Dublin, Ireland Travel Guide
Dublin, Ireland Travel Guide
Plan Your Trip
There are enough things to do in Dublin to fill several days, but this walking route covers the essentials in one well-paced afternoon.
None of the stops require advance tickets, though booking Christ Church Cathedral or Dublinia online ahead of time can save you a few euros and skip the line. Dublin's city center is dense and largely pedestrian-friendly, so park in a public car park near Drury Street or St Stephen's Green and explore on foot from there.
Bring comfortable shoes, since the route covers close to two miles, along with some cash or a card for admissions and pub food.
Here's a pro tip: the National Photographic Archive and St Audoen's Church are both completely free and often skipped by visitors, so don't rush past them.
Top Things to Do
1. Dublin Portal—a real-time livestream sculpture connecting Dublin to New York City, launched in 2024 as part of Dublin's designation as the European Capital of Smart Tourism.
2. O'Connell Monument and O'Connell Bridge—a tribute to Daniel O'Connell, "The Liberator," overlooking the bridge that bears his name.
3. Trinity College Dublin—Ireland's oldest university, with statues of illustrious alumni including Edmund Burke and Oliver Goldsmith.
4. Molly Malone Statue—the bronze tribute to Dublin's legendary fishmonger, immortalized in one of Ireland's best-loved folk songs.
5. The Temple Bar Pub—an iconic stop in Dublin's most famous cultural quarter, known for live music and classic pub atmosphere.
6. The Brazen Head—Dublin's oldest pub, with a history stretching back centuries and a role in Ireland's fight for independence.
7. Christ Church Cathedral—a thousand-year-old cathedral with a medieval crypt, a rare copy of the Magna Carta, and a mummified cat and rat.
8. Dublin Castle—the site where power passed from British rule to the Irish Free State in 1922.
Download the Complete Travel Guide
Includes:
-
✓ Complete travel guide
-
✓ Printable map
-
✓ One-day itinerary
-
✓ Hidden gems
-
✓ Travel tips
-
✓ Offline access
-
✓ Bonus recommendations not included on this page
Our Self Guided Tour
Want these stories playing automatically as you walk?
Take our Dublin City Walking Tour. It's a self-guided, location-aware audio tour that starts at the Dublin Portal on North Earl Street and ends near Dublin Castle, weaving legends, literary history, and centuries of Irish independence into one walk through the city center.
Free Things to Do
1. Dublin Portal—free to visit and wave to New York City in real time.
2. Trinity College Dublin grounds—free to walk through the historic campus and see its alumni statues.
3. Molly Malone Statue—free to visit this beloved Dublin landmark.
4. National Photographic Archive—free to browse historical and cultural photos of Ireland.
5. St Audoen's Church—free to explore Dublin's oldest surviving medieval parish church.
6. Dublin Castle grounds—free to walk through, with fees only for certain interior exhibits.
THINGS WITH ADMISSION FEES
1. National Wax Museum—eighteen euros for adults.
2. Irish Rock 'n' Roll Museum Experience—twenty euros for adults.
3. Christ Church Cathedral—about twelve euros for adults.
4. Dublinia—fourteen euros for adults.
Food!
The Brazen Head
Dublin's oldest pub, serving hearty Irish fare in a historic setting steeped in centuries of stories.
The Palace Bar
A classic literary pub near Temple Bar, beloved for its old-world atmosphere and connection to Dublin's writers.
Rosa Madre
An award-winning Italian restaurant in Temple Bar, known for fresh seafood, handmade pasta, and an extensive Italian wine list.
Where to Stay
Budget
Temple Bar Inn and Kelly's Hotel both offer straightforward, well-located rooms close to Grafton Street and Temple Bar, generally $110 to $170 a night.
Moderate
The Grafton Hotel and Brooks Hotel combine central locations with stylish, comfortable rooms, generally $180 to $280 a night, with The Grafton sitting a stone's throw from Trinity College.
Luxury
The Westbury Hotel and The Merrion Hotel offer five-star elegance right in the heart of Dublin, generally $400 a night and up.
1 Day Itinerary
1-Day Itinerary
Morning: Start at the Dublin Portal, walk O'Connell Street, and cross O'Connell Bridge toward Trinity College.
Afternoon: Explore Trinity College, the Molly Malone Statue, and Temple Bar's pubs and museums.
Evening: Cross the Liffey to The Brazen Head, Christ Church Cathedral, and finish at Dublin Castle.
2-Day Itinerary
Day 2: Tour the Guinness Storehouse, visit Kilmainham Gaol, or explore St. Stephen's Green and Grafton Street's shops.
Extra Time: Take a day trip to Howth Village, browse the Book of Kells at Trinity College's Old Library, or explore the Little Museum of Dublin.
FAQ's
1. How long does the Dublin City Walking Tour take?
Most visitors complete the full route in about two to two and a half hours, longer if you stop inside the museums, pubs, or cathedral along the way.
2. Is Dublin walkable?
Yes. Dublin's city center is compact and pedestrian-friendly, with most major attractions within an easy walk of each other.
3. Do I need a car in Dublin city center?
Not for this tour. Park once in a public car park and everything on this route is reachable on foot.
4. Is this tour good for kids?
Yes, though it passes several historic pubs. Families can simply continue past those stops without pausing, and the Wax Museum and Molly Malone Statue are especially popular with younger visitors.
5. What is the Dublin Portal?
The Dublin Portal is a real-time livestream art installation connecting Dublin's O'Connell Street to New York City's Flatiron District, launched in 2024.
6. Where does the self-guided walking tour start and end?
It starts at the Dublin Portal on North Earl Street and ends near Dublin Castle and City Hall.
7. What is the story behind Molly Malone?
The folklore behind Dublin's beloved fishmonger comes from the classic song "Cockles and Mussels," and her bronze statue stands near Trinity College.
8. Is Dublin a good destination for first-time visitors to Ireland?
Yes. Dublin's compact city center packs centuries of Irish history, literature, and culture into an easily walkable area, making it an ideal starting point.
9. What's the best time of year to visit Dublin?
Late spring through early fall brings the mildest weather, though Dublin's pubs and museums make it an enjoyable destination year-round.
10. Are there free things to do in Dublin?
Yes. The Dublin Portal, Trinity College grounds, the Molly Malone Statue, and the National Photographic Archive are all free to visit.
Recommended Tours
More Resources
