Are you thinking about visiting Dublin, Ireland? Here's what you need to know before planning your trip.
Is Dublin worth visiting?
Dublin is worth visiting for two to five days so that you can explore everything that the city has to offer. Dublin is loved by visitors for many reasons, and is routinely on national "best of" lists, including The Guardian's Best Holiday Destinations 2023. Dublin is the capital city of Ireland. It's filled with historic buildings and a laid back atmosphere. There are several nice parks and many good museums around town. Staying true to reputation, the residents in Dublin are friendly and welcoming. It's the perfect city to find a local pub and enjoy a Guinness with a group of locals.
Dublin Castle, Ireland
Reasons to Visit Dublin
Nightlife
Temple Bar is where you'll find the greatest concentration of pubs and nightlife. The city is among the friendliest and most welcoming, and this is seen even in the vibe around town at night.
Museums
There are a number of museums around town including the National Museum of Ireland, the Little Museum of Dublin, and the National Gallery of Ireland.
Music
The best places to hear live music around town are the back street pubs that feature local groups.
Historical Sights
On the south side of the River Liffey are three different historic parts to the city. The Medieval Quarter is the oldest. To the east is Temple Bar, and further east is the Georgian Quarter.
Shopping
Head to Grafton Street to see a number of brand name and local shops. It's a pedestrian street that is fun to wander around.
Food
Seafood has become popular around town, but you can also try traditional favorites like stew, pancakes, or coddle.
Is Dublin worth visiting in the Summer?
You'll find the weather to be very nice here during summer with average temperatures around 16°C (60°F).
The peak season for travel is summer in Dublin, so expect to see more tourists than usual. This destination is quite popular with tourists, and in the high season it's even busier than usual as this is when most people like to visit. Expect crowds to be large, and prices to be a bit higher than normal. However, there's plenty to do here this time of year, too.
You'll also find it quite easy to get around on foot, because this is a very walkable city, especially in the nice weather. This is a great time of year to wander through the museums, enjoy the city's energy, and admire the historic sights. Also, you'll be able to dance the night away.
Summer Weather in Dublin
| Avg Temp (°C/°F) |
Avg Rain (mm/inches) |
|
| July | 16°C (60°F) | 50 mm (2 in) |
| August | 15°C (60°F) | 71 mm (2.8 in) |
| September | 14°C (56°F) | 67 mm (2.6 in) |
Is Dublin worth visiting in the Autumn?
Autumn is the shoulder season for travel in Dublin. This destination is quite touristy, so in the shoulder season you can still find plenty of crowds, but better prices.
You'll find the weather to be very nice here during autumn with average temperatures around 11°C (52°F).
Autumn is a great time of year to explore the numerous museums and landmarks around town. They are fun for the whole family as well great for couples. Soaking up that old town charm in the autumn is one of the favorite activities of visitors. The quaint scenery combined with the weather this time of year is quite nice. You'll find plenty to do during autumn, as you'll be able to browse around the old town, browse through museums, and discover the big city activities. Also, you can experience the live music.
Autumn Weather in Dublin
| Avg Temp (°C/°F) |
Avg Rain (mm/inches) |
|
| October | 11°C (52°F) | 70 mm (2.7 in) |
| November | 8°C (46°F) | 65 mm (2.5 in) |
| December | 6°C (44°F) | 76 mm (3 in) |
Is Dublin worth visiting in the Winter?
This is the low season for travel in Dublin. This destination is quite touristy, but in the low season you'll see fewer crowds and much better prices.
The weather in Dublin can be quite cold during winter, and averages around 6°C (42°F). But be prepared for much lower temperatures, too.
During this season it's fun to experience the famous sights and museums, the cuisine, and the historic old town. Also, you can take advantage of the local nightlife, listen to some live music, and soak up the big city atmosphere.
Winter Weather in Dublin
| Avg Temp (°C/°F) |
Avg Rain (mm/inches) |
|
| January | 6°C (42°F) | 69 mm (2.7 in) |
| February | 6°C (42°F) | 50 mm (2 in) |
| March | 7°C (44°F) | 54 mm (2.1 in) |
Is Dublin worth visiting in the Spring?
The weather in Dublin can be quite cold during spring, and averages around 8°C (47°F). But be prepared for much lower temperatures, too.
Spring is the shoulder season for travel in Dublin, which means slightly less visitors than in the peak season. This destination is quite touristy, so in the shoulder season you can still find plenty of crowds, but better prices.
Soaking up that old town charm in the spring is one of the favorite activities of visitors. The quaint scenery combined with the weather this time of year is quite nice. This is a great time of year to browse the shops, browse the museums, and admire the historic sights. Also, you can check out the live music scene and the nightlife.
Spring Weather in Dublin
| Avg Temp (°C/°F) |
Avg Rain (mm/inches) |
|
| April | 8°C (47°F) | 51 mm (2 in) |
| May | 11°C (52°F) | 55 mm (2.2 in) |
| June | 14°C (57°F) | 56 mm (2.2 in) |
Related
What is Dublin most famous for?
Dublin is most famous for its friendly and social nightlife, its local pubs, and its role as the birthplace of Guinness. The city is very popular for its nightlife. It's also known for museums, music, historical sights, and shopping. And many travelers come for the food, as well. It is often described as friendly, welcoming, fun, and laid-back.
What is the most famous sight in Dublin?
The most popular sight in Dublin is The Guinness Storehouse. You can see prices and costs for this and other sights in Dublin on our travel costs page.
Or, see tickets, activities, and tours for The Guinness Storehouse and other attractions here.
How touristy is Dublin? Is it a popular city to visit?
Dublin is a popular city for tourists and travelers. Here are some of the most popular activities and tours. (Prices in US Dollars)
- Medieval Dublin Walking Private Guided Tour: $175
- The Fantastic Walking Tour of Dublin: $204
- Walking tour in Merrion Square Park with a pint of Guinness Dublin Rogues Tour: $37
- Dublin Guided Walking Small-Group Tour: $33
- 3-Hour Drinks on Foot Dublin Walking Guided Tour: $30
- The Guinness Storehouse & Perfect Pint Tour Experience: $207
- 1-Hour Cocktail Masterclass Experience in Dublin: $49
- Private Dublin Historical and Heritage Tour by Bike: $87
How long should I spend in Dublin?
The ideal length of time for a trip to Dublin is two to five days. Since Dublin has a variety of activities such as nightlife, most people need this much time to see and do everything here.
If you have a specific amount of time for your trip, see our advice about how much time to spend here: Should I spend 1, 2, or 3 days in Dublin?, Should I spend 3, 4, or 5 days in Dublin?, and Should I spend 1 or 2 weeks in Dublin?.
Budget Your Trip is all about finding out how much everything costs so that you can travel cheaper and longer. Created by avid travelers Laurie and Bryan, our goal is to help you plan your next trip on the right budget. With average daily travel costs that are calculated from the budgets of real travelers, plus an analysis of hotel and tour prices, you can find out how much money you need to plan your next adventure. We also have plenty of travel advice, accommodation reviews, and activity suggestions.