Where To Stay In Dublin: The Ultimate Neighborhood Guide
The Irish capital of Dublin is a fantastic place to visit. Home to many of Ireland's top restaurants and cultural attractions, Dublin City Center attracts tourists from across Europe and around the world to enjoy the best of Irish culture. Dublin is also known as a fantastic party city, and if you're looking for the most unmissable things to do at night in Dublin, you won't have to look far.
But beyond the obvious attractions of central Dublin, the Irish capital has lots more to offer. If you're wondering where to stay in Dublin, you've come to the right place. Whether you want to stay within walking distance of attractions like the Natural History Museum and Dublin Castle or prefer to look for a quieter neighborhood of what is already a very safe city, we can guide you to the best parts of Dublin to stay in. Plus, if you're wondering how to get around Dublin, we've got you covered there too.
Don't forget to drop off your bags with a Bounce luggage storage in Dublin so that you can make the most of your time in the city. The lighter you travel, the easier it will be to explore this fantastic town.
Where to stay in Dublin
Dublin City Center
Naturally, Dublin city center gets the most attention from those who are wondering where to stay in Dublin. That's hardly surprising. The city center is home to many of the city's top attractions, and is often the first place you'll arrive after the journey from Dublin Airport.
Just because the city center is an obvious place to stay, don't overlook its possibilities. It's home to some of the best restaurants and nighttime activities in the whole city, and just about everything here is within walking distance. You'll also find it's the central hub of Dublin's public transportation options, making it easy to reach just about anywhere else in the city from here. O'Connell Street has some of the best shopping in the city, and the many restaurants in the area mean it's also an ideal place to find the best brunch in Dublin. Of course, if you're a night owl, you'll be spoiled for choice if you stay in a city center hotel, because you'll find tons of bars, restaurants, and theaters to keep you entertained in this lively district. Bisected by the River Liffey, Dublin city center offers a very convenient location that combines luxury hotels with the occasional boutique hotel offering comfortable rooms in a part of the city with incredibly easy access.
Then again, the downside of staying in Dublin city center is relatively obvious too. It's the busiest part of the city, and so may not be the best choice for where to stay in Dublin if you want to get away from the crowds. Also, hotels in this area tend to be more expensive than elsewhere, so you'll pay for the convenience of a central location. But if visiting Dublin for you means being as close as possible to the major attractions, Dublin city center is hard to beat.
St. Stephen's Green
St. Stephen's Green is probably Dublin's favorite park. This urban oasis offers a great place to relax and get some fresh air in the heart of the city. And the area that surrounds the park, also known as St. Stephen's Green, is a fantastic option for those wondering where to stay in Dublin. This area is home to many of the city's most beautiful historic buildings, and it's only a short walk to the shopping and entertainment hub of Grafton Street, where you'll find no shortage of things to do while in the city. St. Stephen's Green is also home to some of Dublin's top museums, including the National Gallery and the fascinating Little Museum of Dublin.
Of course, this comes at a price. Staying in St. Stephen's Green can easily cost you just as much as anywhere else in Dublin. If you don't mind spending a few euros, check out the majestic Stauntons on the Green, which is located right on the famous park and offers free breakfast along with traditional Irish hospitality and a location that's hard to beat, with the National Concert Hall just a three-minute walk away. If a historic Dublin hotel like this is out of your price range, you could instead check out more budget-focused options like Albany House, a classic Southern Georgian Dublin guesthouse with period furnishings and a flat screen TV in every room, or the Drury Court Hotel, offering spacious and comfortable rooms at prices that are relatively reasonable by central Dublin standards.
Christchurch
This ancient part of the city is about a central as they get. The 1000-year-old Christchurch Cathedral is well worth exploring while you're in the area, and you'll also be close to other monuments of ancient Dublin such as Dublin Castle and Trinity College. If you're a fan of history and want to learn more about Dublin's past, this area could answer the question of where to stay in Dublin for you. Plus, because it's so central, you'll have no problem getting around by public transport, and you'll be within walking distance of many of Dublin's best attractions, such as Dublinia, an interactive museum of Dublin's Viking history, and the award-winning Chester Beatty Library.
Of course, Dublin's nightlife is notorious, and you can definitely sample some of it here. But the area isn't as rowdy at night as some other neighborhoods (looking at you, Temple Bar), so you shouldn't have too much trouble getting a good night's sleep so that you're well-rested to do some more exploring.
Of course, a central location and beautiful ancient buildings can make it hard to find cheap hotels in Christchurch. If you just want a place to crash, Kinlay House offers a hostel with both private rooms and dorms so that you can save your money to spend in the many Irish pubs and restaurants in the area. Going a little more upscale, you'll find the three-star Harding Hotel, an unpretentious guesthouse close to the River Liffey that offers free Wi-Fi and an on-site restaurant. Of course, if money isn't a factor, Christchurch has some stunning historic hotels where you're guaranteed a warm welcome. Jurys Inn Christchurch, punny name aside, is an upscale and elegant place to stay, and some rooms, as well as the on-site bar, offer views of the impressive cathedral.
Temple Bar
Neighborhoods in Dublin don't come much more famous than Temple Bar. Once an artistic enclave close to Dublin city center, this area has become the capital of Irish nightlife. If you're wondering where to stay in Dublin that will keep you close to the city's top nightspots, including the best live music venues, Temple Bar is your answer.
Staying within stumbling distance of Dublin's best pubs is attractive enough to make this area one of the most popular in the city with visiting tourists. During the day, you'll also find the Temple Bar has a good range of quirky shops, including boutique clothing stores, record shops, and bookstores that are evidence of the area's former status as a cultural hub. Notably, the area is home to the Irish Film Institute. But really, Temple Bar is about the craic.
If you want to stay close to the best nightlife in Dublin Temple bar, you have a few different options. The Norseman is a pub that is famed as a Dublin live music venue, so you only need to go downstairs from your admittedly basic room to enjoy some of the best of the city's nightlife. On the other end of the scale, The Merchant House is a five-star hotel located in a historic 18th-century townhouse on the edge of Temple Bar that offers incredible amenities such as complimentary refreshments, free Wi-Fi, and flat-screen TVs. Some rooms even boast exposed beams and brick walls. The Temple Bar Inn is also an excellent option, located close to O'Connell Street and Trinity College and offering comfortable and spacious rooms with three-star amenities that offer a good balance between luxury and affordability.
Malahide
Exciting nightlife is all well and good if that's what you're into. But beyond the lively bars and packed nightclubs, there's another side to Dublin. A side that many tourists never get to see, but that is as much a part of the Irish capital as the historic beauty of Christchurch and the rowdy exuberance of Temple Bar.
Located close to Dublin Airport, Malahide is a former fishing village that has become more or less a suburb of the city, but has still managed to hold onto some of its rural charm. If you're wondering where to stay in Dublin that will give you a taste of a quieter side of Ireland, this is the place to come. And best of all, you can reach Malahide via public transit on Dublin's DART system.
Malahide is worth visiting for its Castle, which is one of the finest in this part of Ireland. But really, what draws visitors to this village is the unspoiled scenery and laid-back village life. Although it's only ten miles outside Dublin, Malahide will make you feel like you're far away from the city, while still being close enough that you can enjoy all the attractions Dublin has to offer.
Ranelagh and Rathmines
Those who want to stay relatively central while also getting away from the tourist hordes are in luck. The neighboring districts of Ranelagh and Rathmines are close enough to central Dublin that you'll have an easy journey to and from the top attractions on public transport. At the same time, these upscale neighborhoods are far enough away from the center of the action that they can be quite peaceful. Ranelagh and Rathmines are excellent Dublin neighborhoods to stay in if you want to see local life and get a glimpse of how actual residents of Dublin spend their time. Plus, this is a great location for people who want to dive into Dublin's thriving culinary scene. Some of the best and most exciting restaurants in the city are located here.
Because Ranelagh and Rathmines are relatively undiscovered by tourists, you won't find as many hotel options here as you would in the center of Dublin. However, if you look around, you'll find enough options to suit your budget whatever it may be. The Devlin is an upscale neighborhood hotel with parking and an on-site restaurant, and Uppercross House Hotel provides a boutique hotel experience in this underrated area.
Drumcondra
North of the River Liffey, Drumcondra doesn't get as much attention from international tourists as other districts of the city. But Irish visitors to the capital often stay here, because this neighborhood is home to Croke Park. Ireland's largest stadium brings thousands of visitors to Dublin every year, and so many hotels have sprung up in the Drumcondra area to provide places for them to stay. Croke Park Hotel is located directly opposite the stadium and was built specifically to give visiting fans a place to stay. Easily reached from central Dublin by public transit, this is a great option if you're in town for a sporting event.
Conclusion
Where you choose to stay in Dublin will depend to a large extent on what you want to do in the city. If it's the historic monuments of Ireland's capital that most intrigue you, Christchurch is a great option. If, on the other hand, you want to enjoy the city's nightlife, you can't beat Temple Bar.
But hopefully, this guide has given you some ideas on where to stay in Dublin so that you can narrow down your search options. And don't forget that Bounce is always there to provide luggage storage wherever you need it. Drop off your heavy bags so you're free to travel in Dublin, and you'll have a much better time visiting the capital city.