Best things to do in Dublin over a weekend!

     The lively capital of Ireland stepped out of the shadow of its “big brother” London years ago and is now a popular destination for a city break. And rightly so: Because the city has so much to offer and combines traditional history with hip modernity.

We visited the capital of Ireland as part of a 3 week road trip through Ireland and Northern Ireland. There are really many great Dublin sights to discover and we have  put together our favorite ones in the Dublin travel tips. We promise it is not only about Guinness or Jameson!

Let’s have a look at the best things to do in Dublin:

1. Guinness Storehouse

There is nothing Dublin is more famous for than the dark, strong beer called Guinness. In the Guinness Storehouse, you can find out everything you ever wanted to know about the coveted barley juice with the Guinness Experience. For us it is one of the top Dublin sights.

Interactive stations tell not only the history of the beer on seven floors, but also everything about the ingredients, transport and also the interesting history of marketing. The experience is rounded off, how could it be otherwise, with a Guinness tasting in the rooftop bar with a 360 degree view over the rooftops of Dublin .

By the way, it is worth buying a ticket in advance, because the queues can be enormous. 

2. Trinity College & Book of Kells Library

The Trinity College is one of the most prestigious universities in the world and the library is the largest in the country. The highlight is the 64-meter long room from 1732. The library houses an incredible 4.5 million books.

By far the most famous of these is the Book of Kells , the oldest surviving book in the world. It is an illustrated manuscript from the ninth century. It is written in Latin and contains the four wills. The Book of Kells is one of the must see attractions in Dublin.

Trinity College was also the location for Harry Potter. So there are many reasons why it is one of the top Dublin attractions. As you can see in the photo, there is a lot going on there. But it is really an impressive place!

3. Temple Bar

Temple Bar is not just a bar, it’s a whole neighborhood full of bars! The Temple Bar district south of the River Liffey is Dublin’s cultural center full of boutiques, hip bars, restaurants and galleries.

As soon as it gets dark, The Bar turns into the city’s nightlife district. In the cobbled streets, one excellent pub is lined up with the other, live music and DJs provide a party atmosphere.

Here you will also find the The Pub, one of Dublin’s most popular attractions. Its history goes back to 1599 and is the most famous pub on the island. In any case, it is worth taking a look at the pub; a less frequented pub may be suitable for enjoying.

4. Dublin Castle

The Dublin Castle stands in the middle of the old town and is definitely one of our Dublin travel tips. As early as the 10th century, a fortress stood in place of the castle.

The building you see today dates from the 18th and 19th centuries. The representative rooms, the so-called State Apartments, are located in the southern part of the castle. This is where the EU Council meetings and ceremonies for the inauguration of a President take place today.

5. St. Patrick’s Cathedral & Christ Church Cathedral

The St. Patrick’s Cathedral is an absolute highlight Dublin! It was built in 1220 in honor of Ireland’s patron saint and is now one of the city’s most popular attractions. It is one of the few medieval buildings that still stands today. Jonathan Swift, the author of Gulliver’s Travels, was dean here and is buried here.

The fabulously beautiful Christ Church Cathedral is Dublin’s oldest building and a must on every Dublin trip. The highlight of the early Gothic cathedral is the crypt from 1171, which contains many historical works of art. Both cathedrals are among the top Dublin landmarks not to be missed.

6. Old Jameson Distillery

Here you can see how the famous Old Jameson Whiskey is distilled. At Old Jameson you dive into the world of whiskey with all your senses: smell, hear, see and above all – taste: Because all three tours offered include a whiskey tasting.

7. Kilmainham Gaol

A rather depressing sight in Dublin is Kilmainham Prison , which opened in 1796 . It is inextricably linked to the history of Dublin.

Because most of Ireland’s infamous political and military leaders are here, for example Robert Emmet or the leaders of the 1916 Easter Rising.

The prison was in operation until 1924. The guided tour and the exhibition give you a realistic insight into what life must have been like behind these bars.

8. National Museum Dublin

The Irish National Museum was founded in 1877 and contains more than four million items from the fields of natural history, culture, Irish art and history. If the weather doesn’t play along, that’s a good alternative. But it’s also worth it.

9. St. Stephen’s Green

St. Stephen’s Green is Dublin’s most popular park. It is located in the middle of the city and borders directly on the popular shopping and promenade Grafton Street. Here you can take a well-deserved break from sightseeing, enjoy the Irish sun or fortify yourself with a picnic.

The nine-hectare park is designed in Victorian style and is crossed by a 3.5-kilometer network of paths. There is a children’s playground, a waterfall and a lake with water birds.