First Timer’s Guide To Dublin + What To Avoid 2025

People love to debate whether Dublin’s worth more than a pint and a pub crawl. Some skip it entirely en route to greener pastures (literally), but stay long enough to stand in the Long Room of the Old Library at Trinity College, walk through Kilmainham Gaol, or pour your own pint of Guinness, and you’ll start to scratch the surface to see what makes this city so memorable. Dublin is about layers, stories, and a good conversation over better pour.

There’s plenty of ways to do it wrong, but look beyond for the hidden gems and you’ll find that Dublin is not the tourist trap that so many try to avoid. 

How Many Days Do You Really Need in Dublin?

If it’s your first time in the Dublin, set aside at least three days to experience all the major highlights at relaxed pace or five days to explore a bit more outside the city center. The capital city is walkable, compact, and filled with attractions for the historically, musically, or culturally inclined. It’s nowhere near as big as Paris or London, which means you can see most things without needing to rush or sacrifice sleep.

Even if you’re just using it as a gateway to Ireland’s stunning west coast or the beautiful north, give it at least two nights. You’ll understand when you’re sipping a perfectly poured Guinness with live trad music in a pub filled with happy strangers and want to do it again the next night.

Here’s what I’ll cover and you can jump ahead to any of these sections:

Don’t Skip These Experiences

Free Things To Do In Dublin

Where To Stay In Dublin

What To Avoid

Is the Dublin City Pass Worth Getting?

Is Temple Bar Worth Visiting?

Guinness Storehouse vs Jameson Distillery

Public Transportation In Dublin

Getting To/From Dublin Airport

Day Trips From Dublin Worth Doing

Highlights and Must-Do Activities in Dublin

You can find many list of things to do in Dublin, but I highlighted my favorites in case you’re a bit short on time, or the type of traveler that doesn’t jump from one activity to the next. To me, these are the iconic experiences of Dublin that you just shouldn’t miss + one that I just really liked.

I’d do everything on this list if you had the time plus a few more from amongst the many free things to do in Dublin in the section right after.

1. Guinness Storehouse

You can ignore the comments about this place being a tourist trap. Sure, it’s crowded with tourists, but there’s a reason everyone comes. This is nothing like your average brewery tour. The Guinness Storehouse is an immersive, multi-level experience that blends interactive storytelling with science and history and culminates in a cold pint or two with a 360 view of Dublin.

As you ascend the first escalator to the first floor, it feels more like stepping into Las Vegas than a museum, complete with a barley field under a digital sky and a waterfall light projection show.

Read about my full walkthrough and honest review of the Guinness Storehouse.

And yes, you can get your face printed on a pint (the STOUTie) or learn to properly pour a Guinness pint with the signature foam dome. Between the live music at the Arrol Bar and the gorgeous top-floor views of the Gravity Bar, this is an easy place to spend 2-3 hours.

Online tickets cost around €30 depending on the time slot and include a tasting and a full pint at the Gravity Bar. You can also choose their Connosseur Experience for a more private experience with a variety of tasting in a tucked away secret bar.

2. Kilmainham Gaol

Kilmainham Gaol was designed with rehabilitation in mind, a rare and progressive concept for its time. It is a stark yet beautiful example of Victorian prison architecture where natural light floods the central panopticon-style chamber, with three levels of open walkways under a massive glass ceiling.

Historically, this was where the leaders of the 1916 Easter Rising were imprisoned and later executed, turning the tide of public opinion in favor of independence. Children as young as 3 were once jailed here for petty crimes like begging. The old cells are haunting to pass by and are a visceral reminder of harsher times.

A guided tour, that you should book in advance online, is the only way to visit the jail. Afterwards, there’s a museum that carries its own weight.

You can read about my HAUNTING VISIT TO THE KILMAINHAM GAOL if you want to learn more.

3. Trinity College + The Long Room

Founded in 1592 by Queen Elizabeth I, Trinity College was established as a Protestant university in a mostly Catholic country, and remained largely closed to Catholics for centuries. Up until the 1970s, Catholic students needed written approval from church authorities just to attend.

People come here to marvel at the Old Library’s Long Room, a vaulted, two-story wood-paneled hall lined with rare ancient texts and marble busts of famous thinkers through the ages. It’s also home to the Book of Kells, an intricately illustrated manuscript created by Celtic monks around 800 AD.

You can book the self-guided access to the Book of Kells and the Long Room here.

If you have time, I recommend doing the Trinity Trails tour ahead of the Book of Kells Experience to learn about the college’s unique history and to visit the stunning Museum Building.

4. Vintage Afternoon Tea Bus Tour

For friends or family trips, I can’t recommend enough enjoying a fun afternoon tea experience on a colorful vintage 1960s double-decker bus.

The biggest question I had was how they keep the tiered stands of scones and sandwiches and tea from falling all over during the sightseeing ride across Dublin. Answer: non-slip mats.

The food is lovely, coffee and tea are free-flowing while you drive across the main city sights with humorous commentary from your guide.

It’s random, and I love random things.

You can read more about my afternoon tea experience before you decide for yourself.

5. Live Trad Irish Music

Dublin’s pub scene is famous for a good reason: the flowing pints and infectious live music. If you have time, spend a couple of hours at one of the pubs in Temple Bar, but here are a few other places worth checking out:

The Brazen Head: The oldest pub in Ireland, operating since 1198, with live music every night and a historical vibe that feels more genuine than gimmicky.

O’Donoghue’s: A real musician’s pub, known for its nightly sessions packed into a small front bar.

The Cobblestone: Gritty, authentic, and slightly off the tourist radar. It’s where musicians play for each other as much as for the crowd.

Oliver St. John Gogarty’s: In Temple Bar, but surprisingly relaxed and a good place to catch acoustic sets.

6. Catch a Comedy Show

Ireland has well-deserved stand-up comedy scene and Dublin is where the best come to perform. There’s always a show somewhere any day of the week and the admission is quite fair for the quality.

I stopped in for a show at the InStitches Comedy Club (location) below the Peader Kearney Bar. It’s an intimate space with a mix of veteran and up and coming comics. There’s live-music upstairs so you can come before the show for a drink.

The Den Craic Comedy Club (location) at the Workmans Club is arguably the premier stand-up club in Dublin, where the best local and visiting comics come to perform.

The International Bar is legendary among locals and stand-ups, this dive bar hosts comedy shows Thursday – Sunday.

The Best Free Things To Do in Dublin

One thing I love about Dublin is the abundance of high quality things to do without spending any money.

National Gallery of Ireland

The impressive building is home to an even more impressive collection of European and Irish art. It’s incredible to find a free museum where you can find works by Vermeer, Caravaggio, Jack B. Yeats, and other Irish masters, all housed in a mix of modern and classical wings.

It’s big enough to rarely feel crowded, and a perfect place to spend an hour or two in the morning or in between other attractions. 

Irish Museum of Modern Art (IMMA)

Housed in a 17th-century hospital, it is contemporary art meets classical architecture. There’s a large outdoor sculpture garden, and the grounds are nice for a relaxing walk. The promenade walkway starts just across the street from the Kilmainham Gaol, so it’s worth pairing the two.

Stephen’s Green Shopping Center

From the outside, you’d hardly think this white ironworks building straight out of the Victorian era is a shopping complex. But inside the well-light conservatory-like space is a mall with restaurants overlooking the city, a photography gallery about the Great Famine, and your run-of-the-mill retail shops. The interior space is rather underutilized in my opinion, but it’s worth visiting just for the architecture.

National Museum of Ireland, Kildare Street (Archaeology)

There are three branches of the National Museum of Ireland, all free, but the most impressive is the Archaeology building on Kildare Street.

Think preserved bog bodies, Viking swords, and Celtic gold. The building itself is beautiful, and the exhibitions tell Ireland’s story from ancient through to early Christian times.

Chester Beatty Museum

Located behind Dublin Castle, this often-overlooked gem houses one of the world’s most impressive collections of manuscripts and religious texts. It’s small but worth the visit, especially for the gardens outside.

Ha’Penny Bridge

There are 24 bridges in Dublin, but this is one of my favorites. Named for the half-penny toll once charged to cross it, this cast-iron pedestrian bridge over the River Liffey is one of Dublin’s most iconic spots and used to connect the working-class neighborhoods to the main shopping streets. At one point, it was the only pedestrian bridge in the city for decades.

An alternative way to see the bridges and explore Dublin at water level is to kayak down the Grand Canal.

Random Fact: O’Connell Street, running  down the heart of Dublin, is the widest street in Europe at 160 feet (49 meters). The connecting O’Connell Bridge is even more notable for being wider than it is long.

George’s Street Arcade

You can visit a Victorian-era indoor market that’s one of Europe’s oldest if you’re keen on a bit of boutique shopping. The mix of quirky stalls, vintage shops, and food stands is for picking up gifts, grabbing a coffee or just taking shelter from the rain (like I did).

Phoenix Park

One of the largest urban parks in Europe, Phoenix Park is home to wild deer, the Dublin Zoo, and the President’s residence. I recommend renting a bike and escaping from the bustle of the city center for a few hours.

Swim at the Forty Foot

The coastal waters around Ireland more or less stays cold year-round making a cold dip a rite of passage for locals and travelers alike. This iconic seaside swimming spot in Sandycove  Yes, even in December. The views are beautiful, and it’s just a short DART ride from the city center.

If want a more adrenaline-fueled adventure, consider a bit of coasteering around the Bray Harbour.

Where to Stay In Dublin

If this is your first time, I’d generally recommend to stay close to or on the south side of the River Liffey, where most of the attractions and museums are located. It’s easy enough to walk to O’Connell street and it generally feels safer at night.

1. NYX Hotel Dublin Christchurch

Right across from the iconic Christchurch Cathedral, the design-forward NYX Hotel Dublin gets you within walking distance of Temple Bar, Dublin Castle, and the Guinness Storehouse. Bold decor, moody lighting, and a young, playful vibe make it a great pick for travelers who want to be near the action without staying in the thick of Temple Bar.

2. The Chancery Hotel

New and quietly upscale, The Chancery sits just behind St. Patrick’s Cathedral in a calmer corner of the city while still being close to everything. Interiors are contemporary with soft tones and smart finishes. It’s ideal for couples or travelers looking for a peaceful base with a spa and fitness center.

3. The Grafton

The upscale boutique is steps from its namesake Grafton Street, Dublin’s main shopping drag. With cozy rooms and a curated design aesthetic, The Grafton balances style and comfort and perfect for those who want to be in a bustling area of Dublin that’s away from the pubs.

4. Anantara The Marker

If there’s a splurge hotel in Dublin, it’d be the Anantara The Marker with its ultra modern architecture and full luxury offerings. It’s on the south side of the River Liffey by the Grand Canal. Just far enough away if you want a bit of a retreat. There’s naturally a spa, pool and fitness center amongst the many other amenities you’d expect from an Anantara property.

5. Zanzibar Locke

A modern aparthotel with apartment-style suites right along the Liffey. Zanzibar Locke is located an easy walking distance of Temple Bar and O’Connell Street, but tucked away just enough to avoid the noise. Great choice for couples or solo travelers wanting a little more space and flexibility.

6. The Hendrick Smithfield

Dublin’s first ‘street art hotel,’ located in the youthful Smithfield neighborhood, near the Jameson Distillery. Rooms at The Hendrick Smithfield are compact and modern, with a minimalist feel. It’s a cool, budget-friendly alternative to Temple Bar, with a calmer atmosphere.

7. The Alex

Bright, polished, and quietly luxurious, The Alex is close to Trinity College and the National Gallery. It’s a solid pick for travelers who want a central but slightly more refined stay, especially with nearby access to parks and museums.

8. Ruby Molly Hotel

A newcomer to the Dublin scene, Ruby Molly blends boutique cool with riverside charm. It’s near Smithfield and the Four Courts, so you’re just outside the city center but still within walking distance of major sights. Expect soft lighting, pared-back rooms, and a focus on comfort.

9. Latroupe Jacobs Inn

This stylish hybrid hostel and hotel offers shared dorms and private rooms, making it the best choice for solo or budget backpackers who still want something nicer even if they are in a dormitory capsule. Latroupe Jacobs Inn is close to the train station and walking distance to O’Connell Street and the Docklands, it’s one of the best value stays in central Dublin.

What To Avoid in Dublin

In general, I found people in Ireland to be quite friendly and helpful, but as with most major cities, petty crime and annoyances means you should still be mindful of your surroundings.

North of O’Connell Street After Dark

O’Connell Street is packed and busy during the day, but I’d exercise more caution in the evening, especially heading further north and around the smaller side streets. The area around Connolly Station and further east should also be avoided at night. One well-known common nuisance is the unruly and aggressive behavior of youths in groups.

Sadly, I experienced this by myself and was attacked unprovoked, by a group of teen boys, in the middle of the day.

Generic Irish Menus

Annoying, but much more harmless, are the generic and repetitive food offerings at pubs and restaurants in the city center. So many menus tend to blur together offering the same dishes, same high prices, and little creativity.

Temple Bar pubs and restaurants are notorious for this. See the next session for where to eat instead.

All-Day Bus Tours

While you can visit the Cliffs of Moher or Giant’s Causeway as a day trip, it means spending almost the entire day on a bus, with most of it sitting in the bus. While the Cliffs of Moher are beautiful, it’s better to do this if you’re driving yourself or going from Galway.

The Giant’s Causeway is better as trip from Belfast.

Where To Eat In Dublin?

Here’s the thing about Irish food. The root of the country’s cuisine was historically based around creating a hearty meal from what was readily available. So you have stews, a lot of potatoes, fish and chips, and pies. Some might call it boring.

Ask locals where they like to eat, and you might be surprised that they often point to international restaurants. Good Irish cuisine is found in home kitchens and not in the average and predictable menus you find in city center restaurants. Easy everyday meals are found in cheap takeaway joints and the pub is a place to fill the stomach when you’re drinking.

My friends in Dublin pointed out the Bunsen and Boojum chains for cheap burgers and Mexican. Masa (Mexican) and Pickle (Indian), Uno Mas (Spanish) and Las Tapas de Lola (Spanish) were other recommendations – all international restaurants coming from locals.

In general, it seems for better cuisine, the Portabello neighborhood, just southwest of St. Stephen’s Greens, was the area to go. One hidden gem is Seafood Café, an upmarket restaurant that focuses on the abundance of seafood from the coasts.

For your money, I’d start with a local secret food tour on the first day and get recommendations directly from a local foodie.

Is The Dublin Go City Pass Worth Getting?

I think if you’re in the city for 3 or more days, it’s worth getting the Go City Public Pass. While you can save with money with a 1 or 2 day pass, it might not be worth it.

If you’re hitting most of the  high-priced attractions, it can save you a fair amount. There are options for 1 – 5 consecutive days of access to over 40 attractions and tours around the city. It’s available as a mobile pass for easy access to most places. A few will require booking a time in advance, but it’s quite easy to do.

The biggest potential for savings are in the premium experiences costing up to €40 each.

• Guinness Storehouse (up to €30)
• Jameson Distillery Bow St. Tour (up €31)
• Big Bus Hop-On Hop-Off Bus Tour (€34 for 1-day ticket)
• Dublin Coastal Tour (€40)
• Game of Thrones Studio Tour (€30)
• Food on Foot Walking Food Tour (€30)
• EPIC The Irish Emigration Museum (€20)
• Teeling Whiskey Distillery Tour (€20)
• Dublin Liberties Distillery (€20)
• Little Museum of Dublin (€17)
• Dublin Castle (€8)
• Jeanie Johnston Tall Ship & Famine Museum (€15)

If you visit just the Guinness Storehouse, Jameson Distillery, and EPIC Museum, you’re already pushing €80. A 3-Day Pass costs around €124 for adults, so you’re breaking even (or better) with a few solid stops each day. Add the hop-on hop-off bus or another distillery tour and you’re ahead.

Is Temple Bar Worth Visiting?

It’s not as bad as the online reviews say. I heard all the warnings about Temple Bar and crowded and overpriced. But here’s the thing: it’s popular for a reason, even if it’s not the most ‘authentic’ scene. The crowd makes it an undeniably fun place to pop into any time of day or week. Maybe, just don’t linger too long.

Even the locals will tell you it’s atmospheric and fun in small doses. A few of the mainstays of Temple Bar.

Temple Bar Pub: It’s iconic and every corner of this massive pub is filled even in the middle of the day on account of too the live music that goes on all day.

Auld Dubliner: Slightly more relaxed and easier to get a seat, but just as good of a time, especially if you want some breathing room.

Oliver St. John Gogarty’s: Chillest of the bunch, and often has quality acoustic sets.

Once you’ve had the experience, head to more authentic pubs around the city. You’ll only have paid a couple more euros per pint anyway. You can easily skip the overpriced food there though.

Guinness Storehouse vs. Jameson Distillery

I’d do both, but if you had to choose, go with the Guinness Storehouse. The scale, design, and sensory storytelling of the Storehouse make it more than a beer tour. It’s like Las Vegas meets Disneyland for fans of the stout beer. You can learn how to pour a proper pint (yes, there’s an actual technique), print your face onto the foam of one, or just take in the 360 view of Dublin from their sky bar.

Jameson Distillery, on the other hand, offers a more classical distillery experience. The Bow St. tour focuses on the triple-distilled whiskey process, with tastings and cocktail classes. It’s well done and worth doing if this is the only distillery you plan on visiting while in Ireland.

If you have the time, you can also do a skip-the-line guided tour of both places with all the tastings.

Public Transportation in Dublin

Dublin is a very walkable city, with most of the attractions doable on foot and within 30-40 minutes of each other. However, it can be quite convenient to use public transportation, especially if you’re heading out of the city center.

Unfortunately, you need to pay cash with exchange change for the fare, so it’s best to consider one of the two Leap Card options.

TFI Leap Visitor Card: Buy a Leap Visitor Card for 1, 3, or 7 days to get unlimited use on buses, trams (Luas), and trains (DART). They cost €8, €16, and €32, respectively for the different durations.

TFI Leap Card: You can also buy a regular Leap Card for €5 (refundable deposit) + €5 minimum top-off and add to it as you need.

Note: Luas and Dublin Bus systems are easy to use and reliable, though they stop running earlier than you might expect on weekdays, so check the timetables. I found Google Maps to be pretty reliable.

Getting To/From Dublin Airport

Aircoach and Dublin Express run frequently to the city center and other destinations in Ireland. Dublin express is generally cheaper (around €8) if you are going into the city center, while Aircoach providers more options for getting to other parts of Ireland.  Roundtrip fares on Aircoach are cheaper than one-way fares.

Taxi cost between €25 – €35 and takes around 25 minutes. Rideshare apps like Uber and Free Now connect o with local taxis.

Day Trips Worth Doing From Dublin

Game of Thrones Studio Tour (Banbridge)

A full sensory experience for fans of the series inside the original Linen Mill Studios where much of the series was filmed. Walk through sets like Dragonstone, Castle Black, and the Throne Room, see Balerion’s massive skull, interactive exhibits, and thousands of props and costumes. Fans will lose their minds. I spent over two hours here. Oh, and there’s a surprise waiting for you right at the start.

It’s about 90 minutes away from Dublin and the easiest way to visit is to choose studio coach transfer. Otherwise, you’ll need to drive to a separate location and take a shuttle to get to the studio.

Howth

An Easy DART ride gets to out to the vibrant coastal village in less than an hour. There’s a beautiful cliff walk, fresh seafood, and a charming harbor to make this an ideal half-day trip.

Poolbeg Lighthouse

A long sea wall walk with a big reward to breathe in the fresh sea area and get away from the city. It’s one of the best spots in Dublin to watch the sunset.

Kilkenny and Galway

Kilkenny is about 1.5 hours away and Galway is about 2.5 away from Dublin. Both as technically doable as day trips, but personally they’re worth at least an overnight stay.

Final Thoughts

Dublin is a good hub to start and end your trip to Ireland. While the West and North of Ireland are arguably more picturesque, Dublin has a lot more to do for the active traveler.

It’s easy to explore on foot, full of history, and the nightlife makes this city very alive. Three days here should be a good amount of time to get a taste and still leave you with enough reasons to return.

Updated on June 5, 2025