Walking Tour Of Dublin

We recently visited Ireland and only had one day to explore Dublin, so we wanted to make the most of our time in the city. To make sure we saw as much as possible, we did plenty of research and planned a walking tour that would appeal to everyone in our group.

That was no small challenge, considering our ages ranged from 11 to 74 and we also had a dog in tow! Somehow, though, we managed to find the perfect balance of sights, history, green spaces, and places to stop for food and refreshments along the way.

Everyone had a fantastic day, so I thought I’d share our walking tour of Dublin, in case you’re looking for an easy and enjoyable way to explore Dublin on foot.

Parking In Dublin

We wanted to park in central Dublin so we could make the most of our time in the city without spending a fortune. Parking on the south side of the river can cost around €30 for the day, so we chose to park north of the river instead, where we paid just €15 for the whole day.

Jervis Shopping Centre Car Park is only a few minutes’ walk from the river and provides a great starting point for exploring the city. From there, you can cross via either the Ha’penny Bridge or Millennium Bridge, enjoying views of Dublin’s iconic Ha’penny Bridge as you make your way towards the famous Temple Bar area.

Trinity College and The Book Of Kells

Our first stop was Trinity College, which is less than a 10-minute stroll from the Ha’penny Bridge, with a slight detour along the way to see the Molly Malone Statue.

Molly Malone is a legendary character from a famous Dublin folk song and is often portrayed as a young fishmonger who sold cockles and mussels from a wheelbarrow on the streets of Dublin.

After getting your selfie with Molly Malone, head towards Trinity College which is Ireland’s oldest university, founded in 1592. When you enter it feels like you are stepping back in time. You can stroll around the beautiful grounds for free and explore the historic courtyards and enjoy the architecture at no cost.

The Book of Kells is located in Trinity College you do have to pay for this experience but it is definitely worth it. It is one of the most famous attractions, giving visitors the chance to see the beautifully illuminated Book of Kells, a manuscript created by Celtic monks around the year 800. The experience combines fascinating exhibitions on the book’s history, and also gives you access to the stunning Long Room library, where you are surrounded by shelves of ancient books.

Grafton Street

After a bit of culture, head to Dublin’s main shopping district, which is not only known for its high-end retail stores but is also the place to go to see buskers from all over the country singing and performing for the public. We loved wandering around and listening to the various street musicians while some members of our group had a mooch around the shops.

St Stephen’s Green

At the end of Grafton Street you come to the entrance to St Stephen’s Green, a gorgeous park with lots of paths to stroll along, little bridges over ponds and streams and a beautiful fountain at the centre of the park. This was the perfect place to allow the younger members of our group (and the dog) to run off a bit of energy. While the rest of us sat on a bench, enjoyed the view and rested our legs.

St Patricks Cathedral

After a stop at the park we headed towards St Patrick’s Cathedral which is only about a 10 minute walk away. It is the largest cathedral in Ireland and one of Dublin’s most important historic landmarks. Founded in 1191, it is renowned for its Gothic architecture and beautiful stained-glass windows.

As it was now well past lunchtime, we decided to stop for a bite to eat and found the perfect place tucked away on Francis Street just over the road from the cathedral. It was called Two Pups, and as the name suggests it is a little dog-friendly cafe, serving all day brunch, snacks and light lunches and some delicious cakes.

Dublin Castle

Our next stop once we had refuelled was Dublin Castle, which has stood at the heart of Dublin for over 800 years and was once the centre of British rule in Ireland. Today, you can explore the elegant State Apartments, the medieval Undercroft, and the beautiful Castle Gardens. Unfortunately, dogs are not allowed in the State Apartments or the museum but you can walk around the gardens with them. If you want to see everything Dublin Castle has to offer allow 1 – 2 hours to explore it fully.

Temple Bar

After visiting the castle we strolled back to Temple Bar to complete our walking tour and took a wander round the busy streets. As it was sunny we stopped for a drink outside The Temple Bar a gorgeous pub painted bright red with beautiful hanging baskets (you won’t miss it). It sits on the corner of Temple Bar and Temple Lane.

The Temple Bar area is packed with lively pubs, traditional Irish bars, and restaurants, but if you venture a little further from the river you’ll discover even more options around Drury Street. This neighbourhood is known as Dublin’s creative quarter, where trendy cafés, independent boutiques, vintage stores, and colourful street art give the area a distinctly modern feel.

We had done a little bit of research before our visit and found that Drury Buildings was a cool restaurant that offered small plates and was also dog friendly. We had a lovely dinner here and there was something for everyone, even the dog got served a fresh bowl of water.

Why We Love Dublin

Dublin is a city that instantly wins you over. It’s beautiful, full of history and best of all it’s small enough to explore by foot.

What we loved most was how friendly the people were, particularly with our four legged friend. We were also pleasantly surprised by how dog-friendly the city is, with plenty of green spaces and restaurants and cafes where our dog was welcome.

With its gorgeous streets, rich history, warm-hearted people, and walkable layout, Dublin is a city we would love to return to.