The Ultimate List of Best Things to do in Dublin, Ireland

Ireland, the land of rolling hills of green and lucky leprechauns. It’s my favorite country to visit because of the atmosphere, friendly locals, and delicious food. Ireland is a must-visit for ANY traveler – young, old, solo, group, friends, couples, or families. The capital city of Dublin straddles the River Liffey and is filled with things to do.

The infamous city of Dublin is deeply rooted in Ireland’s culture, history and of course – booze. The people of Dublin reflect the best of the Irish – they’re proud to share their country with you and will happily share recommendations of where to go. Every person I met in Ireland was filled with stories, songs, jokes, and laughter.

Here’s the ultimate list of best things to do in Dublin – encompassing everything from art and history, to food and booze! Oh, and if you’re like me and in love with Dublin, here’s all you need to know about living in Dublin!

One of my favorite ways to experience any city is by taking a walking tour. With this tour you’ll hit many of the highlights below and learn about them! If you’d rather not explore with a group, then get the Dublin City Card and save up to 50% off on many attractions in the city!

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Culture & History

Trinity College & Book of Kells

Trinity College is an icon of Dublin. The beautiful campus is hard to miss and free to walk around to enjoy the architecture. Nestled in the Old Library, housing over 20,000 books, the Book of Kells stands out. The Book of Kells is an illuminated manuscript and is a masterpiece of western calligraphy. It contains the four Gospels of the New Testament together. It gets its name from the Abbey of Kells, which was its home for centuries before being put on display at Trinity College. The Old Library usually displays two of the four volumes, one showing a major illustration and the other showing typical text pages. You can see the entire manuscript digitally, here.

Irish Museum of Modern Art

Enjoy the works of Rembrandt, Goya, and more by walking through Ireland’s national collection of art. Exhibits vary in style and feature both Irish and international artists.

Dublin Castle

It would be impressive if you managed to visit Dublin without seeing the Dublin Castle! It’s visible from most corners of the city and is enormous! It was originally built as a medieval fortress under the orders of King John of England. It was used as a residence for the British monarch’s Irish representative from 1204 to 1922. While no longer a residence, it is still used for national events, such as state dinners. The guided tours run an hour-long, but they are not required to explore the grounds.

Kilmainham Gaol Museum

This prison-turned-museum has a rich history. It was built in 1796 and public hangings took place in the front of it until the 1820s. During the 1800s a small hanging cell was built in the prison. Men, women, and children were all imprisoned together. Many Irish revolutionaries, including the leaders of the Easter Rising in 1916 were imprisoned and executed in the prison.

Kissing the Blarney Stone is a great day trip from Dublin to make your trip complete!

National Museum of Ireland

The National Museum of Ireland has three locations in Dublin (one in County Mayo) and houses everything – Irish. It encompasses not only history and art but also natural history and archaeology. If you’re a history lover, this is definitely the museum for you!

The Little Museum of Dublin

A tour is required at this tiny museum, but it runs less than an hour and goes in depth about the history of Dublin. Be sure to book a ticket in advance though – tours sell out.

Leprechaun Museum

If you need a break from the pubs and history, you can escape into a world of legend and myth. The Leprechaun Museum is in the heart of Dublin and is a great place to learn about Irish folklore. The Storyteller guides are wonderful, and will captivate you throughout the tour!

Sightseeing

There are plenty of things to see in Dublin, so taking a tour might not be a bad idea depending on your interest. This 3-hour walking tour dives deep into the Irish Revolution! Or this Hop-on-hop-off bus tour which can help you get adjusted to the city!

Ha’penny Bridge & The River Liffey

The iconic white cast iron bridge clashes beautifully with the murky waters of the River Liffey. The pedestrian bridge was built in 1816. You used to be required to pay half a penny to cross the bridge, hence its name! There are a lot of bridges that cross the River Liffey in Dublin, so be sure to keep your eye out and cross the Ha’penny Bridge at least once. You can even do a Sightseeing Cruise along the River Liffey for a different perspective of the city.

Christ Church Cathedral

Where this cathedral stands has been a place of worship for well over a thousand years. The church there today was founded in 1028. The church is best known for its vaulted ceilings and the ancient crypt which is home to Ireland’s first copy of the Magna Carta.

Bonus: Malahide Castle is about 30 minutes outside Dublin. You can explore the private rooms and collections of the 800-year-old castle.

St. Stephen’s Green

If you’re lucky to get a prized sunny day in Dublin, St. Stephen’s Green is the place to get a break from the city. It’s has a wide variety of plants to admire, and plenty of benches to sit on. So enjoy a picnic while people watching.

St. Patrick’s Cathedral

A trip to Dublin wouldn’t be complete without at least walking by St. Patrick’s Cathedral! It’s the Church of Ireland’s national cathedral, founded in 1191. There are musical recitals typically held around lunch. The sharp spire at the top of St. Patrick’s is eye-catching and especially breathtaking amongst a blue sky. I suggest doing a self-guided audio tour for the inside so you really get to understand this magical and historical cathedral.

Travel Tip: A secret gem in St. Patrick’s close (adjacent to the Cathedral) is Marsh’s Library. When it opened in 1707, it was the first public library in Ireland. It has a collection of over 25,000 books and 300 manuscripts.

National Botanic Gardens

Located on Dublin’s northside, the botanic garden is a perfect place to escape the bustle of the city – and entrance is free! Exhibitions are typically held on Sundays. Since the gardens are indoor, the gardens can also be used as an escape from the rain (which it does tend to do in Ireland).

For another awesome trip outside of Dublin, check out the city of Killarney!

Food & Booze in Dublin

The Brazen Head

Ireland’s oldest pub is near the River Liffey and boasts reasonably priced food and drinks, and even features live music. The pub was established in 1198 in Dublin and is definitely a staple of Dublin.

Temple Bar

Full disclosure, Temple Bar (the bar and area around it) is filled with tourists and is more expensive than some of the other neighborhoods. However, places become touristy for a reason – and the reason why Temple Bar is so popular is because of the colorful streets and atmosphere. Simply walking around – and soaking it in – is worth it. Hop into the Temple Bar or one of the many pubs along the street for a refreshment. It’s such a cool place to visit, which makes it one of the best things to do in Dublin – however – be prepared for crowds and some overpriced drinks.

Travel tip: Visit the Temple Bar after sunset so you can capture the hundreds of glittering lights across the facade of the bar.

Ruby Sessions

If you’re in the city on a Tuesday, one of the best places to enjoy local, live music. It’s a weekly acoustic club whose gigs are intimate. One of the more well-known bands to perform there is Mumford & Sons.

The Church

The Church was one of the coolest accidental finds in Dublin. It’s a 17th-century church that has been converted into a cafe and bar. It often has live music including traditional Irish dancers. Reserve a spot if you want to be near the music and dancers. I ALWAYS recommend people visit The Church for a cocktail or meal in Dublin.

Elephant & Castle

Originally from New York, Elephant & Castle came to Dublin after one of the original chefs was denied entry into the USA. Now it’s a classic featuring a mouthwatering breakfast and brunch! Bonus: It’s vegetarian-friendly.

Guinness Storehouse

Ireland and Guinness go together like peanut butter and jelly. Even if you’re not a huge beer

lover, there’s a lot to learn at the Guinness Storehouse. The pint shaped brewery includes a history of the beer, the iconic advertising through the years, and of course how the beer is made. You also learn how to pour the perfect pint of Guinness. (You’ll also get a certificate to show you’re a pro!). Then you get to enjoy the pint in the bar. The Guinness at the Storehouse does taste different than anywhere else – it’s the source after all. The store also has souvenirs for everyone – from t-shirts to ornaments, to barbecue sauce and everything in between.

Be sure to purchase your tickets ahead of time to guarantee your time frame and skip the line outside:

Learn about Irish Whiskey

Similar to Guinness, whiskey is a part of Irish culture and can easily be found anywhere with food. You can visit the famous Jameson distillery to learn what makes Irish whiskey different (and in my opinion, better) than Scotch or Bourbon. For a more generalized education, visit the Irish Whiskey Museum whose basic ticket includes three whiskey tastings. If you wanted to upgrade to the VIP ticket, you’d receive some aged whiskey tastings as well.

Similar to Guinness, whiskey is a part of Irish culture and can easily be found anywhere with food. You can visit the famous Jameson Distillery to learn what makes Irish whiskey different (and in my opinion, better) than Scotch or Bourbon. For a more generalized education, visit the Irish Whiskey Museum whose basic ticket includes three whiskey tastings. If you wanted to upgrade to the VIP ticket, you’d receive some aged whiskey tastings as well. The Dingle Whiskey Bar is a great authentic experience as well!

If you’re already in Ireland, you can venture out of Dublin to make your trip more magical. Since Ireland is small, it’s easy to do day trips all around the country – like the Cliffs of Moher or visiting Galway.

Click the map below for a customizable Google map of the best things to do in Dublin!

Read More about Ireland

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15+ Must-Visit Castles in Ireland

Everything to Know About Kissing the Blarney Stone

10+ Unique Hotels in Ireland

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