Dublin Travel Guide: The Best Things to Do, See & Eat
Dublin, a city known for its rich history and vibrant cultural scene, offers a unique blend of old-world charm and modern energy. From its storied pubs to its literary landmarks, there's much to explore in the Irish capital.
With 370+ hand-picked places to explore, Dublin rewards travellers who look beyond the obvious. Below is our complete guide to the best of the city — organised by what you're in the mood for, with every place linked to its full profile.
Must-See Attractions in Dublin
The icons and landmarks no first visit is complete without.
Start with Dublin Mountains — offers panoramic views over the city and beyond, perfect for nature lovers and hikers alike. Just as worthwhile is Dún Laoghaire East Pier: stroll along the pier for scenic views of the Dublin coastline and harbor. Merrion Square completes the picture: one of Dublin's grandest Georgian squares, surrounded by elegant historic buildings.
Dublin Mountains
Dublin • Scenic Viewpoints & Lookouts
Offers panoramic views over the city and beyond, perfect for nature lovers and hikers alike.
Dún Laoghaire East Pier
Dublin • Scenic Viewpoints & Lookouts
Stroll along the pier for scenic views of the Dublin coastline and harbor.
Merrion Square
Dublin • Historic Architecture
One of Dublin's grandest Georgian squares, surrounded by elegant historic buildings.
Oscar Wilde Memorial Sculpture
Dublin • Monuments & Statues
This colorful depiction of Oscar Wilde captures the famed playwright's spirit in Merrion Square Park.
Museums & Culture in Dublin
Galleries, museums and cultural landmarks for a deeper look at the city.
Top of most lists is Bord Gáis Energy Theatre: dublin's premier venue for large-scale musicals and international touring productions. Locals will also point you to Chester Beatty — offers a remarkable collection of manuscripts, rare books, and art from around the world. And for something different, there's Chester Beatty Library: discover a world-class collection of manuscripts, prints, and rare books.
Bord Gáis Energy Theatre
Dublin • Theaters
Dublin's premier venue for large-scale musicals and international touring productions.
Chester Beatty
Dublin • Museums
Offers a remarkable collection of manuscripts, rare books, and art from around the world.
Chester Beatty Library
Dublin • Museums
Discover a world-class collection of manuscripts, prints, and rare books.
Kilmainham Gaol
Dublin • Historical Sites
A former prison that tells the story of Ireland's struggle for independence.
Best Things to Do in Dublin
Activities and experiences to fill your days.
If you only make time for one stop, make it Croke Park — experience the thrills of Gaelic games at Ireland's largest stadium, a mecca for sports fans. Portmarnock Golf Club earns its reputation too — renowned links course offering a classic golfing experience by the sea. Round out the shortlist with Phoenix Park — europe's largest enclosed park offers sprawling green spaces and diverse wildlife sightings.
Croke Park
Dublin • Sports
Experience the thrills of Gaelic games at Ireland's largest stadium, a mecca for sports fans.
Portmarnock Golf Club
Dublin • Sports
Renowned links course offering a classic golfing experience by the sea.
Phoenix Park
Dublin • Outdoor
Europe's largest enclosed park offers sprawling green spaces and diverse wildlife sightings.
Airfield Estate
Dublin • Family-Friendly
An urban farm offering hands-on farming experiences and a taste of rural life within the city.
Where to Eat in Dublin
From local classics to standout modern kitchens.
Start with Restaurant Patrick Guilbaud — this Michelin-starred restaurant offers a sophisticated blend of French and Irish culinary traditions. Just as worthwhile is Chapter One by Mickael Viljanen: a stellar experience with contemporary Irish cuisine in a refined setting. Forest Avenue completes the picture: modern European cuisine shines with a focus on fresh, locally sourced ingredients.
Restaurant Patrick Guilbaud
Dublin • Fine Dining
This Michelin-starred restaurant offers a sophisticated blend of French and Irish culinary traditions.
Chapter One by Mickael Viljanen
Dublin • Fine Dining
A stellar experience with contemporary Irish cuisine in a refined setting.
Forest Avenue
Dublin • Fine Dining
Modern European cuisine shines with a focus on fresh, locally sourced ingredients.
Mr. Fox
Dublin • Local Cuisine
A sophisticated dining spot offering innovative takes on classic Irish dishes.
Dublin After Dark: Bars & Nightlife
Where to go once the sun sets.
Top of most lists is Bar 1661: modern Irish cocktails shine at this bar, celebrating native ingredients and spirits. Locals will also point you to Pepper Canister Church — a unique venue hosting intimate concerts within a stunning historic church setting. And for something different, there's Peruke & Periwig: intimate bar with a whimsical Victorian theme and inventive drink menu.
Bar 1661
Dublin • Cocktail Bars
Modern Irish cocktails shine at this bar, celebrating native ingredients and spirits.
Pepper Canister Church
Dublin • Live Music Venues
A unique venue hosting intimate concerts within a stunning historic church setting.
Peruke & Periwig
Dublin • Cocktail Bars
Intimate bar with a whimsical Victorian theme and inventive drink menu.
The Gravity Bar at Guinness Storehouse
Dublin • Rooftop Bars
Experience a 360-degree view of Dublin while enjoying a pint of the iconic Guinness stout.
Where to Stay in Dublin
Hand-picked hotels, hostels and B&Bs across every budget.
If you only make time for one stop, make it The Westbury — this luxury hotel is famed for its central location and stylish interiors, offering easy access to Dublin's attractions. Ariel House earns its reputation too — victorian charm meets modern comfort in this elegant B&B near Dublin's city center. Round out the shortlist with The Fitzwilliam Hotel — modern elegance with city views, offering top-notch service and comfort.
The Westbury
Dublin • Luxury Hotels
This luxury hotel is famed for its central location and stylish interiors, offering easy access to Dublin's attractions.
Ariel House
Dublin • Bed & Breakfast
Victorian charm meets modern comfort in this elegant B&B near Dublin's city center.
The Fitzwilliam Hotel
Dublin • Luxury Hotels
Modern elegance with city views, offering top-notch service and comfort.
The Shelbourne, Autograph Collection
Dublin • Luxury Hotels
A historic hotel renowned for its luxurious suites and prime location overlooking St. Stephen's Green.
Shopping in Dublin
Markets, boutiques and everything in between.
Start with Louis Vuitton Dublin — offering timeless luxury pieces, this boutique draws fashion enthusiasts with its iconic monogrammed collections. Just as worthwhile is Havana Boutique: curating high-fashion collections, this boutique is renowned for its selection of international designer labels. The Irish Design Shop completes the picture: a treasure trove of locally made crafts and contemporary Irish jewelry awaits visitors.
Louis Vuitton Dublin
Dublin • Luxury Shopping
Offering timeless luxury pieces, this boutique draws fashion enthusiasts with its iconic monogrammed collections.
Havana Boutique
Dublin • Luxury Shopping
Curating high-fashion collections, this boutique is renowned for its selection of international designer labels.
The Irish Design Shop
Dublin • Souvenir Shops
A treasure trove of locally made crafts and contemporary Irish jewelry awaits visitors.
Tola Vintage
Dublin • Vintage & Thrift Shops
Retro shop featuring a curated collection of stylish vintage clothing.
Parks & Green Spaces in Dublin
Room to breathe when you need a break from the streets.
Top of most lists is Howth Head: offers scenic coastal walks with expansive views and diverse birdlife. Locals will also point you to Marlay Park Playground — a sprawling space in a suburban park with diverse play structures for all ages. And for something different, there's Bray to Greystones Cliff Walk: a coastal trail linking Bray and Greystones with dramatic sea views.
Howth Head
Dublin • Nature Reserves & Wildlife
Offers scenic coastal walks with expansive views and diverse birdlife.
Marlay Park Playground
Dublin • Playgrounds
A sprawling space in a suburban park with diverse play structures for all ages.
Bray to Greystones Cliff Walk
Dublin • Hiking Trails
A coastal trail linking Bray and Greystones with dramatic sea views.
Bull Island
Dublin • Nature Reserves & Wildlife
A UNESCO Biosphere Reserve renowned for its birdlife and coastal ecosystem.
Dublin Like a Local
The spots most visitors walk straight past.
If you only make time for one stop, make it Delahunt — an inviting spot where traditional Irish dishes meet contemporary twists in a historic setting. Grogan's Castle Lounge earns its reputation too — classic pub known for its legendary toasties and vibrant local art scene. Round out the shortlist with Assassination Custard — tiny eatery specializing in eclectic, Mediterranean-inspired dishes with a personal touch.
Delahunt
Dublin • Secret Foodie Spots
An inviting spot where traditional Irish dishes meet contemporary twists in a historic setting.
Grogan's Castle Lounge
Dublin • Local Hangouts
Classic pub known for its legendary toasties and vibrant local art scene.
Assassination Custard
Dublin • Secret Foodie Spots
Tiny eatery specializing in eclectic, Mediterranean-inspired dishes with a personal touch.
Grano
Dublin • Secret Foodie Spots
An intimate Italian eatery offering authentic flavors crafted with passion and fresh, high-quality ingredients.
97 Explorer Picks We Held Back
Every list above is our free tier. On top of it, our editors mark the roughly one-in-ten places in Dublin that are genuinely special — standout stays, tables worth planning a day around, and rooms most visitors never find — as Explorer picks, with full write-ups reserved for members. A few currently on the Dublin list:
- The Merrion Hotel· Spa Hotels
- The Wicklow Way· Hiking Trails
- Phoenix Park Playground· Playgrounds
- Number 31· Bed & Breakfast
- Glendalough Upper Lake· Lakes
Planning where to stay in Dublin?
Our neighbourhood-by-neighbourhood guide covers the best areas and hotels for every budget.
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