Where to Stay in Dublin – Neighborhoods Guide

One of the reasons I love Dublin so much isn’t so much for the city itself, but the beautiful places that surround it, and Dalkey is one of these places for me. It’s a suburb in the very south-east of Dublin that’s home to pretty much all of the local celebrities, so expect lots of posh restaurants and fancy bars. As you might expect for the home of U2’s Bono, there’s a really classy atmosphere in Dalkey. It’s still got that quirky small village feeling that is unique to Ireland though, which I think makes it one of the best places to stay in Dublin for couples because it’s just so pretty. As well as vibrant bars, there’s so much amazing scenery down in the south of Dublin too. The coastline is pretty incredible, but the best part has to be the sweeping panoramic views from the top of Killiney Hill. As you might expect, the hotels here are just as fancy as everything else, so maybe save it for a special occasion.

If you want to find somewhere that’s a little bit off the beaten track, then I’d definitely recommend staying in Dún Laoghaire. This is actually just outside of the city center, but again it’s kind of almost like its own little village which makes it the best area to stay in Dublin if you want a bit of peace from the city. The village is famous for its really pretty harbor area, which is best experienced on a warm summer afternoon, just after lunch. It’s also got lots of bars, restaurants and shops for you to visit, far more than you might expect from a place this size. The Victorian style high-street is full of independent shops and quirky little boutique places for you to explore until your heart's content. If you’re looking for where to stay in Dublin that has less chain hotels and a bit more independent accommodation, then Dún Laoghaire is definitely your best bet.

Dublin Six is another part of the city that I think could earn itself the title of best area to stay in Dublin. It’s just south of the city center, roughly about fifteen minutes’ walk away from most of the main attractions. It’s a really unique part of the city with some beautiful architecture and again lots of really nice bars to spend the evenings in. It’s kind of become a really popular hipster part of the city over the years, but it’s beginning to get a lot more expensive as more and more people buy houses and flats here. Even still, there are lots of great Airbnb's for you to stay here. This is probably the one place on this Dublin neighborhood guide that gives tourists just the right blend of city life without being right in the center of town. There’s still a buzz around the Rathmines area, it’s just going to be a much less touristy one.

If you ever wanted to know what part of Dublin to stay in which will give you a taste of the beautiful Irish countryside, then this is really it. Howth is another little place that feels like it’s not really connected to Dublin at, even though it kind of is. This time it’s to the north of the city, right where the coastal cliffs start to become very dramatic, which makes for some spectacular walking opportunities. As well as this, you can take a ferry to different parts of the city or even go on a dolphin cruise, which can be great if you’re travelling with kids. The accommodation options in Howth are mostly pretty basic bed and breakfasts, but they’ve got a lot of quirky charm about them and most likely a great view of the sea! To reach Howth, all you have to do get on the DART from the center of Dublin and you’ll be there in just thirty minutes.

If you want to find yourself something a bit fancier, then the best place to stay in Dublin for you would have to be Dublin Four. This is on the south side of the Liffey, right next to Dublin Two and Six, and it’s basically where all the posh folk live! This is where you’ll get all of the really luxurious hotels that are probably going to cost quite a bit too, so maybe avoid this part if you’re on a tight budget. With that being said, there’s still a fair bit to do down in D4. The Sandymount area especially has lots of little restaurants and bars that would make it ideal if you’re looking for a taste of the local Irish food. There’s also a fair amount of independent shops such as cobblers and bookshops too, which can be very interesting to look around one afternoon.