Dublin is one of Europe’s most visited capitals and one of the most rewarding. A city where Georgian architecture and Viking history sit alongside world-class restaurants, lively pubs, and genuinely brilliant museums, it rewards visitors who take the time to explore beyond the obvious.
This guide covers the best Dublin tourist attractions in 2026, from iconic sights to interactive experiences you might not have considered. Whether you are spending a weekend or a week, this is your starting point.
Interactive and immersive experiences
National Wax Museum Plus
One of Dublin’s most popular and most interactive attractions, the National Wax Museum Plus at 22-25 Westmoreland Street offers a genuinely varied experience across three floors of the historic Lafayette Building.
Ireland’s wax museum tradition dates back to 1804, when Madame Tussaud herself set up the country’s first wax display in Dublin. The modern National Wax Museum Plus was founded in 1983, and after several changes of location it settled in the historic Lafayette Building on Westmoreland Street in 2017. Today it combines that history with modern, immersive experiences:
- Epic Worlds of Fantasy with life-size Star Wars, Game of Thrones, and Lord of the Rings figures
- Dublin’s only Mirror Maze
- Celebrity wax figures from Irish and global music
- The Enchanted Forest exploring Irish folklore
- The Chamber of Horrors
- Murder Mystery Tours for groups
- Autism Hour every Sunday 10am to 11am for sensory-friendly visits
Open daily 10am to 7pm. Book at waxmuseumplus.ie.
EPIC The Irish Emigration Museum
Winner of Europe’s Leading Tourist Attraction at the World Travel Awards multiple times, EPIC tells the story of the Irish diaspora through 20 beautifully designed interactive galleries in the CHQ Building on Custom House Quay. One of the most innovative museums in Europe and a must-visit for anyone interested in Irish history and identity.
Historic landmarks and cultural sites
Trinity College Dublin and the Book of Kells
The Book of Kells, a 9th-century illuminated manuscript of the four Gospels, is housed in Trinity College’s Old Library and is one of the most visited attractions in Ireland. The Long Room library, with its barrel-vaulted ceiling and busts of great thinkers, is equally breathtaking. Book in advance, particularly in summer.
Guinness Storehouse
Ireland’s most visited tourist attraction. The Guinness Storehouse takes visitors through seven floors of the history, ingredients, and culture of Ireland’s most famous export, culminating in the Gravity Bar, a 360-degree panoramic view of Dublin with a complimentary pint of Guinness. Advance booking is essential.
Dublin Castle
At the centre of Dublin’s historic old city, Dublin Castle served as the seat of British rule in Ireland for seven centuries. Today it hosts state events and is open to the public for guided and self-guided tours of the State Apartments, the Medieval Undercroft, and the Chapel Royal.
Kilmainham Gaol
Perhaps Dublin’s most emotionally powerful attraction, Kilmainham Gaol is a former prison where leaders of the 1916 Easter Rising were executed. The guided tour is excellent and essential context for understanding modern Irish history. Book well in advance as this regularly sells out weeks ahead.
Free attractions in Dublin
Dublin has an impressive number of world-class free attractions:
- National Museum of Ireland (Archaeology): home to the Bog Bodies, the Ardagh Chalice, and the Tara Brooch
- National Museum of Ireland (Natural History): a Victorian natural history museum frozen in time
- National Gallery of Ireland: an outstanding collection of Irish and European art including works by Caravaggio and Vermeer
- St Stephen’s Green: a beautiful Victorian park in the heart of the city, ideal for a picnic or a rest between sightseeing
Practical tips for visiting Dublin in 2026
- Book the big attractions in advance: Guinness Storehouse, Book of Kells, and Kilmainham Gaol regularly sell out. Book online before you travel
- Use the Luas and Dublin Bus: the city is well-served by public transport and most attractions are reachable without a car
- Stay central: most of Dublin’s top attractions are within walking distance of O’Connell Street, making a central location ideal
- Visit the National Wax Museum on arrival: it is open daily from 10am and a great way to get an overview of Irish history and culture before exploring the city
- Allow for rain: Dublin averages rainfall on about half the days of the year. Always have an indoor option planned
FAQs: Dublin tourist attractions
What is the most popular tourist attraction in Dublin?
The Guinness Storehouse consistently ranks as Ireland’s most visited paid tourist attraction. The National Wax Museum Plus, EPIC The Irish Emigration Museum, Trinity College and the Book of Kells, and Kilmainham Gaol are also among Dublin’s most visited sites.
What is the best attraction in Dublin for tourists?
It depends on your interests. For history and culture, Kilmainham Gaol or the Book of Kells. For interactive, all-ages fun, the National Wax Museum Plus. For Irish heritage and story, EPIC The Irish Emigration Museum. For the iconic Dublin experience, the Guinness Storehouse.
How many days do you need in Dublin to see the main attractions?
Two to three days is enough to see most of Dublin’s main attractions at a relaxed pace. A long weekend allows time for the major sights plus an evening in Temple Bar and a day trip to somewhere nearby such as the Wicklow Mountains or Howth.
Is the National Wax Museum Dublin worth visiting?
Many visitors rate it highly, particularly families and groups. With the Mirror Maze, Epic Worlds of Fantasy, Irish history exhibits and celebrity wax figures all under one roof, it offers a varied 1 to 2 hour visit in the heart of the city.
Start your Dublin visit at the National Wax Museum Plus
Located right in the heart of Dublin city centre, the National Wax Museum Plus is the perfect first stop on any Dublin visit. Open daily 10am to 7pm. Book tickets online for the best price.
Book at waxmuseumplus.ie | 22-25 Westmoreland Street, Dublin 2
