Where to stay in Dublin: best areas and neighborhoods

Dublin, the capital of Ireland, is a city with many attractions and things to do, loved by young people for its nightlife and by families for its baby-friendly atmosphere! Looking for the best area to stay is undoubtedly among the first things to do when organising a trip.
So here's everything you need to know about where to sleep in Dublin, tips on the best neighbourhoods and areas to avoid!

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In a hurry? Here's our recommended accommodation

Useful tips: the best neighborhoods to stay in Dublin

Dublin has a fairly small historic centre, with the city's main attractions. Here, the best neighbourhoods are Temple Bar and St. Stephen's Green. Temple Bar is full of life every day and night, where there is also the famous Irish pub of the same name, ideal for young people or those who want to stay up late. The part of the neighbourhood that extends towards Trinity College is a bit quieter and recommended for those travelling with children. St. Stephen's Green, on the other hand, is a paradise for families with children and those looking for a bit of tranquillity while staying in the centre.

The new Dublin Docklands district is also ideal for young people: wholly redeveloped, including the Grand Canal, vibrant and full of clubs!
The best neighbourhoods for low-cost travellers are outside the historic centre, such as North City Center (with the famous O'Connell Street) north of the River Liffey, and the Ballsbridge area, a residential neighbourhood also recommended for families.

Best Accommodation: We have selected the best hotels, B&Bs and hostels in Dublin. Check out our recommendations and make your reservation on Booking

If you are in Dublin for business or as a one-day stopover to other destinations, consider sleeping near the airport. Find the best solutions and selected hotels on Booking.com

District 1 / North City Centre: best for first-timers

• Pros: Close to major attractions, great for budget travelers
• Cons: Can be noisy at night
• Main attractions: O’Connell Street, The Spire
• Average prices: from €70,00 per night - find top stays on Booking

Recommended accommodation

The North City Center neighbourhood is one of the best places to stay in Dublin. Here you will be a stone's throw from the Temple Bar area and the main attractions, you will have many services at your fingertips, and there is no shortage of shops, restaurants and clubs! The district develops along the famous O'Connel Street, an ideal spot for shopping, where you'll also find the renowned attraction The Spire.

North City Center is genuinely suitable for everyone, especially those who want to save money while staying within easy reach of the main attractions. Here you will find offers at lower prices than the Temple Bar and St. Stephen's Garden area. However, the best is to stay close to O'Connell Street and along the northern riverbank, full of clubs and hotels.

Finally, by staying here, you can easily move on foot: from O'Connell Street, just cross the O'Connell Bridge or the Ha'penny Bridge on foot, and you will be in Temple Bar and Trinity College.

Average prices in the neighborhood start from about €70,00 - compare the best accommodation on Booking

District 2 / Temple Bar: for Fun and Nightlife

• Pros: Lively nightlife, close to main attractions
• Cons: Can be noisy and expensive
• Main attractions: Temple Bar Pub, Trinity College
• Average prices: from €90,00 per night - find top stays on Booking

Recommended accommodation

Temple Bar, located in Dublin 2 district, River Liffey's south bank, is the best neighbourhood to stay in Dublin. As a result, the costs here are higher than in other areas, but you will be close to everything! It includes attractions such as Trinity College and Dublin Castle; in a few minutes' walk, you will be at Grafton Street and Nassau Street.

The Temple Bar area is suitable for everyone, thanks also to the large and varied offer of accommodation, but bear in mind: if you are looking for nightlife and entertainment, you can opt for the area around Temple Bar Square, with plenty of clubs and nightlife; if you are travelling with your family, we recommend concentrating your research in the much quieter Trinity College area.

Staying here, you can quickly move around the historic centre on foot, reaching the main attractions. In case you need to use public transport, the neighbourhood is connected to all the city districts!

Average prices in the neighborhood start from about €90,00 - compare the best accommodation on Booking

District 2 / St. Stephen's Green: best for families

Foto di Robert Linsdell.

• Pros: Green spaces, quieter atmosphere
• Cons: More expensive
• Main attractions: St. Stephen’s Green Park, Merrion Square
• Average prices: from €75,00 per night - find top stays on Booking

Recommended accommodation

In a very central area of District 2, we also find St. Stephen's Green, one of the most elegant and characteristic neighbourhoods. It develops around the park of the same name, the most famous green area in the city, and includes a section of Grafton Street. Less than 10 minutes' walk from St. Stephen's Green park, you will also find the famous St. Patrick's Cathedral, one of the capital symbols.

This neighbourhood is recommended, especially for those travelling with the family or organising a romantic weekend. In the neighbourhood, you can enjoy romantic strolls among the Georgian buildings of Merrion Square. Instead, the Creative Quarter is a little hidden gem and develops between South William Street and George's Street and Lower Stephen's Street and Exchequer Street.

Finally, it is an excellent base as it will allow you to move quickly on foot: after a nice walk, you will be in both Temple Bar and the Grand Canal area in a few minutes.

Average prices in the neighborhood start from about €75,00 - compare the best accommodation on Booking

District 2 / Dublin Docklands: the Modern District

Foto di Giuseppe Milo.

• Pros: Modern and stylish, waterfront views, great for business travellers and young people.
• Cons: Less historic charm, can be expensive.
• Main attractions: Grand Canal Dock, Samuel Beckett Bridge, Bord Gáis Energy Theatre.
• Average prices: from €85,00 per night - find top stays on Booking

Recommended accommodation

Dublin Docklands is one of the newest neighbourhoods in Dublin. Today it represents the technological centre of the city; for this reason, the area is also nicknamed Silicon Dock. The old port area, once a disreputable neighbourhood, is today one of the liveliest thanks to the redevelopment project. Here you can stroll along the harbour at sunset or lose yourself in the beauty of the Grand Canal!

This area is recommended for those who want to dive among the Irish. It is a district still a little protected from mass tourism: here you can go to real irish pubs and mingle with the locals! Just think that here there are also the first U2 recording studios!

As for getting around, you can move both on foot and by public transport: the neighbourhood is about 25 minutes on foot from Temple Bar, while the Grand Canal Dock railway station is connected to Tara St, the station located behind Trinity College (4 min).

Average prices in the neighborhood start from about €85,00 - compare the best accommodation on Booking

District 4 / Ballsbridge: the Green District

Foto di William Murphy.

• Pros: Quiet residential area, great for families
• Cons: Far from city center
• Main attractions: Herbert Park, Aviva Stadium
• Average prices: from €70,00 per night - find top stays on Booking

Recommended accommodation

Further from the historic centre, we find the Ballsbridge district, a residential neighbourhood directly overlooking the sea. There are no particular attractions here, but it is a tranquil area with many sports fields, such as rugby fields, one of the most popular sports in Ireland.
Due to its quiet and relaxed character, this neighbourhood is ideal for families and those seeking relaxation, away from the hustle and bustle of the historic centre. Here you can stroll through the various green areas like Herbert Park and reach Dublin Bay. But not only: given the distance from the centre, the prices are lower, making it a perfect area for those on a budget.

If you want to move around, you will necessarily have to use public transport. The neighbourhood is served by the Sandymount railway station, with trains that lead to the historic centre in 10 minutes.

Average prices in the neighborhood range from about €70,00 for low-cost accommodation to €200,00 for more expensive options - compare the best accommodation on Booking

Places to stay near Dublin

Dublin is a city that has a lot to offer its visitors, including accommodation. As we have seen, you can find everything you need, all sorts of services in the different neighbourhoods, for all kind of budgets. Therefore, looking for accommodation outside the city is not convenient, especially considering the time and transport costs to reach the centre.
If you drive and visit Dublin in the summer, you might consider staying just outside the city in Dun Laoghaire. This seaside resort is very reminiscent of a Mediterranean village. It is a tranquil area, perhaps suitable if you are travelling with your family or are looking for a romantic getaway. From here, it will take approximately 30 min by car (15 km) to reach Dublin city centre. Alternatively, you can take the direct Dart train line from Dun Laoghaire to Connolly (30 min).

Dublin accommodation price map

Booking.com

Guide to the areas of Dublin

Dublin is divided by the River Liffey, thus dividing the northern districts from the southern ones: the latters mainly host the residential districts. There are 24 postal districts, ranging from Dublin 1 to Dublin 24: the districts with odd numbers are located north of the river, while those with even numbers are in the south. Only two districts are beside the River Liffey: Dublin 8 and Dublin 20.

The best neighbourhoods to stay are along the river: in District 1 we find North City Center (with O'Connel Street); in District 2 Temple Bar, St. Stephen's Green, Dublin Docklands (with the Grand Canal); in District 4 there is Ballsbridge.

Not recommended areas: the northern neighbourhoods are considered less safe than the southern ones, but the situation changes area by area. The more peripheral districts, such as Finglas in North Dublin and Tallaght in South Dublin, are not recommended.

Cool Things to Do in Dublin

• Enjoy a free walking tour: The best way to explore Dublin’s rich history and landmarks such as Trinity College, Dublin Castle, and Temple Bar with an English-speaking guide. Check availability here.
• Save money with the Dublin Pass: Get free entrance to over 30 attractions, including the Guinness Storehouse and Dublin Zoo, plus free public transport. More info here.
• Guinness Storehouse Tour: Learn the history of Ireland’s most famous beer, enjoy interactive exhibits, and taste a fresh pint at the Gravity Bar with panoramic city views. Book your ticket online here.
• Explore Dublin’s Coastal Towns: Take a short train ride to Howth for fresh seafood, castle visits, and scenic cliff walks. More info here.
• Day trip to Giant's Causeway: near Dublin you can see the most incredible landscapes, like Giant's Causeway, Dark Hedges e many more. Check availability here.
• Take a day trip to the Cliffs of Moher: One of Ireland’s most breathtaking sights, reachable with an organized bus tour from Dublin including othere amazing places. More info here.
• Enjoy Irish Music in a Pub: Visit a traditional pub in Temple Bar or O’Donoghue’s for live Irish folk music.
• Discover Dublin’s Literary Side: Visit the Dublin Writers Museum or take a literary pub crawl inspired by James Joyce.

Travel Tips for Dublin

• Public Transport: Dublin has a bus network, trams (LUAS), and trains (DART). A Leap Visitor Card allows unlimited travel for 24, 48, or 72 hours.
• Free Museum Days: Some museums, like the National Museum of Ireland, offer free entry year-round. Plan accordingly!
• Best Time to Visit: Spring (April-June) and autumn (September-October) are ideal for mild weather and fewer tourists. December is magical for Christmas markets.
• Dublin’s Tap Water: Safe to drink and of high quality, so bring a reusable bottle.
• Where to Find Cheap Eats: Try O’Connell Street for casual dining or the Temple Bar Food Market on weekends.

 Without internet when you need it the most? Don't take the risk! With Saily's eSIMs, you can connect instantly, anywhere, and stress-free! Visit the website and get a 5% discount exclusively for Wheresleep.com! Find out more