The Top 10 Best Things to Do in Dublin, Ireland

#10 - O’Connell Street

This is one of the main shopping areas in Dublin. You can find your standard souvenir shops, as well as farmers markets, chain stores, and grocery stores. Perhaps what makes it worth visiting on top of finding nice bargains is the extremely tall Spire of Dublin. Additionally, you can see several statues of notable Irishmen, such as James Larkin and Daniel O’Connell. This street has seen a lot of history, so we encourage you to read the signs and look around… or just grab some fun souvenirs to bring home.

#9 - Trinity College

Founded in 1592 by Queen Elizabeth I, Trinity College is synonymous with The University of Dublin, as it is the only college within the institution. Unlike Oxford or Cambridge that has multiple colleges within the university, the University of Dublin just has Trinity College. With it being the oldest university in Ireland, composing of 23 schools, Trinity College is a leader in academic research. Unlike some other universities, Trinity College is open to the public. You can walk through the courtyard of the college, take tours inside the buildings, and walk the pathways that former and current students walk.

#8 - The National Museum of Ireland

Wow, this is a HUGE museum!! Even with many people visiting, you will probably feel like you have the museum all to yourself. There are many floors and buildings to walk through, including natural history, decorative arts, art exhibitions, pottery, geology, fashion, Irish silver, and SO SO SO much more. You can see Ireland’s contributions to society, how they have overcome past challenges, and how they are embracing their future. With all there is to offer here, one might think a ticket would be expensive. Well, the museum is completely FREE and open to all. You’ll be sure to spend at least a couple of hours at this museum… maybe all day!!

Hours: Tuesday, Wednesday, Friday, Saturday (10:00 a.m. - 5:00 p.m.), Thursday (10:00 a.m. - 8:00 p.m.), Sunday, Monday (1:00 p.m. - 5:00 p.m.)

Average Cost: FREE

#7 - Jameson Whisky Factory

One thing is for certain: Dublin has a TON of breweries and distilleries sprinkled all throughout the city. But, perhaps the most famous and easily recognised distillery in Dublin is Jameson’s Whisky. Although the factory moved to Cork, Ireland, the Jameson Whisky tour is available here in Dublin. Here, you can walk around the actual building that started it all in 1780. You will take a guided tour of the building, learning about the history, the process of making the whisky, and then finally tasting some of their most famous whiskies. And, hey, you will learn how to properly drink whisky during the tour. The tour takes about 45 minutes, and you will be intrigued every second of it!

Hours: 10:00 a.m. - 6:00 p.m.

Average Cost: €40

#6 - Oscar Wilde’s House

Some are surprised to learn that Oscar Wilde, famous author and playwright, lived in Dublin from 1855-1878. A Dublin native, he got inspiration for lots of his work while living in Dublin. And, you can visit his home while on your travels through Dublin. You can learn about his early years, see some original furniture that belonged to the Wilde family, explore what life was like in Dublin during his years here, and the aftermath of his accusations. It is a small museum (it is in the original house after all), but we believe it’s worth it to visit, especially if you’re an Oscar Wilde fan. Just make sure you’re here over the weekend, as that’s the only time they are open (we were told).

Hours: Saturday, Sunday (11:00 a.m. - 5:15 p.m.)

Average Cost: €20

#5 - Phoenix Park

Phoenix Park is a gigantic park just West of the city centre. How big? 1,750 acres… yeah, that big. It is one of the largest capital city parks in Europe, and it is open 24/7 for locals and visitors alike to enjoy. It was originally royal hunting grounds in the 17th century, but it was converted into a public park in 1747. You can see deer roaming around, but they won’t be hunted. Instead, there are flower beds, a cafe, memorial, and a zoo. There are also lots of recreational activities. Because this place is so big, we recommend renting a bike for the day so you can see it all. The park will feel like it never ends!

Currently, the government is trying to get the park as a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

#4 - Temple Bar District

When you see pubs in Dublin online, this is probably what you see in photos. The iconic red-bricked Temple Bar is not the only thing we want you to see here. This entire area where it’s located is worth a visit. It is on the more touristy side, but we see locals coming here all the time too. You can get a Guinness cheaper outside of this area, but there’s something about here that is electric! There’s so much art and culture here that you really get a sense of the Irish lifestyle. All of these bars are super fun - if you’re going with a bunch of friends for a stag party, this is probably where you’ll be most of your trip.

#3 - St Patrick’s Cathedral

A trip to Dublin would not be complete without a visit to St Patrick’s Cathedral. With Ireland being a very Catholic nation, this is one of the most important cathedrals in the country. Founded in 1192, this gorgeous gothic-style church, named after the patron saint St Patrick, has a lot of history and significance. We’ll save that for you to discover when you visit (there are audio guides and packets for you to pick up while on your visit). But, perhaps one interesting point about the cathedral is that it is one of the very last standing buildings of Medieval Dublin. It is the official national cathedral of the church of Ireland - a nation of more than 3.5 million Catholics (70 percent).

Hours: Monday - Friday (9:00 a.m. - 5:00 p.m.), Saturday, Sunday (9:00 a.m. - 6:00 p.m. - Sundays have services)

Average Cost: €9

#2 - Irish Dancing

Fun fact: as a child, my dream was to be an Irish dancer. I used to watch Lord of the Dance on PBS all the time as a kid, often wanting to be just like them. My family couldn’t find any Irish dancing studios in Austin in the late 90s, so I settled with the traditional ballet/tap/jazz combo - I’ve been dancing ever since (even the dream of getting paid for it!). Turns out, many people enjoy Irish dancing, not just those who aspire to be a dancer. Irish dancing traces its history back to the age of the Celts and druids before Christianity. These dances would often circle around a sacred tree in the village, forming many of the sequences we see today. They would perform these dances at religious and special events. There were also regional dances that showcases the unique culture and geographical location of each group. We recommend going to a dance show in Dublin so you can see many of these traditional dances. There are also some that offer dinner during the show, so it’s a win-win. You may be called up on stage to live your dream (like I did)!

Hours: Varies

Average Cost: €50

#1 - Guinness Storehouse

Have you really taken a trip to Dublin if you haven’t gone to the Guinness Storehouse??? You’ll see Guinness EVERYWHERE. And we mean EVERYWHERE! Guinness is like its own religion in Ireland. There are posters of it is plastered on the streets, there’s souvenirs of literally anything Guinness in the shops, you’ll find it in food, and everyone is drinking it at all hours of the day. Now, the best place to experience Guinness is at the Guinness Storehouse, where it all began here in 1759. We thought this was just a factory talking about the processes of making Guinness. NO. This is like an adult theme park. Yes, it talks about the processes of making Guinness (in an over-the-top way), but it also shares its history along with memorabilia, a theatre, stores, cafes, restaurants, classes, and a beautifully designed rooftop bar where you can get a free pint of Guinness. You will need to book tickets in advance as it can sell out, so we recommend doing so before your trip.

Hours: Monday, Tuesday, Thursday (10 a.m. - 5:00 p.m.); Wednesday (9:00 a.m. - 5:00 p.m.); Friday, Saturday (9:30 a.m. - 6:00 p.m.), Sunday (9:30 a.m. - 5:00 p.m.)

Average Cost: €26