Dublin, city of a thousand and one colorful doors, is a destination rich in history and culture, with many museums to visit. Its heritage makes it a benchmark destination in Europe, promising to offer a unique urban landscape, a legacy of its English colonial past that bequeathed the Georgian architectural style.
Crowned Cultural Capital of Europe in the 90s, the Irish city is rich in character and bound to surprise you with its centuries-old charm. It’s also a city where the locals are welcoming and where you can find several major events such as theater and writers’ festivals. It’s a city where there’s never a dull moment. Would you like to discover it but don’t know where to stay in Dublin?
We’ve put together a list of the best places to stay, sorted by budget, to help you make the best choice. Whether you’re looking for what Ireland’s capital is famous for, with its famous nightlife in Temple Bar and O’Connell Street, or you prefer a little resort in the St Stephen’s Green area with its relaxing lake, you’ll find it easy to stay here, with the chance to stay in a historic hotel that will immerse you in Irish culture.
Main information
Before going into the description of the places to target when selecting accommodation in Dublin, here are the essentials to know from a tourist point of view. They should give you a better idea of the city and its constraints.
Our favorite places to stay
For those in a hurry, here are our favorite places to stay in Dublin:
- $ This youth hostel, ideally located and offering very affordable rates,
- $$ this hotel, located on one of the main thoroughfares, has affordable rooms,
- $$$ this Art Deco-style luxury establishment, centrally located.
Map of Dublin’s different districts to stay in
To give you a quick overview of the different places we recommend to stay in Dublin, you’ll find on the map below all the Dublin accommodation recommendations we’ll be sharing in this guide. You can also use it to locate the various neighborhoods we’ll be detailing.
The essentials for choosing where to stay in Dublin
Where to stay in and around Dublin
Let’s get to the heart of the matter with a review of the main areas where we recommend staying in Dublin.
Lodging in Temple Bar: the lively nightlife district
Arriving in the Irish capital for the first time, it's natural to head for the area known as Temple Bar, literally Dublin's nightlife district. As one of the city's oldest districts, with buildings dating back to the early 19th century, it has become one of the most attractive places to stay when visiting Dublin. Thanks to its title as European Capital of Culture in 1991, Temple Bar has developed strongly, with many cultural venues not to be missed.
It's also in this area that you'll find many restaurants serving international and traditional Irish cuisine, as well as numerous bars and Irish pubs, where St. Patrick's Day is celebrated every few weeks! It's also here that you'll find a variety of art galleries, cultural associations, alternative fashion boutiques and artists' studios, reflecting the rich cultural life that Ireland's capital boasts.
We've put together a list of places you can visit in Temple Bar:
- Food Market and Book Market: These two daytime markets are not to be missed: one is food, the other second-hand books.
- Dublin Castle: Dating from the 13th century, it houses 2 museums, a Gothic-style church, a basement and an ancient library.
- Irish Whiskey Museum: Interactive museum tracing the history of Irish whiskey, with a final tasting session.
Finding a place to stay in this central part of Dublin is easy, and there's something to suit every budget. In fact, there are several hostels where you can stay for very little per night, but there are also more upmarket and historic hotels to give you the best possible immersion experience in this lively, historic district. This is also the place to try a beer (or Guinness), the Irish city's signature drink and the reason why the atmosphere is so welcoming.
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Located near the O'Connell Bridge, this youth hostel offers bunk-bed accommodation. There's a bar and several common areas for socializing, and you can enjoy a continental breakfast.
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Bordering the River Liffey, this charming hotel offers plenty of entertainment and modern, colorful, fully-equipped rooms. There are several bars and bistros offering meat by the slice. Good value for money.
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A historic hotel dating from the early 20th century, it boasts Art Deco-style communal areas and offers accommodation in modern, spacious rooms with excellent bedding. It has its own bar and restaurant serving Irish cuisine.
Lodging on O'Connell Street: the main thoroughfare
Crossing the 18th-century O'Connell Bridge, you'll arrive on one of Dublin's main thoroughfares, with its many local and international stores. It's also the first district in Dublin from which you can reach the capital's other major districts. It's a must for any visitor to the Irish city. Starting just north of the River Liffey and ending on Parnell Street, it's easy to find accommodation here, whether you prefer to stay close to the center or opt for the northern part of the shopping street.
In this must-see area, you can visit a number of historic monuments, many of which were destroyed during the Irish Civil War at the turn of the century, but which have been preserved with unique architectural features from the 1800s. More modernist elements can also be seen in this part of the capital. When it comes to eating out, you can choose between the large chain restaurants on the eponymous street, or more local eateries in adjacent streets such as Parnell or along the river.
Here are some places of interest to see in this area of Dublin:
- Dublin Central Post Office: An imposing monument dating from 1818, with a colonnaded entrance and intact interior.
- Clery's Department Stores: The former Clery's stores, which opened in the late 19th century, now offer a historical exhibition of its past. Don't miss its iconic clock.
- The Spire : This 120m spire replaced the Nelson's Pillar in 2003, which was destroyed in an IRA attack in 1966.
To stay in this part of Dublin, you can either stay close to the O'Connell Bridge, or choose to stay on the north side of the artery, where it meets Parnell Street. Here you'll find hostels, hotels and apartments at a wide range of prices, ideal for traveling in the comfort you desire.
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Bordering the river, it's right next to the O'Connell Bridge and offers an unbeatable nightly rate for staying in Ireland's capital. It has a large common room, ideal for meeting other travelers visiting Dublin.
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Situated between O'Connell Bridge and Temple Bar, this hotel offers affordable prices for staying close to major points of interest. With a modern feel, the hotel offers cosy rooms and convivial spaces, including a delicious buffet.
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In a historic hotel with Art Deco decor, you'll appreciate its chic, bright and colorful spaces, where you can stay in modern rooms overlooking the old town. The hotel features a bar and restaurant serving local and vegetarian cuisine.
St Stephen's Green: peace and quiet by the park
Looking for a quiet spot in Ireland's capital? St Stephen's Green, the park to the south of the city, will win you over. Just a 10-minute walk from Temple Bar, it's easy to find where to stay in this more out-of-the-way area, except that you'll need to budget more than for other parts of Dublin. Established in 1664, it's one of Ireland's oldest and most popular public parks, with 9 hectares of grounds featuring a swan pond, woodland, pastures and a central fountain.
The predominant style around the park is Georgian, as high society wished to settle here after the 19th-century developments. As a result, the hotels surrounding the park have a typically English charm that only enhances a stay in Dublin's capital.
- National Museum of Archaeology : a large, beautiful museum displaying relics from the Bronze Age to the Viking Age, including Egyptian remains.
- National Museum of Natural History: A museum featuring numerous stuffed animals, fossilized species and bones of prehistoric creatures.
- MoLI - Museum of Literature Ireland: in several Georgian-style buildings, you'll find temporary exhibitions and an important collection of Irish literature.
The visible standing of this district is an important indicator of hotel prices, which are higher overall. Here, you can stay in top-of-the-range establishments that are sure to take you back in time, and whose service will be much appreciated. There are a number of historic hotels in the area, and depending on what you're looking for, you can stay in a small English-inspired establishment or a large, century-old hotel that will make a lasting impression on your journey.
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This modern-style hotel offers comfortable, fully-equipped rooms. Communal areas are colorful and spacious. A bar and Irish breakfast service are available for a pleasant stay.
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A small, charming Georgian-style hotel offering spacious rooms with antique furnishings and pleasant views of the outdoor garden or park. You can also enjoy a daily Irish and English breakfast.
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Upscale 5-star hotel, dating from the 19th century, offering comfortable rooms with quality antique furnishings. There are several typical restaurants and a traditional Irish tearoom.
Summary
You now have all the information you need to make your stay in Dublin a success! For a first-time visitor, it’s best to stay near Temple Bar or O’Connell Street. Central and affordable, it’s the perfect place to find budget accommodation. Whether you’re looking for a hotel or hostel, or rented apartments, near the river or more centrally located, it’s easy to stay as you wish.
For those who prefer nature and being close to the lakes, choosing to stay near St Stephen’s Green will guarantee a relaxing stay close to the most beautiful green spaces in the Irish countryside, while remaining at a good distance from the old city. There’s no shortage of hotels steeped in history in this area, and you’ll be able to stay in some splendid hotels, which you’ll need to book in advance to get the best prices.
As in all European cities, Dublin is a capital that has suffered from inflation, and prices per night are now higher than they used to be. However, it is possible to find good prices for where to stay, depending on your geographical requirements and standard of accommodation. Our advice is to opt for a hotel that offers a unique charm with an integrated pub or bar, as this is the essence of a trip to Ireland. Our selection will help you make the best choice at the best price according to your travel preferences