Where to stay in Dublin: the best areas, with a walk through each
6 areas compared. Watch the streets before you book.
Dublin's centre is small and flat, divided by the River Liffey into the Southside and the Northside. Most of the sights, pubs and shops are within a 20-minute walk of each other, so the choice is really about atmosphere, noise and price.
These are the six areas most visitors choose between. For each you'll find who it suits, who should look elsewhere, what is on foot, and a walk through its streets so you can see the atmosphere before you book.
The best areas to stay in Dublin at a glance
| Area | Best for | Vibe | Getting around |
|---|---|---|---|
| Temple Bar | Nightlife, Short stays, Live music | Cobbled lanes, traditional pubs and live music every night | Central: walk everywhere; buses on the quays |
| Grafton Street & St Stephen's Green | First-timers, Shopping, Elegant stays | Buskers, shopping, Georgian squares and a central park | Luas Green line at St Stephen's Green |
| Docklands | Business, Modern hotels, River views | Modern architecture along the Liffey and Grand Canal Dock | Luas Red line and DART trains; 15 minutes' walk to the centre |
| Smithfield & Stoneybatter | Local life, Value, Whiskey and beer | A cobbled square, distillery tours and a village-like neighbourhood | Luas Red line at Smithfield; 15 minutes' walk to Temple Bar |
| Ballsbridge | Families, Quiet nights, Events | Leafy streets, embassies and red-brick Victorian houses | DART at Lansdowne Road and buses; 20 to 30 minutes' walk to the centre |
| O'Connell Street & North City | Budget, Transport links, History | A grand boulevard, historic landmarks and busy shopping streets | Luas lines and airport buses on O'Connell Street |
1.Temple Bar
- Nightlife
- Short stays
- Live music
Walk through Temple Bar: video by Walking Ireland on YouTube.
Dublin's famous cultural and nightlife quarter on the south bank of the Liffey, with cobbled streets, colourful pubs, live traditional music and street performers. It's right in the middle of everything, and loud until late.
Stay here if
- You want pubs and live music on your doorstep
- It's a short trip and you want to walk everywhere
- You're travelling with friends for a fun weekend
Skip it if
- You need quiet nights
- Tourist prices for drinks and food bother you
Within a 10-minute walk
Temple Bar pubs · Ha'penny Bridge · Dublin Castle · Christ Church Cathedral · Trinity College · Meeting House Square market
2.Grafton Street & St Stephen's Green
- First-timers
- Shopping
- Elegant stays
Walk through Grafton Street & St Stephen's Green: video by Cityscape Tours on YouTube.
The elegant heart of the Southside, around the pedestrian shopping street of Grafton Street, St Stephen's Green and the Georgian squares. Trinity College, the national museums and Temple Bar are all a short walk away.
Stay here if
- It's your first visit and you want a central, elegant base
- Shopping and cafés are on your list
- You'd like the museums and Trinity College on foot
Skip it if
- You're on a tight budget
- You want a local, neighbourhood feel
Within a 10-minute walk
Grafton Street · St Stephen's Green · Trinity College and the Book of Kells · National Museum of Ireland · Merrion Square · Powerscourt Townhouse
3.Docklands
- Business
- Modern hotels
- River views
Walk through Docklands: video by Cityscape stroll on YouTube.
Dublin's regenerated docks, home to tech companies, modern hotels, the EPIC Irish emigration museum and the Bord Gáis Energy Theatre. It's sleek and calm, with river walks and waterside restaurants.
Stay here if
- You want a modern hotel with river views
- You're in Dublin for business or a conference
- You'd like quiet evenings close to the centre
Skip it if
- You want historic character
- Pubs and nightlife are a priority
Within a 10-minute walk
EPIC The Irish Emigration Museum · Samuel Beckett Bridge · Grand Canal Dock · Bord Gáis Energy Theatre · The Jeanie Johnston · 3Arena
4.Smithfield & Stoneybatter
- Local life
- Value
- Whiskey and beer
Walk through Smithfield & Stoneybatter: video by Momentum 4K on YouTube.
A historic market area on the north bank of the Liffey, with the old Jameson distillery on its cobbled square and the charming streets of Stoneybatter next door, full of cafés and local pubs. The Guinness Storehouse is across the river.
Stay here if
- You want a local, village-like atmosphere
- You'd like whiskey and Guinness tours nearby
- You want better value than the Southside
Skip it if
- It's a short first visit focused on the main sights
- You'd rather not walk 15 minutes to the centre
Within a 10-minute walk
Jameson Distillery Bow St · Smithfield Square · Stoneybatter · Collins Barracks museum · Phoenix Park (a longer walk) · Guinness Storehouse (across the river)
5.Ballsbridge
- Families
- Quiet nights
- Events
Walk through Ballsbridge: video by Along the Way on YouTube.
Dublin's most elegant residential suburb, with tree-lined avenues, embassies and grand Victorian houses. It's calm, safe and close to the Aviva Stadium and the RDS, making it popular for events.
Stay here if
- You want a quiet, leafy and safe base
- You're going to a match or concert at the Aviva Stadium or RDS
- You're travelling with children
Skip it if
- You want to be in the middle of the action
- You'll be out late in the city centre every night
Within a 10-minute walk
Aviva Stadium · RDS · Herbert Park · Grand Canal walkway · Sandymount Strand (a longer walk) · Merrion Square
6.O'Connell Street & North City
- Budget
- Transport links
- History
Walk through O'Connell Street & North City: video by Drive with Mitch on YouTube.
The area around O'Connell Street, Dublin's main boulevard, with the General Post Office, the Spire and the shopping streets of Henry Street and Moore Street. It's well connected and usually better value than the Southside.
Stay here if
- You want good value close to the centre
- You'd like easy airport buses and Luas connections
- Irish history and landmarks interest you
Skip it if
- Some streets that feel rough late at night would bother you
- You want elegant, quiet surroundings
Within a 10-minute walk
O'Connell Street · GPO Museum · The Spire · Henry Street · Moore Street market · Hugh Lane Gallery
Southside or Northside?
The Southside, around Grafton Street and Temple Bar, is where most visitors stay: central, lively and close to the main sights, but pricier. The Northside, around O'Connell Street and Smithfield, is usually better value and still within walking distance.
Getting around
Dublin's centre is easily walkable. The Luas trams and DART trains link the areas in this guide, and Leap cards or contactless payment work on buses and trams. Airport buses run to O'Connell Street and the main hotel areas.
Book early
Dublin hotels are expensive and fill up fast around St Patrick's Day, big rugby and football matches and summer concerts. Booking early makes a big difference to price and choice.
Where to stay in Dublin: common questions
What is the best area to stay in Dublin for first-timers?
Around Grafton Street and St Stephen's Green, close to Trinity College, Temple Bar and the museums, but quieter than Temple Bar itself.
Is Temple Bar a good place to stay?
It's ideal for nightlife and a central location, but loud until late, especially on weekends. Light sleepers should stay a few streets away.
Where should families stay in Dublin?
Ballsbridge, for leafy, quiet streets and parks, or near St Stephen's Green for central sightseeing.
Where should I stay in Dublin on a budget?
The Northside, around O'Connell Street and Smithfield, usually offers better prices than the Southside.
Is the Docklands a good area to stay?
Yes, for modern hotels and calm evenings by the river. It's about 15 minutes' walk from Temple Bar and Grafton Street.
Areas change over time. Check recent reviews and the exact location of your hotel before you book. Hotel links may earn Walking Atlas a small commission at no extra cost to you.
Keep exploring Dublin
The Dublin city guide has more 4K walking videos, top sights, food markets and dishes to try.
Dublin city guide →