Things to do in  Dublin

Towering 702 feet (214 meters) above the Atlantic Ocean at their highest point and stretching for 5 miles (8 kilometers) along the water, the famed Cliffs of Moher define the raw beauty of the west coast of Ireland. They’re also one of the country’s most popular tourist attractions, with tours from Dublin, Galway, Cork, Limerick, Killarney, and Doolin.

Trinity College Dublin—Ireland’s most prestigious academic institution—was founded in the 16th century and boasts alumni including literary legends Oscar Wilde, Bram Stoker, and Samuel Beckett. Travelers from the world over come to wander the historic cobblestoned campus in the city center, admire its handsome Georgian and classical architecture, and see The Book of Kells—a 9th-century illustrated manuscript housed in the Old Library.

Taste Ireland’s legendary stout at the source at the Guinness Storehouse, also known as the Guinness Brewery. This landmark is one of the Irish capital’s top attractions, offering a self-guided tour with interactive exhibits and the chance to learn how to pour the perfect pint. The view from the rooftop Gravity Bar over Dublin is reason enough to visit. You may want to elevate the standard visit with a Connoisseur Experience that includes an exclusive tasting.

Built on a Viking settlement in the 13th century at the behest of King John, the medieval fortress that was first Dublin Castle was ravaged by fires in the 17th century, and rebuilt in the Georgian style that you see today. Through all this time, Dublin Castle has been a seat of power for Ireland’s different rulers and decision-makers, and it’s considered one of the country’s most important historical monuments, hosting presidential inaugurations and state visits.

Dating back to 800 AD, the illuminated manuscript of the four Gospels known as the Book of Kells is renowned for its extraordinary illustrations and ornamentations. Its intricate drawings, incorporating Celtic and Christian traditions, are a testament to the incredible craftsmanship of the medieval monks believed to have created it. Despite Viking raids, theft, and fights between various Irish and English factions, 680 astonishingly detailed vellum (calf-skin) pages of Latin text remain intact.

The Giant's Causeway is a cluster of approximately 40,000 basalt columns rising out of the North Atlantic Ocean on the Antrim Coast of Northern Ireland. A UNESCO World Heritage site and National Trust property, the area attracts thousands of tourists each year who come for the dramatic coastal views, landscape photography opportunities, and the chance to learn about the geological forces that created this impressive natural landmark.

A compact cluster of crowded cobbled lanes, Temple Bar is an urban playground known for its nightlife. Once a rundown slum before artists and bohemian types—drawn by cheap rents—moved in, Dublin’s so-called cultural quarter has since been revamped. It is now home to galleries, vintage shops, cafés, cultural institutions, and a high concentration of pubs.

The bronze Molly Malone Statue commemorates the young woman featured in the local ballad, 'Cockles and Mussels'. As the song goes, this beautiful woman plied her trade as a fishmonger through the streets where her statue now rests, until she suddenly died of a fever. As a nod to the folk song, a statue was erected on the corner of Grafton and Suffolk streets and unveiled at the 1988 Dublin Millennium celebrations. This tune has been adopted as Dublin's unofficial anthem, boosting this heroine to eternal fame. Though there is debate as to whether or not a Molly Malone like the one in the song ever existed, she is real to the people of Dublin and is remembered both in song as well as on June 13, National Molly Malone Day. The statue also acts as a popular rendezvous spot for groups as the beautiful bosomy woman with her cart cannot be missed.

Established as a small Viking church in the 11th century, this magnificent cathedral was rebuilt in stone in the 12th century under orders from Norman knight, Strongbow, whose tomb is now held here. In the late 19th century, it was given a neo-Gothic makeover, though original elements including the 12th-century crypt remain.

Once the home of Jameson Irish Whiskey, the Bow St. distillery operated for nearly 200 years before production moved to County Cork in the 1970s. Today, the restored site serves as an interactive visitor center where travelers can explore the brand’s history through guided tours, tastings, and blending sessions. It’s a must-visit if you're interested in Irish craftsmanship, storytelling, and a taste of one of the country’s most famous exports.

The largest church in Ireland, the majestic St. Patrick’s Cathedral has borne witness to nearly 800 years of Irish history. The church was supposedly founded on the site where Ireland’s patron saint, St. Patrick, baptized converts and is known for its exquisite stained-glass windows, marble statues, and medieval tiling. St. Patrick’s is as much a significant spot for literary pilgrims as it is for their religious counterparts; Jonathan Swift, the esteemed author of “Gulliver’s Travels” once served as dean here and is now buried within its gray stone walls.

Once a common used for sheep grazing and public executions, St. Stephen’s Green became public park in 1877. This popular 22-acre (9-hectare) park offers benches and green lawns for relaxing, beautiful flower beds, a lake full of ducks, children’s playgrounds, and busts of prominent Irish historical figures.

Closed to prisoners for more than a century, this formidable looking ex-jail in Dublin is now a museum that offers a walkthrough of modern Irish history. Visitors can learn about the common prisoners, jailed for stealing food during the Great Famine, along with political prisoners who spanned events from the late 18th-century rebellions, to the Easter Rising, to the Irish Civil War. There’s also an exhibition of political prisoner stories from around the world.

Explore beyond Dublin with a day trip to Glendalough, a sixth-century monastic complex one hour south of the city center. Set between two lakes, Glendalough is a popular destination for travelers who want a taste of the Irish countryside. It’s also a common stop for hikers setting out along the Wicklow Way, which runs through the valley.

Situated on Dublin’s Northside, O’Connell Street is one of the city’s main thoroughfares. As well as being home to shops, bars, and restaurants, this broad boulevard is also the setting for several statues, the 390-foot-high (120-meter-high) Spire monument, and the bullet-pocked General Post Office (GPO)—a key site in Ireland’s 1916 Easter Rising.