🇮🇪Ireland · Places to discover
What to see in Dublin?
21 places selected by the community - landmarks, nature, hidden restaurants and activities.
Dublin operates at a particular rhythm, caught between neighbourhood pubs where conversations stretch for hours and institutions still bearing the weight of colonial history. Along the Liffey, the city alternates Georgian terraces and weathered facades without any attempt at self-promotion. Trinity College and the Book of Kells anchor the centre, but Dublin's real texture lies in the streets of Portobello or Stoneybatter.
September and October strike a decent balance between manageable weather and reduced crowds-summer brings crowds for limited climate comfort. Two to three days covers the centre; add a day if you're heading to Howth or the Wicklow Mountains. The Luas and buses cover the city well; no need to rent a car. Skip Temple Bar for a drink: prices are doubled and it becomes mass tourism by 6pm.
Landmarks & heritage
6 places
1WikipediaLandmark
Custom House
A neoclassical masterpiece by James Gandon (1791) on the north quays of the Liffey, considered Dublin's finest building. Its 114-metre façade is particularly spectacular at sunset.
2Wikimedia Commons · CC BY 3.0Landmark
Four Courts
Neoclassical courthouse on the Liffey quays, whose majestic dome is one of Dublin's symbols. Theatre of the Irish Civil War of 1922, you can attend public hearings.
3Wikimedia Commons · CC BY-SA 4.0Landmark
Kilmainham Gaol
The former prison where the leaders of the 1916 Easter Rising were executed is Dublin's most moving location for understanding Irish independence. The guided tour is essential.
4Wikimedia Commons · CC BY-SA 2.0Landmark
Marsh's Library
Ireland's first public library (1707), virtually unchanged since its creation, with cages where readers were locked in with rare books. A completely unknown place outside of time.
5Wikimedia Commons · CC BY-SA 2.0Landmark
Merrion Square
Dublin's finest Georgian square, surrounded by houses with iconic coloured doors. The central park hosts a statue of Oscar Wilde lounging on a rock—Dubliners' favourite spot for picnicking.
6Wikimedia CommonsLandmark
Trinity College Dublin & Book of Kells
Ireland's oldest university campus houses the 9th-century illuminated manuscript in a breathtaking library. The Long Room with its 200,000 volumes is a timeless experience.
Museums
2 places
7Wikimedia Commons · CC BY-SA 4.0Museum
Glasnevin Cemetery & Museum
Ireland's largest cemetery is also a living museum of national history, with the graves of Michael Collins, Daniel O'Connell and Éamon de Valera. Guided tours are among Dublin's finest historical experiences.
8Wikimedia Commons · CC BY-SA 4.0Museum
National Museum of Ireland – Archaeology
A completely free museum housing the Ardagh Treasure, the Cross of Cong and the famous 'bog bodies' – human remains preserved in peat bogs since the Iron Age. One of the most fascinating museums in the British Isles.
Religious sites
1 place
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Religious site
Religious site
Saint Patrick's Cathedral, Dublin
Ireland's largest cathedral, founded in the 12th century, where Jonathan Swift served as dean for decades. Its interior is laden with military flags and fascinating monuments.
Castles & fortresses
1 place
10Wikimedia Commons · CC BY-SA 3.0Castle
Dublin Castle
The heart of British colonial power for 700 years, this complex blends medieval and Georgian architecture in the middle of the city. The Chester Beatty Library nestled in its gardens is an often-overlooked treasure.
Nature
3 places
11Wikimedia Commons · CC BY-SA 3.0Nature
Portobello & Grand Canal
The Grand Canal is south Dublin's main promenade, lined with colourful narrowboats and pub terraces. Portobello, with its independent cafés and vintage shops, is the city's liveliest neighbourhood.
12WikipediaNature
Bull Island
A natural island just 5 km from the city centre, a UNESCO biosphere reserve with fine sand beach and thousands of migratory birds in winter. A complete change of scenery just outside the city.
13WikipediaNature
Sandymount Strand
Dublin's urban beach, immortalised by James Joyce in Ulysses, where Dubliners stroll at low tide across kilometres of sand. Impressive views of the Pigeon House and the Wicklow Mountains.
Parks & gardens
2 places
14Wikimedia CommonsPark
War Memorial Gardens
Dublin's most beautiful and least visited memorial gardens, dedicated to Irish soldiers of the First World War. Designed by Edwin Lutyens in 1939, they offer a rare serenity on the Liffey's edge.
15Wikimedia Commons · CC BY-SA 2.0Park
Phoenix Park
One of Europe's largest urban parks with 707 hectares, where deer roam freely in the heart of the city. The Irish president's residence and the American embassy are located here, but Dubliners come mainly to run and recharge.
Viewpoints
1 place
16Wikimedia Commons · CC BY-SA 4.0Viewpoint
Gravity Bar – Guinness Storehouse
The panoramic bar on the 7th floor of the Guinness brewery offers the best 360° view over Dublin, with a pint included in your ticket. Arrive at opening time to avoid crowds and enjoy the quiet of the city awakening.
Activities
3 places
17Wikimedia Commons · CC BY-SA 2.0Activity
Walking tour of the Liberties
Dublin's oldest neighbourhood, birthplace of the silk and brewing industries, is being reinvented with street artists, independent coffee shops and vintage markets. Getting lost in its cobbled streets is the best way to discover it.
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Activity
Activity
Irish Film Institute (IFI)
Ireland's national film archive in Temple Bar is where educated Dubliners go to watch arthouse films and retrospectives. Its bar-café in the interior courtyard is one of the city's most pleasant spots.
- 19
Activity
Activity
Chester Beatty Library
One of Europe's finest museums, completely free to visit, housing an exceptional collection of Islamic, Buddhist and Christian manuscripts and book arts. The rooftop terrace with views over Dublin's rooftops is a well-kept secret.
More to discover
2 places
20Wikimedia Commons · CC BY 2.5Place
Moore Street Market
Dublin's most authentic open-air market, run by merchant families for generations, with stalls of fresh fruit, vegetables and fish. A vibrant, popular corner of Dublin that resists gentrification.
- 21
Place
Place
Kehoe's Pub
One of Dublin's best-preserved Victorian pubs, with original wooden snugs and an atmosphere unchanged since 1803. Located just off Grafton Street, it's the perfect antidote to mass tourism.
Also 🇮🇪 in Ireland
