Dublin, Ireland’s capital, is one of the most beautiful cities in the British Isles. The cosmopolitan atmosphere of the Temple Bar district mixes with the tradition and medieval atmosphere of its castle and some of its streets. The pubs, always lively, welcome visitors with open arms and a pint of Guinness. And its cultural and leisure offer makes every traveller who sets foot in the city want to stay. Find out what things to see and do in Dublin, Ireland’s capital city.
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Places to see in Dublin
Trinity College
Trinity College is Ireland’s oldest university and one of the city’s must-see sights. It was founded in 1592 by Queen Elizabeth I and has since become one of the most prestigious universities in the world, as well as one of the most beautiful. The university’s main attraction is its huge library with soaring ceilings, wooden shelves and manuscripts from all periods.
Price: adults 13€, students 10€ Opening times: May to September M-S-S 8:30-17:00, Sun 9:30-17:00, October to April M-S-S 09:30-17:00 Sun 12:00-17:00
Saint Stephen’s Green Park, the most beautiful park to see in Dublin Ireland
St. Stephen’s Green is one of the city’s greenest spots, a beautiful park in which to take a leisurely stroll and relax away from the hustle and bustle of the city. In spring, the park is covered in a riot of colourful flowers that adorn the paths and make it one of the most beautiful and special places in the city. It is also home to an idyllic lake where swans and ducks can be seen.
Dublin Castle
In the heart of the historic city centre is one of Dublin’s most iconic landmarks and a must-see. It is Dublin Castle, built in the 13th century by King John of England. Over the centuries it has been the residence of royalty, the Court of Justice and now houses the police headquarters, the offices of the country’s tax authority and a museum.
Price: €7 adults and €3 children Opening hours: every day from 9:45am to 7:15am
Temple Bar, the neighbourhood with the most life to see in Dublin
Many will know the name The Temple Bar from the historic pub in Dublin’s city centre that appears in so many photos of the city. In reality, however, it’s the name of the neighbourhood in which this and many other atmospheric Irish pubs are located and where the best pints in the city are drunk. Temple Bar is the capital’s liveliest neighbourhood and a must-visit area for any visitor to Dublin Ireland – and, of course, a pint of Guinness… or two…
O’Connell Street, the most important street to see in Dublin
O’Connell Street is Dublin’s main street and an essential place to stroll down to get a feel for the life and pace of the city. Here you can see distinctive Dublin city landmarks such as the Central Post Office, the site where the Republic of Ireland was proclaimed in 1916, and The Spire, a 120-metre spire commemorating an important Irish monument (Nelson’s Pillar) that was destroyed by the IRA.
Christ Church Cathedral
Also known as Holy Trinity Cathedral, Christ Church is the oldest cathedral in Dublin. It is an impressive medieval Gothic-style cathedral built in the 13th century and is a must-see in Dublin.
Tickets can be purchased from their website. Price: adults €9, students and seniors €7.50 and children €3.50Times: M-Th closed, M-Th-S-Th 10:00-17:00 and S-S 13:00-15:00
Travel Tip: To organize your trip we recommend using Passporter totally free. You can be inspired by the experiences of other travelers, choose the places that interest you most, create the travel route with a geolocated map, upload all important documents such as reservations and invite your friends so that everyone can participate in the organization of the trip.
What things to do around Dublin
Howth, a pretty village to see near Dublin
Howth is a small fishing village just 30 minutes from Dublin, and a popular day trip for tourists visiting the city. Howth’s surroundings of cliffs and rugged hills are stunning, and if you’re a nature lover, you’ll be pleased to know that there are plenty of hiking trails to explore. But above all, Howth, Ireland is best known for the seals that can be spotted near the harbour.
Besides spotting seals on the sea walk, other attractions in Howth include its castle, which is only open to visitors in its gardens, the Peak of Howth, an impressive walking route and the Baily Lighthouse with excellent views of the coastline.
Get an in-depth look at What to see in Howth, Ireland
Malahide
Half an hour from Dublin and 20 minutes from Howth is another pretty village on the east coast of Ireland. Although it’s small and there’s not a huge amount to see, it’s a perfect day trip, especially combined with a visit to Howth, for a day out of Dublin. In addition to its beautiful 12th-century castle and the huge parkland surrounding it, it has a pleasant promenade to stroll along, as well as lively shops and cafés, especially during the summer holidays.
How to get to Dublin
The best way to travel to Dublin is by plane. Ireland’s capital is well-connected to other European cities by many airlines, including Ryanair. The Irish low-cost airline offers several flights a day from different cities in Spain, such as Madrid, Barcelona, Alicante, Valencia, Seville, Gran Canaria… But it is not the only one, Air Lingus, also Irish, Iberia, Iberia Express, Vueling… are some of the airlines that connect Dublin with the rest of Europe.
How to get to Dublin from the airport
Dublin Airport is about 12 kilometres from the city centre, and the only way to get there is by road. There are a number of ways to get there, by taxi, Uber, transfer and bus.
- Dublin Bus: The city’s public transport company runs a bus line to the airport, the 41, with a frequency of about 20 minutes. The journey takes about 40 minutes without traffic and costs €3.30.
- Airlink Express and Aircoach: Two bus lines that make a more direct route, so it usually takes about half an hour. One-way ticket is €7 and return is €12.
- Taxi: the journey to the centre takes about 20 minutes, depending on where your accommodation is located, and the price varies from 25 to €35.
Where to eat in Dublin Ireland
- Tang Café: The Tang Café is one of the most famous breakfast and brunch spots you’ll see in Dublin, and it’s no wonder, as it serves delicious and hearty breakfasts for a fairly cheap price. On their menu, as well as delicious coffees, they have sweet and savoury breakfasts, such as pancakes, egg Benedict toast made from local and sustainable produce. Price range: €6 – €18
- SOLE Seafood and Grill: One of the best restaurants in Dublin to try Irish cuisine, as well as delicious freshly caught seafood dishes. It has different menus and, although the price can be a little high, there are traditional dishes, such as fish and chips, for around €15, a fairly common price for that dish. We recommend going on Fridays and Saturdays from 12:00 to 14:30, when you can enjoy the Express Menu, which is delicious and cheaper. Price range: €20 – €50
- Darkey Kelly’s Bar & Restaurant: Another of Dublin’s most famous restaurants. This is a typical Irish pub where you can taste the classic Irish stout, accompanied by a delicious burger. Price range: €12 – €30
Where to stay in Dublin Ireland
The price of accommodation is generally not very cheap and even less so if you decide to travel to Dublin on your summer holiday, the peak season, as cheap accommodation runs out quickly and prices soar. A good way to get a better price is to sacrifice the privacy of hotels and stay in rooms in shared flats on platforms such as Airbnb. The average price of accommodation for two people is around €130 – €150 per night.
One of the best areas to stay in is Temple Bar, where you’ll find plenty of accommodation, as well as restaurants and pubs, although it’s also more expensive. An area that is also well located, but a little cheaper and not so central is St. Stephen’s Green and finally, the most central area that will allow you to see many of Dublin’s must-see sights more conveniently is O’Connell Street.
What to see in Dublin in two days
First day in Dublin:
- Trinity College
- O’Connell Street: Post Office Building and The Spire
- Cathedral Christ Church
- Evening in Temple Bar
Second day of travel in Dublin:
- Walk through St. Stephen’s Green Park
- Dublin Castle
- O’Connell Street
- Return home
Tips for your trip to Dublin
- The currency used in Ireland is the Euro (€)
- The best time to see Dublin and Ireland in general is in summer, when temperatures are higher (around 20 degrees) and pleasant.
- If you want a more economical trip, travel in winter.
- Be prepared for medical emergencies: travel with insurance.
- Wear rain gear and closed shoes even in summer.
- During the evenings and mornings in summer it can get chilly, so pack a coat.
- Always carry some cash.
- Dublin is a safe city, but always be careful with your belongings in crowded, touristy places.
- Download the 10 Best Apps you should use on your trip.
How to organise what things to see and do in Dublin
Register or download the Passporter App and discover all the possibilities.
- Get inspired by the experiences of other travellers.
- Create your own itinerary and add the app’s suggestions to it.
- Add the stops that interest you most, as well as the restaurants and bars where you want to eat (you can use the points of interest listed in this post as a reference).
- Organise your itinerary by route days according to their location on the map (you can take inspiration from the routes we present in the post)
- Check the travel budget that the app calculates according to your travel stops, restaurants, and leisure activities.
- Make the modifications you need, and you’ll be all set for your trip.
- Share your experience. Upload photos of the places you’ve visited on your trip to the app and recommend other travellers what to see in Dublin, Ireland.
If you have any doubts about how to do this, you can check our post: How to create a travel itinerary on Passporter.
Frequently asked questions about Dublin
Two days is enough to see the city. However, if you decide to go for three days, you won’t have too much time, as you’ll be able to enjoy Dublin at a leisurely pace and not leave anything to see.
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