17 Best Things to Do in Dublin, Ireland

Dublin is a wonderful city to visit. Whether you’re just there for vacation or for an extended period, you will be guaranteed the best treatment in this warm and welcoming city.

Dublin is located on the east coast of Ireland, which means that you will not only have the opportunity to visit the bustling city, but also the sprawling beaches and cliff walks that line the coast.

Here is a list of things to do in Dublin:  

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1. Visit the famous Phoenix Park

The city is home to one of the largest parks in Ireland. The Wellington monument, the US Ambassador’s residence and the Presidential apartment can all be found in Phoenix Park.

It is located just two miles from Dublin city center and is always busy. People come to enjoy the peaceful landscape the park has to offer.

This park is also home to the famous Dublin zoo, where you will have the opportunity to see a menagerie of wild animals roaming around their enclosures.

2. Visit the Trinity College Library

Here you will find Ireland’s largest library. There are countless ancient books and texts to read, all preserved and kept in perfect condition.

Its architectural design is simply superb. In fact, you may notice that one of the most famous sections of the library, the long room, bears resemblance to the archives of the Jedi in Star Wars.

It’s important to note that the main library is not open to tourists, only to the staff and students. But don’t worry, the assistants will allow you into a part of the library where you can take a glimpse into the great historical archives that document the lives of the Irish.

The atmosphere in the library is perfect for reading – all you have to do is simply pick up a book and get lost in its pages.

3. Visit the Avoca Wool Shop and Cafe and eat some delicious food

This is a great place to visit in Dublin when you find yourself in the city.

The shop sells high-quality, wool garments which are produced from sheep that are bred in the Avoca area in county Wicklow, just an hour outside Dublin city.

You’re sure to find a lots of warm, cozy sweaters and other clothing items made entirely from wool. These products have proven to stand the test of time and are worth investing in.

When you are finished browsing, head upstairs to the kitschy restaurant for some high-quality, artisan foods and drinks.

4. Visit the abandoned Kilmainham Gaol.

A ticket will cost you as little as four euros at the entrance to this derelict prison. The local guide will tell you about the deeply moving history within its walls.

There are a lot of interesting facts to learn about this prison; from the degrading and inhuman treatment of the prisoners that were in the facility to its complete shutdown.

You will discover that the structure of this abandoned building is far better than some of the modern prisons in use in parts of Europe and the world today.

5. Visit the Wicklow mountains

A camera is essential to capture the natural beauty of this landscape.

It costs around 25 euro to visit these scenic mountains. A traditional lunch is also included in the price.

This is one of the best things to do if you want to take a break from the city.

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6. Pay a visit to the zoo in Dublin

This zoo is located in the aforementioned Phoenix Park. There’s a wide range of wild animals to see here.

The animals are completely left to their own devices – they are free to roam around and interact with one another.

They provide an amusing distraction while you grab a drink or something to eat. You should also try to go to the meerkat cafe and watch the meerkats at close range.

7. Take pictures of the colorful doors of Dublin

This may sound strange, but the truth of the matter is that this is one of the best things to do in Dublin.

You won’t find such a colorful array of doors in any other city. The locals paint their doors in bright colors so as to distinguish it from that of their neighbors.

This was the practice in the past, however it has now grown into something of a tradition. They use this method to embellish the different neighborhoods – the sight is simply amazing.

You should try to take some photos of these picturesque doors before you leave the city.

8. Browse through the Dublin Flea Market

On the last Sunday of every month, you will be guaranteed to find an eclectic assortment of goods in the Dublin flea market.

You will find an abundance of market stalls dotted around the city, but the Dublin flea market is the biggest.

This means that you can find whatever you heart desires – from baby-care products, personal items and clothing – you will never be disappointed.

9. Take a tour around the Grave Yards at Glasnevin Cemetery Museum

According to Tripadvisor, this is the top tourist recommendation in Dublin.

It truly is a monumental sight to behold. This cemetery is home to the graves and memorials of notable Irish heroes.

The local guide will start the tour by giving you a brief biography of each of these heroes. Lots of other important snippets of information will be revealed during the tour.

The local guide will give you an insight into the lives of those buried here, and the rich history behind those people.

Ticket prices range from €6 to €25.

10. Visit St. Stephen’s Green

St Stephen’s Green is an ideal location to relax and take in the beauty this park has to offer.

There are numerous monuments scattered all over the place, as well as flowers of every color and variety.

The park is bicycle-friendly – you’ll find lots of cycle lanes along the perimeter and throughout the green.

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11. Visit the National Botanical Gardens

The Rose garden is especially worth visiting. Here you will find different varieties of rose blooms, all kept in top condition and displayed very neatly.

There is no entrance fee if you just want to smell the flowers and take some pictures, but the guided tour will cost five euros.

12. Pay a visit to the Little Museum of Dublin

This is another great place to see. It would be foolish to stay in Dublin without paying a visit to this miniature museum.

It’s called the Little Museum because it doesn’t house very many artifacts. In fact, most of the artifacts on display here have been donated. Because of this, each item holds a very deep and personal history.

A guided tour will cost you seven euros.

13. Visit the National Museum of Ireland

This is the biggest museum in the country. Inside, you can find displays such as the Viking and bog men exhibition – the latter being a collection of the recovered bodies from bogs all over Ireland.

They also have an extensive display of gold artifacts collected from various parts of the country.

14. Walk across Ha’penny Bridge

Built in 1816, this bridge acquired its name as a result of the fee that was charged from the citizens in order to gain passage (a halfpenny).

It has become one of the most-visited attractions in Dublin. Many tourists come to here to take pictures and to admire the view of the river Liffey which runs through the city.

15. Visit the Dublin Castle

You can turn back the hands of time when you visit this impressive castle and view some of the relics it has on display.

Dublin castle has been in existence for over 800 years, yet the structure has maintained its beauty and prestige.

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16. Pay a visit to the Guinness storehouse factory

The Guinness Storehouse is located in the heart of the St. James Gate Brewery, just a few minutes’ walk from Heuston Station. Visitors can stroll through all seven floors of this factory, learning about the history and brewing process of the stout.

You will also have the opportunity to taste a pint of Guinness at the end of the guide

17. Party in The Temple Bar

Located in the temple bar area, it has been standing since the 1300’s and is famous for its bright red façade.

Lots of tourists come here to enjoy an authentic Irish whiskey while striking up a conversation with the locals.

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