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Is planning your Dublin trip a challenge? You’re not the only one!
Creating a Dublin travel itinerary is an adventure in itself with how many tourist attractions Ireland’s buzzing capital boasts that draw over 6.5 million visitors a year!
From breathtaking Dublin landmarks to quirky hideouts, the list of things to do in Dublin is never-ending.
If you’re looking for suggestions to help you plan your trip to Dublin, whether you’re planning a backpacking trip through the city or traveling with friends, we’ll show you the best things to do in Dublin with this go-to guide.
What Is Dublin Famous For?
Dublin is one of the most sought-after European cities for travelers. It’s famous for its vibrant nightlife, beautiful sights and historic landmarks.
Dublin is well-known as the home of the famous Guinness beer. At the Guinness Storehouse, voted as the world’s leading tourist attraction by the World Travel Awards, you can taste the delicious stout yourself while touring the iconic 18-century brewery.
The culture of Guinness inspires many facets of Dublin life; with lively pubs and bars lining popular Dublin neighborhoods, it’s easy to see why Dublin’s nightlife is one of its biggest attractions.
Of course, Dublin’s rich history extends far beyond beverages. Dublin is also famous for Trinity College, one of the country’s oldest universities, where tourists can visit the stunning Long Room library and the Book of Kells, a 9th-century manuscript that’s one of Ireland’s greatest cultural treasures.
Or if you’re planning a trip for beginners and have never been to Ireland, keep it simple and stick to a simple itinerary for checking out some iconic Dublin landmarks, like Dublin Castle, Kilmainham Gaol and Christ Church Cathedral to immerse yourself into the city’s past!
Ireland’s capital is full of dreamy parks, historical monuments, a lively cultural scene and so much more. It makes sense why Dublin is famous!
If you’ve got Dublin on your travel bucket list and want to experience all the city has to offer, we’ve curated some of the best activities and attractions in Dublin to help when planning your Ireland trip with friends!
Top 10 Things to Do in Dublin, Ireland
1. Shop till You Drop on Grafton Street
Grafton Street isn't just a shopping district—it's an experience. Buzzing with street performers, artists and musicians, the atmosphere feels like a year-round carnival.
First developed in the early 18th century, Grafton Street grew into a major attraction starting in the 1900s thanks to the iconic Bewley’s Café, established in 1927, a now nostalgic landmark visited by famous writers like Samuel Beckett and James Joyce!
Today, Grafton Street is one of Dublin’s two main shopping streets, featuring everything from indie boutiques to designer flagships for window shoppers and splurgers alike.
And if you’re craving a bite to eat, pop into one of the many Grafton Street eateries that dot the region. From traditional Irish pubs to high-end restaurants, there’s no shortage of delicious eating attractions.
2. Take in the Wildlife at Dublin Zoo
Dublin Zoo rests on 28 hectares of land and attracts over one million visitors a year thanks to its state-of-the-art learning center, making it one of the top things to do in Dublin for travelers.
Opening in 1831, the Dublin Zoo is the world’s fourth-oldest zoo and helps protect a number of endangered species, notably including the scimitar-horned oryx, an elegant desert antelope subject to a conservation effort in Tunisia that the Dublin Zoo actively sponsors.
Want to check out other fun animals? The Dublin Zoo is also home to elephants, lions, meerkats, monkeys, wolves, sea lions, red pandas and even penguins!
What’s really impressive about the Dublin Zoo is that it’s dissected into carefully curated exhibits and habitats, ranging from the African Savanna to the Asian rainforests, so you can visit each animal in a space designed around its natural habitat.
Tip: If you don’t have time to visit the Dublin Zoo, you can watch live webcam footage of the animals on their website!
3. Visit the Mummies at St. Michan’s Church
If you’ve done any research for planning a trip to Ireland, you’ll know it’s full of historic and picturesque churches. So why is St. Michan’s Church so special?
Although the popular tourist attraction looks like a regular church, once you descend into the crypt—yes, a crypt—you’ll discover one of the quirkiest things to see in Dublin.
Underneath the church lie mummified corpses and the coffins of infamous criminals. These mummies are hundreds of years old and one even reaches out of its coffin to shake your hand!
The mummies at St. Michan’s include a 300-year-old thief missing a hand as punishment and an 800-year-old “crusader” named because he was buried with his legs crossed to honor his return as a soldier from the Crusades.
4. Have Fun at Dublinia
Picture this: you’re walking along a medieval street from the Viking age, immersed in the daily routine from a millennium ago. You step into a Vikings house, board a traditional Viking warship or try on Viking clothes and learn the skills of Viking warriors!
Sounds crazy? Well, it’s real at Dublinia, a medieval Viking museum that brings the past to life with exciting and interactive exhibitions, such as a medieval fair, a bustling medieval street and medieval artifacts from the National Museum of Ireland.
The museum, housed in the famous 19th-century Synod Hall featuring Early English Gothic architecture of the early 13th century, is situated on the grounds of the medieval St. Michael’s Tower, erected in 1076. The top of the refurbished tower in Synod Hall offers spectacular views of Dublin too!
One of the top things to do in Dublin with costumed actors and bustling merchant markets, Dublinia is an exhilarating experience when traveling with friends.
5. Travel Back in Time at Kilmainham Gaol
Continuing our trend of museums in Dublin, if you’re a history lover craving more than a medieval touch and want to feel a chill, the Kilmainham Gaol prison might be up your alley.
Once home to some of Ireland’s most notorious criminals, the Kilmainham Gaol was constructed in 1796 and witnessed key moments in Irish history, including the imprisonment and execution of leaders involved in the Easter Rising of 1916!
Today the prison is a museum where visitors can walk along eerie open corridors and landings, peer into preserved cells and learn about former prisoners.
Located in Dublin near the Irish Museum of Modern Art, the Kilmainham Gaol Museum also offers themed exhibits about some of Dublin’s rich history, such as “Women of the Irish Civil War,” plus permanent exhibits about the social history of Irish prisons and the history of Irish nationalism & rebellion.
Visiting the museum is one of the top things to do in Dublin as it provides a hauntingly fun glimpse into Ireland's history.
6. Wander Along Love Lane
Looking for cute romance? Love Lane is your answer!
Dublin can be one of the most romantic places to visit with your beau and luckily, Love Lane is a perfect fit for your romantic trip!
Love Lane is a vibrant alleyway tucked in Crampton Court in the Temple Bar district with an art installation dedicated to love. Local Irish artists have decked it out in hues of red and pink with themes of passion and tenderness.
With love quotes about everything from love and loss adorning the wall, it's the perfect backdrop for romantic selfies.
7. Party in Temple Bar
Searching for the heart and soul of Dublin’s cultural life?
The Temple Bar neighborhood is the mecca of Dublin's nightlife. It includes the iconic red-fronted bar named after the neighborhood itself, which also hosts Ireland's largest whiskey collection at its Whiskey Reserve just up the street.
Nestled on the south bank of the River Liffey in central Dublin, this historic quarter draws both locals and tourists for its many bars, nightclubs, galleries, theaters and performance spaces.
In Temple Bar, you can visit the Irish Photography Centre and the Irish Film Institute or check out its book market on weekends and its outdoor fashion & food markets on Saturdays!
8. Make It a Day Trip: The Howth Cliff Walk
As one of the world’s most cosmopolitan cities, Dublin can be a lot to take in sometimes.
If you’re looking for a relaxing getaway to revel in the beauty of the Dublin outskirts, then a bus tour to the scenic Howth Cliff is just the thing!
A short ride from Dublin’s city center and still within the city’s municipal boundaries, the beautiful fishing village of Howth offers breathtaking views of the Irish Sea and Dublin Bay.
Walking along the Howth Cliff, the scent of salty sea air, the sound of crashing waves and the cry of seagulls will enchant you!
One of the best things to do in Dublin when it comes to visiting the Howth Cliff is to climb the Baily Lighthouse, a dainty yet historic lighthouse with ideal vantage points of the view, so don't forget your camera!
9. Join a Pub Crawl
End your Dublin days with the quintessential Irish experience—a pub crawl!
You can check out a classic Irish pub crawl that takes you to historic and iconic pubs to savor local brews, listen & dance to live music, skip the lines and enjoy complimentary drinks with new friends.
Or if you’re keen to try a unique niche, the Dublin Literary Pub Crawl brings to life the literary history of the city with professional actors, combining street theater and pub crawling so you can enjoy a beverage while immersing yourself in the rich cultural tapestry of the likes of Joyce and Oscar Wilde!
And hey, if drinking alcohol isn’t your thing, one of the best things to do in Dublin is to check out Dublin walking tours with professional tour guides to help you navigate Dublin and learn about its amazing history and cultural hotspots!
10. Relax in Dublin Parks
If you’re trying to figure out what to do in Dublin on a nice summer day, you can’t go wrong with visiting any of Dublin’s many enchanting parks.
Nestled in the heart of Dublin, one of the city's most iconic green spaces is St. Stephen's Green, a Victorian park with serene, manicured lawns, picturesque lake and lots of pretty flowers for cycling, walking or picnicking.
Just a short stroll from St. Stephen's Green, you'll find Merrion Square, a Georgian-era park surrounded by colorful townhouses that’s also a cultural hotspot for hosting the famous Oscar Wilde Memorial Statue, perhaps one of the coolest statues ever!
And if you're in the mood for expansive greenery, Phoenix Park is one of the largest urban parks in Europe, featuring woodlands, historic landmarks, the Dublin Zoo and even the residence of the president of Ireland, the Áras an Uachtaráin, originally built in 1751 and which is open to public tours!
Of course, it helps if you’re traveling to Dublin on a nice day when visiting city parks!
Though the city is on Ireland’s east coast, thus sparing it from some of the west coast’s more frequent rainfall, it’s still Ireland after all (Dublin averages more precipitation than London). If you get caught on a rainy day, be sure to pack travel essentials like a waterproof jacket.
Discover the Best Things to Do in Dublin and Plan Your Trip with Pilot
Once upon a time, Dublin was the stronghold city of the Vikings. Today, it’s one of the prettiest cities to escape to in Europe. From cobblestone streets and traditional pubs to vibrant nightlife and breathtaking trails, Dublin appeals to every traveler!
If you’re figuring out how to plan a trip with friends to Dublin, make sure to use a trip planner like Pilot. Designed for social trip planning, Pilot leverages AI to help you find the best activities in Dublin and makes it easy for you to create & share travel itineraries with your crew.