10 Best Non-touristy Things To Do In Dublin, Ireland - Updated 2024

Karina
Karina 
Updated
| 4 min read

Located on Ireland’s east coast, by the River Liffey, Dublin is a spectacular city with historic buildings, imposing architecture, great beer, and scenic landscape. Settle down in a wonderful homestay for some Irish hospitality or enjoy an immersive experience in a historic hotel. One of the most popular attractions is Phoenix Park, a large urban park, which also includes the Dublin Zoo. Other must-see spots are the Phoenix Monument, the Papal Cross, the Dublin Castle, and much more. A trip to Dublin should include a visit to the St. Patrick’s Cathedral, the tallest and largest church in Ireland. If you’re looking to discover some of the city’s hidden gems too, check out some of the best non-touristy things to do in Dublin, Ireland.

1. Go on a Dublin literary pub crawl (from USD 17.0)

Are you a literature buff and looking for opportunities to learn more about Dublin’s rich and amazing literary culture? Join this literary pub crawl. Visit various places in Dublin, mainly pubs and bars, as well as key spots that inspired many famous Irish writers.

Your guides will be local actors who will provide you with an immersive experience, as well as offer quizzes with prizes to win. Though you will be visiting various pubs, food and drink are not included in the tour, so don’t forget to bring extra cash if you’re planning to sample the menu.

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Dublin Literary Pub Crawl with Walking Tour and Quiz

Duration: 2 hours 15 minutes

1227 reviews

2. Enjoy a traditional Irish night show (from USD 53.0)

Looking to enjoy some local entertainment and craving delicious Irish cuisine? You can have both if you book a ticket for this delightful dinner show. This isn’t just something for adults to do in Dublin, young guests are also welcome to the experience.

You will be served a three-course dinner while enjoying live Irish music and dance performances by acclaimed artists. The performers also invite guests to join them on stage, so you will even get to shake your legs and learn a few steps.

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Traditional Irish Show in Dublin with Dinner, Music, Dance

Duration: 2 hours 45 minutes

606 reviews

3. Sway along the music at an Irish dance party (from USD 27.0)

Irish people are famous for knowing how to have fun. What would you say if you would have the chance of experiencing this fun up close? While visiting Dublin’s many landmarks is quite exciting, we guarantee you will not regret joining this Irish dance party. This two-hour tour will offer you a fun afternoon with dancing and laughing. You will get to see choreographed dance performances, learn some Irish dance moves, practice them, listen to live music and hear great stories about Irish dance and music history. During the Irish dance party you will have a reserved table at Dublin’s Celt Bar, and while food and drinks are not included in the price of the ticket, a full bar and food menu is available for purchase. Children can attend, but they must come with an adult. The activity is also wheelchair accessible.

Tip from tour guide

Dave

Dave
Dublin

Darke Kelly's Pub

Dublin is known for its great bars and traditional Irish music. This is The Irish Celts performing at Darkey Kelly's Pub.

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The Irish Dance Party in Dublin

Duration: 2 hours

217 reviews

4. Take a tour of Croke Park Stadium (from USD 17.0)

Here is another epic experience for sports lovers. Attendees will get to enjoy a two-hour guided tour of Ireland’s biggest and most famous stadium, the Croke Park Stadium. The tour includes learning about Gaelic games, discovering the headquarters of GAA (Gaelic Athletic Association), and practicing hurling and playing Gaelic football in the GAA interactive museum. The stadium tour also includes a sneak peek inside the VIP area and the teams’ dressing rooms. Sports fans and kids will absolutely love this experience. Children, however, should be accompanied by an adult.

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Croke Park Tour and GAA Museum Visit

Duration: 7 hours 30 minutes

35 reviews

Dublin Tour Guide

Diana M

Diana M

Hi there! I am Diana :) My passion in life (next to my loved ones) is travelling and meeting new people, showing others the beauty of the world, art in various forms. My private guided day tours are experiences that are unique and are a great way to do an interesting activity without being overwhelmed. You get to do something only few other travellers would get to do and a chance to gain a local perspective. As your guide, I want to open you the door to Ireland's untouched beauty, from scenic cliffs to fairytale like forests and would point out many details you wouldn’t uncover on your own. You might also like to do an activity which can be difficult without local knowledge, like hiking or horse riding, - I am here to help and guide you.  I’ll handle all the planning and the driving on the left hand side of the road, so all you have to do is sit back, relax, and soak in the beautiful sights and compelling stories. Ireland won’t leave you untouched and I will be delighted to be your guide and ‘local expert’ here. Hope to see you on one of my trips to the heart and soul of our beautiful country!

Tours by Diana

5. Take a horse riding trip to the beautiful Wicklow County (from USD 137.0)

While most tourism in Dublin focuses on the big city life, you can dedicate a day to reach the heart of the region’s beautiful and wild landscapes. Head south of Dublin for a day of horseback riding through the Wicklow Mountains National Park.

The tour also includes lunch in the village of Enniskerry, at the participants’ expense, and visiting a sixth-century monastery in Glendalough. The village is also known as the place where popular movies “Leap Year” and “P.S. I Love You”were filmed. The tour starts early in the morning in Dublin, where participants will be picked up, and ends in the evening, as you’ll make your way back to Dublin through scenic landscape.

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Dublin to Wicklow: Horseback Riding and Glendalough Day Tour

Duration: 8 hours

313 reviews

6. Enjoy Gaelic football — an Irish traditional sports (from USD 53.0)

While there are plenty of sights to see in Dublin, the city also has loads of fun experiences to offer as well. If you’re into sports, you like spending time outdoors, or you’re always up for something, this is a great choice for you! This three-hour game experience will get anyone into the spirit of Irish traditional sports.

The tour starts with a round of instructions on how to play Gaelic football, handball, and hurling, and continues on the field, where everyone will get to test their skills. This tour is great for any age and experience level. You can participate with your entire family, with your friends, or by yourself. Water, coffee, and tea will also be available throughout the three-hour experience.

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Dublin Gaelic Games Small-Group Experience

Duration: 3 hours

71 reviews

7. General Post Office tour (from USD 15.0)

general post office tour

The General Post Office is one of Dublin’s iconic buildings, located on O’Connell Street. This tour will allow you to see the office from inside for two hours. Visitors can explore the events related to the 1916 Easter Rising and the Easter Week through stories and historical artifacts, use the Morse code and interactive maps. This entire experience will offer visitors an authentic feel of the events back then. The tour is suitable for all ages.

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Dublin: General Post Office Entrance Ticket

Duration: 2 hour

8 reviews

8. Enjoy a good laugh at an Irish comedy show (from USD 13.0)

If you are looking for a quick, fun tour, this is a great choice. For 50 minutes, you’ll get to enjoy listening to a hilarious guide talk about the history of Ireland and its culture in comedy sketches. You will get to laugh and make fun of the Irish weather, and much more. The tour is great for families and includes meeting in a traditional Irish pub, and seating in a unique theater space. Guests should note that even though they will be in a pub, drinks are not included in the price of the tour.

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Ireland: A Survivor's Guide - Comedy Sketch Show

9. Hike along the Dublin coastline (from USD 21.0)

hike along the dublin coastline
Source: www.viator.com

The Dublin Bay 15k coastal hike spreads from Dublin’s O’Connell Street, passes through the Dublin Docks, across the Liffey River, and East Link Bridge, and ends in Dun Laoghaire. Anyone can participate in this hike but a reasonable fitness level is needed. Participants also need appropriate footwear. Everyone must be over the age of 18, but solo travelers are welcome. The journey is full of scenic landscape and there are many restaurants on the way, so upon reaching the destinations, travelers can enjoy a hearty meal and a glass of wine.

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Dublin Bay 15k Coastal Hike Trek-GPO Dublin City to Dun Loaghaire

Duration: 10.00 to 14.00 hrs

10. Paddle your way through Dublin (from USD 41.0)

The Liffey River is one of Dublin’s main attractions, but what if you could get up close and personal with it and explore it in a unique way? This two-hour tour will offer you that possibility. You will meet your guide at Dublin City Moorings, and then start exploring Dublin and its main landmarks from a different perspective. You will paddle your way through the heart of the city, on a kayak. You will, most likely, get wet during the tour, so bring a towel or a set of clothes and shoes with you. This tour is great for families and friends.

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2-Hour Liffey River Kayaking Adventure in Dublin

Duration: 2 hours

92 reviews

Exploring Dublin behind the scenes

One of Ireland’s most precious gems, Dublin is a must-visit destination. Whether you are a sports enthusiast, a beer aficionado, or you are into culture and history, the city has something for everyone. While the main landmarks have their charm and should not be missed, exploring the city in a different way, through unique tours, is quite the experience. From dancing Irish dances or playing Gaelic football to kayaking in the Liffey River and peeking inside the Croke Park VIP area and team dressing rooms, these non-touristy things to do in Dublin are worth every penny.

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Frequently asked questions about non-touristy things to do in Dublin


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Karina, a content creator rooted in Bucharest, Romania, embodies the spirit of a globetrotter. Her fascination with the beloved series F.R.I.E.N.D.S and a fervent love for coffee add vibrant layers...Read more

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