Travel guide: What to see and do in Dublin

The best way to see and visit Dublin: Take a free tour

What to see in Dublin in 1 - 3 days?

Dublin, also known as the capital of the Emerald Isle, is a powerhouse of culture, parks and fun. Emblematic buildings, monuments and symbolic pubs are recommended to see.

A place that will surprise you, promised. On this walk through Dublin you will discover all that this historic city has to offer.

How to plan my visit to Dublin?

At Yoorney we have local tour guides who offer you the best selection of guided tours, free tours and excursions in Dublin and other cities around the world.

A different and fun way to discover a city.

The complicated thing about traveling is knowing everything you want from the chosen destination. We take care of that and show you the place so you don't feel like a simple tourist. Yoorney tours teach you the local culture as if you were a local.

Hey Yoorner! Do you want to live adventures? Visit the city in a different way with our tours of Dublin!

Why visit Dublin?

If you have in mind going to the Irish capital, do you want to know the essential places to visit in Dublin? It is one of those cities that can be explored perfectly on foot and at the same time offers a lot. You will love discovering each of its areas with their little peculiarities. These are the essential places to see and visit in Dublin in 3 days (or a weekend getaway). Take note!

12 essential places to see and do in Dublin

1. Trinity College

Trinity College is one of Dublin's must-sees. Our recommendation is that if you could only visit one place in the city, this would be it! It is the oldest university in Ireland. Founded by Queen Elizabeth I in 1592. In addition to its sprawling campus, it particularly impresses with the Old Library, the former university library, with more than 200,000 priceless volumes.

2. Grafton Street

This is one of the shopping streets to see in Dublin. There is usually a lot of people. And you can stop for a while to listen to the street musicians! On Grafton Street, you'll find the statue of Molly Mallone. An Irish folk song was composed in his honor in the 19th century. It has become the unofficial anthem of Dublin and all of Ireland. We recommend that you listen to it!

Molly Malone is also known as "Cockles and Mussels" (Cockles and Mussels) or by "In Dublin's Fair City" (In the Noble City of Dublin).

3. Dublin parks

The Irish capital stands out because it is a very green place. You have several parks that you are going to love!

In the center of Dublin, the most emblematic and visited parks are St Stephen's Green and Merrion Square. The latter is much quieter and allows you to find a nice piece of grass to have a picnic without much fuss.

A little further from the center is the Phoenix Park. It is the largest of all the parks in Dublin and many sports are played here… There are even deer!

4. National Gallery

Located in the center of Dublin, the National Gallery of Ireland houses one of the world's most comprehensive collections of European art. From the Middle Ages to the 20th century. It has 54 rooms with more than 800 works of art arranged geographically, historically and thematically.

It is a great display of art. We recommend that you do not leave the city without visiting it! The exhibits are laid out in a clear and organized way. Thus, it facilitates the visit!

PRICES

Free

Schedules

From Monday to Saturday: from 9:15 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. (Thursday until 8:30 p.m.).

Sunday from 11:00 a.m. to 5:30 p.m.

5. O'Connell Street and The Spire

If we think of the most important streets in Dublin, O'Connell Street comes to mind! Without any doubt, it is one of the main avenues of the city and also has one of the most curious monuments in the city: The Spire.

This street begins over the River Liffey, at O'Connell Bridge, and ends at Parnell Street. In addition, O'Connell Street is full of statues of illustrious people in Irish history such as Daniel O'Connell, William Smith O'Brien or James Joyce.

6. Guinness Storehouse

Guinness Storehouse is another of the places that you cannot miss. It was built in 1904 to be used as a fermentation place for Guinness beer. If you are a beer lover, you are going to love it! You will be able to learn all the steps for the elaboration of its famous world famous black beer. You will walk through the building through its 7 floors and on the last one is the Gravity Bar, where you can have a pint of cold black beer, with one of the best views of Dublin.

7. Ha'penny Bridge

The Ha'penny Bridge or Half Penny Bridge is located between Liffey Street and the popular Temple Bar neighborhood. It was built in 1816 and is characterized as a pedestrian bridge. It is estimated that every day more than 30,000 people cross it while visiting the most outstanding sites of the city.

The Halfpenny Bridge, named for the toll charged to cross it until just a century ago.

8. Saint Patrick's Cathedral

St Patrick's Cathedral is the largest Church in Ireland. It was built next to a well where Saint Patrick baptized the converts in the year 450 or so. Despite this, nothing remains of that temple except the place and the myth. The building that you can visit comes from the 13th century, it is characterized by its stone architecture and its imposing spire in the tower.

Making this visit will allow you to learn details of the history of Ireland that are absolutely interesting! You will be able to see, among other things, the curious The Chapter Gate. Legend has it that the Earl of Kildare blindly reached in to make peace with his sworn enemy, the Earl of Ormond.

Who was Saint Patrick?

Surely you have heard of Saint Patrick's Day. It is a party that has been exported to half the world from Ireland. It is celebrated on March 17. But the question is, who was Saint Patrick? He is a character who promoted Christianity on the island of Ireland. A Christian tradition says that Patrick explained the mystery of the Holy Trinity using a three-leaf clover. That is why that day has been established as a custom to carry a shamrock in the celebration of its festivity.

Current Saint Patrick's Cathedral

At the end of the 12th century, when it was decided to build a stone church that would replace it. Its construction lasted from 1190 to 1270. A magnificent temple and pride of the country. The exterior of St. Patrick's Cathedral is impressive, but don't forget to visit the interior! There are very striking elements that show that this place is not only a religious space.

9. Temple Bar

One of the best plans to take into account, have a few pints of black or blonde beer in one of the Temple Bar taverns!

It is one of the most beautiful neighborhoods with personality, especially when sunset arrives in Dublin. The narrow streets are full of pubs and restaurants, where you can listen to live music, making it one of the most visited places in the city.

10. Catedral Christ Church

The Christ Church Cathedral or Cathedral of the Holy Trinity is the oldest building in Dublin. The original church was built in 1028 by a Viking king and has been restored and expanded over time. The exterior is beautiful! But it is also worth visiting inside with the chapel of Saint Laurence O'Toole, and the 12th century crypt will surely impress you!

A curiosity? In the crypt are a mummified cat and mouse mentioned in a book by James Joyce, popularly known as Tom and Jerry.

11. Kilmainham Gaol

Surely it is not the first place that you think of as a tourist place, but the Kilmainham prison is so incredible and the story it tells is so interesting that it has become another of the places to see in Dublin. It is an old jail where many people who fought for the independence of Ireland were locked up. This visit is a different and entertaining way to learn a few chapters of Irish history!

12. Dublin's castle

Dublin Castle is located in the heart of historic Dublin. It is located in the highest part of the city, near the junction of the River Liffey.

Antiquity

It was formerly used as a Viking settlement, a military fortress, a royal residence, the seat of the Irish Court of Justice and the seat of the English Administration in Ireland. Dublin Castle is used today as a venue for state receptions.

History

After the fire that took place in 1684. the fortress had to be rebuilt. The exterior does not present the aspect that we expect from a castle. But the interior is preserved in perfect condition! The rooms that were used by members of the Royal Family are decorated in detail, with precious rugs, furniture and lamps.

With this visit you will learn some chapters of the history of Dublin and Ireland. I'm sure you'll love it! The only downside is that they are only held in English.

From Yoorney we are sure that if you visit all these places, you will fall in love with Dublin! It will be a crush at first sight. Don't worry though, if you feel like you want to see more, that's normal! We recommend you go through:

Malahide castle
Old Jameson Distillery
The Little Dublin Museum
Glasnevin Cemetery
Irish Museum of Modern Art
Dublinia

Where to eat in Dublin?

The flavors of Irish cuisine stem from centuries of culinary evolution and change. The traditional ingredients are fish, potatoes, garlic, cabbage and many other flavors that the Irish combine to please your palate. We give you some recommendations to taste the typical foods of the area!

4 places to eat in Dublin

The Landmark: It is one of the best places to have a pint and eat something delicious in Dublin. There are sandwiches, burgers, fish & chips and soup of the day, we loved the Guinness ale stew!
Bunsen: We recommend this place! It is one of the most mythical hamburger chains in Dublin. The burgers are amazing! Here he prioritizes quality over quantity. They only offer two types of burgers: plain or with cheese (both can be made double).
Beanhive Coffee: In the mood for a big breakfast spot? It offers one of the best breakfasts in Dublin. And we are talking about the typical Irish breakfast, with eggs, tomato, bacon, beans, mushrooms and sausages.
John Kavanagh – The Gravediggers: If you want to try typical Irish food, homemade, rich and at a good price, you are in the right place! A historic pub, with 200 years of history. We advise you not to hesitate to drink a Guinness!

4 typical dishes of Dublin

The gastronomy and typical cuisine of Dublin is incredible! The dishes are mainly composed of fresh products. In addition, it is very rich and varied!

Irish Stew. A very typical dish! Its main ingredients are lamb, potatoes, onion and parsley, but in different parts of Ireland you can get it prepared with slight differences.
Seafood Chowder. It is a kind of seafood soup with a lot of flavor! It is a very popular dish that can easily be found in Irish restaurants.
Fish and Chips. Fish and chips, a delicious dish that you cannot leave without trying!
Colcannon. It is one of the traditional Irish dishes that is most served at parties in this country. On Saint Patrick's Day, for example, a good bowl of colcannon cannot be missing to accompany the evening.

Dublin with children

Are you going to travel to Dublin with the little ones? All the cultural offer that this city provides is perfect for a family trip. Virtually all tourist visits have an area dedicated to children so they will not get bored at any time.

A getaway in Dublin with children can be a lot of fun! Take a look at the best plans for adults and children in Dublin. You sign up?

Dublin Zoo

There are many family plans to do in Oviedo. If you are traveling with children, we have the ideal plan to keep them entertained! It is located to the west of the city, very close to Phoenix Park. Dublin Zoo is a good place to enjoy nature. They will be able to see many animals live and participate in workshops and talks to learn more about animals and their way of life.

Without a doubt, an educational and fun attraction. It is a must for any family!

Aviva Stadium

Are you a sports family? Then you are going to love visiting the Aviva Stadium. It is the home of the Irish rugby team. It has hosted some of the most exciting matches ever! Take the kids to see the ins and outs with a guided tour and exclusive access to the team locker rooms. Know the strategic places of the stadium to see the best views!

Pet-friendly Dublin

Are you passionate about animals and looking for a different plan? A getaway with your pet is always a good idea. But surely you think, where can they enjoy to their heart's content?

Tourism and pet-friendly getaways have grown in Dublin in recent years. More and more hotels, restaurants and attractions have hung the Pet Friendly sign on their doors. A getaway with your dog is one of the most unforgettable adventures you can have.

Dublin is a very #petfriendly city and that is how we have experienced it. We have been able to do a lot of activities with our dogs!

Fairview Park

In Dublin there are many green areas that have been adapted for dogs, they are becoming more and more numerous. We recommend Fairview Park. The park is spacious and you can easily take your pet for a walk, they will love it!

Restaurants in Dublin to go with dogs

When you go with your pet on a trip, you have to take into account where to go to eat. Sign up for these sites, they won't let you down! The Fumbally Cafe, Network Cafe, Two Pups Coffee and Urbanity.

When the weather is good, you can be on any terrace without any problem with your pet.

Pet Friendly Hotels in Dublin

This is one of the most important points when choosing a travel destination, there are more and more hotels that allow pets.

Accessible Dublin

Adapted tourism is not a pending issue in Dublin.

The adapted tourism still seems like a pending issue for many provinces, is it like this in Dublin? 95% of the sidewalks are lowered and in general it is a fairly flat city and easy to get around in a wheelchair. We were able to experience it first hand and here are some of our favorite adapted and accessible sites:

Monuments and museums: Trinity College, Christ Church Cathedral, Saint Patrick's Cathedral, National Gallery of Art and Guinness Factory.
Roll down the River Liffey.
O'Connell street is accessible. There you will learn a little more about the history of Dublin.

Nocturnal Dublin

Enjoy the night life of Dublin. The city hides a multitude of corners with a special charm to have a good time in good company and where you can walk, have a drink and toast.

These are some of our favorite places to party in Dublin!

Beer lovers in Dublin

If you like to go for beers in Dublin, you cannot leave the city without trying The Stag's Head. A typical more traditional bar impossible! He appears in various movies and advertisements. The writer James Joyce frequented it regularly and Quentin Tarantino has visited it.

Cocktails in Dublin

For those who prefer cocktails, in this city there are many places where you can have a drink. Some of these places are: the Vintage Cocktail Club. You can order an infinite number of cocktails!

Live music in Dublin

Dublin has a number of venues where you can enjoy the best live music. You have to stop by Mezz, Sweeneys, Whelanslive, O'Connells and Cobblestone.

Dublin nightclubs

In Dublin you start to go out for a drink in the evening in a pub, but for clubbing, we recommend Academy, Button Factory and Fitzsimons.

The best nightlife in Dublin. Perfect for having the first or last drink of the night.

How to get to Dublin?

Whenever you have a destination in mind, one of the biggest concerns is getting to the city. The main way to travel to Dublin from Spain is by plane.

How to get to Dublin by plane

To get to Dublin by plane. The simplest, fastest and cheapest is to fly. The main airports in Europe offer regular flights. In Spain you can go from Madrid, Barcelona or Girona. The European airport with the most possible combinations is Heathrow in London.

How to get to Dublin by sea, by ferry

Ireland is connected by maritime services. The options to travel to Ireland by Ferry will depend on the type of route. There are several ports from either Wales or England that carry out the services. To be able to travel there in this way, we must first travel to the British island to catch one of these ferries. It is not possible from any other point in Europe.

How to get around Dublin