9 of the Best Views in Dublin and Where To Find Them

When it comes to classic Dublin viewpoints, you can’t beat the Guinness Storehouse. At the rooftop Gravity Bar, you can enjoy panoramic views of Dublin from one of the city’s most famous landmarks. (For those who aren't in the know, you reach the bar at the end of your brewery tour, where you’ll also get a complimentary pint of the black stuff.) So, sip your Guinness as you take in Dublin city views of the surrounding rooftops and beyond, and definitely check out the illustrated pictures of the skyline on the glass to figure out exactly what you’re viewing.

Most people don’t realize that Dublin is a coastal city, and it’s easy to visit nearby beaches on a day trip via train. One of the best places to go to is Killiney, where you can take a dip in the swimming spot at Vico Bathing Place or stroll along the pebbly beach. But to get one of the most scenic views in Dublin, hike up Killiney Hill, weaving through the park and past the bright yellow gorse bushes until you reach the giant obelisk at the top. It’s one of the best Dublin photography spots, especially at sunset.

Wherever you are along the banks of the River Liffey, you’ll be able to take in impressive views of the city’s riverside edifice. A boat tour along the Liffey offers a unique perspective on the Georgian buildings that line the river, as well as the more modern steel and glass buildings of Dublin’s Docklands. These boat trips also tend to tick off several Dublin neighborhoods in one, but if you want to take a longer cruise, book a boat tour out to Dún Laoghaire. The journey starts at the end of the River Liffey in the Docklands, heads past the skyscrapers into Dublin Bay, and down along the coastline.

Phoenix Park is just a short hop from the city center, but a trip there feels like a breath of fresh air. Take a walk through the verdant foliage or rent a bike at the main entrance to explore. Views are varied, from dense woodland to the herds of fallow deer who roam the meadows and plains. When you get to the higher points of the park, you can admire Dublin in the distance—it’s most picturesque as dusk falls when the city lights twinkle into action.

The Dublin Mountains are a dream for hikers, with peaks just a short bus ride from the city. One of the most popular walking spots is known as the Hell Fire Club, named for the derelict (and supposedly haunted) hunting lodge at the top, the former stomping grounds of accused Satanists. Whatever the backstory, the trails around the mountain are among the best places to see Dublin’s more bucolic surroundings. If you aren’t a hiking pro or prefer to let others organize, book a hiking tour—some take you directly to Hell Fire Club.

Less than thirty minutes out of the center by train, the Dublin island of Howth is nearby and accessible but feels miles away from the city. Walk one of the cliff paths (they vary in difficulty), and you’ll find idyllic views of Dublin Bay from the top of the wildflower-covered peaks as the waves crash feet below. If you want to see the cliffs from the water, take a boat tour around or cruise over to Ireland’s Eye, a colony home to a large native bird and seal population.

Are you a sports fan wondering where to see the Dublin skyline? Head to the Croke Stadium and GAA Museum. Just be warned—if you have vertigo, this experience may not be for you, as the drop feels sheer from this viewpoint. Tour the stadium and make your way to the very top of it to walk over Dublin’s highest open-viewing platform, Kellog’s Skyline, which is 17 stories high. From there, you’ll get a bird’s-eye view not only of the pitch but of the city, mountains, and sea in the distance.

You might think that the views from the top deck of a bus aren’t that different from the ones at street level. But even that slight bit of elevation makes a difference. On the hop-on hop-off Dublin bus tour, you’ll drive around the city’s most scenic landmarks, from the cathedrals and distilleries to the Georgian mansions and city parks. The vantage point is even better when you ride past attractions such as Dublin Castle and Custom House, where you can see the intricately carved gargoyles and sculptures at eye level.

Once a chimney for Jameson Whiskey (the distillery is right downstairs), the Skyview Tower is one of the tallest structures in Dublin. On a clear day, it offers some of the best views in Dublin—you can see out as far as the Wicklow Mountains and Howth. The best part? It’s open from 7am to 10pm every day, so it’s easy to catch either the sunrise or the sunset. Be warned, though—it’s a tough climb up to the top, with 259 steps on a spiral staircase.