Dublin
Visit Ireland’s capital for the Book of Kells, Georgian streets and traditional pubs. Dublin also makes a starting point for trips to the nearby coast and countryside.
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Dublin is the capital of Ireland, on the country’s east coast. The River Liffey runs through the city center, where you can visit Trinity College and see the Book of Kells. Georgian squares and streets give the city another layer of history, and many central sights are close enough to explore on foot. Pubs are part of daily life; some have music, and they make an easy stop after a day of sightseeing.
Dublin works well for a first visit to Ireland, a city break or a longer trip that includes time beyond the capital. In the city, plan around historic landmarks, museums, bookshops and pubs. Late spring through early fall brings longer daylight, though Dublin’s weather can change quickly. Allow at least two or three days for central Dublin, and add time if you want to take day trips to the coast or countryside. Your choice of accommodation and how far it is from the sights will affect how much you can fit into each day.
Dublin in five
- Book the Book of Kells in advanceTrinity College sells timed tickets for the Book of Kells Experience online, and summer slots sell out.
- Take a coach from the airportThere is no rail link from Dublin Airport. Express coaches and Dublin Bus routes reach the center in about 30–45 minutes, longer at rush hour.
- Get a Leap Visitor CardIt covers Dublin Bus, Luas trams and DART trains for 1, 3 or 7 days, and saves hunting for coins on buses.
- Book rooms as early as you canDublin hotel prices are among the highest in Europe, and concert and rugby weekends push them higher still.
- Expect a passport check on arrivalIreland is outside Schengen and does not use EES, so arrivals from Schengen countries still go through passport control.Visas and entry
Things to do in Dublin
See all attractions in Dublin
Need to know
- Airport
- Dublin (DUB), about 30–45 min by coach
- Getting there
- Trains from Belfast, about 2 hours; ferries from Holyhead
- Getting around
- Walk, Luas trams, DART trains and buses
- Best base
- South of the Liffey near St Stephen's Green
- Time needed
- 2–3 days
Weather by month
- Rainy days
- Best
- Good
- Mixed
- JanuaryRain13 rainy daysHigh8°Low3°Wet, darkJanuaryRain
Mixed
- High
- 8°
- Low
- 3°
- Precipitation
- 67 mm
- Rainy days
- 13
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Wet, dark
- FebruaryRain14 rainy daysHigh9°Low4°Wet, coldFebruaryRain
Mixed
- High
- 9°
- Low
- 4°
- Precipitation
- 72 mm
- Rainy days
- 14
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Wet, cold
- MarchRain14 rainy daysHigh10°Low4°St Patrick's DayMarchRain
Good
- High
- 10°
- Low
- 4°
- Precipitation
- 77 mm
- Rainy days
- 14
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
St Patrick's Day
- AprilRain13 rainy daysHigh11°Low6°Showers, mildAprilRain
Good
- High
- 11°
- Low
- 6°
- Precipitation
- 73 mm
- Rainy days
- 13
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Showers, mild
- MayRain13 rainy daysHigh14°Low8°Long daysMayRain
Best
- High
- 14°
- Low
- 8°
- Precipitation
- 65 mm
- Rainy days
- 13
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Long days
- JuneRain14 rainy daysHigh17°Low11°Mild, long daysJuneRain
Best
- High
- 17°
- Low
- 11°
- Precipitation
- 78 mm
- Rainy days
- 14
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Mild, long days
- JulyRain15 rainy daysHigh18°Low12°WarmestJulyRain
Best
- High
- 18°
- Low
- 12°
- Precipitation
- 78 mm
- Rainy days
- 15
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Warmest
- AugustRain13 rainy daysHigh18°Low12°BusyAugustRain
Best
- High
- 18°
- Low
- 12°
- Precipitation
- 81 mm
- Rainy days
- 13
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Busy
- SeptemberRain14 rainy daysHigh16°Low11°CalmerSeptemberRain
Best
- High
- 16°
- Low
- 11°
- Precipitation
- 96 mm
- Rainy days
- 14
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Calmer
- OctoberRain14 rainy daysHigh14°Low9°Wet, windyOctoberRain
Good
- High
- 14°
- Low
- 9°
- Precipitation
- 91 mm
- Rainy days
- 14
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Wet, windy
- NovemberRain13 rainy daysHigh10°Low6°Wet, darkNovemberRain
Mixed
- High
- 10°
- Low
- 6°
- Precipitation
- 91 mm
- Rainy days
- 13
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Wet, dark
- DecemberRain14 rainy daysHigh9°Low5°Christmas, darkDecemberRain
Mixed
- High
- 9°
- Low
- 5°
- Precipitation
- 86 mm
- Rainy days
- 14
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Christmas, dark
Average daily high and low in Dublin, 2016–2025. Rainy day: 1 mm of rain or more.
Right now in Dublin
Local time, today's weather and the exchange rate, refreshed through the day.
10
- Feels like
- 9°
- Humidity
- 79%
- Wind
- 9 km/h
- Chance of rain
- 0%
Dublin
08:43 PM
Monday, November 2
- Today12°8°0%Monday: Cloudy. High 12°, Low 8°. Chance of rain 0%.
- Tue12°8°71%Tuesday: Drizzle. High 12°, Low 8°. Chance of rain 71%.
- Wed12°10°64%Wednesday: Drizzle. High 12°, Low 10°. Chance of rain 64%.
- Thu11°9°24%Thursday: Cloudy. High 11°, Low 9°. Chance of rain 24%.
- Fri9°8°11%Friday: Cloudy. High 9°, Low 8°. Chance of rain 11%.
- Sat11°8°31%Saturday: Drizzle. High 11°, Low 8°. Chance of rain 31%.
- Sun11°10°18%Sunday: Cloudy. High 11°, Low 10°. Chance of rain 18%.
Updated 04:52 PM local time · Powered by WeatherAPI.com · Weather data by Open-Meteo.com
Coming up
- DublinSt Patrick's Festival DublinMar 13 – 17, 2027 · Read the event guide
- 3Arena · concertSabaton The Legendary Tour Part 2Apr 7, 2027 · Rooms near the venue
- 3Arena · concertRod Stewart The Final EncoreApr 23, 2027 · Rooms near the venue
- 3Arena · concertNickelback Everything Under the Sun Tour 2027May 30, 2027 · Rooms near the venue
- Croke Park · concertHarry Styles Together, Together 2027Aug 18 – 21, 2027 · Rooms near the venue
Day trips by train
- Howthabout 30 min by DARTCliff walk and harbor at the end of the peninsula.Read the guide
- Glendaloughabout 1.5 hours by roadMonastic site and lake walks in the Wicklow Mountains.Read the guide
- Brú na Bóinneabout 1 hour by roadNewgrange and Knowth passage tombs, entry via the visitor center.Read the guide
- Belfastabout 2 hours by trainTitanic Belfast and the murals.Read the guide
Before you go to Dublin
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Rules for Dublin, checked
- Check Ireland’s entry requirements for your passport with the Irish Immigration Service before travel.Source
- Smoking is prohibited inside pubs, restaurants and other enclosed workplaces; use the outdoor area.
- Tipping is optional in Ireland. Check the bill for a service charge before adding one.
- Drive on the left in Ireland, and look right first when crossing a road.
Plan around Dublin
Regions, rail, driving, money and entry
Read the guideCounty DublinHowth, Dalkey and Malahide by DART
Read the guideGalwayWest coast city, about 2.5 hours by train
Read the guideKilkenny CityCastle and medieval lanes, by train from Heuston
Read the guideCounty KerryThe Ring of Kerry and Dingle, in the southwest
Read the guideBelfastTwo hours north, in another country
Read the guideUK ETA for BelfastNeeded for Northern Ireland, not the Republic
Read the guideInsurance for IrelandCover for cancellations and event weekends
Read the guideDublin FAQ
How many days do you need in Dublin?
Two days covers Trinity, the museums, a distillery or the Guinness Storehouse and an evening in the pubs. A third day allows Howth or Glendalough.
Do I need a UK ETA to go from Dublin to Belfast?
Most visitors who are not British or Irish do. The UK ETA applies to Northern Ireland even when you cross the land border, where there are no routine checks.
Is Dublin expensive?
Rooms are, especially on event weekends. Food and transport are closer to other Western European capitals, and many museums are free.
Is Dublin safe for tourists?
Dublin is generally safe in the center and in tourist areas. Pickpocketing happens around Temple Bar and on busy transit, so keep phones and bags close and take a taxi late at night between areas.
Is Dublin worth visiting in winter?
Yes, if you want lower prices and pub evenings, with short days and rain as the cost. Museums and the Book of Kells are quieter, but many day-trip sights run reduced hours from November to March.