Best Things To See In Dublin: Your Complete Travel Guide

What Should You See In Dublin, Ireland?

Ireland’s capital city is often the entry point for many people when arriving in the country. It is a fair sized, bustling city and is worth spending a couple of days exploring. You may be surprised to learn that there are several local sights definitely worth a visit.

We spent a few days in the city and want to share what we think are the best things to see in Dublin. With a little pre-planning, most of them can be done within a relatively short time; so you could plan this either upon your arrival or before your departure.

Highlights of Dublin

What Is The No. 1 Tourist Attraction in Dublin?

By far the most visited attraction in Dublin is the Guinness Storehouse. Ireland is world-renowned for its famous brew, and people come from all over to enjoy the iconic beer. We saw this same passion from people visiting Belgium for its unique style of beer.

This attraction provides an entire history of the company, explains the process for making the product and also covers the progression of the brand evolution.

The Storehouse is a colossal building with multiple levels where visitors walk through an explanation of the beer’s ingredients as well as the full brewing process. Along the way, there will be taste testing and sensory experiences.

And the grand finale of the visit is at the Gravity Bar – a rooftop hub with a spectacular 360-degree view of the city. Here you get to indulge in a full pint of the dark stout and enjoy the view.

It is quite a place to see. And even for a non-beer drinker like me, there was enough to keep me interested and engaged. Be sure to check out the extensive gift store where you can buy anything and everything with the Guinness logo on it.

They offer a variety of ticket types, ranging from the basic tour to academies to the actual brewery tour.  So, depending on your level of interest, you can certainly find loads to do here.

✅ This is a super popular place to visit, so be sure to purchase your tickets in advance.

Kilmainham Gaol

A fascinating location to visit is the original jail. It dates back to 1796 and was originally built to house common criminals. As things became unsettled in Ireland, it was also used to jail political prisoners until they were executed.

The conditions there were often horrible due to overcrowding. The jail was used for transporting prisoners on their way to Australia and also housed many men, women and children during the potato famine when many people were stealing food for survival. Up to five prisoners were often held in one cell. 

The jail closed in 1910 but was reopened to house activists during an ongoing time of unrest and remained open until 1924. In the early 1960s, it was restored and eventually turned into the museum that it is today.

The provided tour with your entry ticket guides you through the facility, where you can see the Victorian layout.  This reminded us of a very similar jail that we visited in Ushuaia, Argentina. This design allowed all the cells to be seen from a central point. You will visit many cells of famous people and hear the stories of their lives and why they were charged and held captive.

Over the years, many people were hanged here. The courtyard where the gallows were located is also part of the tour. It was a very interesting tour and well worth visiting. It is also extremely popular, and tickets sell out early. Check the website for availability as they open 28 days prior.

✅ We found the Hop On Hop Off Bus to be a good way to get to the Kilmainham Gaol since it is located a little way out of the downtown. There are several different circuits that provide a great method of transportation to many of the significant sights of Dublin.

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Trinity College

Another favourite spot to visit in Dublin is Trinity College. This well-known university campus is lovely to visit on its own with its expansive grounds and attractive buildings.

However, the university is also the home to the Book of Kells. This extraordinary manuscript is over 1200 years old. Monks wrote it, and it is a stunning medieval book of Gospels with 680 exquisitely decorated pages. It is believed to be the only book of its time that remains with such vivid artwork and colouring. Surprisingly, the colours that were made from natural minerals are still in amazing condition.

The initial part of the visit here includes a detailed museum explaining the history and making of the book. It is helpful to understand and provides good insight as to the importance of the text.

From there, visitors are led into a darkened room to see the book under glass. Two pages are on display, and they are turned over every two months. It was really beautiful to see, but of course, no pictures are allowed inside, so you will have to plan your own visit!

Once you have visited the Book, be sure to go to the Long Room, a gorgeous spot and part of the Old Library that is almost 300 years old. The Old Library collection includes 700,000 pieces of artifacts that comprise books, papers and manuscripts. Inside the Long Room, there is room for 200,000 books. 

At the time of our visit, we marvelled at the lovely vaulted ceiling, the bookshelves full of ancient manuscripts and many pieces of statuary along the aisles. We have enjoyed wandering libraries like those in Melbourne, Australia and Alexandria, Egypt, but this location was really something to see. The grandeur and richness of the room made it very special.

As of this writing, there is a special restoration project taking place. Over the many years, the books have been subjected to dust and pollution and are in desperate need of cleaning.

There are now approximately 20,000 books in the library, and the remainder have been removed to storage until the library completes its restoration to improve environmental and fire controls. While the books aren’t there, the library is still worth visiting to see its impressive structure.

✅ For a great tour of all Trinity College has to offer, plus Dublin Castle, check out this highly rated group tour. It will give you a wonderful guided experience of two major attractions.

Dublin Castle

Starting in the early 1200s, the castle was originally a residence for the Irish representative to the British monarchy. Built as a medieval fortress on a Viking settlement, it has evolved over the years, specifically after a fire in the 1600s that required much of the building to be rebuilt.

When the restoration was complete, the building was in the style of a Georgian palace and was done on a grand scale. This version includes the State Apartments and grand Reception rooms that can be seen today. These rooms are still used for special commemorations and ceremonies.

Visitors are free to roam throughout the open State Apartments and enjoy the opulent vaulted hallways adorned with gold decorations, ornate furnishings and elaborately painted ceilings.

We marvelled at the intricate details of the outside windows and the towers in each corner that give it such a stately look. While we have visited some other castles that are very opulent, this one seemed to be impressive but not over the top.  It is not a large property, so you can visit in less than an hour.

Temple Bar

Pub culture is very big in Ireland, and of course, an iconic location is Temple Bar. It is probably worth mentioning that Temple Bar is also the name of the area of the entertainment district with loads of restaurants and bars. So it is easy to confuse the area with the famous bar of the same name. It is likely that when you see a picture of Ireland, it will include the famous red coloured building with its flower baskets spilling over.

This is a historic site that dates to 1840 and has been operating as a local hot spot continuously since then. Temple Bar has become known for great Irish music, and it boasts the largest whiskey collection in Ireland. It is also super touristy, so keep that in mind. But if you are looking for a fun night out, you can drop in for a pint or a dram.

✅ We booked this walking tour of Dublin. Having a private tour allowed us to customize the day to our individual preferences. Our guide was knowledgeable and provided a great overview of the city.

Cathedrals

St Patrick’s Cathedral

St Patrick’s is the largest cathedral in Ireland and dates back to 1220. Named for the patron saint of the city, it is one of the few medieval structures remaining in Dublin. It is one of the most popular places to visit in Dublin and does require a ticket for entry.

Christ Church Cathedral

Founded in 1010 is the even older medieval cathedral of Christ Church which was originally a Viking church.  This location houses a 12th-century crypt that holds manuscripts and artifacts. And you can also climb up to the belfry to see the amazing bells. This church also requires the purchase of an entrance ticket.

✅ To make your planning easy, pre-book your ticket with an audio guide. This avoids any lines at the cathedral.

Museums

Epic – The Irish Emigration Museum

Ireland has had millions of people leave the country over the years. This museum explores the reasons why and also the influence Irish emigrants have had on the world.

Housed inside the CHQ building on Customs Quay, the location is intentional as so many people left their homes from this exact spot. During a visit, you can walk through interactive exhibits including touch screens, videos and interesting quizzes. Here you can learn about the artists, sports figures, literary legends and of course, the outlaws who have Irish roots.

There is even a family history centre here, where you can explore your own genealogy. It has been thoughtfully curated and gives a good description of significant contributions the Irish people have made to the world at large.

✅ Save time and pre-book your ticket here.

Museum of Literature

Located in the central part of Dublin, right beside St Stephen’s Green, is a little gem of a museum.  This location hosts numerous interactive displays that are both permanent and rotating.

Here you can learn about many different Irish literary giants through various media, including film, photography, illustrative displays and touch screens. And they even have the very first copy of James Joyce’s Ulysses on display for visitors to see! If you are a lover of the written word, be sure to check out this intriguing spot.

St Stephen’s Green Park

This is a lovely park within the city that provides a lush green space for strolling and relaxing. The sight has a long history dating back to the 1600s when it was designated as an open-air spot for the citizens to enjoy. Similar to the Promenade in Nice, this was an area that was used by High Society for socializing. The area was further developed in the late 1800s when the lake, flower beds and statues were added.

Now it is a wonderful spot for a nice walk.  A walking audio tour is available that can be downloaded. During the summer months, bandstand concerts are hosted regularly. Be sure to check it out for a change of pace while in the city.

Other Notable Structures to See Around the City

Ha’penny Bridge

This pedestrian bridge was originally built back in 1816 for people to have easy access across the Liffey River. When it was first built, it was called the Wellington Bridge, but the name never stuck. Residents called it the Ha’penny Bridge since that was the toll amount required to use it until 1919.

At the time it was built, it was one of the first cast iron constructions of its kind. It has since been renamed the Liffey Bridge but is still referred to as the Ha’penny. Be sure to take a stroll across this famous landmark of Dublin.

Molly Malone

This bronze statue, located on Suffolk Street, is of a young woman pushing her cart. It represents a character from the song Cockles and Mussels and was erected to mark the 100th anniversary of the song.

Molly was a fishmonger and prostitute and died during a cholera outbreak. Legend says she continued to haunt the streets of Dublin. Nowadays, it is said that if you rub her breasts, you will receive good luck. As a result, that is the only section on the poor girl that shows the shiny bronze colour.

Spire of Dublin

This towering stainless steel structure is hard to miss at 120 metres tall. It was installed as part of the redevelopment plan of O’Connell Street, but many locals weren’t very impressed.

Officially called The Monument of Light, it was designed to show the city’s progress and resilience. We weren’t sure how exactly that was being portrayed. Interestingly, on a windy day, you can see the top of the spire sway up to 1 1/2 metres!

Unique Things To Do In Dublin

Dublin Portal

The Portal was opened in the Dublin city centre in 2024, initially with a direct link to New York City. After a lot of controversy due to inappropriate behaviour from the US side, it was temporarily closed.

It has since reopened and links to other international destinations including Brazil, Poland and Lithuania.  It is an interesting way for people from around the world to connect to each other.

Literary Pub Crawl

As mentioned, pub culture is very big in Ireland. Known as a form of street theatre, this fun event takes place daily during the summer, where you can learn from the actors about pub culture and literary history, all while visiting several significant pub locations. 

✅ This is a fantastic tour and is a great way to learn something in an interactive environment.

Street Art

We enjoy seeing interesting street art while visiting different cities such as Lyon, Buenos Aires and Ponta Delgada. Dublin has some great artwork on display as well. 

We recommend checking out the area around the Icon Factory, where you can see many pieces of artwork on display.  And make sure you take a peek at the Dublin Wall of Fame that highlights many popular Irish singers and bands. 

Where To Stay In Dublin

We chose to stay at the Camden Court Hotel. This was a nice hotel property, centrally located in a quieter area, with comfortable rooms. It has a restaurant on site and a bar for cocktails in the evening. It will require a short walk to get to the main attractions of the city.

If you are looking to be a little closer to the action, then we would recommend The Grafton Hotel. We stopped in to look at this hotel, and it was very nice and the staff were lovely. Onsite restaurant and bar makes this a great option with a prime location.

Where To Eat In Dublin

We had a fabulous meal at a restaurant called The Church. Created inside a literal church, the location offers great local food, and each night has live music and Irish dancing. We sat up in the Gallery and had a great view of the bar and show below. 

For some great takeaway, try Leo Burdock Fish & Chips. An institution that has been around for over 100 years, they serve the best fish and chips in Dublin. Most days, be prepared to stand in a queue to order your meal.  But you never know, you may see some celebrities since they have had famous folks like Bruce Springsteen and U2 come for a bite to eat.

If you enjoy good chocolate, then be sure to stop in at Butler’s Chocolate Cafe. They have wonderful treats and some amazing hot chocolate to warm you up on a cooler day.

The Final Word…Best Things To See In Dublin

As you can see, various sights in Dublin are well worth a visit. It is also a reasonable location to use as a base to travel to other spots in Ireland like Galway or the Cliffs of Moher. With loads of history and tons of fun places to check out, we recommend you plan a couple of days to explore Dublin’s attractions when planning your visit to Ireland.