“Where should I stay?” is the first question most visitors ask, just ahead of “where’s the toilet?” and “is that the real Molly Malone?”
The good news: Dublin’s centre is small, so almost anywhere central will do. The less good news: Dublin hotels are expensive, especially at weekends and when there’s a big match or concert on. Book early.
The short answer
- First visit, want to walk everywhere: around Grafton Street and St Stephen’s Green.
- Nightlife first, sleep second: Temple Bar.
- Better value, still central: north of the river, around O’Connell Street and Smithfield.
- Quieter and elegant: the Georgian quarter around Merrion Square, or Ballsbridge.
- Business or modern: the Docklands.
- Seaside: Howth, Dún Laoghaire or Dalkey, on the DART.
The areas
Grafton Street and St Stephen’s Green (Dublin 2)
The heart of the southside. You’re minutes from Trinity College, the shops, the museums on Kildare Street, the Green and the Little Museum. It’s the most expensive area, and the most convenient. If it’s your first visit and you can afford it, stay here.
Temple Bar
Cobbled lanes, pubs, live music until late, and noise until later. Great if you want to fall out of a pub and into bed. Less great if you want to sleep before 2am, especially at weekends. Read what Temple Bar actually is before you book. If you want the location without the noise, stay on the edge, around Dame Street or the quays.
The Georgian quarter (Merrion Square, Fitzwilliam Square, Baggot Street)
Red-brick Georgian terraces with the famous doors, quiet streets, smart townhouse hotels, and the National Gallery on your doorstep. Ten minutes’ walk to Grafton Street. Lovely, and a little calmer.
O’Connell Street and the north inner city (Dublin 1)
Generally better value than the southside, with a lot of hotels close to the GPO, the shops on Henry Street, Connolly Station and the airport coaches. It’s busy and a bit rough around the edges at night, like most city centres. Stay on the main streets and you’ll be fine.
Smithfield and Stoneybatter (Dublin 7)
West along the north quays: the Jameson Distillery, the Luas Red Line, independent cafés and some of the best pubs in town. Stoneybatter keeps coming up on lists of the coolest neighbourhoods in the world, which the people of Stoneybatter find very funny.
The Liberties and Kilmainham (Dublin 8)
The old city, around Christ Church, St Patrick’s, Thomas Street and the Guinness Storehouse, with whiskey distilleries reopening in old buildings. There are newer hotels here and it’s handy for Kilmainham Gaol. A 10–20 minute walk into the centre.
The Docklands and Grand Canal Dock
Glass, steel and the European headquarters of tech companies. Modern hotels, good transport, and the theatre at Grand Canal Square. Quieter at weekends, busier and pricier midweek. See our quays and Docklands walk.
Ballsbridge and Donnybrook
Leafy, embassy-lined suburbs about 20–30 minutes’ walk south-east of the centre, close to the Aviva Stadium and the RDS. Good if you’re here for rugby, a concert or a conference, or if you just want a quieter night.
The coast: Howth, Dún Laoghaire, Dalkey
If you’d rather wake up to the sea, stay on the DART line. You’re 20–40 minutes from town, and you get cliff walks, piers and seafood on your doorstep. A good choice for longer stays and second visits.
Near the airport
Only if you have an early flight. Swords and Malahide are close and pleasant. See getting from the airport.
Tips for booking
- Check the event calendar. Big rugby matches, GAA finals at Croke Park, concerts and St Patrick’s Day send prices soaring.
- Midweek is cheaper than Friday and Saturday, often by a lot.
- Look at the map, not the name. “Dublin city” hotels are sometimes nowhere near the city.
- Self-catering and guesthouses can be better value for families and longer stays.
- Read the noise reviews for anything in or right beside Temple Bar.
Planning the rest? Start with our guide to things to do in Dublin and Dublin visitor essentials.