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Looking for the best things to do in Dublin? We’ve got you covered!
Believe it or not, there’s a lot more to do in Dublin than to just drink Guinness – although of course, that’s part of it! Ireland’s capital city has a rich history and is a great base to explore the country’s stunning scenery.
Dublin is famously expensive, so we found booking tours ahead of time got us the best prices and helped us stay on budget. You don’t want to waste your hard-earned cash on disappointing experiences, which is why we’ve rounded up the 10 best things to do in Dublin, Ireland!
What to Skip in Dublin? One thing we have learned after visiting Dublin a few times is that the free tours are not really the best option. Although at first glance they seem more affordable, by the time you tip the recommended amount of around $20 USD per person, the “free” tours are not much cheaper than some paid tours and are much less professional. On the free tours, the guides are volunteers who are oftentimes university students or expats. On paid tours, you’ll get expert guides who have been trained and have tons of knowledge. To us, paid tours are always the better option.
Quick Pick: Our Favorite Activity
Don’t have time to read the full article?
Our FAVORITE thing we did in Dublin was take this history tour of Dublin Castle and the Book of Kells! It includes early access to Trinity College to avoid the crowds, which was a huge plus.
Plus, these are iconic stops in Dublin, and going with a guide made the experience better!
Check out the 2,000+ 5-star reviews and book this tour here!
Tip: This tour is likely to sell out – book it here and get FREE cancellation 24 hours before you go.
- Quick Pick: Our Favorite Activity
- Things to do in Dublin, Ireland
- 1. Visit the Cliffs of Moher
- 2. Eat your way through the city on a food tour
- 3. Explore Dublin’s historic sights including the Book of Kells and Dublin Castle
- 4. Visit the Jameson Distillery and Guinness Storehouse
- 5. Head to Northern Ireland to see Belfast and Giant’s Causeway
- 6. Learn about Dublin’s history and culture on a walking tour
- 7. Take a day trip to Kilkenny
- 8. Kiss the Blarney stone (and see castles!)
- 9. See all the city sights on a hop-on hop-off bus
- 10. Go to an Irish dinner show
- Where to Stay in Dublin, Ireland
- Thanks for reading!
- Why We Book Tours with Viator
- Don't Forget Travel Insurance!
Things to do in Dublin, Ireland
1. Visit the Cliffs of Moher
- Price: €78
- Duration: 13 hours
- Time: 6:55 am
- Highlights: driving along Wild Atlantic Way, seeing the Cliffs of Moher, optional walking tour of Galway city
- Inclusions: guide, entrance fees, return transport from Dublin, guided walking tour of Galway
- Rating: 5 stars (check 17,000+ reviews here)
- Free cancellation: yes
The Cliffs of Moher make up some of Ireland’s most stunning coastline, so they’re a must-see while you’re in the country. And if you don’t have time for an overnight visit, then booking this day trip from Dublin is a must!
The cliffs are about 3.5-hours drive from Dublin, so we knew that we didn’t want to drive ourselves. And when we saw that this tour had over 17,000 5-star reviews (see them all here!), we knew it had to be a good choice! Another reason that we chose it is that it allowed us to spend two full hours at the Cliffs of Moher, which is longer than any other tour we looked at.
And trust me, the cliffs did not disappoint. We loved exploring the area and taking in the incredible views. Scenery like this is a big part of why we wanted to visit Ireland in the first place, and we just absolutely loved enjoying the scenery, and snapping photos, of course!
After admiring the Cliffs of Moher, we continued onto the picturesque city of Galway. It’s known for its colorful houses and shopfronts, as well as the scenic harbor. Oh, yeah, and it’s the festival capital of Ireland, so it’s one of the best places to enjoy the famous Irish “craic”!
There was an optional walking tour with our guide, Martina, and so we chose to join. She taught us about Galway’s thriving music, art, and culture scene, and pointed out some of the top family-run craft stores and cafes. She also gave us a great fish and chip shop recommendation which, of course, we were only too happy to take!
This tour is a must if Dublin is the only place you’re visiting in Ireland. The country is too beautiful not to check out scenic areas like Galway and the Cliffs of Moher! We’re so glad that we got to see them. It was definitely one of the best things that we did in Dublin!
Book this tour with THOUSANDS of 5-star reviews here, before dates fill up!
2. Eat your way through the city on a food tour
- Price: €105
- Duration: 3.5 hours
- Time: 10:30 am – 3 pm
- Highlights: visiting authentic pubs, cafes, bakeries, and markets; trying lots of Irish favorites; alcoholic drink pairings; small group tour
- Inclusions: lots of food tastings, 2 drink pairings, local guide, secret dish
- Rating: 5 stars (check 1,100+ reviews here)
- Free cancellation: yes
One of the things that surprised me the most the first time I visited Ireland was how delicious the food was! Irish food tends to be hearty and satisfying, which pairs perfectly with the weather here. But as always, we wanted to avoid the tourist traps and see some cool sights along the way, so we booked this top-rated food tour.
Our guide, Anne, truly showed us the meaning of Irish hospitality. She was so warm and friendly, and as they say in Ireland, she had good craic! We began the tour by visiting an award-winning local coffee shop where we learned how to make proper Irish coffees, then we headed onto a local bakery to soak up the booze with some sausage rolls. There was another secret snack too, but we won’t ruin the surprise!
Over the course of the tour, we also did an Irish cheese tasting, sampled fresh oysters, and ate stew and homemade soda bread in the iconic Temple Bar area! Finally, we rounded off the tour with an indulgent ice cream treat. We were absolutely stuffed, but very happy.
For me, this tour was the best thing that we did in Dublin itself, and I would highly recommend it to anyone. We loved the shared tour, as group sizes are small, but you can also upgrade to a private tour if you prefer. Either way, you’re in for a real treat when you book this tour, I can promise you that.
Reserve this tour now and get FREE cancellation 24 hours before you go!
3. Explore Dublin’s historic sights including the Book of Kells and Dublin Castle
- Price: €72
- Duration: 2.5 hours
- Time: 8 am – 3 pm
- Highlights: Book of Kells, Molly Malone statue, Trinity College Library, Dublin Castle
- Inclusions: historian guide, entry to Book of Kells, exterior tour of Dublin Castle
- Rating: 4.5 stars (check 3,000+ reviews here)
- Free cancellation: yes
As far as we’re concerned, this is THE Irish history tour in Dublin! It covers Dublin’s must-visit historical highlights, including the Book of Kells and Dublin Castle with early access to Trinity College to beat the crowds.
We loved seeing the Book of Kells inside Trinity College Library and getting in early to see it before the crowds arrived made the experience so much better. This medieval manuscript is considered one of the finest-ever examples of Celtic art. Going with a guide made it so much better, too, as Richard was super knowledgeable and helped us really understand this important artifact.
After seeing the Book of Kells, Richard then took us for a guided tour of Dublin Castle’s exterior. We never say “no” to visiting a castle, and Dublin Castle has been the site of some major historical events, including the theft of the Irish crown jewels, which have never been recovered!
We also saw the famous statue of the folklore figure Molly Malone, which is a quick stop but an absolute must-see while in Ireland. Richard even taught us a few lines of “Cockles and Mussels”, which is Molly Malone’s anthem, and we all had fun singing them together before we parted ways.
This tour taught us so much about Dublin’s history in just a few hours, and we highly recommend it to any first-timer visiting the city! It was really enjoyable, not to mention a very efficient way to cover the city’s most important highlights. However, we should tell you that it usually sells out in advance, so make sure to book in advance!
Don’t miss out on Dublin’s top history tour – book your spot here.
4. Visit the Jameson Distillery and Guinness Storehouse
- Price: €116
- Duration: 4 hours
- Time: 10:45 am – 1:45 pm
- Highlights: touring the Jameson distillery, visiting the Guinness Storehouse, drinking whiskey and Guinness, skipping the queues, photo stop at Ireland’s oldest pub
- Inclusions: skip-the-line entry to both museums, one pint of Guinness, one whiskey, whiskey samples
- Rating: 4.5 stars (check 1,800+ reviews here)
- Free cancellation: yes
Did you even go to Dublin if you didn’t drink Guinness and Jameson whiskey?
For us, the answer was definitely “no”, so we booked this combo tour! It was a super easy and efficient way to visit both the iconic Guinness storehouse and the famous Jameson distillery, and learn more about Ireland’s two most celebrated alcoholic drinks.
We were so glad that the tour included skip-the-line admission, too, because otherwise, we would have wasted a fair bit of time waiting outside of both attractions.
We started at the Jameson Distillery, where we discovered the origin story of the world-famous whiskey brand, and we got to taste some samples on the way around! We learned what sets Jameson apart from other whiskey brands, and got a signature cocktail at the end. It was so much fun!
Next up, we went to the Guinness Storehouse, which is huge, just FYI! We dived deep into the history of Guinness as we explored the seven different floors, and learned about the brewery’s 9,000-year lease – yes, really! There were tons of cool interactive exhibits and I really enjoyed checking out some of the old-school Guinness ads.
Then, we ended with our complimentary pints of Guinness at the Gravity Bar on the top floor, which offers gorgeous views over the city.
This tour was easily one of the most fun things that we did in Dublin, and we truly consider it a must-do. Even if you’re not a huge fan of Guinness and/or whiskey, it’s totally worth doing. When in Ireland, right?
Check availability and book this iconic Dublin tour here!
Why We Book Tours with Viator
Viator is a trusted online booking system for tours around the world! We almost always book our tours using Viator for a couple of reasons:
- Free cancellation on most tours – Most of the tours on Viator allow you to cancel and get a full refund up to 24 hours in advance. This is handy in case plans change, or if booking an outdoor activity, the weather forecast is looking grim.
- Reserve now and pay later – You can secure your spot on some of the most popular tours well in advance and not pay until closer to the day of the tour.
- Lowest price guarantee – If you happen to find the same tour at a lower price elsewhere, Viator will refund you the price difference.
- Pay in your chosen currency – Avoid costly international transaction fees by choosing to pay in your home currency.
- Peace of mind – When booking with tour operators you find in person on the street or in small booking offices, you are often promised one thing and given another. This online platform holds tour operators accountable with a written description of inclusions as well as the opportunity for customers to leave reviews.
Check out the Viator website here! Or, for more info, read our detailed review about Viator here.
5. Head to Northern Ireland to see Belfast and Giant’s Causeway
- Price: €88
- Duration: 13 hours
- Time: 7 am
- Highlights: seeing the murals in Belfast, the Giant’s Causeway, Dunluce Castle
- Inclusions: round trip transport, entrance fees, guided tour of Belfast, professional guide
- Rating: 5 stars (check 6,250+ reviews here)
- Free cancellation: yes
If you don’t have time to go and stay in Northern Ireland, then this full-day tour from Dublin is a must! It visits both Belfast and the Giant’s Causeway, which is Ireland’s most famous natural wonder. In short, it’s the perfect way to explore Northern Ireland in just one day!
The early start meant that we got to Belfast just after 9 am, and we kicked off the day with a tour of Belfast, in a classic black taxi! We got to visit Shankill Road, where murals commemorate the IRA bombing of a local fish shop that killed nine people. Our guide, Mick, taught us a lot about the Troubles that divided Ireland for over 30 years, and continue to affect the country to this day. We also visited the Falls area and saw the International Wall and Peace Wall murals.
Then, we headed up the coast of County Antrim, towards Dunluce Castle, which was actually used in Game of Thrones! This ruined medieval castle is perched on a rocky outcrop, so it really couldn’t be more scenic. We were lucky enough to visit on a clear day, and we realized we could actually see all the way to Scotland.
But of course, the real highlight of the day was the Giant’s Causeway! This 60 million-year-old site is made up of around 40,000 basalt columns, and it’s absolutely beautiful. I almost couldn’t believe that it’s actually a natural feature, rather than a man-made marvel. We loved walking along the Clifftop Trail, as the views of the Causeway from up there were just epic.
Basically, this tour is a must if you haven’t got time to travel around Northern Ireland. It provided us with a fantastic snapshot of Northern Ireland, as it blended history and natural beauty perfectly. We would recommend it to anyone visiting Dublin!
Book this tour here and get FREE cancellation 24 hours before you depart!
6. Learn about Dublin’s history and culture on a walking tour
- Price: €28 – €135
- Duration: 3 hours
- Time: 8 am – 7 pm
- Highlights: Wall of Fame, Temple Bar, Ha’penny Bridge, St. Stephen’s Green, Molly Malone statue, College Green, Claddagh Records, Grafton Street
- Inclusions: private tour guide, umbrellas
- Rating: 5 stars (check 500+ reviews here)
- Free cancellation: yes
If you’d like to take a comprehensive walking tour of Dublin, then look no further than this private tour! We think it’s the ideal way for families and groups to explore the city in depth, at their own pace.
Our guide, Conor, was definitely gifted with a healthy dose of Irish charm, and we had so much fun exploring the city on foot with him. We saw so many famous sights, including the Temple Bar area, Ha’penny Bridge, Trinity College, and the Wall of Fame. Better still, we learned a ton about them from Conor, who constantly made us laugh with the stories and anecdotes that he shared.
We loved exploring bustling Grafton Street, and seeing the Department of the Taoiseach, which is the office of the Irish Prime Minister. I also really enjoyed learning more about the history of Irish Republicanism as we visited Theobald Wolfe’s statue and Leinster House.
This tour was an amazing introduction to Dublin. Conor gave us an incredible overview of the city and really helped us to get our bearings. He also gave us some awesome recommendations on where to eat and drink while we were in the city. We would highly recommend booking this tour on your first day in Dublin, because there’s really no better way to get acquainted with the Irish capital city!
Check availability and book this top-rated tour here!
7. Take a day trip to Kilkenny
- Price: €46
- Duration: 10 hours
- Time: 8 am
- Highlights: Kilkenny castle grounds, Wicklow Mountains National Park, Glendalough Monastic City, Laragh sheepdog demonstration
- Inclusions: round trip transport, admission to Laragh sheep farm, guided walking tours of Kilkenny and Glendalough, professional guide
- Rating: 5 stars (check 5,800+ reviews)
- Free cancellation: yes
For us, one of the biggest draws of traveling to Ireland was to explore its rich history and lush, dramatic landscapes. And honestly, there are few day trips that meet that criteria more perfectly than this full day tour to Kilkenny!
Kilkenny is a small, historic city that boasts an incredibly well-preserved 12th-century castle. Our guide, Sean, took us on a walking tour of the city, during which we got to travel back in time as we explored the narrow, cobbled streets, and saw the haunted Black Abbey! But of course, the highlight was walking around the grounds of Kilkenny Castle, which were just beautiful. Then, we had a little free time to browse in the artisan shops, and grab coffee in one of the trendy local cafes.
After that, we traveled through the Wicklow Mountains making stops at Wicklow Gap and Upper Glendalough Lake to take photos of the dramatic mountain scenery. Movie buffs might recognize this spot from movies like Braveheart and P.S. I Love You! Then, it was onto an Irish sheep farm in Laragh, where we watched a sheep herding demonstration and learned about life on the farm.
Finally, we visited Glendalough, a stunning valley that’s known for its Cathedral and monastic settlement. There was truly something so enchanting about the verdant scenery and medieval buildings, and we loved exploring the lakeside trails. It was also super interesting to learn about the history of monks in Ireland.
In short, this tour was an amazing way to discover Irish scenery, history, and culture. It felt like taking a deep dive into the heart of what makes Ireland so special, and Sean was a very knowledgeable and charismatic guide. If this tour doesn’t make you fall in love with Ireland, then I don’t know what will!
Book this tour with more than 5,000 5-star reviews here, before it sells out!
8. Kiss the Blarney stone (and see castles!)
- Price: €79
- Duration: 12 hours
- Time: 8 am
- Highlights: Rock of Cashel, free time in Cork city, Blarney Castle and Gardens, shopping at Blarney Woollen Mills
- Inclusions: round trip transport, admission to the Rock of Cashel and Blarney Castle, professional guide
- Rating: 4.5 stars (check 1,900+ reviews here)
- Free cancellation: yes
The Irish are known for having the gift of the gab, and kissing the famous Blarney Stone is said to bestow the same wit and charm onto anyone who’s brave enough to pucker up! For that reason, we couldn’t resist the chance to swap Dublin for County Cork on this full-day tour.
We left the city fairly early, and traveled to the Rock of Cashel in County Tipperary. This medieval fort is around 900 years old, and it’s perched on a limestone bluff overlooking the lush green countryside. Basically, it’s a picture-perfect snapshot of Ireland’s history and natural beauty!
Then, we visited the city of Cork, where we had free time to enjoy the colorful harbor area. It was super charming, and we also loved checking out the English Market, and I highly recommend grabbing lunch here.
Last but not least, we arrived at Blarney Castle, where of course we had to participate in the time-honored tradition of kissing the Blarney Stone! I’m not sure if it really brought either of us any more eloquence or charm, but it was a fun thing to tick off our list, and we enjoyed exploring the beautiful castle gardens afterwards. Then, we had a chance to do a little shopping at the Woollen Mills before heading back to Dublin.
We really enjoyed this day trip, as it really delivered in terms of variety. From the rugged medieval feel of the Rock of Cashel to the beauty of Blarney Castle and the bustling atmosphere of Cork, we really got a feel for the southernmost part of Ireland, and definitely gained a deeper appreciation for Irish heritage!
Book this tour here to receive flexible payment and cancellation options!
9. See all the city sights on a hop-on hop-off bus
- Price: €32 – €49
- Duration: Flexible
- Time: 9 am – 7 pm
- Highlights: Oscar Wilde Monument, Douglas Hyde Gallery, Saint Stephen’s Green, College Green, Dublin Castle, Christ Church Cathedral, St Patrick’s Cathedral, Guinness Storehouse, multiple distilleries, Museum of Modern Art, Dublin Zoo, National Wax Museum, Little Museum
- Inclusions: 24 or 48-hour bus ticket (depending on option selected), airport transfer (if selected), admission to the Little Museum, on-board commentary, city map
- Rating: 4.5 stars (check 2,700+ reviews here)
- Free cancellation: yes
This hop-on hop-off bus tour is definitely one of the best ways to see the sights of Dublin! It’s convenient, flexible, and budget-friendly – what’s not to like?
We love hop-on hop-off tours because they provide the ease and structure of a guided tour, but still allow us to do things our way! This would be an ideal thing to do on your first day in Dublin, but we had already been here for a few days when we did this tour.
The flexibility of it meant that we could skip the attractions we had already seen and focus on the ones we hadn’t, such as the Christ Church Cathedral, St Patrick’s Cathedral, and the Pearse Lyons Distillery. It’s a boutique distillery inside an old church, and we absolutely loved it!
Another major advantage of booking this tour is that you can opt to include a one-way or return airport transfer on the Dublin Express coaches. This can be a real money-saver, so if you haven’t already got your transport to and from the airport booked, I definitely recommend bearing this in mind.
If you’re only in Dublin for two days, booking a 48-hour bus pass would also be the perfect way to explore and ensure you get to see everything in time. It saves you from trying to navigate public transport and hits all of the city’s tourist highlights. We think it’s definitely one of the best sightseeing tours in town!
Check availability and book this tour in advance here!
10. Go to an Irish dinner show
- Price: €85
- Duration: 3 hours
- Time: 7 pm
- Highlights: 4-course traditional dinner; Irish music, dancing, and entertainment
- Inclusions: dinner, local entertainment
- Rating: 4.5 stars (check 190+ reviews here)
- Free cancellation: yes
Music and dancing are hallmarks of Irish culture, so it would be rude not to experience them on a fun night out in Dublin! We booked this Irish dinner show with high hopes, and we certainly weren’t disappointed.
We spent the night in a proper Irish pub, enjoying a hearty 4-course dinner and traditional music and dancing. It was hands down the best evening we had in the city!
We made our way to the famous Taylors Three Rock Pub, which is known for being one of Dublin’s liveliest entertainment venues. We were served a huge, hearty meal. I went for the Irish roasted salmon for my main course and it was delicious, but there was plenty of choice! Best of all, the meal was finished off with an Irish coffee. Drinks other than that were on our own account, but of course we had to order a few Guinness’s over the course of the night.
Things only got better when the show started. Irish dancing is fast-paced and full of energy, and before we knew it we were clapping and singing along! The footwork involved in Irish step dancing is so impressive, and the whole crowd got swept up in the rhythm and spirit of it all.
Basically, if you’re looking for a fun way to spend an evening in Dublin, then booking this Irish dinner show is a must. It’s the perfect thing to do after dark, and we will definitely go again when we come back to the city.
Don’t miss out on this authentic Irish experience – book this tour here.
Where to Stay in Dublin, Ireland
Now that you have your itinerary planned, it’s time to find somewhere perfect to stay! Dublin is not the cheapest place to stay, but if you do some research and book a room early, you can snag a good deal!
To alleviate some of that stress, I’ve picked out three great accommodation options for a luxury, mid-range, or budget hotel.
Luxury – $$$
The Shelbourne, Autograph Collection is my top pick for a luxury stay located in the heart of the city. No detail is overlooked as the rooms provide top-tier comfort in a historic building. There are four restaurants on site, a spa, and balconies on select rooms. It’s walking distance to Trinity College and Grafton street, making it easy to explore the city.
Room start around €400 and can be booked on Booking.com.
Mid-range – $$
The Address Connolly has a range of room options, without breaking the bank! From twin rooms all the way to king suites, they all promise comfort and great service. This stay is centrally located within walking distance of Dublin’s top sights and best restaurants, so you’re never too far from a pint of Guinness.
Prices range from €150 to 350 and can be reserved on Booking.com.
Budget – $
If you’re looking for cheaper accommodation or a way to meet other travelers, check out the Ashfield Hostel. Located in downtown Dublin, this hostel offers a dorm for about €30 or private rooms for around €135. There are common areas, ensuite bathrooms, and a kitchen, so you’ll have everything you need for a comfortable stay!
Check availability and book this stay on Booking.com or Hostelworld.
For more options, check out all the hotels in Dublin here!
Don’t Forget Travel Insurance!
If you’re looking to save money on travel insurance, we currently use and recommend SafetyWing. We’ve been using their coverage since 2018 and they’ve had our backs when we needed emergency flights and got sick overseas.
SafetyWing is one of the cheapest providers out there and covers everything from medical costs to lost luggage, travel delays, and emergency flights. A huge difference we’ve found between them and other companies is that they let you take out a policy AFTER leaving your home country. We’ve also found it handy that it’s a monthly payment rather than a lump sum, and you can get a refund for unused time.
SafetyWing has helped us out in some scary situations before and their affordable coverage has given us peace of mind. You can read our honest review of SafetyWing for all the pros and cons.
Thanks for reading!
There is so much to do in Dublin, but this list of the top 10 activities will give you a great start. Whether you’re staying in Dublin or adventuring further around Ireland, I know you’ll get to experience that lively Irish charm they are famous for. We loved our time here, and if you follow some of the items on this list, you will too!
If you found this article helpful, be sure to check out our other travel guides. We’ve been all over the world and love sharing our favorite experiences, places, and travel tips. Here are a few related blogs that you might find helpful as you plan your next adventure – cheers!
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