12 Must-See Attractions in Dublin, Ireland

Dublin, the capital city of the Emerald Isle, has no shortage of fantastic attractions to visit. The city is filled with fascinating museums, historical landmarks, traditional markets, and lively nightlife, making it one of Europe’s best-loved tourist destinations.

If you’re visiting Dublin for the first time, you might wonder which are the best tourist attractions to see. Here are 12 of our favorites.

1. Christ Church Cathedral

• Website: https://christchurchcathedral.ie
• Address: Christchurch Place, Dublin 8
• Opening hours: Monday to Saturday, 9.30 am to 6 pm, Sunday 12.30 pm to 7 pm

Christ Church Cathedral, also known as the Cathedral of the Holy Trinity, was established by the Vikings in 1038. The building was originally a small wooden temple but was rebuilt in stone in 1172 and has been subsequently extended to become the magnificent site it is today.

Having been fully restored in the 19th century with Gothic arches and a 14th-century replica of the tomb of legendary Norman conqueror Strongbow, this stunning cathedral is now one of Dublin’s most popular tourist attractions. While you’re here, check out Dublinia, the medieval Viking museum, Dublinia, just a short hop over the small bridge from Christ Church.

2. St Patrick’s Cathedral

• Website: https://www.stpatrickscathedral.ie
• Address: St Patrick’s Close, Dublin 8
• Opening hours: Monday to Saturday, 9 am to 5 pm, Sunday 9 am to 10.30 am, 1 pm to 2.30 pm, 4.30 pm to 6 pm

Ireland’s largest church, St. Patrick’s Cathedral is the national cathedral of the Church of Ireland. The cathedral is well known for its incredible stained glass windows and beautifully landscaped gardens, and it’s also believed that St. Patrick converted to Christianity when he was baptized here in AD 450.

Like Christchurch, St. Patrick’s was originally constructed in timber but has been redeveloped over the centuries to become the jaw-dropping attraction it is today. Despite these extensive renovations, some remains of the twelfth-century church are still visible.

Literary fans take note: Jonathan Swift, the author of Gulliver’s Travels, was the Dean of St. Patrick’s for 35 years and is interred in a tomb just to the right of the entrance.

3. Trinity College

• Website: https://www.tcd.ie/
• Address: College Green, Dublin 2
• Opening hours: Monday to Saturday, 8.30 am to 6.30 pm, Sunday, 9.30 am to 5 pm

Located in the heart of Dublin city center next to Grafton Street, Trinity College Dublin is Ireland’s oldest and most prestigious university. The campus consists of a collection of elegant Georgian and Victorian buildings dotted around cobbled squares and green spaces. Notable alums include Oscar Wilde, Bram Stoker, and Samuel Beckett.

One of the highlights of Trinity College is the Book of Kells, a 9th-century illuminated manuscript that is housed in The Old Library’s 18th-century Long Room. The Old Library is open seven days a week but gets very busy in the summer, so if you want more than a fleeting glance at the Book of Kells, head here early or late in the day.

4. Glasnevin Cemetery

• Website: www.glasnevintrust.ie
• Address: Finglas Rd, Glasnevin, Dublin, D11 XA32
• Opening hours: Daily from 9 am to 5 pm

Glasnevin Cemetery is Ireland’s largest and most historically important burial site, and many of the most famous names from Irish history are buried here.

Established by Daniel O’Connell in 1832 as a burial ground for people of all faiths, it opened to visitors in 2018. Daily tours take place for visitors who want to learn more about the stories of those buried here. And, for more information about the history of the cemetery, visit the wonderful Glasnevin Cemetery Museum.

5. Dublin Castle

• Website: www.dublincastle.ie
• Address: Dame Street, Dublin 2
• Opening hours: Daily from 9.45 am to 5.45 pm

Dublin Castle has played a central role in Irish history. Built on the site of a Danish Viking fortress from 930 AD, the castle has acted as the stronghold of British power and a symbol of British rule in Ireland for more than 700 years.

The castle was a key target during the 1916 Easter Rising but now enjoys a less turbulent existence and is used by the Irish government for meetings, functions, and the inauguration of Irish presidents.

There are several museums on-site, including the Chester Beatty Library and Gallery, plus a fine collection of art and manuscripts featuring Chinese jade books and ancient illuminated European texts.

One of the best ways to take in all that Dublin Castle offers is with a guided tour, which takes in the state apartments with their exquisite Georgian décor. Alternatively, you can download the free Dublin Castle app and do your own self-guided walking tour.

6. St. Stephen’s Green

• Website: www.ststephensgreenpark.ie
• Address: St. Stephen’s Green, Dublin 2
• Opening hours: Monday to Saturday from 7.30 am to dusk, Sundays from 9.30 am to dusk

This 22-acre park is known locally as ‘The Green’ and is an oasis of calm among the hustle and bustle of Downtown Dublin.

This quintessentially Victorian park has tree-lined avenues, a duck pond with a bridge, ornamental gazebos, and even a bandstand that hosts live music in the summer. Statues and public artworks are plentiful in St. Stephen’s, including homages to James Joyce and Arthur Edward Guinness and a memorial to the Great Famine.

Tucked away on St Stephen’s Green is The Little Museum of Dublin. This quirky hidden gem is spread over the rooms of a handsome Georgian house and tells the story of how Dublin has evolved over the past century.

This quaint museum is a nice change from the bigger Dublin museums like the National Museum of Ireland (worth checking out for the natural history exhibitions) and the Irish Museum of Modern Art (IMMA).

7. National Gallery of Ireland

• Website: www.nationalgallery.ie
• Address: Clare Street & Merrion Square, Dublin 2
• Opening hours: Mondays and Sundays, 11 am to 5.30 pm, Tuesdays to Saturdays, 9.15 am to 5.30 pm, with late closing on Thursdays

The National Gallery of Ireland houses the finest collection of Irish art in the world with seven dedicated rooms. The Yeats Collection at the back of the gallery is unmissable and displays more than 30 works by Irish impressionist Jack Yeats, arguably Ireland’s most important 20th-century painter.

Alongside the fantastic Irish art is an outstanding collection of European masterpieces from the Middle Ages to the present day, including a magnificent Caravaggio. The gallery, spread over four wings and accessible via entrances on Clare Street and Merrion Square West, is an absolute must-see while in Dublin.

8. Phoenix Park and Dublin Zoo

• Website: www.phoenixpark.ie/, www.dublinzoo.ie
• Address: Dublin 8
• Opening hours: Phoneix Park is open daily from 9 am to 5 pm. Dublin Zoo is open daily from 9.30 am to 6 pm.

At 1,750 acres, Phoenix Park is the largest enclosed urban park in Europe and is a peaceful oasis in the middle of bustling Dublin. Herds of deer roam the parkland, also home to the President of Ireland’s official residence, plus Farmleigh House, the official Irish state guest house. For those who want to discover more about the park, head to the visitor center near Ashtown Castle.

Phoenix Park is also home to Dublin Zoo. The zoo houses many rare and exotic animals, including Asian lions, orangutans, and penguins. Plenty of family-friendly facilities are on site, including restaurants and kids’ play areas.

9. Ha’penny Bridge

• Address: Ha’penny Bridge, Liffey Boardwalk, Bachelors Walk, North City, Dublin
• Opening hours: 24/7

This striking white-picketed, cast-iron beauty is famously known as the first pedestrian bridge over the River Liffey. Its name comes from the price pedestrians had to pay (a “halfpenny”) in order to cross the bridge when it was built in 1816. Nowadays, it is free to cross and is a fantastic spot for a romantic selfie.

10. National Botanic Gardens

• Website: www.botanicgardens.ie/
• Address: Dublin 8
• Opening hours: Winter opening hours: 9 am to 4.30 pm on weekdays, 10 am to 4:30 pm on weekends and Public Holidays. Summer opening hours: 9 am to 5 pm on weekdays, 10 am to 6 pm on weekends and Public Holidays.

Founded in 1795, the National Botanic Gardens house a stunning collection of plants in Victorian curvilinear glasshouses. Kitted out with the latest in botanical technology, the climates are all computer-controlled to mimic different environments from all over the world.

The National Botanic Gardens are beautiful and serene and offer a therapeutic way to spend a few hours outside of the city center. Entry is free for all visitors, but guided tours for €5 are also excellent value.

11. The Temple Bar Area

Once an area of marshland on the south bank of the River Liffey, this district has been transformed over the centuries into the artistic enclave it is today.

Often described as Dublin’s “bohemian quarter”, the Temple Bar area is full of tourist-friendly pubs and restaurants serving traditional Irish fare. Most bus tours, guided walks, and pub crawls will stop off here, so it really is a can’t-miss destination.

For authentic Irish live music, check out the legendary Temple Bar pub. They have Ireland’s largest whiskey selection, so, unsurprisingly, things can get rowdy here in the evenings. Be sure to sample a pint of Guinness while you’re here!

Or, for an even more authentic experience, head to Gravity Bar at the top of the Guinness Storehouse for a taste of the black stuff with unbeatable panoramic Dublin views.

12. EPIC The Irish Emigration Museum

• Website: www.epicchq.com/
• Address: The Chq Building, Custom House Quay, Dublin 1
• Opening hours: Daily from 10 am to 6.45 pm

EPIC The Irish Emigration Museum is one of Europe’s leading tourist attractions and delves into Ireland’s fascinating past. Located in Dublin’s Docklands, just a ten-minute walk from O’Connell Street, this state-of-the-art museum gives visitors a chance to explore the journeys of around 10 million people who have emigrated from Ireland and how they have gone on to shape the world.

Plan Your Visit to Dublin’s Best Attractions

There are so many fantastic attractions in Dublin; there simply wasn’t room for them all here!

Whiskey distillery tours at the Jameson Distillery and the Guinness Storehouse offer fantastic opportunities to sample the local produce. Kilmainham Gaol is the place to go for a unique insight into Dublin’s turbulent past. Several stunning day trip options are also available, including charming Galway and traditional Howth.

However you choose to spend your time in this magical city, you are guaranteed a vacation you will remember forever.