Dublin, Ireland, is fun, friendly, and has a buzzing nightlife scene. It’s also a short, cheap flight from the UK, making it the perfect destination for a weekend city break, or even an extreme day trip.
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Dublin is a really welcoming city synonymous with friendly people and, well, pubs! There are over 1,000 of them in the city and any city that has that many pubs is ok with me!
From historical sights and museums, to the best places to enjoy a pint of Guinness, here are my favourite fun things to do in Dublin.
Fun things to do in Dublin
Summary – fun things to do in Dublin
- The Guinness Storehouse
- The Spire of Dublin
- Ha’penny Bridge
- Dublin Castle
- The Book of Kells Exhibition
- Christ Church Cathedral
- St Stephen’s Green
- Grafton Street
- The Little Museum of Dublin
- National Museum of Ireland
- Free walking tour
- Day trip to Wicklow and Kilkenny
- Day trip to Belfast
- Gasnevin Cemetery
- Dublin Zoo
- Temple Bar
- Irish Rock ‘n’ Roll Museum
- EPIC The Irish Immigration Musuem
1. The Guinness Storehouse
Absolutely no trip to Dublin would be complete without a visit to the Guinness Storehouse – the interior is even designed to look like a pint of Guinness! A tour of the storehouse will take you over seven floors where you’ll discover Irish brewing history and learn all about how the drink itself is crafted. The tour finishes at the Gravity Bar on the seventh floor where you can enjoy a 360 degree panoramic view of the city.
Make sure you try a pint of the black stuff itself – well, when in Rome, right?!
2. The Spire of Dublin
One for your Insta – the Spire of Dublin is in the middle of O’Connell Street and stands at approximately 120 metres tall. It’s quite a spectacular sight and you can spot it from far and wide – perfect for a visit when you spend a couple of days in Dublin.
3. Ha’penny Bridge
The Ha’penny Bridge was the first pedestrian bridge to cross the river Liffey in 1816. This beautiful white structure is really unique and has become one of the most iconic structures in Dublin.
4. Dublin Castle
At over 800 years old, Dublin Castle has seen some of the most important moments in history within its walls. You can choose from a self-guided or guided tour of the castle and grounds which cover over 11 acres.
5. The Book of Kells exhibition
The Book of Kells Exhibition is located in the heart of Trinity College and is a must-see for anyone visiting Dublin. It’s an illuminated manuscript containing the four gospels of the New Testament and it’s really quite spectacular.
6. Christ Church Cathedral
Originally built as a Viking church, Christ Church Cathedral is almost 1,000 years old. It has a beautiful interior with a medieval crypt and lots of treasures. When you visit you can choose a self-guided tour or a guided tour.
7. St Stephen’s Green
If you like to spend your time outside and the weather is fine during your 48 hours in Dublin, this city centre park is the place to be. The park is over 22 acres and has gardens, a large lake and a bandstand.
8. Grafton Street
Hailed as the best shopping destination in Dublin, Grafton Street is a narrow windy street full of shops built into townhouses. It’s a great place to shop, have lunch or just hang out.
9. The Little Museum of Dublin
Named the best museum in Dublin, this museum has many local exhibits including a history of women in Ireland and U2: made in Dublin. Situated in a townhouse, this is a great activity to do on a rainy day.
10. National Museum of Ireland
The National Museum of Ireland has three locations in Dublin and presents stories of Ireland and the country’s place within the world. Exhibits focus on decorative arts and history, natural history and archaeology.
11. Free walking tour
Taking a free walking tour is my favourite way to discover a new city. This one in Dublin includes stops at the main monuments in the city with an expert guide who will tell you more about its history.
Just a side note – although walking tours are free, tips are appreciated at the end if you enjoyed the tour.
12. Day trip to Wicklow and Kilkenny
If you’re spending a couple of days in Dublin then why not get out of the city and explore further afield? I took a day trip to Wicklow and Kilkenny and we visited the Glenalough Monastic Site, a farm where we saw a sheepdog demonstration and held baby lambs, and had an experience at Smithwicks Brewery in Kilkenny.
13. Day trip to Belfast
If you fancy stretching your legs beyond Dublin, a day trip to Belfast adds a completely different rhythm to your itinerary, with striking history, bold street art, and a buzzing food scene. I absolutely loved Belfast when I visited for its coloured recent history as well as Titanic Belfast.
14. Glasnevin Cemetery
A visit to Glasnevin Cemetery offers a quieter, more thought-provoking side of the city, where Ireland’s history unfolds through the stories of writers, rebels, and statesmen. It’s an unexpectedly fascinating stop, with beautifully kept grounds that bring Dublin’s past to life in a way museums rarely manage.
Next to the cemetery there is a pub called John Kavanagh – The Gravediggers which is nice to pop into for a pint.
15. Dublin Zoo
A trip to Dublin Zoo is a feel-good way to spend a few hours, tucked inside the vast greenery of Phoenix Park and home to animals from every corner of the globe. One of Europe’s oldest zoos, it’s a surprisingly relaxing escape from the city streets and a good choice for those visiting the city with children.
We visited for their Wild Lights event where the zoo is lit up with different displays. It was a really magical evening.
16. Temple Bar
Another iconic Dublin destination – you’ll definitely have seen the pictures from Temple Bar. With cobbled streets, live music spilling from doorways, and an energy that rarely dips, it is touristy of course, but it shouldn’t be missed.
Swing by for the atmosphere, snap a few photos, and grab a pint of Guinness in the bar. Be warned though – it is very expensive – even by Dublin standards!
17. Irish Rock ‘n’ Roll Museum
If you’re into music then you can’t go wrong with a trip to the Irish Rock ‘n’ Roll Museum. You’ll learn more about the famous bands and musicians that have come out of Ireland and explore a real, working studio space where many artists have recorded music over the years.
18. EPIC The Irish Immigration Museum
A stop at EPIC The Irish Emigration Museum is a wonderfully immersive way to understand how Irish people have shaped the world and carried their culture far beyond Ireland. Housed in the atmospheric CHQ building, this interactive museum uses digital galleries, personal stories, and multimedia displays to trace centuries of emigration and show the global impact of Ireland’s people, from famine and hardship to art, politics, and innovation.
Fun things to do in Dublin at night
Dublin is well known for its party scene and you definitely won’t be short of a pub or two to choose from. There’s plenty to do in this wonderful city at night.
Summary – fun things to do in Dublin at night
- Go to a pub with music
- Visit a speakeasy
- Go for dinner
1. Go to a pub with music
There are pubs all over the city with live music every night and this is one of the best things to do in Dublin at night.
McGowans is famous for great music and excellent quality food plus there’s a late bar with fabulous DJs where you can dance away until the early hours. On the menu there are sharing platters (perfect if you don’t want to fill up too much before a night on the town), hand stretched pizzas and juicy chicken wings.
Bad Bobs is situated in the heart of Dublin’s iconic Temple Bar and has been recently renovated. There are a selection of draught beers, ciders, stout, craft beers, wines and cocktails as well as a menu full of ingredients which have been sourced locally. Lamb shank, ribs and burgers are all on offer.
The Brazen Head is Ireland’s oldest pub, dating back to 1198. it has a reputation for an amazing Irish stew, traditional Irish music and story telling. A visit here is the true Irish pub experience.
We really liked Anne’s Bar & Hardware in the heart of Temple Bar. There was a great atmosphere here with live music and reasonably priced drinks – I think we stayed way past midnight!
2. Visit a speakeasy
I love going to a speakeasy, there’s something that feels so fun about saying a password on the door to get in! We went to Vintage Cocktail Club.
It was really cosy inside and the cocktails were amazing.
3. Go for dinner
As with any big city, there’s no shortage of fantastic restaurants in Dublin. No matter what you’re in the mood for, you’ll find it here.
We went for a tasting menu at Six by Nico which was so much fun. The restaurant has different themed menus, and when we were there it was Alice in Wonderland.
If you fancy more of a quick bite to eat, head to Dash Burger or Pablo Picante for some Mexican food. There are benches here where you can sit outside if the weather is fine and they serve amazing margaritas.
FAQs
Is there anything fun to in Dublin?
It would be easier to answer if there is anything that isn’t fun to do in Dublin as this city has so much! Some of my favourite fun things to do in Dublin include the Guinness Storehouse, Temple Bar, and the Irish Rock ‘n’ Roll Musuem.
What should you not miss in Dublin?
If there is one thing not to miss in Dublin, it’s the Guinness Storehouse. You’ll learn more about this iconic drink and even get to pull your own pint.
What is there to do with your girlfriend in Dublin?
Dublin is perfect for couples, with romantic strolls through Phoenix Park, cosy evenings in Temple Bar, and interactive experiences like EPIC The Irish Immigration Museum. Add a touch of fun at Dublin Zoo or a whiskey tasting, and you’ve got a mix of romance, culture, and laughter.
What to do with 2 hours in Dublin?
If you only have 2 hours in Dublin, keep it simple and iconic: stroll through Temple Bar for atmosphere and street music, snap photos at Trinity College Dublin and the Long Room, then grab a quick coffee or pint along the Liffey. It’s a short but unforgettable taste of the city’s history, culture, and energy.
What to do with 1 day in Dublin?
With just one day in Dublin, start with a morning visit to Trinity College Dublin and the Long Room, then wander through Temple Bar for lunch and live music. In the afternoon, explore EPIC The Irish Immigration Museum or take a relaxing stroll in Phoenix Park, finishing with a traditional dinner or a whiskey tasting for a perfect taste of the city.
It’s easy to visit Dublin just for the day from the UK as flights are cheap and quick, plus they often have flights out early in the morning returning late in the evening.
What to do in Dublin that’s not touristy?
For a less touristy side of Dublin, wander the charming streets of Stoneybatter or Smithfield, where local cafés, craft shops, and pubs give a true neighbourhood vibe. Explore hidden gems like the Irish Museum of Modern Art, enjoy a quiet walk along the Grand Canal, or catch live music at a small local venue for a taste of everyday Dublin life beyond the usual tourist spots.
What to do in Dublin with no money?
Dublin can be surprisingly fun on a shoestring! You can wander through Phoenix Park and spot deer for free, stroll along the Grand Canal, or explore the vibrant streets of Temple Bar just to soak up the atmosphere.
Free museums like the National Gallery of Ireland or Chester Beatty Library let you dive into art and history without spending a penny.
