Take to Ireland’s fair city on foot and discover all the beautiful scenery Dublin has to offer. A stroll around the city on one of our great walking tours, or by yourself, promises some charming, picture-perfect shots that will last a lot longer than postcards! Get your walking shoes on, because we’re about to discover Dublin City …
1. Trinity College Campus
A tour of the Trinity College campus can only be done by foot as the majority of the grounds are pedestrianised. The best place to stand to take in views of this famous university is in Parliament Square. Don’t miss the striking Campanile bell tower, the front gate and Regent House, and the Old Library which is home to the legendary Book of Kells. Be sure to do a tour of the famous Long Library, if you have time. It will make you feel like a student at Hogwarts, and will allow for some incredible shots for your Instagram!
2. Dublin Castle
Dublin Castle stands just five minutes’ walk from Trinity College, at the historic core of Dublin. Dating back to the 13th Century, the castle was built on a site that was previously settled by the Vikings. Since then it served as a prison, a fortress, courts of law and the seat of the English administrations in Ireland for 700 years! Today, after undergoing some extensive rebuilding and restoration, the castle is open to the public and the occasional state reception. While many people just walk past and take a few shots in the courtyard, we highly recommend doing a guided tour of the inside of the castle – there are some truly stunning halls and rooms to photograph inside.
3. Great South Wall
Get some sea air and vast views of the Irish Sea along Dublin’s Great South Wall. Running four kilometres from the southside suburb Ringsend into Dublin Bay, it was the world’s longest seawall at the time of its construction. Unfortunately, others have since taken that title, but the South Wall still remains one of the longest in Europe. Wrap up warm and be ready for some blustery weather out by the lighthouse. This is a great spot to get panoramic shots of Dublin and to wave farewell to the large cruise ships and passenger ferries sailing in or out of Dublin Bay.
4. The Spire
Locally known as The Spire, the large stainless steel monument also has the alternative name of An Túr Solais in Irish, meaning the Monument of Light. This 390ft pin-like structure stands on O’Connell Street Dublin and at night, the top of the Spire is lit up with 11,884 LEDs. It’s also been named the most photographed point in Dublin city and is also a popular meeting spot for both tourists and locals alike.
5. Ha’penny Bridge and River Liffey
This iconic view of Dublin and the River Liffey cannot be missed. The white cast-iron pedestrian bridge was first built in May 1816 – over 200 years ago! Today, the bridge is a popular tourist spot and many couples have left padlocks to symbolise their love (much to the dislike of Dublin City Council as the padlocks leave damage on the already restored bridge!). Stand in the middle and take in the brightly coloured townhouses that line the northern and south banks of the river.
6. Marks and Spencer’s Cafe on Grafton Street
Sightseeing is thirsty work, so why not rest weary legs in a cafe with the perfect view of Dublin’s best shopping street? Watch the world go by from this top floor cafe — with rooftop terrace in the summer! It’s a great pick me up at the end of a busy day of exploring Dublin and is one of the places to get great shots of Grafton Street from above. Their desserts are also pretty special!
7. St. Stephens Green shopping centre
At the top of Grafton Street stands the iconic St. Stephen’s Green Shopping Centre. Once Ireland’s first shopping centre, the building still stands as an architectural gem within the city, some 30 years after it was first built. The white iron beams, glass dome and orange brickwork makes for fantastic photo opportunity from the top for of the open atrium. This is not your average shopping mall, and will definitely impress!
8. Samuel Beckett Bridge
Standing as one of the newer architectural additions to Dublin’s cityscape, the Samuel Beckett Bridge is a delight if you can catch it in action. The cable-stayed bridge connects Sir John Rogerson’s Quay to Guild Street and North Wall Quay in the Docklands area. The shape of the bridge — which has on an over-reaching arch with 31 cables connected from it, is said to reflect the national symbol of Ireland, the harp. If you can cross the bridge at sunrise, you’ll be guaranteed a fantastic view of the river and both sides of the Liffey.
To see views like this and hear the stories behind them why not join our 1916 walking tour of the city? It’s a wonderful way to see modern day Dublin while learning about its rebellious past.