Best Walks in Dublin City Centre

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6 easy and stunning Dublin walks for an afternoon stroll

Looking to stretch the legs today in Dublin but don’t feel like going on a long hike? Well, what if I told you that you don’t need to leave Dublin city center?

In fact, Dublin is made for walking. It has many pedestrian areas and the town is relatively flat. Here are a few easy and stunning walks in Dublin City Centre. Locals, you will love (re)discovering the beauty of the Irish capital with the entire family.

Tourists, these walks are the perfect and unique ways to visit Dublin differently, see some of the most famous places while also discovering a side of the city often missed in travel guides. So, shoes on! The Dublin streets await you

1. Phoenix Park

Phoenix Park is the biggest enclosed park in Dublin with its 700 hectares of forest and grassland. Located on the Northwest edge of the Irish Capital, it hosts the local Zoo, the American ambassador’s house, the Irish Presidential Residence: “Áras an Uachtaráin” and even a herd of wild fallow deer. It is a peaceful place to escape city life and go for a walk, run, cycle or enjoy a picnic with friends and family. Without a doubt, one of the best places in Dublin for an afternoon stroll.

If you come from Dublin city Centre, you can take the Luas red line to Heuston station or the buses 25, 26, 66, 67, 69 that will drop you off near the Main Gate. You can also take the Hop-On Hop-off bus which drives through the park and stops along the main avenue near the main buildings and attractions.

>> Walk duration: half-day | Walk distance: 7 km | Terrain: paved pathways or grass | Accessibility: Accessible to trolleys, bikes, wheelchairs. >> MAP | Blue line

What to see and do on this walk

• Stop at the Wellington Monument – An Obelisk commemorating the victories of the Duke of Wellington, who was born in Dublin.
• Check out the Magazine Fort, a fully demilitarized bastion that can be visited as part of a guided tour.
• Walk across grassland to the “fifteen acres” to find the fallow deer. Although, make sure to keep your distance and do not feed the animals anything – whether it is grass or carrots. While the deer population are tagged and controlled by the park’s rangers, they remain wild and can be dangerous, mostly during the rutting season (October) when males fight for their Harem, or during the fawning season (summer months), when mothers protect the young. Tips! Once per year, you can join a walking tour with the Irish Wildlife Trust to learn more about deer behaviour.
• Visit the Presidential Residence. Only open on Saturdays but Admission is free. You can get tickets at the Visitor Centre. Did you know? You can also visit the “Áras an Uachtaráin” virtually!! Check our article on the subject.
• Rent a bike, or a segway! You can find a rental place right after the Main Gate on the Left. You can also use a Dublin Bike, Bleeper or any other rent-a-bike-per-hour scheme available in the city.
• Visit the Dublin Zoo, the 3rd oldest zoo in the world. It hosts more than 700 animals and runs educative and conservation programs.

To learn more about Phoenix park, check out the very informative Park’s website.

Disclaimer: the photos below were taken with a long lens. Do not get close to the deers in Phoenix Park and do not feed them.

Where to eat or drink after your Phoenix Park walk

• Bring a picnic – Note: it is not allowed anymore to do barbecue within the park
• Grab a cup of tea and a tasty cake at the Phoenix Park Tea Rooms near the Dublin Zoo.
• Stop at the Hole in the Wall for a lovely pie or a pint. They also offer hot cacao with a drop of Bailey during the winter month!
• If you are in need of a cup of coffee, find the shipping container near the Hole in the Wall called “Dash container“. They also offer puppy-cinos, paw-secco and Werewolf dog food…

2. Liffey River Walk

The Liffey is the largest river crossing Dublin from west to East. It starts in the Wicklow mountains and flows for 125km until reaching Dublin bay and the Irish sea. Along the River, you’ll get to follow the Quays on pathways and boardwalks, admiring Dublin’s architecture, bridges and notable buildings.

You can start the walk from Heuston station and end near Dockland, at the Samuel Beckett Bridge. On the way, you may want to stop at the EPIC Museum, Famine Memorial and the Jeannie Johnston Tall Ship to learn about Irish History and the Great Famine which saw the Irish population cut by half following death and immigration between 1845 and 1849.

I would recommend doing this walk in the afternoon so you can end near the dockland at dusk and appreciate the colours of the cityscape changing over the river. Depending on the season, you might as well catch the setting sun in perfect alignment with the Liffey riverbed. The walk back along the quays at night is safe and also beautiful as all the buildings, streets and bridges colourful lights switch on.

>> Hike duration: half-day | Walk distance: 5 km | Terrain: Pathway, Boardwalks, secured pedestrian walkway | Accessibility: Accessible to trolleys, wheelchairs, or bikes. >> MAP | Redline

What to see and do on this walk

• Enjoy the riverbed and its many bridges such as the Grattan Bridge (the First bridge built), Ha’Penny Bridge (a prime landmark of Dublin and locals’ favourite), O’Connell Bridge (the Main Road Bridge of the city), the Butt Bridge and the Samuel Beckett Bridge (built by Santiago Calatrava and inspired by the Irish emblem: the Harp).
• Admire Dublin’s architecture and notable buildings along the way such as the Four Courts (Supreme court building), Church of the Immaculate Conception, City Hall (Off Parliament Rd and visible from the riverbank), Liberty Hall (currently the tallest building in Dublin), Custom House (hosts some government department), as well as newly built Convention Center and the Central bank of Ireland.
• Look for the Kayaks and rowing boats and if you feel like joining them, check out this tour!
• If that’s something you are interested in, you can also check out our dedicated article about the best boat tours in Dublin!

Where to eat or drink after your Liffey river walk

• Grab Coffee: Stop at Shoe Lane on Tara street just off Butt Bridge. they serve the delicious Full circle roaster coffee
• If you are into tea, try Tea Garden. Super quiet and 100% Japanese tea experience guaranteed.
• Enjoy a Pint – Here are some nice bars along the route: Sin é, Workman’s club, Porterhouse, J.W Sweetman, MV Cill Airne (boat).
• Have a snack: Di Fontain Pizza on Parliament st, The Rolling Donut.
• For lunch or dinner: Dollard & Co or The Wollen Mills.

3. City centre parks walk

If after a couple of days visiting the main touristic areas of Dublin, you find yourself looking for a nice little break from the hustle and bustle of the city, this chilled Dublin City center walk is what you need.

It will take you across the main parks found on the south side of the Liffey, where locals like to hang out with a picnic, go for a jog in the early morning, or sit on a bench to read and people-watch!

Step inside any of the parks to chill and relax but also take the time to witness how different from one another they look. The Iveagh Garden which feels very “private” offers a lovely Rose garden and a surprising waterfall built with stones from the 32 counties on the island of Ireland.

St Stephen’s Green Park, the largest and busiest park in the city centre, features well-preserved 18th-century gazebos as well as a gorgeous water pond where you can see swans. Make sure to stroll around and read the informative panels to learn about its incredible history and its role in Dublin’s development.

As you walk from one park to another, this itinerary will take you along Dublin’s most beautiful streets lined by gorgeous Georgian houses and historical buildings. If you wish to make it a day-long excursion, there will be plenty to do on the way with many museums to visit and historical monuments. If visits aren’t possible, here is a link to our dedicated article about how to visit Dublin’s museum virtually.

>> Hike duration: half-day | Hike distance: 2-5 km | Difficulty: Easy | Terrain: gravelled pathways, stairs, road | >> MAP | Yellow line

What to see and do on this walk

• Chill or walk around the beautiful parks: St Stephen’s Green, Merrion Square, Iveagh Gardens, Trinity College Park
• Look for Dublin’s colourful doors, Georgian mansions (some covered by beautiful climbing ivy, and Roman-inspired buildings
• Stop to find some unusual sites such as the: Huguenot Cemetery, Oscar Wilde Statue, Clock Tower of Trinity College, Molly Malone Statue, Unique architecture of the St Stephen’s Green Shopping centre, etc.
• Government buildings: Departement of the Taoiseach
• Visit a couple of Museums: the National Museum of Natural history, the Little Museum of Dublin, The National Gallery of Ireland, Book of Kells
• During the summer months, “happening Dublin” often organizes outdoor cinemas in Merrion Square.

Where to eat or drink after your Dublin City Center walk

• Brunch at the Ivy Garden Restaurant. The decoration is incredible and the menu is delicious!
• Get a coffee at Coffee Angels, one of my favourite coffee shops in the heart of Dublin.
• Order a hot chocolate at Butler’s Chocolate Cafe and Italian Ice Cream at Gino’s Gelato
• If you want to grab a pint, there are plenty of pubs around. I would recommend O’Donoghue’s, Toners or The Gingerman if you are around Merrion Square.
• For dinner, what about some Asian wings at Lemon & Duke or a great steak at FX Buckley Steakhouse?
• If you are vegetarian, The Garden Room has great options but if you want something a bit fancy head to the Pearl Brasserie, Cellar Bar or the Shelbourne hotel restaurant: the Saddle Room.
• If you are more into street food, try Xian Street Food, Bunsen Burger or Mama’s Revenge Burrito Hut.

4. Grand Canal & the dock area walk

Found on the south side of the River Liffey, Grand Canal is one of the two waterways that link Dublin to the West of the country. It is a lovely place for a relaxing stroll any time of the day and year. I love it in particular during autumn as the trees turn bright yellow but also during Summer as the days get longer and locals gather for evening drinks.

To walk the Grand Canal within the city centre, it is best to start in Portobello on the far south and finish at the Liffey River just in time to admire the sunset. Along the way, you will pass the Dockland area, also called the “Silicon dock” in reference to Silicon Valley due to the presence of many International Tech companies’ European headquarters such as Linkedin, Google or Facebook.

On sunny days, the Docks are very popular with locals drinking “cans” in the sun!

The itinerary follows Grand canal walking and cycling paths, but you can take a couple of detours on both sides of the water to discover different parts of the city. Following Baggot Street to the East, you will find the Aviva Stadium known for hosting major sports events, while on the west side, you can stop by Lesson street, a long avenue lined up with Georgian houses. Month St Upper also offers great views, mostly when the sun rises behind St Stephen’s Church.

At the end of the walk, do not miss Grand Canal Square‘s iconic red poles. Overlooked by the Bord Gais theatre it is also a nice place to chill at the end of the day with a drink. Finally, you can finish the walk at the Samuel Beckett bridge or head back into town along the Liffey as the riverside building turn its lights on after the sun has set.

Note: Grand Canal is 130km long and goes from Dublin to Shannon River. It can be walked entirely or in small portions. Follow this link to learn more about Lucan to Hazelhatch canal walk

>> Hike duration: 2 to 3 hours | Hike distance: 4 km | Difficulty: Easy | Terrain: Pedestrian and cycle track | Accessibility: >> MAP | Purple line

What to see and do on this walk

• Portobello Harbour is a nice place to sit with a coffee (from Grove Road – just across the road) and watch the swans feeding or the water flowing off the lock gate;
• Grab a drink at the Barge Bar, one of the most popular places in Dublin when the weather is good. If too crowded for your own taste, grab a drink from the shop and find a spot along the canal.
• Look for statues and artworks along the way. There are a few 🙂
• Spend the night on a barge boat;
• Join a kayak tour near Portobello, take a dinner cruise on a barge boat, rent a SUP to discover Grand Canal Dock from a different angle, jump on the Viking Splash tour for something unusual;
• Take night photos of the Samuel Beckett Bridge and the Convention Center reflecting on the Liffey;
• Watch a concert or a musical at the Bord Gais Theather.

Where to eat or drink after your Grand Canal walk

• You can pick up a coffee along or near the Canal at Grove Road, Lock 6 or 3fe;
• Order a Pint at the Barge Bar, or the Ferryman on the river quays. You can also head to Brewdog a brewery on the far east side of the Docks;
• If you want food, Milano is a nice Italian pizzeria. For a great view of the canal, head to Angelina’s terrace for brunch. The Market Hotel will probably have the best rooftop terrace but expect higher prices.

5. Royal Canal walk

As mentioned above, the Royal Canal is the north side waterway that joins Dublin from the west of the country. 145 km long, it links Longford to the Liffey River and is known for being the main way followed by 1,490 famine emigrants trying to reach ships in Dublin in 1847.

Within the city centre, the Royal canal can be started from the IFCS area and finished at the 5th lock from where you can then either head back to town or walk north towards the Glasnevin cemetery and Botanical garden. If you feel like walking longer, you can add on 2 kilometres to Broombridge or push to Ashtown for another 2km.

Along the way, you will get to walk right underneath Croke Park, a GAA stadium also known for its huge concerts! It can host up to 80,000 people! As the path leads toward Drumcondra, the waterway becomes greener and wider, offering a lot of spots for picnics and area to hang out in the grass.

>> Hike duration: 2 hours| Hike distance: 3.5 km | Difficulty: Easy – Pedestrian and cycling path >> MAP | Orange line

What to see and do on this walk

• Croke Park stadium and the GAA museum can be visited when there are no matches;
• Locals often go fishing on the canal and children enjoy feeding swans with leftover bread;
• You can cross the canal by walking on the lock gates, just make sure to not slip or fall in the water…

Where to eat or drink after your Royal Canal walk

• Stop at the Bernard Shaw for a coffee, pizza or a pint
• Le Petit Breton offers a menu of french savory and sweet crepes near Binns Bridge
• Turn left on North Strand Road for a small detour to the Cloud cafe which serve good quality cup of joe

6. Poolbeg Lighthouse WALK

“Poolbeg Lighthouse” is one of the most famous landmarks in Ireland. The walk to the lighthouse known as the “Great South Wall Walk”, is definitely a unique activity you can do in Dublin city center. It follows a 1.7km sea wall built during the 18th-century ended by a bright red lighthouse announcing the entrance of Dublin Port.

The walk can be started from the city centre, Sandymount beach or directly from the entrance of the pier. There are a few car parks available, though, the closer you drive the busier it gets, especially on weekends. If you don’t have a car, you can cycle or take a bus to Sandymount from the city centre. Buses 1, 18 and 47 should drop you close enough.

The Great South Wall itself is a lovely narrow promenade that takes to the middle of Dublin Bay. You may see large containers ship and car ferries from meters away as they enter or leave the Channel and follow the wall. If you are up for a long walk, start from Sandymount beach, where you will get the best views of the iconic Poolbeg Towers. At low tides, water puddles left behind on the sand offer the best reflection of the twin Chimneys.

> From last car park: Hike duration: 1-hour return | Hike distance: 4 km return
> From Sandymount:  Hike duration: 3-hours return | Hike distance: 10 km return | Difficulty: Moderate (cobblestone can be challenging with young kids, trolley or bikes)>> MAP | Green line

What to see and do on this walk

• Sandymount Beach is a lovely place to chill on sunny days. At low tides, the Poolbeg Chimneys’ reflection in the water is incredible to witness.
• The long Cobblestone path to the Poolbeg Lighthouse is in itself a highlight. Make sure to wear appropriate shoes as it is uneven in most places.
• On a clear day, the views of the city, the Irish sea, the Howth Peninsula, as well as the Mountains in the background, make this walk one of the best in Dublin.
• This is also one of the best places to watch the sunset.

Where to eat or drink after Poolbeg Lighthouse walk

• There is a coffee truck (Mr Hobbs Coffee) at the entrance of the Sea Wall. They also serve warm beverage on cold days.
• During the summer month, there is also usually an Ice Cream truck waiting for you near the last car park.
• For food, you can bring a picnic or eat in Sandymount at The Hungry Mexican, Bojo Burger, Mulligans, Brownes Brasserie…

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I help you explore Ireland like a local with insider tips, detailed itineraries, and practical advice.

HEY THERE! I’M JEN…

Funder, Author & Photographer behind travelirelandtoday.com

Ireland has been my home for the last 12 years. Before settling here, I spent years backpacking around the globe, visiting 65+ countries. Along the way, I discovered my love for hiking, photography, and crafting budget-friendly itineraries.

Through this website, I share the best things to do and see in Ireland, detailed hiking guides, and practical tips to help you plan your perfect Irish adventure. Let’s make your trip unforgettable!

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