- Last Updated on November 3, 2024
Dublin is rich with cultural treasures, and you can’t see them all in one trip. This top 10 list of things to do in Dublin (organized in order of importance) will help you narrow down which things you want to make sure to see while you’re here. If you prefer to see these activities organized geographically in an itinerary format, click here to see our itinerary for 2 days in Dublin.
About Dublin:
Dublin is the capital of Ireland, both politically and culturally. It saw its heyday in the 18th century and was built into a great Georgian (neoclassical) city as the seat of British power in Ireland. This was followed by the Great Potato Famine in the 1800s and a violent struggle for independence in the 1900s, which changed the city forever. It is now the booming capital of an independent Ireland littered with memorials to heroes of that struggle. The city is objectively pretty, as most Georgian cities are, with broad boulevards, green spaces, and an attractive waterway. This city is worth a visit for anyone interested in getting a taste of Irish culture.
Table Of Contents - 10 Best Things To Do In Dublin
STAR RATING KEY:
★★★ Top priority
★★ Highly recommended
★ Worthwhile
No Star – Skippable if not interested
Things To Do In Dublin
Walking Tour of The City
The most important single thing you can do in Dublin is take a walk around the city. The city’s beauty will be apparent even without a guide, but you will miss a lot of historically significant sights if you do it on your own. We recommend taking a walking tour led by Irish history scholars. This walk takes just over 2 hours and takes you to most of the key sites, including Temple Bar, Christ Church Cathedral, City Hall, Dublin Castle, St Stephen’s Green, and the House of Lords. You must book in advance here.
Cost and Hours: €14 per person. Daily at 11:00am and 3:00pm May-Sept, less frequent the rest of the year, check the website for details.
Address: Walks leave from Trinity College. College Green, Dublin 2, Ireland.
Website: historicaltours.ie
Kilmainham Gaol
This site was originally opened as a county jail (gaol) in 1796 for common criminals. It is famous because it was used by the British to house political prisoner. This building has confined some of the most important heroes of Irish independence, and was the site of many of their executions. It remained a functioning gaol until 1924, when it was finally closed. It is now accessible to the public via guided tour. You must book several days in advance and show up 10 min prior to your tour time. Click here to book.
Cost and Hours: €8 per person. Open 9:30am-5:45pm (shorter in winter).
Address: Inchicore Rd, Kilmainham, Dublin 8, D08 RK28, Ireland
Website: kilmainhamgaolmuseum.ie
National Museum of Archeology
Ireland is full of boggy landscapes, which makes for excellent preservation of artifacts buried within them. In this museum, you’ll see objects which show the evolution of the Irish from prehistoric times to modern day. The collection includes stone age and iron age tools, gold jewelry, and bog mummies from thousands of years ago. Don’t miss the video explaining bogs and why they are ideal for conservation of their contents.
Cost and Hours: Free. Opening hours vary, check website for details.
Address: Kildare St, Dublin 2, Ireland.
Website: www.museum.ie
Temple Bar
While there is an establishment named Temple Bar (and it is worth checking out or at least taking a selfie with), the term actually refers to the area of town surrounding this bar. This is a prime area for Dubliners to go out and drink Guinness to their hearts’ content. Walk around the surrounding streets and take in the atmosphere. You will encounter plenty of pubs with live music. Try to find one advertising “trad” music while you’re there, which is the term used for traditional Irish music, often played with unique traditional instruments. Beware, this area can get a little too crowded for comfort on busy weekends.
Address: Temple Bar, Dublin.
Guiness Storehouse
This storehouse is the place where Guinness was first brewed in the 1700s. It continues to be a major brewery today, while also housing a huge visitors center for all kinds of Guinness-related entertainment. A visit here includes an exhibit illustrating the process of making beer, a history of Guinness ads, a display of the original historic Irish harp from which the iconic Guinness logo was created, a tasting experience, and a pint of beer at the 360º view Gravity bar. This is a fun experience for all ages, and worth a visit given the importance of this beer to Ireland.
You must book in advance here. Try to book early or late in the day to avoid the crowds.
Cost and Hours: €26 per person for the basic tour, which is all we recommend (the add-ons are gimmicky). Opening hours vary by day of the week, but generally 10:00am-5:00pm is a safe bet.
Address: St. James’s Gate, Dublin 8, D08 VF8H, Ireland.
Website: www.guinness-storehouse.com
Book of Kells at Trinity College
One of the major sights in Dublin, the Book of Kells is a beautifully illustrated 9th century copy of the four gospels. You must book online in advance the day before to guarantee a slot to see it. Book here.
The reason we have not included this in the must-see items is that the experience can be a bit underwhelming, especially considering all the hype. You can see only one of the gospels, and the volume will be open to a single page in a very dark room. The actual book viewing is over in less than 5 minutes, and we personally were left wondering what all the fuss was about.
Cost and Hours: €18.50 per person. Opening hours vary by day of the week and time of the year, check the website for details.
Address: The University of Dublin Trinity College, College Green, Dublin, Ireland
Webiste: www.tcd.ie
Trinity College Campus Tour
Trinity College students give tours of this historic campus several times a day. The tour lasts 45 minutes. Book in advance here or find students and posters around campus advertising the tours.
Cost and Hours: €15 per person, cheaper if you buy a combination ticket with your Book of Kells entry. Open daily between 9:30am and 4:30pm.
Address: The University of Dublin Trinity College, College Green, Dublin, Ireland
Webiste: www.tcd.ie
EPIC: The Irish Emigration Museum
This museum tells the story of how the Irish left their homeland to settle all over the world and created lasting impacts around the globe.
Cost and Hours: Cost €17.50 per person. Open 10:00am-6:45pm daily.
Address: The Chq Building, Custom House Quay, North Dock, Dublin 1, Ireland
Website: epicchq.com
14 Henrietta Street
14 Henrietta Street was once a Georgian townhouse for wealthy homeowners, but over time it became a tenement building housing impoverished Dubliners. This museum tells the story of Dublin’s social history through the stories of those who lived at this address. You must book a guided tour in advance here.
Cost and Hours: €10 per person. Open Wednesday-Saturday 10:00am-4:00pm. .
Address: 14 Henrietta St, Dublin 1, D01 HH34, Ireland
Website: 14henriettastreet.ie
Merrion Square
While not technically a must-see, this is a beautiful green space surrounded by 18th century homes. You can find squares like this all over neoclassical Europe. Originally the green space was meant only for the wealthy residents of the square, but is now a public park. This is a good place to rest your feet or have a picnic. Make sure to take your picture with the sculpture of a relaxed Oscar Wilde.
Address: 1 Merrion Square E, Dublin, Ireland
Website: www.dublincity.ie
Practical Info
Getting Around Dublin
Everything of interest to tourists can be reached on foot. You don’t need a car here.
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