Street · Dublin
Grafton Street
Walk it once between Trinity College and St Stephen's Green, ideally late afternoon when the buskers are out; it is Dublin's main shopping street, not a sight in itself, so do not plan more than an hour unless you are shopping.
Map to the start
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Length
500 m0.3 mi
approximate
Walk end to end
7 min
without stops
Traffic
Car-free
Best time
15:00–18:00 on a weekday or Saturday, when buskers are out and shops are open3:00 PM–6:00 PM on a weekday or Saturday, when buskers are out and shops are open
At a glance
- Length
- 500 m0.3 mi
- Start
- North end at College Green, by Trinity College
- End
- South end at St Stephen's Green
- Traffic
- Car-free
- Currency
- EUR
Decide
What the street is for, and when to be there
At a glance
Dublin's main pedestrian shopping street, running from Trinity College to St Stephen's Green, known for Brown Thomas, Bewley's café and its street musicians.
Getting there
Luas Green line stops at Trinity, Dawson and St Stephen's Green, all within a few minutes. Many city buses stop at College Green and Nassau Street.
Traffic and walking hours
Car-free. Pedestrianized since the 1980s; delivery vehicles are allowed in the early morning (check current hours).
Hours change for events and holidays: check locally.
Morning, afternoon, night
Best time: 15:00–18:00 on a weekday or Saturday, when buskers are out and shops are open
05:00–11:005:00 AM–11:00 AM local time
Shops open about 09:00–10:00 (Sundays around 11:00–12:00, check). Cafés open earlier; a calm time to walk.
Best time: 15:00–18:00 on a weekday or Saturday, when buskers are out and shops are open
See & do
The stops in walking order, then where to shop and what to eat
Walk this street
↓ about 3 min · 190 m0.1 mi
↓ about 1 min · 90 m300 ft
↓ about 3 min · 230 m0.1 mi
Minutes are walking time at an easy 5 km/h3 mph with a margin for crowds; add time for shops. The GPX opens in Organic Maps, OsmAnd or Google My Maps.
Where to shop and what it costs
- Brown ThomasDublin's best-known upscale department store: designer fashion, beauty and Irish gifts€30–1,000 (≈ US$35–1,200) / itemPrice check →
- Weir & SonsLong-established jeweler and watch shop at the corner of Wicklow Street€50–5,000 (≈ US$60–6,000) / itemPrice check →
- High-street fashion chainsIrish and international clothing chains along the length of the street€15–120 (≈ US$18–140) / itemPrice check →
- Powerscourt Townhouse CentreShops and cafés in an 18th-century town house one block west, off South William Street€10–200 (≈ US$12–250) / itemPrice check →
Typical buys
- Coffee to go€3.5–5.5 (≈ US$5–7) / cupPrice check →
- Pint of stout in a side-street pub€6.5–8.5 (≈ US$8–10) / pintPrice check →
- Irish wool scarf or beanie€30–90 (≈ US$35–110) / itemPrice check →
- Aran-style sweater€80–200 (≈ US$95–250) / itemPrice check →
- Scone and tea at Bewley's€7–12 (≈ US$9–14) / servingPrice check →
Ranges, not quotes: prices move with season and exchange rates; the equivalent in your currency is approximate. Checked Sep 2026.
Eat on or near it
- Bewley's Grafton StreetHistoric café with stained-glass windows in the middle of the street; good for a tea break.
- Kehoe'sTraditional pub on South Anne Street, a minute off Grafton Street.
- Side-street cafésDuke Street, South Anne Street and Chatham Street have pubs and cafés that are quieter than Grafton Street itself.
Sights on the street
- Trinity College and the Book of KellsAt the north end; book a timed ticket in advance.
- St Stephen's GreenThe park at the south end, through the Fusiliers' Arch.
- Molly Malone statueThe bronze statue now stands on Suffolk Street, just off the north end; expect a crowd taking photos.
Practical
Getting a ride there, what goes wrong, and access
Show the driver
Show the driver
Please drop me at the top of Grafton Street, beside St Stephen's Green.
Please drop me at the top of Grafton Street, beside St Stephen's Green.
Taxis cannot enter the street; the St Stephen's Green side and College Green are the usual drop-off points.
Safety, traffic and scams
Pickpockets in the crowds around buskers medium
Antisocial behavior late in the evening low
Scams and traps
- Aggressive street fundraisers asking you to sign up for monthly donations: you can decline and walk on.
- People asking for 'bus fare' with a story: small amounts, but it is fine to say no.
Accessibility
- Flat, paved and car-free; good for wheelchairs and strollers, though it is very crowded on Saturdays.
- The Luas stops are step-free.
- Some older side-street pubs have steps at the door and toilets downstairs.
Photo tips
- Shoot north from the St Stephen's Green end in late afternoon for the length of the street and the crowds.
- Ask buskers before filming them close up, and drop a coin if you record a full song.
A line of history
Grafton Street was laid out in the early 18th century and named after a Duke of Grafton who held land here. It became Dublin's main shopping street in the 19th century and was closed to traffic in the 1980s.
Combine with
- Temple BarPubs and live music 5 minutes' walk north-west across Dame Street.
- Merrion SquareGeorgian doors and the National Gallery of Ireland 10 minutes' walk east.
Questions people ask
Is Grafton Street worth visiting if I'm not shopping?
Yes, briefly: it is the natural walk between Trinity College and St Stephen's Green, and the buskers are worth a stop.
When are the buskers there?
Mostly afternoons and early evenings, more on weekends; there are local rules on amplification and times (check).
Deep dive
Sources; hours, rules and prices change, so check before you go
Sources
- officialVisit Dublin
- secondaryWikivoyage: Dublin