Where it’s all happening

A couples holiday would never be complete without an afternoon spent browsing the most famous stores. From Grafton Street to Henry Street, Dublin city centre is home to some impressive shopping.

A couples holiday would never be complete without an afternoon spent browsing the most famous stores. From Grafton Street to Henry Street, Dublin city centre is home to some impressive shopping.

Immerse in Irish culture by playing traditional games with your friends. Experience Gaelic Games allows you to be an athlete for a day! Learn the rules and play Gaelic football, handball, and hurling! And don’t worry — these games will be relaxed and easy-going, in true Gaelic style!

The Poolbeg Lighthouse Walk is also known as the Great South Wall Walk, built-in 1768. Back then it was three miles long and the world’s longest sea wall. Now, it’s a 6.7-mile loop trail that gives you a gorgeous coastal scenic view.

One of the famous walking tours around Dublin is retracing the steps of one of its greatest writers, Oscar Wilde. You can start from his house at Merrion Street and drop by the park in front of his house where young Oscar used to play. There’s also a statue of him there, a famous tourist spot, and some installations with quotes from his well-known books.

Known as Ireland’s Premier Scientific Institution for Botany, within the living collections at the National Botanic Gardens are over 300 endangered species from around the world, and six species already extinct in the wild. Of course, the views inside are also picture perfect so it’s a great place to have your next family portrait!

Situated in the Viking quarters of the city, Dublin Castle was built in the 13th Century. Now, it’s a government complex and a tourist attraction. There’s usually an event, exhibition or fair every weekend, including a winter wonderland during the Christmas season.

Dublin Castle is open everyday, from 9:45 to 17:45 (last admission at 17:15).

The Book of Kells is known as one of Ireland’s greatest cultural treasures. This library tour at Trinity College will have you exploring not just this 9th-century manuscript, but also The Long Room, home to 250,000 of Ireland’s ancient texts! It’s also been a working library since 1732!

One of the popular walks in Dublin, the Howth Cliff Walk takes you to the scenic views of Dublin Bay, Lambay Island, Ireland’s Eye, and the Baily Lighthouse. There are many routes you can take, with varying difficulty levels. The paths around the cliff are marked with directions about each trail so don’t go bringing your nan to the longest route if you think she can’t handle it!

A walk along the pier on a fresh morning or afternoon is just the ticket if a romantic stroll is what you’re after. Breathe in the fresh ocean air and take in the stunning views as you walk; stop off at Teddy’s for an ice cream cone to take on your stroll, and don’t forget to tip the end of the pier with your foot when you get there – it’s a Dublin tradition!

Not all watersports require a trip to the sea – in fact, you can kayak up Dublin’s own River Liffey! Take in Georgian buildings and iconic bridges from the water. City Kayaking run a number of trips catering for all levels of experience and setting off from the central IFSC area. Definitely an experience you won’t forget in a hurry!

Sea swimming is a tradition in Dublin, and the city’s coastline is home to a few stunning bathing spots. The Vico Baths in Dalkey is not only perfect for a dip, with its purpose-built stone steps leading straight into the Irish Sea, but its dreamy sea views are also perfect for inspiring a little romance, too. 

Head down in the evening so you can sit on the cliffs and watch the sunset with your significant other and a tasty picnic. The Vico Baths are easily accessible from the Maldron Hotel Pearse Street: just hop on a DART at Pearse Station and enjoy the scenic coastal train ride!

This city-centre gem is just off Dublin’s main shopping street, and the perfect place to take a romantic stroll on a sunny day. Filled with winding paths, rolling greens and benches situated by scenic ponds, St. Stephen’s Green is an emerald oasis that will make you both forget you’re in the heart of a city for a moment and leave you with fond memories of your romantic weekend getaway.

What’s a day out in Dublin without some whiskey tasting? It’s not the likeliest of candidates, but the Jameson Distillery in Dublin’s Smithfield is a great spot for a date. After taking in the tour, you can try some of Jameson’s finest whiskies together!

Although it’s not technically in Dublin, the Bray to Greystones cliff walk is easily accessible by train from the city centre, and it’s absolutely worth the trip. One of the best hikes near Dublin in terms of scenery, it’s also one of the easiest outdoor walks for beginners thanks to the safe, defined trail between both locations. 

Hop on DART to Bray, follow the signs for the trail and get going: don’t forget to stop off for a celebratory drink when you arrive in Greystones!

The best way to explore the city, with all its nooks and crannies, is with a bike. And if you’re on a “group bike” with your friends? Even better. A popular choice of groups on holidays are party bikes. With Dublin Pedal Tours, the more you pedal together, the more sights you see! You can plan your own itinerary or choose from the standard sightseeing or pub crawl.

One of the best ways to discover the city centre is on foot! And Dublin has Free Walking Tours by Yellow Umbrella Tours. Choose from different routes such as the South Side Walk, North Side Walk, a Traditional Pub Tour, a Music Tour, a Food Tour, a Literary Tour, and more!

Bull Island was proclaimed as a UNESCO Biosphere Reserve in 1981 and it’s also the country’s first official bird sanctuary in the ’30s. This low-lying, dune-covered sand spit in Dublin Bay is also host to some water sports, a fun activity you and your friends can try!

Dublin may not have your typical, tropical beaches but no trip is complete without testing its waters! A popular choice is Forty Foot, which also has a nearby sauna that can warm you up after soaking in the cold waters.

Located at the General Post Office building along O’Connell Street, this historic building has been the silent witness to the city’s colorful history. Aside from being a fully functional post office, it also has a highly immersive and engaging exhibition! The focus of this exhibition is the Easter Rising, which took place in GPO in 1916, a pivotal moment in the Irish revolution for independence.

Do you have kids who get fussy easily? Here’s a quickfire way to learn about Dublin and its history! The Little Museum of Dublin gives you a quick history lesson in under 30 minutes! You’ve got everything you need to learn under one roof and parents can also enjoy a pint after the enjoyable lecture is over!

Affectionately nicknamed the ‘Dead Zoo’ by Dubliners, the Natural History Museum is a bit of a surprise entry for a romantic day out in Dublin, but the lofty halls steeped in history are just that. From ancient Irish creatures to Safari animals, we recommend taking in the building as much as the taxidermy. The rich wooden floorboards and wrought iron railings will transport right back to the Dublin of old!

From visiting exhibitions to the permanent collection, the National Gallery is a guaranteed good day out in Dublin for couples. Wander the impressive halls taking in everything from classical portraits to impressionist masterpieces. Don’t miss the architecturally stunning Millenium Wing, and don’t forget to pick up a few gems in the gift shop!

A hidden gem in Dublin City, Marsh’s Library dates opened in 1707 and has been perfectly preserved since. Take in some of their fascinating exhibits and peruse the towering wooden shelves packed with every kind of book you could imagine. The classical romance of it all makes for the ideal couples day out in Dublin.

With rotating collections of modern art from around the globe, housed in the impressive 17th Century halls of the Royal Hospital Kilmainham, the Irish Museum of Modern Art is the perfect way to spend an afternoon together with your other half; even if you don’t actually go into the museum, the surrounding gardens are the perfect spot for a romantic afternoon stroll!

The most classic date around gets an upgrade at the Light House Cinema. This multi-screen complex not only plays host to movies from around the globe, it has two bars packed with drinks and snacks so you grab a glass of wine each before cuddling down and watching your movie. Keep an eye out for their special screenings which are guaranteed fun.

The Irish may have the gift of the gab, but this silent disco tour also proves that you can still have fun… in silence. Yup, you read that right! The Silent Disco Adventures group takes you on a tour like no other! You can book this tour for hen & stag parties, birthday parties, or corporate events.

Have you ever tried an escape room? Have you ever played on a boat? Escape Boats is the first-ever live escape room on a boat, good for 2 to 10 players. You can choose from two games: SOS or Convicts. Solve puzzles, crack codes, and uncover mysteries as you enjoy the view of River Liffey!

Did you know that Dublin Zoo’s 28 hectares attracts over one million visitors a year? It’s Ireland’s biggest family attraction where kids and parents can learn about biodiversity and the conservation of wildlife.

The zoo is also a registered charity and regularly supports conservation projects that benefits great apes, tigers, rhinos, golden lion tamarins, African wild dogs and amphibians.

Are you and your friends a big fan of sports? Then be sure to check the schedule of games at Aviva Stadium when you visit Dublin! You may be lucky and see a game with the Irish rugby team or the Republic of Ireland football team!

Discover the history, heart, and soul of Ireland’s iconic beer. Explore the story of Guinness, find out what goes in every barrel, try pouring your own pint of the “black stuff”, before enjoying the views of the city from the Gravity Bar. 

This whole building is a museum dedicated to Guinness, with a restaurant where you can try Guinness-inspired food pairings, and a souvenir shop where you can buy memorabilia and even Guinness-flavoured crisps!