What to Do in Dublin by a Dublin Tour Guide
Dublin By A Local
I just Googled “What to do in Dublin,” and the guides online are as dismal as our winter weather. Written by influencers who once spent a day in the same crowded tourist spots as everyone else.
I'm a Dublin tour guide. I walk the streets of Dublin every day and I'm going to show you how to see the very best of Dublin, the famous places, the less famous and the locals only spots. You'll learn where to eat in Dubliner's favourite restaurants, which hotels are best for you, which museums are worth it and the very few that aren't. You'll also see how to how fun in Dublin, get the wind in your hair and the smile on your face. And which are the best one day trips to Dublin.
You get a lifetime of Dublin knowledge here in one page.
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 surrounded by sea and mountains. This is the Dublin where locals live & love.
The Dublin Hub - How This Page Works
This is the hub page to all my Dublin guides. I've already 50+ posts just about Dublin. Bookmark it & check back often. I add new tips every week.
How Many Days Should I Spend in Dublin?
I'd say a lifetime! 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!
Where To Stay In Dublin
I'm a walking tour guide and have been in every hotel in Dublin meeting guests. I recommend staying on the south side of the city centre. Close to Stephen's Green is my favourite area.
- Here is my full guide to the best hotels in Dublin
- My top picks are:
- Luxury: The Merrion - A quiet luxury in this 5 star hotel.
- Midrange: The Grafton - Perfectly located in the best area of Dublin
- Affordable: Motel One - New, modern & loved by my guests.
If you land too early to check into your hotel?
The big problem for folks flying from the US & Canada is that they fly all night, land at 7am, but can't check into their hotel until 3pm. What to do?
- The best option is to do my Dublin Jet Lag Tour. I custom designed the tour exactly for this scenario. It's your intro to Dublin with a local friend.
- Sit on the top deck of the Dublin Hop-on, Hop-off bus. The Irish breeze will keep you very awake.
- Here are more ideas What to Do in Dublin Until Your Hotel Is Ready For Check-In
Dublin City Centre
Dublin is a 1000 year old Viking city full of history. But its winding streets make it hard to navigate on your own. I've made it easy with 2 routes to follow. Do one in the morning, the other in the afternoon. You'll see most of Dublin in one day.
- Trinity To Guinness. A Walk through Dublin's Top Tourist Spots.
- Grafton Street to the Canal. A Walk Through Dubliner's Dublin
The Famous Sights of Dublin
Here are the ones that everyone goes to. If you plan on going to two or more, get the Dublin Pass. It will save you money. Includes entry to 40 attractions.
- Trinity College & the Book of Kells - Read my review so you know what to expect. Book ahead.
- Guinness Storehouse - I've yet the meet the visitor who doesn't go here. It's worth it for the view from the Gravity Bar alone. Book very early.
Dublin Museums
In such a historic city, there's a museum for every day of the year in Dublin. I've been in all of them. Here are my reviews all with scores out of ten.
Here's my list & reviews of the best museums in Dublin.
Fun Things To Do in Dublin
Museums are interesting and all, but let's go do something a lot more fun.
My full list of the most fun things to do in Dublin. My favourites are:
- 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!
- A tour of Dublin Bay on the brilliantly named Goat Boat. Here's my review.
- Forge your own silver ring. Don't buy your Irish souvenir, make it!
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. I can even bring you on a traditional pub crawl.
Here are the best pubs in Dublin and seven pub crawls to visit them all.
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.
Here are some Temple Bar alternatives.
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. I lead private walking tours on all these routes.
- The Vista Tour in Killiney. Dublin's most scenic walk See why Bono and our millionaires all live here and the island where the Vikings used to live.
- The Saturday market tour in Dublin's best park - This is the most off the beaten track, hidden gem, insert cliché, but really, this is the most local tour in Dublin.
- The Howth Cliffs Walk - The famous cliffs are stunning but go early or late.
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.
Dublin Distilleries
Dublin's Golden Triangle is famous for its whiskey production. The famous one is of course Jameson. But there's also the less well known Teelings & Roe & Co. But 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!
Here's my review of the Pearse Lyons Distillery.
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.
- I love this day tour through the Wicklow mountains that overlook Dublin tour with a stop at the 6th century monastic Glendalough.
- Go to Northern Ireland for the day. See the amazing Giant's Causeway, the Dark Hedges and the hard to believe Game of Thrones Dunluce Castle. It's very popular so book ahead.
- The Cliffs of Moher day trip. You'll also visit Galway and the barren Burren. It's a spectacular day. You will take 500 photos today. I guarantee it.
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, light rail (DART), the tram (LUAS) & taxis to get you wherever you need to go.
It's a bit complicated so I wrote a full guide to help get around Dublin
Renting a Car in Dublin
Don't rent your car in Dublin Airport! You won't use it in Dublin. Instead follow my advice here and you'll save yourself stress in traffic and money.
Flying to Dublin
Here's my advice for everything related to flying to Ireland. I've flown from the US to Ireland more than 100 times and through Dublin airport 300+ times.
8 Steps to clearing US Preclearance in Dublin
How to choose the best flight from the US to Ireland
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.
Plan Your Trip With An Irish Local
I offer a trip planning call. Instead of spending hours online, spend one hour with me and I'll answer all your Irish questions
Ireland by Locals
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