Where to stay in Dublin? The best areas and places to stay

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Searching for hotels in Dublin and short on time? Discover travelers’ favorite hotels in Dublin on Booking.com by clicking here!

Pro tip: Book quickly, they go fast!

And for an extensive guide on where to stay in Dublin, including my top hotel picks, read my detailed article.

Where to Stay in Dublin: My Selection of the Best Accommodations

Wondering where to stay in Dublin? Looking for the best areas and districts?

You’re at the right place!

As I know Dublin very well, I have created this guide of:

  • Dublin’s best areas for your stay (with details about the best places to visit and nearby attractions)
  • For each area and district, the best hotels depending on your budget

Let’s find your dream hotel now!

My favorite hotels in Dublin

Here’s a quick summary of my favorite hotels in Dublin, in case you don’t have time to read my detailed article.

Simply click on the hotel names in orange to access details and rates:

On O’Connell Street

O’Connell Street is the main avenue that cuts through the heart of Dublin’s city center.

The street starts at the edge of the Liffey River, from O’Connell Bridge, and stretches northwards for nearly 500 meters up to Parnell Street. It’s often compared to the Champs Elysées in Paris!

Here you’ll find plenty of shops (both local and international), restaurants, traditional Irish pubs, hotels, and a few historical monuments.

It’s one of the best areas to stay in central Dublin.

I recommend this area for your stay in Dublin:

  • For shopping
  • To explore the city on foot
  • For its lively atmosphere.

This area is the perfect place to discover:

  • The Spire: a 120-meter-tall needle-shaped sculpture. It’s the symbol of the city.
  • Dublin’s General Post Office: a magnificent building (still operational) that was built in 1814
  • Clerys Department Store, located inside a 19th century building.
  • O’Connell Bridge: this stone bridge is another emblem of Dublin, it’s particularity is to be almost as wide as long (almost square!)
  • The Gresham Hotel: another beautiful historic building from the 19th century that has recently been renovated. Don’t hesitate to stay there; I’ll tell you more about it in my hotel selection!

Here is my selection of the best hotels near O’Connell Street

  • Cassidys Hotel: Located close to Gate Theatre. Spacious and comfortable room from 140€ per night, breakfast 17€. Strong Points: Well located, vegetarian and vegan breakfast, friendly staff.
  • Holiday Inn Express Dublin City Centre: Located 4 minutes walk from The Spire. Modern double room from €170 per night, breakfast included. Strong Points: Right in the middle of Oconnell Street, bar and business lounges. A great choice for its excellent value for money in Dublin city center!
  • Wynn’s Hotel: Located 100 meters from O’Connell Bridge. Double room with slightly dated decor, but in an excellent location. From 190€ per night, breakfast included. Strong Points: Friendly staff, good breakfast, very central location.
  • Riu Plaza The Gresham Dublin: Located O’Connel Upper, the hotel itself is a landmark. Room from €215 per night, breakfast included. Strong Points: Bar and restaurant, views of O’Connell Street, excellent breakfast. Perfect for a high-end stay in Dublin!
  • The Morrison Dublin: This discreet but luxurious 5-star hotel is 300 meters from O’Connell Lower. Modern double room from €250 per night, breakfast €25. Strong Points: Rich breakfast, close to restaurants and cafes, great if you also want to go to Temple Bar – The best luxury Hotel on O’Connell!
The Morrison Dublin, O´Connell Street
The Morrison Dublin, O’Connell Street

In Temple Bar / Old District area

Temple Bar, located to the south of the river, is one of Dublin’s oldest neighborhoods.

With its numerous authentic Irish pubs, it’s considered the best area to enjoy nightlife!

But that’s not all: during the day, with its cobbled streets and stone and brick houses, it’s a very pleasant area to take a stroll

There you can also find some of Dublin’s must-see attractions as well as small local boutiques.

Temple Bar is perfect for accommodation in Dublin:

  • For partying
  • For a trip with friends
  • For its warm and authentic atmosphere
  • To visit the city easily, as it’s a very central area.

Best Things to do in Temple Bar area:

  • Bar hopping starting with the “Temple Bar”, the most iconic pub of the city.
  • Visit Dublin Castle to discover its towers, the vice-royal apartments, the throne room, and the royal chapel
  • Explore St. Patrick’s Cathedral and its gothic architecture
  • Learn more about the legendary Irish beverage at the Irish Whiskey Museum. And of course, end your visit with a tasting!
  • Temple Bar Food market: a market where you can sample local specialties.

Where to stay in the Temple Bar area, Dublin?

  • Handel’s Hotel: Located 5 minutes from Temple Bar Food Market. Double room with modern furnishings from 170 euros per night, breakfast 17 euros. Strong Points: In a quiet street, comfortable beds, well equipped, the best value for money in Temple Bar!
  • Temple Bar Hotel: 200 meters from the Irish Whiskey Museum. Room from 190 euros per night, good breakfast 23 euros. Strong Points: City views, vegan breakfast option, gluten-free, cozy.
  • Temple Bar Inn: Located 10 minutes from Dublin Castle and steps from O’Connell Street. Well-equipped double room from €200 per night, breakfast €18. Strong Points: Very tasty breakfast, the great location, very nice common areas. Perfect for a couple’s getaway!
  • The Clarence: Located 200 meters from the Food Market. Elegant and modern double room from 230€ per night. Strong Points: Spacious rooms, river views, bar and restaurant.
  • Radisson Blu Royal Hotel Dublin: Located 2 minutes from St. Patrick’s Cathedral. Spacious and modern rooms from 300€ per night, breakfast included. Strong Points: Terrace, spa and wellness center, city views. My favorite hotel for a luxury stay in Dublin!
The Clarence, Temple Bar
The Clarence, Temple Bar

Around St. Stephen’s Green and Trinity College

If you love art and culture, the surroundings of Trinity College are an excellent choice for accommodation in Dublin.

You’ll find all the most famous museums in the city as well as the magnificent University of Dublin.

This area, with a dynamic vibe during the day, is located east of Temple Bar and south of O’Connell Street.

You’ll love this neighborhood:

  • If you plan to visit lots of museums
  • If you enjoy painting and art in all its forms
  • If you prefer to stay in a quieter area than the previous two neighborhoods.

Places to visit in Trinity College/ St Stephen’s Green area:

  • The University of Dublin (Trinity College), known for its beautiful Georgian-style buildings and library holding very rare books.
  • Grafton Street, a pedestrianised shopping street lined with shops and restaurants
  • St Stephen’s Green park: a beautiful 9-hectare public park
  • The National Gallery of Ireland, with its collection of works from Irish and European art
  • MoLI – Museum of Literature Ireland, dedicated to Irish literature
  • The Little Museum of Dublin, on the history of the city
  • The Natural History Museum, displaying species from Ireland and around the world.

Where to stay at St Stephen’s Green (Dublin)?

  • Albany House: Located 100 meters from the Irish Museum of Literature. Room from €140 per night, breakfast included. Strong Points: Historic building, continental breakfast, comfortable beds.
  • Staycity Aparthotels Dublin Mark Street: Beautiful apartments 5 minutes from Trinity College from €160 per night, breakfast €14. Strong Points: City views, fully equipped kitchen, spacious. The perfect place to stay for a family trip to Dublin!
  • The Dean Dublin: Located 15 minutes from the National Museum of Ireland. Double room from 170 euros per night, breakfast at 20 euros. Strong Points: The swimming pool (very uncommon in Dublin!), 2 restaurants, centrally located.
  • Drury Court Hotel: Located 200 meters from St. Stephens Green Park. Double room from 200 euros per night, breakfast at 15 euros. Strong Points: vegan/gluten-free option for breakfast, bar, comfortable beds, special mention for their friendly staff.
  • Trinity Townhouse Hotel: This luxury hotel is located 5 minutes from the National Gallery of Ireland. Design double rooms from 340 euros, breakfast included. Strong Points: Spectacular breakfast, top-notch bedding, the calm and the amazing staff. One of the best luxury boutique hotel in Dublin!
Trinity Townhouse Hotel, en Trinity College
Trinity Townhouse Hotel at Trinity College

In Smithfield and Stoneybatter neighborhoods

Smithfield and Stoneybatter are located to the North-West of Temple Bar.

Separated from the older part of the city by the Liffey River, you’ll only have to walk along the bank and cross one of the bridges to reach the center in a few minutes on foot or by tram.

Formerly working-class neighborhoods, they are today trendy and hipster areas.

This neighborhood is ideal for accommodation in Dublin:

  • For a family stay
  • For its authentic atmosphere.

Must-visits in Smithfield and Stoneybatter:

  • Jameson Distillery, where you can take a tour to discover all the processes of making its famous whiskey
  • Dublin Zoo
  • Phoenix Park: a large public park (twice the size of New York‘s Central Park!), perfect to take a stroll or do a bit of jogging.

The best hotels for staying in the Smithfield and Stoneybatter areas

  • McGettigan’s Townhouse – Olives & Figs Bistro: Located a 10-minute drive from Phoenix Park. Double room with quirky decor from 120€ per night. Strong Points: Cozy, city views.
  • Hampton By Hilton Dublin City Centre: Located a 10-minute walk from the James Joyce Bridge. Room from €140 per night, breakfast included. Strong Points: Youthful atmosphere, quiet but central location, special mention for their breakfast. A great choice for its excellent value for money in Dublin!
  • Maldron Hotel Smithfield: Located 100 meters from the Jameson Distillery. Double rooms from 150€ per night, breakfast 16€. Strong Points: City views, transport outside the Hotel, restaurant.
  • Ashling Hotel Dublin: Located 3 minutes walk from the National Museum of Ireland. Double room from €180 per night, breakfast €19. Strong Points: Next to the train station, very comfortable beds, very good breakfast, friendly staff.
Hampton By Hilton Dublin City Centre, Smithfield
Hampton By Hilton Dublin City Centre, Smithfield

Where to Stay in Dublin on a Budget

If you’re on a tighter budget, here’s my selection of hotels for an affordable stay in Dublin:

  • Clink i Lár: Youth hostel located a few steps from Temple Bar. Bed in shared room from 32€ per night or 110€ in private room, breakfast 10€. Strong Points: Centrally located, tramway (Luas) stop very close.
  • Canbe Garden Lane Backpackers: Located 10 minutes walk from St. Patrick’s Cathedral. Bed in shared room from 34€ per night, or 100€ in private room, breakfast included. Strong Points: Shared kitchen, comfortable bed, clean.
  • Jacobs Inn Dublin: Located 10 minutes walk from O’Connell Street. Capsule in private room from €50 per night. Strong Points: the Terrace, the location, the bar.
  • Egans House: Located near the Botanical Gardens, a bit far from the center but well served by public transport. Double room from 70 euros per night, breakfast 15 euros. Strong Points: Quiet area, nice room, good breakfast.
Clink i Lár,en O´Connell Street
Clink i Lár,on O’Connell Street

Where to stay in Dublin with family

  • Castle Hotel: Located 5 minutes walk from O’Connell Street Upper, in the heart of Dublin. Room with one double bed and two singles from €190 per night. Strong Points: Large rooms, breakfast included, well-kept building. My top pick for its excellent value for money
  • The Trinity City Hotel: Located on the corner of Trinity College. Room with one double bed and two singles from 220€ per night, breakfast 16 euros. Strong Points: the location, the good breakfast. Another great option for a family stay in Dublin.
  • Kilronan House: Located 5 minutes from St. Stephen’s Green and well connected by public transport. Room with two double beds from 270€ per night, breakfast included. Strong Points: Quiet neighborhood, proximity to the park, the fabulous breakfast. A beautiful family-friendly bourique hotel in Dublin!
The Trinity City Hotel, en Trinity College
The Trinity City Hotel, in Trinity College

What is the Best Hotel in Dublin?

If you are looking for the best hotel in Dublin, I strongly recommend The Fitzwilliam Hotel, or if you prefer smaller boutique hotels, the charming Trinity Townhouse Hotel or The Leinster.

And if you’re looking for something a little more affordable but still upscale, you should a night or more at Radisson Blu Royal Hotel Dublin or The Morrison Dublin.

Where to Stay in Dublin: A Summary Table of the Best Hotels

To give you a better overview of the best hotels in Dublin , whether in the city center or elsewhere, I’ve prepared a table summarizing all the ones I talk about in this article.

You can sort them by price or by district!

Hotel AreasPrice (from)
Cassidys HotelO´Connell Street140€
Holiday Inn Express Dublín City CentreO´Connell Street170€
Wynn's HotelO´Connell Street190€
Riu Plaza The Gresham DublinO´Connell Street215€
The Morrison DublínO´Connell Street250€
Handel's HotelTemple Bar / Old City170€
Temple Bar HotelTemple Bar / Old City190€
Temple Bar InnTemple Bar / Old City200€
The ClarenceTemple Bar / Old City230€
Radisson Blu Royal Hotel DublínTemple Bar / Old City300€
Albany HouseSt. Stephen's Green / Trinity College140€
Staycity Aparthotels Dublin Mark StreetSt. Stephen's Green / Trinity College160€
The Dean DublínSt. Stephen's Green / Trinity College170€
Drury Court HotelSt. Stephen's Green / Trinity College200€
Trinity Townhouse HotelSt. Stephen's Green / Trinity College340€
McGettigan's Townhouse - Olives & Figs BistroSmithfield / Stoneybatter120€
Hampton By Hilton Dublín City CentreSmithfield / Stoneybatter140€
Maldron Hotel SmithfieldSmithfield / Stoneybatter150€
Ashling Hotel DublínSmithfield / Stoneybatter180€
Clink i LárCheap Hotel32€
Canbe Garden Lane BackpackersCheap Hotel34€
Jacobs Inn DublínCheap Hotel50€
Egans HouseCheap Hotel70€
Castle HotelHotel for families190€
The Trinity City HotelHotel for families220€
Kilronan HouseHotel for families270€
Book your trip now and save money!

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best area to stay in Dublin
best area to stay in Dublin
Anonymous

Creator of the Voyage Tips blog, travel and photography lover. I give you all my best tips to plan your next trip.

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