Things to do in Dublin
Welcome to Dublin
Dublin—the vibrant capital of the Emerald Isle—buzzes with life. Thanks to its many attractions, museums, and historical monuments, you’ll find plenty of adventure on its cobblestone streets. Follow in the footsteps of authors such as James Joyce and W.B. Yeats, get a taste for Ireland’s most famous export at the Guinness Storehouse, or take the kids to the Dublin Zoo. Daily tours run from the capital to attractions including the UNESCO World Heritage Site, Giant’s Causeway, and the Wicklow Mountains National Park, where you’ll see the soaring cliffs and the open wilderness of the coast and countryside.
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Top 15 attractions in Dublin
#1
Cliffs of Moher
Towering 702 feet (214 meters) above the Atlantic Ocean at their highest point and stretching for 5 miles (8 kilometers) along the water, the famed Cliffs of Moher define the rugged west coast of Ireland. They're also one of the most popular tourist attractions in Ireland, with tours available from Dublin, Galway, Cork, Limerick, Killarney, and Doolin.More
#2
Trinity College Dublin
One of Ireland’s most prestigious academic institutions, Trinity College Dublin sits in Dublin’s city center and boasts alumni including esteemed literary legends such as Oscar Wilde, Bram Stoker, and Samuel Beckett. Tourists from the world over come to wander the historic cobblestoned campus and see the Book of Kells, a prized medieval manuscript housed in the Trinity College Library.More
#3
Giant's Causeway
The Giant's Causeway is a cluster of approximately 40,000 basalt columns rising out of the sea on the Antrim Coast of Northern Ireland. A UNESCO World Heritage site, the area draws thousands of tourists each year who come to marvel at and photograph this natural wonder.More
#4
Dublin Castle
Dublin Castle has served many functions since it was built by King John of England in 1230. Originally a defense center against Norman invaders and the seat of the English government, it has since also been the site of the Royal Mint and police headquarters. Today, the castle grounds attract visitors and function as a venue for Irish government functions and ceremonies.More
#5
Guinness Storehouse
The 7-story, pint glass–shaped interior of the Guinness Storehouse, one of Ireland’s top visitor attractions, draws travelers from all corners of the world who want to see the birthplace of the famed dark beer and get a taste straight from the barrel. Highlights include multimedia exhibits and a complimentary pint.More
#6
Temple Bar
A compact cluster of crowded cobbled lanes, Temple Bar is an urban playground known for its nightlife. Once a rundown slum before artists and bohemian types—drawn by cheap rents—moved in, Dublin’s so-called cultural quarter has since been revamped. It is now home to galleries, vintage shops, cafés, cultural institutions, and a high concentration of pubs.More
#7
The Book of Kells
Dating back to AD 800, the illuminated manuscript known as the Book of Kells is renowned for its extraordinary illustrations and ornamentations. Its intricate drawings incorporating Celtic and Christian traditions are a testament to the incredible craftsmanship of the medieval Irish monks believed to have created it while on the remote island of Iona in Scotland. Despite Viking raids, theft, and fights between various Irish and English factions, 680 astonishingly detailed vellum (calf-skin) pages of the book remain intact.More
#8
Molly Malone Statue
The bronze Molly Malone Statue commemorates the young woman featured in the local ballad, 'Cockles and Mussels'. As the song goes, this beautiful woman plied her trade as a fishmonger through the streets where her statue now rests, until she suddenly died of a fever. As a nod to the folk song, a statue was erected on the corner of Grafton and Suffolk streets and unveiled at the 1988 Dublin Millennium celebrations.This tune has been adopted as Dublin's unofficial anthem, boosting this heroine to eternal fame. Though there is debate as to whether or not a Molly Malone like the one in the song ever existed, she is real to the people of Dublin and is remembered both in song as well as on June 13, National Molly Malone Day. The statue also acts as a popular rendezvous spot for groups as the beautiful bosomy woman with her cart cannot be missed.More
#9
Jameson Distillery Bow St.
For nearly 200 years, this distillery produced one of Ireland’s leading whiskeys, before Jameson—together with other producers—moved operations to a purpose-built facility in Middleton, County Cork, in the 1970s. Now, the Jameson Distillery Bow St. has been revamped as a visitor center showcasing the history and heritage of the brand.More
#10
Christ Church Cathedral
Established as a small Viking church in the 11th century, this magnificent cathedral was rebuilt in stone in the 12th century under orders from Norman knight, Strongbow, whose tomb is now held here. In the late 19th century, it was given a neo-Gothic makeover, though original elements including the 12th-century crypt remain.More
#11
Blarney Castle & Gardens
The famous Blarney Stone at Blarney Castle & Gardens is officially called the Stone of Eloquence, with a legend that states if you kiss the stone, you will never be at a loss for words. People travel from all over the world to kiss this mystical stone, which can only be done by hanging upside down over a sheer drop from the castle's tower. In addition to the draw of the stone, the 600-year-old fortress also boasts an array of handsome gardens and several interesting rock formations known collectively as Rock Close and given whimsical names such as Wishing Steps and Witch's Cave. Take your turn to kiss the stone, but don't leave the castle without exploring the grounds a bit too.More
#12
St. Patrick's Cathedral
The largest church in Ireland, the majestic St. Patrick’s Cathedral has borne witness to nearly 800 years of Irish history. The church was supposedly founded on the site where Ireland’s patron saint, St. Patrick, baptized converts and is known for its exquisite stained-glass windows, marble statues, and medieval tiling. St. Patrick’s is as much a significant spot for literary pilgrims as it is for their religious counterparts; Jonathan Swift, the esteemed author of “Gulliver’s Travels” once served as dean here and is now buried within its gray stone walls.More
#13
Wicklow Mountains
Wicklow Mountains National Park, also known as the Garden of Ireland, is one of the country’s six national parks and an easy day trip from Dublin, only 18.5 miles (30 km) away. Travelers frequent this County Wicklow mountain range to spend time away from the city and enjoy the stunningly wild landscape that is so markedly different from the typical green, grassy plains of the Emerald Isle. You’ll find 50,000 acres (20,000 hectares) of low mountains, serene lakes, and deep glacial valleys offering chances to fish, kayak, and hike.More
#14
Glendalough
Explore beyond Dublin with a day trip to Glendalough, a sixth-century monastic complex one hour south of the city center. Set between two lakes, Glendalough is a popular destination for travelers who want a taste of the Irish countryside. It’s also a common stop for hikers setting out along the Wicklow Way, which runs through the valley.More
#15
St. Stephen's Green
Once a common used for sheep grazing and public executions, St. Stephen’s Green became public park in 1877. This popular 22-acre (9-hectare) park offers benches and green lawns for relaxing, beautiful flower beds, a lake full of ducks, children’s playgrounds, and busts of prominent Irish historical figures.More
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When to visit
Visiting Dublin in the summer means warm weather and a festival atmosphere, but also the highest hotel rates and the largest crowds. To strike a happy medium of still-warm temperatures but fewer fellow travelers, consider a springtime trip, when it's quieter with the exception of St. Patrick’s Day. Whenever you choose to visit, come prepared with a rain jacket—the city averages 11 rainy days a month.
Currency
Euro (€)
Time Zone
GMT (UTC +1)
Country Code
+353
Language(s)
English
