Where To Stay In Dublin Ireland: 12 Areas/Neighbourhoods You’ll Love

We’re visiting Ireland next year but we can’t decide where to stay in Dublin/the best area to stay in dublin for the first couple of nights – can you help?’.

We get 10+ emails every week from people asking about the best area to stay in Dublin during a visit, and rightly so.

Before you even begin looking at Dublin hotels, it’s important to pick the right area/neighbourhood to stay in, as it’ll have a huge effect on your time in Dublin.

The guide below to the best neighborhoods to stay in Dublin has been mapped out by our editor, who has lived in Dublin for 32 years. Dive on in!

Some quick things to consider before you even think about where to stay in Dublin Ireland

Getting the lay of the land for Dublin can be tricky if you’ve never been here before. So, to make life as easy as possible for yourself, it’s worth following the below steps.

1. How you like to explore

If you like to be at the heart of the action and if you like to explore on foot, Dublin City Centre is where you should aim for. If you don’t mind public transport (see our guide to Getting around Dublin) and you’ve a bit of time to play with, some of the Dublin areas near the city below are worth considering.

2. An itinerary saves time + money

Having a clear itinerary will help you to decide which of the Dublin areas will best suit your visit. We’ve created guides to spending 24 hours in Dublin and 2 days in Dublin to get you started. Decide what you want to do, first, and this’ll help you decided where to stay in Dublin.

3. Set a budget

Although deciding where to stay in Dublin is often completely dependent on budget (if you’ve plenty of cash to splash, happy days!), most areas have high, medium and low end accommodation options. However, having a budget in mind often rules some places in and out.

4. Get the full picture

Like most visitors to new cities, people who visit Dublin tend to stay in the centre without realising the gems that lie nearby. Malahide, Howth, Dalkey and Dún Laoghaire are just some of the lovely coastal villages that are no longer than a 35-minute DART/train ride away.

The best neighborhood to stay in Dublin if you want to be very central

OK, so, the first section of our guide is packed with the best area to stay in Dublin if you want to 1, be at the heart of the action and 2, be within walking distance of many of Dublin’s top attractions.

The map above has two colour pointers: the purple pointers show the four Dublin areas mentioned below, while the orange/red pointers show some of the main Dublin attractions.

Note: if you book a stay through one of the links below we may make a tiny commission that helps us keep this site going. You won’t pay extra, but we really do appreciate it.

1. Stephen’s Green

Dublin’s famously manicured Georgian square is located just south of the city centre’s busiest hotspots and that makes it an almost ideal place to stay.

St Stephen’s Green itself is a lovely place itself to spend some time, but there’s plenty nearby and the surrounding architecture is gorgeous too. 

Temple Bar, Trinity College and Dublin Castle are all no more than a 15-minute walk from Stephen’s Green and there’s also a handy LUAS tram stop on the square’s west side with links south to vibrant Ranelagh and also across the river to the northside.

It’s for good reason that we reply to most where to stay in Dublin City Centre emails advising people to stay in and around The Green. The location here is hard to beat.

Recommended hotels nearby

• Pricey: The Westbury Hotel
• Less pricey: Iveagh Garden Hotel
• A lot less pricey: Arthaus Hotel

2. Grafton Street

No doubt the famous shopping thoroughfare is a busy spot, but Grafton Street is also a great location for exploring (and shopping, obviously!).

Just a stone’s throw from Trinity College, it’s also surrounded by some cracking pubs, and the lights of Dame Lane and Temple Bar aren’t too far away either. 

If you do want to use public transport, then there are loads of bus stops at the northern end of Grafton Street while at the southern end the Stephen’s Green LUAS stop is within spitting distance.

Recommended hotels nearby

• Pricey: The Westin Dublin
• Less pricey: The Fitzwilliam Hotel
• A lot less pricey: Trinity Townhouse Hotel

3. Harcourt Street

Located just moments from the gorgeous (and well-hidden) Iveagh Gardens, Harcourt Street has the LUAS zipping up and down all day and is flanked by a load of handsome Georgian townhouses.

While a pretty place to stay, you will be looking at a slightly longer walk in to the city centre to reach Dublin’s main attractions but if you jump on the LUAS then you’ll save a bit of time. 

Stephen’s Green is only a short walk away if you choose to stay here while the soaring spire of St Patrick’s Cathedral is just a 10-minute stroll.

Recommended hotels nearby

• Our favourite: The Dean
• Great value: Harrington Hall
• Cheap and cheerful: Harcourt Hotel

4. Temple Bar

Talk about being in the heart of the action! The Temple Bar district is arguably one of the most central spots in Dublin (and it’s also one of the liveliest).

So, if you choose to stay here then you might have to put up with a bit of noise in the evenings (and certainly at weekends)!

But you can’t knock Temple Bar’s location. Just south of the Liffey and less than five minutes from the likes of Trinity College, Dublin Castle and Grafton Street, you’re basically surrounded by all of Dublin’s most popular attractions.

Temple Bar is arguably the best area to stay in Dublin if you’re looking for a very lively base to explore the city from.

Recommended hotels nearby

• Our favourite: The Morgan Hotel
• Great value: Temple Bar Hotel
• Cheap and cheerful: Temple Bar Lane

The best area to stay in Dublin that’s very near the city, but away from the hustle and bustle

Next up in our guide on where to stay in Dublin City Centre are 4 areas of the city that are often referred to as ‘Hipster Spots’.

These are areas, like Stoneybatter and Portobello, that have been gentrified over the years, and that make a great, alternative base to explore Dublin from.

1. Portobello

If you’d prefer a cool neighbourhood stay rather than being in the hum of the city centre, then there are a few to choose from and one of the best is Portobello.

Popular thanks to its canalside calm and throng of trendy bistros and cafes, Portobello is a fine area to spend a few days and close enough to the city to walk in (although it’ll be around 20-30 minutes or longer depending on where you’re staying).

The pubs and restaurants of Camden Street and Harcourt Street are nearby too, as is access to the LUAS Green Line (see our guide to getting around Dublin if you’re unsure of public transport options). 

Portobello is arguably the best area to stay in Dublin if you want to be nice and central, but still a nice distance out from the hustle and bustle.

Recommended hotels nearby

• Our favourite: Aloft Dublin City
• Great value: Maldron Hotel Kevin Street
• Cheap and cheerful: The Camden Street Hotel

2. Stoneybatter

Nestled up against Phoenix Park’s southeast corner, Stoneybatter has become one of Dublin’s premier hipster hangouts in recent years and that’s not a bad thing!

While that means it’s a bit of walk to get into the city centre, the quality of bars and restaurants may make you want to linger a while. 

If you do want to be more central then the LUAS Red Line will whisk you into the city centre in no time at all while the Phoenix Park is on your doorstep and the Guinness Storehouse is just a 15-minute walk across the river. 

Recommended hotels nearby

• Our favourite: Ashling Hotel
• Great value: The Hendrick Smithfield
• Cheap and cheerful: Phoenix Park Hotel

3. Harold’s Cross

If you want a slice of neighbourhood life that’s perhaps a little less well-known but is full of its own charm then Harold’s Cross could be ideal.

With pretty parks, fine pubs and relaxing village feel, Harold’s Cross is a cool place that’s nowhere near the tourists or eye-watering prices of the city centre (certain places, anyway!).

Harold’s Cross Road is well served by Dublin buses and lively Rathmines and Ranelagh aren’t too far to walk either. The bus would be the cheapest way into town but if there’s more than one of you then splitting the fare of a taxi is a good (and quicker) option too. 

Recommended hotels nearby

• There’s just the one: Uppercross House Hotel 

4. Phibsborough

Phibsborough was recently voted one of the “world’s coolest neighbourhood’s” according to Time Out magazine so if that doesn’t entice you then I don’t know what will!

Located on Dublin’s northside, there are a ton of coffee shops, bistros, pubs and restaurants to discover so you might just be contented to explore here. 

The charming galleries and museums of Parnell Square are just a short walk away, while the LUAS Green Line will zip you into the city centre for a small fee. What’s not to like?

If you like great food, better pubs and stepping slightly off-the-beaten-path, Phibsborough is up there as one of the best location to stay in Dublin.

Recommended hotels

• There’s just the one: Charleville Lodge Hotel

Where to stay in Dublin if you want to kick back in a seaside village close to the city

The final section of our guide on where to stay in Dublin contains 4 stunning seaside escapes that lay a short DART ride away from the city centre.

These, in my opinion, are some of the best neighborhoods to stay in Dublin if you have a bit of time to play with and you want to experience some picturesque Irish towns.

1. Malahide

Full of colour and offering pleasant coastal scenes that are a world away from the action of Dublin city centre, Malahide could be a great spot to spend a few days.

With a totally different speed of life to the city yet still boasting a ton of things to do (especially the 800-year-old Malahide Castle) and some good pubs and restaurants, Malahide might be worth a look. 

It’s also well connected with non-stop rail services taking you to Dublin in less than 20 minutes while the slightly slower DART gets you there in under 30 minutes. 

Malahide is arguably the best area to stay in Dublin if you’d like to experience a gorgeous Irish village that’s home to plenty of history and lots of good pubs, food and public transport.

Recommended hotels nearby

• Our favourite: Grand Hotel
• Great value: Castle Lodge B&B
• In nearby Portmarnock: White Sands Hotel

2. Howth

Situated on the unique Howth Peninsula, Howth is a deadly little down with lovely views and a ton of great pubs, sandy beaches and superb seafood restaurants.

With Howth Castle and the famous Howth Cliff Walk nearby, there’s plenty to keep you occupied here and there are a few hotels and BnB’s dotted about too to rest your head.

The transport links back to the bright lights of Dublin aren’t bad either, and the DART will get you to Connolly station in around 30-35 minutes. 

If you’re wondering where to stay in Dublin that’ll make you feel like your a million miles away from the city, Howth is worth considering.

Recommended hotels nearby

• There’s only one in nearby Sutton: Marine Hotel 

3. Dalkey

Affluent Dalkey might cost an arm and a leg to live in but if you’re only here for a few nights then it’s great value and boasts arguably Dublin’s finest stretch of coastline (along with Killiney).

Charming Dalkey Village is packed to the rafters with cracking cafes, pubs and restaurants all the way down Castle Street, while the views from the summit of Sorrento Park are breathtaking. 

Dalkey DART station is handily located too just on the edge of the village and will have you back in Dublin’s Pearse Station in 30 minutes. 

Recommended hotels nearby

• Our favourite spot: Fitzpatrick Castle Hotel 

4. Dún Laoghaire

Instantly recognisable thanks to its two enormous granite piers, Dún Laoghaire is one Ireland’s largest harbours and is a charming place to spend a bit of time.

Located around 12 km south of Dublin city centre, it’s easy to reach and offers plenty to do (including the James Joyce Tower and Museum – the opening scenes of Ulysses were set at the famous Forty Foot swimming spot nearby).  

If you want to head into Dublin then just simply jump on DART from Dun Laoghaire station and you’ll be back in town in 30 minutes.

Recommended hotels nearby

• Our top pick: Royal Marine Hotel
• The pocket-friendly option: Mulgrave Lodge

Where to stay in Dublin City Centre and beyond: Where have we missed?

Our guide to the best neighborhood to stay in Dublin has been written based on the experience of living in the capital for 32 years.

However, we’re sure that there are other Dublin areas that pack a punch, too. If you have a place that you’d like to recommend, let us know below.

What is the best area to stay in Dublin for first timers?

If you’re looking for central places to stay in Dublin, Harcourt Street, Stephen’s Green and Grafton Street are worth a look. From places slightly outside the city, see our guide above.

What is the best neighborhood to stay in Dublin (outside of the city)?

There’s some cool Dublin areas that lay just outside the city centre. Stoneybatter, Harold’s Cross and Phibsborough are 3 great options if you’re wondering where to stay in Dublin.

I’m wondering where to stay in Dublin on a 1-day layover?

If you only have 24 hours and you’re wondering where to stay in Dublin during your visit, stay in the city (or near the airport, if you’re flying off the next day).