5 Top Tourists Spots to Visit in Dublin Ireland

Planning a trip to Dublin, Ireland this summer? Dublin is one of the most romantic cities in Europe, and a popular tourist destination in the spring and summer. With historic churches, castles and locations throughout the city there is something for everyone. You can also take one of several tours throughout Dublin, whether by bus, a pub crawl or in a historic location Dublin will have plenty for you to do while you vacation in Ireland.

The following are five of the top places to visit in Dublin, some family friendly, and some geared towards an older crowd.

Dublin Castle

This historic castle built between 1208 and 1220 is one of a handful of historic architectures still surviving in the city. Dublin Castle was the center of English power in Ireland until 1922 when it was taken over by the Irish Free State. Tour highlights include the record tower and the State Apartments, where the inauguration ceremony for the President of Ireland takes place. One of the newest attractions at the castle is the Undercroft where researchers and historians are currently excavating the grounds for an early Viking fortress. You can also see the treasury and a new visitor center in the basement.

Tours are with a guide only. Pictures can be taken, but only when a guide has told you it ok to do so. The castle can be closed at short notice for Government business or State functions. The average tour lasts for 1 hour.

Location:
Palace Street, off Dame Street, Dublin 2, Ireland

Hours:
Monday - Saturday: 10:00AM - 4:45PM with the last tour at 4:45; Sunday and Bank Holidays: 2:00PM - 4:45PM
Closed 24 - 28 and 31 December, 1 January and Good Friday.

Fees:
Adult: €4.50; Student/Senior Citizen: €3.50; Child (under 12): €2.00

Guinness Storehouse

A trip to Dublin wouldn't be complete for a beer lover without a stop at the Guinness Storehouse. This 2 hour self guided tour will give you a view of how the brewery makes Guinness beer, the history of the beer itself and offers a chance to venture to the top of the storehouse for a free pint of Guinness. While you must be 21 to sample the beer, this is still a family friendly tour and very informative on the history of Ireland and there place as one of the biggest manufactures of beer in the world.

Location:
St. James Gate, Dublin 8, Ireland

Hours:
Open 7 days a week from 9:30AM to 5:00PM (open late in July and August open until 8pm and you may stay in the building until 10pm). Closed: Good Friday, Christmas Eve, Christmas Day and St Stephen's Day (Boxing Day).

Fees:
Adult €14; Student + 18 with ID €9.50; Student - 18 with ID €7.50; Family €30; Senior Citizen €9.50; Children between 6 and 12 yrs €5.00; Children under 6 yrs Free

Trinity College Dublin

Founded in 1592 by Queen Elizabeth, Trinity College is one of the oldest buildings in Dublin and boasts royals and playwrights as students. Spend a few hours browsing through the buildings, touring the grounds, looking at the flowers planted throughout the college and take a walk down the cobbled quads. Tour highlights include a the Old Library with the Book of Kells on display.

Location:
College Green, Dublin 2, Ireland

Hours:
Monday - Friday 9:00AM - 5:00PM

Dublinia

The Dublinia exhibition is one of the most popular tourist spots in Dublin Ireland and through displays shows the formative period of Dublin's history from the arrival of the Anglo-Normans in 1170 to the closure of the monasteries in the 1540s. The tour is self guided and takes approximately two hours. Through videos, models and reconstructions you will learn more about how Dublin came to be and the struggles her people have been through to sustain the city. The ground floor includes a large-scale model of Dublin as it looked in 1500. You will also find a display of artifacts from Wood Quay, and reconstructions.

Location:
St Michaels Hill, Christchurch, Dublin 8, Ireland

Hours:
April-September: 10AM - 5PM Monday - Sunday; October-March: Monday-Saturday, 10AM - 4PM, Sunday 10AM - 4:30PM.

Price:
Adult: €6.95; Child: €4.95; Family: €20 (2A+2C); Student/Concession: €5.95; Group Rate: €4.95

Saint Patrick's Cathedral Dublin

Built in 1191 Saint Patrick's Cathedral is one of the oldest, and most famous, church in Dublin. Named in honor of Ireland's patron Saint the church offers tours daily and service Sunday morning. The Cathedral stands adjacent to the famous well where tradition has it Saint Patrick baptized converts on his visit to Dublin. The tour typically takes one hour and covers the upstairs, basement and grounds of the Cathedral. Donations are excepted to help the church with maintenance.

Location:
Saint Patrick's Close, Dublin 8, Ireland

Hours:
March - October Monday - Friday 9:00AM - 5:30PM Saturday - 9:00AM - 6:30PM Sunday - 9:00AM - 11:00AM 12:30PM - 3:00PM 4:30PM - 6:30PM

November to February Monday - Friday 9:00AM - 5:30PM Saturday - 9:00AM - 5:30PM Sunday - 9:00AM - 11:00AM 12:30PM - 3:00PM

Source: The Dublin Tourist