guinness brewery tour dublin ireland

The Guinness Storehouse In Dublin: The Tours, History + What To Expect

By Author Gillian Birch

Posted on Last updated: December 29, 2023

A visit to the Guinness Storehouse is one of the most popular things to do in Dublin and it’s the most-visited of the many paid tourist attractions in Ireland .

Located at St James’s Gate, the Guinness Factory sits on the site where Arthur Guinness set up shop with a 9,000-year lease in 1759.

There are several different Guinness Brewery tours to head off on, and we’ll take you through the best of the bunch in this guide.

You’ll also get some handy visitor info (e.g. try and visit late afternoon!) along with the history of the Guinness Brewery in Dublin and more. Dive on in!

Table of Contents

Some quick need-to-knows before you visit the Guinness Storehouse

Although the Guinness tour is fairly straightforward, there are a few need-to-knows that’ll make your visit that bit more enjoyable.

1. Location

The Guinness factory is located slightly off Dublin’s south quays here . It’s a 15-minute walk from St. Patrick’s Cathedral , a 20-minute walk from Kilmainham Gaol and  very  short walk from some of the best whiskey distilleries in Dublin .

2. Book online to avoid the queues

So, you can just rock up and buy tickets for the Guinness tour on the day, but you’ll likely have to queue (the queues here are often very long). So, it’s worth buying your Guinness tour tickets online in advance. More on this below.

3. Opening Hours

The Guinness factory opening hours are Monday to Friday, 10 am-5 pm, Saturday, 9:30 am-6 pm, and Sundays from 9:30 am to 5 pm. If you book your Guinness tour tickets online, you’ll need to pick a specific time.

So, there’s some very limited free parking at the Guinness Storehouse on Crane Street, ( see it here  on Google Maps). There’s paid parking near the Four Courts here (15-minute walk away).

5. Part of the Dublin Pass

Exploring Dublin over 1 or 2 days? If you buy a Dublin Pass for €70 you can save from €23.50 to €62.50 on Dublin’s top attractions, like the EPIC Museum, the Guinness Storehouse, The GPO, the Jameson Distillery Bow St. and more (info here ).

The History of the Guinness Brewery in Dublin

Photos in the Public Domain

When you visit the Guinness Brewery in Dublin, you’re treading on hallowed ground! It was the original site where Arthur Guinness began his brewery business in 1759.

Planning for the future, he signed a 9,000-year lease at £45 per annum and started brewing his dark porter-style ales. He used dark malt to create his stout, which was instantly a favourite with river and street porters, among other local workers.

Then things escalated

Ten years later, he decided to begin exporting, shipping a modest 6.5 barrels to England, and the rest, as they say, is history. By 1886, Guinness sales reached 1.13 million barrels a year, and the company was floated on the stock market.

That was in spite of the fact that Guinness owned no bars or pubs and refused to advertise (this changed drastically over time). The product spoke for itself.

The decline and joining up with Diageo

In the 1970s, Guinness sales had declined, so the owners had to relaunch it and introduce pale malt. The company merged with Diageo in 1997 but retained the Guinness brand’s rights and trademarked the Irish harp logo.

Now, in early-2024, Guinness is a roaring success both at home and overseas. However, not all pints are equal – see our guide to finding the best Guinness in Dublin for more.

The different Guinness Storehouse tours

Courtesy Diageo Ireland Brand Homes

As I mentioned before, we’ve done the Guinness Storehouse tour several times over the years. They come in the guided (during ‘normal’ times) and self-guided form.

Having done both, I can’t recommend the guided tour of the Guinness Storehouse enough. The tour guides are brilliant, and you’ll just have a more enjoyable experience.

1. Guinness Storehouse Experience (€30)

This is arguably the most popular Guinness Factory tour, as it involves polishing off your visit with a pint in the Gravity Bar.

This self-guided tour (affiliate link) costs €30 and it should take you around 1.5 hours from start to finish, depending on how long you linger. Here’s what it involves:

• A Guinness (18 +) or a soft drink in the Gravity Bar
• You get to ramble around the Guinness Brewery
• Experience Canvas D8; a summer programme of culture and art
• A guaranteed timed entrance

2. Guinness Storehouse Experience + Guinness Academy (€38)

This tour includes everything in the storehouse experience, with the one incredible addition of learning how to pour your own pint in the Guinness Academy. 

This version of the Guinness Factory tour costs €38 and, with the addition of the Guinness Academy, is pretty similar to the first tour. It includes:

• Tuition in the Guinness Academy where you will learn to pour a pint

3. The Jameson + Guinness tour combo (€97)

Now, the final tour (affiliate link) will suit those of you that plan on also visiting the Jameson Distillery on Bow St .

This is a combo, skip-the-line ticket that includes both attractions. It starts around €97 , and it includes the best of both tours. Here’s what you get:

• Timed skip-the-line entrance to the Jameson Distillery
• Timed skip-the-line entrance to the Guinness Storehouse tour
• 2 drinks (pint of Guinness + 1 Jameson)
• Photo stop outside the Brazen Head (the oldest pub in Dublin)

Things you’ll see on the Guinness Factory tour

Courtesy Diageo Ireland Brand Homes via Ireland’s Content Pool

Behind those sturdy black gates, the Guinness Storehouse offers a memorable and educational experience that any ale drinker or Guinness aficionado will remember for years to come.

1. The brewing process

Photos by The Irish Road Trip

Stroll through the historic Guinness Brewery, see the hops and learn about the specialist strains of yeast used in this unique brewing process. See the rushing waters that are a vital part of the Guinness brewing process.

2. Fittings from the original brewery

Photo via the Guinness Storehouse

You’ll often see the Guinness Factory mentioned in guides to the best museums in Dublin . This puzzles some, but it is a museum of sorts.

The Storehouse is home to fixtures from the Guinness Brewery’s original days. Interestingly enough, some of these are from over 250 years ago.

3. Old-school Guinness ads

Photo by The Irish Road Trip

Immerse yourself in 80 years of Guinness advertising – you’ll be surprised at some of the memories it brings back! Interact with the ads and take selfies that put you in your very own Guinness ad.

4. The journey to greatness

Track the four key ingredients that go into every pint of Guinness in Ireland’s #1 tourist attraction. Once the brew is completed, learn about the coopers and the epic sea voyages that led to Guinness becoming an international brand in 150 countries.

Things to do at the Guinness Factory in Dublin

Tour aside, there are plenty of other things to do at the Guinness Storehouse that’ll make your visit an enjoyable one.

From tasting and learning to your face on a pint (yes, your face  on  a pint) and more, there’s a little bit of something to tickle every fancy.

1. The Tasting Experience

Moseying around the Guinness Storehouse and learning lots of interesting facts about this Irish brew is thirsty work. The Tasting Experience is a hands-on multi-sensory journey introducing visitors to this unique stout.

Pause and smell the aromas emanating from the creamy head (just like wine tasting, really!) and then sip the velvety smooth brew. Deeeeee-licious!

2. The Guinness Academy

There’s a definite art to pouring the perfect pint, and the Guinness Academy is the place to learn it for yourself.

Get behind the bar and follow instructions from the Beer Specialist on hand, who will give you some useful tips. You’ll be able to tell a bad pint of Guinness from a good one from then on!

3. The STOUTie

Within the STOUTie Room walls, guests can purchase a second glass of Guinness and see their own Selfie smiling up from the creamy head.

It’s a unique moment combining the latest technology with a little extra malt extract for a picture-perfect pint!

4. Enjoy a Pint at the Gravity Bar

The Gravity Bar is one of the most unique rooftop bars in Dublin and it’s the perfect place to linger over a pint or try one of the experimental brews.

The panoramic views through the wall of glass add to this unforgettable experience. You can also see a specially commissioned artwork by Irish street artist, Aches.

Places to visit nearby after the Guinness Factory tour

One of the beauties of the Guinness tour is that, when you’re finished, you’re a short distance away from some of the best places to visit in Dublin .

Below, you’ll find a handful of things to see and do a stone’s throw from the Guinness Storehouse (plus places to eat and where to grab a post-adventure pint!).

1. Whiskey distilleries (3 to 6-minute walk)

If the Guinness tour has you thirsty for more alcohol activities, you’re in luck – some of the top whiskey distilleries in Ireland are a short walk away. Roe and Co (6-minute walk), Pearse Lyons (5-minute walk) and the Teeling distillery (15-minute walk) are all nearby.

2. Dublin’s Oldest pub (10-minute walk)

Photos via the Brazen Head on Facebook

Very much the reigning champion of ancient pubs in Dublin , and by some distance! Just a 10-minute walk from the Guinness Factory and Proudly boasting on a scroll of painted parchment on the pub’s whitewashed walls that it dates back to 1198, the Brazen Head is Dublin’s oldest pub and is also one of its most popular. See our guide to the oldest pubs in Dublin for more.

3. Phoenix Park (15-minute walk)

Photos via Shutterstock

Dominated by the 200ft tall Wellington Monument, Phoenix Park is an enormous space and one of the largest enclosed public parks in any capital city in Europe (the Wellington Monument is also the largest obelisk in Europe!). Make the 15-minute stroll across the Liffey and up Wolfe Tone Quay to explore its vast expanse. It’s also home to Dublin Zoo and Áras an Uachtaráin .

4. Kilmainham Gaol (20-minute walk)

Infamous for being the site of incarceration for many Nationalist leaders, Kilmainham Gaol has played a hugely significant and symbolic part in Irish history and the prison is well worth a visit. Lying a 20-minute walk west of Roe and Co, former inmates include Charles Stewart Parnell, Patrick Pearse and Eamon de Valera.

FAQs about visiting the Guinness Brewery in Dublin

Since starting this website a few years ago, we’ve had endless emails asking everything from ‘How long is the Guinness factory lease?’ (9,000 years) to ‘How long is the Guinness tour?’ (around 1.5 hours)

In the section below, you’ll find information on everything from where to park to where to grab a bed for the night nearby.

How much does the Guinness tour cost?

The tour of the Guinness Brewery in Dublin costs between €26 and €97, depending on the tour type you pick.

What is the Guinness Storehouse tour Length?

The tour of the Guinness Factory in Dublin should take you around 1.5 hours to complete, but you’re in no rush.

Are the Guinness Factory tours really worth doing?

The Guinness Factor tours are some of the most popular tours in Ireland. The reviews online are excellent, but we’d recommend visiting the likes of Kilmainham Gaol first.

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Guinness Storehouse

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Make your way through the Guinness Storehouse gates located in the heart of St James’s Gate, in Dublin City. Explore seven floors of the Guinness Storehouse building, which was once the fermentation plant of the brewery. Discover more about the ingredients, history and culture that tell the Guinness story before taking in the 360 degree views of Dublin City from one of Dublin's highest vantage points, at the Gravity Bar. To your right, you will see the Wicklow Mountains, where Guinness sources its fresh Irish water for brewing. To the left, you will see the Phoenix Park and the Wellington Monument.

Visitors to the Guinness Storehouse can also experience the Guinness STOUTie, a pint of Guinness with your own selfie printed onto the head. Visit the Guinness Academy where you will learn how to pour your own pint of Guinness. Follow the legendary six step ritual, counting the 119.5 seconds it takes to pour a perfect pint of Guinness. Witness the surge and eventual settle and take home a certificate to show you were here.

If you would like a more private tour, the Connoisseur Experience is a journey through the tastes, smells and the story of Guinness. Here you will sample four of the most popular beers that have ever been brewed at Guinness while your guide talks you through all there is to know about each beer. Discover the origins of famous Guinness beers and gain an understanding into the craft and connection behind one of the most iconic brands in the world.

The Guinness Storehouse is also home to Arthur’s Bar and 1837 Bar & Brasserie, both offering delicious food options to perfectly pair with your pint of Guinness. From oysters to Guinness stew or a classic beef burger, there is something for everyone to enjoy.

Guinness Storehouse in Dublin – The Ultimate Tasting Tour

Written By: The Planet D

Updated On: March 10, 2023

There’s a reason the Guinness Storehouse in Dublin is Ireland’s most famous visitor attraction. Not only is the home of Guinness ; the world’s most famous stout, the tour itself is fun and fascinating. Plus, you get to taste a lot of Guinness, so it’s a win-win!

Table of Contents

History of Guinness

Started by Arthur Guinness in 1759, Guinness has been a staple of Ireland ever since. Located in the heart of Dublin at St. James’s Gate Brewery, Guinness signed a 9,000-year lease to operate his brewery on the premises.

Great Guinness Storehouse Tours

A Guinness Brewery tour should be put to the top of anyone’s travel itinerary. We used Get Your Guide when booking city tours. Guided tours offer skip the line tickets to the visitor experience , and free cancellation within 24 hours for most tours.

• Read more at Facts About St. Patrick’s Day
• Skip the line Tickets with Pint: Buy tickets here
• Guinness Signature Ticket – book here.

About The Guinness Tour

The tour begins at the “Seal of Guinness” where Arthur Guinness signed his famous 9,000-year lease. Guides take you through the multilevel storehouse showing how the Guinness Stout is made from the barrel house to the fermentation plant. It all ends with a frosty pint at the bar.

Water from the Wicklow Mountains

Once you learn about the early beginnings, you are lead to a blue waterfall where the freshwater from the Wicklow Mountains is pumped into the brewery.

Dave and I have always said that Guinness definitely tastes better in Ireland and something tells me it’s because of the Wicklow water. The tour showcases the natural ingredients of Guinness in detail. Barley plants are actually growing on the walls!

Guinness Casks – Firkins

Your Guinness Storehouse Tour then takes you to the Cooperage and Transport floor to learn of how casks are made and transported.

Have you ever heard of the word Firkin? In Toronto, we have Firkin pubs all over the city and I never knew what it meant. The word Firkin is the size of a cask. It’s like a keg only smaller.

Tasting Tour of Guinness

The factory tour is fun, but let’s face it, we are all here to drink Guinness. The tasting room is the best brewery tour setting on the planet with dry ice and neon lights adding to the mood. The hallway leads to a stark white tasting room with smoke billowing out of slender containers.

The containers aren’t just for show, each container is filled with the aromas of Guinness. The smell of barley, malt, hops, and yeast fills the air. It’s as delicious as you ever could have expected.

Once you are finished in the white room, it’s on to the next room that feels more like the inside of a grand ship than a beer tour. That’s because it is modeled after the ships that transported Guinness to the mainland. You can even ring the bell from the ship Lady Miranda Guinness that used to transport Guinness from Dublin to Liverpool.

Guinness in Advertising

One of my favourite exhibits in the Guinness Storehouse was the display of advertising campaigns over the years. Guinness has always been quite creative when it comes to advertising their beer. From a whistling oyster to a bicycle-riding fish, there have been some very unique commercials out there.

Guinness is Good for You!

What I loved hearing was that Guinness is actually good for you. Once upon a time, people drank a pint of Guinness after giving blood in Dublin to replenish their electrolytes. That is certainly one way to entice people to do a good deed. Did you know, Guinness is also considered a light beer? Even though it is dark in colour, it is light in taste. It has fewer calories than most beers and less sugar. So drink on people! Read more: 16 Fun Facts About Ireland To Prepare For Your Next Journey Abroad

The Guinness Harp

Did you know that the emblem of Ireland is a harp? When Guinness developed their label, they too used the harp but flipped it backward so that they could trademark it. When you visit the book of Kells at Trinity College you will see the real Irish harp on display.  The harp was greatly revered in history and often played at courts.

How to Pour a Pint of Guinness

When visiting the Guinness Storehouse, you can either take the regular tour through the brewery or you can add a premium tasting experience. The Connoisseur Tour takes you to the Guinness Academy brings you into a private room where you learn how to pour a pint of Guinness.

• You can book your Connoisseur Tour directly at the Guinness Storehouse Website.

You’ll master the art of the six-step process of pouring the perfect pint of Guinness that takes 119.5 seconds to perfect. The harp plays an important role in making the pour perfect.

• When filling the pint, the bartender pulls the tap fully until the beer reaches the harp emblem on the Guinness pint.
• Once it touches the top of the harp, they stop pouring and let it sit until the cascade has settled to a nice dark pint.
• They then continue to pour the rest of the head.

Once you are finished you receive a diploma and a fresh pint of Guinness to enjoy on your own.

Gravity Bar at Guinness

The Guinness Storehouse Tour doesn’t end like other brewery tours. This one takes you to the 7th-floor of the factory to the Gravity Bar. Enjoy the sunset in this chic bar as you sip on a complimentary pint of Guinness. It has some of the best views of Dublin. Once you are done, you make your way down the escalator to the exit where you can pick up your complimentary checked coats and bags before heading off to explore more of Dublin.

And there you have it, your Guinness Storehouse Tour is complete. Have you taken a tour of the Guinness Storehouse in Dublin? Did you enjoy it?

Explore more things to do in Ireland with these handy travel guides:

• 34 of the Best Things to do in Dublin, Ireland
• A Tour of Skellig Michael – How to Visit the Beehive Monasteries of Ireland
• Cliffs of Moher – Tips for Visiting This Wonder of Ireland
• Kylemore Abbey – The History of Ireland’s Lavish Castle
• Mizen Head, Ireland – The Extreme Edge of Ireland
• Poulnabrone Dolmen: The Eerie Marvel of Ireland’s Biggest Portal Tomb
• Kiss the Blarney Stone for the Gift of the Gab
• Newgrange – Visit Ireland’s Ancient Passage Tomb
• 4X4 Off Road Driving in Ireland – An Adrenaline Fueled Day Trip
• Wild Atlantic Way – Tips for Driving Ireland’s Coastal Route
• Where to Stay on the Wild Atlantic Way
• 10 Best Scenic Views on Ireland’s Wild Atlantic Way
• Unique Things to Do on the Wild Atlantic Way of Ireland
• Images of Ireland – 27 Photos to Ignite Your Imagination

Guinness Storehouse Fast Facts

Taxis wait outside the storehouse so transportation is easy. The Storehouse is only a 20-minute walk from the city center should you prefer to go on foot.

Guinness Storehouse is open 7 Days a week 9:30 – 7pm (last entrance is 5pm).

Cost of entry is €19-€25 and includes a pint of Guinness plus a tasting in the white tasting room. You can book at the brewery or advance for skip the line tickets. The Connoisseur and Perfect Pour Experiences are Extra

We loved our experience and the Connoisseur tour is worth the extra cost. You get another pint of beer and get to pour your own pint in a private tasting room.

Our tour of Dublin was in partnership with the Lonely Planet as part of their Lonely Planet Pathfinders. Stay tuned for our video of Dublin on YouTube

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About The Planet D

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6 thoughts on “Guinness Storehouse in Dublin – The Ultimate Tasting Tour”

Thank’s for the great article. Everyone who visits this city should do the Guinness Storehouse Tour. My favorite exhibit is also the one with all the commercials and advertisement campaigns of Guinness over the years. Particularly the Bicycle riding fish, very appropriate considering that one of the best ways to get to know Dublin is by bicycle.

Great article, been thinking about going to the Guinness Storehouse with ages!

I’ve been dreaming of going to the Guiness storehouse for ages ! Thanks for the great article that made me book a ticket to Dublin for this summer.

A great synopsis of the Guinness Storehouse! And yes you are correct Guinness does taste best in Ireland!

Dave and Dev – I read 100% of the blogs through a feed reader except yours because of the wonderful photos and videos you have in each post 🙂 As always, this post also had yummy videos and photos ! Enjoyed them a lot!

Hi Vivek, thanks so much for the kind words. We really are loving making videos and are glad that you enjoy them too!

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What is the Guinness Storehouse?

If you want to learn what exactly goes into a pint of the "black stuff" and the story of how this famous stout went from humble beginnings to being sold all around the world, then the Guinness Storehouse, the home of Guinness in St James’s Gate in Dublin and winner of the World’s Leading Tourist Attraction 2023, is the place to start

St James's Gate, Dublin

The story of Guinness goes back more than 250 years, when Arthur Guinness, from Celbridge in County Kildare, decided to set up a brewery. In 1759, he signed a 9,000-year lease at a site at St James’s Gate in Dublin city centre . He built the Guinness brewery up slowly, and ten years later, started exporting barrels of stout by ship to England.

By 1868, St James’s Gate was like a mini city, with a cooperage, barley maltings and even its own railway and fire brigade. The company built its own barges to transport barrels of stout along Ireland’s waterways and hired scientists to perfect the stout.

When you arrive at the Guinness Storehouse and walk among the brewery buildings, the cobbled streets and tram tracks, and arrive at the famous black gates, the story starts to come to life. This is the largest stout brewery in the world and during a visit, you will take a journey through the life and story of this iconic beer.

Barley pit at Guinness Storehouse

At the Guinness Storehouse visitor attraction, the self-guided tour starts with the basics of how Guinness is brewed. You will learn about the four ingredients that go into making the perfect beer – water, barley (which is mashed and roasted), hops and yeast – while you go along walkways of different levels, with waterfalls, hops growing behind glass and industrial pipes and fittings giving some of the sounds, aromas and atmosphere of a brewery.

Along the way, through audio-visual displays, you will learn about Arthur Guinness and his family , before visiting the roasting area to learn how the barley is milled, mashed, separated and roasted at 232°C for the perfect flavour, aroma and colour.

The storehouse building itself was built between 1902 and 1904 and was used as a fermentation house. During your visit you will see pipes, machinery and huge vats preserved from those times.

The fermentation area shows the final stage of the brewing process, when the yeast is added to the mix of barley, water and hops. A cooperage area tells the story of the skills of the barrelmakers.

Past Guinness adverts

In 1929 Guinness started producing its famous colourful ads and pub signs , with the slogans "Guinness is good for you" and "My Goodness, My Guinness", featuring zoo animals including sea lions, penguins and of course the famous toucan. This exhibition is one of the most popular areas for visitors.

Clever advertising helped spread the story around the world, and in 2009, when Guinness celebrated its 250th anniversary, 50 million people around the world raised a glass to toast Arthur’s Day.

Today, Guinness is the world’s best loved stout. It is brewed in 50 countries and sold in more than 120 countries. It is estimated that 10 million glasses of Guinness are enjoyed every day around the world.

Gravity Bar, Guinness Storehouse

There are three tour options to try at the Guinness Storehouse:

• A basic self-guided Storehouse experience, which includes a drink at the Gravity Bar .
• You can also add on a "Stoutie" option, a second pint with your selfie on the head, or visit the Guinness Academy , to learn how to pour the perfect pint.
• A Connoisseur ticket gives you an exclusive tasting in the Connoisseur bar and a pint-pouring session.

Your visit will end at the top floor Gravity Bar, which has floor to ceiling windows with 360-degree views of Dublin city. The vista stretches as far south as the Dublin and Wicklow mountains, across Dublin Bay, and north to Howth peninsula, taking in landmarks such as St Patrick’s Cathedral and the iconic Poolbeg chimneys.

Before you raise your beer glass to sip your creamy pint of Guinness, you will see how it is poured and allowed to settle halfway through. Experts have worked out that the necessary time for this "perfect pour" is 119.53 seconds.

Allow at least 1.5 hours for a visit to the Storehouse – but you can stay longer as there is a lot to take in, and there are cafés and bars on different levels if you need a break, and a gift shop of all things Guinness on the first floor.

Roe & Co whiskey distillery, Dublin city

The Guinness Storehouse is in the historic Liberties area of Dublin, which was once home to many of the city’s whiskey distilleries.

For things to do nearby, you might like to visit Jameson Distillery in Smithfield, or the Roe & Co or Pearse Lyons and Co , distilleries are both within walking distance. On the tours, you’ll learn about whiskey distilling and the area’s famous " Golden Triangle " of distilleries.

Within 20 minutes’ walk of the Storehouse, you will find two of Dublin's most historic buildings – St Patrick’s Cathedral , founded in 1191 and Christ Church Cathedral , which dates back to the year 1030.

Need to know

You're advised to book tickets in advance, but you can buy tickets when you arrive (expect queues at busy times).

Tours are self-guided and the Self-guided and Gravity Bar ticket includes a voucher for a pint of Guinness, another beer or a soft drink at Gravity Bar.

Children 18 and under must be accompanied by an adult.

The Guiness Storehouse is open seven days a week, from Sunday to Thursday, 10am to 7pm (last entry 5pm), and Friday and Saturday, 10am to 8pm (last entry 6pm).

To arrive by bus , take the 13, 40 or 123. The nearest Luas (tram) stop is St James’s Hospital.

There is free parking in the visitor’s car park on Crane Street, but spaces are limited.

The building is fully accessible and has lifts throughout.

Exterior of Guinness Storehouse

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Founded by Pearse and Deirdre Lyons, Pearse Lyons Distillery is a working distillery in the former St James Church, with the glass steeple. Discover fascinating local history, compelling characters and, of course, the signature Pearse Irish Whiskey at Dublin’s only boutique distillery.

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The Guinness Storehouse

Plan your visit to one of Ireland's most famous visitor attractions

St James' Gate, Dublin

High on the list for many people's 'Irish Experience' is a pint of the black stuff and where better to drink it than the home of Guinness...

The Guinness Storehouse is one of Dublin's most popular visitor attractions and here you will discover all there is to know about Ireland's most famous export. The Storehouse is situated in the original Brewery, which first opened in 1876 and visitors are treated to over 250 years of Guinness history including the story behind some of its most iconic adverts.

You'll also discover just what goes into making Guinness so special - the ingredients, the process, the pulling and finally the drinking, as you sip your complimentary pint in the stunning Gravity Bar, with amazing panoramic views of Dublin City - worth the entrance fee itself!

The Guinness Storehouse has a restaurant, where visitors can enjoy some good old Irish dishes along with their pint and has a huge range of Guinness souvenirs that you can buy to mark your trip.

Book your vacation with Discovering Ireland Vacation and we'll arrange discount admission to this must see visitor attraction!

No visit to Dublin is complete without a trip to the famous Guinness brewery in Dublin. The Guinness Hopstore is situated in the heart of old Dublin.

Adult: From €22.00. Adult Online From €18. Adult via Group From €18

Student (18+) & OAP: From €19

Children from 5-17: €10.00 Children under 5: Free

Family tickets: €54 (2A + up to 4C) 

Opening Times

January- June & September- December Daily 9:30-17:00pm (last admission at 17:00)

July and August: Daily 9:00- 18:00 (last admission at 18:00)

Information

Leaflets: Yes Guided Tours: Yes Audio Visual: Yes Exhibition: Yes

See here for more details  https://www.guinness- storehouse.com/en

More details

Our vacations to Ireland  can be tailored to suit you. If you would like to include a visit to the Guinness Storehouse we can help you with planning your visit. We also have a range of  honeymoon  packages from romantic to adventure holidays.  Group Tours to Ireland  and  chauffeur tours  are our speciality - please contact us today for more details.

Open all year - 9.30am-5pm July & August - 9.30am-7pm Closed Christmas Eve, Christmas Day, St Stephen's Day & Good Friday.

Visit Length

Restaurant: Yes Car Park: Yes Coach Park: Yes Disabled Access: Yes

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This New Guinness Storehouse Tour Takes Beer Lovers Behind the Scenes Like Never Before

Sipping a perfectly poured pint of Guinness is one of the best beer experiences money can buy. But how does Guinness make their beer so special?

Now you can find out for yourself. The Guinness Storehouse in Dublin, Ireland , has officially opened a public brewery tour for people who want to know what goes on “beyond the gates.”

While Guinness has offered tours before, none have been as comprehensive as this new tour, which takes guests through some of the parts of the St. James Gate Brewery that have never been open to the public.

The three-hour tour takes guests through the actual brewery, getting a first-hand look at Guinness’s brewing process and history from 1759 to the present day. The tour includes passing through the Guinness Roast House, 200-year-old Vat Houses (where the “maturing” process happens), the brand’s experimental Open Gate Brewery, and even the famous underground tunnel that leads to Brewhouse 4, according to the Guinness Storehouse website.

“It’s an amazing site – a 50+ acre brewery right in the heart of Dublin city, full of so much history and great stories, and of course home to the world’s best pint as well,” Padraig Fox, general manager at Open Gate Brewery in Dublin, told USA Today.

At the end of the tour, guests are treated to a beer and food tasting at Arthur’s Bar, the public bar attached to the storehouse, where people can get the perfect pint. Guests will also leave with a Guinness-branded item as a souvenir.

“It’s a real treat for Guinness fans, stepping into the history of the brewery from Arthur’s time, but also seeing one of the most modern brewhouses in the world," Fox told USA Today .

Tickets for the tour are €95 (about $105 USD) per person and the tour is currently only available in English. For more information or to book your tour, visit the Guinness Storehouse website .

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The Guinness Brewery Tour in Dublin

The Guiness Storehouse is Ireland’s number one visitor attraction. A gleaming, multimedia exhibition on everything from retro advertising to the craft of brewing. Filled with more than 50 interactive displays, the museum also has a cinema, restaurants and a retail store.

The Storehouse was built in the style of the Chicago School of Architecture 1904, and was originally used as a fermentation house.

The museum has three distinct sections: the brewing exhibition, the retail store and the visitor centre. Each area is an interactive adventure through a unique phase of Irish history. The brewing section has the exhibits and the tasting tables you would find in a craft beer brewery.

The “retail store” section is about having a unique and interactive retail store that has been styled on a craft retailer such as Rainforest Collective or Waterstone’s. The visitor centre section serves the secondary purpose of assisting people to locate the tours available. Tours are conducted throughout the day and night via self-driven vehicles.

There is an interesting twist in the history of this building, it was used for the storage of the wine and beer produced on the site by the Irish Brewery Group, including Guinness. It was first opened for public view in 1993

To ensure public safety it was temporarily closed in 1998 to ensure the buildings transformation into a world class cultural centre, which was completed in time for the first International Festival of the Arts in 2000. The Brewing section was open for public tours in 2003 and it is also the home of the festival in 2006.

The Dublin Summer Beer Fest, a craft beer festival that attracted almost 6000 visitors in 2007. The visitor centre section also serves the secondary purpose of a library.

The most popular section, the Brewing has the Brewing Station, where visitors can do a hands-on experience with the making of a beer, there are also the Brewing Tasting Tables and a small theatre for talks.

The Visitor Centre which serves the secondary purpose of a library features a display of the history of the brewery with a display of a replica of the brew house, the historic brewery equipment and a display of brewing processes in the traditional method. There is a 30 seat lecture theatre featuring the American-Irish author John Tiernan, of the Invisible Man series.

The Retail Store section has various activities such as a craft beer learning area, which has the Beer Making Workshops, where people learn how to make a porter, lager or ales.

There is a Beer Tasting Experience where people can taste a variety of beers. There is a the famous Gravity Bar , where people can enjoy a pint as well as a selection of wines, spirits and bottled beer. There is also a Meet the Brewer area where fans can meet the brewers.

It is the Travel-Shop section that features a host of services that can be provided by the Travel Agents, but has been closed due to the COVID pandemic. In this section there are several areas such as the Travel Guide-Shop which has a travel bag section.

In order to create the right atmosphere for the visit, all are welcome to take a tour of the site and experience the atmosphere first hand.

For all the visitors who enjoy the craft beers and wines, there is a Wine-Making-workshop where visitors can have an active experience and taste different wines. There is also a Beer-Making-workshop where people can brew a traditional Irish beer.

Visit the Guinness Storehouse Website

Guinness Storehouse Tour Dublin

$ 32.61

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• Description
• Reviews (152)

Visit the Guinness Storehouse to discover the secrets of Ireland’s favorite dark beverage. Explore centuries of history dating back to 1759 and enjoy 7 floors of multimedia exhibitions.

Hear the story of Guinness’ founder, Arthur Guinness, and learn how he pioneered the brewing process from humble beginnings.

Finish your tour with a delicious pint of Guinness in the famous Gravity Bar, while enjoying a 360-degree view of Dublin City.

This ticket allows you to skip the queues and enjoy the Guinness experience at your own pace.

Guinness Storehouse Tour Prices

Choose from a selection of exciting Guinness Storehouse Tours.

Pick Skip the Line tours to avoid long lines and make the most of your experience of the storehouse and brewery museums. Enjoy a free pint and admire the view of Dublin from the Gravity Bar.

For a truly special experience, consider booking the Connoisseur tour. This price includes access to a private bar on the 4th floor of the storehouse and lessons from a true Guinness connoisseur on how to craft the perfect pint.

Opening Times

The Guinness Storehouse is open to the public 7 days a week

Mon-Sun: 09:30-17:00 Last admission is at 17:00 JUL – AUG Mon-S un:  09:30-18:00 Last admission is at 18:00

Know before you book:

• Wheel-chair accessible and wheelchair-friendly parking available
• Parking available on a first-come first-serve basis
• Food and drinks not included (unless specified otherwise)
• Visitors under 18 must be accompanied by an adult

Highlights:

• A free pint of Guinness
• See Dublin from a 360-degree view
• Everything you ever wanted to know about Guinness and beer

Tour Options

Skip the line tours:.

These include the price of admission, 1 free pint of Guinness /or 1 soft drink for children under 18, and access to all areas of the tour. This ticket also guarantees to skip the lines.

• 1 Pint of Guinness
• 1 Soft drink for each child under 18
• Guaranteed to skip long lines
• Car parking (first come first serve)
• Food & drinks (unless specified otherwise)

Connoisseur Experience Tours:

All inclusive tour that also offers a personalized experience with a Guinness connoisseur. 2 Free pints of Guinness and a Guinness Storehouse souvenir are included.

• 2 Pints of Guinness
• Professional & knowledgeable guide
• Guinness samples
• Hotel pickups & transfers

The Guinness Storehouse is located at the St James Gate Brewery in Dublin, Ireland.

It is estimated that the Storehouse has received over 4 million visitors since first opening in 2000 and has become a prominent feature on Dublin’s tourism landscape. A new wing was opened in 2006 which includes a live demonstration of the modern brewing process.

The tour takes you through 7 levels of the building, which are designed around an atrium shaped in the form of a Guinness glass.

The entire building explains the history of beer through various multimedia exhibitions which illustrate the ingredients, production, storage, transportation, and marketing surrounding Guinness.

Arthur Guinness signed a 9000-year lease when he first began making Guinness at the brewery and a copy of this document is available for viewing at the bottom of the glass atrium.

You will also be treated to several bars throughout the tour. The Perfect Pint bar allows you to pour your own Guinness pint, and as a bonus, give you the opportunity to have your selfie placed on top of the pint.

The fifth floor introduces visitors to the Brewery Bar where one can enjoy authentic Irish cuisine and refreshments. The meals served in this bar are prepared by using Guinness as part of the ingredients and as a pairing with the food.

You can also find the Guinness Archive on your tour, where visitors can view records dating back all the way to 1759. There are photographs, videos, maps, posters and other items that document the history of Guinness in Ireland and the world.

The tour ends on the 7th floor where you will find the Gravity Bar , a 360-degree bar with a glass lining that allows you to view the entire Dublin from the best view in town .

Bypass all the queues and make use of the Guinness Skip the Line ticket and enjoy the freedom to explore at your own time. It also helps add some more hours to your travel schedule by not having to wait in long lines!

• Best view of Dublin city
• Interactive Tour
• Entry queues can be long in peak season
• Gravity Bar can be noisy and crowded during popular times

152 reviews for Guinness Storehouse Tour Dublin

Anonymous – May 28, 2019

There is a lot to see as you walk through this facility. Very educational about beer in general as well as Guinness. The Guinness at the end was definitely the payoff for walking up to the lounge with a view of Dublin.

A must when in Dublin Good option if you want to skip crowds.

This was such an awesome experience. The history of Jameson was presented in 3D, very interactive presentation. I actually learned a lot, which made the tasting that much more great.

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GUINNESS STOREHOUSE

Welcome to the home of guinness.

If you want to truly immerse yourself in the unique history, heart and soul of Ireland’s most iconic beer, there’s only one place to go – its home. The Guinness Storehouse contains seven unforgettable floors of sights, sounds and sensations in a building that has been brewing beer for over 250 years. Hopping with entertainment, this experience takes you on an immersive experience from grain to glass. From the artful brewing process to the iconic Guinness advertisements that have become pillars of Irish culture throughout the globe, there are so many special things to see. The 9,000 year lease signed and sealed in 1759 by Arthur Guinness himself is so impressive, it’s hard to find something even more special to top it. But there is.

VISIT THE STOREHOUSE

Exceptional Restaurant Experiences At The Guinness Storehouse

Plan Your Visit To Ireland’s Biggest Visitor Experience

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THE GRAVITY BAR

Doubled in size in 2020, it provides you with unparalleled 360-degree views over one of the most beautiful cities in the world. A high point in Dublin, Gravity Bar must be experienced to be believed. With so much to see and do on the floors beneath it, it’s also the perfect place to sit back, relax and enjoy your complimentary pint of Guinness.

Keep updated with all things Guinness

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Fabulous Guinness Beer Tour, a Taste of Ireland

They say that Guinness beer is only as good as the tap it’s. There is no better tap then the one at the original Guinness Brewery in Dublin, Ireland. Therefore, I had to see for myself and took the Fabulous Guinness Beer Tour, a Taste of Ireland to experience it for myself.

Taste of Ireland, St John Street, Guinness Beer Tour

The fabulous Guinness Beer Tour, a Taste of Ireland is worth your time while in Dublin. The interactive displays illustrate the fine art of beer brewing some say the best beer in the world. Located on St John Street, the exhibition was interactive, educational, and entertaining. The first part of the tour introduces visitors to the founder, Arthur Guinness .

The Fifth Ingredient was Arthur Guinness

Learn the Secrets on the Guinness Beer Tour

The Guinness Beer Tour Mechanics Of Brewing

Next, the demonstration shows you the facility demonstrates beer brewing.  This part includes the barrels and tanks where they concoct brew. On top of being practical, it is. The colors and smells entice the visitor and draw them into the displays.

Milling and Mashing the Grains on the Guinness  Beer Tour

Brewing beer isn’t something I know anything about when I started the tour. How to brew is not something I know how to do. I didn’t realize that milling and mashing a grain was part of brewing beer. The demonstration showed that the high-quality grains used are the art of Guinness’s secret to success. Temperature and storage also affect the taste of beer.

Conversion Process

As I said, I knew nothing about brewing beer. After the water and grains are mashed and milled. I learned yeast makes sugar in to alcohol. How did anyone ever think of this process? Remarkably, we have a beer, let alone, a family developed the Guinness brown, almost think heavy, tasty brew, that is exceptionally unique.

Learn to Pour on the Guinness Beer Tour

Some say that Guinness is only as good as the tap, poured from, and if it is well maintained. On tour, we learned there is another factor to the pour, and that is the person pouring Guinness has to know how to pour it correctly. As part of the tour, everyone learns how to pour a proper Guinness. I learned and was very proud of myself when I got an approving smile from the Guinness man in the photo below. He was our teacher.

The Final Step On the Guinness Beer Tour

If you like beer, you will like this tour. As you progress through the demonstrations, the warm colors, quick-moving presentations move you through the displays. As you proceed with the flow of the crowd, the end is near. The exhibition has about seven floors. The highlight of the tour is the top floor. On the top floor is the Gravity Bar,

Adult Beverages, Non-Alcoholic Drinks, and Paper Straws

If you don’t like traditional Guinness, they offer a lighter beer on tap that is a Pilsner. Everyone served must be 21 years old. If kids are with you on your tour or if you don’t want an alcoholic beverage, the bar offers non- alcoholic drinks too. The best parts of the Gravity Bar are the friendly people you will meet, the chilled out atmosphere and the magnificent views from the tip =-top bar. On the windows, the history and sights of Dublin are called out. Therefore, there is something for everyone on this tour. Don’t miss it when you are in Dublin.

Travel tip: Don’t drink and drive in Ireland. Irelands have very strict drinking and driving laws and enforces DUI laws.

Let me know if you have taken this magnificent tour and if you have suggestions or comments about Dublin. We would love to hear from you. It would be helpful for all of us to hear from you.

Copyright © 2024 Capetown-Rio, Inc. USA. All rights reserved. Republishing is allowed only with written permission. All photography rights on this page belong to Capetown-Rio, Inc. and the author. Do you have a question, business proposal, or speaking opportunity? Please contact me here.

Kate started traveling for work. Now with grown children, who are travelers, she travels for pleasure looking for great travel experiences. Currently, her home is in Bellevue, WA, and lives with her cat Angelina Jolie. She has a Bachelor's of Fine Arts, Studio Arts and Art History from the University of Colorado, and from City University, Seattle, an MBA and Master of Arts, Management. Her favorite things are exploring cultures, traveling the world, creating a painting and sour foods.

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16 Delightful Things to Do in Dublin 2024

Updated September 17, 2023

If you think Dublin is all bars and Guinness, then… well, you aren’t wrong exactly, but Ireland’s capital is way more than its nightlife. Yes, the beer is excellent—but Dublin is also home to tons of unique attractions like book markets, artsy neighborhoods, and even some of Ireland’s most impressive castles and churches. Locals helped us create this list of 17 delightful things to do in Dublin, Ireland. 

#1: Explore the hipster-fabulous Temple Bar district

The riverside district of Temple Bar is gorgeous—full of cobblestone streets, old stone buildings, and colorful facades—and it has the highest density of bars in Dublin . This means that once the sun goes down, Temple Bar is the place to start your night. First things first: make a beeline to the iconic, fire-engine-red Temple Bar pub . It’s been around since the 19th century, and tourists aside, it’s a long-time favorite for good beer and live music. 

That said, Temple Bar has a lot more to offer than just pubs. The neighborhood is full of restaurants, boutiques, and art galleries, which reflect its artsy, creative vibe. Perched on the banks of the River Liffey, it’s also an especially picturesque part of town. Explore it to your heart’s content!

#2: Search for treasures at the Temple Bar Book Market

And speaking of Temple Bar: at sunrise on Saturdays and Sundays (ok, 11 AM, same difference after a night out), the centrally-located Temple Bar Square transforms from artsy party paradise into The Temple Bar Book Market —a bibliophile's utopia. 

The market is relatively small—six or seven stalls, covered with white canvas—but it’s swimming with treasures. From books by Dublin authors like James Joyce and Samuel Beckett to old maps, postcards, and other fun knick-knacks, there’s a little something for everyone. If you dig flea markets and you’re keen to get a bit off-the-beaten-path while you’re in Ireland, check it out. All told Temple Bar’s combo of nightlife and culture makes it one of the best places to stay in Ireland.

Pro tip : Feeling inspired? Continue your Dublin literary journey by checking out the small but mighty Dublin Writers Museum , or Sweny’s Pharmacy from James Joyce’s Ulysses . 

#3: Start your day with a Full Irish Breakfast

Bacon, sausage, beans, eggs, mushrooms, grilled tomatoes, potatoes, black pudding… ok, so you might not want to start every day in Dublin with a full Irish breakfast, but you need to try it at least once while you’re in town. It’s not just one of the most delicious things to do in Ireland (and a great choice after a night spent pub-hopping)—it’s a cultural institution.

As for the best place to grab this life-changing breakfast? Highly contested. We’d recommend checking out long-time favorites like Gerry’s , which serves their full Irish with plenty of toast and coffee. 

#4: Spend an afternoon exploring phenomenal Phoenix Park 

What do adorable deer and the president of Ireland have in common? No, this isn’t the start of a joke. Stop laughing, you’re being weird.

Anyway, the answer is this: both of them live in Dublin’s phenomenal, sprawling Phoenix Park! And we mean sprawling —just west of Dublin’s town center, Phoenix Park is twice the size of NYC’s Central Park. And just as Central Park is one of the best places to visit in New York, Phoenix Park is a must-visit in Dublin.

Take an afternoon to explore every nook and cranny of this massive green space. You’re more likely to spot Dublin’s famous deer than the president—while the deer wander freely throughout the park, the president stays mostly in Áras an Uachtaráin , the official presidential residence.

Pro tip : In addition to deer and politicians, Phoenix Park is also home to some fantastic historic landmarks, as well as the stellar Dublin Zoo . 

#5: Enjoy a Couple of Guinness(es)

We know, we know—this is an obvious must-do in Ireland, but Dublin is the best place in the world to drink Guinness. It’s like having a hot dog in NYC—you just can’t not do it. Enjoy a pint or three at a neighborhood pub, or go right to the source and drink up at the St. James Gate Guinness Factory —it’s all delicious. 

#6: Get creepy at Christ Church Cathedral

Though it might not sound like much at first, Christ Church Cathedral is, without a doubt, one of the best places to visit in Ireland. Why? It’s packed with bizarre curiosities. Here, you’ll find a mummified cat and rat who got trapped in an organ pipe; the (once-stolen, recently returned ) heart of St. Laurence O’Toole; and the tomb of Strongbow, one of the first Norman invaders of Ireland (PS: one of the best things to do in Kilkenny, about two hours away, is exploring Strongbow’s Castle). 

Basically, the cathedral is full of awesome, weird stuff. Descend into the crypt, explore the main church, and climb the belfry for a great view of Dublin. You can’t really go wrong.

Pro tip : Love the weird treasures you can find in old Irish churches? Then check out the mummies of St. Michan’s Church , also in Dublin. They’re so creepy, they inspired Bram Stoker’s Dracula . 

#7: Discover the up-and-coming Drumcondra neighborhood

On the north side of the River Liffey, and about twenty minutes from Temple Bar, you’ll find the Drumcondra neighborhood. Recently called “quietly confident” and “on the up” by the Irish Times (PS: for you non-Irish folk, that’s basically as complementary as they get), Drumcondra is home to great Dublin attractions like the National Botanical Gardens and Croke Park Stadium —along with a newly-arrived hipster vibe and some awesome bars and restaurants.

Drumcondra is also home to the immense Glasnevin Cemetery —and despite the 1.5 million Dubliners buried there, the cemetery tours are lively and fun. Plus, it’s one of the best places in town to trace your Irish roots.  

#8: Tap your feet to a trad session

Irish pubs aren’t just about ales—they’re also about music and dancing! For the uninitiated, an Irish folk music jam session is known as a trad session —and Dublin is full of them. The Cobblestone , O’Donoghue’s , and the Hairy Lemon (don’t you love Irish pub names?) are all fantastic, but a music-loving local will definitely know best. 

Pro tip : Interested in Irish folk music? Head to Galway. Just a couple hours away from Dublin, Galway is one of the best cities to visit in Ireland for its music scene alone (though there are things to do in Galway that aren’t music-related as well).

#9: Explore Dublin’s incredible museums

As you might imagine, Dublin has some incredible museums. Its two most famous are the gorgeous National Gallery of Ireland (full of work by Irish artists) and the National Museum of Ireland (full of Irish history and culture). Great news for budget travelers: both museums are free to visit! 

If you’re looking for a more Dublin-centric museum, though, stop by the Little Museum of Dublin . Practically overflowing with Dublin artifacts—including an entire room dedicated to U2—the museum is like a love letter to Dublin. It’s an excellent stop on any Ireland itinerary. 

#10: Drink all the Irish whiskey

If Guinness is Ireland’s national beer, whiskey is the country’s national spirit. And in Dublin, your whiskey options are limitless . Start out at the Irish Whiskey Museum . Not only is it a great place to learn about whiskey, but each of its tour options includes a tasting. 

Once you’ve learned enough to really enjoy the experience, check out some of Dublin’s iconic distilleries. The Jameson Distillery , open since 1780, is a classic. The Teeling Distillery , only open since 2015, is the new kid on the block. Since it’s impossible to compare the two without visiting each, you basically have no other choice but to go to both…

#11: Enjoy the shopping (and buskers) on Grafton Street

If you loved the film Once (those songs! that romance!) then you’ll know Grafton Street . But for anyone who doesn't dig romantic dramas, Grafton Street is the place in Dublin for musicians to try out new material. Why? Running through the heart of Dublin—from St. Stephen’s Green to Trinity College—Grafton Street is home to some of the hippest boutiques and coolest pubs in the city. Plus, most of the street is designated for pedestrians only, which makes wandering along the cobblestones pretty freaking idyllic. 

Pro tip : As a central hub of Dublin, Grafton Street is an incredibly popular place for tourists.

#12: Step behind bars at the Kilmainham Gaol

It may sound odd, but one of the coolest things to do in Ireland is to explore old Irish jails. Yeah, we know. But, seriously—people rave about touring the Kilmainham Gaol in Dublin. Constructed in 1796, the Gaol housed Irish political revolutionaries, prisoners destined for Australia, and desperate women and children who stole food during the Irish Famine . It’s heavy stuff, but the tours are excellent and informative and do a great job of sharing the stories of the people imprisoned at Kilmainham.

#13: Sup under the steeple of The Church Restaurant

An 18th-century church-turned-restaurant, The Church: Cafe, Bar, and Restaurant is more than just a funky little oddity. Seriously—it’s a character in Dublin history itself! It hosted the wedding of Arthur Guinness in 1761 and welcomed Irish author Jonathan Swift to church services, among others, before shutting its doors in 1964. Pretty cool, no?

A few decades later, The Church magnificently reopened as a four-story restaurant, offering cocktails, live music, and Irish cuisine. Dine alongside the tremendously cool original organ, or, if the weather permits, grab one of their tables outside. 

#14: Wander the Hogwarts-like shelves of Trinity College Library

If you’re still convinced that your Hogwarts letter got lost in the mail (where are you, Hagrid?!) find some solace in the Hogwartsian stacks at Trinity College Library . It’s absolutely divine. We could spend all day climbing the spiral staircases, admiring the arched ceiling, and just enjoying that  book smell. 

Be sure to check out the Library’s prized possession: The Book of Kells , a 9th-century manuscript that documents the life of Jesus Christ. You have to buy tickets, but hey—when will you ever see something like that again? 

#15: Take in 800 years of history at Dublin Castle

Ireland is home to a whopping 30,000 castles (seriously) and the Dublin Castle is one of the best. It’s in remarkably good shape for being 800 years old—fun fact, Dublin’s name comes from the castle’s black ponds ( dubh linn in Gaelic). Today, it’s free to wander the castle’s gorgeous grounds. You’ll have to pay for a tour of the castle, but for less than 10 euros, it’s really worth it—the guided tour takes you to fascinating parts of the grounds that you’d miss otherwise.

Pro tip: All about that castle life? One of the best things to do in Belfast is to visit its castle. 

#16: Take a sunset selfie at Ha'penny Bridge

If you went to Dublin and didn’t take a picture of the city’s Ha’penny Bridge, did you really go to Dublin? In all seriousness, crossing (and photographing) this picturesque bridge is an absolute must while you’re in town. 

Officially called Liffey Bridge , Ha’penny’s nickname comes from a deal struck between ferry operator William Walsh and the city—Walsh would allow the bridge’s construction, as long as he earned a half-penny from tolls. Today, it’s one of Dublin’s top landmarks. And a pretty wonderful place to take a sunset stroll. 

Pro tip : Looking for a unique Dublin activity? Sign up for a kayak tour along the River Liffey. 

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