Dublin holidays
Ireland's capital, a compact, riverside city built around Georgian squares and a pub culture that is a genuine social institution, with the coast and hills close by.
20°C AugustBest Jun, Jul, Aug, Sep2–4 nightsDirect from London Stansted
At a glance
- short city breaks
- weekend trips
- combining with a coastal or Wicklow day trip
Trip cost
- Return flight
- ≈€36
- Stay
- ≈€1080
- Food & local
- ≈€320
Includes the return fare from London Stansted. An estimate, not a quote — each booking happens separately with its supplier. How we work this out.
Stays
Stays in Dublin
From €67/night · Typical €272 · 39 stays · 8-night stay assumed
Booking.com (opens in a new tab)- Best 3-star
Luxury Apartment Cherrywood Dublin 1813.9 km from the centre€158 a night (opens in a new tab)See more 3-star options
- Best 4-star
Alto Frascati BlackrockBlackrock · 7.5 km from the centre€216 a night (opens in a new tab)See more 4-star options
- Cheapest
Sarsfields Communities4.2 km from the centre€67 a night (opens in a new tab)See more options, cheapest first
Map
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Getting to Dublin
- AirportDublin Airport (DUB)
- Transfer optionsBus, taxi
Buses and taxis run from Dublin Airport to the city centre.
Indicative, per traveller. You book with Aviasales.
Areas of Dublin
A few places people base themselves, and who each tends to suit.
- Temple BarThe city's best-known nightlife district, suited to travellers who want to be in the middle of the noise, though it is louder and busier than the rest of the centre.
- Georgian core (St Stephen's Green / Grafton Street)Best for first-time visitors who want the main shopping street, parks and sights within walking distance.
- DocklandsA modern, riverside business district, suited to travellers who prefer newer hotels and quieter evenings over being in the historic core.
- Rathmines / PortobelloA more residential, canal-side area a short walk or bus ride from the centre, suited to travellers who want a local feel over a tourist one.
When to go
Monthly climate normals (ERA5 reanalysis, 2022–2024). Gold months are the best weather fit.
- Best overall
- June · July · August · September
- Hottest
- August · 20°C
- Wettest
- October · 116mm
- Jan9°48mm
- Feb10°62mm
- Mar11°111mm
- Apr12°81mm
- May16°58mm
- Jun18°72mm (good month)
- Jul19°92mm (good month)
- Aug20°83mm (good month)
- Sep17°113mm (good month)
- Oct15°116mm
- Nov11°81mm
- Dec9°78mm
What each season is like
- Spring
- Milder and drier than winter, though rain stays a possibility on any given day regardless of the forecast.
- Summer
- The warmest and driest season on average, with long evenings, and also when the city and its pubs are busiest.
- Autumn
- Cooling and wetter, with wind picking up, but noticeably quieter than summer in the main visitor areas.
- Winter
- Short daylight and frequent rain and wind rather than deep cold; an umbrella matters more here in winter than a heavy coat.
Good to know about Dublin
Worth it for
The centre is small enough to cover on foot, with Georgian squares, the river Liffey and the main sights all within a short walk of each other.
Keep in mind
Rain is a year-round possibility rather than a winter-only feature, and outdoor plans need a backup regardless of season.
Why go
- The centre is small enough to cover on foot, with Georgian squares, the river Liffey and the main sights all within a short walk of each other.
- Pub culture here is a genuine social institution rather than a tourist add-on, and live traditional music is easy to find on an ordinary night.
- The coast and the Wicklow hills are both reachable on a day trip without needing to change base.
Worth knowing
- Rain is a year-round possibility rather than a winter-only feature, and outdoor plans need a backup regardless of season.
- The centre's best-known pub streets get loud and crowded, especially on weekend nights, which does not suit every traveller.
- Accommodation in the compact centre is in high demand, so it is worth booking ahead rather than arriving without a plan.