What To See in Dublin - Things to see and do in Dublin

Dublin's fair city has enjoyed an eclectic, and sometimes turbulent history. Founded as a Viking city, Dublin has had Celtic, Norman, and British influence. In 1916, the city was famously the site of the Easter Rising, a rebellion that played a crucial role in the country's struggle for independence, which ultimately would be achieved in 1922.

Today, Ireland's capital is known for its literary and artistic heritage, friendly atmosphere, and legendary pub culture. The hometown of such figures as James Joyce, Oscar Wilde, Bono, and Sinéad O'Connor. Walking through the city, you can get a feel for its history and culture at the General Post Office (GPO), Phoenix Park, and Trinity College.

Must-Sees in Dublin

Discover the city's main landmarks as part of a free tour of Dublin, or on a private tour. Accompanied by an expert guide, you'll gain a deeper insight into the city's history and culture.

O'Connell Street is the city's main thoroughfare, featuring a number of Dublin's most iconic sites, most notably the Spire and the GPO. You'll also find lots of great shopping options along this street.

Temple Bar is the most famous area in the city and one of the most frequented! This part of the city has lots of pubs playing live music, and eateries to check out. Keep in mind however that this area is generally much more expensive than the rest of the city!

Check out these activities to see Dublin's must-sees:

Top 10

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O'Connell Street

Situated in the heart of Dublin, O’Connell Street is the city’s main artery, packed with pubs, stores, hotels and restaurants.

Grafton Street

Grafton Street is one of the most important and crowded pedestrian walkways in Dublin. It used to be home to the world-renowned Molly Malone statue.

Christ Church Cathedral

Christ Church Cathedral is also called the Cathedral of the Holy Trinity and is currently the oldest Anglican church in Dublin.

Temple Bar

Temple Bar is one of Dublin’s oldest and most charismatic areas. It's packed with pubs, restaurants and offers locals and tourists a great night out.

National Archaeology Museum

The National Museum of Ireland – Archaeology, founded in 1890, features centuries-old objects (the earliest dating from 7000 B.C.) displayed in 7 halls.

St Patrick's Cathedral

St Patrick’s Cathedral is Ireland’s largest church and was founded near the well where the patron saint of Ireland baptized the converted around 450AD.

Trinity College

Trinity College Dublin is Ireland’s oldest and internationally recognized university. Its historic campus is well worth visiting.

St Stephen's Green

St Stephen’s Green is one of Ireland’s oldest public parks. Formed in 1664 in the city’s outskirts, it's now part of the city centre.

Guinness Storehouse

Discover one of Dublin’s most-popular attractions, the Guinness Storehouse, an old fermentation plant for Guinness Brewery.

Kilmainham Gaol

Established in 1796, Kilmainham Gaol is an old prison in Dublin. It has housed many nationalist prisoners that fought for Ireland’s independence.

Dublin's Museums & Galleries

Ireland's capital is also home to a number of fantastic cultural spaces. Visit the Hugh Lane Gallery to see modern and contemporary art, the (free) National Gallery of Ireland, and the National Wax Museum.

Some lesser-known museums that are well worth checking out include the Oscar Wilde House museum, the Irish Rock 'N' Roll Museum, and, if you're interested in literature, the Museum of Literature, which explores storytelling in Ireland, from medieval traditions to Ulysses by James Joyce!

Museums and galleries

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National Archaeology Museum

The National Museum of Ireland – Archaeology, founded in 1890, features centuries-old objects (the earliest dating from 7000 B.C.) displayed in 7 halls.

National Gallery

The National Gallery of Ireland in Dublin houses a well-regarded art collection from between the Middle Ages and the 12th century.

Decorative Arts & History Museum

National Museum of Ireland — Decorative Arts & History is situated in Collins Barracks, an imposing neo-classical building constructed in 1702.

Hugh Lane Gallery

The Hugh Lane Gallery was established in 1908. It's the oldest art gallery in Ireland with works of art by Irish and international artists.

Irish Museum of Modern Art

The Irish Museum of Modern Art (IMMA) houses a large collection of modern and contemporary art by both Irish and international artists.

Natural History Museum

The National Museum of Ireland - Natural History, also known as the Dead Zoo, houses a large collection of animals from abroad and from Ireland.

National Wax Museum

The National Wax Museum in Dublin has 4 stories packed with waxworks representing all types of celebrities and several interactive attractions.

National Leprechaun Museum

The National Leprechaun Museum is in the heart of Dublin. Opened in 2010, it unveils Irish culture and folklore to its visitors.

Chester Beatty Library

The Chester Beatty Library is a popular museum that reflects the world’s most relevant religions and cultures: East Asian, Western and Islamic.

Churches & Cathedrals

With Ireland's long Catholic tradition, Dublin is also known for its beautiful, historic churches and cathedrals. Grab a ticket to Christchurch Cathedral, the oldest standing structure in Dublin. dating back to the 12th century. Another must-visit is St. Patrick's Cathedral, dedicated to the country's patron saint. Also check out St Michan's Church, once the only church on the north side of the River Liffey, and the burial site of some of Dublin's most famous families.

Churches

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Christ Church Cathedral

Christ Church Cathedral is also called the Cathedral of the Holy Trinity and is currently the oldest Anglican church in Dublin.

St Patrick's Cathedral

St Patrick’s Cathedral is Ireland’s largest church and was founded near the well where the patron saint of Ireland baptized the converted around 450AD.

St. Michan's Church

St. Michan’s Church was for many centuries the only church in Dublin on the north side of River Liffey. It's famous for its somber crypt.

St. Audoen's Church

St. Audoen’s Church was erected between 1181 and 1212 and is one of Ireland’s oldest medieval churches and the only parish of its time still standing.

St Mary's Pro Cathedral

Affectionately nicknamed ‘Pro’, St. Mary’s Pro Cathedral was established between 1815 and 1825 on the ruins of the Cistercian Abbey of St. Mary.

St. Ann's Church

Built at the beginning of the 18th century, St. Ann’s Church has become one of Dublin’s most popular parishes by virtue of its generosity.

St. Teresa's Church

Located between Grafton Street and Clarendon Street, St. Teresa’s Church is a haven of peace amidst the bustle of Dublin’s city centre.

Dublin's Top Landmarks

Dublin's most popular tourist attraction is undoubtedly the Guinness Storehouse, which opened in 1759 when Arthur Guinness took out a 9,000-year lease on the property. Here, visitors can learn about the history of one of the world's most iconic drinks, and taste it straight from the source, with some of the best views of the city!

Another of Dublin's most popular (and historically important) attractions is Trinity College, dating back to 1592. Walk through the college grounds to see the famous Long Room, Trinity's old library. Here, you'll also find the Book of Kells—a 1,200-year-old illuminated manuscript, and one of the country's most prized artifacts.

Monuments and tourist attractions

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O'Connell Street

Situated in the heart of Dublin, O’Connell Street is the city’s main artery, packed with pubs, stores, hotels and restaurants.

Grafton Street

Grafton Street is one of the most important and crowded pedestrian walkways in Dublin. It used to be home to the world-renowned Molly Malone statue.

Temple Bar

Temple Bar is one of Dublin’s oldest and most charismatic areas. It's packed with pubs, restaurants and offers locals and tourists a great night out.

Trinity College

Trinity College Dublin is Ireland’s oldest and internationally recognized university. Its historic campus is well worth visiting.

Guinness Storehouse

Discover one of Dublin’s most-popular attractions, the Guinness Storehouse, an old fermentation plant for Guinness Brewery.

Kilmainham Gaol

Established in 1796, Kilmainham Gaol is an old prison in Dublin. It has housed many nationalist prisoners that fought for Ireland’s independence.

Jameson Distillery

Today an Irish whiskey museum, Jameson Distillery Bow St was where the company distilled its whiskey for nearly 200 years, until 1971.

Dublin Castle

Severely damaged by a fire in 1684, Dublin Castle, an Irish government complex, was rebuilt completely and currently doesn’t look like a traditional castle

City Hall

Dublin’s City Hall is a marvelous example of Georgian architecture. Designed by Thomas Cooley, it was built between 1769 and 1779.

Custom House

The impressive neoclassical Custom House was designed during the 18th century as the headquarters of the Commissioners of Customs and Excise.

Dublinia

Dublinia is an interactive museum that invites visitors to go back in time to Ireland’s capital when it was a Viking settlement and in the Middle Ages.

Number Twenty Nine

Number Twenty-Nine is a Georgian house museum built in 1794. By exploring this museum, you’ll discover how the bourgeoisie lived between 1790-1820.

Casino Marino

The Casino at Marino is an 18th-century neo-classical pleasure house designed by Sir William Chambers for the first Earl of Charlemont.

Parks and Garden's in Dublin

Dublin is home to some stunning parks and gardens, perfect for relaxing or exploring the city’s natural beauty. Phoenix Park, one of the largest urban parks in Europe, offers wide open spaces, lush greenery, and even wild deer. St. Stephen’s Green, located in the heart of the city, is a beautifully landscaped park with ponds, lovely flower beds, and open spaces for picnics during the summer. Famously, when the band U2 received the 'Freedom of Dublin' award, they brought sheep to graze in this public park, an ancient right afforded to Freemen and Freewomen of Dublin.