Dublin is a city that runs on conversation, music, and a good pint. Behind the Georgian facades and Viking foundations lies a creative, sharp-witted city that punches far above its weight in literature, music, and food. Most visitors hit Temple Bar, the Guinness Storehouse, and Trinity College. Here are 35 ways to find the Dublin that Dubliners actually love.
Use Trail Together in the Breevy app to explore Dublin with friends — share your route, discover hidden spots, and collect gems along the way.
Pubs
1 The Long Hall
One of Dublin's most beautiful Victorian pubs: ornate mirrors, carved wood, a long mahogany bar, and stained glass that filters the afternoon light. The Long Hall has been serving pints since 1766 and hasn't changed much since. Order a Guinness, find a corner, and settle in. No screens, no gimmicks — just a proper pub.
2 Grogan's Castle Lounge
Dublin's unofficial artists' pub. Grogan's has been the watering hole for painters, writers, and characters for decades. The walls are hung with art (much of it given in exchange for bar tabs), the toasted sandwiches are legendary, and the pint of plain is always good. Sit outside on a sunny afternoon and watch Dublin's creative class drift by.
3 Kehoe's on South Anne Street
A classic Dublin snug pub with multiple small rooms, a working Victorian snug (a tiny private booth by the bar), and an atmosphere that hasn't been designed — it's just accumulated over a century. Friday evenings are busy but brilliant. The upstairs room is a hidden second pub that most visitors never find.
4 Toner's: literary drinking
The only pub W.B. Yeats ever drank in (according to legend, he didn't like pubs but made an exception for Toner's). The front room still has the original shop drawers from when it doubled as a grocery. The back garden is one of the nicest in Dublin for summer drinking. It's an old-school pub that happens to be literary royalty.
5 The Cobblestone: trad music
Dublin's best traditional music pub, where sessions happen nightly in the front bar. Musicians gather spontaneously, the music is raw and real, and the atmosphere is electric. The back room hosts folk and roots gigs. The Cobblestone is beloved by Dubliners and nearly faced demolition — a citywide campaign saved it. Go any evening; the music starts around 9.
6 Mulligan's of Poolbeg Street
Established in 1782, Mulligan's serves what many consider the best pint of Guinness in Dublin. The dark wood interior, gas-lamp-style lighting, and no-nonsense bar staff create an atmosphere that feels genuinely timeless. JFK drank here. Con Houlihan wrote here. It's the real Dublin pub experience, unchanged and unpretentious.
Culture & History
7 Trinity College and the Book of Kells
The Book of Kells exhibition and the Long Room library are essential Dublin experiences. The illuminated manuscript dates from around 800 AD, and the Long Room — a 65-meter barrel-vaulted chamber with 200,000 of the oldest books in Ireland — is one of the most beautiful library spaces in the world. Book timed tickets online to avoid the queue.
8 Kilmainham Gaol
The most powerful museum in Dublin. This former prison held the leaders of every major Irish rebellion, and the guided tour through the cells, corridors, and the stone-breakers' yard where the 1916 leaders were executed is profoundly moving. Book well in advance — tours sell out weeks ahead, especially in summer.
9 IMMA at the Royal Hospital
Ireland's premier modern art museum occupies one of the finest 17th-century buildings in Ireland — the Royal Hospital Kilmainham. The contrast between the classical courtyards and the contemporary art inside is striking. The formal gardens are free to wander, and IMMA's exhibitions consistently feature challenging international and Irish work. Pair with a visit to Kilmainham Gaol next door.
10 Literary Dublin walking tour
Dublin produced Joyce, Beckett, Wilde, Yeats, Shaw, and Heaney — more Nobel laureates in literature per capita than any other city. Walk the literary trail: the Oscar Wilde statue on Merrion Square, Sweny's Pharmacy from Ulysses (still selling lemon soap), the James Joyce Centre, and Davy Byrne's pub where Leopold Bloom ate a gorgonzola sandwich.
11 Chester Beatty Library
Tucked inside Dublin Castle's grounds, this free museum holds one of the world's greatest collections of manuscripts, prints, and rare books from across Asia, the Middle East, and Europe. Egyptian papyri, Japanese woodblock prints, and illuminated Qurans share space in a beautifully curated collection. It's been voted Europe's best museum and is completely free.
12 Hugh Lane Gallery
A free gallery of modern and contemporary art housed in a Georgian townhouse on Parnell Square. The permanent collection includes Impressionist masterpieces, and the highlight is Francis Bacon's reconstructed studio — the entire chaotic workspace transplanted from London. The Sean Scully room is also magnificent. Free entry, rarely crowded.
Outdoor
13 Walk the Howth Cliff Path
Take the DART train 30 minutes to Howth and walk the cliff loop trail around the headland. The views over Dublin Bay, Ireland's Eye island, and the open Irish Sea are stunning. The full loop takes about two hours and ends back at the harbor, where seafood restaurants serve the catch of the day. Bring a windproof layer — it's always blowing.
14 Phoenix Park
One of the largest enclosed urban parks in Europe — twice the size of Central Park. A herd of 600 fallow deer roams the open grasslands. Walk or cycle through the Wellington Monument obelisk, the People's Garden, and the Magazine Fort. The Papal Cross marks where over a million people gathered for Pope John Paul II's mass in 1979. It's vast, green, and beautifully wild.
15 Swim at the Forty Foot
Dublin's most famous sea swimming spot, open year-round. The Forty Foot in Sandycove is a rocky bathing place where hardy Dubliners swim every morning regardless of weather. Joyce wrote about it in the opening chapter of Ulysses. The water is cold, the views are magnificent, and the post-swim endorphin rush is real. Visit the James Joyce Tower museum next door.
16 Dun Laoghaire pier walk
Two Victorian granite piers extend into Dublin Bay, creating one of the finest coastal walks near the city. The East Pier is the more popular, with views toward Howth and the Wicklow Mountains. Walk to the end, feel the salt spray, and loop back via the waterfront promenade. Sunday mornings bring a farmers' market at the People's Park nearby.
17 Cycle the Grand Canal
The Grand Canal towpath is Dublin's loveliest flat cycling route, running from the docklands through Portobello and Rathmines and out into the countryside. The stretch through the city passes colorful houseboats, canal-side pubs, and Patrick Kavanagh's statue on his bench (sit beside him). Dublin Bikes stations are dotted along the route.
Free Things to Do
18 National Museum of Ireland — Archaeology
Ireland's premier archaeological museum is free and extraordinary. The bog bodies — 2,000-year-old preserved human remains pulled from Irish bogs — are haunting and unforgettable. The Ardagh Chalice, the Tara Brooch, and the collection of Celtic gold are world-class. Allow at least two hours. No booking required.
19 Merrion Square and the Georgian doors
Dublin's finest Georgian square is surrounded by perfectly preserved 18th-century townhouses with their famous colorful doors. Walk the square, spot the plaques (Oscar Wilde, W.B. Yeats, and Daniel O'Connell all lived here), and visit the park where artists hang their work on the railings every Sunday. The Oscar Wilde statue reclining on a boulder is a delight.
20 National Gallery of Ireland
Free entry to a collection that includes Caravaggio, Vermeer, Jack B. Yeats, and a superb Irish art section. The Millennium Wing is architecturally striking, and the gallery café is one of the nicest museum cafés in Dublin. The Caravaggio — "The Taking of Christ" — was discovered in a Jesuit dining room in 1990 and is the gallery's star piece.
21 Walk through Stoneybatter
Dublin's oldest residential neighborhood is now its hippest. Walk Manor Street and Stoneybatter Road for independent coffee shops, vintage stores, and some of the city's best small restaurants. L. Mulligan Grocer is a must (craft beer and elevated pub food). The neighborhood has a village feel that's rare in a capital city.
22 Glasnevin Cemetery
Ireland's largest cemetery is also one of its most historically significant, holding the graves of Michael Collins, Éamon de Valera, and many other figures from Irish history. The grounds are beautiful and the atmosphere is peaceful. The museum and guided tours (paid) are excellent, but you can walk the grounds freely at any time.
Food
23 Fish and chips at Leo Burdock's
Dublin's most famous chipper has been serving battered cod and thick-cut chips since 1913. The queue is part of the experience. Take your fish and chips to the bench outside Christ Church Cathedral and eat them from the paper. Simple, perfect, deeply satisfying. Cash only.
24 Full Irish breakfast
The full Irish is a religion: rashers, sausages, black and white pudding, eggs, toast, grilled tomato, mushrooms, and baked beans. Brother Hubbard on Capel Street does a modern version. Matt the Thresher on Pembroke Street goes traditional. Beshoff's adds fish options. Whichever you choose, come hungry and don't rush. Tea, not coffee, is the correct accompaniment.
25 Howth seafood on the pier
After walking the cliff path, reward yourself with fresh seafood at Howth's harbor. The Octopussy seafood stalls at the West Pier serve chowder, crab claws, and smoked salmon right off the boats. For a sit-down meal, King Sitric and Aqua are excellent. The fish couldn't be fresher — the trawlers unload meters from your plate.
26 Explore the food scene in Phibsborough
North Dublin's Phibsborough is the city's emerging food quarter. The Bernard Shaw crowd has migrated here, bringing with it natural wine bars, ramen spots, and excellent brunch cafés. Two Boys Brew does the best coffee. The Bald Eagle does exceptional fried chicken. The Phibsborough Shopping Centre food hall is a new addition worth exploring.
27 Oysters at the Shelbourne Bar
Irish oysters — particularly Galway and Carlingford — are among the best in the world. The Horseshoe Bar at the Shelbourne Hotel is a classic Dublin institution where you can eat oysters at the bar with a glass of Champagne or a pint of stout. The setting is old-world glamour. The oysters are superb.
Day Trips
28 Glendalough: monastic valley
An hour south of Dublin, the ancient monastic site of Glendalough sits in a glacial valley surrounded by the Wicklow Mountains. The round tower, Celtic crosses, and ruined churches date from the 6th century. Walk the upper and lower lake trails for spectacular mountain scenery. Take the St Kevin's Bus from Dublin or rent a car for maximum flexibility.
29 Brú na Bóinne (Newgrange)
Newgrange is a 5,000-year-old passage tomb — older than the Egyptian pyramids and Stonehenge. The interior passage aligns perfectly with the winter solstice sunrise, flooding the burial chamber with light. The guided tour through the passage is awe-inspiring. Book through the Brú na Bóinne visitor centre; you cannot visit independently.
30 Dalkey and Killiney Hill
Take the DART to Dalkey, a charming coastal village with excellent restaurants, a castle, and winding streets. Walk up Killiney Hill for views that have been compared to the Bay of Naples — the sweep of Dublin Bay, the Wicklow Mountains, and on clear days, the Mountains of Mourne in the north. It's 20 minutes from the city center but feels like the countryside.
31 Powerscourt Estate and Waterfall
One of Ireland's grandest country estates, set against the dramatic backdrop of the Wicklow Mountains. The Italianate gardens are among the finest in Europe, with terraces, lakes, and views of Sugar Loaf Mountain. The Powerscourt Waterfall nearby is Ireland's highest at 121 meters. Combine with a drive through the Wicklow Gap for a perfect day out.
Evening
32 Live music on Capel Street
Capel Street is Dublin's buzzing northside strip, pedestrianized and packed with bars, restaurants, and late-night spots. Nearly every venue has live music on weekends. Start at Wigwam for cocktails, move to The Confession Box for a pint, and end wherever the sound of trad or indie pulls you. The street has more energy per meter than anywhere else in Dublin.
33 Whiskey tasting at the Teeling Distillery
Dublin's first new distillery in over 125 years sits in the Liberties, the old whiskey quarter. The guided tour explains the triple-distillation process and ends with a generous tasting of Teeling's range. The cocktail bar on site mixes inventive whiskey cocktails. For a deeper experience, book the blending session where you create your own bottle.
34 Comedy at the International Bar
The basement of the International Bar hosts Dublin's longest-running comedy night. Irish comedy is sharp, dark, and self-deprecating — and the intimate room creates an atmosphere where anything can happen. Many of Ireland's best comedians cut their teeth here. Shows run most nights. Arrive early for a good seat and a pint.
35 Night walk along the Liffey
Walk the River Liffey from the Samuel Beckett Bridge (a harp lying on its side) west through the city center, past the Ha'penny Bridge, the Four Courts, and on to the Phoenix Park gates. The illuminated bridges and quays are beautiful after dark, and the walk gives you a quiet, reflective side of Dublin that the daytime bustle obscures.
All 35 activities are mapped and discoverable in the Breevy app. Use Trail Together to explore Dublin with friends and unlock hidden gems as you go.
Tips for Visiting Dublin
Dublin is compact and walkable — you can cover the city center on foot in a day. The DART coastal rail line is the best way to reach Howth, Dun Laoghaire, Dalkey, and the seaside suburbs. The Luas tram connects the city center to the suburbs. Dublin is not cheap — a pint costs 6-7 euros and restaurant prices rival other Northern European capitals. But the pubs, the people, and the craic are worth every cent. Bring a rain jacket. Always bring a rain jacket.
For more city guides and discoveries, visit the Breevy Blog.
Explore Dublin with Breevy
Every recommendation in this guide is discoverable in the Breevy app — with GPS guidance, local tips, and hidden gems you won't find anywhere else.
Download Breevy