The Best Things to Do in Dublin for Visitors and Locals

Dublin.ie – https://dublin.ie/living/things-to-do/

View the stunning book of Kells that dates from 800AD at Trinity College, stand atop Howth Hill and watch the sun set over the city, enjoy a drink and the craic of a traditional music session in a pub. With Ireland’s National Museums and Galleries located in Dublin, there’s plenty to see for the culturally inclined. There are hundreds of public parks and gardens all across the Dublin region, some large, some small, some modern and some dating back hundreds of years. Dublin’s got so much to show you that even the locals are still discovering it.

Festivals

Dublin is most famous for the St Patrick’s Festival, which takes place around St Patrick’s Day (17th March), each year. However there are lots of other festivals spanning music, literature, film, theatre, culture, food and dance. If you can name it, we’ve probably got a festival for it. 2016 is significant for Dublin as we mark one hundred years since the Rising, a rebellion against English rule in Ireland, and there are events across the region to mark the centenary. This year will also see the first Dublin Pride festival since legislation on Marriage Equality was enacted. You can view upcoming festivals below or see our full What’s On

Attractions

Dublin is a compact city but has a wealth of attractions for people visiting or those who already live here. There’s a book (of Kells), a zoo, gardens, cathedrals, a gaol, a brew house, a castle and plenty more. Suppose we better start listing them out so:

Nightlife

As anyone who has ever been to Dublin will tell you, we’ve got a vibrant nightlife scene. As the sun sets on the Liffey and darkness sets in, restaurants, bars and cafés fill with people looking to enjoy a brilliant evening out. Pubs If you’re looking for a jar (Dublin slang for a drink, typically a pint), you’ll probably already know about Temple Bar which is located by the river on the south side. You’ll find lots of pubs and restaurants and it’s an area popular with tourists. If you’re looking for traditional music, there are a wealth of older pubs in the city, where you’ll find groups playing a session. On the other hand, if you’d like more modern deco

Galleries & Museums

With Ireland’s National Museums and Galleries located in Dublin, there’s plenty to see for the culturally inclined. Scattered around the city centre you’ll find the National Museum of Ireland, National Gallery and National Library. They provide a fascinating insight into the history and culture of the country and are highly recommended. There’s also a number of smaller galleries and museums in the city and even more going further afield to the county.

Mountains & Sea

Due to its compact size and position on the east coast, Dublin enjoys a scenic landscape of mountains on one side and the sea on the other. A quick trip can take you away from the daily routine of urban life and into the fresh air and tranquil surroundings of Dublin’s natural environment. Mountains From the slow pace of a leisurely Sunday hike to the adrenalin rush of a mountain bike, the Dublin mountains can be explored in a number of ways and are a favourite location for anyone who wants to unwind. The mountains are located 13km to the south of the city with the Dublin Mountains Way noted as one of the 1,001 most scenic walks in the world. They also adjoin the Wicklow

Markets

If you’re looking for organic produce or just in the mood to haggle and find a bargain, Dublin’s many markets are a great way to spend a few hours. There’s food markets, book markets, flea markets, antique markets, market markets (okay, we made up that last one). The majority would be the farmer’s markets, where you can buy a range of organic and home-made food products. So check out when the next one is on, wrap up warm and bring your haggling skills, you might just walk away with a bargain!

Parks & Gardens

There are hundreds of public parks and gardens all across the Dublin region, some large, some small, some modern and some dating back hundreds of years. We’ve taken a small sample of the more significant ones below for anyone who would like to wander in the greenery of an afternoon:

Walking Tours

There is simply no better way to see Dublin than to walk around with a knowledgeable and professional tour guide. Get a closer look at Dublin’s most interesting, unique and historical sites and get to know the real Dublin, its history, and its culture by walking through the streets like a local. Dublin offers a variety of walking tours that are ideal for the tourist, budget traveller or backpacker so don’t miss the chance to walk through the streets of this iconic city and visit it’s many landmarks while learning about their meaning and history.

What’s On

Check out our curated events listing of what's going on across Dublin city and county. From theatre to festivals, sport to business conferences and everything else inbetween, you'll never be short of ideas when it comes to finding an event to attend in Dublin.