Dublin is a compact, walkable city that punches well above its weight in history, literature, and pub culture. You can tour a medieval cathedral in the morning, visit the Book of Kells at lunch, and spend the evening in a Victorian pub with live trad music. Here are the 15 best things to do, organized by category with practical details.
Things to Do in Dublin: Icons and Landmarks
Guinness Storehouse
Ireland’s most visited attraction, the Storehouse is a seven-floor immersive experience at St. James’s Gate. The self-guided tour traces Guinness history from ingredients to advertising. The highlight is the Gravity Bar on the top floor with 360-degree panoramic views of Dublin and a perfectly poured pint included. Tickets: EUR22 online (EUR28 at door). Open daily 9:30 AM to 7 PM. Book online for a timed entry slot at least 2 days ahead during summer. Allow 2-3 hours. Bus 123 from O’Connell Street or a 20-minute walk from Temple Bar.
Trinity College and the Book of Kells
Trinity College, founded in 1592, is Ireland’s oldest university. The Old Library houses the Book of Kells, a 9th-century illuminated manuscript of the four Gospels. The Long Room, a 65-meter hall with 200,000 of the library’s oldest books, is one of the most photographed interiors in Ireland. Tickets: EUR19 online. Open daily 8:30 AM to 5 PM. Book at least a week ahead during peak season. Allow 1.5 hours. Located on College Green near Grafton Street.
Kilmainham Gaol
This former prison (1796-1924) is one of Dublin’s most powerful historical sites. Leaders of the 1916 Easter Rising were executed here. The guided tour is excellent and included in admission. Tickets: EUR8 (book online at kilmainhamgaolmuseum.ie). Tickets sell out weeks in advance during summer; book as early as possible. Open daily 9:30 AM to 5:30 PM. Allow 1.5-2 hours. Bus 13, 40, or the Luas Red Line to Suir Road.
Things to Do in Dublin: Pubs and Nightlife
Temple Bar District
Temple Bar is Dublin’s cultural quarter, a warren of cobblestone streets packed with pubs, restaurants, and live music venues. The eponymous Temple Bar pub is the most photographed but also the most expensive (EUR8-9 for a pint vs EUR5-6 elsewhere). For a more authentic pub experience, try The Palace Bar on Fleet Street (Victorian gem) or The Stag’s Head on Dame Court. Temple Bar is at its best on weekday evenings. The Temple Bar Food Market runs Saturdays 10 AM to 4:30 PM.
Traditional Irish Music Pubs
For authentic trad sessions, head to: The Cobblestone in Smithfield (sessions nightly from 7 PM, free entry), O’Donoghue’s on Merrion Row (where The Dubliners started), and The Brazen Head (Ireland’s oldest pub, established 1198, live music nightly). Trad sessions typically start around 9-9:30 PM. Arrive early for a seat. No cover charge at most trad pubs. A pint of Guinness costs EUR5.50-6.50. For more on nightlife areas, see our Dublin neighborhoods guide.
Things to Do in Dublin: History and Heritage
Dublin Castle
Built on a Viking settlement site, Dublin Castle served as the seat of British rule for 700 years. The State Apartments, medieval Undercroft, and Chapel Royal are open to visitors. Guided tours (EUR12) include the Viking excavation site. The Chester Beatty Library on the castle grounds (free) houses a remarkable collection of Asian and Middle Eastern manuscripts. Open daily 9:45 AM to 5:45 PM. Allow 2 hours.
St. Patrick’s Cathedral and Christ Church
Dublin has two medieval cathedrals within a 10-minute walk. St. Patrick’s (EUR9) is the national cathedral, built in 1220. Jonathan Swift was dean here. Christ Church Cathedral (EUR8) dates to 1030 with a medieval crypt. Combined tickets available (EUR15). Allow 1 hour each. They are connected by a pleasant walk through the historic Liberties neighborhood.
Things to Do in Dublin: Food and Drink
Irish Whiskey Museum and Distilleries
The Irish Whiskey Museum on Grafton Street (EUR23 for guided tour with tasting) covers Irish whiskey history. The Teeling Whiskey Distillery in the Liberties (EUR17-30) is Dublin’s first new distillery in 125 years. The Jameson Distillery on Bow Street (EUR26) offers a historical experience with comparative whiskey tasting. Book 1-3 days ahead. Allow 1.5-2 hours per experience.
Food Markets and Dining
The Temple Bar Food Market (Saturdays) offers artisan cheeses, oysters, and baked goods. For modern Irish cuisine, Chapter One on Parnell Square (Michelin-starred, tasting menu EUR95) and The Winding Stair on the Liffey (mains EUR22-35) are standouts. A classic fish and chips from Leo Burdock’s (established 1913, EUR11-14) near Christ Church is the essential Dublin takeaway experience. Many pubs serve excellent food: The Bankers Bar and The Woollen Mills are reliable choices.
Things to Do in Dublin: Outdoors and Day Trips
Phoenix Park
At 707 hectares, Phoenix Park is one of Europe’s largest enclosed urban parks. The park is home to a herd of wild fallow deer, Dublin Zoo (EUR22), and Aras an Uachtarain (the president’s residence). Bike rentals are available at park entrances (EUR5/hour). Free entry to the park. A 20-minute walk from the city center or Luas Red Line to Heuston Station. Allow 2-4 hours.
Howth Cliff Walk
The fishing village of Howth is a 25-minute DART train ride from Dublin (EUR3.50 each way). The Howth Cliff Path Loop is a 6km coastal walk with views of Lambay Island and Ireland’s Eye. The full loop takes 2-3 hours. Stop for seafood chowder at the Summit Inn. The Howth Market (weekends) and harbor fish shops serve fresh-caught seafood. Wear sturdy shoes; the path can be muddy. Free.
St. Stephen’s Green and Grafton Street
St. Stephen’s Green is Dublin’s most central park, a 9-hectare Victorian garden with a lake, bandstand, and sculptures. It sits at the top of Grafton Street, Dublin’s premier shopping street. The park is free, open dawn to dusk. Grafton Street’s buskers perform throughout the day. Bewley’s Oriental Cafe (opened 1840) serves coffee and pastries in a stained-glass setting.
Things to Do in Dublin: Free Museums
National Museum of Ireland (Archaeology)
Free museum on Kildare Street housing Ireland’s most important archaeological treasures: the Ardagh Chalice, Tara Brooch, and 4,000-year-old bog bodies. The Viking Ireland exhibition is world-class. Open Tuesday to Saturday 10 AM to 5 PM, Sunday 1-5 PM. Allow 2-3 hours.
EPIC The Irish Emigration Museum
At Custom House Quay, EPIC tells the story of 10 million Irish emigrants and their global impact. Interactive galleries cover Irish contributions to politics, science, and arts. Tickets: EUR18 online. Open daily 10 AM to 6:45 PM. Allow 2 hours.
For accommodation guides, see our Dublin where to stay guide and Dublin neighborhoods guide.
