Dublin
Visited in February 2023
At a glance
- Country
- Ireland
- Region
- Dublin City
- Population
- 592,713
- Best time to go
- May to September
- Main airport
- Dublin Airport (DUB)
- Coordinates
- 53.34°N, 6.27°W
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Overview
Dublin is a compact, walkable capital on the River Liffey, with elegant Georgian squares on one side, medieval cathedrals on the other and a pub on almost every corner in between.
It is a city of writers and talkers, and the best way to know it is to slow down: browse a bookshop, linger over a pint, or take the train along the coast to Howth. Pack a raincoat whatever the season.
Things to see
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Photo: Unattributed, Public domain Trinity College and the Book of Kells
The ninth-century illuminated gospels are on show beside the college's magnificent Long Room library.
Tickets and tours -
Photo: Steven Lek, CC BY-SA 4.0 Guinness Storehouse
The story of Ireland's famous stout, ending with a pint in a rooftop bar with views across the city.
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Photo: Colin, CC BY-SA 4.0 Kilmainham Gaol
A former prison where leaders of the 1916 Easter Rising were held and executed; guided tours only.
Tickets and tours -
Photo: J.-H. Janßen, CC BY-SA 3.0 Dublin Castle
The seat of British rule in Ireland for centuries, with grand state apartments and the Chester Beatty Library in its grounds.
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Photo: Diliff, CC BY-SA 3.0 St Patrick's Cathedral
Ireland's largest church, where Jonathan Swift was dean, beside a pretty park.
Tickets and tours
Things to do
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Photo: Hinnerk R (Hinnerk Rümenapf), CC BY-SA 3.0 Traditional music session
Find a pub with live trad music; the bars beyond Temple Bar are often more local and less crowded.
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Photo: 瑞丽江的河水, CC BY-SA 4.0 Howth Cliff Walk
A coastal path around the headland at Howth, reached by DART train, with seals in the harbour.
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Photo: William Murphy, CC BY-SA 2.0 Phoenix Park
One of Europe's largest city parks, with herds of wild fallow deer roaming the grassland.
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Photo: Denzillacey, CC BY-SA 4.0 Day trip to Glendalough
An early monastic site with a round tower beside two lakes in the Wicklow Mountains.
Where to stay
St Stephen's Green
Central and elegant, close to Grafton Street, museums and Georgian squares.
Hotels in St Stephen's GreenTemple Bar
In the thick of the nightlife; fun but noisy at weekends.
Hotels in Temple BarStoneybatter and Smithfield
Characterful northside neighbourhoods with good cafés and pubs, a short walk from the centre.
Hotels in Stoneybatter and SmithfieldBallsbridge
Leafy and upmarket, with larger hotels a short ride south of the centre.
Hotels in Ballsbridge
Getting around
The centre is easy to walk. Luas trams, Dublin Bus and the DART coastal train cover the rest; a Leap card makes paying easy.
Express coaches and buses run from the airport to the city centre in around 30 to 45 minutes depending on traffic.
When to go
May to September has the longest days and mildest weather, though rain is possible at any time. St Patrick's Day on 17 March brings parades and huge crowds.
Plan your trip to Dublin
- HotelsBooking.com
- Tours and ticketsGetYourGuide
- FlightsKiwi.com
- Attraction ticketsTiqets
- Airport parking, lounges and transfersHoliday Extras
- Car hireAuto Europe
- Mobile data (eSIM)AiraloCode DAN9406 for money off
- GuidebooksAmazon
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Guide last checked October 2026. Opening times and prices change, so check before you go.