Dublin offers sightseers a stunning history and culture tour at every turn, making this vibrant Irish capital an irresistibly fascinating visit. Beautiful parks, lush gardens, and charming neighborhoods await the visitor in this energetic Irish capital city.
Spend a day discovering Dublin’s iconic sights and attractions without breaking the bank! All these must-sees (unless otherwise noted) are free (except where noted):
Temple Bar
Since 1840, Temple Bar’s classic Dublin pub has been providing loyal patrons with exceptional hospitality and first rate modern service, along with traditional Irish music and traditional Irish songs. Offering warm hospitality backed by great modern service and Traditional Irish Music performances. An excellent spot to enjoy a pint of Guinness while engaging with fellow locals!
Temple Bar district takes its name from Sir William Temple, an educator and philosopher who built his home and gardens here during the early 1600s. A customs house was also constructed here in 1707 bringing with it warehouses, taverns and restaurants that eventually transformed this once marshy land into what we know today as Temple Bar.
With narrow lanes lined with boutiques, cafes and pubs brimming with energy from boutiques to cafes to pubs – not forgetting the vibrant mural on Stirrup Lane featuring horses, 20th-century paintings in an old hospital building and perfectly preserved artist studio – Melbourne is an artistic hub with something for everyone to see and do.
Trinity College, Christ Church Cathedral and Dublin Castle can be found nearby; Ha’Penny Bridge and O’Connell Street can also be reached easily on foot. Attractions within walking distance include O’Connell Street’s historical wrought iron Ha’Penny Bridge as well as O’Connell’s National Museum of Ireland – Archaeology where visitors can learn more about Ireland through artifacts – even those mysterious “bog bodies”. To avoid crowds of drunkards and pickpockets when visiting Temple Bar during daytime hours!
Christ Church Cathedral
Nearly one thousand years ago, Viking king Sitriuc Silkenbeard founded Christ Church Cathedral at its founding location of medieval Dublin. Today the cathedral continues as a place of worship but also draws thousands of visitors each year who want to explore its many treasures such as Ireland’s premier choir and one of Ireland’s largest crypts.
Visitors to Dublinia (fee*), an interactive museum showcasing medieval and Viking life in Dublin City, may enter for an entry fee, with optional guided tours available. Next door stands St Patrick’s Cathedral which also welcomes visitors who pay an entrance fee and guided tour option is available. Next door lies Dublinia which features life in medieval and Viking era Dublin as a family-friendly museum experience.
The cathedral’s crypt is open and free for visitors, providing them with access to its rich collection of medieval and 17th-century items from medieval Ireland and Scotland, such as two gravestones engraved with Irish King names. You’ll also be able to admire Strongbow’s Grave, which contains an elaborate tomb, as well as two 17th-century statues depicting Charles II (reigning monarch of England, Ireland, and Scotland at that time), along with statues representing him and James II who reigned monarchically across England Ireland Scotland at that time.
DoDublin hop-on hop-off bus tours allow visitors to visit Dublin Cathedral and Crypt as part of an independent or guided excursion, with City Sightseeing Tours passing nearby as will Big Bus Tours (check each operator’s website for further details). Car rental agencies might have stops near this landmark too – though remember that driving your own vehicle into Ireland might violate your contract agreement!
St. Patrick’s Cathedral
Dublin offers enough history and culture to fill numerous itineraries, not to mention food and drink! Experience it first-hand to gain the full effect.
Dublin’s St. Patrick’s Cathedral, dedicated to Ireland’s patron saint and serving as its national cathedral, is one of the city’s top attractions and an essential stop on many sightseeing tours of Dublin. Its 13th-century building attracts history buffs as a stop in many sightseeing tours through Dublin city center.
Temple Bar neighborhood surrounds Dublin Cathedral and should not be missed by any visitor to Ireland. With historic buildings, boutique shops, hotels, pubs and live music bars lining its cobbled streets – any visit here must include Temple Bar!
For anyone curious to understand modern life in Dublin, The Little Museum of Dublin (fee*) should be visited. This intimate museum traces its story through those who have made Dublin home over time.
Whoever loves beer should pay a visit to the Guinness Storehouse (fee*). A self-guided tour takes visitors through seven floors of this brewery, learning its history. Following their tour, guests can head up to Gravity Bar on the seventh floor for an exquisite view over Dublin while sipping their pint of Guinness!
Dublin Castle
Dublin Castle lies in the center of Dublin and makes for an educational trip back through time. Over its 700 year history, this landmark served as military fortifications, prisons, treasuries and seats of English administration in Ireland; additionally it hosted Easter Rising of 1916 that led to independence. Today it serves as state ceremonies venue; grounds may be explored free while tickets may be required to access State Apartments or exhibits.
Many previous visitors recommend taking a guided tour to make the most of your visit to Dublin Castle. Tours include entrance into both State Apartments and Chapel Royal and can be booked in various languages for 7 euros (about $8). With a Dublin Pass your ticket is free.
Dublin offers plenty of historical sites as well as beautiful gardens, parks and neighborhoods that attract both tourists and residents. If you’re looking for a relaxing trip, renting a bicycle or taking the train out to one of the quaint villages nearby are both excellent ways of seeing more. And with Aer Lingus offering direct flights from across Europe and North America directly into Dublin itself aer Lingus provides plenty of transportation options too!
Viking World Museum
Fun family museum that caters for adults and children alike, this National Museum branch (which also includes Natural History on Merrion Street, Decorative Arts & History in Dublin 7 and Country Life in Co. Mayo) provides something enjoyable for everyone in their family.
Vikings may be traditionally perceived as invaders and raiders, yet their impact was profound on Ireland’s economy, culture, and politics. This exhibition examines their impact through objects, burial sites, settlements, including remains from 841 fortified bases established by them; Pagan Viking burials from Kilmainham and Islandbridge between 9th/10th centuries include personal possessions like fine swords, weights, purses, tongs and hammers as well as tools of trade or craftsmanship for use during trade and craftsmanship activities.
The museum provides an engaging interactive look at Viking and medieval city lifestyle in a magnificent neo-Gothic Victorian building that once housed Church of Ireland Synod Hall. A must-see attraction when visiting Dublin!
Temple Bar is an energetic area filled with pubs, restaurants, and hotels that offers something for every budget and taste. Cobbled streets line historic buildings while local musicians often perform live at its namesake pub – Temple Bar stands on the south bank of Dublin’s Liffey River for added people-watching pleasure; you can even visit St Patrick’s Cathedral nearby where George Bernard Shaw lies buried!
Little Museum of Dublin
The Little Museum of Dublin (fee*), popularly known as “people’s museum”, provides a delightful insight into Dublin history through personal treasures of local residents. Housed within an elegant Georgian townhouse on St Stephen’s Green near St Stephen’s Green and home to quirky collections like re-creations of Irish Times editorial offices as well as U2 rooms – you’re bound to be entertained here!
Experience the museum on one of its hourly guided tours – fun, informative and extremely entertaining! They fill up quickly so it’s advisable to reserve a space as early as possible.
After your tour is over, take a break and treat yourself to an incredible pint of Guinness at Gravity Bar on the seventh floor. Not only do you get stunning views here; its delicious Guinness will leave an indelible memory.
Donal Fallon will take you on an insightful Green Mile walking tour (fee*). His stories about Dublin will leave you with a deep appreciation of its vibrant past, and this tour should not be missed by visitors to Dublin. He’ll walk through historic buildings while telling stories about Ireland’s most celebrated writers and scholars – his knowledge is unmatched, while his enthusiasm makes for an engaging learning experience! Donal’s Green Mile walking tour offers visitors the best way to understand its rich history!
