Dublin Travel Guide
Where to Stay in Dublin
St Stephen's Green and Grafton Street, Georgian Merrion Square, the Liberties, the north quays and Smithfield, and the Docklands — which area suits which traveller, and the hotels we recommend in each.
Dublin's centre is small enough that almost anywhere between the Grand Canal and the Royal Canal will put you within walking distance of the main sights. The choice of neighbourhood is really about atmosphere, noise and budget. Hotels in Dublin are expensive by European standards, and prices jump sharply for big rugby weekends, concerts, St Patrick's Day and the Christmas season, so book early and compare dates if you are flexible.
St Stephen's Green and Grafton Street: the classic first-timer base. The south city between Trinity College and St Stephen's Green is Dublin's polished heart, with the main shopping street, the Creative Quarter's restaurants and bars, the Georgian squares and the big museums all within a few minutes. It is safe, central and lively without being rowdy. The Shelbourne, facing the Green since 1824, is the grand choice, with its historic Horseshoe Bar and afternoon tea in the Lord Mayor's Lounge; note that room renovations run until May 2027. The Westbury, tucked just off Grafton Street, offers five-star calm a step from the shops. Both are expensive, but you will rarely need transport.
Merrion Square and Georgian Dublin: quiet elegance. East of the Green, the streets around Merrion Square, Fitzwilliam Square and Baggot Street are lined with red-brick Georgian terraces and coloured doors. It is calmer than Grafton Street, close to the National Gallery and the National Museum, and full of classic pubs. The Merrion, four restored townhouses opposite Government Buildings, is the area's crown jewel, with an outstanding Irish art collection, a spa with a pool and celebrated dining. It suits couples and travellers who value tranquillity and service.
The Liberties: character and value. West of Christ Church, the Liberties is Dublin's oldest neighbourhood, built on brewing and distilling, and now home to new whiskey distilleries, markets, vintage shops and good-value restaurants. It puts the cathedrals, the Guinness Storehouse and Kilmainham within walking distance, and it feels like a real Dublin neighbourhood. Hyatt Centric The Liberties, a block from St Patrick's Cathedral with some cathedral-view rooms, is our pick for comfortable, modern rooms at fair prices. It is about fifteen minutes on foot to Grafton Street.
The north quays and Temple Bar: for nights out. Temple Bar itself is lively until late, and hotels there can be noisy, so we prefer the north bank of the Liffey just across the river. The Morrison, on Lower Ormond Quay a few minutes from the Ha'penny Bridge, is a stylish Hilton Curio Collection hotel with a good grill restaurant, river views and parking, and it lets you walk home from Temple Bar in minutes. North of the river, O'Connell Street and the streets around it have plenty of mid-range chain hotels; the area is busy and a little rough around the edges at night, so choose carefully.
Smithfield and Stoneybatter: budget and local flavour. A short walk west along the north quays, Smithfield's cobbled square has the Jameson Distillery, a cinema and some of the city's best trad pubs, while Stoneybatter, just north, is a likeable village of cafés and restaurants. Generator Dublin, a design hostel on Smithfield Square, is the best budget base in the city, with private rooms as well as dorms, a lively bar and the distillery next door.
The Docklands: modern and spacious. East of the centre, the regenerated Docklands around Grand Canal Dock are full of glass offices, theatres and waterfront restaurants. It is calmer and more modern than the old city, with good transport on the DART and Luas, but Grafton Street is a twenty-minute-plus walk. The Marker, on Grand Canal Square, has a 23-metre infinity pool, a seasonal rooftop bar and spacious rooms, and is ideal for couples, families who want a pool and theatre-goers at the Bord Gáis Energy Theatre next door.
Ballsbridge and the southern suburbs. Leafy Ballsbridge, near the Aviva Stadium and the RDS, has quieter hotels and embassies, and is good if you are attending a match or a conference. It is a longer walk to the centre, but buses and the DART are frequent.
Getting in from the airport by area. Express airport buses stop on O'Connell Street, along the quays and around St Stephen's Green, so most central hotels are a short walk from a stop; the Liberties and Smithfield are a few minutes from the quays, and the Docklands have their own stops nearby. A taxi to any central neighbourhood takes roughly half an hour outside rush hour. If you arrive late at night or with heavy luggage, a taxi straight to the door is worth the cost, especially for hotels on side streets or in the cobbled lanes around Smithfield.
Booking tips. Compare the official hotel website with the big booking platforms, because direct rates sometimes include breakfast or flexible cancellation. Check whether breakfast is included, as it can add significantly to the cost in Dublin, and whether the hotel charges for parking if you are driving — most central hotels do, and many have no parking at all. Ask for a quiet room facing away from the street in the busier areas, and check the cancellation policy closely if you are booking months ahead for a festival or match weekend. Families should look for interconnecting or family rooms early, as they are limited.
How to choose. For a first visit, stay between St Stephen's Green and Christ Church, so the Book of Kells, the museums, the cathedrals and Temple Bar are all on foot. For value and character, choose the Liberties or Smithfield. For a romantic splurge, choose the Merrion or the Shelbourne. For a pool, choose the Marker. Wherever you stay, check the map: a hotel described as central may be a tram ride from the sights, and in Dublin, being able to walk home after a pub session is worth paying a little extra for.