Dublin

Dublin Travel Guide

Ireland's capital, famed for Guinness, literature, Trinity College and the Temple Bar district. The literary heritage of Joyce, Wilde, and Beckett, live music in Temple Bar, and the green spaces of Phoenix Park each offer their own appeal. Learning about beer at the Guinness Storehouse and catching Irish trad in a cosy pub is uniquely Dublin — and St. Patrick's Day is Ireland's biggest festival.

Essential Dublin Travel Info

Must-Visit Places in Dublin

★ 4.7

Trinity College Dublin

Founded in 1592 by Elizabeth I, Trinity College is Ireland's most prestigious university, with a 40-acre campus in the heart of Dublin. The Old Library's Long Room - 65 m long and lined with 200,000 antique books - inspired the Jedi Archives in Star Wars. The 9th-century Book of Kells is considered the world's most exquisite medieval manuscript, with jewel-like illuminations. Book of Kells / Old Library admission about EUR 18 (online booking recommended). 5-minute walk from Luas Green Line St. Stephen's Green.

Hours08:30-17:00 (Sundays 09:30-17:00; advance booking recommended for the Old Library)

LocationCity Centre, Dublin

TipsBook online in advance and arrive in the morning to dodge crowds. Strolling the campus itself is free.

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★ 4.5

Guinness Storehouse

Housed in a 1904 brewery, this seven-floor interactive museum traces the history and brewing process of Guinness. The building itself is shaped like a giant pint glass, and the top-floor Gravity Bar offers a 360-degree panorama of Dublin with a complimentary pint. Pouring your own perfect pint is a popular hands-on experience. It's Ireland's most visited attraction. Admission about EUR 26 (online discount). Bus 13/40 or 10-minute walk from Luas Red Line James's station.

Hours09:30-19:00 (until 21:00 in July-August; last admission 2 hours before closing)

LocationSt. James's Gate, Dublin

TipsOnline tickets are cheaper than walk-up prices. Time your visit so you reach the Gravity Bar at sunset.

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★ 4.4

Temple Bar

On the south bank of the Liffey, Temple Bar is Dublin's cultural and entertainment heart - cobbled lanes lined with traditional pubs, live-music bars, galleries and vintage shops. Irish trad sessions fill the pubs every night, while weekends bring street performers and food markets. The namesake Temple Bar pub opened in 1840 and its red facade is a Dublin icon. The later it gets, the livelier it grows.

HoursOpen 24 hours (pubs typically 10:30-01:30)

LocationTemple Bar, Dublin

TipsWeekend nights are packed - weeknights are more relaxed. The Temple Bar Food Market runs Saturday mornings.

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★ 4.4

Dublin Castle

Begun in 1204 by order of King John of England, this medieval castle served as the seat of British rule in Ireland for nearly 700 years until independence in 1922. A 1684 fire destroyed most of the original Norman walls, so most of what stands today is Georgian-era reconstruction from the 18th century. The most striking spaces are the State Apartments, where the golden St. Patrick's Hall has hosted Irish presidential inaugurations since 1990. Remnants of the medieval castle and Viking-era Dublin can be seen in the Undercroft below, letting you trace 1,000 years of Dublin history in one place. Admission about EUR 12 (guided tour included). 5-minute walk from Temple Bar.

Hours09:45-17:45 (last entry 17:15)

LocationDame Street, Dublin

TipsSome areas are accessible only by guided tour (1 hour). Combine with the adjacent Chester Beatty Library (free).

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★ 4.5

St Patrick's Cathedral

Built in 1191, St Patrick's Cathedral is Ireland's largest cathedral, named for the legend that Ireland's patron saint baptized converts at a well on this site in the 5th century. At 91 meters long with a 43-meter spire, it's the country's biggest church. Jonathan Swift, author of Gulliver's Travels, served as Dean here from 1713 to 1745 and is buried inside. The Lady Chapel, hung with the flags, helmets, and armor of Irish regiments, makes a striking military memorial space. Admission about EUR 9. 10-minute walk from Dublin Castle.

Hours09:30-17:00 (Sundays 09:00-10:30, 12:30-14:30, 16:30-18:00)

LocationSt. Patrick's Close, Dublin

TipsAttend evensong (weekdays 17:30, Sundays 11:15) for free entry and to hear the acoustics.

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★ 4.8

Kilmainham Gaol

Built in 1796 and operating until 1924, this gaol held — and executed — nearly every major figure in the Irish independence struggle. After the 1916 Easter Rising, seven of its leaders were shot here between May 3-12 by British forces in the prison yard. One of them, Joseph Plunkett, married his fiancée Grace Gifford in the prison chapel hours before his execution — a famously tragic story. Entry is by guided tour only, taking visitors through the grim cells, execution yard, and old tools — confronting the saddest, most decisive moments of Irish history. The gaol features in My Left Foot and The Wind That Shakes the Barley. Admission about EUR 8 (advance online booking essential). 10-minute walk from Luas Red Line Suir Road.

Hours09:00-17:30 (timed guided tours; closed Dec 24-26)

LocationInchicore Road, Dublin

TipsOnline booking essential, often sold out 1-2 weeks ahead. The guided tour runs 1.5 hours — leave plenty of time.

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★ 4.7

Phoenix Park

Laid out in 1662, this 707-hectare park (about 1,750 acres) is Europe's largest enclosed urban park — five times the size of London's Hyde Park. About 600 wild fallow deer roam freely, and the grounds contain Áras an Uachtaráin (the Irish President's residence), Dublin Zoo, the 30-meter Wellington Monument (1747), and the Papal Cross where Pope John Paul II said Mass for a million people in 1979. Renting a bike to loop the park is the best way to see it, and each July the Bloom Festival — Europe's largest garden show — takes place here. Free entry. 10-minute walk from Luas Red Line Heuston.

HoursOpen 24 hours (individual attractions keep their own hours)

LocationPhoenix Park, Dublin

TipsBike rentals are available near the park entrance (about EUR 15-20/day). The deer aren't shy — great for photos, but please don't touch them.

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★ 4.5

Grafton Street & St Stephen's Green

Grafton Street is Dublin's premier pedestrian shopping street, running about 400 meters from Trinity College to St Stephen's Green. Victorian department store Brown Thomas, boutiques like Vivienne Westwood, traditional Irish crafts shops, and a constant rotation of buskers keep the energy high. At its southern end, St Stephen's Green is a 9-hectare Victorian-style garden opened to the public in 1880 — duck ponds, fountains, century-old trees, and a 1916 Easter Rising memorial sculpture make it the favorite lunchtime escape for Dubliners. Both free. Right at Luas Green Line St. Stephen's Green station.

HoursGrafton Street open 24 hours (shops 09:00-21:00); St Stephen's Green 07:30 to dusk

LocationGrafton Street / St Stephen's Green, Dublin

TipsGrafton Street buskers are part of Dublin's charm. Pick up a takeaway lunch and picnic in St Stephen's Green.

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★ 4.5

Christ Church Cathedral

Founded around 1030 by Viking king Sitric Silkenbeard as a wooden church, it was rebuilt in Anglo-Norman stone style in the 1180s. It holds the largest surviving medieval crypt in Ireland or Britain, and in 1487 the boy pretender Lambert Simnel was bizarrely crowned 'Edward VI' here. A bridge connects the cathedral directly to Dublinia museum next door. Admission about EUR 9. 5-minute walk from Dublin Castle.

Hours09:30-17:00 (Sundays 12:30-14:30, seasonal variation)

LocationChristchurch Place, Dublin

TipsThe crypt displays the famous mummified 'cat and rat' - a hit with kids. Combo tickets with Dublinia museum save money.

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★ 4.5

Dublin Zoo

Opened in 1831, Dublin Zoo is the world's third-oldest zoo, spread across 28 hectares within Phoenix Park. Themed habitats such as the African Savanna and Asian rainforest host over 400 species, and the zoo is especially known for its lion breeding program. It's a family favorite and pairs naturally with a Phoenix Park visit. Admission about EUR 22-26. About 15 minutes by bus connection from Luas Red Line Heuston.

Hours09:30-18:00 (varies by season)

LocationPhoenix Park, Dublin

TipsBook online in advance for a discount. Arrive early to see the animals at their most active.

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★ 4.6

National Gallery of Ireland

Opened in 1864, Ireland's largest art museum holds some 16,000 works spanning European painting and Irish art. Its centerpiece is Caravaggio's The Taking of Christ, rediscovered in a Jesuit house in 1990, alongside masterworks by Vermeer and Rembrandt. A dedicated room showcases Irish painter Jack B. Yeats, brother of poet W.B. Yeats. Free entry (except special exhibitions). 5-minute walk from Trinity College.

Hours10:00-17:30 (until 20:30 on Thursdays; closed Mondays)

LocationMerrion Square, Dublin

TipsFree guided tours run daily. Don't miss Caravaggio's The Taking of Christ.

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★ 4.6

National Museum of Ireland – Archaeology

Opened in 1890, this museum holds Europe's richest collection of Bronze Age Irish goldwork. Its most famous exhibits are the 'bog bodies' - Iron Age remains naturally preserved in peat bogs some 2,000 years ago, with skin and hair astonishingly intact. Early Christian-era metalwork like the intricate Tara Brooch and the Ardagh Chalice are also highlights. Free entry. 10-minute walk from Trinity College.

Hours10:00-17:00 (Sundays 13:00-17:00; closed Mondays)

LocationKildare Street, Dublin

TipsThe bog bodies exhibit can be unsettling - prepare young children in advance. Free entry makes even a short visit worthwhile.

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★ 4.7

Chester Beatty Library

Located within the grounds of Dublin Castle, this museum holds the lifelong collection of American-born mining magnate Alfred Chester Beatty - Islamic, East Asian, and European manuscripts and art. Highlights include Egyptian papyri, Persian miniatures, Chinese jade carvings, and Japanese woodblock prints, and the museum was named European Museum of the Year in 2002. The rooftop garden offers views over Dublin Castle and the city. Free entry. Right beside Dublin Castle.

Hours10:00-17:00 (Sundays 12:00-17:00; closed Mondays Nov-Feb)

LocationDublin Castle, Dublin

TipsFree entry but world-class collections - allow plenty of time. The rooftop garden cafe is also popular.

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★ 4.5

Ha'penny Bridge

Built in 1816, this cast-iron pedestrian bridge over the Liffey takes its name from the ha'penny (half-penny) toll once charged to cross it. One of Dublin's most photographed landmarks, its white arched structure and old-fashioned gas lamps are iconic. Lovers once attached padlocks here, though this is now banned to protect the bridge. It's a key link between Temple Bar and the north bank. Free to cross. 2-minute walk from Temple Bar.

HoursOpen 24 hours

LocationRiver Liffey, Dublin

TipsThe bridge is especially photogenic when lit up at night. Buskers often perform right on the bridge.

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★ 4.4

General Post Office, Dublin

Completed in 1818 in Neoclassical style, the GPO still functions as a working post office today. It served as headquarters of the Provisional Government during the 1916 Easter Rising, and it was here that Patrick Pearse read the Proclamation of the Irish Republic outside the building. Bullet marks from British artillery still scar the facade. The GPO Witness History exhibition inside vividly recounts the Rising. Post office free; exhibition about EUR 16. In the heart of O'Connell Street.

HoursPost office 08:30-18:00; GPO Witness History 09:00-17:30

LocationO'Connell Street, Dublin

TipsLook for the bullet scars on the facade. Combine with The Spire monument nearby, standing where Nelson's Pillar once stood.

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★ 4.6

EPIC The Irish Emigration Museum

Opened in 2016 as the world's first fully digital interactive museum, EPIC spans 20 galleries tracing 1,500 years of Irish emigration to every corner of the globe. Visitors can trace the roots of famous Irish descendants like JFK and actor Liam Neeson through touchscreens and holographic displays. It won Europe's Leading Tourist Attraction award in 2019. Housed in the basement of the CHQ Building, a converted 19th-century customs warehouse. Admission about EUR 18. 10-minute walk from O'Connell Street.

Hours10:00-18:45 (last admission 17:00)

LocationCHQ Building, Custom House Quay, Dublin

TipsA popular corner lets you search your family surname in Irish emigration records. Allow about 2 hours.

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★ 4.5

Jameson Distillery Bow St.

Founded in 1780 by John Jameson, this was the original Jameson whiskey distillery - actual distilling moved to Cork in 1971, but the building remains as a visitor experience. Guided tours explain the triple-distillation process and maturation, including a comparative tasting against Scotch and American whiskeys. Tours end with a cocktail and a bartender-style certificate. Admission about EUR 27. 10-minute walk from O'Connell Street.

Hours09:00-18:15 (last tour 17:15)

LocationBow Street, Smithfield, Dublin

TipsThe comparative tasting is the highlight - ask about non-alcoholic options if needed. Booking online is cheaper.

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★ 4.6

Malahide Castle

Built around 1185, Malahide Castle was home to the Talbot family for nearly 800 years until 1976, making it one of Ireland's longest continuously inhabited castles. The interior preserves 18th-19th century furniture and portraits, while the 260-acre grounds hold a botanic garden with some 5,000 plant species and Ireland's largest butterfly garden. Easily reached by train from central Dublin, it's a popular day trip. Admission about EUR 15 (castle + gardens). About 25 minutes by DART train from Connolly Station.

Hours09:30-17:30 (varies by season)

LocationMalahide, County Dublin

TipsEasy access by DART train makes it a great half-day trip. The butterfly garden is at its best in summer.

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Things to Do in Dublin

Culture

Guinness Storehouse + Perfect Pint Class

Tour the Guinness Storehouse and join the Perfect Pint masterclass to pour your own. About EUR 30-40

Price About EUR 30-40Duration 2-3 hours

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Tour

Cliffs of Moher Day Tour

Guided bus day tour from Dublin to the Cliffs of Moher, Galway, and the Burren. About EUR 65-90

Price About EUR 65-90Duration 12-13 hours

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Culture

Temple Bar Pub Crawl

Pub crawl through Temple Bar with a guide — enjoy Irish trad music and Guinness. About EUR 25-40

Price About EUR 25-40Duration 3 hours

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Culture

Kilmainham Gaol Guided Tour

Confront the tragedy of Irish independence history on a 1.5-hour guided tour. About EUR 8 (advance booking essential)

Price About EUR 8Duration 1.5 hours

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Culture

Trinity College Walking Tour

Walking tour of Trinity campus led by a current student or graduate, including Book of Kells entry. About EUR 18-25

Price About EUR 18-25Duration 1.5 hours

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Culture

St Patrick's Day (March 17)

Ireland's biggest festival on March 17, when all of Dublin turns green. Parade viewing free

Price Free (parade viewing)Duration Full day

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Must-Try Food in Dublin

Irish Stew

🍱 Traditional

Ireland's classic home-style stew of slow-simmered lamb, potatoes and vegetables. About EUR 14-20. The Porterhouse in Temple Bar or traditional pubs near St. Stephen's Green are recommended.

Guinness

🍵 Drink

The world-famous Dublin-born stout, known for its creamy head. About EUR 6-8 per pint. Enjoy the best pint at the Gravity Bar in the Guinness Storehouse.

Soda Bread

🍱 Traditional

Traditional Irish bread leavened with baking soda, served with butter. About EUR 3-5 at a cafe. Pair it with Irish stew at a traditional pub or market.

Full Irish Breakfast

🍱 Traditional

A hearty Irish plate of bacon, sausage, black and white pudding, baked beans, tomato, eggs, toast, and potato. About EUR 10-16. The Hairy Lemon or Bobo's are popular spots.

Fish and Chips

🍢 Street Food

Crispy fried Atlantic cod or haddock with chips — a Dublin street classic. About EUR 10-14. Leo Burdock, established 1913, is a Dublin legend.

Irish Whiskey

🍵 Drink

Irish whiskey — Jameson, Bushmills, Tullamore Dew — is known for smooth triple distillation. About EUR 5-10 per glass. Tasting tours at Jameson Distillery Bow Street.

Colcannon

🍱 Traditional

Traditional Irish mash with potatoes, cabbage or kale, butter, milk, and scallions. About EUR 6-10. Served as a side with Irish stew or bacon at traditional pubs.

Dublin Travel FAQ

When is the best time to visit Dublin?

May to September is best. Summer brings long mild days, and the March St. Patrick's Day festival is Ireland's biggest event.

How much does it cost to travel in Dublin?

Daily budget about $105-200 (lodging $55-115, food $30-50, transport and entry $20-35).

How do I get around in Dublin?

The Airlink 747 bus runs from Dublin Airport to the city center in about 30 minutes. Get around by Luas light rail, Dublin Bus and the DART suburban train; a Leap Card is recommended. Prepaid SIMs are available at the airport (Three, Vodafone, etc., about EUR 10-15/week). Card payments are widely accepted. Tipping 10-15% at restaurants is standard.

Do I need a visa to visit Dublin?

Korean passport holders may enter Ireland visa-free for 90 days (separate from the Schengen Area).

Is Dublin safe for tourists?

Generally safe, but watch out for alcohol-fueled rowdiness around Temple Bar at night. Avoid Phoenix Park after dark.

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