Posted: 21-08-2023 | August 21, 2023
I love Dublin. As a writer, how could I not? This is a city that was once home to iconic Nobel Prize winners such as George Bernard Shaw, William Butler Yeats and Samuel Beckett. It’s the perfect place for cozy cafes and writing.
Dublin is home to the boisterous Temple Bar, Trinity College (and the famous Book of Kells), the Guinness Factory and a wide range of museums, attractions and experiences.
Dublin also has plenty of walking tours. There are dozens of options available. Walking tours are one of my favorite ways to see a city. I do them when I go.
I’ve put together a list of the best walking tours in Dublin. These are the tours I take when I visit and I can’t recommend them enough.
Best overall tour
To take a walk
Walks is my favorite travel company. Their tours are always fun, educational and insightful. They use expert guides and take you to places no other tours go. They have many tours, but their Dublin in a Day tour covers the main highlights including the Book of Kells, the Guinness Brewery and Dublin Castle. It’s the perfect introduction to the city.
Best Free Tour
Free walking tour of Dublin
If you’re on a budget, Dublin Free Walking Tours offers a free, locally run daily tour. It covers all the highlights and provides a thorough introduction to the city. You’ll see Trinity Church, Temple Bar, the castle and more. Tours last approximately three hours. Don’t forget to tip your guide at the end!
While these may be the best free and paid tours in the city, Dublin has plenty more to offer, whatever your interests. Here are four other insightful and educational city tours!
1. Devour food tours
If you’re a foodie like me, don’t miss the Devour’s Pubs, Grub and History tour. This three-hour tour takes you to four historic pubs in Dublin, where you can enjoy Irish beers, whiskeys and enough food for a light meal. You’ll also visit a pub that serves one of the best Guinness pints in the city. The tour is also suitable for vegetarians.
Guided tours from EUR 89.
2. Letz Go city tours
Letz Go runs three different tours in Dublin, but their in-depth Dublin Castle & Book of Kells tour is their most popular (and my favorite). It lasts 2.5 hours and you’ll get to see the 1,200-year-old Book of Kells up close and learn about its unique symbolism and medieval decorations. Then explore the grounds and gardens of Dublin Castle, the former seat of British rule in Ireland (which lasted until 1922). It is a good option for history buffs.
They also offer a half-day tour to the Guinness Storehouse and Jameson’s Whiskey Distillery, as well as a Guinness Storehouse & Book of Kells tour that combines a stop at two of Dublin’s most sought-after sights.
Guided tours from 63 EUR.
3. Generational Pub Crawl
If you want to explore Dublin’s nightlife and pub scene, this pub crawl can help you do just that. Generation Pub Crawl organizes lively pub crawls in a number of party cities in Europe, including Dublin. On their tour, you get skip-the-line access to five locations, including VIP access to Copper Face Jacks (a nightclub). A few free drinks (including a Guinness) are also included. If you are a young traveler or a solo traveler and want to have fun and meet people while going out into the city, this is the perfect tour for you.
Guided tours from 14 EUR.
4. Original Dublin
Original Dublin offers a standard ‘city highlights’ tour that covers the main sights (and a few hidden gems), but they also have two really unique tours for after you’ve seen the main sights. First up is their Mythology and Folklore tour, which visits lesser-known sights and learns about mythical creatures from Irish folklore.
They also offer a musical walking tour. On this tour you will be guided by a local musician to learn about Dublin’s famous musical heritage. You will hear (and sing) traditional folk ballads. It’s an energetic and interactive tour that’s super fun.
Guided tours from 22 EUR.
Walking tours are my favorite way to explore a city. I think they can really deepen your understanding of a destination. And Dublin has a lot of history and culture to learn. Make sure you use one of the companies above on your next trip!
Book your trip to Dublin: logistics tips and tricks
Book your flight
Use Skyscanner to find a cheap flight. They are my favorite search engine because they search websites and airlines all over the world so you always know there is nothing going on.
Book your accommodation
You can book your hostel with Hostelworld as they have the largest inventory and the best deals. If you want to stay somewhere other than a hostel, use Booking.com as they consistently offer the cheapest rates for guesthouses and cheap hotels. Two of my favorite places to stay are:
Don’t forget travel insurance
Travel insurance protects you against illness, injury, theft and cancellations. It is comprehensive protection in case something goes wrong. I never travel without it as I have had to use it many times in the past. My favorite companies that provide the best service and value are:
Looking for the best companies to save money with?
Check out my resources page for the best companies to use when you travel. I list all the apps I use to save money when I’m on the road. They will also save you money when you travel.
Would you like more information about Dublin?
Be sure to visit our robust Dublin destination guide for even more planning tips!