5 Things You Must Do in Dublin Ireland

Rabbie
Posted on 22 Jan 2024

Thinking of things to do in Dublin? Let us step in to help. Being the capital of Ireland has its advantages, and certainly you won’t be stuck for activities in this lively city. But knowing where to spend your time versus where you can leave off your list is the most important skill. Thankfully, we’ve had the pleasure of touring Dublin and beyond and know what things you must include on your city break. Let's get into it.

Table of Contents:

Dublin’s Top 5 Things to Do
Best 5 Places to Eat in Dublin
Where is Dublin?
How to Get to Dublin

Dublin’s Top 5 Things to Do

A weekend with friends, sampling the offerings in each pub, experiencing the rich tapestry of history the city allures. Touring Dublin satisfies the needs of every traveller visiting this region of Ireland. So what are the best things to do? Breaking it down into the top 5 places to visit while in Dublin ensures you tick off the must-see items within your timeframe.

Guinness Storehouse

Synonymous with dark, rich stout, it's impossible to come to the capital of Ireland and not sample its national beverage. The best place to do this? The Guinness Storehouse of course. Open seven days a week, learn the process, how to drink Guinness properly, and the history behind this iron infused drink the Irish love so much. Then finish your tour in the Gravity Bar on the seventh floor, which has incredible views over the city. Trying Guinness in its hometown is one of the best things to do in Dublin. It's really true what they say, a pint of Guinness tastes better brewed in Ireland than anywhere else in the world.

Dublin Castle

As one of the most important buildings in Irish history, a trip to this city would feel incomplete without walking the grounds of Dublin Castle. Once housing the British administrators in Ireland, the Irish took back control when seeking independence in 1922. Today you can take guided or self-guided tours lasting anywhere from 30 minutes to 1 hour. If castle tours are an interest to your holidays, discover the UK and Ireland castle destinations we visit.

National Botanical Gardens

Enrapturing a calm oasis within a bustling city, the National Botanical Gardens are a must-see thing to do while in Dublin. Hosting over 15,000 plant species, any horticulturist or lover of the outdoors will appreciate this attraction. Whether visiting in a small-group tour or as a solo traveller, make sure to include it to your itinerary.

Top tip: ensure you don’t miss out on the Great Palm House. As a beautifully restored glasshouse, it’s no wonder it was a recipient of the Europa Nostra Award.

Trinity College Dublin

Standing proudly as Ireland’s oldest university, Trinity College Dublin is a top thing to do while in the city. Not only can you walk the halls and breathe in the historic architecture, you can immerse yourself in The Book of Kells & Old Library. We’d recommend pre-booking your tickets to ensure entry.

Jameson Distillery Bow St.

A fan of liquid gold? Jameson Distillery is a world-leading whisky tour provider that could give even some of the best Scottish whisky distilleries a run for their money. From incorporating their house blend in a cocktail making class to teaching you about the specific blending, Bow St distillery is a top thing to do while in Dublin.

Best 5 Places to Eat in Dublin

Satisfying all palates and requirements is possible while in Dublin. We would recommend booking in advance for any of the locations listed to ensure you can get seated and not miss out on any of the top things to do in Dublin.

1. Lemon Jelly Café
   Start your day off right in Dublin with an indulgent breakfast served at Lemon Jelly Café. Traditional full Irish breakfasts, sweet crepes, or maybe a savoury omelette is more your style. Sit inside and watch the street come alive in front of you, or sit alfresco and feel like you're transported to a quaint European side street.
2. Beanhive
   Breakfast, lunch, or why not brunch? Beanhive is the place to go when you need a pick-me-up coffee and sweet treat. As a family-run, small independent coffee shop, they have an award-winning barista (Fan) providing training and expertise about all things coffee. Don’t take our word for it, try the high-quality brew yourself.
3. Chapter One Restaurant
   Combining two time Michelin starred head-chef and co-owner Mickael Viljanen’s French flare, customers of Chapter One can expect high-quality Irish cuisine with a twist. Using classical French techniques, the food is as elegant as the setting around you, and makes for a special place to eat while in Dublin.
4. Phx Bistro
   Only using the freshest Irish ingredients, Phx Bistro is a top spot to eat in Dublin for all the meat eaters. Serving arguably one of the best beef burgers in the capital, customers will not be disappointed with any of their servings.
5. Rosa Madre Restaurant
   Being one of the most authentic Italian style seafood restaurants in Dublin, Rosa Madre is a popular dining spot with guests to the capital. Located in the heart of Temple Bar, you can enjoy the vibrancy this cultural quarter offers the city, from live music to quality food.

Where is Dublin?

Dublin is located on the east coast of Ireland, in the province of Leinster and at the head of the Dublin Bay in the Irish Sea. As the capital of Ireland, Dublin is a sought-after destination for tourists and traders alike, thanks to being easily accessible from overseas, through flight or ferry. Whether you have 5 days in Ireland or are here for a short weekend break, Dublin can be a great starting point for all adventures.

How to Get to Dublin

Visiting Dublin and experiencing all the top attractions is easy, but can depend on your starting location. Already in Ireland? Public transport and car routes are easy to navigate. Flying from overseas? Dublin Airport is one of the busiest in Europe and hosts hundreds of flights daily. Discover the best option for you, so you can start planning what attractions you want to see in Dublin.

Visiting by Train

• Direct trains between Belfast and Dublin take around 2 hours and 15 minutes
• Direct trains between Killarney and Dublin take just over 4 hours (4 hrs and 2 minutes)
• Direct trains between Galway and Dublin take just under 2 hours and 30 minutes (2 hrs and 28 minutes)

Not only is travelling via train one of the quickest ways to access the capital of Ireland, it can be one of the more environmentally responsible ways to travel too. From the comfort of your seat, feel like you’re doing your small part as you gaze at the landscape stretching beyond the train carriage windows. Ireland has never looked this beautiful.

Visiting by Plane

Another way to visit Dublin is by plane. Housing the capital’s runway, Dublin Airport (IATA Code: DUB) sees hundreds of flights take off and land each day, making it easy for travellers touring from Europe. However, Ireland hosts several international airports which you can arrive at before making your way to Dublin.

• Belfast Airport (IATA code: BFS) located about 111 km from Dublin
• Shannon Airport (IATA code: SNN) located about 228 km from Dublin
• Cork Airport (IATA code: ORK) located about 265 km from Dublin

Visiting by Car

Driving to Dublin from other Irish towns and cities is pretty straightforward. You’ll also have the freedom to explore the Emerald Isle at your own pace and whim. If driving is not for you, you can discover our small group tours from Belfast, or journeys from Killarney.

• From Belfast, driving to Dublin takes 2 hours and 23 minutes (166 km)
• From Cork, driving to Dublin takes 3 hour and 27 minutes (260 km)
• From Killarney, driving to Dublin takes 4 hour and 21 minutes (308 km)

Feel the Luck of the Irish in Dublin

Dublin is not the only place to add to your Irish bucket list. With a wealth of insider knowledge, book an Irish tour with passionate guides who are more than happy to share the tales of the Emerald Isle with you. Whether it's knowing more about places to visit while in Belfast, or the top things to know before seeing Killarney, we can do it all. Sign up to our newsletter and never miss out on knowing new destinations or tour dates.