All citiesDublin Things to do and walking itinerary
Ireland Dublin travel guide
31 things to do in Dublin, where to stay, airport transfers, 5 MICHELIN-starred restaurants. Pick places on the map and get a day-by-day walking route from your hotel with steps, kilometres and minutes.
Top things to do in Dublin
- National Museum of Ireland – Archaeology — Free museum with Celtic gold, Viking finds and prehistoric bodies preserved in bogs. (visit ≈ 75 min)
- Dublin Castle — castle (visit ≈ 75 min)
- St Patrick's Cathedral — cathedral in Dublin, Ireland (visit ≈ 35 min)
- National Library of Ireland — heritage institution (visit ≈ 120 min)
- Spire of Dublin — monument in Dublin, Ireland (visit ≈ 15 min)
- Leinster House — building housing the parliament of Ireland (visit ≈ 90 min)
- National Gallery of Ireland — art museum in Dublin (visit ≈ 120 min)
- Christ Church Cathedral, Dublin — Diocesan cathedral of Dublin and Glendalough, Church of Ireland (visit ≈ 35 min)
- Phoenix Park — park in Dublin, Ireland (visit ≈ 45 min)
- Saint Stephen's Green — public park in central Dublin, Ireland (visit ≈ 45 min)
- Kilmainham Gaol — former prison in Ireland (visit ≈ 120 min)
- Chester Beatty Library — Library and museum in Dublin, Ireland (visit ≈ 120 min)
- Samuel Beckett Bridge — cable-stayed bridge in Dublin, Ireland (visit ≈ 15 min)
- Irish Museum of Modern Art — art museum in Dublin (visit ≈ 120 min)
- Dublin Zoo — zoo (visit ≈ 150 min)
- St Mary's Cathedral — church in Dublin, Ireland (visit ≈ 35 min)
- Ashtown Castle — tower house in Phoenix Park in Dublin, Ireland (visit ≈ 75 min)
- Dublin Mosque — mosque in Dublin, Ireland (visit ≈ 30 min)
- Merrion Square — Georgian garden square on the southside of Dublin city centre (visit ≈ 15 min)
- Gaiety Theatre — theater building in Dublin, Republic of Ireland (visit ≈ 20 min)
- Guinness Storehouse — Museum and visitor attraction in Dublin, Ireland (visit ≈ 120 min)
- Gate Theatre — theatre in Dublin, Ireland (visit ≈ 20 min)
- Hugh Lane Gallery — art gallery in Parnell Square North, Dublin (visit ≈ 120 min)
- Olympia Theatre — concert hall and theatre in Dublin, Ireland (visit ≈ 20 min)
- Garden of Remembrance — National Garden of Remembrance, Dublin city, Ireland (visit ≈ 15 min)
- College Green — square in the centre of Dublin, Ireland (visit ≈ 15 min)
- Royal Hibernian Academy — art school, museum, and society in Dublin, Ireland (visit ≈ 120 min)
- John's Lane Church — church in Dublin, Ireland (visit ≈ 30 min)
- EPIC The Irish Emigration Museum — museum in Dublin, Ireland (visit ≈ 120 min)
- National Botanic Gardens — botanical garden in Glasnevin, Ireland (visit ≈ 45 min)
- Wellington Monument — obelisk in Dublin (visit ≈ 15 min)
2-day Dublin walking itinerary
Starting point: Temple Bar. The top 8 places at a normal pace (up to ~10 km of walking a day), in this order. Change places or your hotel on the map and the route is recalculated; distances are estimates with a street allowance.
- Day 1 (≈ 4.2 km · 5,620 steps · 56 min on the way): Dublin Castle → Christ Church Cathedral, Dublin → St Patrick's Cathedral → National Museum of Ireland – Archaeology → Leinster House → National Gallery of Ireland
- Day 2 (≈ 3.1 km · 4,190 steps · 41 min on the way): National Library of Ireland → Spire of Dublin
Hidden gems and overlooked spots in Dublin
- Trinity College and the Book of Kells — Historic campus with the medieval Book of Kells manuscript and the grand Long Room library; book ahead. (visit ≈ 75 min)
- Howth — Fishing harbour reached by DART train, with a sea-view cliff walk around the headland. (visit ≈ 180 min)
- Dalkey — Quiet seaside village with a medieval castle, small harbours and bay views. (visit ≈ 150 min)
- The Little Museum of Dublin — Dublin's 20th century told through donated objects in a Georgian house on St Stephen's Green; guided tours. (visit ≈ 45 min)
- Glendalough — Valley between two lakes in the Wicklow Mountains with early medieval monastic ruins, a round tower and trails. (visit ≈ 240 min)
- 14 Henrietta Street — A house on the city's oldest Georgian street, tracing its life from grand townhouse to crowded tenement rooms. (visit ≈ 60 min)
- Iveagh Gardens — Walled-off central park with a cascade, a small maze and a rose garden; far quieter than the nearby green. (visit ≈ 40 min)
- Glasnevin Cemetery — Vast historic cemetery with Victorian monuments and a round tower, plus a small museum by the gate. (visit ≈ 75 min)
- Natural History Museum (Dead Zoo) — A free 'Dead Zoo' of stuffed animals in Victorian cabinets that have barely changed since the 1850s. (visit ≈ 60 min)
Where to stay in Dublin
- Temple Bar: Pub and live-music hub; ideal for nightlife but noisy.
- Grafton Street / St Stephen's Green: Next to the shopping street and park, walking distance to museums.
- Smithfield / Stoneybatter: Relaxed area with local pubs, linked by the Luas tram.
- Portobello: Quiet canal-side area with plenty of cafés and restaurants.
- Connolly / IFSC: Close to trains, Luas and airport buses; a practical base.
- Ballsbridge: Quiet, leafy and upscale area with embassies.
Getting from the airport to Dublin
- Dublin (DUB): Airlink / Dublin Express bus ≈ 30 min
Getting around
The centre is walkable; for further trips use the Luas tram, DART train and Dublin Bus. A Leap Card gives cheaper fares.
Classic places to eat
- The Brazen Head: Said to be Ireland's oldest pub; Irish stew and Guinness.
- Bewley's Grafton Street: Historic café with stained glass; scones and tea.
- The Stag's Head: Classic Dublin pub with a Victorian interior.
- Kehoe's: Cosy traditional pub with old snugs.
- The Long Hall: A pub frozen in time with a long wooden bar.
- Mulligan's: Old pub said to pour one of the best pints of Guinness.
- Leo Burdock: The city's oldest fish and chips shop; takeaway.
- The Winding Stair: Modern Irish food overlooking the Ha'penny Bridge.
- Gallagher's Boxty House: For boxty, the traditional Irish potato pancake.
MICHELIN-starred restaurants
Last known stars; check the MICHELIN Guide before you go.
- Restaurant Patrick Guilbaud — 2 MICHELIN stars, French
- Chapter One — 2 MICHELIN stars, Modern Irish
- Liath — 2 MICHELIN stars, Creative
- Bastible — 1 MICHELIN star, Modern Irish
- Variety Jones — 1 MICHELIN star, Modern
Romantic views
- Ha'penny Bridge (Evening): The cast-iron footbridge over the Liffey is lit by lamps at night.
- St Stephen's Green (Afternoon): A Victorian park with a pond and quiet paths.
- Killiney Hill (Sunset): The hilltop looks over Dublin Bay and the Wicklow Mountains.
- Great South Wall and Poolbeg Lighthouse (Sunset): A long sea wall leads out to a red lighthouse.
Football stadiums in Dublin
- Tallaght Stadium: Home of Shamrock Rovers F.C.
- Dalymount Park: Home of Bohemian F.C., Sporting Fingal F.C.
- Richmond Park: Home of St Patrick's Athletic F.C.
- Tolka Park: Home of Shelbourne F.C.
Day trips
- Newgrange — 41 km from the centre
Good to know before visiting Dublin
- Fine: Drinking in public is banned in Dublin and many towns.
- Fine: Smoking is banned in pubs, restaurants and workplaces.
- Warning: Traffic drives on the left — look right first when crossing.
- Dublin transit uses the Leap Card or contactless payment.
- Shops sell alcohol only during set hours, shorter on Sundays.
- The currency is the euro; cards are accepted almost everywhere.
- Emergency: 112 (police 999, ambulance 999, fire 999)
- Plugs: G, 230V
- Tap water: Tap water is safe to drink.
- Tipping: 10–15% in restaurants if service isn't added; no tip at the pub bar.
Sources: UK FCDO — Foreign travel advice: Ireland, Wikivoyage — Ireland, T.C. Dışişleri Bakanlığı — Türk vatandaşlarının tabi olduğu vize uygulamaları · For information only; rules change, check official sources before you go. Last checked: 2026-10
Dublin travel FAQ
- How many days do you need in Dublin?
- The top 8 places in the centre take about 2 days at a normal pace on a walking route from your hotel. Allow 5 days for the top 20 places within walking distance. Add extra days for day trips (Newgrange).
- What are the top things to do in Dublin?
- Highlights: National Museum of Ireland – Archaeology, Dublin Castle, St Patrick's Cathedral, National Library of Ireland and Spire of Dublin. The map has 31 things to do in total.
- Where to stay in Dublin?
- Temple Bar: Pub and live-music hub; ideal for nightlife but noisy. Other options: Grafton Street / St Stephen's Green, Smithfield / Stoneybatter, Portobello, Connolly / IFSC and Ballsbridge.
- How do you get from the airport to Dublin city centre?
- Dublin (DUB): Airlink / Dublin Express bus ≈ 30 min
- How do you get around Dublin?
- The centre is walkable; for further trips use the Luas tram, DART train and Dublin Bus. A Leap Card gives cheaper fares.
- Which MICHELIN-starred restaurants are in Dublin?
- According to the last known data there are 5 starred restaurants: Restaurant Patrick Guilbaud (2 stars), Chapter One (2 stars), Liath (2 stars), Bastible (1 star), Variety Jones (1 star). Check the MICHELIN Guide before you go.
- What is the emergency number in Dublin?
- Emergency: 112 (police 999, ambulance 999, fire 999).
- Do you tip in Dublin?
- 10–15% in restaurants if service isn't added; no tip at the pub bar.
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