Dublin is one of the most fun cities we’ve visited. We were a bit worried about the weather – since Ireland is known for being rainy most of the year – but somehow we got lucky with amazing weather in the middle of October, with hardly any rain. We explored the city on an excellent free walking tour, visited the Irish Whiskey Museum, went on a day trip to the famous Cliffs of Moher, stopped by great cafés and restaurants, and in this post, you can read all our recommendations for things to do in Dublin. Tour of the city
One of the things we really enjoyed doing was joining a free, tip-based walking tour with Sandemans, a company we’ve also toured with in other cities. Our guide was Connor, and he was without a doubt one of the best guides we’ve ever had.
Connor was incredibly funny and charismatic, and he delivered the tour in an engaging, entertaining, and informative way. He blended history, local culture, and humor effortlessly, making the experience both educational and fun. At every stop, he shared fascinating stories and anecdotes that brought the city to life.
Our group was quite large, with around 40 participants, yet Connor managed it impressively. He kept everyone engaged, made sure we could all hear him clearly, and created a great group dynamic. His energy, storytelling skills, and sense of humor made this tour one of the highlights of our time in the city. 
Whiskey Museum Tour
While many visitors in Dublin choose the classic Guinness Storehouse tour, we decided to go for a whiskey tour, as the history of Irish whiskey was far less familiar to us. After some research, we chose the Irish Whiskey Museum, which offers guided tours with tastings and small group sizes, so we booked in advance. Our group was intimate, and our guide, Hannah, was warm, knowledgeable, and engaging, making the experience both informative and enjoyable.
The tour walked us through the history of Irish whiskey, followed by a guided tasting where we learned how to properly smell and taste different whiskies. There was also an option to blend your own whiskey, which is especially fun for whiskey lovers. Even though I’m not a big whiskey enthusiast myself, it was a unique and well-designed experience that we truly enjoyed. You can read our full description of the tour and tastings in the dedicated post about the Irish Whiskey Museum. 
Castle and Dublin harbour tour
One of the day tours we really enjoyed during our stay in Dublin was the Malahide Castle and Howth tour with DoDublin. The tour departs daily at 11:00 from the company’s offices and is led by a driver who also serves as a guide, sharing explanations and stories along the way. After about a 45-minute drive, we arrived at Malahide Castle, where the ticket included a guided tour through the castle’s rooms and corridors, telling the story of the family that lived there for over 800 years. The castle felt both impressive and surprisingly homely, making it easy to imagine daily life within its walls.
After some free time in the castle gardens, the tour continued to Howth Harbour, a picturesque coastal area filled with boats, seafood restaurants, cafés, and great photo spots. We had time to wander around, enjoy the atmosphere, and grab a light lunch before heading back to Dublin in the afternoon. It was a relaxed and well-organized day trip that combined history, nature, and local scenery. You can read a detailed description of the itinerary and our experience in the full post about the castle and harbour tour. 
Irish bar
Dublin is full of fun bars with great atmosphere. There are bar crawls you can join or you can just walk through the city center and go from one bar to the next. Next to our hotel was Oliver St. John Gogarty, a live music bar that was great to hang out at. 
A Souvenir and Food Market
If you’re looking for a charming spot to pick up a unique souvenir or something artistic, George’s Street Arcade is a must-visit. Known as one of the oldest shopping arcades in Dublin, this historic indoor market offers a mix of traditional and contemporary stalls. From handcrafted jewelry and artwork to quirky gifts and vintage finds, there’s something for every taste.
But it’s not just for shopping, George’s Street Arcade is also a great place to grab a bite or a cup of coffee. Several small cafés and food stalls serve affordable breakfast options, pastries, and fresh coffee, making it a perfect stop for a casual morning or afternoon break. Though the arcade isn’t very large, its lively atmosphere and variety of vendors create a cozy, bustling experience that feels authentically Dublin.
Whether you’re a tourist hunting for a keepsake or a local looking for a relaxed spot to eat and browse, George’s Street Arcade offers a little bit of everything in one colorful, historic location. 
Nature at the Heart of Dublin
After exploring the bustling streets of Dublin, we headed to St. Stephen’s Green, a beautiful and historic city park right in the heart of town. You can rent a bike at special stations conveniently located along the streets and ride through the park, or simply stroll on foot. The park is a favorite spot for both locals and tourists alike, offering plenty of space to walk, run, relax on the grass, or sit on a bench and enjoy a moment of quiet amid the city. Its well-maintained flowerbeds, charming pathways, and scenic pond make it a peaceful oasis in the middle of Dublin’s vibrant city life. 
From there, we continued to Iveagh Gardens, a hidden gem often overlooked by visitors. This tranquil garden offers a more secluded experience, perfect for those seeking peace away from the crowds. One of its highlights is a lovely waterfall, although it wasn’t flowing when we visited. The gardens themselves are expansive and beautifully landscaped, featuring winding paths, open lawns, and serene water features. If you’re looking for a quiet spot to relax, read a book, or enjoy a picnic, Iveagh Gardens is an ideal choice, providing a sense of calm and nature right in the city. 
A day trip out of Dublin -Tour to the Cliffs of Moher
Visiting the Cliffs of Moher is considered a must while traveling in Ireland, so we joined a day tour from Dublin with Irish Day Tours. The day starts very early, but the journey itself is part of the experience. Our driver also served as a guide, sharing stories and background about the landscapes and towns we passed along the way, which made the long drive far more engaging. When we arrived at the cliffs, the weather was on our side, giving us excellent visibility and plenty of time to walk along both sides, take photos, and truly appreciate the dramatic views.
The tour continued to Doolin village for lunch, followed by a stop at The Burren, a unique limestone landscape, and finally some free time in the lively city of Galway, which quickly became one of our favorite places of the day. By the time we returned to Dublin in the evening, we felt that this was one of the best tours of the entire trip. If you’re considering visiting the Cliffs of Moher, this type of organized day tour is a great, stress-free option. You can read a more detailed description of the itinerary and our full experience in the post about the Cliffs of Moher tour. 
Recommended coffee shops in Dublin
Dublin is full of charming cafés where you can enjoy everything from a hearty Irish breakfast to specialty coffee and healthy treats. Whether you’re looking for a cozy spot to relax, a creative brunch, or a sweet indulgence, the city’s coffee scene has something for every taste. Here are a few of our favorites.
Irish breakfast
Stage Door Café was one of the cafés where we had breakfast. It’s a beautifully designed, intimate spot with a cozy atmosphere. Roman ordered a traditional Irish breakfast with egg, sausage, and beans, while I chose scrambled eggs on toast. The eggs were very well seasoned, and I was genuinely delighted with the dish. Roman enjoyed his breakfast as well. 
Eggs Benedict breakfast
Another great option for breakfast is Art Café Dublin, where we ate eggs Benedict with salmon and hollandaise sauce on brioche bread. Truth be told, I wanted to have their avocado sandwich but they were all out of avocado and so I decided to order the same dish as Roman. The food itself was filling and tasted great. We also had coffee along with our meal. 
A healthy breakfast
After having lots of bread and many Irish breakfasts, I was craving variety, and so we went to Pog – a café serving tasty semolina porridge (They also have great-looking pancakes for those looking for something a bit less healthy).
We had almond milk-based porridge with berries, strawberries and ground (Roman ordered two 🙂 ), and they were delicious.
I asked a couple of girls there to take a picture of their dishes so I could show you what those looked like as well. 
Coffee house
The Cocobrew coffee house has great coffee, tasty drinks and unique desserts.
They also have desserts made of superfoods and vegan desserts. Roman had the banana cake which was really good, so I ate half of it and a peanut butter date ball which was a hit as well. 
Recommended restaurants
Dublin offers a wide range of dining experiences, from hearty traditional Irish dishes to international flavors from around the world. Whether you’re in the mood for a cozy pub meal, a relaxed lunch, or something more exotic, the city’s restaurants have something for every taste. Here are a few of our favorites.
A traditional Irish restaurant
If you’re looking for traditional Irish cuisine in an open and joyous environment – O’Sheas Restaurant is a solid choice. The entrance area is a bar, with a restaurant further inside – Although you can eat at the bar as well. We wanted to talk and so chose to sit in the dining area rather than the bar, as it was quite loud.
For starters, I ordered a simple green salad, and Roman had chowder, a thick creamy soup with seafood. Roman liked it a lot. For mains I had the Shepherd’s pie, which had seafood with cream and potatoes on top, and Roman had the pork belly with potatoes. Both were not only really flavorful but also filling. 
A Japanese restaurant
Musashi Noodle & Sushi has a good lunch business menu. Roman had chicken Ramen for 9 euros, and I ordered a Japanese box containing several types of food. Sushi, rice, seafood in a tasty sauce and a kind of schnitzel and miso soup for starters.
The food was really good and filling. Roman’s soup was subtly flavoured, and I was happy to have a few different dishes to try. They were all good.
The restaurant’s atmosphere is very relaxing, and the service was great. Definitely a recommended place to have some satisfying, reasonably priced lunch. 
Vietnamese restaurant
We found an authentic Vietnamese restaurant with good prices and very tasty food next to our hotel, The Pho Ta restaurant. Roman ordered Pho soup, a Vietnamese meat soup, and I ordered Bun Cha, a fish dish with noodles and excellent sauce. 
In summary, Dublin managed to surprise us in every possible way – it offers the perfect mix of culture, history, nature, great food, and a lively, fun atmosphere. Whether you’re looking for city tours, quiet spots in the parks, cafés and restaurants, bars with live music, or even day trips outside the city – Dublin has it all. We came back with a long list of recommended experiences and plenty of great memories from the city and its surroundings.
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