Districts · Dublin
Dublin by district
Almost everything a first visit needs sits inside a 2 km box on the south bank: Trinity College and Grafton Street in the middle, Dublin Castle and Temple Bar to the west, St Stephen’s Green and the Georgian squares to the south, and the Liffey with the GPO and O’Connell Street on the north edge. Outside that box (Kilmainham, the Docklands, Phoenix Park, Howth) you ride a tram, bus or DART.Almost everything a first visit needs sits inside a 1.2 mi box on the south bank: Trinity College and Grafton Street in the middle, Dublin Castle and Temple Bar to the west, St Stephen’s Green and the Georgian squares to the south, and the Liffey with the GPO and O’Connell Street on the north edge. Outside that box (Kilmainham, the Docklands, Phoenix Park, Howth) you ride a tram, bus or DART.
About these names
- St Stephen’s Green and Georgian DublinFaiche StiabhnasleepseeSuits: First visit, quiet evenings, museumsWide streets, big hotels with lifts, 10 minutes on foot to Trinity and the Castle.3 sights · 1 sleep areaDistrict guide →
- Trinity College and Grafton StreetColáiste na TríonóideseeeatSuits: The Book of Kells, shopping, cafésThe most walkable part of the city; busy from 11:00, quieter at opening and after 18:00.The most walkable part of the city; busy from 11:00 AM, quieter at opening and after 6:00 PM.1 sights · 3 eatsDistrict guide →
- Temple Bar and Dublin CastleBarra an TeampaillsleepeatseeSuits: Short stays for music and nights outCobbled lanes, pubs and live music; noisy until 02:00 and the highest prices for food.Cobbled lanes, pubs and live music; noisy until 2:00 AM and the highest prices for food.3 sights · 3 eats · 1 sleep areaDistrict guide →
- North of the Liffey: O’Connell Street and the GPOSráid Uí ChonaillseeeatSuits: 1916 history, shopping streets, the Ha’penny BridgeA wide boulevard and busy shopping; rough after closing time, so take a taxi in the evening.1 sightsDistrict guide →
- The Liberties and SmithfieldAn LibirtseeeatSuits: Guinness, whiskey, markets and local pubsWest of the Castle: old streets, distilleries and the Guinness Storehouse; not all lit or busy at night.District guide →
- Ballsbridge, Ranelagh and RathminesDroichead na DothrasleepSuits: Quieter beds and local cafésA 15–25 minute tram or bus ride from the centre; cheaper than the core, good for a longer stay.Short entry only: too little in this guide for a full page yet.
- DocklandsseesleepSuits: Business trips, EPIC the Irish Emigration Museum, 3Arena gigsModern towers and the Grand Canal Dock; tram to the centre in 10–15 minutes.Short entry only: too little in this guide for a full page yet.
- Phoenix Park and KilmainhamPáirc an FhionnuisceseeSuits: A half day outdoors, Kilmainham Gaol, the ZooTwo to six kilometres west of the centre; go by Luas Red Line or bus.Short entry only: too little in this guide for a full page yet.
- Howth and Dún LaoghaireBinn ÉadairseeeatSuits: A coast day, cliff walks, fish and chipsDART commuter trains from Connolly and Pearse; 25–35 minutes each way.Short entry only: too little in this guide for a full page yet.
Hover, tap or tab to an area to see what it is like. Pins are sleep areas; arrows at the edge point to the airport.
Off the map: Dublin Airport (DUB) (35–60 min by the usual route).
Not drawn yet (no coordinates in this guide): The Liberties and Smithfield, Ballsbridge, Ranelagh and Rathmines, Docklands, Phoenix Park and Kilmainham, Howth and Dún Laoghaire. See the table above.
Where’s what, as a list:
- St Stephen’s Green and Georgian Dublin (Faiche Stiabhna): Wide streets, big hotels with lifts, 10 minutes on foot to Trinity and the Castle. Suits: First visit, quiet evenings, museums. Price band $$$.
- Trinity College and Grafton Street (Coláiste na Tríonóide): The most walkable part of the city; busy from 11:00, quieter at opening and after 18:00.The most walkable part of the city; busy from 11:00 AM, quieter at opening and after 6:00 PM. Suits: The Book of Kells, shopping, cafés.
- Temple Bar and Dublin Castle (Barra an Teampaill): Cobbled lanes, pubs and live music; noisy until 02:00 and the highest prices for food.Cobbled lanes, pubs and live music; noisy until 2:00 AM and the highest prices for food. Suits: Short stays for music and nights out. Price band $$.
- North of the Liffey: O’Connell Street and the GPO (Sráid Uí Chonaill): A wide boulevard and busy shopping; rough after closing time, so take a taxi in the evening. Suits: 1916 history, shopping streets, the Ha’penny Bridge.
- The Liberties and Smithfield (An Libirt): West of the Castle: old streets, distilleries and the Guinness Storehouse; not all lit or busy at night. Suits: Guinness, whiskey, markets and local pubs.
- Ballsbridge, Ranelagh and Rathmines (Droichead na Dothra): A 15–25 minute tram or bus ride from the centre; cheaper than the core, good for a longer stay. Suits: Quieter beds and local cafés.
- Docklands: Modern towers and the Grand Canal Dock; tram to the centre in 10–15 minutes. Suits: Business trips, EPIC the Irish Emigration Museum, 3Arena gigs.
- Phoenix Park and Kilmainham (Páirc an Fhionnuisce): Two to six kilometres west of the centre; go by Luas Red Line or bus. Suits: A half day outdoors, Kilmainham Gaol, the Zoo.
- Howth and Dún Laoghaire (Binn Éadair): DART commuter trains from Connolly and Pearse; 25–35 minutes each way. Suits: A coast day, cliff walks, fish and chips.
- Sleep area St Stephen's Green and Grafton Street: suits First visit, quiet evenings, museums, price band $$$.
- Sleep area Temple Bar and Dame Street: suits Short stays for music and nights out, price band $$.
- Dublin Airport (DUB), 35–60 min by the usual route.