
Visiting Dublin for the First Time? Here's What to See and Do
Here's where to go to get the most out of your first trip to the Irish capital.
Ireland’s capital city is an important stop for cruise liners on round-the-world, transatlantic, and European routes. Not only do cruisers disembarking at Dublin Cruise Port have easy access to all of the city’s top sights—from Dublin Castle to Trinity College and the Book of Kells—but they can also head to day-trip destinations outside the capital.
Cruisers disembarking in Dublin can choose between a range of shore excursions and tours. Popular destinations include the Guinness Storehouse, the Jameson Distillery, St. Patrick’s Cathedral, and shopping districts including Grafton Street and Temple Bar. Visitors can also join half-day and full-day tours that venture to scenic locales outside the city, such as Glendalough in County Wicklow, the Cliffs of Moher in County Clare, or even Belfast and the Giant’s Causeway in Northern Ireland.
Smaller ships arriving to Dublin Cruise Port dock in the city center; larger ships dock at Alexandra Quay.
Many Dublin shore excursions include pickup and drop-off at the port.
Avoid wasting time waiting in line by booking skip-the-line tickets to popular Dublin attractions and experiences.
Tours that venture outside the city typically require some travel time, with out-of-town tours lasting longer than in-city excursions.
A hop-on hop-off tour bus is an efficient way to travel between major sights in Dublin.
Depending where you dock at the Dublin Cruise Port, you can either walk into the city center or hop on a complimentary shuttle bus. Alternatively, make your way to the Point Luas Stop and ride the Red Line Luas tram to Abbey Street. Taxis are also readily available at the port.
Free Wi-Fi is available at Terminal One in Dublin Port. Tourist information offices can be found on O’Connell Street and Suffolk Street in Dublin city center, and on Marine Road in Dun Laoghaire. The official currency is the euro and the official languages are Irish and English.