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Where to Stay in Dublin: Best Areas & Neighborhoods

Where to Stay in Dublin: Best Areas & Neighborhoods

While you may not find a pot of gold or leprechaun during a trip to Dublin, you will find striking churches steeped in history, lively pubs, and ancient European landmarks. Of course, to be able to see all of these Dublin attractions you need to choose the right place to stay. When it comes to choosing where to stay in Dublin, doing your research is key! Where you stay can determine what attractions are accessible to you, where you’ll be eating, and where you’ll be spending nights out. To help you out, we’ve put together this handy accommodations guide to where to stay in Dublin.

Pro-Tip: After you’ve checked out this accommodations guide of Dublin, head over to read our four-day itinerary of Dublin to start planning your trip!

We’ve broken it down to highlight five of the best areas and neighborhoods in the city to help you choose where to stay:

Temple Bar:

Named for the iconic Temple Bar, this area is the epicenter of Dublin’s nightlife. The Temple Bar neighborhood is popular with young travelers and backpackers for the bustling bar scene. Stay here if you’re hoping to enjoy live music, drinks, and meet like-minded travelers. Visitors can bar hop from pub to pub on Grafton Street, dance the night away, or unwind with new-found friends over a few pints of Guinness.

Where to Stay in Dublin: Best Areas & Neighborhoods

In addition to the nightlife, Temple Bar offers up attractions such as the famed and historic Trinity College, and the majestic Dublin Castle. Tourists should make time to take in the iconic Molly Malone Statue, representing the star of a well-known Irish song. The Temple Bar area is quite central and boasts a number of restaurants and chances to catch sight of the daily Dublin life.

Pros: Busy and lively atmosphere, many bars and restaurants

Cons: Not the area for those seeking a quieter getaway

Best for: Young travelers who want to take in the nightlife, backpackers

Pro-Tip: Be sure to check out our Transportation Guide for all the details on how to get around Dublin!

Accommodations recommendations:

Where to Stay in Dublin: Best Areas & Neighborhoods

$ – Affordable accommodations

Abbey Court Hostel: This hostel is set in a townhouse and located just off the main street, making it the perfect location for travelers who want to bask in Dublin’s nightlife. In just a few minutes, you can find yourself at Temple Bar, Trinity College, or the Luas light rail.

Address: 29 Bachelors Walk, North City, Dublin, D01 AX90, Ireland

 

$$ – Mid-range accommodations

Temple Bar Inn: Enjoy the warm and welcoming interiors of Temple Bar Inn. Stay here and take advantage of the nearby Temple Bar, and in just a few minutes you can hop on a number of public transportation options.

Address: 40-47 Fleet St, Temple Bar, Dublin 2, D02 NX25, Ireland

 

$$$ – Luxury accommodations

Brooks Hotel: Sophisticated settings and luxury amenities can be found at Brooks Hotel, just steps away from popular Grafton Street. After a long day on your feet, relax in your plush bed at Brooks Hotel.

Address: 62 Drury St, Dublin, D02 TV06, Ireland   

 

Portobello:

Portobello could be called the ‘Portland of Dublin’. It’s a hipster-chic neighborhood of Dublin, with cafes and restos lining the streets. Foodies deciding where to stay in Dublin will want to flock to this area! Portobello is quieter with Temple Bar and more residential. This neighborhood is also popular with families who want something further out from the hustle and bustle of the city center. This neighborhood is perfect for strolling through and browsing the independent boutiques.

Where to Stay in Dublin: Best Areas & Neighborhoods
Photo by Carmel.. via flickr

Visitors staying in Portobello should delight in a stroll along Grand Canal and admire the surrounding greenery and the cityscape on the water. Or, meander through St. Stephen’s Green park and check out the lake, sculptures, and waterfall. From Portobello, the downtown city center of Dublin is only a 10-minute walk away so you travelers can enjoy feeling removed from the hustle but easily explore main attractions.

Pros: Hip and chic pedestrian-friendly neighborhood

Cons: Won’t have as much nightlife at Temple Bar area

Best for: Couples and families

Accommodations recommendations:

Where to Stay in Dublin: Best Areas & Neighborhoods
Photo by Liam Moloney via flickr

$ – Affordable accommodations

Times Hostels – Camden Place: While not in the immediate city center, this hostel is just on the outskirts so still a very comfortable walk to bars, restaurants and major Dublin landmarks. Book a night in this cheap n’ cheerful hostel for a comfy stay with all the necessities.

Address: 8 Camden Pl, Saint Kevin’s, Dublin 2, Ireland

 

$$ – Mid-range accommodations

Portobello Hotel: Delight in a cozy stay in a canalside room at Portobello Hotel. The hotel is classically decorated and boasts a hotel nightclub and traditional Irish bar.

Address: 33 South Richmond Street, Saint Kevin’s, Dublin 2, Ireland  

 

$$$ – Luxury accommodations

The Shelbourne Dublin, A Renaissance Hotel: This ornate hotel overlooks St. Stephen’s Green and is a five-minute walk to the National Gallery of Ireland. Feel at home in the polished and refined interiors and veg out by the impressive indoor pool.

Address: 27 St Stephen’s Green, Dublin, Ireland

 

Phibsborough:

North of the city center you’ll find one of the trendiest neighborhoods to stay in, in Dublin- Phibsborough! In fact, Time Out Magazine named it one of the coolest neighborhoods in the world! When deciding where to stay in Dublin, consider Phibsborough for its revamped Victorian structures, hip cafes, and charming shops. Travelers looking to wander down picturesque streets like the Royal Canal while stopping in quaint pubs should stay here.

Where to Stay in Dublin: Best Areas & Neighborhoods
Photo by colleen_elizabeth via flickr

From Phibsborough, travelers can jaunt over to downtown Dublin and you can walk over to Blessington Street Park (a.k.a. The Basin)- a lush escape from the city featuring a lake. Tourists can also check out the closeby National Botanical Gardens. The Phibsborough neighborhood is home to the imposing St. Peter’s Church, built in 1862.

Pros: It’s a historic neighborhood that has been reworked to be new and fresh, one of Dublin’s trendiest neighborhoods

Cons: It’s still an up-and-coming neighborhood

Best for: Younger travelers who are over their party days, couples

Accommodations recommendations:

Where to Stay in Dublin: Best Areas & Neighborhoods
Photo by William Murphy via flickr

$ – Affordable accommodations

Gardiner House Hostel: Travelers on a shoestring budget can opt for dorm-style accommodations at this no-frills, basic hostel. Take advantage of the convenient location, shared common areas, and free breakfast!

Address: 76 Gardiner Street Upper, Mountjoy, Dublin, D01 E4E3, Ireland

 

$$ – Mid-range accommodations

Maldron Hotel Parnell Square: Simple but tasteful, this hotel is north of the city center but still close to landmarks like O’Connell Street for shopping and the Abbey Theatre.

Address: Parnell Square W, Rotunda, Dublin, D01 HX02, Ireland

 

$$$ – Luxury accommodations

Castle Hotel: Step into a time machine with a stay at Castle Hotel, set in Georgian townhouse. Take a moment of peace at the Garden of Remembrance or walk over to the Gate Theatre.

Address: Gardiner Row, Gt Denmark Street, Dublin 1, D01 R640, Ireland

 

Drumcondra:

Where to Stay in Dublin: Best Areas & Neighborhoods
Photo by William Murphy via flickr

In addition to Portobello, foodies thinking about where to stay in Dublin should investigate the Drumcondra neighborhood. Drumcondra is where you’ll find some of Dublin’s favorite restos and brunch spots. While Drumcondra is outside of the city center, it’s only a 20-minute walk to O’Connell Street. One of the major Drumcondra attractions is Croke Park, known as the sight of the ‘Bloody Sunday’ massacre during the Irish War of Independence.

Where to Stay in Dublin: Best Areas & Neighborhoods
Photo by William Murphy via flickr

Not far away from Drumcondra, travelers can find themselves at National Botanical Garden or Glasnevin Cemetery Museum, where many prominent Irish figures are buried. Drumcondra is mostly quiet and a safe neighborhood. If you’re worried about getting to your hotel from the airport, Drumcondra is a convenient neighborhood for going to and from the airport.

Pros: A young neighborhood, with a young population makes for a vibrant atmosphere

Cons: The walk downtown isn’t for everyone

Best for: Foodies, young travelers, experienced travelers and backpackers

Accommodations recommendations:

$ – Affordable accommodations

Kennedy’s Drumcondra: This lovely little inn boasts a pub with live music and classic, but modest rooms. Delight in the friendly atmosphere and great setting.

Address: 132 Drumcondra Rd Lower, Drumcondra, Dublin, Ireland

 

$$ – Mid-range accommodations

Egans Guesthouse: In a red brick townhouse, this guesthouse is located on a suburban street. With larger rooms to sleep families and with nearby IE trains and Botanical Gardens, this guesthouse is perfect for all types of travelers.

Address: 7 Iona Park, Drumcondra, Dublin 9, Ireland

 

$$$ – Luxury accommodations

The Croke Park Hotel: This modern hotel is across the street from Croke Park Stadium and just a short trek to the city center, public transportation, and Phoenix Park. The hotel offers up a bistro and bar, as well as a heated outdoor terrace.

Address: Jones’s Road, Dublin 3, D03 E5Y8, Ireland

 

Dún Laoghaire:

Dún Laoghaire is to the southeast of Dublin’s city center, this quaint little suburb is a port town full of fish n’ chip shops and seascape views. From Dún Laoghaire, hop on the DART and find yourself in downtown Dublin in about 20 minutes. Explore the independent artisan shops or discover the maritime heritage of Dún Laoghaire at the National Maritime Museum of Ireland.

Where to Stay in Dublin: Best Areas & Neighborhoods
Photo by Giuseppe Milo via flickr

With the picturesque harbor being a major landmark of the city, Dún Laoghaire is a neighborhood for those who enjoy checking out natural beauty while taking advantage of the modern city amenities. During a stay in Dún Laoghaire, travelers can try stand-up paddle boarding, or if they’re feeling brave, take a dip in the Irish Sea! One of the most popular swimming spots is called 40 Foot, in fact, it was named in The New York Times as one of the 10 Best Places to Swim in the World!

Pros: Charming small city with natural beauty and water sports

Cons: Further out from the city center

Best for: Active travelers who love nature and culture

Accommodations recommendations:

$ – Affordable accommodations

Rochestown Lodge Hotel & Spa – Dun Laoghaire Hotel: This hotel isn’t particularly plush, but it has all the modern conveniences you need in a welcoming package. Enjoy the hotel sports bar, pool, and sauna. It’s on a residential street, so you won’t get waterfront views but you won’t have to travel far to get to public transportation options.

Address: 164 Rochestown Ave, Dún Laoghaire, Dublin, A96 ETY8, Ireland

 

$$ – Mid-range accommodations

Haddington House: This waterfront hotel features low-key but modern rooms with a striking garden. The hotel is close to many forms of public transportation making it easy for toursits to head into other areas of Dublin.

Address: 9-12 Haddington Terrace, Dún Laoghaire, Co. Dublin, A96 F2R9 Haddington Terrace, Dún Laoghaire, Dublin, A96 F2R9, Ireland

 

$$$ – Luxury accommodations

Royal Marine Hotel: This captivating hotel comes with a majestic facade and seaside views. Take a nap in your inviting room, or unwind in the sauna or indoor pool.

Address: Marine Rd, Dún Laoghaire, Dublin, Ireland

 

Pro-Tip: No matter where you stay, you’ll need to have your maps or transportation apps handy so be sure to grab a SIM card before you leave for Ireland.

 

After booking your tickets, choosing where to stay is one of the most important steps when planning a trip- so research is essential! Consider your budget, what attractions you want to check out, what restaurants you want to dine in, or what you want to experience during your travels when thinking about where to stay in Dublin. With destinations for culture vultures, nature lovers, first-time visitors, or families, Dublin’s got it all.

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