A cultural guide to Dublin
Ireland’s ancient capital hums with a youthful spirit, effortlessly combining hedonism with heritage and highbrow culture. Drink it in…
Your essential guide to the best things to see and do in Dublin. Find more travel inspiration for more amazing cities here.
Georgian townhouses, Palladian colleges, medieval walls and Gothic cathedrals dominate the cityscape that traces the River Liffey, but don’t let all the history fool you: Dublin is a forward-looking city, with independent fashion boutiques, fun-filled music venues, chic cafés and multicultural restaurants catering to the capital’s notoriously “work hard, play hard” citizens. Cultural edification seems to happen by osmosis here, where every pub, restaurant, park or museum is connected to a literary, musical or artistic great. Expect to drink in pubs once favored by the likes of everyone from Joyce and Beckett to U2 and Sinead O’Connor.
Art & architecture
Immerse yourself in history at the National Museum of Ireland (don’t miss the caches of ancient gold or the eerie, preserved Bog Bodies), then wander the Georgian townhouses of Merrion Square, near the homes of Irish literary icons including W.B. Yeats and Oscar Wilde. About a 15-minute walk away is Trinity College Dublin, where visitors can view the 1,200-year-old Book of Kells up close, and marvel at the Old Library, one of the most beautiful in Europe.
In the grounds of Dublin Castle you’ll find the Chester Beatty, which houses one of the most significant collections of Western, Islamic and East & Southeast Asian artifacts; the in-house Silk Road Cafe is a favorite of the city’s creative freelancers. Another small but perfectly formed gallery is Hugh Lane Gallery, where you’ll find Harry Clarke’s dazzling stained-glass windows, and the faithfully reassembled (in absolute creative disarray) studio of Irish artist Francis Bacon.
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Food & drink
For a capital city, Dublin is wonderfully walkable—a place seemingly built for pub crawls—and it’s a rite of passage to sip a Guinness from pub to pub, following in the footsteps of legendary Irish writers. Joyce fans should start with Davy Byrnes, which gets name-checked in Ulysses, while The Brazen Head dates back to 1198 and was a favorite watering hole of Brendan Behan and Jonathan Swift, alongside Irish revolutionaries Wolfe Tone and Robert Emmet.
Modern Dublin is also one of the most exciting culinary destinations in Europe, with world-traveling young chefs returning from other gastronomic capitals to bring international flair to Ireland’s excellent fresh produce: native oysters, lobsters and fish fresh from the Atlantic, and locally farmed beef, lamb and game. Shanahan’s on the Green is a traditional steakhouse overlooking St. Stephen’s Green, while Charlotte Quay in the heart of Grand Canal Dock is an excellent choice, as is the Bereen brothers’ central (and celebrity-packed) sister restaurant, Coppinger Row.
Expert tips
The essentials
Dublin Airport (DUB) is located about 7 miles north of the city center. Taxis are widely available outside Terminals 1 & 2, with journeys to the center taking about half an hour. Multiple bus companies connect the airport and city center within 30 minutes. Buy your ticket online in advance for the best price.
Accessibility
Dublin Bus uses low-floor, wheelchair-accessible vehicles on all routes. Accessible taxis can be identified by a wheelchair icon on their roof. Guinness Storehouse offers sensory kits including trigger-warning maps, and a visual guide to the building for the hearing impaired.
Getting around
Central Dublin is compact enough to explore on foot with ease. The scenic 3.5-mile Liffey Walk along the river offers a fresh perspective on the city. The Leap Visitor Card grants unlimited travel on public transport, with one-, three-, or seven-day tickets available. Destinations outside of Dublin, including the pretty fishing village of Howth and Malahide Castle, can be reached via DART train.
LGBTQ+
Ireland was the first nation to legalize gay marriage by public vote. Dublin is famously friendly and known for its “craic” (good times), and a lively LGBTQ+ scene can be enjoyed across the city. Its legendary nightlife ranges from cozy pubs to raucous music venues, with Pride taking place every June.
Family
Head to the Docklands where kids can climb aboard the Jeanie Johnston, a replica ship that tells the stories of Irish emigres who fled the Great Famine of the mid-1800s; then pop into EPIC The Irish Emigration Museum next door. For an unusual perspective on the city, join a musical kayaking tour that includes live music and a close-up look at the River Liffey’s famous bridges. Take a break from sightseeing with a picnic or some playground time in St. Stephen’s Green. Note that children are welcome in most pubs until 9 p.m.
Music
Dublin is a city of—and for—music lovers, whether this means supporting local legends at much-loved Whelan’s in Portobello, catching an intimate gig in the cellar of The Workman’s Club, or listening to a soul-stirring trad session at The Cobblestone in Smithfield. Better still, plan your visit around TradFest, which take place every January.
Stage
From the legendary Abbey Theatre, Ireland’s national theater (which was founded by W.B. Yeats and Lady Gregory in 1904 and has since fostered leading Irish playwrights like Sean O’Casey and John Millington Synge), to the contemporary Bord Gáis Energy Theatre, Dublin’s dramatic scene is alive and kicking. Look to the Gaiety Theatre for opera, musicals and dance, and the elegant Gate Theatre on Cavendish Row for a mixture of classic and contemporary dramas.
Straddling the River Liffey, Dublin’s Docklands has been intensely regenerated over the past two decades, and is now a vibrant hub for eating, drinking and culture, with restaurants and bars kept busy with local tech workers. Beckett Locke is a next-gen aparthotel that’s particularly suited to digital nomads or travelers who want to feel at home in the city, while Anantara The Marker is one of the most luxurious addresses in the city. Don’t miss EPIC The Irish Emigration Museum, bringing to life the history of the Irish diaspora.
Find heritage and hedonism in Temple Bar, which—despite an international reputation for drunken debauchery—remains a must-visit for culture lovers, with highlights including the Project Arts Centre, the 66-seater New Theatre, and the Irish Film Institute. Be sure to wander the elegant alleys off Grafton Street, and for shoppers, Powerscourt Townhouse Centre in a Georgian mansion is brimming with antique stores and independent boutiques. When the sun shines, hang out with the locals in St. Stephen’s Green.
For more of a live-like-a-local experience, stay in hip, happening Portobello, southwest of St. Stephen’s Green. You’ll not be short of cool brunch joints (try Goose on the Loose), yoga studios (Little Bird also has a great vegetarian café), and Michelin-recommended eateries like North Indian Pickle. You’re also a short stroll from the hit Teeling Distillery. Affordable boutique hotels in Georgian townhouses are the way to go; Harrington Hall is a great choice, backing onto beautiful Iveagh Gardens.
Anna Hart is a culture writer specializing in adventure travel and positive-impact tourism. Her work has appeared in Vogue, The Wall Street Journal, and The New York Times, and she is the author of the travel memoir Departures.
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