explore the park.

Dublin is also a city of literature and has produced many renowned authors and poets over the years. The Dublin Writers Museum celebrates this rich literary tradition through its vast collection of books and memorabilia. To gain further insight into the city’s literary heritage, taking a tour of the famous Trinity College Library is highly recommended. The library is home to the Book of Kells, an intricately illustrated manuscript dating back to the 9th century.

From a culinary perspective, Dublin boasts a thriving food scene that showcases both traditional Irish fare and international cuisine. The city’s numerous Michelin-starred restaurants offer a diverse range of culinary experiences, while its farmers markets provide a taste of local flavors. Visitors can also indulge in a famous Irish pub lunch, featuring hearty dishes such as fish and chips or traditional Irish stew.

Exploring Dublin’s Surroundings

Beyond Dublin’s city limits, there are many opportunities for day trips and adventures. One such destination is the world-famous Cliffs of Moher, located on Ireland’s west coast. These stunning cliffs rise 702 feet above the Atlantic Ocean and provide breathtaking views of the rugged Irish coastline. Visitors can also explore the nearby Burren, a unique karst landscape that is home to a diverse array of flora and fauna.

If castles and history are of interest, a visit to Malahide Castle is highly recommended. This medieval castle, situated just north of Dublin, offers guided tours that delve into its fascinating past. The castle’s beautiful gardens provide a peaceful retreat and are perfect for a leisurely stroll.

For those who prefer a taste of Irish whiskey, a trip to the Jameson Distillery Bow St. is a must. Here, visitors can learn about the history and production of Irish whiskey through interactive exhibits and guided tours. The experience culminates with a tasting session, allowing visitors to savor the distinct flavors of this beloved Irish spirit.

Outdoor Activities in and around Dublin

Dublin’s location on the east coast of Ireland provides ample opportunities for outdoor enthusiasts. The city’s coastal region offers stunning cliffside walks and picturesque beaches. Howth, a charming fishing village located just outside Dublin, is a popular destination for hiking and seafood lovers alike. The Howth Cliff Walk provides breathtaking views of Dublin Bay, while the village’s seafood restaurants serve up freshly caught delicacies.

For those who enjoy water activities, Dublin Bay is the perfect spot for sailing, kayaking, and paddleboarding. The city’s numerous sailing clubs offer lessons and rental options for both beginners and experienced sailors. Coastal towns such as Dun Laoghaire also provide opportunities for sailing and other water sports.

Events and Festivals

Dublin is known for its lively events and festivals that attract both locals and visitors throughout the year. The St. Patrick’s Day Parade, held annually on March 17th, is one of the city’s most iconic celebrations. This vibrant parade showcases Irish culture and heritage, featuring colorful floats, marching bands, and traditional performances.

The Dublin Fringe Festival, held in September, is a platform for emerging artists in various fields, including theater, music, and dance. The festival offers a diverse program of performances and events that showcase the vibrant creative scene in the city.

For music lovers, the Longitude Festival is a must-attend event. Held in July, this multi-day music festival features a lineup of international and local artists across different genres, attracting music enthusiasts from near and far.

Dublin’s vibrant culture, rich history, and diverse range of activities make it an ideal destination for travelers seeking a unique and memorable experience. Whether exploring the city’s historical sites, enjoying its lively nightlife, or immersing oneself in its literary and culinary traditions, Dublin has something to offer every visitor.

John Wilder

John F. Wilder is a writer based in Dublin, Ireland. He specializes in articles about Irish culture, history, and politics. He has been writing for various publications for over a decade and has an extensive knowledge of Irish culture. He has traveled extensively throughout Ireland, and has a deep love of its culture and history. He is passionate about promoting a positive image of Ireland, both at home and abroad.

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Dublin, which is located in Ireland is not only beautiful any time of the year but offers serenity and relaxation. You can visit places such as the former Saint Andrews Church, and Suffolk Street. Visit some of the many museums that Dublin has to offer and discover the story and learn the history of this ancient capital.

You can choose to have a pint of Guinness or a shot of whiskey in one of Dublin’s many pubs! The pubs of Dublin are not simply places in which to satisfy your thirst. They are theatres for storytelling, backdrops for romance, homes away from home, and keepers of the spirit of the city, in more ways than one. Take a step back in time and visit a selection of ancient and historic castles situated throughout the county of Dublin.

For all you shoppers out there, Dublin offers a magnificent collection of products from the customary to the more modern. Henry Street to O’ Connell Street and on to Grafton Street, is a must see place for anyone who claims they are a shopper and is easily explored on foot.

Take a tour of Dublin, or escape the hustle and bustle of the city and visit the countryside or costal villages. With the hop on and hop off tours you are bound away to the sites you want and can more time with some than others.

In case you did not know, Dublin is among the most important music cities in the world. Dublin is known for its nightlife. Dublin has one of Europe’s most exciting nightlife cultures. You can choose the traditional pubs with Irish music, or check out the hip and trendy bar and club scene.

Be sure to check out the playwrights and plentiful theatres, which have made Dublin famous. Do not worry about transportation if you’re out late at night in Dublin. The most quick and affordable way home, is the Nitelink (Dublin’s bus service).

Don’t be fooled into thinking that this is all too good to be true, because you too can have all this on your vacation or next trip to Dublin. Dublin is a lively city with a vibrant nightlife, a glimpse of an ancient civilization, a cultural feast, a musical odyssey, stunning scenery, and a spectacular coastline. Boy you are in for a treat. Dublin is all this and so much more. So come take a look for yourself, try an online virtual tour.

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“Travel” is a verb that means “to go to a place and especially one that is far away.” Far can mean long distances within the same country or to other countries. Trip The word “trip” is a noun that means “the act of going to another place and returning.” Journey The word “journey” is a noun that means “the act of going from one place to another.”

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American Airlines Reveals New Details on Suite Seats — Including a New ‘Preferred’ Front-row Seat

It's perks on perks on perks with this seat.

Courtesy of American Airlines

American Airlines is about to make business class even more comfortable with the introduction of a "preferred" front-row suite.

The new Flagship Suite Preferred seat will be available in the first row of the aircraft and will offer more space, several storage areas, and exclusive amenities, American Airlines shared with Travel + Leisure . The seat will be available on the airline's new Boeing 787-9 aircraft and on retrofitted 777-300 aircraft.

"We thoughtfully curate each element of the onboard experience so every customer can look forward to the time they spend in flight," Kim Cisek, American's vice president of customer Experience, said in a statement shared with T+L. "Part of the magic of travel is connecting our customers to the people and experiences that matter most to them. We're taking that concept to the skies by introducing a new, dynamic onboard program that's inspired by feedback from our customers and team members."

The "preferred" suite will feature a Nest Bedding mattress pad, a throw blanket, a memory foam lumbar pillow, and Nest Bedding pajamas to promote restful sleep at 30,000 feet. The suite will also come with an exclusive amenity kit complete with skincare products from Thirteen Lune by Joanna Vargas and Relevant (and more skincare products than other business-class kits).

The new seat setup is similar to JetBlue's front-row Mint Studio seats , which are larger versions of its Mint Suite business class seats.

Beyond this upgraded seat experience, American revealed new details about its Flagship Suite, which the airline first announced in 2022 . The lie-flat seats, which will be rolled out on its Boeing 787-9, Boeing 777-300, and Airbus A321XLR aircraft, will feature wireless charging, Bluetooth connectivity, multiple storage areas, direct-aisle access, and privacy doors.

American is also upgrading its premium economy seats with perks like wireless charging and privacy headrest wings. Main cabin travelers will also have access to Bluetooth connectivity and both AC and USB-A/USB-C charging ports.

In addition to the new seat features, American is also introducing a dual-sided pillow in first and business class, featuring a cool side and a traditional fabric side.

The cabin refresh comes months after the airline revamped its loyalty program , introducing "members-only" benefits for AAdvantage frequent fliers . These benefits include free same-day standby for earlier domestic flights, free 24-hour ticket holds, and the ability to purchase one-day Admirals Club and Flagship First lounge passes. AAdvantage members who book through the airline can also cancel basic economy tickets for a fee.