Dublin travel guide: sights, food and local favourites

Dublin is Ireland's capital, a compact city on both banks of the River Liffey where it meets Dublin Bay. Its centre mixes medieval cathedrals, Georgian squares and the sites of the 1916 Rising with famous pubs and a strong literary history. The DART train runs along the bay to the seaside villages of Howth, Dalkey and Dún Laoghaire.

Must-see

The sights to fit in even on a short trip.

History & museums ⁸⁸

Where to eat ¹⁶³

Night out ¹¹⁰

Locals only ⁶⁶

Walking routes ¹⁰

01Medieval Dublin: Dublin Castle to St Patrick's Cathedral1.4 km · 5 h 10 min · 7 stopsA short walk across the old walled city: Dublin Castle and the Chester Beatty in its grounds, Christ Church Cathedral, St Audoen's (the oldest parish church in Dublin still in use), then down to St Patrick's Cathedral, where Swift was dean, and Marsh's Library next door.
02Georgian Dublin: Merrion Square to the Grand Canal2.6 km · 2 h · 7 stopsThe Georgian south side: Merrion Square and the National Gallery, the Georgian house museum at 29 Fitzwilliam Street, the small private Fitzwilliam Square, the Pepper Canister church and Huband Bridge on the Grand Canal, ending at the Patrick Kavanagh statue on the towpath.
03North inner city and 1916: GPO to King's Inns1.6 km · 2 h 50 min · 7 stopsFrom the GPO, headquarters of the 1916 Rising, past the Spire to Moore Street where the leaders surrendered, up to Parnell Square and the Garden of Remembrance, then west to the tenement museum at 14 Henrietta Street and Gandon's King's Inns.
04The Liberties and the distilleries2.9 km · 4 h 15 min · 6 stopsFrom St Patrick's Park through the Liberties: the derelict Victorian Iveagh Markets on Francis Street, the Teeling Distillery (Dublin's first new distillery in over 125 years), Thomas Street and St Catherine's Church, to the Pearse Lyons Distillery and the Guinness Storehouse at St James's Gate.
05Smithfield, Stoneybatter and the Phoenix Park5.4 km · 4 h 10 min · 7 stopsFrom Smithfield Square and the old Jameson distillery through the village streets of Stoneybatter, past Collins Barracks (National Museum, Decorative Arts and History), into the Phoenix Park by the People's Garden and the Wellington Monument, and up to the Papal Cross on the Fifteen Acres.
06Grand Canal towpath: Portobello to Grand Canal Dock3.2 km · 1 h 40 min · 6 stopsAlong the Grand Canal from La Touche Bridge at Portobello east past Leeson Street, the Patrick Kavanagh statue and Huband Bridge, to the water basin of Grand Canal Dock where the canal meets the Liffey.
07Docklands: Custom House to Samuel Beckett Bridge1 km · 3 h · 5 stopsAlong the north quays from Gandon's Custom House past the Famine memorial figures and EPIC, the emigration museum, to the replica famine ship Jeanie Johnston and Calatrava's harp-shaped Samuel Beckett Bridge.
08Howth cliff path and summit (Tramline Loop)7 km · 2 h 30 min · 6 stopsThe waymarked Howth Tramline Loop (blue arrows, 7 km, about 2 hours, 130 m ascent) from Howth DART station: along the harbour, up Balscadden Road to the Kilrock car park, about 3 km on the cliff path with views of the Baily Lighthouse, up to the Summit car park, and back down on the old tramline path.
09Sandycove to Killiney Hill: Forty Foot, Dalkey and the Vico7.4 km · 4 h · 9 stopsFrom Sandycove DART to the Forty Foot bathing place and the Joyce Tower, along the coast past Bullock Harbour into Dalkey village, then Sorrento Park, the Vico bathing place and up Killiney Hill to the obelisk, ending at Killiney DART.
10Great South Wall to Poolbeg Lighthouse8.2 km · 3 h · 5 stopsFrom Irishtown Nature Park on the Poolbeg peninsula out along the Great South Wall, an 18th-century sea wall that runs more than 4 km into Dublin Bay, past the Half Moon swimming club to the red Poolbeg Lighthouse at the mouth of the Liffey. The roundhead at the lighthouse reopened in March 2026 after storm repairs.

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Dublin

Must-see

History & museums 88

Where to eat 163

Night out 110

Locals only 66

Walking routes 10

History & museums ⁸⁸

Where to eat ¹⁶³

Night out ¹¹⁰

Locals only ⁶⁶

Walking routes ¹⁰