What to see in Dublin? Birthplace of famous writers such as Oscar Wilde, and home of Guinness beer, here are 10 things you can’t miss in the city.
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What to see in Dublin? The 10 must-sees
1- Trinity College
If there is one thing we identify with Dublin, it is the image of Trinity College. A visit to this university is a very nice option to start our tour.
Located in the heart of the city, it is the first university in Ireland and one of the most prestigious in the world. It was founded in 1592 and allowed women to enroll in it from 1903, being one of the first British universities to do so.
You can go in and have a look at it on your own, or take a guided tour. For the latter, you have to check the opening hours: Monday to Saturday from 8 am to 5 pm, Sunday from 9.30 am to 5.30 pm.
Just like we told you about Oxford, here you can also book rooms on certain dates to stay during your sightseeing visit. We used this option and found it very attractive. Apart from being in the city centre, you have the added bonus of touring this emblematic university, and visiting our second must-see in the city…
A piece of advice, if you can, don’t miss this experience. Stay at Trinity College.
1a- The Old Library
Trinity College Library is the largest library in Ireland, and one of the most beautiful in the world. The main hall is really impressive. Marble busts surround the room, representing great philosophers and writers of the world, as well as people associated with Trinity College.
Inside we also have the exhibition of the Book of Kells, an illustrated manuscript of Celtic Christianity and belonging to the 9th century.
For all the reasons stated above, the Old Library is a must-see if you are in Dublin.
Opening hours: Monday to Saturday from 8.30am to 5pm, Sunday from 9.30am to 5pm, varying from October to April, when it opens one hour later from Monday to Saturday, and Sunday from 12pm to 4.30pm. Tickets can be purchased in advance on the official website. The entrance fee is €18.
►Another good reason to stay at Trinity College is what we did. We bought a ticket to enter early, since we were just a few steps away. We got up and went in to do the tour. (Look at the photos and see how few people there were at that time).
►DUBLIN PASS, a good option to visit several attractions in Dublin
2- Temple Bar
The area you can’t miss for anything in the world if you go to Dublin is Temple Bar. It concentrates the nightlife in just a few blocks, but it has lively activity throughout the day.
It is a district full of restaurants, typical Irish pubs, art galleries and shops. Walking around its streets at any time of day, going into the pubs to have a beer, or enjoying a typical menu in its restaurants, is a fantastic plan!
At 47 and 48 on the main street, we find the famous Temple Bar pub. It is the most famous and photographed pub in the Irish capital, it is packed with people… always!
Why visit this area in Dublin? It is perhaps the most picturesque area of the city, and taking a tour through its streets is fun and interesting.
In the Middle Ages this area was a suburb outside the city. Around 1600 Sir William Temple bought some land, built his house here, and settled there with his family. The site of his former home, on the corner of Temple Lane and Temple Bar, is now home to the famous pub The Temple Bar.
Even if you just want to have a drink inside, it’s worth checking out. Hours: Monday to Wednesday from 10:30 a.m. to 1:30 a.m., Thursday to Saturday from 10 a.m. to 2:30 a.m., and Sunday from 11:30 a.m. to 1 a.m.
Have you thought about doing a free tour?, as we always tell you it is a very good option to have the first contact with the city. ►Book a free tour of Dublin.
3- Molly Malone
Located opposite Saint Andrews, at the junction of Gaftoon Street and Suffolk Street, we find a bronze lady pushing a loaded cart, that’s Molly Malone, a Dublin icon.
Legend has it that Molly Malone used to roam the streets of Dublin in her cart selling fish in the 17th century, and at night she turned to prostitution, dying very young due to the fever of the time.
The statue was erected in 1988, and has become a typical sight in Dublin city.
Check out more activities you can do in this beautiful and interesting city
4- Guinness Brewery
In this place of the 10 things to see or do in Dublin, we find the Guinness beer factory, Guinness Storehouse.
Regardless of whether you like beer or not, Guinness is so closely linked to Ireland that taking the tour with explanations about its production and history will be very enjoyable and interesting.
How did it all begin? Artur Guinness arrived in Dublin in the 18th century and set up his brewery. He started making other types of beer, and at the end of the 18th century he focused his production on the renowned dark beer. Today the brewery is a multinational.
As we said, the tour takes you through the brewing process and the growth of the company. You can serve yourself your own beer before tasting it, and you can finish the visit on the rooftop of the Gravity Bar, getting some nice views of the city and spending a relaxing time.
If you’re visiting a lot of paid places, a sightseeing pass might be a good idea ►Find out more with Go City
The Guinness Storehouse is located at 8 St. James’s Gate in the east side of Dublin.
To access the Guinness Storehouse, it is advisable to buy tickets online, as there are many visitors!
But apart from the fact that you will find a lot of people visiting, booking your tickets in advance will allow you to organize yourself, since not every day the entrance has the same price, depending on the day of the week it is.
The entrance fee is approximately €22, as it varies depending on the day chosen. The opening hours are from 9.30 am to 5 pm, and in July and August it is extended until 7 pm. We leave you the official website to check the opening hours.
But if you want to enjoy it to the fullest you can take a guided tour in Spanish , it is a recommendation, since you will skip the line and you will not miss any of the information during the visit.
Are you coming to Ireland from far away like us and having internet all the time is a problem? In our case we have used the Holafly eSIM for travelers, a very good option. In the link you will find all the information as well as a discount for followers of Europe accompanied by the following code: EUROPAACOMPAÑADA5.↓
5-Hanpenny Bridge and River Liffey
A walk that is highly recommended, and that we cannot miss, is to walk along the banks of the River Liffey, and crossing it we will find a very attractive bridge, this is the Half Penny Bridge.
Built in 1816, it was originally called Wellington, but as a halfpenny toll was charged to cross it, the inhabitants of Dublin quickly renamed it the ha’penny bridge.
We recommend taking a boat ride along the River Liffey.
6- O’Connell Street
We arrived at the main street in Dublin, O’Connell Street and its surroundings. Dublin is a city where you can explore many of its attractions on foot, something that those of us who like to do so appreciate a lot.
And so we arrive at O’Connell St., a place that you cannot miss on your tour. Here we will highlight a monument in the shape of a needle, The Spire, which rises 120 meters and was built in 2003.
Other notable monuments include the of Daniel O’Connell, the nationalist leader who gives the street its name, and the post office building.
But the main thing to do here and around it is to mingle with the many passers-by who walk around and enjoy the atmosphere.
7- St. Patrick’s Cathedral
The walk now takes us to St Patrick’s Cathedral, St Patrick’s Cathedral is one of the two most important churches in Dublin.
Built in honour of Ireland’s patron saint, it is one of the must-see places in the city.
Admission is €6, and hours are 9am to 5pm, though this varies slightly depending on the season, so check their website.
8- Christ Church
Another of the places to see in Dublin is Christ Church. The cathedral of the Holy Trinity is the oldest of the two medieval cathedrals in the city, the other being the one we just saw in the previous point, St. Patrick’s.
Built in 1028, it is remarkable for its beauty. The entrance fee is €7.50, and the opening hours are from 10am to 4.30pm, but they vary greatly depending on the day of the week and the season. Check them out at christchurchcathedral.ie/visit-us
9-St Stephen’s Shopping y St Stephen’s Park
A stroll through Stephen’s Park, one of the oldest public parks in Ireland, is a great idea, and including it in your must-see list in Dublin is a great idea. Opening hours are Monday to Saturday from 7.30am to sunset, and Sundays from 9.30am.
Just opposite the park, on Grafton Street, we find the Stephen Green Shopping Centre. The idea is not to go shopping, but to marvel at the design of this shopping centre. With a metal structure and a glass roof, you will find many shops of all kinds. A visit that is worthwhile on this route through the city of Dublin.
10- Cárcel Kilmaiham
Now a museum, Kilmainham Gaol is a former prison where many people who fought for Irish independence were imprisoned.
Opened in 1796, today you can take a guided tour of it. It is advisable to buy tickets in advance on their website: kilmainhamgaolmuseum.ie
The entrance fee is €8, and opening hours are from 9am to 6pm or 9.30am to 5.30pm, depending on the season.
We’ll finish here with our ten recommendations, but Dublin has a lot to offer, and you can also take excursions to the rest of Ireland from the city.
EXTRAS: VIDEO AND MAP
Other activities you can do in Dublin
►Shall we start planning the trip now?↓
NOTE: The information in this article is based on our own experience, being totally objective. This article contains affiliate links.
