Ready to tick off the best of Dublin?
Whether it’s your first time in the Fair City or you’re back for another round of craic, this Dublin bucket list has you covered!
From iconic landmarks and hidden gems, I’ll guide you through the must-see spots that make Dublin so special.
So grab a pint, pull up a stool, and get ready to explore one of the friendliest cities in the world.
Dublin Bucket List
Here are all the must sees and best things to do in Dublin. To see them all and save money, you may want to invest in the Dublin Pass.
Dublin Castle
Dublin Castle doesn’t look like your average castle.
It’s really a medieval round tower smushed by Georgian architecture arranged around a cobblestone square. You won’t imagine a princess in distress trapped in the tower.
The Irish have a sort of love hate relationship with the castle, mostly because it was a symbol of English rule.
But there’s a lot to see on the castle grounds — gardens, an ancient church, several museums, and the state apartments.
The Great Courtyard is the place where Michael Collins waved goodbye to centuries of British rule and accepted the handover of power.
You won’t find any Crown Jewels. Those were nicked in 1907, possibly an inside job. And they’ve never been recovered.
>>> Click here to book a guide walking tour
St. Patrick’s Cathedral
Legend holds that Saint Patrick began baptizing Irish pagans at a well located on the site.
Like most ancient churches, there are plenty of historic bits and bobs to see. It’s a bit like a walk through Irish history.
The cathedral has had its ups and downs over the centuries. By the 19th century, it was in poor shape.
Benjamin Lee Guinness, Ireland’s richest man, came to the rescue and restored it to its former glory.
The stained glass windows date from that restoration. And the beautiful West Window depicts the life of Saint Patrick.
You’ll also want to check out the Lady Chapel, the bust and monuments to great Irish political and religious leaders, and the grave of Jonathan Swift.
Afterward, relax and picnic in the pretty park. This is also the best place to get your snaps.
>>> Click here to pre-book a ticket
Guinness Storehouse
If you’re a fan of Guinness beer, you’ll have to make the pilgrimage to the Guinness Storehouse — along with a ton of other thirsty tourists.
It’s essentially a beer hall, complete with theatrical flourishes.
Over 6 floors, you can learn the ins and outs of making beer. When you reach the Guinness Academy, you can discover the secrets of pulling a pint. You can have a quaff and get your certificate.
If you’re hungry, you can feast on some Guinness-laced food in the dining hall. Finish off your visit with a free pint at the Gravity Bar, where you’ll have 360 views of the city.
You won’t be able to visit (in high season) without pre-booking a timed entry ticket!
Temple Bar
Temple Bar is both an area and the name of a famous pub in Dublin.
It’s a vibrant cultural quarter in the city center, known for its cobblestone streets, colorful buildings, lively atmosphere, and bustling nightlife.
When I visited in summer, there were flowers pouring out of every window. Gorgeous!
Most of the historic buildings date from the 18th century. The most famous pubs are the Temple Bar, the Oliver St. John Gogarty, the Porterhouse, Fitzsimons, and the Auld Dubliner.
Just be prepared to pay a pretty price if you want to sit down and drink here. And the prices go up the later it gets.
>>> Click here to book a city pub crawl
Old Jameson Distillery
If you didn’t get enough to drink at the Guinness Storehouse, or want something a bit stronger, head to the Old Jameson Distillery on Bow Street.
It’s a bit more of an intimate experience than the Guinness Storehouse extravaganza.
You’ll get to see all the equipment being operated. There are lots of dioramas and historical artifacts. And you can learn all about the process of making Jameson.
At the end of your tour, your guide will ask for volunteers. Eight people will have a “tutored whiskey testing,” where you can compare Irish whiskey to Scotch and American whiskey.
Don’t worry. Everyone gets a free glass of Jameson at the end of the tour. You can also book a guided tour and get multiple tastings.
Grafton Street Area
Grafton used to be one of the most expensive and poshest streets around. Even today, it’s a great spot for shopping, eating, drinking, and sightseeing.
At the south end is St. Stephen’s Green and at the north end is Trinity College. The Trinity end is the part that’s pedestrianized.
Be sure to pop down all the side streets.
On Duke Street, here are 3 famous pubs there — The Bailey, The Duke, and Davy Byrne’s.
St. Anne’s Street is where you’ll find the suspended upside down umbrellas, which seem so popular in Europe these days.
You can also pop into St. Anne’s Church, which happens to be where Bram Stoker of Dracula fame was married.
If you have any money leftover, you can grab a meal at Bewley’s. Its dark wood and stained glass windows make for a beautiful interior.
If you’re visiting on the weekend or during high season, you’ll see plenty of buskers and performers.
Molly Malone Statue
Not far from Grafton, on Suffolk Street, you’ll find the iconic Molly Malone sculpture.
It was erected in 1988 to celebrate Dublin’s Millennium.
In a flash, it was christened with all sorts of nicknames — the Tart with the Cart, the Dolly with the Trolley, the Dish with the Fish, and the Flirt in the Skirt.
Who was Molly? It’s unclear whether she was real or fictionalized.
But she was likely a buxom fish monger who sold cockles and mussels, and may have been a “lady of the night.”
You’ll see everyone rubbing and taking photos with her polished boobs.
St. Stephen’s Green
This beautiful park is roughly the shape of a postage stamp and covers 22 acres. Once inside, the noise of the traffic seems to vanish behind the walls of trees and shrubs.
The park is the perfect place to stroll, relax, or plop down on a bench. But it has a rather sordid history.
The green was the spot for public executions and punishments and sheep grazing until the 18th century. The rebels of the Easter Rising used it as a base of operations
But then, in 1877, it was another Guinness to the rescue. He bought the park, gussied it up, and gave it back to the city.
The most popular entrance to the park is through Fuisiliers’ Arch. You’ll find landscaped gardens, a duck pond, fountains, and monuments.
Trinity College
The Irish like to joke, what do you call a Trinity College graduate? The answer is a “boss.”
Trinity College is Ireland’s oldest university. Until 1970, you couldn’t attend if you were Catholic. Queen Elizabeth I set it up as a bastion of Protestantism.
You’ll enter under an arch and find yourself in Parliament Square. Directly ahead, you’ll see the Campanile.
The main reason tourists visit is to see the Long Room in the Old Library and the Book of Kells.
The Long Room is stunning. It’s over 200 feet long with vaulted ceilings and 200,000 books. It may remind you of the Jedi Temple in Star Wars 2: Attack of the Clones.
Among its treasures are one of the few surviving copies of the Proclamation of Independence, the Brian Boru Harp, and 14 busts of philosophers and authors, including Shakespeare.
The Book of Kells is arguably the world’s most valuable book. It’s a beautifully illuminated 8th century version of the gospels.
You’ll only see two original pages — an illuminated page and one with text. But the adjacent Book of Kells Experience has copies of the most important pages and a film to tell you all about it.
To see it all, you can book a guided campus tour or book a tour that combines the Book of Kells and Dublin Castle.
National Museum of Ireland
At this wonderful museum on Kildare Street, you can catch up on 5,000 years of Irish history.
The museum was purpose built and opened in 1890. Its rotunda and entrance were modeled on the Pantheon in Rome. The interior includes elaborate ironwork and mosaic floors.
You’ll find exhibitions on prehistoric Ireland, Bronze Age gold objects, jewelry, a treasury, and Vikings artifacts.
One of the creepiest exhibits are the bog bodies. These poor people were the unfortunate victims of human sacrifice around 500 BC. Their bodies were buried in peat, which preserved them (or most of them).
O’Connell Street
O’Connell Street is the widest thoroughfare in Dublin. It’s been bombed and bullied, but thankfully underwent a renaissance in recent years.
There are quite a few monuments to the past strewn along the street.
At the southern end, you’ll see the statue of Daniel O’Connell, known as “The Liberator.”
He led the charge for Catholic emancipation in the 19th century. Surrounding him are four figures, including “Courage,” which still bears a bullet hole from the 1916 Easter Rising.
At the north end stands the obelisk and statue to Charles Stewart Parnell. he was a legendary Irish leader in the late 19th century.
And you can’t miss the Spire of Dublin. The site was originally occupied by a column and statue of Admiral Nelson, a relic of the British Empire. It was bombed by the IRA in 1966 and replaced with the Spire.
Also known as the Monument of Light, is a striking stainless steel almost 400 feet high. It’s the tallest sculpture in the world and one of the most recognizable landmarks in the city.
Its sleek, needle-like design is meant to symbolize a modern and progressive Dublin. It reflects light during the day and is gently illuminated by LEDs at night.
Naturally, the locals have given it a bunch of funny nicknames, including the “Stiffy by the Liffey” and the “Erection at the Intersection.”
The landmark shop on O’Connell is Clery’s Department Store. But the most popular shipping street, just off O’Connell, is Henry Street. On this street, you’ll find another sculpture of two women called “The Hags with the Bags.”
General Post Office
The GPO, located on O’Connell Street, is arguably Ireland’s most iconic building.
This striking Neo-Classical structure isn’t just architecturally impressive, it also played a pivotal role in Ireland’s struggle for independence.
During the 1916 Easter Rising, the GPO served as the rebel headquarters.
On Easter Monday, around 1,200 rebels seized control of key locations across Dublin, including the GPO. They raised the Irish flag and declared Ireland’s independence from British rule.
Although the rebellion was ultimately suppressed after six days of intense fighting, the events were a defining moment in Ireland’s history.
Today, the GPO is both a working post office and a monument to the fight for Irish freedom.
Inside, the Witness History exhibit offers a fascinating look at the events of 1916, with interactive displays and personal stories.
>>> Click here to pre-book a GPO ticket
Kilmainham Gaol
Kilmainham Gaol is a must-visit for anyone interested in Ireland’s fight for independence.
This historic jail once held many of the most important military and political leaders in Irish history, making it a powerful symbol of the country’s struggle for freedom.
Many Irish men and women were imprisoned here. Some even lost their lives, all in the pursuit of independence from British rule.
During your tour, you’ll get a firsthand look at the stark and grim conditions inside the jail. You can walk through the narrow corridors and see the small, cold cells where prisoners were held.
You’ll also visit the Stonebreaker’s Yard, where leaders of the 1916 Easter Rising, including Padraig Pearse and James Connolly, were executed.
The tour guides are wonderful, providing detailed stories of the individuals who were imprisoned here, bringing their struggles and sacrifices to life.
The museum’s exhibits include personal letters, photographs, and artifacts that give deeper insight into the lives of the prisoners and the broader political climate of the time.
Phoenix Park
If you are visiting Kilmainham Gaol, you should take a stroll in Phoenix Park afterwards.
The park is the “green lung” of Dublin and the largest walled park in Europe. At 1,750 acres, it’s a vast oasis of trees and grassland with nature trails, bike paths, and a zoo.
Entering from the main gate on Parkgate Street, the first thing you’ll see is the Victorian People’s Flower Garden. The formal gardens are beautifully landscaped with vibrant flower displays, ornamental lakes, and peaceful walking paths.
There’s also an obelisk dedicated to the Duke of Wellington. It’s not very tall, as if the Irish were cross that the duke disdained his Irish heritage.
The President’s House is also in the park. It’s an elegant Georgian house and guided tours are available on Saturdays.
Christ Church Cathedral
You don’t have to be even remotely religious to enjoy a visit to Christ Church Cathedral. Its history dates back 1,000 years.
The original church dates from 1028 when it was built by the Vikings.
One of Irelands most renowned saints, St. Laurence O’Toole, laid the fountain stone to replace the wooden structure.
Take a quick look at the magnificent stonework in the church interior and examine the tomb of Strongbow.
Then, head to the 12th century crypt, the oldest surviving structure in Dublin. At 200 feet, it’s also quite long.
You may recognize it. The crypt was used as a filming location for the TV series The Tudors.
One of the most popular curiosities down there is the mummified cat and rat, nicknamed Tom and Jerry.
For a small extra fee, you can take a guided tour up the 80 steps of a winding staircase to the belfry tower. You can try your hand at ringing the bells, some of which weight over two tons.
>>> Click here to pre-book a ticket
Merrion Square
Merrion Square is one of Dublin’s oldest and largest square. It’s adorned with incredibly elegant Georgian architecture dating back to the 1760s.
Plaques on the buildings identify their famous inhabitants.
#1 Merrion Square is the house where Oscar Wilde grew up. It’s now been turned into a museum that you can visit on a guided tour.
The square also has a gorgeous park in the center with shrub beds, flowers, and a statue of Oscar Wilde.
Glasnevin Cemetery
Glasnevin is a totally fascinating, moving, and memorable place to visit. As the Irish put it, people have been dying to get into Glasnevin for nearly 200 years.
The list of residents reads like a who’s who of Irish history. It has some amazing monuments to both the ordinary and famous folk.
The cemetery opened in 1832, after Daniel O’Connell won freedom for Catholics and they didn’t have to be buried in Protestant cemeteries anymore.
The luminaries you can pay your respects to include O’Connell, Charles Stewart Parnell, Micheal Collins, and President Eamon de la Valera.
You can’t miss O’Connell’s grave. It’s marked by a 168 foot tower.
The museum that comes with the cemetery is brand new and engrossing. It won the European Museum of the Year in 2011.
The museum includes a visitor center, crypt, and exhibition space. There is a 30+ foot interactive timeline giving your the stories of 200 people buried in Glasnevin.
After your visit, you can have a pint at the Gravediggers pub.
Little Museum of Dublin
This charming little museum is housed in a beautiful Georgian building.
It features 10th century memorabilia and nostalgic objects, all of which have been donated by the public.
On a guided tour, you can discover an array of anecdotes about the city — from Queen Victoria’s visit to the band U2’s climb to fame.
There’s even a first edition of James Joyce’s Ulysses.
>>> Click here to pre-book a ticket
National Gallery of Art
While it can’t compare to Europe’s major museums, the National Gallery of Art is still well worth a visit.
The collection focuses on European art from the Middle Ages to the 20th century. There are works by Vermeer, Picasso, Turner Titian, Rembrandt, Mantegna, Bronzino, and Monet.
The most famous pieces areThe Taking of Christ by Caravaggio, JMW Turner’s watercolors, and Picasso’s Still Life With a Mandolin.
It also hosts some excellent temporary exhibitions, and for those you’ll have to pay a small fee. When I visited, they had one on the women Impressionist painters.
EPIC
EPIC is the Irish immigration museum, which was inaugurated in 2016. It’s housed in the historic CHQ Building near the River Liffey.
It uses high tech interactive installations to tell the story of the 70 million Irish people who left their homeland.
There are 20 galleries altogether. They explain the causes and consequences of emigration, describe the emigration process, and tell the stories of people, both famous and unknown.
The diaspora was due to many factors, including economic hardship, lack of land, the potato famine, and British political control.
>>> Click herę to pre-book a ticket
I hope you’ve enjoyed my Dublin bucket list. You may find these other Ireland and UK guides useful:
- 2 days in Dublin itinerary
- beautiful places to visit in Ireland
- what not to do in Ireland
- 1 day in Belfast itinerary
- guide to St. Patrick’s Cathedral
- 3 days in London itinerary
- 5 days in London itinerary
- best day trips from London
Pin it for later.
