Gretchen Stuppy Carlson
When I studied in Ireland over 20 years ago, I spent very little time in Dublin so when our recently family trip ended with a few days in the city, I was excited to explore some of the top sites. Dublin impressed me and we could easily have stayed for aother day or two. Below you see some of the bet things to do in Dublin broken up into different section.
If you are planning a longer visit to Ireland, make sure to check out:
- 1 Week Ireland Itinerary
- Boating and Biking Killarney National Park: Gap of Dunloe
- Guide to Cobh, Ireland
I’ve spent decades exploring family adventures, epic hikes, and National Parks across the world. For more inspiration, check out my National Parks Page or see some of my favorite destinations to plan your next adventure and make sure to join my weekly newsletter.
History & Culture
1. Trinity College & the Book of Kells
Believe it or not, but I was hesitant to visit the Book of Kells. It seemed like a lot of hype for a view of the book – but we ended up booking a tour and I can honstly say that it was 100% worth it. The Book of Kells is a full exhibit and you get entrance to several other parts of Trinity college including the library and the Red Pavilion.
You should plan to book your tickets in advance for this tour. You can either book it as part of a larger tour or directly.
2. Dublin Castle
Built on the site of a medieval fortress dating back to 1204, Dublin Castle is one of those attractions that sounds more castle-y than it actually looks most of what’s standing today is Georgian, not medieval, so don’t come expecting turrets. That said, the State Apartments are worth the walk through, and the Chester Beatty Library is tucked right on the grounds, so you can easily combine the two.
3. Kilmainham Gaol
This was one of our favorites! The tour is interesting and the history is fascinating. Our tour guide was exceptional and you learn a lot about the polical background of Ireland. We highly recommend getting tickets to the Gaol.
Book tickets through the official site.
4. Christ Church Cathedral
One of Dublin’s oldest buildings, Christ Church dates back almost a thousand years, and the crypt underneath is the real reason to visit: it’s one of the largest medieval crypts in Britain or Ireland and you can actually walk through it, which feels a little different than just admiring a nave from a pew.
5. St. Patrick’s Cathedral
Ireland’s largest cathedral is tied closely to Jonathan Swift, who served as dean here for over 30 years and is buried inside.
6. Glasnevin Cemetery
I know a cemetery doesn’t sound like a highlight, but Glasnevin is one of those stops that’s more interesting than it has any right to be. It’s the final resting place of over 1.5 million people, including major figures in Irish history.
7. EPIC The Irish Emigration Museum
EPIC is a modern, fully interactive museum on Irish emigration, and it’s a solid pick if you need an indoor stop, especially with older kids who’ll actually engage with the screens and games rather than just reading wall text. We liked the museum but it wasn’t one of our top picks – great if you have the time and rainy weather!
Food & Drink
8. Guinness Storehouse
Touristy, yes, but the Gravity Bar view over the city at the end makes it worth the crowds. Pre-booking your tickets is non-negotiable here; this is one of the most visited attractions in Ireland and it does sell out.
Note that we didn’t do a Guiness tour but we heard great things.
9. Jameson Distillery Bow St.
If Guinness isn’t your thing, or you just want a second stop on the drinking-tour circuit, the Jameson tour is the whiskey equivalent, smaller and more intimate than the Storehouse, with a tasting at the end.
Even if you don’t do the tour, you can also stop in for a drink.
10. A trad music session at The Cobblestone or The Celt
This is the Dublin moment we’d tell people not to miss. A live trad session in a proper pub: no cover charge, no stage, no tourists performing for tourists just musicians who showed up with instruments and started playing in the corner.The Cobblestone and The Celt are both known for keeping sessions honest, so either one is a safe bet if you want the real thing but there are many other places as well. We recommend asking at your hotel for local recomendations.
11. Try a “full Irish” breakfast
The full Irish is a lot: eggs, rashers, sausage, black and white pudding, beans, grilled tomato, toast, and usually more than you can actually finish. Either way, one full Irish per trip is enough to say you did it: after that, you’ll probably be back to pastries and coffee.
Outdoors & Neighborhoods
This is a list of some great places to wander – however we spent an afternoon wandering amelessly and enjoyed seeing the different neighborhoods throughout the city.
12. St. Stephen’s Green
A quiet green space right in the city center, and a good spot to decompress between museums, especially with kids who’ve hit their limit on walking and looking at old buildings.
13. Phoenix Park
One of the largest enclosed parks in Europe, home to a resident herd of wild deer and the Dublin Zoo.
14. Ha’penny Bridge & the Liffey boardwalk
A quick, free photo-op stop as you cross between the north and south sides of the city no need to plan around it, just walk it on your way somewhere else.
16. Grafton Street
Dublin’s main pedestrian shopping street, full of buskers, street performers, and some of the best people-watching in the city. [Note if you shopped, grabbed a coffee, or just walked through — and any performer or moment that stood out.]
17. Dalkey or Howth day trip
If you need to escape the city for a few hours, Howth is our pick: tucked on a headland just 30 minutes north by DART, with cliff walks and seafood. It is 100% worth the visit, especially if you want a taste of Ireland but only have a few days in Dublin.
Read our full guide to the Howth Cliff Walk.
18. Malahide Castle
A good family-friendly half-day trip outside the city center — castle, gardens, and a playground the kids will actually want to stay at.
Museums & Rainy Day Picks
19. National Museum of Ireland – Archaeology
Free entry, and home to Bronze Age gold and preserved bog bodies: sounds morbid, but it’s one of the exhibits kids remember most.
20. Chester Beatty Library
Free, underrated, and one of the best rainy-day stops in the city, with manuscripts and art collected from around the world. This was on our list if it rained – but we had sunny weather for our full week in Ireland!
