Once you’ve ticked Trinity College and Temple Bar off your bucket list, you might be keen to check out some of Dublin’s hidden gems. Here are some spots you need to visit in 2024.
The capital of Ireland is rich in history and cultural allure, with plenty of things to see and do. Whether you’ve visited before or just want to venture off the beaten track, we’re here to share Dublin’s best-kept secrets that you simply can’t miss.
From hidden speakeasies to epic adventure parks perfect for adrenaline junkies, Dublin is home to a wide range of hidden attractions to suit all kinds of travellers.
Keen to explore all this city has to offer? Read on to discover our ultimate guide to Dublin’s best-kept secrets as we share ten incredible places you must visit in 2024.
10. The Vintage Cocktail Club – the perfect alternative to Temple Bar
Kicking off our list of Dublin’s best-kept secrets is the fantastic Vintage Cocktail Club, which can be found in the city’s vibrant Temple Bar area.
Be transported back in time as you enter this cosy and atmospheric speakeasy-style bar that offers a unique and creative cocktail menu with fragrant flavours to suit all tastes. The perfect spot for a date or a catch-up with friends, you won’t want to miss this bar.
Address: 15 Crown Alley, Temple Bar, Dublin 2, D02 E229, Ireland
9. Sweny’s Pharmacy – a must-visit for fans of Irish literature
Located in the heart of Dublin, close to Merrion Square, Sweny’s Pharmacy is one spot you need to visit if you’re a fan of Irish literature.
Mentioned in James Joyce’s renowned novel Ulysses, this old-school pharmacy has become somewhat of a landmark in the city. No longer a pharmacy, it today serves as a vintage bookstore and craft shop.
Address: 1 Lincoln Pl, Dublin 2, D02 VP65, Ireland
8. Rory Gallagher Corner – a hidden gem in Temple Bar
Music fans will be glad to see this simple ode to one of the island’s greatest rock musicians, Rory Gallagher.
Easily missed while you’re strolling around the city’s Temple Bar area, look up and spot a blue plaque accompanied by a replica of Gallagher’s iconic 1916 Fender Stratocaster.
Address: Meeting House Square, Temple Bar, Dublin, Ireland
7. Glencullen Adventure Park – spend a day riding the trails
Adrenaline junkie? Glencullen Adventure Park, just south of the city, is a great place to get the blood pumping as you shred the trails that wind their way through the lower Dublin Mountains.
You can hire bikes and all the safety gear you need and take to the trails, which are designed for riders of all abilities. They also have a great café and coffee shop where you can relax after an adventurous day.
Address: Ballybrack Rd, Glencullen, Dublin, D18 Y673, Ireland
6. Dublin Under Sail – a truly unique experience
If you fancy seeing the city from a different perspective, then we highly recommend checking out Dublin Under Sail.
A truly unique experience, guests can hop aboard the Brian Boru for a three-hour tour, during which you will explore Dublin Bay and learn how to sail a ship.
The perfect activity for all ages, this is one experience you cannot miss.
Address: Dublin Bay, Co. Dublin, Ireland
5. Winding Stair Bookshop – browse the bookshelves and enjoy a bite to eat
Next up on our list of Dublin’s best-kept secrets, The Winding Stair Bookshop in the city centre is one of the best places you must visit in 2024.
An old-school bookstore downstairs and a laidback café upstairs, this spot is the perfect place to shelter from the rain, browse the shelves, and watch the city go by.
Address: Ormond Quay Lower Ormond Quay Lower, Dublin 1, D01 R9Y5, Ireland
4. Stella Movie Theatre – go back in time at an old-school cinema
Once you’ve finished exploring and want to wind down for a relaxing evening, there’s no better place to visit than the fantastic Stella Movie Theatre in Rathmines.
This vintage theatre offers a cinema experience unlike any other in the city. Restored to match the glamour of the 1920s, this theatre features plush velvet lounge chairs, footstools, blankets, and even side tables to place your snacks.
You can also order food and drinks, which are brought to your seat as the movie plays.
Address: 207, 209 Rathmines Rd Lower, Rathmines, Dublin 6, D06 W403, Ireland
3. The Hungry Tree, King’s Park Inn – a weird natural phenomenon
Maybe not such a hidden gem nowadays, the Hungry Tree has become one of the more well-known unusual tourist attractions that Dublin has to offer.
A quirky natural phenomenon, this site features a tree that has overgrown and begun enveloping a nearby bench.
Address: 44 Main St, Ongar Village, Dublin 15, D15 AYT1, Ireland
2. Smithfield Tower – a great spot to witness the sunset
Just a ten-minute walk from the city centre, the Smithfield Tower offers incredible 360-degree views of the city. Just five euros for entry, you can purchase tickets from the Generator Hostel and ascend the 200 steps to the small observation deck.
A great place to wind down for the evening, this hidden gem is often missed by tourists visiting the area. Just make sure you get a clear day to enjoy the best view!
Address: Chimney Viewing Tower, Arran Quay, Smithfield, Dublin, Ireland
1. Croke Park Skyline – pluck up the courage and see the city from a new perspective
Topping our list of Dublin’s best-kept secrets is the fantastic Croke Park Skyline, which offers visitors a truly hair-raising and unforgettable experience.
Taking you up 17 storeys high above the country’s most iconic stadium, you can take in incredible views over the city as well as the playing fields below. This is certainly one of Dublin’s best-kept secrets that you simply cannot miss.
Address: Cusack Stand, Croke Park, St Joseph’s Ave, Drumcondra, Dublin 3, Ireland
