Plan Your Trip to Dublin: Best of Dublin Tourism
Dublin, Ireland
Essential Dublin
Things to do
Food & drink
The best beer bars in Dublin
Guinness Storehouse49,179Yes, you do have to do the Guinness Storehouse tour to be allowed to enter the Gravity Bar but with their 360-degree views of Dublin and perfectly poured pints, it is definitely worth the price of admission. The bartenders are excellent and will make a shamrock foam flourish on top of your drink that will make your Instagram followers green with envy.
John Kavanagh - The Gravediggers893One side of this pub is a classic Irish joint with no televisions or music while the other is a lounge area with great food including, my personal favorite, the Irish breakfast. Try the local stew called the coddle if you dare. A heads up: This was one of Anthony Bourdain’s favorite stops, and if you’re lucky, the bartenders will regale you with all their tales of the pub’s long history.
Mulligan's905The Mulligan’s is my favorite pub to bring a group. There is tons of space to spread out and multiple rooms to explore. They do an excellent pint of Guinness (which isn’t surprising for a place that’s been open for more than 200 years) and the selection of ales and lagers from Ireland and abroad is huge.
Mary's Bar & Hardware Shop223I gravitate towards any place that is truly unique and a pub that also has groceries and hardware for sale is exactly my cup of tea, or rather, pint of beer. This spot is just off Grafton Street in the former Wicklow Hotel where Irish leader Michael Collins used to hang out in his more revolutionary days. Now they carry plenty of new and local craft beers from Ireland. The cheese toasty is a must order to go with your beer.
Kennedy’s Bar & Restaurant454Whenever I want to feel like a local I pop out to Kennedy’s. The Guinness is stellar with plenty of regulars lined up for pints. If your group wants something different to drink, there is a full bar with plenty of local whiskeys, too. For food, don’t miss the house-made beef and Guinness pie.
P.Mac's281P. Mac's is the pub version of a warm hug and also happens to have tasty—and inexpensive— craft beer. I love the cozy vintage armchairs, indie rock music, dark wood paneling and candelabra. Make sure to ask the bartender for a beer recommendation and pair your pint with Tayto crisps or a dish from the full menu.
The Palace Bar442The Palace fulfills all of my Dublin beer drinking needs: tons of ales and lagers, excellent Guinness on tap, and a stunning Victorian interior from 1823. The beer is top notch and the vibe is super friendly with cushy red leather seats that are easy to sink into.
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More must-see Irish cities
Dublin Travel Guide
Travelers' pro tips for experiencing Dublin
Mark K
Talk to everyone. Irish people like to talk.
Mark M
Irish people are friendly and open, so ask questions. People are more than willing to help. Just be aware a long conversation may ensue!
Darragh
Buy the three-day (72-hour) Freedom Ticket for great-value, unlimited travel on Dublin buses. And, do not confuse Ireland and the UK, or you may offend some locals.
Sal750
Dublin is a city that has it all, including very charming locals. There is a huge variety of restaurants for all budgets, the bars are always great and have a good vibe, best to experience the ones away from Temple bar if you want a more economic authentic experience although Temple Bar area is a must when in Dublin. There is a good public transport system but we usually like to just wander around, stopping for a coffee or a Guinness while soaking up the fab atmosphere or just stroll around the shops but for the history buffs there's so much to see. The choice is yours but Dublin has it all for me and is never a boring place to visit.
Catherine J
Dublin is a family-friendly city with plenty to interest all ages. There is a wide and varied choice of free & paid attractions plus an endless selection of high-quality places to eat. As the song goes, "Dublin can be heaven, with coffee at eleven, and a stroll through Stephen's Green...."
Kris
My favorite things are to walk along the river, see temple bar area (go for live music and some beers if time), Guinness warehouse, St Patrick's cathedral.
What is the best way to get there?
flying
Ireland’s capital is served by Dublin Airport. The express AirLink service connects the airport with the city center from early morning until late in the evening.
train
There are three major rail hubs in Dublin: Connoly, Heuston, and Pearse stations. These stations provide intercity services to cities such as Belfast, Limerick, Cork, Galway, Kerry, and more. See the rail map for more information.
ferry
Ferries arriving from four main ports in England, Scotland, Wales, and the Isle of Man dock at Dublin Port, around 4 miles (6 kilometers) from the city center.
Do I need a visa?
If you’re visiting from Dublin overseas, see if you need a visa using the following resource.
When is the best time to visit?
Summer: Dublin is prone to rain regardless of what time of year you visit. However, to lower your chances of showers, visit during the summer months of June, July, and August, when the weather is generally warm and sunny. May and September promise the fewest crowds and mildest weather.
But to experience Irish hospitality at its best, visit Dublin for St. Patrick’s Day on March 17, which honors the patron saint of Ireland. The city comes to life with colorful parades and street parties and embarks on a two-day long celebration that features plenty of whiskey and Guinness.
Get around
public transit
If you’re planning to combine different modes of public transport, save money with a LEAP card. You’ll find more info here.
bus
Dublin has an extensive bus network that services both the city center and the suburbs. Check out timetables and routes here.
train
Dublin’s DART (Dublin Area Rapid Transit) electric railway transports you from the city center along the Irish Sea coast to both suburbs and coastal towns.
tram
There are more than 70 tram stops in Dublin’s city center. For routes and timetables, see the following link.
On the ground
What is the timezone?
Western European Standard Time (WET), which is the same as GMT.
What are the voltage/plug types?
The standard voltage in Dublin is 230V and the standard frequency is 50Hz. The associated plug type is G, which has three rectangular pins in a triangular pattern.
What is the currency?
Euro (EUR)
Are ATMs readily accessible?
Yes.
Are credit cards widely accepted?
Yes.
Is it easy to find a bank?
Yes.
How much do I tip?
Tipping is not obligatory in Ireland, however, a tip for exceptional service is always appreciated.
Are there local customs I should know?
Drinking
The federal legal age for buying and drinking alcohol is 18 years old.
Walking
Walk to the right of the sidewalk and step off to the side of the sidewalk if you want to stop to check your phone, look up directions, or want to take in a view.
Greetings
The basic greeting in Ireland is a handshake, even with older children.
For more information on local customs and Irish culture, check out the following link.
- We recommend staying at one of the most popular hotels in Dublin, which include:
- Some of the most popular restaurants in Dublin include:
- Dublin is known for some of its popular attractions, which include:
- We recommend checking out these popular tours when looking for something to do in Dublin:
- Cliffs of Moher Tour Including Wild Atlantic Way and Galway City from Dublin
- Dublin to Cliffs of Moher, Burren, Wild Atlantic Way, Galway Tour
- Dublin to Belfast (Black Cab), Dunluce Castle & Giant's Causeway.
- Dublin to Rock of Cashel, Cork City & Blarney Castle Guided Tour
- Dublin to Kilkenny, Wicklow, Glendalough, Laragh Sheep Dog Trial
- If you're a more budget-conscious traveler, then you may want to consider traveling to Dublin between December and February, when hotel prices are generally the lowest. Peak hotel prices generally start between June and August.