Cían Byrne

Dublin does it all. If you’re looking for a raucous weekend of hitting iconic pubs and all the live entertainment one can handle, the Irish capital is one of the best cities on the planet. If you prefer your nights to be a little quieter but the days to be filled with history, culture and beauty, well, come on in. The best things to do in Dublin cover fascinating museums, arts venues, parks and, yes, pubs. Inspiration waits around every corner here, and don’t be surprised if you come away with ideas brimming from every pore. That might be Guinness as well, but there’s no point getting too finicky about it all. Here are the best things to do in Dublin right now. RECOMMENDED: 😋 The best restaurants in Dublin🍻 The best pubs in Dublin🏨 The best hotels in Dublin🏡 The best Airbnbs in Dublin  This guide was last updated by Cían Byrne, a writer based in Dublin. At Time Out, all of our travel guides are written by local writers who know their cities inside out. For more about how we curate, see our editorial guidelines.

The café scene in Dublin is thriving, which is no surprise, as it's the shining light of the independent business scene in the city which was crowned the EU's coffee capital in 2021. Since then, the city's caffeine offering has only grown.  Now, everywhere from the city centre to its surrounding neighbourhoods is full to the brim with hidden coffee shops, cafés with cosy nooks, and local’s spots with flat whites so good there's a queue out the door. Here are the best places in Dublin to get your caffeine fix. RECOMMENDED:🍲 The best restaurants in Dublin📍 The best things to do in Dublin🍻 The best pubs in Dublin🏨 The best hotels in Dublin This guide was written by Dublin-based Cían Byrne, with photos by local photographer Barry Carolan. At Time Out, all of our travel guides are written by local writers who know their cities inside out. For more about how we curate, see our editorial guidelines.

What is it and why is it famous? Kilmainham Gaol, south of the River Liffey, is a site where many Irish greats were imprisoned and executed during the Easter Rising and War of Independence. Now open as a museum, this building played a pivotal role in the history of Ireland. You might recognise that famous interior from movies like 'The Italian Job', 'The Wind That Shakes The Barley', and 'Paddington 2'. Is it worth visiting? Anybody with an interest in Ireland will hear fascinating stories of how the Easter Rising unfolded and how members of The Easter Rising in 1916 were executed here in The Stonebreaker's Yard. Look inside the cells that held up to five inmates at a time before many were shipped off to Australia.  Do you need to book? Booking in advance is always advised. This museum gets very busy. The best way to enjoy it is probably via a tour; these can both be found on GetYourGuide or on the Kilmainham Gaol website (children aged 12 and under go for free), and will take a total of an hour. There are family tickets also available. Generally, people tend to spend about 1.5 hours here.  Where's good to eat nearby?  Cool Hand Luke Coffee Roasters is a great spot nearby for an ethically-sourced, artisan-made, grab-and-go coffee. For something with a little more kick, The Old Royal Oak on Kilmainham Lane is one of the cosiest pubs in Dublin. 📍 Discover more of the best restaurants in Dublin

What is it and why is it famous? Phoenix Park is a rare urban treat; it’s the largest city park in Europe and is home to over 600 fallow deer. It’s actually twice the size of New York’s Central Park (you heard us!) and there’s no shortage of things to do. Is it free to visit the park? The park is free to visit and is open 24 hours a day. Cars are allowed in, but it’s much better to explore on foot or by bike. Inside the park walls, Dublin Zoo is the biggest draw here with rhinos, orangutans, and many more animals. Venture across Phoenix Park and you’ll see Áras an Uachtaráin, where the President lives and also The Wellington Testimonial, The Papal Cross, and Farmleigh House. How long does it take to walk around the park? From the entrance on Conyngham Road to the Castleknock entrance is over 2.5 miles and takes about an hour to walk. Rent a bike in the park instead and spend at least half a day exploring the forests and fields. Where’s good to eat nearby? Near the entrance on Conyngham Road, there are two great spots to eat. PStwenty6 is a quick and casual spot for a coffee and brunch, while next door is Ryan's of Parkgate Street, a steakhouse in a traditional pub. 📍 Discover more of the best restaurants in Dublin

What is it and why is it important? Glasnevin Cemetery is a famous graveyard on Dublin's Northside that’s the resting place of some of Ireland’s most well-known names. Over 1.5 million people have been laid to rest here since 1832 and the space tells the story of how Ireland won its independence and what life was like for Dubliners throughout the past 200 years. What famous people are buried there? Some of the most influential figures of Ireland's Easter Rising and War of Independence are buried here like Micheal Collins, Éamonn de Valera, and Countess Constance Markievicz. It's also home to some of the most creative people Ireland has ever produced like Luke Kelly from The Dubliners, playwright Brendan Behan, and Christy Brown who wrote 'My Left Foot'. Is it worth visiting? A visit to Glasnevin Cemetery is a fantastic trip back through history. You’ll hear myths of gravediggers and grave robbers, and get the chance to climb the 180-foot O’Connell Tower as well as the ornate crypt below. For more information or on a characteristically rainy Dublin day, head inside the interactive museum. With the award-winning museum and choice of guided and self-guided tours it’s a great way to get a real understanding of Dublin and Ireland.  What’s worth visiting nearby? You can’t come to Glasnevin and not pop into The Gravediggers for a pint. Many swear that this place serves the best pint of Guinness in all of Dublin and possibly even the world. Nab yourself a seat in the older, wooden pa