A great thing to see and do in Dublin is walk across Ha’penny Bridge over the Liffey River

I love visiting Dublin, maybe its the Aussie in me that enjoys and relates to the Irish way of good ’craic’ but I do. There is so much to see and do in Dublin. From discovering its history in old buildings like Dublin Castle to enjoying life today in the vibrant Temple Bar area. If you are visiting Dublin soon, then here are my suggestions on how you too can make the most of your time in Dublin. I have put them into a comprehensive list of the best tourist sites in Dublin visit. Enjoy.

Updated: 10 March 2023. This post contains affiliate links. Read full disclosure here. 

Best Time to Visit Dublin

In my opinion, anytime is a great time to visit Dublin. However, if you are thinking of the ‘best’ weather time to visit Dublin, then you would be looking at the end of summer, usually in August and September. These warmer months though bring a lot of tourists so expect to pay more for accommodation and other services at this time. Winter is a magical time to visit Dublin. It can be very cold and you will need to have heavier and warmer clothes to keep you warm. But there is still plenty to see and do in Dublin at this time. Some people don’t worry about the weather and just go to enjoy different events such as St. Patricks Day on the 14 March. And as I said, anytime is a good time to visit Dublin.

How to Get to Dublin

Getting to Dublin is a breeze as it is well serviced by air, bus, train and ferry.

When you’re ready to visit Dublin, find the cheapest flights to Dublin here.
Prefer to travel by bus and ferry to Dublin? Find a great bus deal here.
Want to come by train and ferry to Dublin? Find great deals here.
Prefer to drive yourself around Dublin, you can rent a car here.
Ensure you protect your trip to Dublin with travel insurance. Find out how much it costs to protect your trip today with World Nomads travel insurance. If you are a digital nomad wanting to set up your remote working life for a while in Dublin or somewhere in Ireland get long-term insurance with SafetyWing.

How to Get Around Dublin

Dublin has two tram lines, a train service and an extensive bus network. Many of the sights though are in short walking distance from each other in the heart of the city. This is good news because you will be able to walk around Dublin to see all the sites of Dublin. However, when I visit a new city I like to get a ticket on the Hop-on Hop-off bus tour of that city. This is because it takes me to all the best sites, provides me with a commentary including tips and the history of the place and allows me to get on and off at places I want to spend more time. If you prefer to get around on public transport and have entrance fees to sites included, check out the Dublin Go City Pass. With one of these passes you can enter some 31 tourist spots. The pass is available for 1, 2, 3 or 5 days making it perfect for any length of trip. If you are planning to spend a few days in Dublin, I highly recommend getting the pass, not only will one help you save a lot of money on entrance tickets but you will be able to skip the queue at some of the busier attractions. You can book a ticket on the Hop-on Hop-off bus and / or a Dublin Go City Pass following. Just click on the link now.

How long is long enough to spend in Dublin?

How long you spend in Dublin will depend on your trip. You can see a lot of Dublin in one day however, if you can, I would suggest a minimum of at least 2 days to see and do what Dublin has to offer. If you can afford longer, then maybe up to a week. If you are coming on an Irish working holiday visa then you will have up to one year to get to know the city!

Where Will You Stay in Dublin – Best Dublin Accommodation Options

Dublin has many accommodation options for your holiday in Dublin. They range from hostels to B&Bs to hotels with a few stars to apartments. There are many options that are close to, or are in the centre of the Dublin. This will mean you can easily walk to the major tourist attractions plus, all the nightlife around Temple Bar. Here are some Dublin accommodation suggestions.

Hostels in Dublin

There are plenty of hostels in Dublin ranging from party hostels to those seeking a quieter visit. If you are wanting a bed in a Dublin hostel, get rates and availability by clicking on the links of these suggestions:

Jacobs Inn Hostel, only 600m from the city centre.
The Apache Hostel in the Temple Bar area.
Generator Dublin, about 1.2km from the city centre and is great value if you measure it in terms of star rating, facilities and reviews.
Backpackers D1Hostel, only 450m from city centre.
The Times Hostel, College Street, only 500m from city centre.
Backpackers Citi Hostel, Dublin City Centre, 450m from centre.

If it’s a budget hotel room you are after then get rates and availability of one of the following:

RIU Plaza The Gresham, Dublin is a 4 star hotel only 250m from the city centre.
Amberley House by the KeyCollections, 400m from centre, and includes breakfast.
Arcadia House B&B

If you would like a small apartment then get rates and availability of one of the following:

Dublin Student Apartments
Dublin1 Apartments

For loads more options of accommodation in Dublin and the Republic of Ireland and Northern Ireland, visit Hostel World for a bed in a hostel or check out Booking.com for a hotel room, B&B or small apartment.

Things to See and Do in Dublin

There are many things to see and do in Dublin, I’m now going to tell you about the best things to see and do in Dublin. These are the best things to see and do as a tourist on your first visit to Dublin. The longer you have in Ireland, and the more times you can return you will be able to explore and discover Ireland more. In the meantime, here are my suggestions of the best things to see and do in Dublin.

Take the Hop on Hop off Bus Tour of Dublin

As mentioned above, the Dublin Hop-on Hop-off bus is a great option to show you all the sites of Dublin if you have limited time. It only takes a couple of hours to be driven around Dublin in the one go but you can get on and off the bus as you like. I love taking the hop-on hop-off bus in all new cities I visit as it helps me make the decision of what I want to return to see in depth. There are 28 stops and two routes providing commentary. The ticket lasts for 24 hours giving you plenty of time to return to particular places that have caught your attention. You can purchase your ticket to Dublin’s Hop On Hop Off Bus right here. Note: a ticket on Dublin’s Hop On Hop Off Bus is included in the Dublin Pass.

Walk Over Ha’penny Bridge

Ha’penny Bridge was built in 1816 and was the first pedestrian bridge to span over the Liffey River. It’s name comes from the price the pedestrians had to pay (a halfpenny) to cross the bridge. You will recognise this structure because it is one of those things that identify Dublin and appears in most tourist brochures and on postcards, etc. The bridge links the Northside to the Southside of Dublin.

The Guinness Storehouse

Enjoy a Guinness at the Storehouse overlooking Dublin

If you love Guinness, or even if you don’t you will want to partake in the Guinness story. The ground floor of the building tells the story of the beer’s ingredients (water, barley, hops and yeast) and takes you through the steps of how it is made. You will experience the smells of the processes and enjoy a tasting at the end. Tasting can depend on how long and how many you want to try. If coming to Dublin on a working holiday and are thinking of getting a job in one of the many bars in Dublin take note of the ‘pouring ritual’ to get the perfect head. Take time to explore the museum and all its memorabilia. Afterwards head to the Gravity Bar for great views over Dublin. You can purchase a ticket at the venue but jump the queues and book your ticket online here.

Trinity College and the Book of Kells

Trinity College in Dublin was created by royal charter in 1592 and is Ireland’s highest ranked university. Today it is home to around 17,000 students studying many disciplines in the arts and humanities, law, business, engineering, science and health sciences. A tour of the university is very interesting. Walk through the college’s library and explore the Long Room that is lined with books and statue busts of famous masters. And don’t miss seeing the Book of Kells. Learn about the ancient illustrated book and why it is so important to Irish culture. You can purchase a ticket online here to visit the College and see the Book of Kells.

Dublin Castle

Dublin Castle

Right next to Trinity College is Dublin Castle. It has been around since the early thirteenth century sitting proudly on the highest ridge in Dublin. For many centuries it was the headquarters of the English and British administration in Ireland. In 1922, when Ireland gained its independence, Dublin Castle was handed to the Irish government. Today is a major government complex. Walk around the grounds spanning some 11 acres and the gardens. Also through some of the Castle’s many rooms and learn more about the Irish culture. Learn interesting facts like Bram Stoker, worked at the castle for over 10 years while writing his famous novel, Dracula. As Dublin Castle and Trinity College are right near each other you can purchase a ticket online to visit both here.

St. Patricks Cathedral

While in Dublin you might want to visit St. Patrick’s Cathedral. Whether religious or not, this cathedral was built way back in 1191 and is rich with over 800 years of Irish history and culture. It is a beautiful architectural wonder both inside and out and it is easy to to stand and stare at it. And if you love the book Gulliver’s Travels you will discover that Jonathan Swift, the author of the book has his final resting place here because he was also the Dean of the Cathedral. Purchase a ticket to visit the Church here.

Irish Whisky Museum and /or the Jameson Distillery

Discover Irish Whisky at the Irish Whisky Museum

Learn about the history of Irish Whisky at the Irish Whisky Museum. Get a detailed insight of all types of whisky and enjoy a taste test at the end of the tour. If this isn’t enough visit the Old Jameson Distillery. This is where Jameson whisky was manufactured and distilled until it stopped production in the early 1970s. Walk around the old distillery and discover the processes used to create and refine Irish whisky. Maybe enjoy another whisky tasting.

Picnic at Phoenix Park / Dublin Zoo

About two miles from downtown Dublin you will find Phoenix Park. Not just any ordinary old park this park is about 1,700 acres. Inside the humongous walls that surround the park you will find many tress and plants, a sports field, the Wellington Monument and Dublin Zoo. Yes, that’s right Dublin Zoo. There are many animals at the zoo to visit in their spacious habitats. You could easily spend a day at the zoo and exploring and relaxing in different parts of Phoenix Park.

Shop Till You Drop on Grafton Street

Get shopping along Grafton Street, Dublin

Grafton Street, along with Henry Street are the two principal shopping streets in Dublin. In 2016 Grafton Street was the thirteenth most expensive shopping street in the world. Grafton Street was named after Henry Fitzroy the First Duke of Grafton and was originally a residential street. After the O’Connell Bridge was built Grafton Street became a busy cross-city route and has turned into the shopping precinct it is today. You could easily spend a few hours, or longer, here visiting the many shops here or watching the many buskers including musicians, poets and mime artists. If needing a break head in to Bewley’s Oriental Cafe or any one of the other cafes for a quick bite.

Visit Croke Park, home of Gaelic Football

Watch a game of Gaelic football at Croke Park. One of the largest stadiums in Dublin the place is named after Archbishop Thomas Croke. The stadium is headquarters to the Gaelic Athletic Association and is a principal stadium where you can not only witness epic sporting battles but hosts many international rock and pop acts. Even if nothing is playing you can visit the stadium and take a tour. You can also incorporate into your tour to head 17 storeys high on to the roof. Known as The Ericsson Skyline tour you will receive unmatched panoramic views of Dublin. I hope you’re not afraid of heights.

Dublin Writers Museum

Ireland has produced many writers and poets such as Samuel Beckett, Oscar Wilde, Jonathan Swift, Bram Stoker, Maeve Binchy, W.B. Yeats and of course, James Joyce. In honour of them plus many more, a museum, the Dublin Writers Museum has been created. Opened in 1991, the museum has plenty of exhibits dedicated to Irish writers here. Enjoy and discover the authors and their writing that has helped shaped Irish literature. There is an audio tour available in six languages that walks you through the museum. You will even get to see first and early editions of some classic Irish literature including Jonathan Swift’s Gulliver’s Travels and Bram Stoker’s Dracula. Finish your visit to the Dublin Writers Museum in the bookshop where there is a choice selection of Irish writers books.

James Joyce Centre

If you loved the Dublin Writers Museum you may want to visit The James Joyce Centre. This is a museum devoted to the life and works of James Joyce in the centre of Dublin, Ireland. Don’t know much about James Joyce and his writing? Then a visit to the James Joyce Centre is a must to learn about his writing and his most famous novel, Ulysses. It is said he is the best writer Ireland has ever produced – and Ireland has produced many writers!

Enjoy Irish Craic at Temple Bar

Party hard (or not) in Temple Bar

Temple Bar is Dublin’s premier tourist area and holds the title of being the ‘cultural quarter’. It is basically an area on the south bank of the River Liffey and is the centre of Dublin’s nightlife and also popular during the day. Along the cobblestoned streets you will find buskers, bars serving Guinness left, right and centre and many traditional pubs, bars, eateries and cafes. You will also find Temple Bar, one of the most iconic bars in all of Dublin with many flocking there to have a Guinness inside its famous walls. Temple Bar, the bar, dates back to the early 1300s and you cannot miss it cause of its red exterior. Temple Bar, the area, is easy to find as it is located alongside the River Liffey in the heart of Dublin and sits close to the Ha’penny Bridge.

If the craic becomes too much you might want to visit the Irish Rock Museum and discover the lives of many of the rock ’n’ roll superstars of Ireland. And there have been and are many Irish bands – U2, The Cranberries, Thin Lizzy and The Corrs to name a few. Plus there have been and are plenty of Irish singers including Sinead O’Connor who worked at The Bad Ass Cafe in Temple Bar before she became a famous singer.

Are You Ready to Visit Dublin?

There is so much more to see and do on a visit to Dublin, but it depends on the time you have as to how much you get to see and do. However long you spend in Dublin, I am sure you will enjoy the ‘craic’. If coming to Dublin on a working holiday get the lowdown in my Irish Working Holiday Guide here. Please leave any questions or comments in the comments section following.