That’s why your choice of base matters so much. If you stay in the right places, you can see the Cliffs of Moher, the Ring of Kerry and Dingle without packing your suitcase every day. Here are my recommendations for six great towns in Ireland and hotels in several price ranges.

The Best Towns in Ireland

• Dublin - best city for a city break and your first night
• Galway - best town for pubs and live music
• Doolin - best base for the Cliffs of Moher
• Killarney - best base for the Ring of Kerry and the national park
• Dingle - best town for harbour charm and wild nature
• Kinsale - best town for food and the south coast

Below, I’ll take you through the six towns one by one, from the capital in the east to the west coast and the south coast, and recommend three hotels in each town in different price ranges.

1. Dublin - best city for a city break and your first night

• Location: On the east coast by the River Liffey. It’s the capital and the country’s largest city.
• Transport: The Luas tram, the DART trains along the coast and city buses. Trains to the west and south leave from Heuston Station.
• Time from the airport: Around 30 to 45 minutes by bus from Dublin Airport to the city centre.
• Price range: €€€. The three hotels below cost roughly £95 to £600 a night when I searched for a weekend in May.
• Safety: Generally safe. Watch out for pickpockets in Temple Bar, and stick to well-lit streets late in the evening.

Most trips to Ireland start in Dublin, and it makes good sense to stay here for the first few nights. The city’s compact, so you can walk between Trinity College, Grafton Street, St Stephen’s Green and the pubs of Temple Bar in under half an hour. It’s also where most international flights land, so you’ll avoid a long drive straight after landing.

Dublin’s more expensive than the rest of the country, especially at weekends when there are concerts or rugby matches. If you stay a little outside the centre, for example in Drumcondra or Ballsbridge, you can often save quite a bit and still get into town by bus in 15 minutes.

See hotels in Dublin here.

I’ve written a full guide to where to stay in Dublin, where I go through the neighbourhoods one by one. It’s worth reading if you’re staying several nights in the city, because there’s a big difference between staying in lively Temple Bar and in the quiet Georgian streets around Merrion Square.

If you have two or three days, take a look at my suggestions for things to do in Dublin, and if you’re landing late, check how to get from Dublin Airport to the city centre before you travel. If you’re heading west afterwards, I’d pick up the hire car on your way out of the city rather than leaving it parked in Dublin, where parking’s expensive and the traffic’s heavy.

Places to Stay in Dublin

The Merrion Hotel - best luxury hotel on Merrion Square

The Merrion is on Merrion Square, a few minutes’ walk from St Stephen’s Green, and it’s one of the most exclusive hotels in Dublin. There’s a spa with an indoor pool, a restaurant, a bar and a garden, and it has an impressive guest rating of 9.5. On the other hand, it’s expensive, and several guests mention that drinks and snacks cost a lot.

One guest writes on Booking.com: “Everything about this hotel is excellent: the service, the location, the breakfast, the bar, the room and the room’s size and comfort.”

See photos and book The Merrion Hotel here.

citizenM Dublin St Patrick’s - modern mid-range pick near St Patrick’s Cathedral

citizenM is on Bride Street in the southern part of the centre, within walking distance of St Patrick’s Cathedral, Dublin Castle and Temple Bar. The hotel has a guest rating of 8.9 and a shared lounge, bar and café. The rooms are small and practically designed, so it suits you best if you mainly use your room for sleeping.

One guest praises their stay on Booking.com: “Excellent stay, great location and very friendly staff.”

See photos and book citizenM Dublin St Patrick’s here.

ABC House - cheapest pick in a quiet area north of the centre

ABC House is a small guesthouse on Drumcondra Road Upper, around 2.5 km north of the centre. It was by far the cheapest of the three when I searched, and it has a guest rating of 8.4. You’ll need to take the bus or allow for a longer walk into town, and a few guests mention that their room got very hot.

One guest writes on Booking.com: “The room was a good size, and the location was good.”

See photos and book ABC House here.

2. Galway - best town for pubs and live music

• Location: On the west coast by Galway Bay, around 210 km west of Dublin.
• Transport: Trains from Dublin Heuston to Galway Ceannt take around 2.5 hours. The station is by Eyre Square in the middle of town.
• Time from the airport: Around 2.5 hours by car or bus from Dublin Airport and about an hour by car from Shannon Airport.
• Price range: €€ to €€€. The three hotels below cost roughly £180 to £275 a night when I searched for a weekend in May.
• Safety: Safe. There can be noise and drunk people in the Latin Quarter late at weekends.

Galway is the town I’d choose if you can only stay in one place on the west coast. It’s small enough for you to walk everywhere, but it has enough pubs, restaurants and buskers that it never gets boring. Most of the action is in the Latin Quarter around Quay Street, Shop Street and the Spanish Arch, where Irish folk music is played in the pubs almost every night.

Galway’s also a good base for day trips. From here, you can drive out into Connemara with its lakes, bogs and mountains, take the ferry from Rossaveal to the Aran Islands or drive south to The Burren and the Cliffs of Moher. If you don’t have a car, several companies sell guided day trips by coach from the centre.

See hotels in Galway here.

If you’re coming by train, Galway’s easy to reach, because Irish Rail runs direct trains from Dublin Heuston to Galway Ceannt, and the station is right by Eyre Square. That makes Galway the obvious choice if you want to see the west coast without hiring a car.

The downside is the price. Galway is popular, and in summer and during festivals, the hotels in the centre get booked up quickly and become expensive. If you stay in Salthill, a little west of the centre, you’ll have the sea and the promenade right outside your door and often slightly lower prices.

Places to Stay in Galway

The Dean Galway - design hotel with a heated outdoor pool

The Dean is on Prospect Hill, a couple of minutes’ walk from Eyre Square, and it’s adults only. The hotel has a heated outdoor pool with a view, a sauna, a gym, a restaurant and a bar, and it has a guest rating of 8.4. Several guests mention that there’s limited space for clothes and luggage in the rooms.

One guest writes on Booking.com: “The decor and the atmosphere were impeccable.”

See photos and book The Dean Galway here.

Imperial Hotel Galway - classic hotel right on Eyre Square

The Imperial Hotel is right on Eyre Square, so the train station, the buses and the Latin Quarter are all within a few minutes’ walk. It’s a classic three-star hotel with a restaurant and a bar and a guest rating of 8.2 from more than 4,000 reviews. Some guests mention that a few of the rooms are dark, with little daylight.

One guest writes briefly on Booking.com: “The hotel was central to everything.”

See photos and book Imperial Hotel Galway here.

The Lane Boutique Residence - cheapest pick and adults only

The Lane is on Forster Street near Eyre Square, and it’s an adults-only guesthouse with a guest rating of 8.5. It was the cheapest of my three picks in the centre, and there’s a lift and air conditioning. The rooms are small, and there’s no restaurant, but you’ll have pubs and cafés just around the corner.

One guest praises the staff on Booking.com: “Very friendly staff, and the hotel and the room were spotlessly clean.”

See photos and book The Lane Boutique Residence here.

3. Doolin - best base for the Cliffs of Moher

• Location: A small village on the coast of County Clare, around 75 km south of Galway.
• Transport: There are no trains, and the buses don’t run often. A car is the easiest option.
• Time from the airport: Around 1 hour and 15 minutes by car from Shannon Airport.
• Price range: €€ to €€€. The three hotels below cost roughly £120 to £335 a night when I searched for a weekend in May.
• Safety: Very safe. Take care on the narrow roads with no pavement and near the cliff edge on the coastal path.

Doolin is a small village with colourful houses, a handful of pubs and a wild coastline right on your doorstep. It’s known for traditional Irish music, and pubs like Gus O’Connor’s, McGann’s and McDermott’s often have live music in the evening. This is where you should stay if you want to see the Cliffs of Moher early in the morning or late in the afternoon, before and after the tour buses from Galway and Dublin.

The cliffs are a few kilometres south of the village, and you can drive to the visitor centre in 15 minutes. There’s also a coastal path from Doolin towards the cliffs, but parts of it can be closed because of erosion and safety concerns, so check the status of the coastal walk on the official Cliffs of Moher website before you set off.

See hotels in Doolin here.

From Doolin Pier, boats sail to the Aran Islands and out below the cliffs during the summer season, so you can see them from the sea. The village is quiet in the evening, and when the pubs close, it gets very dark, so bring a torch if you’re walking between your B&B and the village.

The downside of Doolin is that there isn’t much to do on a rainy day, and many of the places to stay are bed & breakfasts spread out along the roads. So check the map before you book, so you don’t end up with a long walk along a dark country road. The barren limestone landscape of The Burren is just east of the village and is worth driving through.

Places to Stay in Doolin

Hotel Doolin - best hotel in the middle of the village

Hotel Doolin is in the village close to the pubs, and it’s a four-star hotel with a restaurant, a bar and free parking. It has a guest rating of 9.0 and was the most expensive of the three when I searched. A few guests mention that the cleaning of their room wasn’t quite up to scratch.

One guest writes on Booking.com: “We loved the decor of the suites, the hotel, the breakfast and the staff.”

See photos and book Hotel Doolin here.

Moloney House - bed & breakfast close to the pubs

Moloney House is a four-star bed & breakfast in Doonmacfelim, a few minutes’ walk from the village pubs. It has a guest rating of 9.4, free parking and a garden. It doesn’t accept stag and hen parties or similar groups, so it’s best suited to couples and families looking for peace and quiet.

One guest sums up their stay on Booking.com: “Good room, easy check-in, friendly hosts, good breakfast and a good location, a short walk into town.”

See photos and book Moloney House here.

Blackberry Lodge Accommodation - cheapest pick with a high guest rating

Blackberry Lodge is in Toomullin at the eastern end of the village, and it was the cheapest of the three when I searched. It has a guest rating of 9.3, free parking and family rooms. A few guests mention that the extra bed in the room wasn’t very comfortable.

One guest writes on Booking.com: “Fantastic place! Quiet, clean and comfortable. Easy check-in and wonderful staff.”

See photos and book Blackberry Lodge Accommodation here.

4. Killarney - best base for the Ring of Kerry and the national park

• Location: In County Kerry in south-west Ireland, right next to Killarney National Park.
• Transport: Trains from Dublin Heuston take around 3 hours and 20 minutes, often with a change in Mallow. The station is in the centre.
• Time from the airport: Around 20 minutes by car from Kerry Airport and around 1.5 hours from Cork Airport.
• Price range: €€ to €€€. The three hotels below cost roughly £140 to £495 a night when I searched for a weekend in May.
• Safety: Very safe. The main thing to watch out for is the traffic on the narrow roads in the national park.

Killarney is Ireland’s classic tourist town and the most practical base in Kerry. The town has lots of hotels, restaurants and pubs, and just outside the centre you’ll find Killarney National Park, which became Ireland’s first national park in 1932. Here you’ll find the Lakes of Killarney, Ross Castle, Torc Waterfall and Muckross House, which is just over 6 km south of the town.

From here, it’s also easy to drive the Ring of Kerry, a loop of around 180 km around the Iveragh Peninsula. Most people spend a full day on the drive with stops along the way, and it’s a good idea to set off early, before the coaches hit the road. You can explore the Gap of Dunloe, a narrow mountain pass west of the town, on foot, by bike or in a horse-drawn carriage.

See hotels in Killarney here.

Killarney is one of the few towns in south-west Ireland where you can manage without a car, because the train runs right into the centre, and there are plenty of guided tours to both the national park and the Ring of Kerry. If you do have a car, I’d choose a hotel with free parking, because it’s not a given in the centre.

The downside is that the town is very touristy, and in summer the streets are full of tour groups. On the plus side, you’ll get a wide choice of hotels in every price range, and on weekdays outside the school holidays, you can often find good deals.

Places to Stay in Killarney

Great Southern Killarney - best luxury hotel in the middle of town

Great Southern Killarney is a five-star hotel in the centre with a garden, a spa and an indoor pool, and the train station is right next door. It has a guest rating of 9.3 and suits you well if you want luxury without staying outside town. It’s expensive, and the price is also what guests most often mention as a downside.

One guest writes on Booking.com: “Everything! From the location, the building, the staff, the service, the food and the facilities, it was all fantastic.”

See photos and book Great Southern Killarney here.

Killarney Lodge - guesthouse with one of the highest ratings in town

Killarney Lodge is on Countess Road, a few minutes’ walk from the centre, and has an impressive guest rating of 9.6 from more than 1,000 reviews. There’s free parking, a garden and family rooms. There’s no restaurant, so you’ll need to find dinner in town, but it’s only a short walk.

One guest writes on Booking.com: “Thank you to the team for a wonderful stay!”

See photos and book Killarney Lodge here.

Eviston House Hotel - cheapest pick with a bar and live music

Eviston House is on New Street in the middle of Killarney, and it was the cheapest of the three when I searched. It’s a three-star hotel with a bar, live music and a guest rating of 8.0. Many guests mention that there are only a few parking spaces at the hotel.

One guest writes on Booking.com: “The hotel was very cosy, the staff were lovely, and even though I hadn’t booked breakfast with my stay, I was offered it included anyway.”

See photos and book Eviston House Hotel here.

5. Dingle - best town for harbour charm and wild nature

• Location: Out towards the tip of the Dingle Peninsula in County Kerry, around 70 km west of Killarney.
• Transport: There’s a bus from Tralee, but a car makes it much easier to see the peninsula.
• Time from the airport: Around 1 hour and 15 minutes by car from Kerry Airport.
• Price range: €€ to €€€. The three hotels below cost roughly £125 to £250 a night when I searched for a weekend in May.
• Safety: Very safe. Drive carefully on the Slea Head Drive and over the Conor Pass, where the roads are narrow.

Dingle is a small harbour town with colourful houses, fishing boats and more pubs than you’d think possible in a town that size. It’s one of the places in Ireland where you’ll still hear Irish spoken in everyday life, and the signs are often in Irish. The town is smaller and more relaxed than Killarney, and there’s live music in many of the pubs in the evening.

The big draw is the Slea Head Drive, a 47 km loop that starts and ends in Dingle. According to Discover Kerry, you should drive it clockwise to avoid meeting the coaches on the narrow roads. Along the way, you’ll pass some of the most beautiful coastal views in the country and the village of Dunquin, where the ferry leaves for Great Blasket Island.

See hotels in Dingle here.

If you’re heading north, you can drive over the Conor Pass, one of the highest mountain roads in Ireland. The road is narrow, and larger cars and campervans should take the easier route around the mountain.

The downside of Dingle is that it’s quite remote, and there are relatively few hotels. Most of the places to stay are bed & breakfasts and small guesthouses, and they get booked up early in summer. If you’re combining Dingle with Killarney, it’s a good idea to stay a couple of nights in each place rather than driving back and forth.

Places to Stay in Dingle

An Capall Dubh B&B Dingle - most expensive and most central bed & breakfast

An Capall Dubh is on Green Street in the middle of Dingle, so you can walk to both the harbour and the pubs. It was the most expensive of my three picks when I searched, and it has a guest rating of 9.3 and free parking. Some guests feel the price is high for the rooms you get.

One guest writes on Booking.com: “The location was perfect, the accommodation was really good, and the staff were so friendly and helpful.”

See photos and book An Capall Dubh B&B Dingle here.

Dingle Bay Hotel - harbourside hotel with a restaurant and live music

Dingle Bay Hotel is on Strand Street facing the harbour, and it’s a classic hotel in the middle of town. There’s a restaurant, a bar with live music and a lift, and the hotel has a guest rating of 8.7. Some guests feel it’s expensive if you’re only staying one night.

One guest praises the decor on Booking.com: “The hotel is exceptionally stylishly decorated.”

See photos and book Dingle Bay Hotel here.

Murphy’s Pub and Bed & Breakfast - cheapest pick with a pub on the ground floor

Murphy’s is also on Strand Street by the harbour and has rooms above a traditional pub. It was the cheapest of the three when I searched, and it has a guest rating of 9.3 from more than 1,100 reviews. There are stairs up to the rooms, so it’s not a good fit if you have limited mobility.

One guest writes on Booking.com: “Lovely view from the window. Very cosy room. It had everything you needed.”

See photos and book Murphy’s Pub and Bed & Breakfast here.

6. Kinsale - best town for food and the south coast

• Location: At the mouth of the River Bandon in County Cork, around 25 km south of Cork.
• Transport: Bus 226 runs between Cork, Cork Airport and Kinsale. The town is small and easy to walk around.
• Time from the airport: Around 25 minutes by car from Cork Airport.
• Price range: €€ to €€€. The three hotels below cost roughly £80 to £290 a night when I searched for a weekend in May.
• Safety: Very safe. Watch out for the traffic in the narrow streets in the centre.

Kinsale is a small harbour town with narrow streets, colourful houses and a harbour full of sailing boats. It’s known as one of the best places to eat in Ireland, and there’s an unusually large number of good restaurants, cafés and seafood restaurants for a town that size. That makes Kinsale a good choice if food is an important part of your holiday.

Kinsale is also the starting point of the Wild Atlantic Way, which, according to Cork County Council, stretches 2,500 km from Kinsale to Donegal. So if you’re driving all the way up the west coast, Kinsale is a natural place to start or finish.

See hotels in Kinsale here.

Around 3 km from the centre is Charles Fort, a large star-shaped fort from the late 17th century with great views over the harbour. You can walk out there along the water, and on the way you’ll pass the village of Summercove with a little pub by the harbour. The Old Head of Kinsale, a narrow rocky headland with a lighthouse, is a short drive south-west of the town.

The downside is that Kinsale is a long way from Dublin, so it works best if you’re flying into Cork. The town is also small, and in summer it can be hard to find parking in the centre, so it’s worth choosing a hotel with its own parking if you have a car.

Places to Stay in Kinsale

Perryville House - best luxury pick by the harbour

Perryville House is on Long Quay in the middle of town, facing the harbour, and it’s an adults-only four-star guesthouse. It has an impressive guest rating of 9.6, a bar and free parking. Several guests mention that the road in front of the house is very busy and hard to cross.

One guest writes on Booking.com: “Absolutely wonderful! I can’t recommend it enough!”

See photos and book Perryville House here.

Giles Norman Gallery & Townhouse - townhouse with rooms above a photography gallery

Giles Norman Townhouse is on Main Street in the middle of Kinsale, above a gallery of photographs, and has a guest rating of 9.5. You’ll have the restaurants right on your doorstep. There’s only on-street parking, and a few guests mention that there aren’t many plug sockets and that they’re awkwardly placed.

One guest writes on Booking.com: “Everything! So much thought had gone into the whole stay.”

See photos and book Giles Norman Gallery & Townhouse here.

Clover Cottage - cheapest pick with free parking

Clover Cottage is a bed & breakfast in Cappagh, around 1 km from the centre, and it was by far the cheapest of the three when I searched. It has a guest rating of 8.2 and free parking, so it’s a good fit if you have a car. Some guests mention a bad smell in the room, but also that the host dealt with it quickly.

One guest writes on Booking.com: “Fantastic, welcoming hosts who were always on hand to help.”

See photos and book Clover Cottage here.

Where should you avoid staying in Ireland?

I wouldn’t stay in Dublin for the whole holiday and take day trips to the west coast. It’s around three hours each way to the Cliffs of Moher, and you’ll end up spending most of the day on a coach. You’re better off staying a couple of nights in Galway or Doolin.

I also wouldn’t choose hotels by the airports or along the motorways, even though they’re often cheap. You’ll save a little on the room, but you’ll miss out on the evenings in the pub, which are a big part of the experience in Ireland.

And I’d avoid changing hotels every single night. The roads on the west coast are narrow and winding, so it’s better to plan two or three nights in each place.

If it’s your first trip to Ireland, I’d start with two nights in Dublin and then drive to Galway. If you have a week, you can carry on to Doolin and down to Killarney or Dingle, and if you’re flying into Cork, Kinsale is a good place to start or finish.

If you’d rather do without a car, Dublin, Galway and Killarney are the easiest towns, because the train runs right into the centre. Doolin and Dingle suit you best if you want small villages and wild nature, and Kinsale is for you if you want to eat well. In Dublin, you can get around by bus and tram.

If you’d like more wild nature and cosy pubs on the other side of the Irish Sea, I’ve also written guides to where to stay in the Scottish Highlands and where to stay in Edinburgh.

The post Where to Stay in Ireland? The 6 Best Towns & Places to Stay appeared first on Destination Well Known.

Here are my picks for the 18 best things to see and do in Dublin, with prices, opening hours and tips on what to book before you go. Prices are in euros. Several of the big sights sell tickets for fixed time slots, and you can only get into Kilmainham Gaol with a ticket bought in advance, so read the sections before you make your plan. On the other hand, several of the city’s best museums are free.

1. Trinity College and the Book of Kells

Trinity College is right in the middle of the city, and it’s where Ireland’s most famous book is kept. The Book of Kells is a gospel manuscript from the ninth century with colourful illustrations, and only one double page is on display at a time. Afterwards, you go up to the Long Room, the library hall of just under 65 metres built between 1712 and 1732, which normally holds 200,000 of the library’s oldest books.

The library is being renovated in stages, and many of the books may have been taken down from the shelves, so the hall can look different from the famous photos. The standard ticket to the Book of Kells Experience costs from €25, takes about 90 minutes and also includes the Red Pavilion, with three digital exhibitions, and a free audio guide. If you only want to see the book and the Long Room, it costs from €19.

It’s open Monday to Thursday from 8.30am to 6.30pm, Friday and Saturday until 7pm and Sunday from 9am to 6.30pm. Tickets are for a fixed time and can’t be refunded, so buy them in advance, and don’t bring your suitcase, because there’s no left luggage.

Book a guided tour of historic Dublin with a ticket to the Book of Kells.

2. Guinness Storehouse

The Guinness Storehouse is on the brewery site at St. James’s Gate, west of the centre. It’s a museum about everything from the ingredients and the brewing to the famous adverts, and the visit ends in the Gravity Bar, where you get a pint of Guinness or Guinness 0.0 with views out over the city. It’s expensive, but it’s also the experience most first-time visitors look forward to the most.

The self-guided ticket costs from €24 on the brewery’s own website and takes about 90 minutes. With the Guinness Academy, from €36, you learn to pour the perfect pint and get a certificate, and with STOUTie, from €32, you get an extra pint with your own photo in the foam.

It’s open every day from 9.30am. Last entry is at 5pm Monday to Thursday and on Sundays, and at 6pm on Fridays and Saturdays, and the building closes two hours later. Under-18s must be with an adult and get a soft drink or water instead of beer. The hop-on hop-off buses stop at the entrance on Market Street. The ticket on GetYourGuide costs more than the brewery’s own, but it can be cancelled free of charge.

Book a ticket to the Guinness Storehouse with a pint in the Gravity Bar.

3. Kilmainham Gaol

Kilmainham Gaol opened in 1796 as Dublin’s new prison and closed in 1924. Many of those who rebelled against British rule were held here, among them Robert Emmet, Anne Devlin and Charles Stewart Parnell, and several of the leaders of the 1916 Easter Rising were imprisoned here and some of them executed. I think it’s the most important museum in the city if you want to understand Irish history.

You can only get in on a guided tour, which lasts an hour, and afterwards you have access to the museum, so allow an hour and a half in total. A ticket costs €8, €6 for seniors and €4 for students, and a family ticket costs €20. Children under 12 go free but still need a ticket, and the prison isn’t recommended for children under six.

All tickets have to be bought in advance on the prison’s own website, and tickets from other sellers are turned away at the door. Some of the tours are released 28 days ahead at midnight Irish time, and cancellations go on sale the same day from 9.15am, so check the site in the morning if everything is sold out. The prison is 3.5 kilometres from the centre. Take bus 60 from Wellington Quay or Heuston Station, or take the Luas Red Line to Suir Road.

4. St. Patrick’s Cathedral

St. Patrick’s Cathedral is the largest cathedral in Ireland. According to tradition, Saint Patrick baptised people at a well on the site 1,500 years ago, and the present church was built from 1220 to 1259. Jonathan Swift, who wrote Gulliver’s Travels, was dean here and is buried in the church, and the cathedral’s choir school has been singing services since 1432.

A ticket costs €11.50, €10 for students and seniors, and a family ticket for two adults and up to three children costs €31. If you’d also like to see Marsh’s Library next door, a joint ticket costs €17. Monday to Saturday at 10.30am and 2.30pm, there are free guided tours for ticket holders.

The church opens to visitors at 9.30am on weekdays, with last entry at 5pm, and at 9am on Saturdays, with last entry at 6pm. On Sundays, the cathedral holds services, so tourists can only get in during three time slots starting at 9am, 1pm and 4.30pm, and there are no guided tours. The cathedral is a short walk south of Christ Church Cathedral, so the two are easy to see in the same morning.

Book a ticket to St. Patrick’s Cathedral in advance.

5. Christ Church Cathedral and Dublinia

Christ Church Cathedral began as a Viking church and has welcomed visitors for almost 1,000 years. Beneath the church is the crypt, the oldest building in Dublin that’s still in use. Strongbow is buried in the church, and then there are the cathedral’s best-known residents, a mummified cat and a mummified rat.

A self-guided visit with an audio guide takes about an hour and costs €12 at the door and €11.50 on the cathedral’s ticket page. It’s open Monday, Wednesday, Friday and Saturday from 9.30am to 6pm, Tuesday and Thursday until 5.30pm and Sunday from 12.30pm to 3pm and again from 4.30pm to 6pm. Last entry is 45 minutes before closing. Ask at the welcome desk about the guided tours, which take you up into the bell tower, where you get to ring the bells.

Next to the cathedral is Dublinia, a museum about Viking and medieval Dublin that’s good for families. A combined ticket to the cathedral and Dublinia costs €25, takes about two and a half hours and is sold at the cathedral’s welcome desk or at Dublinia’s ticket office.

Book a ticket to Christ Church Cathedral with a self-guided tour.

6. Temple Bar and the Ha’penny Bridge

Temple Bar is the district of cobbled streets, pubs with live music and restaurants where most tourists go out in the evening. I think it’s fun to walk through, but drink most of your pints a few streets away, where there are fewer tourists and it’s quieter for a chat. If you want to stay right in the middle of it all, Temple Bar and the city centre is the first area in my guide to where to stay in Dublin, and you can see hotels in Temple Bar here.

On Saturdays, there are markets in the district. The food market on Meeting House Square is open from 9.30am to 3.30pm, and the book market on Bernardo Square from 10am to 5pm. On Thursdays, there’s a market on Temple Bar Square from noon to 6pm.

From Temple Bar, you cross the Ha’penny Bridge to the north side of the river. The cast-iron bridge was built in 1816 and is the oldest footbridge over the Liffey. The name comes from the halfpenny it cost to cross, right up until 1919. Come early in the morning if you want to photograph the bridge without people, or at sunset, when the light falls across the river. If you’d like to hear traditional Irish music in pubs you wouldn’t find on your own, go with a local guide.

Book a guided tour of four traditional pubs away from the tourist area.

7. Dublin Castle and Chester Beatty

Dublin Castle is in the middle of the city and is still used by the Irish state for official events. On a visit, you’ll see the State Apartments, the Chapel Royal, the medieval tower, the Viking excavation and the castle gardens. A self-guided tour costs €8 and a guided tour €12, and it’s normally open every day from 9.45am to 5.45pm, with last entry at 5.15pm.

The castle grounds can sometimes be closed to the public altogether when the castle is used for state visits and official events, so check the castle’s website before you go.

In the castle gardens is the Chester Beatty, a free museum whose collection includes a statue of the Chinese god of war Guandi and a metal binding for the four Gospels from 17th-century Constantinople. The museum can sometimes be closed altogether, so check the Chester Beatty’s website before you go. It’s normally open Monday to Saturday from 9.45am to 5.30pm, on Wednesdays until 8pm and on Sundays from noon to 5.30pm. From November to February, it’s closed on Mondays. The museum asks for a voluntary donation of €5.

8. EPIC The Irish Emigration Museum

EPIC is about the Irish who left for other parts of the world and the mark they made on their new countries. The museum is in the CHQ Building on Custom House Quay, an eight-minute walk from O’Connell Street, and has 20 interactive galleries. It’s a good choice on a rainy day, and it also works for teenagers who quickly get bored in traditional museums.

A ticket costs from €22, and you should allow about an hour and a half. Every day at 1pm, there’s a guided tour for €25, and a combined ticket with the ship Jeanie Johnston costs €34. It’s open every day of the week from 10am to 6.45pm, with last entry at 5pm.

If you have Irish roots, stop by the Irish Family History Centre in the same building, where genealogists can help you trace your family’s history.

Book a ticket to EPIC The Irish Emigration Museum.

9. National Museum of Ireland, Archaeology

The National Museum’s archaeology branch on Kildare Street is free, and it’s one of the best places to understand Ireland from prehistoric times to the Middle Ages. The most famous room is Kingship and Sacrifice, with Iron Age bog bodies. Among them is Old Croghan Man, who was found in 2003, and his well-preserved hands make a strong impression. Younger children may find it creepy.

In the Ór exhibition, you’ll see Ireland’s gold, and The Treasury holds the Ardagh Chalice, among other things. There are also permanent exhibitions on Viking Ireland, on the Middle Ages from 1150 to 1550 and on ancient Egypt, as well as an exhibition about the monastery at Glendalough, which is good to have seen if you’re taking a day trip there.

The museum is open Tuesday to Saturday from 10am to 5pm and on Sundays and Mondays from 1pm to 5pm, so don’t come in the morning at the start of the week. It’s close to the National Gallery, which is also free, so you can easily combine the two in one day.

10. National Gallery of Ireland and Merrion Square

Ireland’s national gallery is on Merrion Square West, and the permanent collection is free to see. Some of the temporary exhibitions charge admission. The gallery also has an archive with collections on the painter Jack B. Yeats and his family, and it’s a good place to relax for an afternoon with art and a cup of coffee in the café.

The gallery is open on Mondays and Sundays from 11am to 5.30pm, Tuesdays and Wednesdays from 9.15am to 5.30pm, Thursdays from 9.15am to 8.30pm and Fridays and Saturdays from 9.15am to 5.30pm. The entrance closes a quarter of an hour earlier. That makes Thursday evening a good time if your days are full.

Afterwards, take a walk in Merrion Square Park, in the middle of one of Dublin’s most beautiful Georgian squares. The houses around the park were built from 1762 over roughly the next 30 years, and Oscar Wilde, W.B. Yeats and Daniel O’Connell all lived here. In the park, there’s a memorial to Oscar Wilde from 1997. The park opens at 10am every day, and closing time changes with the seasons, from 5pm in winter to 10pm in June and July.

11. Grafton Street and St. Stephen’s Green

Grafton Street is Dublin’s best-known pedestrian street. It’s been closed to traffic since 1979 and runs from St. Stephen’s Green down towards College Green and the entrance to Trinity College. It’s lined with shops and department stores, and buskers play all day, so even if you don’t buy anything, it’s a good street for a stroll. Bewley’s Oriental Café, at numbers 97 to 98, is the city’s best-known café and a good place for a coffee along the way.

At the end of the street, you walk through Fusiliers’ Arch into St. Stephen’s Green, the city’s most central park, with a lake, flower beds and plenty of benches. The park is free. It opens at 7.30am Monday to Saturday and at 9.30am on Sundays and public holidays, and closing time changes with the seasons, from 4pm in late November to 9pm in summer.

Bring a sandwich and eat your lunch by the lake on a dry day, as many locals do. The Little Museum of Dublin is just across the road along the park. If you’d like to stay in the quiet streets around the park, you can see hotels near St. Stephen’s Green here.

12. Little Museum of Dublin

The Little Museum of Dublin is in a beautiful old building at 15 St. Stephen’s Green and tells the city’s story through objects donated by people from all over Ireland. You can only get in with a guide, and the tours are known for being entertaining, so this is the place if you’d rather have Dublin’s history told by a guide than read it on information boards.

After a major renovation, the museum has more exhibition space, a lift and a small terrace. Tours run every 40 minutes.

A ticket costs €18, seniors and students pay €16, and a family ticket for two adults and up to three children costs €45. It’s open every day from 9.30am to 5pm, with last entry at 4.30pm. The tours fill up quickly, so book a time in advance, especially at weekends.

13. GPO Witness History and O’Connell Street

The General Post Office on O’Connell Street is one of the most important buildings in Irish history. During the 1916 Easter Rising, the rebels occupied the building, and Patrick Pearse read out the Proclamation of the Republic from the portico at the front. Inside the building is GPO Witness History, an interactive exhibition about the Rising and Ireland’s more recent history.

A ticket costs €17, and students and seniors over 65 pay €15. Tickets for children over five start at €8.50. The exhibition is open Monday to Saturday from 10am to 5pm, with last entry at 4pm, and is closed on public holidays.

See Kilmainham Gaol and the GPO on the same day or on two days in a row, and you’ll get the whole story of 1916, from the Rising on O’Connell Street to the executions at the prison. From the Ha’penny Bridge, it’s a short walk over to O’Connell Street on the north side of the river, and EPIC is within walking distance from there too. The Aircoach buses from the airport also stop on O’Connell Street.

14. Jameson Distillery Bow St.

If you prefer whiskey to stout, head to Jameson Distillery Bow St. in the Smithfield district north of the river. The classic tour is called the Bow St. Experience. It takes 45 minutes, ends with a comparative tasting of three Jameson whiskeys and a cocktail, and costs from €26. Smithfield is also a good area to stay in, and you can see hotels in Smithfield here.

There are tours every day of the week. Children under 12 go free, and if you don’t drink alcohol, there’s an alcohol-free ticket for €15. If you want more than the standard tour, the distillery also runs cocktail and blending classes and a secret tasting in JJ’s Office.

It’s a shorter and more intimate experience than the Guinness Storehouse, and the two are on opposite sides of the river, so you can easily fit both into one day. The ticket is cheapest on the distillery’s own website, while the ticket on GetYourGuide costs a little more but can be cancelled free of charge.

Book a guided tour of Jameson Distillery with a whiskey tasting.

15. Phoenix Park and Dublin Zoo

Phoenix Park is one of the largest enclosed parks in any European capital, and it’s free and open around the clock. It’s home to a large herd of wild fallow deer, and you mustn’t feed them or go close to them. In the park stands the Wellington Testimonial, which at just over 62 metres is the tallest obelisk in Europe, and the Papal Cross, which was put up for Pope John Paul II’s visit in 1979. On Saturdays, there are free tours of the President’s residence, Áras an Uachtaráin, and tickets are handed out at the Phoenix Park Visitor Centre from 9.30am on a first-come, first-served basis.

Dublin Zoo is also in the park. An adult ticket costs €22.50 online and €26.50 at the gate, and children aged 3 to 15 pay €17 online. The zoo is open every day from 9.30am to 5.30pm, with last entry at 4.30pm, so it pays to buy your ticket in advance.

Bus 99 runs from Parkgate Street to the Phoenix Park Visitor Centre and stops at the zoo. From Heuston Station, it’s about a 20-minute walk to the zoo.

16. Glasnevin Cemetery

Glasnevin is Dublin’s large historic cemetery north of the centre, and it’s run by a committee that Daniel O’Connell set up in 1828. Many of the people you hear about at Kilmainham Gaol and the GPO are buried here, among them Michael Collins, Daniel O’Connell and Countess Markievicz, and the guided history tour also goes down into O’Connell’s crypt.

The history tour takes 1 to 1.5 hours and costs about €14.50, and you can go up O’Connell Tower for about €9. The museum and cemetery are normally open every day from 10am to 5pm. I haven’t been able to confirm the current prices with the cemetery itself, so check them on the museum’s own website before you go.

Book the tower in advance in particular. The cemetery is one of the places in Dublin where a guide really makes a difference, because without the stories, it’s mostly gravestones. It’s a peaceful place to end a day of Irish history.

17. Howth

Howth is a fishing village on a peninsula north of Dublin, and it’s the easiest trip into nature from the city. You take the DART train to the end of the line at Howth, and the Cliff Path Loop starts at the station. The route is 7.8 kilometres long, takes about two hours and follows the cliffs with views out to sea until the Baily Lighthouse comes into view.

The route is graded moderate, and the path can be uneven, so wear proper shoes. The walk is free, and afterwards you can head down to the harbour for lunch. The DART is part of the city’s regular public transport, so a Leap Visitor Card is also valid for the trip out there.

Check the weather forecast before you set off, because it’s much windier on the cliffs than in the city, and the path is no fun in rain and fog. If you’d rather have a guide and skip the planning, there are half-day tours from Dublin.

Book a guided walk on the Howth cliff path from Dublin.

18. Day Trip to Glendalough

Glendalough, in the Wicklow Mountains south of Dublin, is one of the most famous monastic sites in Ireland. Saint Kevin founded the monastery in the sixth century, and today the ruins and the tall round tower stand in a valley between the mountains.

The visitor centre costs €5, and a family ticket costs €13. If you pay for parking at the centre, you get one free ticket included. From mid-March to 14 October, the visitor centre is open every day from 9.30am to 6pm, and the rest of the year from 9.30am to 5pm. Last entry is 45 minutes before closing.

Without a car, the easiest option is an organised day trip from Dublin. Many of the tours cross the Wicklow Gap and combine Glendalough with the medieval town of Kilkenny, so you see a lot of the Irish countryside in one day. There are also buses to Laragh and Glendalough, but that takes more planning.

Book a day trip to the Wicklow Mountains, Glendalough and Kilkenny.

Practical Travel Tips for Dublin

The centre is small, and you can walk between most of the sights. For Kilmainham Gaol, Phoenix Park, Glasnevin and Howth, you’ll need a bus, the Luas or the DART. With a Leap Visitor Card, you can travel as much as you like on Dublin Bus, the Luas and the DART for one, three or seven days, but the card isn’t valid on the hop-on hop-off buses or Bus Éireann.

Book the big three first: the Book of Kells, the Guinness Storehouse and Kilmainham Gaol have tickets for fixed time slots, and the prison only sells tickets in advance. Then fill the rest of your days with the free museums. The National Museum and the National Gallery cost nothing, but remember that the National Museum doesn’t open until 1pm on Sundays and Mondays.

If you want to get your bearings on your first day, a guided walking tour is a good start, because then you’ll know what you’d like to see more of.

Book a guided walking tour of Dublin’s highlights.

If you’d like to see the full range, you can browse all hotels in Dublin on Booking.com. If you’d like to see more of Ireland after Dublin, my guide to where to stay in Ireland covers six towns, including Galway, Killarney and Kinsale. If you’re heading on to Scotland, I’ve also written about the best things to do in Edinburgh.

The post 18 Best Things to Do in Dublin: Sights, Prices & Tips appeared first on Destination Well Known.

Dublin is a fantastic city with lively pub culture, fascinating history and a unique blend of cosmopolitan city and cosy small town feel. The perfect place to take a city break.

In this guide, you’ll get an overview of the best areas to stay in, whether you’re into historic streets, trendy nightlife or quiet family neighbourhoods.

So let’s just get started: where to stay in Dublin?

Best Areas To Stay in Dublin

Here is a quick overview of the best areas to stay in Dublin:

• Temple Bar & City Centre – Historic centre with pub culture
• Docklands – Modern and centrally located
• Smithfield – Hip and up-and-coming with character
• St. Stephen’s Green – Exclusive shopping area

Click on the area’s name to see the best hotels in the area.

1. Temple Bar & City Centre – best area for first-time visitors

Temple Bar and central Dublin are the perfect base for your first Dublin experience. Here you get the city’s best pubs, lively street life and easy access to all the major sights.

Quick Info: Temple Bar & City Centre

• Distance to centre: 0 km (you ARE in the centre!)
• Nearest Luas/DART: Several stations within walking distance
• Time to airport: 30-40 minutes by bus/taxi
• Supermarket: Tesco and Spar everywhere
• Price level: €€€€ (4/5)
• Safety: (4/5)

Temple Bar is the area everyone knows from the postcards.. the cobbled streets, the colourful pub facades and the sound of live music streaming out from every corner. Yes, it’s touristy. Yes, the beers are more expensive here. But trust me, there’s a reason everyone wants to go there.

The atmosphere in the evening is simply electric, especially at weekends.

The great thing about staying centrally is that you can walk to almost everything. Trinity College is a five-minute walk away, so go in and see the Book of Kells (come early to avoid the queue). Dublin Castle, Christ Church Cathedral and St. Patrick’s Cathedral are all within a short walking distance. And Grafton Street, Dublin’s main pedestrian street, is just round the corner with street performers, shops and the famous Molly Malone statue.

See the best hotels in Dublin city centre here.

The pub culture is… well, that’s why you come to Dublin, isn’t it? The Temple Bar area has hundreds of pubs, but I’d recommend you also explore a bit outside Temple Bar itself.

The Brazen Head (Ireland‘s oldest pub from 1198!) is right next door, and it’s much more authentic.

Or go over to The Stag’s Head on Dame Court, a fantastic Victorian interior and a pub experience that feels more local.

I actually celebrated New Year’s Eve here a couple of years ago and fell completely in love with the place, it’s just a really lovely pub.

The downsides to staying in this part of Dublin?

It can be noisy, especially Thursday-Saturday night. Temple Bar gets wild after 10pm, so if you want an early night’s sleep, then book a hotel on a side street or in one of the quieter areas. And yes, the prices are high for hotels, food and drinks. But you’re paying for the location, and it’s worth its weight in gold.

Places to stay in Temple Bar & City Centre

The Westbury Hotel

This iconic five-star hotel is perfectly located on Grafton Street in the middle of the shopping district. Classic luxury meets modern comfort. The rooms are elegant and spacious, afternoon tea in the lobby is an experience in itself, and the location couldn’t be better. You can walk to everything.. Temple Bar is 5 minutes, Trinity College 3 minutes. The staff treat you like royalty, and the hotel’s restaurant is excellent.

Previous guests particularly highlight: “Perfect location in the middle of everything. We could walk to all the sights, and when we came back tired, it was like coming home to luxury.”

See more photos and book here.

The Morgan Hotel

Boutique hotel in the middle of Temple Bar with modern design and cool atmosphere. The rooms are stylish, some a bit compact (that’s Dublin standard), but perfectly furnished. The bar on the ground floor is popular amongst both guests and locals. You’re literally in the heart of the Temple Bar madness, which is fantastic or terrible depending on your perspective. Double glazed windows keep the noise out.. mostly.

A guest recently wrote: “Hip hotel, fantastic location. Yes, it’s noisy at night at weekends, but we knew that when we booked. The rooms are small but very nice.”

See more photos and book here.

2. Docklands – best place for modern comfort & cheaper hotels

Docklands is Dublin’s modern business district with glittering skyscrapers, renovated harbour areas and a mix of locals and expats.

Quick Info: Docklands

• Distance to centre: 1.5 km from Temple Bar
• Nearest Luas/DART: Several stations (Spencer Dock, George’s Dock)
• Time to airport: 25-30 minutes
• Supermarket: Tesco and Marks & Spencer within short distance
• Price level: €€€ (3/5)
• Safety: (5/5)

Docklands is Dublin’s answer to a modern business district. Twenty years ago it was dilapidated warehouse buildings and empty quays. Now? Glittering glass buildings, lovely apartments and tech giants like Google and Facebook. It’s Dublin’s Silicon Valley, and you can feel it in the atmosphere with many expats, young professionals and a generally cosmopolitan vibe.

The area is a good place to stay in Dublin if you want modern facilities and easy transport. Luas (Dublin’s tram) runs directly through the area and takes you to City Centre in 10 minutes. The DART station connects you with the entire coast.

See the best hotels in Docklands here.

In summer the quay is filled with people sitting with a coffee or a beer and enjoying the sun (when it shows itself).

3Arena is also in Docklands and Dublin’s largest concert venue. If your favourite artist comes to Dublin, it’s probably here. The location means you can walk home after the concert instead of fighting for a taxi with 10,000 other people.

The area lacks a bit of traditional Dublin charm. It’s not cobblestones and pubs, it’s glass and steel. If you dream of the historic, picturesque Dublin, then this area isn’t the place to stay. But if you want modern comfort, excellent transport and good restaurants at reasonable prices (compared to City Centre), then it’s perfect.

A bonus: it’s generally a bit cheaper to stay here than in the centre itself, and the rooms are often more spacious. Modern buildings mean better insulation, which is nice when it’s windy and rainy (which it is. Often.).

Places to stay in Docklands

The Marker Hotel

This five-star boutique hotel is Docklands’ crown jewel. World class modern design, spectacular rooftop bar with 360-degree views over Dublin, spa, pool and rooms that make you forget you’re on a business trip (even though you’re not). The location at Grand Canal Dock is perfect; peaceful but close to everything. It’s not cheap, but the quality is exceptional.

Previous guests particularly highlight: “The rooftop bar alone is worth visiting. We felt like VIPs. Modern, stylish and professional without being impersonal.”

See more photos and book here.

Clayton Hotel Cardiff Lane

Solid four-star hotel perfect for both business and pleasure. Modern rooms, good breakfast and excellent location at Grand Canal Dock. The Luas station is a 2-minute walk away. The hotel has a good restaurant and bar. Not fancy, but reliable quality at a fair price. Perfect midrange choice in the area.

A guest recently wrote: “Exactly what we needed. Clean, modern, close to transport. We could easily get around all of Dublin from here.”

See more photos and book here.

3. Smithfield – best place for hip atmosphere

Smithfield is Dublin’s up-and-coming quarter where old whiskey distilleries meet modern art, trendy cafés and a cool, edgy atmosphere.

Quick Info: Smithfield

• Distance to centre: 1.5 km northwest of City Centre
• Nearest Luas: Smithfield station (red line)
• Time to airport: 30 minutes
• Supermarket: Aldi and Lidl nearby
• Price level: €€ (2/5)
• Safety: (4/5)

Smithfield is the area that most resembles Brooklyn in New York or Shoreditch in London with old industrial buildings converted into lofts, street art on the walls and an atmosphere of creative energy. Fifteen years ago it was a rather neglected area.

Now? It’s the place where young creatives are moving to, and where you’ll find some of Dublin’s coolest new places.

See the best hotels in Smithfield here.

Smithfield Square is a massive cobbled square (it was originally a horse market) that’s now used for markets, festivals and events. On Sundays there’s often a farmer’s market with local produce.

Jameson Distillery is right here. The old whiskey factory is now a museum where you can learn all about Irish whiskey production and of course taste. It’s actually quite interesting, even if you’re not a whiskey nerd.

The great thing about staying in Smithfield is the raw aesthetic. Old warehouses have become cafés like The Bakehouse and 3FE. Restaurants like The Legal Eagle serve modern Irish food in a renovated pub. L. Mulligan Grocer combines craft beer with gastropub food.

The area naturally also attracts artists and creatives. There are several small galleries, vintage shops and independent shops. Lighthouse Cinema shows arthouse films and has a cosy bar. It’s much less touristy than City Centre, which means you meet more actual Dubliners.

The prices are lower than City Centre, both for hotels and food. You get more space for your money. And Luas takes you to the centre in 5 minutes, so it’s super practical.

In other words: the perfect area to stay in Dublin for young people looking for a hipster area with edge.

Places to stay in Smithfield

The Hendrick Smithfield

This boutique hotel is Smithfield’s answer to cool luxury. Modern design meets industrial chic aesthetic in a perfectly renovated building. The rooms are stylish and spacious, the bar/restaurant is popular amongst locals (always a good sign), and the location at Smithfield Square is perfect. It’s hip without being pretentious. The staff are young, friendly and know the area inside and out.

Previous guests particularly highlight: “Finally a hotel with personality! Design was on point, but it was also just comfortable and cosy. We felt like locals.”

See more photos and book here.

Generator Dublin

Modern hostel concept that also has private rooms. Cool design, social atmosphere and fantastic value for money. The common areas are designed for meeting other travellers with a cosy lounge, bar, table football. The rooms are basic but stylish and clean. Perfect for younger travellers or you who want to save money without compromising on style. Located right by Jameson Distillery.

A guest recently wrote: “Best combination of hostel prices and hotel quality. We booked a private room and had both privacy and the opportunity to socialise.”

See more photos and book here.

Maldron Hotel Smithfield

Reliable Irish hotel chain with good standard at reasonable price. Modern, functional rooms, decent breakfast and perfect Luas connection right outside. Nothing fancy, but it delivers exactly what it promises. Good base if you’re going to spend the day exploring Dublin and just want a clean, comfortable room to sleep in.

Guests especially love: “Super location by Luas. We were in the centre in 10 minutes. The rooms were basic but had everything we needed.”

See more photos and book here.

4. St. Stephen’s Green – best place for shopping and elegance

St. Stephen’s Green is one of Dublin’s finest neighbourhoods with a blend of Georgian architecture, exclusive shopping and the beautiful park in the centre.

It’s definitely one of the best areas to stay in Dublin.

Quick Info: St. Stephen’s Green

• Distance to centre: 0.5 km south of City Centre
• Nearest Luas: St. Stephen’s Green (green line)
• Time to airport: 30-35 minutes
• Supermarket: M&S Food Hall, Dunnes Stores
• Price level: €€€€ (4/5)
• Safety: (5/5)

St. Stephen’s Green is the area where elegance meets convenience. The beautiful Georgian park is the city’s green heart with 22 hectares with lakes, fountains, sculptures and perfectly maintained flowerbeds.

Just north of the park we find one of the best areas in Dublin, if you ask me.

See the best hotels in St. Stephen’s Green here.

Around the park you’ll find some of Dublin’s finest Georgian buildings. Merrion Row and Kildare Street exude history with tall doors, iron railings and colourful facades.

• This is the Dublin you see on postcards.. Elegant, timeless and beautiful. Several buildings now house museums, galleries and government offices.

Shopping is naturally a main attraction. Grafton Street, Dublin’s Oxford Street, is right here. From high street brands to exclusive shops, you’ll find it all.

Powerscourt Townhouse Centre is a must. Imagine an old Georgian palace converted into an exclusive shopping centre with independent shops, designer ware and cosy cafés. Much more interesting than standard shopping malls.

The area is super central. You’re a few minutes’ walk from Temple Bar, Trinity College and all major attractions. But the atmosphere is more refined, less chaotic. It’s where Dubliners with money shop, eat and meet.

So if you want to stay super centrally in Dublin, but not right where everyone flocks in the evening, then this area is the right choice.

Places to stay in St. Stephen’s Green

The Shelbourne

This iconic hotel has stood here since 1824 and is simply a Dublin institution. The Irish constitution was signed here! Classic luxury in every detail with crystal chandeliers, marble floors, antique furniture. The rooms are elegant (some recently renovated, others with more classic style), afternoon tea in Lord Mayor’s Lounge is legendary, and the location directly by St. Stephen’s Green cannot be beaten. It’s expensive, but it’s worth the experience.

Previous guests particularly highlight: “We booked to celebrate our anniversary, and it exceeded all expectations. Having morning coffee with views over the park was magical.”

See more photos and book here.

The Dean Dublin

Modern boutique hotel that combines style with attitude. The rooms are designed with taste, rooftop bar Sophie’s has the best views in Dublin, and the whole vibe is cool but accessible. Located on Harcourt Street right by St. Stephen’s Green. Perfect for you who want modern comfort and a social scene without stuffy formality. Popular amongst both tourists and locals.

A guest recently wrote: “The rooftop bar alone is worth staying here for. The rooms are smaller but stylish. We loved the relaxed luxury.”

See more photos and book here.

Buswells Hotel

Traditional Irish hotel in Georgian buildings from 1882. Perfectly placed by Leinster House (the Irish parliament) and a few minutes’ walk to St. Stephen’s Green. The rooms vary (some recently updated, others more classic), but the charm and location are excellent. Good Irish breakfast, friendly staff and reasonable price for the location. Perfect mid-range choice with character.

Guests especially love: “Classic Irish hotel experience. Nothing fancy, but authentic and charming. Location was perfect for exploring the city.”

See more photos and book here.

Where not to stay in Dublin? Areas to avoid

There are some areas I’d recommend you think twice about before booking:

O’Connell Street North – Whilst it may look central and cheap, the area around Upper O’Connell Street and some of the side streets are quite sketchy, especially in the evening. There are problems with drugs and antisocial behaviour. Lower O’Connell Street (closer to the river) is nicer, but generally I’d recommend staying south of the River Liffey instead. You get a better experience by staying in City Centre, Smithfield or Docklands.

Certain areas in Dublin 1 (northwest) – Some parts of Parnell Street and the area around Summerhill can feel uncomfortable, especially after dark. If you’re considering budget hotels in this area, then book in Smithfield or Docklands instead, where you get better value and safety.

Very peripheral suburbs – Some cheap hotels are located far out in the suburbs without good transport connections. It can look tempting because of the price, but you end up spending a fortune on transport and wasting time going back and forth. You get a better experience by staying centrally, even if it costs a bit more. Your time on holiday is valuable!

The area around Talbot Street at night – Whilst it’s okay during the day, it can feel quite unsafe in the evening. There are better alternatives right nearby like Docklands or Smithfield, where you get the same central location but better atmosphere.

Still unsure where to stay in Dublin?

So… where should you actually stay? It really depends on what you’re looking for in your Dublin experience.

Temple Bar & City Centre is the obvious choice for first-time visitors. You get pub culture, culture, history and can walk to everything. Perfect if you only have a long weekend and want to experience classic Dublin.

Docklands gives you modern comfort, excellent transport and good value-for-money. Perfect for business travellers or you who want peace but still be close to the action.

Smithfield works well for younger travellers, creative souls and those who want to experience the “new” Dublin with cool cafés and hip atmosphere at reasonable prices.

St. Stephen’s Green is perfect for shopping lovers, those who want to stay centrally with style, and everyone who appreciates Georgian architecture and park views.

My final advice? Dublin is a compact city, so wherever you stay centrally, you can easily explore it all.

And remember: it will probably rain, so pack an extra layer and a waterproof jacket. But don’t let the weather stop you. The Irish say there’s no such thing as bad weather, only bad clothing!

Wherever you choose to stay, you’re going to love Dublin. The city has a magical blend of history, humour, fantastic pub culture and some of the warmest people you’ll meet. Just remember to say “cheers” and perhaps learn to order a “pint of the black stuff” (Guinness) properly.

Once you’ve found your base, my guide to the best things to do in Dublin covers what to see in the city, from the Book of Kells and Kilmainham Gaol to day trips to Howth and Glendalough.

The post Where To Stay in Dublin? 4 Best Areas & Places to Stay + Avoid! 🇮🇪 appeared first on Destination Well Known.