Where to stay in Dublin: best areas and neighborhoods
Open IndexDublin, 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!
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.
- Recommended areas to stay on a budget: North City Center, Ballsbridge
- Recommended areas for families with children: Temple Bar (Trinity College area only), St. Stephen's Green, Ballsbridge
- Recommended areas for young people: Temple Bar, Dublin Docklands
- 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
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.
District 1 / North City Centre
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 range from about €65,00 for low-cost accommodation to €300,00 for more expensive options - compare the best accommodation on Booking
Recommended accommodation
| Accommodations | Descriptions |
|---|---|
| Arlington Hotel O'Connell Bridge | A 3-star hotel overlooking the River Liffey. Restaurant with an Irish dance show, family rooms, room service and bar. Ideal for couples and families |
| Gardiner Lodge | B&B with 24h reception, terrace and garden. Rooms with private bathroom, up to 4 people. Ideal for couples and families |
| Jacobs Inn Hostel Dublin | Hostel with the availability of private rooms or dormitories, with private bathroom. Modern, with low-cost guided tours, activities and shared spaces. Ideal for young people and groups of friends |
| The Morrison Dublin - a DoubleTree by Hilton Hotel | A 5-star hotel 5 mins from O'Connell Street. Restaurant and room service, gym, bar, city views. Ideal for couples and families |
District 2 / Temple Bar
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 range from about €70,00 for low-cost accommodation to €250,00 for more expensive options - compare the best accommodation on Booking
Recommended accommodation
| Accommodations | Description |
|---|---|
| Abigail's Hostel | Hostel located on Aston Quay, on the river. Availability of private rooms and dormitories up to 12 people. 24h reception and breakfast. Ideal for young people and groups of friends |
| O'Connell Bridge Apartments | Apartment within walking distance of Trinity College, up to 8 people. Equipped kitchen, city view, WiFi connection. Ideal for families and groups |
| Temple Bar Hotel | A 4-star hotel 5 min walk from Grafton Street and Henry Street. 2 restaurants, room service and parking. Ideal for couples and families |
| Westin Dublin | A Fantastic 5-star hotel opposite Trinity College. Gym, restaurant and room service, private parking. Ideal for couples and families |
District 2 / St. Stephen's Green
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 range from about €65,00 for low-cost accommodation to €450,00 for more expensive options - compare the best accommodation on Booking
Recommended accommodation
| Accommodations | Description |
|---|---|
| Stauntons on the Green Hotel | A 3-star hotel opposite St. Stephan's Garden. 24h reception, parking and availability of family rooms. Ideal for couples and families |
| Grafton Street Studios | An apartment complex on Grafton Street featuring a kitchen equipped with a fridge, microwave, toaster and kettle, and a private bathroom. Up to 6 people. Ideal for families and groups |
| Iveagh Garden Hotel | A 4-star hotel opposite the Iveagh Gardens. Restaurant, room service, family rooms available. Ideal for couples and families |
| The Merrion Hotel | An excellent 5-star hotel in a Georgian building. Infinity pool, spa and wellness centre, restaurant and room service, car parking. Ideal for couples |
District 2 / Dublin Docklands
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 range from about €70,00 for low-cost accommodation to €300,00 for more expensive options - compare the best accommodation on Booking
Recommended accommodation
| Accommodations | Description |
|---|---|
| The Ferryman Townhouse | A 2-star hotel housed in two renovated old Georgian buildings. 24h reception, private parking and bar. Ideal for couples |
| Grand Canal Square Apartments | Apartment complex overlooking the river. Equipped with equipped kitchen, living room and parking. Up to 7 people. Ideal for families and groups |
| Pearse Street Suites | Apartments a few steps from the Grand Canal, equipped with equipped kitchen, lounge and terrace, city view. Up to 8 people. Ideal for families and groups of friends |
| The Marker Hotel | A 5-star hotel in Grand Canal Square. Swimming pool, spa, restaurant and room service. Ideal for couples |
District 4 / Ballsbridge
Farther 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
Recommended accommodation
| Accommodations | Description |
|---|---|
| Morehampton Townhouse | A guesthouse with rooms with private bathrooms. Private parking, WiFi connection. Ideal for couples |
| Donnybrook Townhouse | An apartment complex near the RDS Arena, with private parking. Apartments with kitchenette, sitting area and bathroom. Ideal for couples and families |
| Ballsbridge Hotel | Hotel with parking, room service and restaurant. Availability of family rooms. Ideal for couples and families |
| Herbert Park Hotel | An elegant 4-star hotel, with rooms equipped with all comforts. Restaurant and room service, parking, gym. Ideal for couples |
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).