Discover Dublin’s 200 best Smart Adventurer spots for your trip

Irish Jewish Museum

★ 4.5 · 143 reviews

Seek out the Irish Jewish Museum in Portobello, a small and characterful collection tucked off Harrington Street. See artefacts and family histories and step inside a period synagogue that tells the story of Ireland's Jewish community.

Blessington Street Basin

★ 4.7 · 91 reviews

Slip through the iron gates of Blessington Street Basin, a hidden pocket of calm in Phibsborough. Circle the small lake, pause on a bench, and enjoy a quiet break away from the city bustle.

Marsh’s Library

★ 4.8 · 556 reviews

Step into Marsh's Library, one of Dublin's most atmospheric reading rooms. Browse the dark oak bookcases, peer at centuries-old volumes under glass, and soak up the hush of a place that has barely changed.

Iveagh Gardens

★ 4.7 · 4,817 reviews

Find Iveagh Gardens, a quiet 19th-century garden tucked away behind Harcourt Street. Wander past fountains, admire the rose garden, and enjoy the calm of this overlooked city-centre retreat.

The Stella Cinema Rathmines

★ 4.7 · 3,306 reviews

Treat yourself to a film at the Stella Cinema in Rathmines, a lovingly preserved Art Deco picture house. Sink into an armchair, couch or bed and watch a screening in a setting full of period character.

Stoneybatter

Discover Stoneybatter, a village-like pocket of north-side Dublin with a strong community feel. Walk its main street past old pubs, delis and vintage shops, then explore the side lanes of artisan cottages.

National Print Museum

★ 4.8 · 690 reviews

Duck into the National Print Museum, a small Dublin gem for anyone curious about how words reach the page. Watch guides walk through historic presses and try your hand at making a print yourself.

The Little Pig Speakeasy, Dublin

★ 4.4 · 351 reviews

Discover The Little Pig Speakeasy, a Dublin cocktail bar you enter through a special payphone. Once inside, settle at a table and sample inventive seasonal cocktails in a moody, hidden room.

James Joyce Tower

★ 4.6 · 669 reviews

Climb into the James Joyce Tower, the coastal Martello tower where Ulysses begins. View relics, photographs and rare books in a free museum run by friendly volunteers.

Pearse Museum

★ 4.7 · 588 reviews

Head out to the Pearse Museum in Rathfarnham for a quieter side of Dublin history. Tour the historical rooms with helpful staff, then stroll the beautifully kept grounds before heading back to the city.

Stella Cocktail Club

★ 4.4 · 217 reviews

Discover Stella Cocktail Club, an Art Deco cocktail bar in Rathmines with a cosy, elegant mood. Sip creative, themed cocktails and settle in for a special evening out.

Tolka Valley Park

★ 4.2 · 1,015 reviews

Escape the city centre for a quiet riverside park in north Dublin. A green, local-feeling walk for travellers who like off-the-beaten-path places.

James Joyce Centre

★ 4.3 · 658 reviews

Step into the James Joyce Centre, a Georgian town house in Rotunda devoted to Dublin's most famous novelist. Explore Joyce's writing table, period rooms and a cozy living room that feels more like a home than a museum.

Whitefriar Street Church

★ 4.8 · 770 reviews

Slip into Whitefriar Street Church, a quiet Dublin landmark that rewards anyone who steps through its doors. Admire the preserved interior, light a candle at the shrines and browse the small shop before moving on.

St. Audoen's Park

★ 4.5 · 377 reviews

Slip into St. Audoen's Park, a quiet pocket of Dublin where the medieval city wall rises behind the benches. Wander past the old gate, try the humming rock and rest before moving on.

Vintage Cocktail Club

★ 4.5 · 2,263 reviews

Discover Vintage Cocktail Club, a candle-lit speakeasy hidden behind an easy-to-miss door in Dublin. Settle into the intimate room and work through a list of well-reviewed cocktails surrounded by vintage details.

Fidelity Bar & Studio

★ 4.7 · 989 reviews

Discover Fidelity Bar & Studio, a Smithfield spot where food, cocktails and music come together. Share small plates, try the sample menu and enjoy a well-tuned soundtrack on a night out.

Volpe Nera

★ 4.7 · 225 reviews

Head south to Volpe Nera, a Mediterranean restaurant with Michelin recognition and a loyal local following. Choose the chef's four-course menu or the côte de bœuf, and finish with a creative starter-led meal.

Southbank

★ 4.4 · 567 reviews

Try Southbank, a Harold's Cross cafe where brunch is kept simple and done well. Choose from the short menu, perhaps avocado and feta toast, and finish with an affogato in a quiet, tidy room.

Coppinger Restaurant

★ 4.6 · 156 reviews

Discover Coppinger, a Dublin hidden gem with a relaxed, welcoming feel. Choose between the lunchtime menu del dia or an evening of prawns and well-cooked steak, paired with a cocktail.

The Black Sheep

★ 4.4 · 3,546 reviews

Discover The Black Sheep, a cosy craft-ale pub just across the river in the Rotunda area. Settle into its eclectic interior for a good pint and hearty comfort food among Dublin locals.

Light House Cinema

★ 4.8 · 4,439 reviews

Catch a film at Light House Cinema, Smithfield's independent movie house. Browse an eclectic programme of new releases, classics and world cinema, then pick your seat and settle in.

Walsh's

★ 4.7 · 1,463 reviews

Pull up a stool at Walsh's, a historic Dublin pub where locals outnumber visitors. Order a pint of Guinness, listen to the neighbourhood chatter, and soak up an authentic old-school atmosphere.

Index Dublin

★ 3.3 · 76 reviews

Discover Index Dublin, a North City club that builds its nights around big-name DJs. Join a dance-focused crowd and stay on the floor until the late-night finish.

Blas Cafe

★ 4.7 · 536 reviews

Step into Blas Cafe by the Rotunda for an unfussy, well-priced breakfast. Order at the bar, then enjoy halloumi eggs and a vanilla latte in a relaxed, local atmosphere.

The Sidecar

★ 4.7 · 182 reviews

Discover The Sidecar, an elegant cocktail bar inside The Westbury hotel. Sip innovative house cocktails and sample the martini trolley in an intimate, classy setting.

Pearse Lyons Whiskey Distillery Experience

★ 4.7 · 509 reviews

Discover Pearse Lyons Distillery, housed in a former church in Dublin's brewing quarter. Tour the atmospheric building and learn how its whiskey is made before settling into a guided tasting.

Phibsborough

Wander Phibsborough, a genuine north-side Dublin neighbourhood far from the tourist trail. Browse local shops and bakeries along the main road, then settle into a neighbourhood café or traditional pub.

Elliot's

★ 4.5 · 271 reviews

Pick up a fresh bake at a neighbourhood favourite in Phibsborough. Sit down with a coffee and watch local life.

Casino of Marino

★ 4.7 · 379 reviews

Step inside the Casino of Marino, a small villa that hides far more than its exterior suggests. Follow a guide through 16 neo-classical rooms and learn how the building's clever design worked.