Dublin

Main sights

• Trinity College

  The campus is generally open to stroll in daylight, though most interiors are closed to visitors. The Book of Kells and the Old Library are entered by timed slot. The Old Library is due to stay open until the end of 2027, when restoration begins and the manuscript moves to the Printing House on campus.

  Tickets and tours on GetYourGuide for Trinity College (opens in a new tab)
• Dublin Castle

  The seat of British rule in Ireland for seven centuries. The campus is closed to the public until January 2027 for Ireland's EU Council Presidency, so check the official site before building a day around it.

  Tickets and tours on GetYourGuide for Dublin Castle (opens in a new tab)
• St Patrick's and Christ Church cathedrals

  Two medieval cathedrals a short walk apart in the old city. Both charge admission and have shorter hours on some days, so check times if you want to go in as well as past.

  Tickets and tours on GetYourGuide for St Patrick's and Christ Church cathedrals (opens in a new tab)
• GPO, O'Connell Street

  The General Post Office was the headquarters of the 1916 Rising and still works as a post office. The museum inside is listed as open Monday to Saturday.

  Tickets and tours on GetYourGuide for GPO, O'Connell Street (opens in a new tab)
• St Stephen's Green

  A Victorian park at the top of Grafton Street, open in daylight hours. The quieter Iveagh Gardens are a block to the south.

  Tickets and tours on GetYourGuide for St Stephen's Green (opens in a new tab)
• Ha'penny Bridge

  A 43-metre cast-iron footbridge over the Liffey, and the obvious link on foot between Temple Bar and the north bank.

  Tickets and tours on GetYourGuide for Ha'penny Bridge (opens in a new tab)
• Merrion Square

  A large, shady, grassy square ringed by red-brick Georgian houses, and the natural end point of a walk east from Grafton Street.

  Tickets and tours on GetYourGuide for Merrion Square (opens in a new tab)

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Neighbourhoods worth wandering

• Temple Bar

  The cobbled riverside quarter just west of Trinity. By late afternoon it is crowded and loud, particularly with stag and hen parties, so walk it in the morning if you want to see the streets.

• Georgian Dublin

  Merrion and Fitzwilliam Squares and the streets around them, with the red-brick terraces and coloured doors. Flat, wide and easy to loop on foot from St Stephen's Green.

• The Liberties

  One of the oldest districts, west of the cathedrals, and home of the Guinness Storehouse and distilleries. It joins directly on to the old-city walk.

• Smithfield and Stoneybatter

  North of the river and west of the centre, with a growing café and bar scene. The Red Luas line runs through Smithfield if you would rather not walk the quays both ways.

Best areas to explore on foot

1. Along the Liffey

   Follow the quays from the Ha'penny Bridge east to the Docklands and the 120-metre Samuel Beckett Bridge, or west towards the Four Courts. It is flat and easy to shorten, because you can cross back at any of the bridges.

2. Grafton Street to Merrion Square

   Walk up Grafton Street to St Stephen's Green, then cut east to the Georgian squares and the National Gallery. Add the Iveagh Gardens if you have time and want to get off the street.

3. Old city

   Christ Church and St Patrick's sit close together west of Dublin Castle. There is a gentle rise towards Christ Church, the nearest thing the centre has to a hill.

4. Howth Cliff Path

   Take the DART to Howth for a 7.8 km loop from the station along the harbour and clifftops, rated moderate. Visit Dublin puts it at about two hours with around 130 metres of ascent, and suggests walking boots because the ground can be rough.

5. Phoenix Park

   About 707 hectares of parkland west of the centre, one of the largest enclosed green spaces in a European capital. Heuston station, about 2 km west of the centre, is the handy place to start.

Practical walking notes

• Terrain

  Flat, on good paved streets; the centre is about 2 km across.

• Weather

  Mild, with frequent light showers. A waterproof jacket is more useful than an umbrella in the wind off the river.

• Traffic

  Traffic drives on the left, so look right first when crossing. Luas trams also share streets in the centre, so check for them too.

• O'Connell Street

  It has a reputation for open drug dealing and anti-social behaviour, especially at night. See the GPO by day and keep an eye on your belongings on this stretch and on the Red Luas line.

• Free or paid tour

  Tip-based walks suit a first overview and a tight budget. A paid tour is worth it for a specialism or a small group. Our self-guided route covers the south-side highlights at your own pace, though Dublin Castle is currently closed.

When to visit

• Spring and summer

  Long days and the mildest weather; busy around St Patrick's Day (17 March).

• Autumn

  Cooler, with fewer visitors and festivals such as the Dublin Theatre Festival.

• Winter

  Short, damp days, but cosy pubs and Christmas lights.

Getting there and getting around

Arriving

• By air

  Dublin Airport is about 10 km north of the centre, with frequent express buses.

• By sea and rail

  Ferries arrive from Holyhead and Liverpool. Trains link Dublin with Belfast in about two hours.

Local transport

• On foot

  Most sights are within a 20-minute walk of O'Connell Bridge.

• Luas tram

  Two tram lines cross the centre; useful for Smithfield and the Docklands.

• DART

  A coastal railway to seaside villages such as Howth and Dalkey, both popular for cliff walks.