By Gemma Tedaldi | Published: 15th December 2023 | Updated: 30th July 2024
Planning a trip to Ireland and wondering if Dublin is worth visiting? Well, if like us you enjoy traditional Irish music, beautiful architecture, and wonderful food then yes Dublin is most definitely worth visiting! Read on to discover why we think Dublin is worth a visit;
Planning Your Trip? Use our favourite travel resources below:
Accommodation: We recommend Booking.com
Rental Car: We recommend Rentalcars.com
Flights: We recommend Kiwi.com
Tours: We recommend Get Your Guide
Is Dublin worth visiting?
Dublin is 100% worth visiting. With traditional Irish pubs and bars playing music into the small hours, wonderful food, (again with some places open into the small hours!), and historical sights and museums to visit, you can never be bored when in Dublin.
If you use the Dublin Go City Passes, you can get highly discounted tickets to all the main attractions throughout Dublin, including the Guinness Storehouse, Big Bus tours, Jamesons Distillery and all the castles and museums you can think of, (some are even up to 50% cheaper!).
The city may have a reputation for being a destination for partying, or for stag and hen do’s, (and don’t get us wrong there have been a few of them when we have visited), but there is much more to Dublin than partying. But if you are there for the drinks then it’s the home of Guinness, so win-win!
Is Dublin worth visiting in spring?
Spring in Dublin is when the weather starts to warm up and when the Irish celebration of all Irish celebrations hits Ireland. 17th March is St Patrick’s Day across Ireland, with parades and partying throughout Dublin. It is the busiest time to visit Dublin but if you want to experience St Partick’s Day then where better!
📍 February – Average high and low temperatures of 8°C / 2°C, and 10 days of rain
📍 March – Average high and low temperatures of 10°C / 3°C, and 11 days of rain
📍 April – Average high and low temperatures of 13°C / 4°C, and 10 days of rain
Is Dublin worth visiting in summer?
Dublin in summer is one of the warmest times of the year in Dublin, although the rain is just the same as the rest of the year! (When we visited in June, it rained nearly non-stop!) It can be one of the busiest times to visit Dublin however, with the school summer holidays as well as a few Bank Holidays too.
📍 May – Average high and low temperatures of 15°C / 6°C, and 11 days of rain
📍 June – Average high and low temperatures of 18°C / 9°C, and 10 days of rain
📍 July – Average high and low temperatures of 20°C / 11°C, and 10 days of rain
Is Dublin worth visiting in autumn?
Dublin in autumn is very much like summer, with similar temperatures and the end of the summer holidays making it somewhat busy. Autumn is a great time to visit Dublin if you want to make the most of the city parks and gardens though, with the leaves changing colour and the leftover warmth making it great.
📍 August – Average high and low temperatures of 20°C / 11°C, and 11 days of rain
📍 September – Average high and low temperatures of 17°C / 9°C, and 10 days of rain
📍 October – Average high and low temperatures of 14°C / 7°C, and 11 days of rain
Is Dublin worth visiting in winter?
Winter in Dublin is one of the rainiest times of the year to visit Ireland, let alone Dublin, but don’t let that put you off. With Christmas Markets arriving at the end of November through to the end of December and Tradfest Temple Bar festival, an Irish music and culture festival held in Temple Bar at the end of January to look forward to as well.
📍 November – Average high and low temperatures of 10°C / 4°C, and 11 days of rain
📍 December – Average high and low temperatures of 9°C / 3°C, and 12 days of rain
📍 January – Average high and low temperatures of 8°C / 2°C, and 13 days of rain
10 Things To Do In Dublin
Having visited Dublin a couple of times now, we thought it only best that we compile a list of our top 10 must do experiences in Dublin that you just have to do and see whilst visiting. Be it your first trip or the ‘you’ve had so many trips you’ve lost count’ trip, our top 10 list never gets old.
1 – Visit the Guinness Storehouse
Now it goes without saying, if you’re on a trip to Dublin, you have to stop by the Guinness Storehouse. If the chance to grab a free pint doesn’t appeal to you enough, then think of the 360-degree views over Dublin from the bar at the top!
2 – Visit Jameson’s Distillery
If Guinness isn’t your cup of tea but whisky is, then you should head for Jamesons Distillery instead. I have to say personally I’m not a fan of whisky, but the experience you get whilst learning about how the whisky is made is so much fun!
3 – Devour an Irish Stew
Not only will this meal fill you with warmth and the luck of the Irish, but it is delicious! We would highly recommend trying one in The Oliver, St John Gogarty and washing it down with a pint of Guinness!
4 – Wander through Temple Bar
The main area for nightlife and typical Irish pubs, Temple Bar is another hot spot for tourists to Dublin and rightly so! You will struggle to wander through Temple Bar and not want to dive into each and every shop/bar/restaurant you pass from the sheer music and aroma filled senses that meet you.
5 – Take in Dublin Castle
For the history buffs and those who want a bit of Irish culture, make sure to visit Dublin Castle. With vast ornate rooms, beautiful gardens and a rather impressive stamp collection, it’s not only a place to hide from the rain!
6 – Listen to Folk music
A fiddle being played here, a live band there and everything in between, is what you will find in Dublin! You’ll be spoilt for choice as to where to spend your time with so many wonderful artists gracing the pubs, bars and cafes.
7 – Gaze at Dublin from the River Liffey
Why keep to dry land when you can hop in a kayak or on a SUP and explore the city from the water?! Not only does it make for some interesting views but it’s super fun! Make sure you keep an eye out for Ha’Penny Bridge too!
8 – Stumble upon Street Art
Dublin may not be well known for its street art, but boy does it have a lot to show! Even on a wander through Temple Bar, you’ll be sure to stumble upon a painted artwork or two. There’s also an art walk down a side alley that teaches you about the history of Dublin.
9 – Visit Trinity College
The home of stunning architecture, incredible libraries and a statue or two, Trinity College is well worth a wander around. Make sure you check out the Molly Malone statue whilst you’re there…
10 – Head to St Stephens Green
If colourful doors and quiet parks are your thing then be sure to head to St Stephens Green. Even on a drizzly day, the brightly painted doors are sure to draw you in! See if you can find the pink door…
Where to stay in Dublin
We would highly recommend staying close to the River Liffey for your trip to Dublin. It can get quite loud into the small hours around Temple Bar and unless you are one of the revellers, you might want a less central and quieter location to put your head down.
Check out the map below for some good accommodation deals for your trip to Dublin.
Is Dublin Worth Visiting FAQs
Where is Dublin?
Dublin is located in the northeast of Ireland just a short way off the coast of the Irish Sea, where the River Liffey flows into.
Is Dublin easy to get to?
Dublin is very easy to get to from numerous locations across the UK, Europe, and North America, with an international airport only a short drive from the city centre.
How to get around Dublin
The easiest way to get around and see Dublin is on foot as the city is small enough that it really isn’t far to walk between destinations. Some of the furthest places you might walk are the Guinness Storehouse or the Jameson Distillery which are roughly 20 minutes walk each way.
Best time to visit Dublin
There isn’t a best time to visit Dublin based on the weather, (we have been in both April and June and the weather was basically the same for both trips), but more times to avoid visiting Dublin if you want to avoid the crowds. July to September can get very busy with both tourists and locals visiting the city due to the summer holidays.
What is the weather like in Dublin?
As with much of Ireland, the weather in Dublin can be a little temperamental with periods of heavy rainfall throughout the year. If you want the best of the weather then opt for visiting between June and August, (although the weather is never a guarantee, and this is often the busiest and most expensive time of year to plan a trip to Dublin).
What language do they speak in Dublin?
English is the main language spoken in Dublin, but don’t be shocked to hear some Irish here and there as well.
What is Dublin known for?
Dublin is known for its nightlife, its wonderful and historic sights such as Dublin Castle and Trinity College, and of course, Dublin is known for Guinness and the Guinness Storehouse.
Is 2 days in Dublin enough?
Honestly, 2 days in Dublin is not enough to see the sights as well as enjoy your time in the city, experiencing the bars, exploring the riverside and of course visiting the Guinness Storehouse. You need at least 3 days, but of course, more than that is even if you have the time to spare.
How many days do you need in Dublin?
3 days is a great amount of time for a trip to Dublin, as you can experience a few tours if you like as well as enjoy some down time exploring the local areas as well. If you want to really get to grips with everything in Dublin though then you will want at least a week.
Is Dublin expensive?
Depending on the time of year that you visit, and how far in advance you plan your trip, Dublin can be a really good option for a fairly inexpensive city break. However, it is the capital of Ireland so it will be more expensive than if you were to visit elsewhere in the country. A cup of coffee on average costs around €3.50, a pint of Guinness, (well when in Dublin!), €6.40, (but this can be cheaper if you head out of the Temple Bar area), and a three-course meal in a restaurant from €80.
Is Dublin safe?
As with any capital city, there are always places where you should be more aware of your belongings and your surroundings, especially as a tourist and at night. We have never felt unsafe when visiting Dublin, and with a relatively low crime rate, Dublin is a great city to visit. It is often recommended that tourists avoid staying in the neighbourhoods that make up Dublin West, however.
Is Dublin or London better to visit?
Dublin and London are two very different cities to visit. Dublin is very small in comparison to London, and you can easily see the main sights of Dublin over a couple of days as well as walk between them all. In London however, it could easily take you 5 days to see the main sights and visit a gallery or museum, all with a lot of utilising the public transport network.
Is Dublin good for tourists?
Dublin is a great city for tourists to visit due to its small scale and numerous attractions, both historical, (Dublin Castle), and modern, (The Guinness Storehouse), that can you easily visit. Dublin is also really easy to navigate on foot, perfect for exploring all the local bars and pubs and eating your way across the city.
Is Dublin worth the hype?
Dublin is very much worth the hype, and is a great city to visit even if you don’t like Guinness! There are plenty of things to do and experiences / tours that you can take across the city that really show the best bits that Dublin has to offer.
What is the number 1 tourist attraction in Dublin?
Numerous attractions in Dublin draw in the crowds, but the most famous one, and therefore often the busiest, is the Guinness Storehouse.
What are the best things to do in Dublin for free?
Depending on when you are visiting various art galleries, museums and even the botanic gardens in Dublin are free to enter. There are also a few really beautiful parks and gardens around the outskirts of the main tourist centre of Dublin that are free to visit as well.
Dublin Tours
For some of the best tours in Dublin and day trips out from Dublin check out Get Your Guide below:
Conclusion: Is Dublin Worth Visiting?
So with its incredible culture, wonderful food, (and drinks!), historic architecture and a few fun tours that you can take part in, is Dublin worth visiting? Yes, Dublin is 100% worth visiting!
Planning your own trip to Dublin? Make sure you check out our Travelling Tedaldi Amazon Store Travel Guides for all your guidebooks and maps. (We’ve done the hard work for you and linked all the things we used to plan our trip!)
Gemma Tedaldi
Gemma is the owner and author of The Travelling Tedaldi, a travel blog helping travellers to discover the best road trips and travel itineraries throughout the UK and Europe. When she isn’t writing about her favourite travel destinations, she can often be found out exploring local hikes or planning future trips.