There are endless neighborhoods in Dublin and, like anywhere in the world, they range from great to grim.
While there is no one best area to stay in Dublin, some areas make a far better (and, at times, safer) base to explore the capital from.
In this guide, you’ll find a Dublin neighborhoods map along with what to expect from each area.
Dublin neighborhoods map
The map above will give you the lay-of-the-land. It shows the different suburbs of Dublin that you’ll learn more about below.
As you can see, they can be broadly popped into three categories:
- The city centre
- North Dublin
- South Dublin
1. Ballsbridge, Donnybrook and their surrounds
Although there are areas of Dublin to avoid, the affluent Ballsbridge and its surrounds definitely aren’t one of them.
Ballsbridge is known for its Georgian, Victorian, and Edwardian architecture and the area is home to Herbert Park, the Royal Dublin Society, embassies and some of Dublin’s most expensive property.
You’ll find Sandymount along the coast where it’s famous for its historic Martello Tower and the glorious Sandymount Strand, featured in James Joyce’s “Ulysses”.
Donnybrook, now a rugby hub, is another of the leafy Dublin suburbs and it’s well connected to the city centre (it’s also here that you’ll find RTE – the national broadcaster).
Recommended accommodation: Waterloo Lodge (budget), Herbert Park Hotel (mid-range) and The InterContinental (5-star)
2. Stoneybatter
You’ll find Stoneybatter in Dublin 7 and it’s arguably best known as a ‘Hipster Hub’ thanks to it’s many trendy cafes and eateries.
Once recognized as one of the ‘Coolest Dublin Neighborhoods’ by a certain American magazine, it’s bounded by the River Liffey, Smithfield and Grangegorman.
Home to Smyth’s Pub that reputedly pours some of the best Guinness in Dublin, the area is dotted with great places to eat and sip.
The only thing Stoneybatter doesn’t have going for it is accommodation – there’s a severe lack of it.
Recommended accommodation: Stoneybatter Place
3. Rathmines and Ranelagh
Ranelagh and Rathmines are another two neighborhoods in Dublin that fall into the ‘Trendy’ category.
Ranelagh is an affluent residential area that’s known for its Victorian streets, its proximity to the city centre and its abundance of bars, cafes and restaurants.
Rathmines is also an affluent suburb in Dublin that has been gentrified. It’s a fine little area to ramble around, with plenty of Georgian and Victorian properties to have a nosey at.
Both of these Dublin areas are well connected to the city centre and many of the best places to visit in Dublin are a short bus journey away.
Recommended accommodation: Travelodge (budget) and The Devlin and Uppercross House (mid-range)
4. Dublin City Centre
If you’re looking to be in the thick of the action, look no further than Dublin City Centre, which is split down the middle by the River Liffey.
While many tourists tend to favour O’Connell Street, I always try and nudge people in the direction of either Grafton Street, Merrion Square or Trinity College.
Another hot spot is the Temple Bar district which is home to some of the more famous pubs in Dublin, like The Temple Bar.
However, it’s worth noting that this area is busy morning, noon and night and it can be fairly messy (it, like O’Connell Street, tends to attract a lot of dodgy characters, too).
Recommended accommodation: Wren Urban Nest (Andrew’s Lane), The Westbury (Grafton Street) and Iveagh Garden Hotel (Stephen’s Green)
5. Drumcondra
Located 1/2 way between the city centre and Dublin Airport, Drumcondra makes an excellent base to explore from.
This is a busy, residential neighborhood in Dublin’s Northside that’s very well connected thanks to numerous bus routes and a train station.
The streets are tree-line (especially Griffith Av. which is one of the longest tree lined streets in Europe) and there’s a good buzz about the place thanks to the teaching college (St. Pat’s).
You’ll find plenty of pubs (like the famous Fagan’s) and restaurants along with the Tolka River which runs through the area.
Recommended accommodation: Egans House and Dublin One (budget) or the Skylon Hotel and Croke Park Hotel (mid-range)
6. Harolds Cross
Harolds Cross is another of the Dublin suburbs that has landed on ‘Trendy Lists’ in large American travel guides in recent years.
Located in Dublin 6, the River Poddle flows through it and the area is home to Harold’s Cross Park and Mount Jerome Cemetery, which was Ireland’s first privately owned cemetery when it opened in 1836.
The area lies directly on Slíghe Chualann, one of medieval Ireland’s ‘Five Great Roads,’ which served as a vital entry point into the city during ancient times.
My only issue with Harolds Cross is the lack of accommodation in the area.
Recommended accommodation: St. Aiden’s Guesthouse (Rathgar)
7. The Liberties
The Liberties area dates back to the 12th century and it is one of the oldest neighborhoods in Dublin City.
The Liberties thrived in the 17th century, largely due to the Huguenot weavers who settled there and produced highly sought-after goods like silk and wool.
Brewing and distilling have long been synonymous with the area. Today, it’s home to the iconic Guinness Storehouse and several of the main whiskey distilleries in Dublin.
The area also boasts the Meath Street Market and the Liberty Market along with galleries, theatres and several great places to eat and drink.
Recommended accommodation: Garden Lane Backpackers (budget), Aloft Hotel (mid-range) and Hyatt Centric (high-end)
8. Portobello
You’ll find Portobello on the south side of the city in Dublin 8 where it was once nicknamed ‘Little Jerusalem’ due to its popularity among Jewish people who had fled Eastern Europe.
This is a nice little spot to saunter around, thanks to its Victorian houses and the picturesque paths that take you along the Grand Canal.
The birthplace of Irish playwright George Bernard Shaw, Portobello is a vibrant little Dublin neighborhood that’s dotted with bars, restaurants and cafes.
A handy 10-minute walk to St. Stephen’s Green, it makes a great base to explore from.
Recommended accommodation: NYX Hotel (mid-range)
9. Dalkey, Killiney and Dun Laoghaire
The South Dublin coast is home to some of the most scenic (and the most affluent!) Dublin neighborhoods.
Three of the finest are Dalkey, Killiney and Dun Laoghaire, each of which is well connected to the city centre.
Dun Laoghaire is a beautiful harbour town that feels a world away from the hustle and bustle while Killiney is where the likes of Bono and Enya reside.
In my opinion, Dalkey is the pick of the bunch. This is a small, charming town with plenty of great pubs, restaurants and windy streets, many of which lead to the coast.
Recommended accommodation: Mulgrave Lodge (budget) or Royal Marine Hotel and Fitzpatrick Castle Hotel (mid-range)
10. Kilmainham
So, the picture above is of Kilmainham Gaol – thankfully the wider area is far less dreary than the historic Dublin jail!
Located in Dublin 8 on the south side of the River Liffey, Kilmainham is one of the more historic areas in Dublin, with links to early Christian Ireland (around 606 AD).
The Vikings also established a settlement here in the 9th century, and one of the more surprising facts about Dublin is that the area is home to one of the largest Viking burial grounds outside of Scandinavia.
Fast forward a thousand years and Kilmainham is now a great base to explore Dublin from, especially as it’s so well connected to the city and wider country via both LUAS and train.
Recommended accommodation: The Hilton (mid-range)
11. Malahide
Another of the neighborhoods in Dublin that’s well worth considering is Malahide on the Northside of Dublin.
This is a scenic little town located along the coast, near the airport. Home to Malahide Castle, a small beach an a glorious coastline that leads to Portmarnock, there’s a lot to like about this area.
While Malahide is a large residential suburb, the town centre is a bustling hub of activity, with plenty of great bars and restaurants along with a marina.
The town is also well connected to the city via the DART.
Recommended accommodation: The Grand Hotel (mid-range)
12. Phibsborough
Another of the Dublin districts to make it onto several ‘Coolest Neighborhoods in the World’ lists is Phibsborough in Dublin 7.
Bordered by Drumcondra, Cabra, Glasnevin and Grangegorman, it’s very well connected to the city by public transport (bus and LUAS).
Doyle’s Corner, the crossroads and pub, is arguably it’s main landmark (although many would argue it’s really the massive grey shopping centre).
The area also boasts Dalymount Park, home to ‘Bohs’ football club along with an abundance of great pubs, like The Bald Eagle.
Recommended accommodation: Dublin One (mid-range)
13. Howth
The last of the Dublin neighborhoods in this guide is Howth – a scenic coastal village that’s well connected to the city via the DART.
A haven for tourists on day trips from Dublin, the area is arguably most famous for the excellent Howth Cliff Walk, which takes visitors over some of the finest cliffs in Dublin.
Howth Castle is one of the longest continuously-inhabited homes in Europe (look out for the 3,000-year-old Aideen’s Grave in its grounds).
For those who stay in the area, you can expect a thriving seafood scene, a stunning setting and one of the finest pubs with live music in Dublin (the Abbey Tavern).
Recommended accommodation: Gleann Na Smol (budget) andKing Sitric (mid-range)
Keith O’Hara has lived in Ireland for 35 years and has spent most of the last 10 creating what is now The Irish Road Trip guide. Over the years, the website has published thousands of meticulously researched Ireland travel guides, welcoming 30 million+ visitors along the way. In 2022, the Irish Road Trip team published the world’s largest collection of Irish Road Trip itineraries. Keith lives in Dublin with his dog Toby and finds writing in the 3rd person minus craic altogether.