The best Airbnbs in Dublin: a local’s guide

Located in Dublin's up-and-coming area of the Docklands, this Airbnb studio is part of the recent development, Beckett Locke. It's giving co-living energy with a sense of play – you'll find co-working spaces and a lounge bar on the ground floor. Inside your fully equipped studio, you've got a kitchen, living space and open plan bedroom – complete with a wardrobe, marble countertops, an uber-modern bathroom and rainfall shower, as well as sweeping views of the docks. This is the digital nomad's dream in the heart of Dublin.

Rooms: One bedroom. Sleeps two guests

Location: Docklands, Dublin

Price: From €203 per night

Why would a local recommend it? 'If you’re stuck for availability, these apartments are a great shout – as it’s part of a development, there are loads of studios in the one building. Their sister property, Zanzibar Locke, is perfect if you’re looking for a more central option.'

Spread yourself out in the palatial townhouse set over three floors in the Rathgar area of the city. Renovated by architects, the late Georgian building is full of period details like sash windows and ornate stone fireplaces. As well as large bedrooms and a fabulous kitchen for cooking, dining and entertaining, there’s also a leafy garden with a patio for alfresco evenings.   

Rooms: Four bedrooms. Sleeps nine guests

Location: Rathgar, Dublin

Price: From €534 per night

Why would a local recommend it? 'Honestly, I always walk past townhouses like this and dream about what it must be like to live in one. A stay here would give you that ‘lord of the manor’ vibe without shelling out millions.'

A burst of eccentric colour and clutter (in the best way) greets those lucky enough to have booked a stay at this New York-style loft flat in Dublin 8. Things to like: the extra-large house plants, the huge number of books (never trust a house with too few books), the mismatched furniture and the wall of shoes. Other things to like: a gold bicycle, roses by the loo and a headless lady vase full of dried flowers. This place rocks. It's a 21-night minimum stay, so this one is best suited for long trips.

Rooms: One bedroom. Sleeps two guests

Location: Dublin 8

Price: From €147 per night

Why would a local recommend it? 'This loft is in my old neighbourhood, and is exactly the kind of place I’d want to buy (if I had, you know, money). There are so many great spots on the doorstep, like the Fumbally, a hip café that holds markets and sound baths in the studio next door.'

It’s fitting that this peaceful, green studio is just opposite the National Botanic Gardens – this is the perfect spot if you want to combine a city break with a calming, nature-filled place to rest your head. It’s a slick space too, considering it was designed by the architect owners. Glasnevin is a great neighbourhood, about a 20 minute bus ride from the city centre with loads of excellent places to eat and drink in nearby Drumcondra – try the street food market at the Bernard Shaw pub, or Shouk for excellent middle eastern grub. 

Rooms: One bedroom. Sleeps two people

Location: Glasnevin, Dublin

Price: From €223 per night

If there’s a group of you looking for a chilled break in Dublin, this is the perfect pad. It’s spacious, with an epic kitchen, patio and garden, and there’s even a hot tub bath and a projector screen, where you can all gather on squishy couches in front of a movie. Ranelagh has some excellent restaurants and pubs, and the city centre is barely a 20-minute walk away – or you can make use of the Luas tram and be there in a fraction of the time. 

Rooms: Three bedrooms. Sleeps six guests

Location: Ranelagh

Price: From €525 per night

Ever stayed in a converted stable with a swimming pool? Nope, us neither. Which is why this space is so special. Aside from its stunning finishes and gorgeous attention to detail, this Airbnb has a whole lot of Irish charm added in for good measure. Add in the sweet sounds of tweety birds and horses neighing, and you've got yourself a real country escape. Except you're only 15 minutes from the city centre. Amazing, right?

Rooms: Four bedrooms. Sleeps nine guests

Location: Phoenix Park, Dublin

Price: From €206 per night

Need a quick city escape? Head to Rush for a weekend beach retreat from Dublin's wild scenes. Located just 30 minutes away from the city centre, this adorable seaside beach cottage offers up all you need for a weekend of R&R. There's also some very sweet local pubs, eateries and cafes if you fancy venturing out.

Rooms: One bedroom. Sleeps two guests

Location: Rush, County Dublin

Price: From €154 per night

Enjoy the retro vibes of this stylishly decorated flat down by the docks. We’re totally here for that geometric-print brown wallpaper and the 60s leather sofa, both of which give it a distinct whiff of Don Draper and friends. The other star feature is the winding ornate staircase which leads upwards to the calming main bedroom suite and a little lounge area. Stay here and you’ll be very close to the absolute heart of the city, while avoiding some of the loudest parts at nighttime. Great transport links as well.

Rooms: Two bedrooms. Sleeps five guests

Location: Docklands, Dublin

Price: From €561 per night

Spoiler alert: this house is definitely in ‘South Dublin’ which doesn’t mean the south bit of the centre, it means the actual south part of the larger area. Don’t let that geographical quirk stop you booking though. It’s a brilliant – and very stylish – alternative to the much smaller flats and homes you find in the centre. Although it’s a two-bed, it’s done up with two double bedrooms and the vibe of being a sophisticated flat share rather than a family home. Make holiday plans with another couple and enjoy both the city of Dublin and the stretch of coast just outside it.

Rooms: Two bedrooms. Sleeps four guests

Location: Stillorgan, south of Dublin

Price: From €308 per night

This beautifully renovated Georgian townhouse emits a pure sense of calm. And yet… you’re right in the centre of Dublin (just off nightlife-loving Leeson Street nonetheless). Interiors-wise, it’s a whitewashed shabby chic deal, only with less of the frills and florals that normally go with that aesthetic. A few things to love include the super spacious dining and living rooms, plus a lovely king size bed in the second bedroom. But the seal-the-deal detail in our opinion is the lush garden which provides a tranquil slice of greenery to all who stay here.

Rooms: Three bedrooms. Sleeps eight guests

Location: Wilton Park, Dublin

Price: From €768 per night

If you're looking for a trip down history lane on your visit to Dublin, this Airbnb is the one for you. Just five minutes from your stone cottage is Castletown – Ireland's earliest Palladian-style house, built between 1722 and 1729. The local town is filled with rich history for you to discover – made even better when you're retiring to your very cosy stone cottage after a day spent exploring. The best part? It's just 12 miles out of the city centre. 

Rooms: Two. Sleeps five guests

Location: Leixlip Village

Price: From €246 per night

This quirky Georgian studio on a quiet street absolutely oozes charm. Built in 1792, the self-contained apartment lies at the top of the oval-shaped part of the building, where there’s a double bed on a mezzanine, kitchenette, lounge area and separate bathroom – it's a perfect amount of space for a couple. Nearby, you’ll find plenty of restaurants and cafés, as well as the Hugh Lane Gallery of Modern Art, Writers’ Museum, and Gate Theatre – all less than a 10-minute walk away. This is opulent living in the very heart of the city, a perfect place for a couple's getaway. 

Rooms: One bedroom. Sleeps three guests

Location: Mountjoy Square near the city centre

Price: From €204 per night