Where to Stay in Dublin in 2024 | Best Areas & Hotels

You think you know Dublin and Irish culture through its exports, like the Guinness beer, or St. Patrick’s Day celebrations. But there’s a lot more than meets the eye when it comes to this gem of a city.

We’ll show you where to stay in Dublin, including the best parts of town, what to do in each one, and more. Let us be your guide!

The 4 Best Places to Stay in Dublin

While there are many great areas to stay in Dublin, we think the 4 below are the best overall:

1. Temple Bar – the cultural, nightlife, and food crossroads of Dublin.
2. The Liberties – a perfect mixture between the old and the new – lots of distilleries and the famous Guinness brewery.
3. St. Stephen’s Green/Grafton Street Area – the green oasis of central Dublin and the main shopping street.
4. Dalkey – the seaside, affluent suburb of Dublin.

Where to Stay in Dublin: Best Areas & Hotels

Dublin greets a whopping 5.5 million visitors every year, which is a huge honor for a small city! It’s the 15th most visited place in Europe, coming just behind Madrid. So, naturally, there are a lot of options for accommodation – budget and more luxurious ones.

With its lively pub culture, there’s also a huge selection of places where you can feel the true esprit of Ireland and drink some of the finest whiskey, or have an Irish ale while, eating fish and chips, or the famous boxty, Irish potato pancakes.

Granted, Dublin is more expensive than other European capitals (like Berlin, let’s say) when it comes to accommodation. But it’s not impossible to find something that’ll cater both to your budget and to your tastes.

Temple Bar is arguably the most famous city-center neighborhood of Dublin, but also one of the most expensive districts.

The Liberties is a mixture of the old-new Dublin, attracting a lot of tourists with its Guinness breweries and different whiskey distilleries. St. Stephen’s Green is the small green oasis within the city, and Grafton Street is the main shopping area.

Lastly, Dalkey is where city dwellers go to escape the hustle and bustle and go visit the beautiful seaside of Dublin Bay, but are still close enough to their beloved Dublin.

1. Temple Bar

Tempe Bar is arguably the most famous district in the Irish capital. Located on River Liffey’s south bank, right in the heart of Dublin, it unites the city’s cultural quarters, nightlife, and popular tourist spots.

Temple Bar is concomitant with having a great time in Dublin. Since the middle of the 1990s, the cobbled streets of this district have attracted tourists and locals looking for that Dublin old-time feel, the craic, the pubs, and the live music.

But, Temple Bar offers much more than just a great time.

Within this area, you can also find museums, vintage shops, and an arthouse cinema. You can also stumble upon lots of great places to eat, like the Boxty House, or have a beer, like the famous Temple Bar.

Temple Bar Budget Hotels

• Abigail’s Hostel is located on Aston Quay, overlooking the river Liffey. As you can see, it has an amazing location, just minutes away from all the happenings in Temple Bar. Everything’s near and you don’t have to pay a ton of money for it as well! Trinity College, the famous shopping district Grafton Street, numerous DART (Dublin Area Rapid Transit) stations, as well as O2 venue hall are all within a walking distance. Abigail’s Hostel has both private and shared rooms for travelers who want to save a few more bucks. Each of the rooms has an en suite toilet and shower. The hostel also has free Wifi, free bed linen, communal areas, a self-catering kitchen, and vending machines. The hostel imposes no curfew.
• Ashfield Hostel is another centrally located hostel in Dublin, between O’Connell Bridge and Trinity College, and minutes away from Temple Bar’s most important attractions. Similarly to Abigai’s Hostel, this one is also best suited for travelers and backpackers who want to enjoy low-cost accommodation in the center of Dublin, without sacrificing comfort. The hostel offers en suite rooms, free bed linen, and Wifi. There’s also a self-catering kitchen, vending machines, common areas, and no curfew.

Temple Bar Mid-Range Hotels

• Dublin Citi Hotel of Temple Bar is a three-star hotel located in a beautiful 19th-century building in the middle of Temple Bar. If you want to get that old-timey feel of Dublin and not spend all your savings on accommodation, then this is it. The rooms are comfortable, and decorated with lots of antique details. There’s free Wifi and a tea/coffee maker in all rooms, and the hotel also has free parking and 24-hour reception. If you’re up for a drink, you can visit the hotel’s award-winning, four-floor bar. And if you want to continue having fun, you can also go to the hotel’s nightclub.
• Travelodge PLUS Dublin City Centre is another decently priced accommodation in the center of Dublin that offers air-conditioned rooms, free Wifi, a shared lounge, and a terrace. It’s close to all the important Temple Bar sights and is only 600 meters away from Trinity College. There’s a restaurant and a bar for when you get hungry, and from which you can enjoy a great city view.

Temple Bar Luxury Hotels

• The Westin Dublin is a 5-star luxury hotel set in a 19th-century historic building that used to be a bank. The gorgeous spacious rooms are equipped with the signature Westin Heavenly Beds, alongside deluxe bathrooms and toiletries, bathrobes, and 49-inch HD TVs. Some rooms also have balconies that overlook the glass atrium. Lunch and dining are also extravagant at the Westin. You can spend resting after a morning walk through Temple Bar sipping your afternoon tea in the Atrium Lounge or try the contemporary barbecue menu at the  Morelands Grill restaurant.

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2. The Liberties

The Liberties is one of the oldest, most historic precincts of Dublin. Nowadays it perfectly encapsulates the old-new charm of Dublin. Leafy trees, and old brickwork buildings, combined with new cultural spots and as many brewers as your heart desires.

This is a neighborhood that constantly evolves, with new places, especially distilleries coming up all the time. Walking through the Liberties is such a pleasure because you can smell the roasted barely all the way.

After all, this neighborhood is home to Guinness and its Storehouse and Open Gate breweries, which host more than a million visitors every year! But there’s plenty more where that came from.

The Liberties is a home for a host of state-of-the-art, new distilleries (like Pearse Lyons Whiskey Distillery and Teeling Whiskey Distillery) that you can visit, especially if you’re a fan of beer and whiskey.

The Liberties Budget Hotels

• Garden Lane Backpackers Hostel has a great location for a budget-friendly stay, only 600 m from St Patrick’s Cathedral, and it’s also very near to the Guinness Storehouse. All of the shared rooms have a wardrobe and a shower. You can also pay extra for continental breakfast if you want to eat at the hostel. There’s a communal terrace for when you want to unwind.

The Liberties Mid-Range Hotels

• Staycity Aparthotels Tivoli is a great choice for those who want extra comfort, but can’t afford a luxury, expensive hotel. Staycity accommodation works as apartments and it’s fully equipped with a small kitchen, a fridge, a microwave, and a dishwasher. The hotel is in a great location – only 1km away from Dublin Center. It offers free Wifi, a bar, a terrace, a flat-screen TV, air-conditioned rooms, a fully equipped kitchenette, as well as a dining area, and a private bathroom with a shower. There are free toiletries and a hairdryer. Staycity offers private parking.
• Maldron Hotel Kevin Street is a 4-star hotel that’s 5 minutes away from St Patrick’s Cathedral. All rooms have a flat-screen TV, a private bathroom with toiletries and a hairdryer, and also coffee and tea-making facilities. The Maldron hotels have their own healthy breakfast offer called  Vitality Breakfast where you get to choose from a wide selection of cereals and grains, fresh fruit, smoothies, and eggs, as well as traditional types of breakfast. For lunch and dinner, you can try out their Grain and Grill restaurant which serves international dishes.

The Liberties Luxury Hotels

• Aloft Dublin City is a 4-star hotel located only 400 meters from Saint Patrick’s Cathedral, and 15 minutes away from the Guinness Storehouse, and about the same time from St. Stephen’s Green. One of the greatest things about this hotel is its rooftop bar and restaurant where you can enjoy a truly spectacular panoramic view of the city. Each room has a walk-in shower, 49-inch TV, free Wifi, as well as complimentary toiletries. Each morning you can enjoy a rich continental breakfast, and you can use their 24-hour room service anytime. If you’re a fitness freak, you can use the hotel’s fitness centre for your exercising needs.
• Hyatt Centric The Liberties Dublin is a luxury hotel offering rooms with their own wardrobe, air conditioning, flat screen TV, private bathrooms, and high-quality bed linen and towels, and of course free Wifi. The hotel has a garden, a fitness center, a restaurant, and a bar. Every morning you can choose à la carte, as well as English or Irish, or vegetarian breakfast. The staff at the desk are

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3. St. Stephen’s Green/Grafton Street Area

Grafton Street is one of the two main shopping streets in Dublin (the other is Henry Street). The highest point from where it runs is St. Stephen’s Green (the south side), and College Green is its lowest point, on the north side of the city.

Grafton Street is thought to be Ireland’s premier trading street and one of the busiest shopping streets in Europe. Basically, all the biggest commercial brands you can think of are located there.

So if you want to go on a tourist shopping spree, this is the place. But even if you’re not a shopping nut, or if you’re on a tight budget – Grafton Street offers entertainment for everyone.

Every day you can see a lot of buskers performing on the street. In fact, Grafton Street is now almost unimaginable without buskers. These are musicians and performers who want to share their creative passions with the public, making the places they perform in one of the biggest city attractions.

Famous names such as Bono and Damien Rice, to name some, have been seen in their early days as buskers on the streets of Dublin! St. Stephen’s Green is a beautiful, square-shaped park that offers a peaceful city oasis from Temple Bar’s busy energy.

If you’re looking to rest your legs somewhere and calm your head, and you don’t want to take a day trip outside of Dublin, then St. Stephen’s Green it is. The park as it now dates back to its redevelopment in 1880.

Within its 22 acres, the park is filled with gorgeous flower beds, lavish gardens, as well as sculptures and monuments from respected Irish figures (James Joyce is ever present, as he is throughout the whole of Dublin).

If you have kids with you, the park offers a beautiful children’s playground where they can be entertained while you take a small break. Another fun activity you can do together inside St. Stephens Green is to feed the ducks in the park’s charming lake.

Grafton Street Budget Hotels

• Jackson Court Hotel is only a 5-minute walk from the busy Grafton Street, and also from St Stephen’s Green. It’s a 2-star hotel that’s very friendly on the budget. Travelers will find that the Jackson Court Hotel can satisfy all their needs. Free Wifi and parking, free coffee and tea makers in the rooms, TVs, and large beds are all part of the standard hotel offer. You can also get an iron, hairdryer, and safe upon request. If you want to spend the night partying at home, Jackson Court Hotel even has an on-site nightclub. And one of the best things about this hotel is that there’s a tram stop right outside its doors, so you can get anywhere in Dublin, in no time.
• Harrington Hall is a hotel located in a beautiful red brick Georgian townhouse, 10 minutes away from the shops on Grafton Street, and only 300 meters away from St Stephen’s Green. This 4-star hotel is a perfect blend of budget, quality, and class. Harrington Hall has free Wifi, nice, clean rooms, TV, and coffee and tea facilities. You can eat your breakfast (for an additional price) in Harrington Hall’s lounge area with its ornate high ceilings and gaze at the wonderful Dublin through its large, tall windows.

Grafton Street Mid-Range Hotels

• The Green is a 4-star hotel located near St. Stephen Green and is only 300m away from Grafton Street. Falling somewhere in the upper mid-range in terms of prices, it’s a great hotel with beautiful, air-conditioned rooms, unique furniture, and en-suite bathrooms, as well as a 24-hour gym. Staying at The Green means you can enjoy their rich buffet breakfast in their retro-styled bistro. If you need more space to work, you can use The Green’s open space on the ground floor which functions as a great working hub, with its countless charging points and stable free Wifi.
• Grafton Street Studios are studio apartments for rent located on Grafton Street. They have their own fully equipped kitchen, private bathroom with a walk-in shower, free Wifi, and lots of other personal care amenities. The self-check-in process and 24-hour available assistance make the whole hotel experience that much more effortless so you can enjoy your Dublin vacation without any hustle. The location of these studio apartments along with the price make them truly desirable accommodations in the heart of Dublin.

Grafton Street Luxury Hotels

• The Shelbourne Autograph Collection is a 5-star hotel founded in 1824, overlooking St. Stephen’s Green. It’s one of the most expensive and luxurious hotels in Dublin. The Shelbourne hotel has everything. Marble bathrooms, an indoor swimming pool, a fitness center, as well as a spa and wellness center. You can pay daily visits to the ultra-classy No.27 Shelbourne Bar, as well as The Lord Mayor’s Lounge which has maintained the iconic tradition of serving afternoon tea in an old, elegant drawing room. The hotel’s Salon also offers a range of beauty services, from luxury pedicures, manicures, hairstyling, facials, and much more.
• The Westbury Hotel is a 5-star hotel located near Grafton Street, right in the middle of Dublin’s city center. With its lush, spacious bedrooms and en suite bathrooms, the Westbury Hotel is a true rival to the Shelbourne in terms of class and luxury. If you want to maintain your weekly fitness schedule, there’s a fitness suite available, alongside two restaurants that feature state-of-the-art contemporary menu. The Sidecar Bar has one of the finest cocktail menus in all of Dublin. And if you still want your afternoon tea, you can get it at the Gallery restaurant, overlooking the wonderful Grafton Street.

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4. Dalkey

Dalkey is a seaside suburb of Dublin where you can enjoy beautiful sunset walks along the coast of Dublin Bay. Founded as a Viking settlement, it grew into a vibrant port in the Middle Ages.

In modern times developed into an affluent neighborhood on the outskirts of Dublin attracting plenty of home and foreign tourists on Ireland’s eastside coastline.

Dalkey boasts plenty of famous residents, from writers such as George Bernard Shaw to singers like Bono, Enya, and Van Morrison. When you take a walk around Dalkey, you’ll see why it’s so beloved by many.

Even for such a small neighborhood, there’s plenty to do. If you’re a golf enthusiast, you can try a game at the Killiney Golf Club.

Or if you just want to stretch your legs and exhale from the hustle and bustle that is central Dublin, you can walk beside the Dalkey coastline and gaze at the beautiful Irish sea. If you get hungry

From the narrow streets lined with book shops and fancy delis to the paths leading down to the striking coastline, Dalkey feels like a small world unto itself. Best of all, it’s only half an hour from the city center, making it an ideal spot for a day trip.

Whether you want to lace up the hiking boots and set off on a walk along the coast, or simply hop between the restaurants and bars along the main drag of the village, there’s plenty to do in Dalkey.

Dalkey Budget Hotels

• Mulgrave Lodge is a budget-friendly bed and breakfast located in the center of Dalkey, just 800 meters from the seaside. It offers regular rooms, as well as rooms with en suite bathrooms (slightly more expensive). Every room comes with free Wifi, free toiletries, coffee/tea maker, and it also has a patio and a shared lounge. Breakfast is optional, but it’s pretty cheap, so it’s a good idea to have it, and Mulgrave Lodge also includes a vegetarian breakfast, for the non-meat eaters.

Dalkey Mid-Range Hotels

• Haddington House is a five-floor Victorian terraced building that offers splendid panoramic views of the Dublin Bay coastline. It was founded in the 1850s and it definitely still keeps that understated, turn-of-the-century charm to this very day. All rooms have coffee and tea-making facilities and en suite bathrooms. The hotel also offers room service. When you’re hungry you can try out their à la carte breakfast, check out their Italian-inspired Oliveto restaurant, and then pay a visit to the Parlour cocktail bar, and enjoy the wonderful coastal views.

Dalkey Luxury Hotels

• The Fitzpatrick Castle Dublin Hotel is located in a truly remarkable position in Dalkey. Overlooking Dublin Bay, it offers one of the best views in all of Ireland. The Fitzpatrick is a luxurious hotel that has en suite bathrooms, satellite TV, and all the necessary amenities to make you comfortable and feel at home. When you get hungry you can visit one of their two award-winning restaurants. If you wanna exercise or just unwind, you can take go to their gym or take a dip in their indoor heated pool, or visit their whirlpool spa, Scandinavian wood sauna, and their steam room. It’s only a 20-minute ride away from the center of Dublin, and there’s a DART station near the hotel for when you want to go to the city. There’s also free parking if you’re coming in a car.
• The Royal Marine Hotel also boasts a wonderful view of Dublin Bay and offers direct access to the Dun Laoghaire Pier and Promenade. As a guest of the Royal Marine, you can use their spacious, air-conditioned rooms with free Wifi, and enjoy the bay view. You can use the hotel’s steam room, gym, and indoor pool. You can also indulge yourself at the Sansana Spa and try their rock sauna and mud room. And when you get hungry you can always visit the Dun Bistro and the Hardys Bar which has stunning views of the harbor and also serves the latest European cuisine. The DART line is just 2 minutes away from the hotel and can take you to Dublin City whenever you want. And, of course, there’s free parking if you’re coming in a car. In the vicinity of the Royal Marine, there are gorgeous countryside and coastal walks you can take advantage of. And if this doesn’t convince you to book the Royal Marin Hotel, maybe the former presences of Charlie Chapling and Queen Victoria will?

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So, Where Should You Stay in Dublin?

Now that we’ve covered the main attractions of Dublin, let’s do a recap, just to make things clearer. It’s hard to summarize a city like Dublin in a few paragraphs, and we certainly haven’t exhausted all the attractions, places, and neighborhoods here.

But, we did our best in trying to bring you the pieces of Dublin closer to your traveler’s imagination.

Let’s recap:

🍷 Best for Nightlife	Temple Bar
🍺 Best Area for Distilleries	The Liberties
🛍️ Best for Shopping	St. Stephen’s Green/Grafton Street Area
✅ Best Area to See Everything	Dalkey

Granted, as a tourist, you may not have time to visit all of these places, but you can choose according to what draws you in the most.

Temple Bar and the Liberties are the urban heart of Dublin, while Dalkey offers an entrance into another Dulbin and Ireland, in general. But, in any case, there’s an area to stay for everyone. So what are you waiting for — book your trip today!