Things to Do in Dublin
Prices, opening hours, best times to visit and the stuff nobody tells you, everything you need for a first trip to Dublin, Ireland, plus one pigeon's opinions on all of it.
Right, Dublin. Mind the rain, actually, don't bother, it's constant, a properly welcoming city that's made peace with its weather and built a proper literary and brewing legacy despite it. This is the proper, no-nonsense guide to things to do in Dublin: what things actually cost, when to go, what to skip, and which bits are worth the queue. Six main stops below, plus a quiz elsewhere on this site to see if you were paying attention.
The Guinness Storehouse
Dublin's famous brewery has been producing its dark stout at the same site since 1759, nine thousand nine hundred and ninety-nine year lease, apparently, a committed bit of real estate planning by any measure. The Storehouse itself, shaped like a giant pint glass across seven floors, covers the brewing process, the brand's advertising history, and ends with a pint at the rooftop Gravity Bar, one of the better views over Dublin included in a single ticket.
It gets busy, book timed entry ahead, particularly for weekend visits, and note the included pint at the end is part of most standard ticket options.
Hours Daily, roughly 9.30am–7pm, longer in summer
Address St James's Gate, Dublin 8
Ha'penny Bridge & the Liffey
A bridge crosses the River Liffey and is one of Dublin's most photographed landmarks, painted white, despite the name suggesting otherwise, named for the toll they used to charge, not the colour, an elegant cast-iron pedestrian bridge dating to 1816. Walking along the Liffey's quays, particularly at sunset when the bridge and surrounding buildings light up, is a good, free way to see central Dublin.
Temple Bar, just off the river, is worth a walk through even if you skip the (notoriously overpriced) pubs directly on the main strip, the cobbled streets and general atmosphere are worth experiencing regardless.
Best time Evening for the illuminated bridge
Address Ha'penny Bridge, central Dublin
Phoenix Park
Dublin's Phoenix Park, the largest enclosed public park in a European capital, is home to a herd of wild deer, bigger than every royal park in London put together, allegedly, properly enormous for a city park, and the deer, descendants of a herd introduced centuries ago, roam freely and are a real highlight of a visit.
Dublin Zoo sits within the park's grounds, and the Aras an Uachtarain (the Irish President's official residence) is also inside the park, worth a walk or cycle through even without a specific destination, the scale alone is worth experiencing.
Best time Early morning or evening for the best deer sightings
Address Phoenix Park, Dublin 8
Trinity College & the Book of Kells
Trinity College, Ireland's oldest university, holds the Book of Kells, an elaborately illustrated manuscript of the four Gospels dating to around 800 AD, one of the most significant surviving medieval manuscripts anywhere, and the Long Room of the Old Library, with its towering barrel-vaulted ceiling and thousands of ancient books, is one of the most photographed library interiors in the world.
Book ahead, this regularly sells out, particularly in summer, and note the Long Room has been undergoing renovation in recent periods, check current access arrangements before visiting.
Hours Daily, roughly 9.30am–5pm, hours vary seasonally
Address College Green, Dublin 2
Dublin's Literary Heritage
Dublin has produced a remarkably disproportionate number of major literary figures, Joyce, Wilde, Beckett, and Yeats among them, and the city takes this heritage seriously, the Dublin Writers Museum and various walking tours cover this legacy in real depth. Bloomsday, held each June 16th, celebrates James Joyce's Ulysses with properly enthusiastic costumed events and readings across the city.
Even outside Bloomsday, a self-guided literary walk through the city centre, passing pubs and landmarks associated with these writers, is a good, free way to engage with this side of Dublin.
Best time June 16th for Bloomsday, otherwise any time
Jameson Distillery
Irish whiskey has its own distinct heritage, and the Jameson Distillery in Dublin covers the production process with a tour ending in a tasting, a good complement to the Guinness Storehouse if you want to cover both of Ireland's major drink exports in one trip.
Comparative tastings against Scotch and American whiskey are part of some tour options, properly useful for understanding what actually distinguishes Irish whiskey production.
Hours Daily, tours run on a set schedule
Address Bow Street, Smithfield, Dublin 7
Best time to visit Dublin
May through September gives the most comfortable weather for the amount of walking this list involves, though honestly, don't count on it, Dublin's weather is famously unpredictable regardless of season.
St Patrick's Day (March 17th) brings the city's biggest annual celebration, worth planning around deliberately if that atmosphere appeals, though expect considerably higher prices and crowds if travelling then.
Getting around Dublin
Central Dublin is easily walkable, most of the sights on this list sit within a comfortable distance of each other. The Luas tram covers destinations further out, cheap and straightforward to use.
Frequently asked questions
- Is Dublin worth visiting?
- Yes, easily, the Guinness Storehouse and Trinity College's Book of Kells are both genuinely world-class, and the city's literary heritage and pub culture add real character beyond the headline sights.
- How many days do you need in Dublin?
- Three days covers the Guinness Storehouse, Trinity College, and Phoenix Park comfortably.
- Is Dublin expensive?
- Yes, genuinely one of the pricier Western European capitals, particularly for accommodation and dining, though Phoenix Park and walking the city centre remain free.
- What is Dublin famous for?
- The Guinness Storehouse and its centuries-old brewing history, Trinity College's Book of Kells, and its outsized literary heritage, having produced writers like Joyce, Wilde, and Beckett.
That's everything I've got.
A note before you plan around this: prices, opening hours, booking requirements and admission details in this guide were correct at the time of writing, but venues change these often and sometimes without notice. Always check directly with the attraction or its official website before you travel or build a schedule around a specific time or price.
Before travelling to any destination featured on this site, please also check your government's latest travel advice, as safety situations, entry requirements and travel warnings can change.
