Best things to do in Dublin
The top 3 according to 638 votes from people: Kilmainham Gaol · Trinity College and the Book of Kells · Guinness Storehouse. (Updated Dec 2, 2025.)
History, pints and literary landmarks: what Lonely Planet, Fodor's, Irish travel blogs and TripAdvisor rate highest in Dublin.
Top 10
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1
Kilmainham Gaol
1796 prison where the leaders of the 1916 Easter Rising were executed; guided tours only.
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2
Trinity College and the Book of Kells
Ireland's oldest university (1592) and its 9th-century illuminated gospel manuscript.
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3
Guinness Storehouse
Seven-floor experience at St James's Gate brewery ending with a pint in the Gravity Bar.
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4
St Patrick's Cathedral
Ireland's largest cathedral, founded in 1191, where Jonathan Swift was dean.
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5
Temple Bar
Cobbled cultural quarter packed with pubs and traditional music sessions.
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6
Dublin Castle
Former seat of British rule in Ireland, with the State Apartments and Chester Beatty Library.
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7
Phoenix Park
One of Europe's largest enclosed city parks, with wild fallow deer and Dublin Zoo.
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8
National Gallery of Ireland
Free gallery on Merrion Square with Caravaggio's The Taking of Christ.
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9
Howth Cliff Walk
Coastal loop on the Howth peninsula, 30 minutes from the centre on the DART.
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10
EPIC The Irish Emigration Museum
Interactive museum in the CHQ building on the story of 10 million Irish emigrants.
Candidates
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11
Christ Church Cathedral
Medieval cathedral with one of Britain and Ireland's largest crypts.
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12
Teeling Whiskey Distillery
The first new distillery in Dublin in over 125 years, opened in 2015 in the Liberties.
How is this ranking ordered? By people's votes: each ▲ adds a point and each ▼ takes one away. Anyone can vote and add what is missing.
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Comments (9)
Great list. Would add a day trip to Glendalough.
Phoenix Park to see the deer, early morning is best 🦌
EPIC is one of the best museums I've been to anywhere, so interactive
Howth cliff walk on a sunny day is the best thing you can do near Dublin. Take the DART.
Book of Kells: the Long Room library is the real star 📚
Kilmainham Gaol at #1 is the right call. The guides make Irish history come alive.
Temple Bar is where you'll pay €9 for a pint. Locals don't go there
True but the live music is great for first-timers. Then go to the Cobblestone for proper trad.
Guinness Storehouse is a bit of an overpriced ad but the Gravity Bar view is class