The 10 BEST things to do in DUBLIN in 2025
Welcome to Dublin, Ireland’s vibrant and historic capital.
As a seasoned travel blogger who has lived on three continents and spent eight months travelling full-time in Asia, I’m here to simplify your trip to Dublin.
Dublin is a city bursting with activities, and it can be overwhelming to decide what to do. That’s why I’ve curated a list of the 10 BEST things to do in Dublin in 2025, saving you time and effort.
Let’s dive in!
Visit Trinity College Dublin
Trinity College is a must should you be asking what there is to see in Dublin.
Located in Dublin 2 means it’s easily accessible by bus or bike. Apart from producing some world-renowned names such as the writers Oscar Wilde and Samuel Beckett, you can also visit the Book of Kells located in the college. for a cost of 18.50. You can be there for 30 minutes max but if you add in the campus tour you can expect to pay 29.00 PP and it will last a little over an hour.
But I can say it is worth it because the campus itself is beautiful to explore and who doesn’t want to see a world-famous book dating from 800 AD?
Check out 10 Facts About the Book of Kells here
Opening time:
October – April: Monday to Saturday 09.30 to 17:00, Sunday 12:00 to 16:30
May – September: Monday to Saturday 08.30 to 17:00, Sunday 09.30 to 17:00.
The Guinness Storehouse
The Guinness storehouse is high up on most people’s places to visit in Dublin.
And I concur. It is essential on a Dublin travel itinerary! The home of our famous stout is extremely interesting. Millions flock to St. James’s Gate Brewery to taste the black stuff – even the late Queen of England!
The big highlight is on the seventh floor where you can find the Gravity Bar with 360 views of Dublin. I recommend sitting back with a pint (with your face on it) and soaking it all in!
Admission ranges from 26 euros to 95 euros and you get a drink included! Glorious stuff!
Opening hours:
Monday – Friday
10 am – 7 pm (last admission 5 pm)
Saturday
9:30 am – 7 pm (last admission 5 pm)
Sunday
10 am – 7 pm (last admission 5 pm)
Kilmainham Gaol Museum
Kilmainham Gaol built in 1796 is a former prison in Dublin and is a seriously cool place to spend some time when visiting Dublin. Now it is a museum run by the Office of Public Works. Several Irish revolutionaries, including the leaders of the 1916 Easter Rising, were imprisoned and executed in this very jail under instruction from our neighbours to the east!
A tour of the prison will last about an hour and will cost you 8 euros for an adult ticket whereas children and seniors are a little cheaper.
Make sure you arrive at least fifteen minutes before the tour starts or risk missing it!
If you can’t make it to the prison why not do an online tour here
Opening hours:
October – March 9:30 – 17:15
April – May 9:30 – 17:45
June, July & August 9:30 – 18:00
September 9:30 – 17:45
St Stephens Green
If you want some nature in the heart of Dublin city then look no further than St Stephens Green.
The public park is over 400 years old but was open to the public in 1880 and has since erected many statues of interesting Irish people throughout its history including the likes of James Joyce and a memorial to the great famine (1845-1852). You can walk through this beautiful park or sit and relax on a bench and people watch but it really can’t be missed when visiting Dublin.
Cost FREE
Opening hours
Monday – Saturday: 7.30 am – dusk.
Sunday and bank holidays: 9.30 am – dusk.
Christmas Day: 9.30 am- 12.30 pm
Phoenix Park
The great thing about Phoenix Park is that you can visit the largest enclosed city park in Europe at any time of the year!
In full the site covers about 1,750 acres and has the Irish green which it is famous for. President Higgins even lives there too in Áras an Uachtaráin. The park is right beside the city centre, but once you are inside, you lose the sense of this completely with the peace that a city normally wouldn’t offer.
You can eat and drink at Victorian Tea rooms or the Phoenix cafe after a nice cycle around its 14km bike lanes.
Entry here is free and the gates are open 24 hours.
Temple Bar
While it’s FULL of people looking to get the real Dublin experience, Temple Bar has a wonderful scene when it gets dark with live music almost 24/7.
Located between Millennium Bridge and Ha’Penny Bridge The Temple Bar had its licence issued back in 1840. The name comes from Sir William Temple, who was the head of Trinity College back in the 1600s so it is full of local history too! The neighbourhood has some beautiful cobblestone streets and quirky boutiques where Irish designers make a living.
Trust me when I say you will want a pint of Guinness in Temple Bar.
National Botanical Garden
What to see in Dublin for free?
I was in the National Botanical Garden only a few months back and it is colourful and refreshing to visit. First opened back in 1795 in Glasnevin the gardens are currently open for Winter Hours, from 9 am to 4.30 pm on weekdays and 10 am to 4.30 pm on Saturdays, Sundays, and Bank Holidays. A big plus is that you don’t have to pay to enter.
Even if you did, it would be worth paying for! Another plus is that it’s only 3km from the city centre so you can walk here too. The glasshouses are filled with amazing tropical plants and it is humid once you step in so it’s like you are being transported into the middle of the Amazon. Step back outside to cool down in the lovely Irish weather if it becomes too much for you.
It’s a really nice way to spend a day in Dublin in my view.
Croke Park
Home to Ireland’s native sport GAA Croke Park is a formidable stadium.
Located at Jones’ Rd, Drumcondra, Dublin 3, it is often ranked as one of the best places to visit in Dublin you won’t be disappointed. The cost for a tour is 16 euros for an adult, for a child 11 euros and a family tour for 43 euros. There is the GAA museum to see how sport in Ireland has come since its inception back in 1887. If you have no issue with heights you can do a skyline tour and see the views of the playing field for about 22.00 for adults.
You won’t feel more culturally close to the Irish people if you know a little about the GAA.
Christ Church Cathedral
When you are in the city centre’s heart do not miss out on a visit to Christ Church Cathedral! Built over 1,000 years ago by the Vikings it’s a cool place to add to your list of places to see in Dublin. Prepare to feast your eyes on some superb architecture or visit the resting place of ancient figures like Strongbow. Here you will find the spiritual heart of Ireland’s capital.
The church is open from 10.00 am to 5.00 pm most days except for Sundays when it’s 12.30-3.00 pm. Tickets range from 10.50 euros for an adult to 25.00 euros for a family.
GPO Museum
The GPO museum is a cool and interactive experience in Dublin which pulls visitors from all over the world as it has won many awards for tourism.
The iconic post office has witnessed some of Ireland’s most historic events going back to the rising. The GPO displayed a copy of the Proclamation of Ireland that was read aloud by Padraig Pearse from the front of the GPO on Easter Monday, 24 April 1916 so it can’t get any more Irish than this.
Opening times:
Tuesday – Saturday: 10:00 am – 5:00 pm
Ticket Prices:
Adult – €15.00
Child (over 5 years) from €7.50
Seniors (65+) €12.00
Conclusion
Is Dublin worth visiting?
Most certainly yes. History, beauty and fun are all within proximity to Dublin’s City centre. Dublin can be visited all year round but if I had to suggest a time to go it would be May – September to get the best weather possible! So what are you waiting for? Book the ticket!
For more things to do In Northern Ireland do check out this Blog post by VeryTastyWorld.com
We’ve visited Dublin a couple of times and really enjoyed it. We have seen some of the attractions in your post but not all. It was great to read about the places we missed and good to know that some of them are free to enter. The GPO museum, botanical gardens and Christ Church cathedral are places that we will definitely put on the list for our next visit.
I really have to put Dublin on my list of European cities to visit.
It seems like a pretty easy city to visit and with interesting activities to do. With the plus of apparently being affordable.
The Kilmainham Gaol Museum must be a cool place to visit, although at the same time it must be areepiant!
I’ve lost count of the number of times I’ve visited Dublin, but every time it still brings joy to my step. I love the bars and nightlife – many an unforgettable night with friends in so many f them …. the black stuff really does taste different there!
This is a great introduction to the city and there is certainly a lot to see for the size of the city that it is.
Dublin is still on my wish list. I like your tips on what to see in the city and your great photos. It’s also helpful that you give the prices of attractions, it’s easier to plan a trip budget. Guinness is the only beer I like, so I’d love to drink it at the place of origin and visit the Guinness Storehouse. I would also love to see Trinity College Dublin, Christ Church Cathedral, and Kilmainham Gaol Museum. Also, the GPO museum seams an exciting place to visit.
I really must plan a visit to Dublin especially as I often see cheap flights from London. I really like your list of 10 best things to do, they are all great activities that can be done in a weekend visit. The cathedral looks gorgeous and it’s great that the botanical gardens are free to enter as they can be quite expensive to visit in other European cities. I don’t drink beer but have visited breweries before and found them fascinating so I will definitely do a tour of the Guinness Storehouse!
I’ve been once to Dublin and remember wandering around the centre, via the white penny bridge and doing a day trip to the beach and hiking back into town. Your list has given me some ideas on what to see and do if I ever made it back. The free Botanical Gardens are a huge pull for me and the GPO Museum, as I like immersive experiences.
Carolin | Solo Travel Story
I’ve been to Dublin but have done maybe one thing one this list, so clearly I’m due for a revisit! The gaol and the post office museum sound interesting and the parks and gardens sound relaxing. I’m not sure that I’d like Guiness but I guess if there’s any place to try it, it would be Dublin.
I hate when people go to Ireland and only spend a day or two in Dublin. I love the city. You’ve highlighted a lot of my favorite things to do here. Last time I went the Gaol was closed, unfortunately, so I guess I have to go back!
Dublin is on my list of places to visit. I’m a nature lover so I’d be exploring the parks and I’d want to drive the countryside. Most importantly I want to visit for the pubs beer food and lively music. Hopefully I’ll get there in a couple years!
Excellent post, James. We’ll probably hit Dublin shortly, so bookmarked for future reference. Guinness experience & Kilmainham Gaol being a high priority!
That’s really cool that the botanical gardens – unexpected and a great activity to do.
Great shot of the cathedral as well. Your photography is brilliant.
Well this couldn’t be better timed since I’m heading to Dublin in just a couple of months. I haven’t really planned my time there yet so this gives me some great ideas. The gaol, the cathedral and the Guinness storehouse are all top of the list, but I’m saving this for later so I can really start planning soon