Best Time to Visit Dublin (An Irishman’s Guide)

The best time to visit Dublin really depends on what you’re after. May, September and October hit the sweet spot of mild weather, long days and fewer crowds. Summer (June to August) brings the warmest temperatures and the liveliest buzz, but also peak prices and packed attractions.

Travelling on a budget? January, February and November are the cheapest months to visit Dublin. Expect quieter streets, lower hotel and flight costs, but also shorter days, some seasonal closures and hit-and-miss weather.

You’ll find the pros and cons of each month below, but why trust me? I’ve lived in Dublin all my life and spent over a decade helping people plan their Irish road trips. Below, you’ll find the best time to visit Dublin based on weather, crowds, daylight and prices. No fluff. Just facts.

What is the best time to visit Dublin?

In my opinion, based on living in Dublin for 36 years and from speaking with thousands of tourists since starting The Irish Road Trip guide 10 years ago, the best time to visit Dublin is May, September and October. These months bring mild weather, long daylight hours and fewer crowds. You’ll dodge the peak-season chaos while still having plenty of time and decent conditions to explore.

When’s ‘best’ depends on YOUR likes and dislikes: Every visitor to Dublin has different priorities – budget, weather, atmosphere, or avoiding crowds. The result? There’s no single best time to travel to Dublin. Below, I’ve compared each month so you can decide what works best for you.

The best time of year to visit Dublin weather wise

Looking at long-term averages from the Irish Meteorological Service, summer (June – August) is the best time to visit Dublin weather wise. Average highs sit around 15°C (59°F) with long daylight hours.

Winter (December – February) is much cooler, averaging closer to 5°C (41°F) with short, dark days. However, a warning – when deciding when to go to Dublin, be aware that summers in Ireland differ greatly each year.

In 2024, Ireland’s average temperature was 10.72°C – the fourth warmest year on record. May was the warmest May in 125 years. Dublin Airport also recorded its driest December since 2008, despite storms like Isha, Jocelyn and Darragh hitting earlier in the year.

For travellers, the takeaway is simple: May, September and October usually offer the best balance of mild weather and lighter crowds. Still, be ready for anything – heat spikes, heavy downpours, or dry spells like those seen in 2024.

Deciding on the best time of year to visit Dublin based on the pros and cons of each month

Deciding when to visit Dublin can be stressful. One of the best ways to help you decide is to weigh up the pros and cons.

I’ve listed out the main advantages and disadvantages for each month below, based on the 36 years that I’ve spent living here.

January

Dublin in January tends to be cold, wet and wintery (as does the rest of Ireland). The LTA (Long Term Average) temperature in Dublin in January is 5.3°C/41.54°F with average rainfall of 62.6mm.

Advantages

• Prices: If you’re visiting Ireland on a budget, flights and hotels in Dublin should be cheaper
• Crowds: Some of the more popular attractions in Dublin will be much quieter

Disadvantages

• The weather: The days tend to be cold, wet, and windy
• The days are short: At the beginning of the month the sun rises from 08:29 and sets from 16:38

February

Visiting Dublin in February can be another tricky one, especially if the weather will be your deciding factor. The LTA (Long Term Average) temperature in Dublin in February is 5.3°C/41.54°F with rainfall of 48.8mm.

Spring is still far from the horizon and the days are short and chilly. In the past, we’ve had heavy snow fall, flooding and stormy weather in February.

Advantages

• Prices: February is off-season in Dublin, so flights and accommodation should be cheaper
• Crowds: Dublin’s usually hectic attractions will be much quieter (the likes of the Guinness Storehouse will always draw crowds, though)

Disadvantages

• Weather: The weather in Dublin in February is very unpredictable
• Short days: At the start of the month the sun rises at 07:40 and sets at 17:37

March

March is regarded as the best time to go to Dublin by many that have been bitten by the St. Patrick’s Day buzz. The LTA (Long Term Average) temperature in Dublin in March is 6.7°C/44.06°F with rainfall of 52.6mm.

Yes, there’s a great buzz around the country for the 17th, but there are plenty more reasons for visiting Dublin in March.

Advantages

• Weather: March marks the start of spring which, for the most part, results in finer weather
• Longish days: At the start of the month the sun rises from 07:12 and sets at 18:17

Disadvantages

• Weather: The weather can be very changeable. Over the last five years, we’ve had snow storms, heavy rainfall and scorching weather
• Flights: Flight prices in March tend to be higher due to St. Patrick’s Day

April

April is regarded by some as the best time of year to visit Dublin as the weather has picked up, the days are longer and we haven’t hit peak-season yet. The LTA (Long Term Average) temperature in Dublin in April is 8.1°C/46.58°F with rainfall of 54.11mm.

The only issue with April, aside for the potential for bad weather, is that schools get two weeks off, which results in a shortage of accommodation in some places.

Advantages

• Flights: The cost of a trip to Ireland is much less in April, thanks to lower flight prices
• Long days: The sun rises at 06:23 and sets at 20:00 from mid-April
• Weather: The weather can to be nice and mild

Disadvantages

• Easter holidays: Schools get 2 weeks off around Easter, which can drive up the cost of hotels in Dublin
• Weather: The weather can also be terrible (see our guide to April in Dublin)

May

In my opinion, along with September and October, May is the best time to visit Dublin, as you get the best of both worlds.

The weather is mild, the days are nice and long and we’ve haven’t yet reached the summer holidays, so places aren’t too busy (see our guide to Dublin in May for more).

The LTA (Long Term Average) temperature in Dublin in May is 10.7°C/51.26°F with rainfall measuring 59.5mm.

Advantages

• Weather: The weather in May can be good, with a Long Term Average temperature of 10.7°C/51.26°F
• Long days: The sun rises at 05:17 and sets at 21:26 (mid-May)
• Summer buzz: Long, mild days and the incoming summer tends to bring a lively atmosphere to many towns and villages
• Festivals: This is when they really start kicking off (see our Irish festivals calendar)

Disadvantages

• Weather: Yep – it’s a pro and a con – the weather in May can also be awful (it was last year!)
• Prices: Accommodation and flights will be near peak level price-wise
• Crowds: Better weather and long days means more people tourists

June

June in Dublin marks the arrival of summer, bringing with it warm and often dry weather and average highs of 18°C and lows of 11.6°C.

June is regarded as the best time to travel to Dublin by many visiting tourists. The weather is at it’s best, the crowds are their highest, and the accommodation and flights at their priciest.

The Long Term Average temperature in Dublin in June is 13.4°C/56.12°F.

Advantages

• Weather: Weather tends to be dry and warm with a Long Term Average of 13.4°C/56.12°F
• Long days: From the start of the month, the sun rises at 05:03 and sets at 21:42
• Festivals: Numerous music festivals in Ireland take place during June

Disadvantages

• Prices: Demand is at its highest, so you can expect to spend more for flights and hotels
• Crowds: Expect places to be more crowded. If you’re getting around Dublin via buses/trains, they’ll be busier too 

July

July is the best time to go to Dublin if you’re looking for good weather. Although it’s not guaranteed, it’s more likely to be fine in July than during many other months.

Personally, I head away for one week in Ireland every mid-July and, for the most part, we always get decent weather (see our guide to Dublin in July for more info).

The Long Term average temperature in Dublin in July is 15.4°C/59.72°F with rainfall measuring 56.2mm.

Advantages

• Weather: The weather tends to be warm and summery with a Long Term average temperature of 15.4°C/59.72°F
• Long days: From the beginning of the month, the sun rises at 05:01 and sets at 21:56
• Summer buzz: Long, balmy days tend to bring tourists and a lively atmosphere to many towns, villages and cities

Disadvantages

• Prices: Summer is peak season, so you’ll be paying more for hotels, B&Bs and car rentals in Dublin
• Crowds: As the schools are out for the summer, expect more crowds travelling to the main tourist attractions in Dublin

August

August is another one of the best months to visit Dublin, with long days, warm weather and plenty to see and do.

As was the case with July, there’s several pros and cons for visiting Dublin in August, many of which revolve around the demand for accommodation and crowds.

The LTA (Long Term Average) temperature in Dublin in August 15.1°C/59.18°F with rainfall measuring 73.3mm.

Advantages

• Weather: The weather tends to be warm and summery with a Long Term average temperature of 15.1°C/59.18°F
• Long days: You’ll have 16 lovely hours of daylight to wander
• Summer buzz: Again, the summer months bring a buzzy atmosphere to many towns

Disadvantages

• Prices: Yep – prices are still at peak levels
• Crowds: The likes of Howth, Malahide and other tourist hot-spots will be very busy

September

As I’ve mentioned already, I think September is, along with May and October, the best time to visit Dublin.

The days are still nice and long, the weather is mild and there’s way less crowds. Demand for accommodation also falls, as the kids are back in school (see our guide to Dublin in September).

The LTA (Long Term Average) temperature in Dublin in September 13.1°C/55.58°F with rainfall measuring 59.5mm.

Advantages

• Crowds: As kids have gone back to school, there’s less crowds
• The weather: The weather tends to be mild with a LTA temperature of 13.1°C/55.58°F
• Flights: Flights should be a little cheaper as this is the shoulder season
• Long days: The sun rises from 06:41 at the start of the month and sets at 20:14

Disadvantages

• Weather: Yep, a pro and a con. The weather, as always, is unpredictable. With that being said, we’ve had some great Septembers recently

October

I know I’m like a broken record now, but I think October, along with May and September is the best time to go to Dublin.

October in Dublin is Autumn and you’ll find many places blanketed in orange leaves. The weather is chilly, but not unbearably so, and the days still have a bit of length in them.

The LTA (Long Term Average) temperature in Dublin in October 10.3°C/50.54°F with rainfall measuring 79.0mm.

Advantages

• Weather: We often get Octobers that are sunny, crisp and dry
• Crowds: Dublin’s usually busy attractions will be less crowded as we’re no longer in peak-season
• Prices: Accommodation in the more off-the-beaten-track locations will be cheaper (you won’t notice a huge difference in the hot-spots)
• Prices: You should find that flights are cheaper than in peak-season

Disadvantages

• Shorter days: At the beginning of the month, the sun rises at 07:33 and sets at 19:09
• Weather: The weather in Dublin in October is unpredictable

November

November is one of the best months to visit Dublin for a city break, especially if you’re visiting on a budget (see our guide to November in Dublin).

Although hotels prices in Dublin are always overpriced, they’ll be cheaper now than in the peak season.

The weather is cool and crisp and the LTA (Long Term Average) temperature in Dublin in November 7.3°C/45.14°F with rainfall measuring 72.9mm.

Advantages

• Crowds: You’ll encounter fewer crowds at the usually busy attractions
• Prices: Accommodation in the more off-the-beaten-track towns in Ireland will be more affordable
• Flights: Should be cheaper as we’ll be in the depths of the off-season

Disadvantages

• Short days: At the beginning of the month, the sun rises at 07:29 and it sets at 17:00
• Seasonal attractions: Some seasonal attractions in Dublin’s quieter villages in towns will be closed
• Weather: The weather could be wintery. We’ve had mild, stormy and freezing cold Novembers in the past few years

December

December is the best time to visit Dublin if you’re after a Christmassy buzz. Although the Christmas markets in Dublin leave a lot to be desired, there’s a festive buzz across Dublin in December.

The average temperatures for Dublin in December tends to be similar to November, at around 5°C, but this can vary. The LTA (Long Term Average) temperature in Dublin in December is 5.6°C/42.08°F with rainfall measuring 72.7mm.

Advantages

• Festive buzz: Most neighbourhoods in Dublin will be decked out in Christmas lights
• Crowds: You’ll encounter fewer crowds at the usually busy attractions
• Prices: Accommodation in the more off-the-beaten-track towns and villages will be cheaper

Disadvantages

• Flights: Flights in December can extremely pricey with people flying home for Christmas
• Short days: At the beginning of the month, the sun rises at 08:22 and it sets at 16:19
• Weather: The weather in December has been mild for several years, but there’s also a good chance of rain and strong winds

FAQs about the best time to visit Dublin

Emails asking about the best time to go to Dublin hit our inbox on an almost daily basis, from ‘What to wear in Dublin‘ to ‘When’s warmest?’.

I’ve attempted to ask the most FAQs that we receive about the best time to travel to Dublin below, but feel free to ask questions in the comments.

Need some tips for your Dublin adventure? Hop into my guide to spending 24 hours in Dublin, 2 days in Dublin or 3 days in Dublin. Or see my guide on travel tips for Ireland .