Whether it’s your first time in Dublin or you’re a local, there are many things to do in Dublin you’ll love.
Historic castles, beautiful nature, amazing pubs, and interesting museums, you can find it all in Dublin! You can spend a long time in the city and never get bored. Whether you love history, entertainment, or interesting and unique museums, the city has something to offer for you. That’s one of the reasons why I love Dublin so much!
Exploring the city of Dublin is a lot of fun and in this Dublin things to do guide I included a large variety of activities.
Best Things To Do in Dublin
Go for a Walk at the National Botanic Gardens
You can find the National Botanic Gardens in the city. This botanical garden is a very historic one as it was founded in the year 1795 by the Dublin Society.
At the botanical garden, you can find more than 20,000 different plants and flowers.
Also, the botanical garden houses a great collection of dried specimens of plants.
If you want to learn about nature, you should definitely consider going to this place.
Also, if you want to relax, this is the perfect place for that. The garden and the many paths that you can find here offer the perfect place for a relaxing stroll.
Furthermore, it is possible to do daily guided tours of the garden.
Address: Glasnevin, Dublin 9, D09 VY63
Visit Dublin Castle
Dublin Castle is one of the most iconic sights in Dublin.
This is a building that is part of the buildings that house the government of Ireland
Dublin Castle played an important role throughout the history of Ireland.
Some parts of the castle date back to the year 1204, which makes the building very impressive and interesting to see. But most of the building dates back to the 18th century.
Throughout history, the building was used for a variety of purposes.
First of all, the building started out as a fort. Later it was an official residence, and it has also been a law court.
Address: Dame St, Dublin 2
Ride a Hop-On Hop-Off Bus in Dublin
A hop-on hop-off bus tour in Dublin is a wonderful way to explore the city of Dublin.
You can buy either a ticket for 24 hours or a ticket for 48 hours, and during this time period, you can ride the bus as many times as you like.
The bus follows a route through the city that takes you to the best attractions of Dublin.
At each stop of the bus route, you can leave the bus to explore that place. For example, you could stop at Dublin Castle and learn about the city’s history.
After you are done exploring Dublin Castle, you can ride the bus again to other sights in the city.
Also, along the way, you can listen to live narration and learn about the city that way!
Have a Drink at The Temple Bar Pub
You can find many pubs in the city of Dublin and one of the most famous ones is The Temple Bar Pub.
This is a pub that you can find on Temple Lane South
The Temple Bar is very old, which makes it unique to visit. The pub dates back to the year 1840 and the pub is part of the National Inventory of Architectural Heritage.
The pub also has a very nice exterior that is bright red, which is very photogenic and nice to see. If you want to take photos when you are in Dublin, this is a great spot for that.
Also, you can go to The Temple Bar to have a drink and some delicious food.
Address: 47-48 Temple Bar, Dublin 2, D02 N725
Go to the National Gallery of Ireland
Do you like art? Then, the National Gallery of Ireland should definitely be on your list of things to check out when you are in Dublin.
At the National Gallery of Ireland, you can find a permanent collection of art that is very large. And what’s great is that you can see this permanent collection of art without paying an admission fee.
The collection of works of the museum includes a large collection of Irish paintings, which makes this a great place to learn about Irish heritage.
Besides that, you can also find great Italian Baroque works and there are lots of works by Europan Old Masters as well.
Furthermore, you can find some more modern works at the museum. For example, there are works by Picasso.
Address: Merrion Square W, Dublin 2, D02 K303
Cross the Ha’penny Bridge
The Ha’penny Bridge is a very old bridge that you can visit while you are in Dublin.
This is a pedestrian bridge that crosses the river Liffey.
Moreover, the bridge is made from Cast iron and wood and it dates back to the year 1816.
The name of the bridge is one of the reasons why this is an interesting bridge to visit.
Before the bridge was built, there were ferries that crossed the river and these were operated by Walsh. Walsh had to improve the conditions of the ferries or build a bridge.
He chose to build the bridge and when the bridge was built, Walsh was allowed to charge a toll that would replace the money he would have otherwise earned from the ferries. This was a toll of half a penny, which is where the bridge got its name from.
See a Show at the Gaiety Theatre
The Gaiety Theatre is a historic theater that you can find on Grafton Street.
The theater was opened in the year 1871, which makes the theater very special to visit.
Nowadays, you can attend great musicals at this theater.
Also, there are operas and a variety of other shows that you’ll enjoy here for sure. For example, you can go here for concerts, dance performances, musicals, and much more. When looking for things to do in Dublin, checking out one of the shows can be great.
The interior and exterior of the theater make attending a show here a very special experience that you will not forget.
Address: King St S, Dublin 2
See Art at the Hugh Lane Gallery
Want to see modern and contemporary art? Then, the Hugh Lane Gallery is a great place in the city of Dublin that you can visit.
This gallery has an amazing collection of both modern and contemporary art.
This collection of art includes works by many famous artists from all over the world. For example, there are works by Monet, Renoir, Degas, and many others.
Furthermore, the museum houses a significant collection of French works of art. Also, there is a large collection of stained glass works.
What’s great is that you can see the collection of the museum through both temporary as well as permanent exhibitions.
These exhibitions often change, you can often go to this museum and see new things.
Address: Charlemont House, Parnell Square N, Rotunda, Dublin, D01 F2X9
Go to a Concert at the National Concert Hall
The National Concert Hall is a historic building that was completed in the year 1865.
Since the construction of the building, it was used for a variety of events of entertainment. For example, concerts and exhibitions took place at the building.
Nowadays, you can see a variety of performances at the National Concert Hall. So if you are looking for an attraction in Dublin where you can enjoy entertainment in a historic setting, look no further!
At the National Concert Hall, large concerts and opera performances take place. For example, you can go here to attend concerts of classical music.
Also, you can go to this place to attend talks and enjoy small performances.
There are several performance halls at this place that all have a different purpose.
Address: Earlsfort Terrace, Saint Kevin’s, Dublin, D02 N527
Visit the National Wax Museum
The National Wax Museum Plus is a wax museum that you can find in the city of Dublin.
At this museum, you can see many wax figures and figures made of the materials.
These are figures of many famous people and historically important people.
Also, there are lots of wax sculptures of fictional characters. For example, you can see a sculpture of Superman at the place.
Also, there are exhibits for children. For example, there are tunnels that children can walk through to see figures from popular series for children.
Some notable figures at the museum include figures of Yoda, Michael Jackson, Frankenstein, the Simpsons, and the Joker.
Address: 22-25 Westmoreland St, Temple Bar, Dublin 2, D02 EH29
See Art at the Irish Museum of Modern Art
Here’s another one of the best things to do in Dublin if you like modern art.
You can go to the Irish Museum of Modern Art.
This is a national museum in the city where you can find a large collection of both modern and contemporary works of art.
The museum has a lot of changing exhibitions that showcase works from the permanent collection of the museum, but often these objects are supplemented with works from other institutions.
The collection of the museum includes both works by Irish artists, which is interesting if you want to learn about local art and international artists.
Furthermore, you can often attend other events at the museum that relate to modern and contemporary art. Through this, it aims to teach the community about this type of art.
Address: Military Rd, Kilmainham, Dublin 8, D08 FW31
Visit Dublin Zoo
If you like animals, you can check out the Dublin Zoo, which is one of the most popular sights in the city to visit.
This is a zoo that you can find in Phoenix Park.
The Dublin Zoo is one of the oldest zoos in the world and lots of people visit the zoo throughout the year.
At the zoo, you can see close to 500 different animals that live in spaces that look a lot like the place where the animals live in the wild.
For example, there are native plants.
These spaces make visiting the zoo even better, as the zoo looks very beautiful because of them.
Visit the Guinness Storehouse
One of the most famous Irish brands is the Guinness brand, famous for its beer.
That’s why going to the Guinness Storehouse is one best things to do when you are visiting the city of Dublin.
This is a museum that focuses completely on the Guinness brand.
Here, you can learn about the ingredients that are used to make the iconic beer.
Also, you can learn about the beer-making process, which is very interesting. And there are many exhibits through which you can learn about Guiness’ history and more specifically the history of advertising of the brand.
What’s great too is that when you tour the museum, you’ll end up at a bar from where you can enjoy a view of the city, and where visitors that are of the legal drinking age can try the beer.
Address: St. James’s Gate, Dublin 8, D08 VF8H
Go to EPIC The Irish Emigration Museum
Lots of people emigrated from Ireland. For example, during the Irish famine, lots of people left the country. But there are many other reasons why people migrated to other countries.
That makes visiting EPIC The Irish Emigration Museum very interesting to visit.
This is a private museum where you can find many different galleries that all have a theme that relates to the topic of migration.
For example, there are several galleries about the causes of migration.
Also, you can learn about the impact that emigration had on the country at several galleries.
Another interesting aspect that you can learn about is the Irish people that live in other countries and the influence that they had on these other countries.
Address: The Chq Building, Custom House Quay, North Dock, Dublin 1
Go to the National Print Museum
The National Print Museum is another very interesting museum that you can find in Dublin.
At this museum, you can learn about the art of printing and the museum covers every aspect of it.
In total, there are more than 10,000 items at this museum that are very diverse.
For example, you can see historic machinery that was used to print.
Also, there are photographs, books, pamphlets, and many other end-results of printing here.
Furthermore, you can see very old documents at the museum, which is very interesting as well.
If you want to learn even more about the museum, you can do a guided tour. During such a tour, expert docents of the museum show you the highlights.
Also, there are often workshops at the museum through which you can acquire new skills related to printing. For example, you can learn printmaking through this.
Address: Haddington Rd, Dublin, D04 E0C9
Go to Kilmainham Gaol
Kilmainham Gaol is one of the most well-known sights in Dublin.
This is a former prison that was built in the year 1796. At the beginning of its operations, hangings took place in front of the prison.
Furthermore, there is a hanging cell at the prison located on the first floor.
Many revolutionaries of Ireland were in prison here.
Nowadays, it is possible to visit the prison and see it from the inside. Also, it is possible to do a guided tour of the facility.
Also, you can find a museum about Irish nationalism at the prison. This museum has an art gallery with a variety of paintings and other forms of art through which you can learn about history.
Address: Inchicore Rd, Kilmainham, Dublin 8, D08 RK28
Go to the Irish Whiskey Museum
Ireland is known for its whiskey and if you want to learn about this famous drink, you can go to the Irish Whiskey Museum when you are in Dublin.
You can find this museum on Grafton Street.
At this museum, you can learn about the history of Irish whiskey.
Also, you can learn about the history of Ireland in general at this place.
If you want to get the best experience at the museum, you can do a guided tour. During such a guided tour, you can travel through the museum together with an expert who will give you a lot of information.
Also, you can try out whiskey at this place if you are old enough for that.
Address: 119 Grafton Street, Dublin, D02 E620
See the Molly Malone Statue
The statue of Molly Malone is a statue that you can find on Grafton Street.
This statue refers to the fictional character of a popular song that is the unofficial anthem of Ireland.
It can be great to check out the statue when you are going for a walk in the city.
Address: Suffolk St, Dublin 2, D02 KX03
Go to the National Museum of Ireland – Archaeology
Another one of the best attractions that you can find in the city of Dublin is the National Museum of Ireland – Archaeology.
This is a museum that is a part of the National Museum of Ireland and you can find this museum on Kildare Street.
At this place, you can learn a lot about archaeology. The objects that you can find at the museum cover a large period of time. Some of the items here are from the Iron Age. For example, you can see swords and shields here.
Furthermore, you can see objects at this place from Ancient Egypt and the Roman Empire.
Also, you can see a lot of beautiful and interesting medieval art at this museum.
If you want to learn about the past, this is a wonderful place to do that.
Address: Kildare St, Dublin 2
See St Patrick’s Cathedral
St Patrick’s Cathedral in Dublin is a very impressive church and one of the best landmarks in Dublin.
This cathedral was created in the year 1191, which makes it very special. It used to be a Roman Catholic cathedral, but now it is a church that belongs to the Church of Ireland.
When you are going for a walk in the city, you have to check out this church for sure. The church has a beautiful Gothic architectural style that is very interesting to see.
Also, the church looks very beautiful from the inside as it has a lot of amazing details. For example, the pattern of the floor of this church looks wonderful.
Go to the GPO Museum
The GPO Museum is definitely a great museum and landmark in the city that you should not miss out on when you are visiting the city of Dublin.
GPO is an abbreviation for General Post Office.
At this place, you can learn about modern Irish history, which can be very interesting.
There are a lot of exhibits with all sorts of objects. For example, there are exhibits with photographs that are very interesting.
Also, there are many digital exhibits here as well that are very interactive.
You can do a self-guided tour of the museum, which can be lovely.
But you can also do a guided tour of the museum. There are weekly public guided tours through which you can learn a lot of new things from an expert docent.
Address: O’Connell Street Lower, North City, Dublin 1, D01 F5P2
Attend a Show at the Gate Theatre
The Gate Theatre in Dublin is a historic theater that dates back to the year of its founding in 1928.
You can find this theater on Cavendish Row and it is a lovely place to see a show whenever you are making a trip to the city of Dublin.
At The Gate Theatre, you can see great original productions that are of very high quality.
The artists that work on these performances at the theater are very good and the theater uses both emerging as well as well-known artists for its production.
Going here is definitely one of the best things that you can do at night in Dublin.
What’s special about the theater as well is that many famous actors started here.
Address: Cavendish Row, Parnell Square E, Rotunda, Dublin 1
Visit the Iveagh Gardens
Going to the Iveagh Gardens is one of the most relaxing activities in Dublin.
This is a public park that you can find in the city center of Dublin.
At the gardens, you can see beautiful nature.
And there are many good walking paths through which you can explore the park.
Furthermore, there is a waterfall at the park, and there are some great other water elements that are very beautiful to see.
Also, what’s great is that you can find the National Concert Hall close to the park. So if you are planning on seeing a performance there, you can combine that with a visit to the Iveagh Gardens. That way, you can experience world-class entertainment and relax at the same time.
Visit the Malahide Castle & Gardens
When doing a trip to the city of Dublin, you should not miss out on visiting the Malahide Castle & Gardens.
The Malahide Castle is a very old castle that dates back to the 12th century, and you can find it in a village that is very close to the city of Dublin.
It can be great to visit this castle as it is a very impressive place.
You can roam the gardens that surround the castle and see beautiful nature while checking out the castle from the outside.
Also, it is possible to go inside the castle. This can be done through a guided tour. Through such a tour, you can also learn a lot about the castle from an expert guide.
Go to the National Library of Ireland
The National Library of Ireland is the national library of the country of Ireland, and you can find this building in the city of Dublin. The library started in the year 1877.
This is a library that holds a very large collection of all kinds of books, maps, documents, and other material. It does not lend out the objects, but you can see the material when you visit the library.
In total, the library has a collection that contains more than 12 million items.
And what’s interesting is that there are many rare objects at the library.
The library also contains many personal material from famous Irish writers and other famous Irish people.
Furthermore, the library contains interesting art.
Address: 7-8 Kildare St, Dublin 2, D02 P638
Visit the Powerscourt House & Gardens
Powerscourt Estate, House & Gardens is also one of best Dublin attractions that you should not miss out on when visiting the city.
This is a large estate that you can find very close to the capital city of Ireland.
The house that you can find at this place used to be a castle that started out in the 13th century. However, through the years there were a lot of renovations that significantly changed the building.
If you like historic architecture, it can be great to go to the estate.
Also, what’s great is that you can find very beautiful gardens on the estate. For example, the Japanese gardens here are very beautiful.
You can go for a walk in the gardens and see amazing. Through this, I’m sure you can relax.
Go to the Chester Beatty Library
One of the best museums in the city of Dublin is Chester Beatty.
At this museum, you can find a diverse collection of all kinds of objects.
For example, you can find rare books here.
Also, there is a large collection of manuscripts and there are many other rare objects as well.
These objects come from all over the world. For example, there are objects from Europe, North Africa, the Middle East, and Asia.
Moreover, the exhibits that you can find here are very interesting and beautiful. And the information that you can read next to the objects is very interesting.
Also, there are both permanent and temporary exhibitions at the museum.
Besides that, you can also do a variety of activities here.
Go to a Movie at the Light House Cinema
One of the best things to do at night in the city of Dublin is to see a movie at the Light House Cinema.
The Light House Cinema is probably the best movie theater in the city of Dublin.
The auditoria of this movie theater are very beautiful and feature amazing modern designs.
Also, you can enjoy the best projection technology at this movie theater. Because of that, seeing a movie here will be a very nice experience for sure.
Also, the sound that comes with the projections is very good at this particular movie theater in Dublin.
So if you are a movie lover, this is a movie theater that you should check out for sure when you are visiting the city of Dublin.
Address: Market St S, Smithfield, Dublin 7, D07 R6YE
Visit the Little Museum of Dublin
You can go to the Little Museum of Dublin when you are in the city.
This is one of the best museums in the city and you can learn a lot here.
The Little Museum is all about three specific things: history, humor, and hospitality. And the whole collection of the museum focuses on these three aspects.
At this museum, you can learn about the story of Dublin in a concise way. It is a wonderful place to visit if you want to learn what the city is about.
For example, you can learn about very historic moments of the city of Dublin, but it is also possible to learn about some more modern things that are happening in Dublin.
You can do a guided tour of the city to learn a lot about the city from expert guides.
Address: 15 St Stephen’s Green, Dublin 2, D02 Y066
Do a Guided Day Trip to the Cliffs of Moher
If you’re wondering what to do in Dublin, there’s also a lot outside of the city that is worth visiting.
That’s why it can be great to do a guided trip outside of the city and there is a variety of guided trips to choose from.
One of the most interesting guided trips is a guided day trip to the Cliffs of Moher from Dublin.
During this guided tour, you’ll explore very beautiful landscapes.
Also, you’ll go to Galway and see the Kilmacduagh Abbey.
So if you want to learn about history and see incredible nature, this is a must-do tour in Dublin.
Go to the Museum of Literature Ireland
Literature can be a very interesting topic to learn about. If you are curious about this or if you are a literature lover, you should go to the Museum of Literature Ireland.
This is a museum where you can learn about the literary heritage of Ireland.
The museum has a collection that both very old literary history of Dublin as well as more modern literary history.
The many immersive exhibitions that you can see at the museum are very interesting.
Also, what’s great is that you can see historic objects from the National Library of Ireland at this museum. These objects are some of the most important literary objects in the country of Ireland.
Address: 86 St Stephen’s Green, Saint Kevin’s, Dublin, D02 XY43
See a Performance at the Abbey Theatre
The Abbey Theatre is the national theater of Ireland and you can find it in the city of Dublin.
The theater was founded in the year 1904 and it still operating.
Some of the most famous Irish writers of plays started out at this theater and the theater was also a place where famous Irish actors started their careers.
The history of theater makes seeing a performance here a wonderful experience, but the quality of the performances makes going to the theater to see a show a great idea as well.
Address: 26/27 Abbey Street Lower, North City, Dublin 1, D01 K0F1
Learn About History at Dublinia
Here’s one of the best activities if you like learning about history. You can go to Dublinia, which is a museum that is completely focused on Vikings and Medieval Dublin.
At this museum, you can learn about the city of Dublin in the time of the Vikings.
You can learn about the life of Vikings while they were on their ship.
Also, you can learn about the weapons and clothes of Vikings, which is very interesting.
Furthermore, it is possible to learn about myths related to Vikings at this museum. And you can also learn about the impact that Vikings have had on Dublin and the country of Ireland in general.
Besides that, you can learn about what life was like in medieval times. For example, you can experience a medieval street here. Also, you can play medieval games here.
Visit the Joyce Tower Museum
The Joyce Tower Museum is a very interesting museum that you can check out when doing a trip to Dublin. This is a very interesting museum to visit if you want to learn about history.
You can find the Joyce Tower Museum very close to Dublin’s city center. By car, you can get there in about 30 minutes.
At the Joyce Tower Museum, you can see a network of Martello Towers that were built by the British along Dublin’s coast at the beginning of the 19th century. They were created to defend against a possible invasion by Napoleon.
You can visit the museum and the towers for free, but donations are appreciated it.
At the museum, you can see, besides only the towers, also objects related to the towers.
Go to the National Leprechaun Museum of Ireland
A leprechaun is a mythical fairy that looks like a small old man with a beard. The character has its origin in Ireland and it is a very interesting mythical character.
Do you want to learn about leprechauns when you are in Dublin, Ireland? Then, you have to visit the National Leprechaun Museum.
This is a museum where you can go on an adventure together with expert storytellers and learn about this mythical creature. Going here is one of the most unique activities in this Dublin things to do guide.
There are both day and night tours that are very interesting. The night tours are a great way to learn about the dark history in Ireland.
Also, what’s great is that you can learn about other mythical creatures at this museum.
Address: Jervis St, Dublin
See Marine Animals at SEA LIFE Bray Aquarium
Here’s one of the best activities in Dublin if you want to learn about marine life. If that’s something that you are interested in, you can make a stop at SEA LIFE Bray Aquarium during a trip to the city of Dublin.
At this place, you can learn about a large variety of creatures from the sea. For example, you can see rays, sharks, seahorses, and much more here.
Also, there are interesting and beautiful exhibits with coral reef.
Seeing the many different species of animals is a very special experience because they are so diverse.
Also, going to this aquarium is one of the best things to do in Dublin with kids. Children will be amazed by the amazing animals of this attraction for sure.
Address: Strand Rd, Bray, Co. Wicklow, A98 N8N3
Visit the National Museum of Ireland – Natural History
Another one of the best museums in Dublin that you can visit is the National Museum of Ireland – Natural History.
This museum has a very diverse collection of historic objects.
For example, you can learn a lot about natural history here, but you can also visit this museum if you want to learn and see decorative arts and much more.
At this museum, you can see great permanent exhibitions that all focus on a very specific part of natural history.
Also, there are often events at the museum. For example, you can attend talks at this place that are very interesting.
What’s great as well is that you can get free admission to the museum. This makes the museum accessible to everyone!
Address: Merrion St Upper, Dublin 2, D02 F627
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Dublin Things To Do Tips
Want to explore many different sights in Dublin? Then, the Dublin Pass might be of interest to you.
With this pass, you can access many attractions in the city for a low price. In total, the pass covers more than 25 attractions and museums. This can be great if you’re wondering what to do in Dublin and you can’t choose between many of the great activities.
Also, there are various ways to explore the city of Dublin. For example, you could do a bus tour. But I recommend exploring the city on foot as the city is very walkable. Also, that way, you can experience the atmosphere of the city in a great way!
These were my favorite things to do in Dublin. Thanks for reading my guide and I hope you found a lot of activities you love!