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The Ha'penny Bridge over the River Liffey, Dublin

No. 33 Top 100 City Destinations 2025

Dublin

Ireland

Georgian squares, literary heritage, lively pubs and live music on the Liffey.

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Photo: Robert Linsdell from St. Andrews, Canada, CC BY 2.0, via Wikimedia Commons

Overview

Dublin is No. 33 in Euromonitor International's Top 100 City Destinations Index 2025. Ireland's capital sits at the mouth of the River Liffey, with elegant Georgian squares, a famous university and a great literary tradition. It has been a UNESCO City of Literature since 2010.

The city is known for its pubs and traditional music, and is a good base for day trips along the coast and into the Wicklow Mountains.

The Long Room of the Old Library at Trinity College Dublin
The Long Room of the Old Library at Trinity College Dublin. Photo: Beyourbest2, CC BY-SA 4.0, source

Best time to go

May to September brings the longest days and the mildest weather, but rain is possible at any time of year.

St Patrick's Day on 17 March brings parades and big crowds; book accommodation early.

Top sights

  • 1

    Trinity College and the Book of Kells

    Ireland's oldest university displays the Book of Kells, an illuminated gospel manuscript made around 800.

  • 2

    Guinness Storehouse

    The brewery's visitor centre at St James's Gate ends with a pint in the rooftop Gravity Bar.

  • 3

    National Gallery of Ireland In our Top 100 Museums

    Irish and European art, with free entry to the permanent collection.

  • 4

    Kilmainham Gaol In our Top Landmarks

    The former prison is now a museum, visited on guided tours that should be booked ahead.

  • 5

    The Little Museum of Dublin In our Top Landmarks

    A small museum of the city's 20th-century life in a Georgian house on St Stephen's Green.

  • 6

    St Patrick's Cathedral

    Ireland's largest cathedral, where Jonathan Swift was dean.

  • 7

    Phoenix Park

    One of Europe's largest enclosed city parks, home to Dublin Zoo and a herd of wild deer.

Getting there

Dublin Airport (DUB) is about 10 km north of the centre. There is no rail link; express coaches and Dublin Bus routes run to the city centre in about 30 minutes.

Ferries from Holyhead in Wales arrive at Dublin Port, and trains run from Belfast to Connolly station.

Getting around

The centre is walkable. Luas trams (Red and Green lines), Dublin Bus and the coastal DART train cover the rest; a Leap Card gives cheaper fares.

Dublinbikes, the public bike-share scheme, has stations across the centre.

Practical tips

Currency
Euro (EUR). Cards, including contactless, are accepted almost everywhere.
Language
English and Irish; English is used everywhere.
Safety
Dublin is generally safe; take normal care at night and watch your belongings in busy areas. The emergency numbers are 112 and 999.
Visa & entry
Ireland is in the EU but not in the Schengen Area, and it runs its own border controls. Citizens of the US, Canada, the UK, Australia and EU countries do not need a visa for a short visit. Check irishimmigration.ie for your nationality.
Power
230 V, 50 Hz; plug type G (the same as the UK).

Official information: Visit Dublin (official tourism website). Check opening hours, prices and entry rules there before you go.

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