8 Amazing Free Things to do in Dublin - City Guide

I’ve always been tempted to visit Dublin, and when I saw some super discounted flights, I couldn’t resist and booked a long weekend break with my husband. 

Although flights from the UK to Dublin may be affordable, Dublin has a reputation for being an expensive city, partly because of the use of Euros. However, there are plenty of amazing free things to do in the city, which means you don’t need to part with too much of your cash to enjoy the beautiful capital city!

Here are my favourite free thing to do in the city of Dublin:

1. Visit Temple Bar Food Market

Dublin is a vibrant and friendly city where you will find hidden gems by just strolling the streets. A must-visit area is Temple bar, which is where many of the cities famous pubs are located. 

However, as well as the pubs, the area also have an amazing Food Market on Saturdays, where you can peruse a range artisan products, including breads, cheeses and even oysters! It’s also a great place to meet locals or just spend some time people watching.

2. Cross Ha’Penny Bridge

A stone's throw from Temple Bar is Ha’Penny Bridge. Erected in 1816 to help the locals cross the River Liffey, it replaced the ferry which charged a fee, and so saved them a considerable amount of money. The bridge is now one of the top sights to see in Dublin, and it certainly is a beautiful bridge to cross. 

3. Explore the grounds of Trinity College

Ireland’s most famous University, Trinity College, is located in the middle of Dublin and it is a gorgeous escape from the rest of the city. Although there is a charge to see the Long Room and Book of Kells, you can still explore the extensive ground for free. 

The day we visited there were graduation ceremonies taking place, and it was lovely to see the gowned students celebrating their special day. We then took a stroll along the cobbled path and rested on a bench with beautiful views of the lush green surroundings. 

4. Visit one of the many free Museums

Dublin is graced with a host of museums and thankfully many of them are free! We noted down so many free museums we wanted to visit that we actually ran out of time and couldn’t visit them all.

Highlights include the National Gallery of Ireland which houses work renowned artists such as Monet. I also loved the Natural History Museum with its large, and slightly creepy, collection of stuffed animals. 

Some other free museums include:

• The National Library of Ireland 

• The Hugh Lane Gallery

• The Chester Beatty Library

• Irish Museum of Modern Art

5. Relax in St. Stephen’s Green

Dublin is known for the many green squares that dot the city. One of the bigger parks in the city centre is St. Stephen’s Green. This is a beautiful park to relax in as it has a lovely lake in the middle of it. It is also lined with various statues and fountains, making it a great place to explore and chill out.

6. Then stroll through Merrion Square Park

Located close to St. Stephen’s Green, Merrion Square is one of the smaller parks in the city, but it is also part of Dublin’s five Georgian Squares. As a result this exclusive address has a different, more formal feel to the other squares. Stroll past a very unique statue of Oscar Wilde leaning on a rock, and visit on a Sunday to see local artists displaying their work. 

Merrion Square Park is also located next to many of the museums, making it a great place to rest after visiting them.

7. Snap Dublin’s famous doors

You’ll notice fairly quickly during your visit to Dublin that the city has some great doors! These doors are famous around the world and make a great Instagram shot!

No one knows exactly where the trend of painting doors in Dublin started but there are a few rumours. Regardless of the origin, the tradition makes walking through the city a real pleasure!

8. Take a trip to Howth

One of the things I enjoy most about my visit to Dublin, was actually leaving the city centre and taking a trip to the coast. A bus or train ride to Howth takes under an hour and is also fairly inexpensive. Once you’re there you can enjoy absolutely stunning sea views for free.

The many trails and hikes take you right along the coastline, including some scary sheer drops too! However the views and fresh sea air with worth it and well worth a visit!

Have you been to Dublin? What was your favourite thing to do in the city?

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