The Essential Guide to Visiting Dublin

By Ivan PetrenkoJul 10, 2024 13:30 PMNews

Temple Bar, Dublin. Source: unsplash

Here’s what you need to know about Ireland’s capital—when to go, what to do, and how to get around.

Why You Should Visit Dublin

Dublin is a city steeped in history and culture. Explore the nearly thousand-year-old Christ Church Cathedral, admire the Instagram-favorite Old Library at Trinity College Dublin, home to the Book of Kells, and discover Bronze Age gold at the National Museum. Learn about emigration on the Jeanie Johnston ship and enjoy snugs, pints of Guinness, and live music in old pubs.

Best Time to Visit Dublin

Spring: Daffodils fill parks like St. Stephen’s Green and Merrion Square. The city comes alive for three days of celebrations during March’s St. Patrick’s Festival. The International Literature Festival Dublin takes place in May.

Summer: The Bloomsday Festival on June 16 celebrates James Joyce’s Ulysses with readings around the city. It's also a great time to explore the Dublin Coastal Trail, stroll beaches, piers, or take a boat tour from Howth or Dun Laoghaire to see islands and wildlife.

Autumn: Catch emerging performance art at September’s Dublin Fringe Festival, followed by October’s Dublin Theatre Festival. The Bram Stoker Festival celebrates the Dracula author with events like outdoor circus performances, choirs in dark libraries, and banquets in cathedral crypts.

Winter: Grab a book from Hodges Figgis or Books Upstairs and sip a hot whiskey in a historic pub like The Duke or have a Guinness in Mulligan’s. Enjoy candlelight musical performances at St Patrick’s Cathedral and celebrate at the Dublin New Year Festival with outdoor concerts and light shows.

Lay of the Land

Shopping and Dining: The pedestrianized streets around Grafton Street are a hub for shopping and dining. Try an Irish cheese toastie at Loose Canon wine bar on Drury Street or watch the world go by from L’Gueleton. Visit George’s Street Arcade for everything from vintage to vinyl.

Georgian Quarter: Stop for city stories at the Little Museum of Dublin, visit MoLI for literature, the RHA for art, or the Natural History museum for its 1850s zoological collection.

The Liberties: One of the city’s oldest neighborhoods, dating back to the 12th century. Visit the Guinness Storehouse, tour the Dublin Liberties Distillery, and explore Marsh’s Library. Michelin-starred chef Keelan Higgs of Variety Jones describes it as "steeped in character and personality."

Temple Bar: Known for nightlife, but visit by day to browse retro finds at Dublin Vintage Factory or Lucy’s Lounge. Enjoy a smoked salmon sandwich at Joy of Cha or coffee and croissants at Il Valentino. Sign up for a tasting at the Whiskey Reserve and see an arthouse film at the Irish Film Institute.

Getting Around Dublin

By Bus: Dublin Bus operates most routes with additional service by Go Ahead Ireland. Use the TFI Live app for journey planning. Pay with exact change or a pre-paid Leap Card.

By Tram: The Luas tram system crosses the city, with the Green Line running north-south and the Red Line running east-west.

Cycling: Although traffic can be challenging, there are some cycle lanes. Get a three-day pass for Dublin Bikes; the first 30 minutes of every journey is free.

By Car: Navigate the one-way system and use on-street parking or car parks. Taxis are fully licensed—order via apps like FreeNow or Lynk.

By Train: The Dart light rail runs north-south along the coast. Additional rail lines service western suburbs, and intercity trains connect Dublin to other Irish cities from Heuston, Pearse, and Connolly stations.

Know Before You Go

Languages: English and Irish are official languages, though English is dominant in Dublin.

Wildlife Awareness: Don’t feed the deer in Phoenix Park or gulls—human food is harmful to them.

LGBTQ+: Dublin has a vibrant LGBTQ+ scene with events like Dublin Pride and the International Dublin Gay Theatre Festival. For nightlife, visit Pantibar or The George.

How to Visit Dublin Sustainably

Walk or join a walking tour to explore the city. Rent a bike for a day in Phoenix Park or visit beaches like Portmarnock or Skerries. Buy Irish-made gifts from shops like the Irish Design Shop or Kilkenny, and visit markets for organic produce. Dublin has many vegetarian and vegan restaurants, including Flipburger and Glas. Separate waste into recyclable materials and return plastic bottles and cans for a deposit.