How to spend a weekend in Dublin beyond the tourist traps

Dublin may be known as a party town, but to come to Ireland’s capital and focus only on the nightlife would be a waste. This is a city where you can plot a whole weekend around gallery and museum hopping, or simply follow your nose to discover side streets filled with independent boutiques and historical sights hiding in plain view.  

That doesn’t mean you should skip the big hitters, though – places like the Book of Kells and the Guinness Storehouse are popular but with very good reason. And when you look beyond the tourist traps of Temple Bar, there’s a huge array of hipster cafes, natural wine bars and top notch restaurants, where food-obsessed Dubliners gather over sharing plates and glasses of pet nat. And when you need a moment of calm, you can chill out in one of the city’s pretty parks for a breather among rose gardens and duck-filled ponds.

For further Dublin inspiration, see our guides to the city’s best hotels, restaurants, nightlife, attractions and things to do for free.