
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.
St. Patrick’s Cathedral is one of Dublin’s most-visited historical attractions and an essential stop for any history buff. A stop at the 13th-century building is included on most Dublin sightseeing tours, along with nearby attractions such as Trinity College and Temple Bar. It’s also a stop on hop-on hop-off bus tours in Dublin. To fully appreciate the symbolic significance of the cathedral’s many features and avoid the lines that can form at busy times, opt for a guided tour with skip-the-line-access.
Travelers can explore independently or take part in guided tours, which take place several times daily from Monday to Saturday.
The cathedral is wheelchair accessible.
The Dublin Pass includes cathedral entry.
Take time to stroll through the adjacent St. Patrick’s Park, a grassy square with perfectly framed views of the cathedral.
St. Patrick’s Cathedral is located in the heart of Dublin city center, within easy strolling distance of several other big-name attractions, including Christ Church Cathedral and Dublin Castle. Ride the Luas Green Line tram to the terminus, St. Stephen’s Green; St. Patrick’s is about a 10-minute walk from there. Dublin Bus run several routes (49, 54a, 56a, 77a, and 151) to the cathedral.
St. Patrick’s is open year-round. Summer mornings in July and August tend to draw the biggest crowds. Join a skip-the-line tour to avoid waiting around, or plan your visit for late afternoon instead when the cathedral empties out.
The cathedral has its own choir, which belts out hymns during morning and evening services. The choir performs during school terms only, with varying service times. All are welcome to attend services and no tickets are required.