What to Do in Dublin by A Dubliner

Dublin By A Local

I just Googled “What to do in Dublin,” and so many of the guides are as dismal as our winter weather. Written by visitors who once spent a weekend here.

I'm a Dubliner and I'm going to show you real Dublin.

Dublin’s Secret Side: Nature

You might have read "Dublin is just another city". Wrong.

In fact, the best of Dublin isn’t in the city at all. Dublin has a gorgeous natural setting with sea on one side, mountains on the other. Coastal Dublin is what locals love and 90% of tourists never discover.

I want you to see this side of Dublin too, not just the museums in the city.

You’ll thank me later!

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This is the hub page to all my Dublin guides. There's already 50+ posts just about Dublin. Bookmark it & check back often. I add new tips every week.

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How Many Days Should I Spend in Dublin?

I'd say a lifetime! But here are my 1, 2, 3 day itineraries for what to do in Dublin.

My itineraries spend the mornings in the city and the afternoon in the coastal areas of Dublin. It's the perfect balance between tourist & local, city & sea and entrance fees & free!

• One Day In Dublin
• Two Days in Dublin
• Three Days in Dublin

Where To Stay In Dublin

I've been in just about every hotel in Dubli. My top picks are:

• Luxury: The Merrion
• Midrange: The Grafton
• Affordable: Motel One

You can see all my recommended areas and Dublin hotels here:

Which Area of Dublin To Stay In By a Dubliner.

Confused by Dublin areas? You won’t be after reading this. A Dubliner explains which neighborhood is right for you to book your hotel.

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Arriving on Red Eye?

If you land too early to check into your hotel, here's some ideas what to do

What to Do in Dublin Until Your Hotel Is Ready for Check In

Landing early in Dublin but your hotel isn’t ready yet ? I’ve flown from the US to Ireland 100 times. Here’s the 9 things to do on your first day in Dublin

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The best option is my Jet Lag walking tour.

The Jetlag Walk In Dublin. For When You’ve Just Landed

You’ve flown all night but your hotel room isn’t ready. Besides, you’re in Ireland! This walk is the perfect intro to Dublin. Fun not boring to keep you awake.

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Dublin City Centre

Dublin is a 1000 year old Viking city full of history. But its winding streets make it hard to navigate. I've made it easy with 2 routes to follow. One shows you the tourist sites, the other shows you more local areas of the city.

Easy To Follow Dublin City Walks To See The Best of Dublin

See Dublin’s top landmarks without getting lost. Follow clear routes from Trinity to Guinness. Created by a Dubliner to help you explore confidently.

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Coastal Dublin

This is where you'll find me and other Dubliners at the weekends. Please spend time here, it's much nicer than the City centre and you'll really see Dublin, not just visit museums about Dublin. Here some of the sights by the sea.

I've put together 4 walks to show you the four best coastal areas in Dublin. You can walk them on your own or come with me on a walking tour. The Sea Tour has a market on Sundays, while the Park walk has a market on Saturday.

Dalkey Island & Killiney Bay Tour. A Boat to Dublin’s Viking Island

A different Dublin walking tour with boat trip to an Island. Dublin’s best views, 100 year old swim spots & foodie village. Far from tourist crowds.

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The Sea Tour. Walk With Dubliners along coastal villages

You’ll feel like a Dubliner, not a tourist, on this tour as you walk along the sea through local villages with swimming spots, piers, ice cream & local cafes.

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The Howth Cliffs Walking Tour. Just 30 mins from Dublin

Do the best Dublin day trip on a private walking tour of the Howth Cliffs with a local who grew up walking the cliffs. Take a Howth boat tour afterwards for the perfect day.

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The Dublin Park & Nature Reserve Walk

Tour a local village, park, beach & nature reserve. Come on Saturday for the market. Just 15 minutes from the city

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Dublin Museums

There's a museum for every day of the year in Dublin. Kilmainham Gaol is haunting. Anyone with Irish heritage will learn a lot at EPIC Emigration and the most interesting for learning about the history of Dublin is Dublinia. Here's my reviews of the best museums in Dublin.

Guides & Reviews of The Best Dublin Museums By A Dubliner

Dublin is a 1000 year old city with history on every corner. I’m a Dubliner and here’s my personal reviews & tips for the best museums in Dublin.

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Fun Things To Do in Dublin

Museums are interesting and all, but let's go do something a lot more fun.

• Afternoon Tea Bus Tour. Take a vintage old bus around Dublin while having afternoon tea on the bus. It's a blast, lots of fun!
• You have got to take a tour of Dublin Bay on the brilliantly named Goat Boat. It is the most fun thing to do in Dublin. I just did it & here's my review.
• Walk on the roof of Croke Park, Ireland's national stadium.

Dublin Walking Tours

If you'll excuse a bit of self promotion here. I lead walking tours in Dublin City and coastal Dublin. My tours are a little different than the usual touristy type tours.

Unique Dublin Walking Tours. Villages, Jetlag walks & trad music

6 unique tours with a Dubliner. See coastal villages, trad music, jetlag walks & the most beautiful walk in Dublin. Real Dublin, no crowds.

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Dublin Pubs

Writing about Guinness & pubs was my favorite page to write for some strange reason 😂 I have a lifetime of experience in the pubs of Dublin.

The Best Pubs in Dublin: From 30 Years of ‘Research’

Mulligans, McDaids, Kehoes. These pubs make every Dubliner drool at the thought of their creamy pints of Guinness. So skip touristy Temple Bar & discover the best bars in Dublin.

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Temple Bar

I shake my head when I hear of people going to Temple Bar. It's Disney Dublin. Go during the day & take a photo. But at night, there are much better areas to go.

6 Better Places to Drink Than Temple Bar By A Dubliner

Skip Temple Bar (Dublin’s Disney) and drink where actual Irish people do. Here are 7 real Dublin areas with better pints, and zero fake Irish pubs.

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Traditional Irish Music

The guidebooks say go to The Cobblestone for Irish traditional music. But it's packed with tourists now. Instead come on the Trad Music Session to locals only music spots.

The Trad Music Sessions: Real Irish Trad Music With Locals

Come on a tour to hear Irish trad music in local Dublin pubs. Away from the tourists and locals only. Thursdays & Sundays only because that’s when the best play.

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For a traditional music group tour, this is a good one

Dublin Restaurants

Dublin has the quality of restaurants that you'd expect in a capital city. My favorite streets are those around Wicklow, Exchequer & George's Street. Just off Grafton Street. Walk around here and pop in anywhere. Bad restaurants don't survive here.

Where Dubliners Eat. Trust locals, not other tourists.

Get Dublin restaurant recommendations by someone who actually lives here. Skip the places other tourists suggest and eat with the locals instead

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This is the best rated food tour in Dublin. I always do these when I travel.

Dublin Distilleries

Dublin's Golden Triangle is famous for its whiskey production. We have Teelings, Roe & Co, Jameson but my favorite of them all is The Pearse Lyons Distillery. It's the only one that is owned by an Irish family and is located in a church!

Pearse Lyons Distillery Tour: Whiskey in a Dublin Church!

My review of a Dublin distillery which makes whiskey in a church. It’s the only family owned in the city too. Spoiler. I loved this whiskey tasting!

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Dublin Day Trips

It's amazing how quickly you go from busy city to barren wilderness in the Wicklow Mountains and castles ruled by ancients rules. Base yourself in Dublin and go on these day trips. Here are my top 3.

1. For ancient history, castles & an undervisited part of Ireland, this is your tour

2. This is a mixture of Glendalough's history with the mountains of Wicklow National Park.

3. This is the best day tour of all. Belfast's chilling Black Cab Tour, followed by the UNESCO site at Giant's Causeway and the Game of Thrones castle at Duluce.

When To Visit Dublin?

The Summer is best of course, long days and better chance of good weather. May & September are my favorite months. The days are long and it's not busy yet.

Even December is good, it may be dark but it's full of festive spirit. January & February aren't great to be honest, but flights and hotels are cheap.

But Dublin a major capital city. There's events of year round.

Getting Around Dublin

Dublin is small. Everything in the central city area is walkable. But we do have bus, train, trams & taxis to get you wherever you need to go.

It's a bit complicated so I wrote a full guide to help you.

Getting Around Dublin By Bus, Train, Tram, Taxi, and Foot

Dublin’s public transport can be confusing. I’m a Dubliner who uses our buses and trains every day. Here are my tips to easily get around Dublin.

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Flying to Dublin

Here's my advice for everything related to flying to Ireland.

Flying To Ireland: Everything from Booking to Baggage Claim

I’ve flown through Dublin Airport 300+ times. Get my insider tips for flights, airport navigation, jetlag recovery, and making the most of your first hours in Dublin.

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Now You are A Dublin Expert!

These aren't your typical tourist recommendations. They're a local's insider guide to the Dublin most visitors never discover.

Start with accommodation, do a guided walk, book some experiences, and get ready to fall in love with Ireland's capital.

Trip Planning Help

I offer a trip planning call. Instead of spending hours online, spend one hour with me and I'll answer all your Irish questions

Plan Your Ireland Trip with An Irish Local in One Hour

Save days of research with an Ireland trip planning call. Get personalized route advice, local tips, and answers to make your Ireland trip perfect.

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