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26 Best Free Things to Do in Dublin, Ireland

Looking for free things to do in Dublin? You’re in luck! Dublin has so many free things to do that could fill your entire itinerary.

Dublin certainly isn’t the cheapest city in the world, but there are a ton of free things to do here. From listening to buskers on Grafton Street to learning about the nicknames for the city’s statues, there are so many interesting things to do for free in Dublin.

I love Dublin, and I love saving money, so I put together this list of the best things to do in Dublin for free based off my many trips to the city. So put away your wallet, and let’s get exploring Dublin on a budget!

Dublin Castle Gardens

Top Free Things to Do in Dublin

1. Take a Walk Around Trinity College

Trinity College Dublin

It’s completely free to walk the cobbled lanes of Trinity College Dublin, Ireland’s oldest college.

You can sit on the green, try to blend in with the students, and pretend you’re one of the famous playwrights that have graduated from here, like Oscar Wilde, Samuel Beckett, or Oliver Goldsmith.

2. Watch Buskers Perform on Grafton Street

Grafton Street is a pedestrian shopping street, and it’s one of the most expensive shopping streets in the world, so maybe just stick to window shopping.

But Grafton Street is also great for watching buskers and street performers sing, dance, play music, and perform stunts and is one of the best places to get free entertainment in the city.

3. Stroll Through St Stephen’s Green

At the top of Grafton Street is St Stephen’s Green, a 22 acre park with a large lake, a playground, statues and memorials, and picturesque gardens, including a garden for the blind with fragrant plants and Braille labels.

It’s completely free to stroll through the beautiful St Stephen’s Green.

4. Admire the Serenity of Merrion Square

Oscar Wilde House, Merrion Square, Dublin, Ireland

Rows of Georgian houses where Dublin’s rich and famous used to live line Merrion Square. You can brush up on your history of Dublin’s notable residents by finding the plaques on the houses where Oscar Wilde, W.B. Yeats, Daniel O’Connell, Sybil Connolly, and so many more used to live.

In the middle of the square sits Merrion Square Park, a once private residential park that was opened to the public in the 1960s that still maintains that private serenity.

Want to learn how to be a budget travel pro? Check out my Travel For Cheap course here.

5. Learn the Nicknames of Dublin’s Statues

Oscar Wilde Statue

Dublin has so many statues, and Dubliners have a great sense of humor. The city’s residents have given their famous statues cheeky nicknames from the “Erection at the Intersection” to the “Hags with the Bags”.

Taking a tour of Dublin’s public art is a great way to see the city and learn more about its history. Start your statue tour here!

6. Hear Irish Music in the Pubs

Temple Bar Dublin

The Temple Bar district is a popular hot spot for nightlife and entertainment where you can find a mix of traditional pubs, gastropubs, and modern clubs. Go pub hopping to listen to traditional Irish music, local musicians, and acoustic sets of popular songs.

Just be ready to hear “The Irish Rover” and “Galway Girl” multiple times throughout the night — the musicians know this is what really gets the tourists going!

7. Cross the Ha’Penny Bridge

Ha’Penny Bridge is a white cast iron pedestrian bridge built in 1816 that spans the River Liffey. It used to cost a halfpenny toll to cross, but today it’s completely free!

The bridge is beautiful to cross any time of day, but it’s especially beautiful when it’s lit up at night.

8. Enjoy St Patrick’s Cathedral Park

St Patrick's Cathedral, Dublin, Ireland

St Patrick’s Cathedral Park is located on the north side of the famed church. While it costs to tour St Patrick’s Cathedral, the park is completely free to visit.

This is the area where it is believed St Patrick baptized the first Irish Christians from the River Poddle that runs underneath here. Walking around the park and St Patrick’s Close, you can also see the cathedral’s graveyard.

9. Visit the Dublin Castle Garden

Dublin Castle, Dublin, Ireland

The Dublin Castle Garden around the back of the castle is my favorite spot for taking pictures of Dublin Castle. While the castle itself has a fee to tour, you can visit the courtyard and the castle gardens for free.

The gardens are believed to be the original site of dubh linn, the “black pool” where the Vikings harbored their ships and from which Dublin gets its name.

10. Take a Walking Tour of Dublin’s Top Sights

Christ Church Cathedral, Dublin, Ireland

You can take in the city’s history and see Dublin’s main sights all in one day with a self-guided walking tour of the city. A walking tour is one of the best free things to do in Dublin.

Trinity College, Dublin Castle, St Patrick’s Cathedral, Christ Church Cathedral, and Temple Bar, as well as the sights listed above, are all within walking distance of each other and can all be seen in a single day.

You can either do a self-guided walking tour, or you can join a free Dublin walking tour from Free Tours By Foot.

More Free Things to Do in Dublin

11. See the deer at Phoenix Park

12. See the incredible street art in Temple Bar and the Italian Quarter

13. Walk along Dollymount Strand

14. Visit the National Museum of Ireland‘s four sites (National History, Archaeology, Decorative Arts & History, and Country Life)

15. Visit the National Gallery of Ireland

16. Check out the Irish Museum of Modern Art

17. See the manuscripts at the Chester Beatty Library at Dublin Castle

18. Spend some time in the Garden of Remembrance on Parnell Square

19. Take a Saturday tour of the Áras an Uachtaráin, the home of the President of Ireland

20. Visit the Shrine of St. Valentine at Whitefriar Street Church

21. Visit the Hugh Lane Gallery

22. See the exhibitions at the National Library of Ireland

23. Enjoy the National Botanic Gardens

24. Visit the James Joyce Tower and Museum

25. Take a Saturday morning trip to the Temple Bar Markets

26. Stroll through Glasnevin Cemetery, Ireland’s national cemetery

Yep, all of this is free!

Free Things to Do in Dublin Map

Ready to explore all these free things to do in Dublin ? Use the map below to plan out your budget vacation!

I hope you enjoy all these free Dublin things to do!

Save on Dublin’s Top Attractions

Want to save big on Dublin’s top attractions? With the Go City Dublin attraction pass, you can save up to 55% on the cost of entrance tickets to museums, tours, and attractions all around the city!

Visit bucket list attractions, enjoy top tours, and discover hidden gems handpicked by local experts. With one price and one pass, you have everything you need right on your phone. This is the perfect companion for all these free things to do in Dublin!

Get your Go City Dublin attraction pass here.

Top Dublin Tours

With so much to see, Dublin can be overwhelming for any first-time traveler. To take some of the stress out of planning your visit, opt for a guided tour! Check out this list of the top Dublin tours to help you make the most of your time in this beautiful Irish city.

Best Budget Places To Stay in Dublin

A budget Dublin guide isn’t complete without some cheap accommodations. Take a look at these top budget hotels in Dublin:

And for more cheap places to stay, check out these websites:

More Things to Do in Dublin

Explore all that Dublin has to offer! Check out these posts for more Dublin itineraries.


Ready to visit Dublin, Ireland? Plan your trip with these tips.

  • Book Your Flight: Find the cheapest flights using Skyscanner, my favorite flight search engine.
  • Find Accommodation: You can find top hotels in Dublin using Booking.com.
  • Start Packing: Check out my packing list resources so you’re prepared for your trip.
  • Save on Attractions: Save up to 55% on admission to Dublin’s top attractions with the Go City Dublin Pass.

Cheers!

Paige

Free Things to Do in Dublin, Ireland

What are your favorite free things to do in Dublin, Ireland? Let me know in the comments!

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