9 Best Dublin Neighborhoods (in 2023)

In this article I outline my picks for the best Dublin neighborhoods for every preference. 

This list covers places in Dublin to enjoy the hustle and bustle of urban life, the cozy comfort of the suburbs, and the peace and quiet of the outskirts. I also touch on safety, school districts, and more to help you maximize your stay in Ireland’s capital—whether you’re relocating or simply visiting. 

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9 Best Neighborhoods in Dublin

Central Dublin-Northside

The bustling heart of Dublin teems with pubs, restaurants, and character.

📍 Google Maps | Central Dublin-Northside Website | School Districts: Irish Department of Education | 👉 Best Hotel for Your Scouting Trip: Wynn’s Hotel

Central Dublin-Northside is the place to be if you want to be in the heart of the Irish capital! The city center on the north bank of the River Liffey has tons of famous pubs, landmarks, and things to do. The main thoroughfare, O’Connell Street, is to Dublin what 5th Avenue is to New York City. It’s much quieter than NYC, busy as it is, though.

Being in the city center is a great option for urban atmosphere and short-term places to stay in Dublin. O’Connell Street serves as a central hub for Dublin’s public transportation system. Consider this neighborhood if you want easy access to the rest of the city (and country).

Pros of Central Dublin-North Side

• Central location
• Plenty of pubs and restaurants

Cons of Central Dublin-North Side

• Crowded and noisy
• Fewer schools and housing options

Temple Bar

The liveliest part of town, packed with pubs and major attractions.

📍 Google Maps | Temple Bar Website | School Districts: Irish Department of Education | 👉 Best Hotel for Your Scouting Trip: The Fleet

Temple Bar is on the south side of the River Liffey. It’s another of the Dublin neighborhoods for those seeking bustling urban vibes. Here you will find many of the city’s most famous landmarks such as Dublin Castle and Trinity College. Dublin’s famous, historical churches—Christ Church and St. Patrick’s Cathedrals—also adorn the streets of Temple Bar.

Cobblestone streets trace their way through this most famous neighborhood in the city center. Each of them is lined by great pubs, restaurants, shops, and other attractions. Temple Bar has no rival for those that enjoy exciting evenings on the town. Many visitors may prefer a short-term visit because housing tends to be expensive, given the fame of the neighborhood.

📚 Related Reading: Wondering when to visit Dublin? Take a look at my guide on the best time to visit Dublin!

 Pros of Temple Bar

• Tons of great pubs
• Lively atmosphere with a ton of character
• Close to major attractions such as Dublin Castle and Trinity College

Cons of Temple Bar

• Very few housing options or schools
• Noisy at night, especially on weekends

Dublin Docklands

AKA Silicon Docks, the Docklands are the center of Dublin’s booming tech industry.

📍 Google Maps | Dublin Docklands Website | School Districts: Irish Department of Education | 👉 Best Hotel for Your Scouting Trip: The Mayson

Dublin’s Docklands is the central nervous system of Ireland’s thriving tech industry, set just to the east of the city center. Young professionals and expats working for major tech companies will find this the most convenient location. It does come with a somewhat steeper price tag, like other prestigious central neighborhoods.

The Docklands lead the way in technological progress but also remember much of Ireland’s history. EPIC, the Irish Emigration Museum, tells the story of Ireland’s vast diaspora. The Samuel Beckett Bridge resembles a harp, a historical national symbol of Ireland. 

Pros of The Dublin Docklands

• Great location for tech workers and digital nomads
• Unique atmosphere (a blend of modern and traditional)
• Surprisingly quiet and safe for a central district

Cons of The Dublin Docklands

• One of the more expensive neighborhoods in Dublin
• Doesn’t have quite the old-world charm of other neighborhoods

Merrion Square – St. Stephen’s Green

This Dublin neighborhood blends sophistication and simplicity like no other in the city.

📍 Google Maps | Merrion Square-St. Stephen’s Green Website | School Districts: Irish Department of Education | 👉 Best Hotel for Your Scouting Trip: Stauntons on the Green

Several small neighborhoods lie just southeast of the city, embodying the best of Ireland’s old-world charm. Red brick houses surround emerald green parks and gardens. You’ll also find the famous brightly-colored Georgian doors on houses here. Take a stroll down Grafton Street or visit Stephen’s Green Shopping Centre for some of the best shopping in town. 

These “garden” neighborhoods are ideal for families with children—the parks are great for outdoor activities. This is also the place to be for aficionados of museums and higher culture. Dublin’s most famous art galleries and museums are here, such as the National Gallery and the Natural History Museum, along with the National Concert Hall. Be sure to add these stops to your Dublin itinerary! 

Pros of Merrion Square-St. Stephen’s Green

• Close to museums and other attractions
• Classy atmosphere
• Quieter and safer than other central districts

Cons of Merrion Square-St. Stephen’s Green

• Expensive housing
• Not as many restaurants or pubs as in other areas

Stoneybatter – Smithfield

These twin neighborhoods have cute cafes, trendy restaurants, and tons of hipster vibes.

📍 Google Maps | Stoneybatter-Smithfield Website | School Districts: Irish Department of Education | 👉 Best Hotel for Your Scouting Trip: easyHotel Dublin City Centre

The charm of the past merges with the hipness of the present just west of the city center. Anyone wanting to get the best of both “worlds” will fall in love with Stoneybatter. Old warehouses now house breweries, boutique hotels, and more. There’s also the Jameson Distillery, and the Guinness Brewery stands within walking distance just over the River Liffey.

Tourists and locals alike love the pairing of classic Irish pubs with restaurants offering cuisine from around the world. Take a walk in Phoenix Park, Dublin’s largest city park, for a little break from the urban landscape. Phoenix Park is also home to the Dublin Zoo, one of the most famous family attractions in the city.

Pros of Stoneybatter-Smithfield

• Trendy vibes
• Plenty of famous attractions
• Excellent eateries ranging from street food to classier fare

Cons of Stoneybatter-Smithfield

• May be too industrial for some tastes
• Close to the city center, so it can be noisy in the evenings/weekends

Ranelagh – Rathmines

These quiet neighborhoods are classic Irish suburbs, more withdrawn from the city center.

📍 Google Maps | Ranelagh-Rathmines Website | School Districts: Irish Department of Education | 👉 Best Hotel for Your Scouting Trip: The Devlin

Ranelagh and Rathmines are excellent choices if you’re in search of a quieter neighborhood.

These suburban neighborhoods are close enough to the center for convenience, but far enough away to avoid the crowds and noise. I lived in Ranelagh and loved the local atmosphere. Families with children will appreciate the many parks in the area as well. 

My apartment was on one of the main streets, so it could get a little loud on Friday and Saturday nights, but beyond that, it was a quiet place to live. Rathmines has cheaper housing prices than Ranelagh, ideal for those wishing to save money. It also has plenty of thrift shops for finding great deals on vintage clothing and more.

👉 Tips for Visiting Ireland: Dublin is a well-connected city with buses and rail lines stretching throughout. Buy a resident Leap Card or a Leap Visitor Card for convenient access to them all. 

Pros of Ranelagh-Rathmines

• Close enough to the center for comfort; distant enough for quiet
• Great schools and parks

Cons of Ranelagh-Rathmines

• Homes in Ranelagh tend to be more expensive

Portobello

A safe, cozy neighborhood with lots of local charm.

📍 Google Maps | School Districts: Irish Department of Education | 👉 Best Hotel for Your Scouting Trip: Maldron Hotel Kevin Street

The neighborhood of Portobello is located south of Temple Bar and has more of a local feel than its neighbor to the north. The centrality and affordability of the neighborhood make it a popular place with students attending Trinity College and other universities in town. It’s also an overall good choice for families.

Portobello is not without attractions. The most famous is the Irish Jewish Museum. The Grand Canal forms the southern boundary of the neighborhood and is a great place for a peaceful walk. I frequented the banks of the canal during my time in Dublin.

Pros of Portobello

• Considered one of the safest neighborhoods in Dublin
• Central location, but without the touristy feeling
• Affordable housing

Cons of Portobello

• Lots of students live here, so establishments may get noisy on weekends and nights

Phibsborough

This neighborhood gives Stoneybatter a run for its money when it comes to trendy vibes and comfortable living.

📍 Google Maps | School Districts: Irish Department of Education | 👉 Best Hotel for Your Scouting Trip: Dublin One

In recent years, Phibsborough has emerged as perhaps the trendiest Dublin neighborhood. There are plenty of innovative restaurants, like Stoneybatter to its south. The charm of Phibsborough, though, is that it’s a distinctively residential neighborhood. It does not have the “repurposed” vibe that Stoneybatter sports.

Local cafes make for cozy hangouts. Eclectic eateries offer a wide variety of cuisines. Thrift stores present great “treasure-hunting” experiences. Overall, Phibsborough is one of the best districts in Dublin for both visitors who like local experiences and potential long-term residents.

Pros of Phibsborough

• One of the trendier neighborhoods
• Lots of great cafes and eateries

Cons of Phibsborough

• Some people may not enjoy the “hipster” vibes as much as others

Dalkey – Dun Laoghaire

Enjoy the coastal beauty of these seaside areas.

📍 Google Maps | Dalkey-Dun Laoghaire Website | School Districts: Irish Department of Education | 👉 Best Hotel for Your Scouting Trip: Royal Marine Hotel

In Dalkey-Dun Laoghaire, one escapes the hustle and bustle of the city and takes in the quiet charm of Ireland’s coastline. Housing prices tend to be quite high like most coastal neighborhoods, but for those that can afford it, the price is well worth it. Public transportation to and from the city center takes between 30-45 minutes one way. This may be a plus or a minus depending on one’s tastes.

Although on the edge of the city, there are still plenty of great pubs, eateries, and attractions at which to spend one’s time. The most famous local landmark, the James Joyce Tower, overlooks one of the more popular swimming holes in Dublin. The water is far from tropical, but surprisingly inviting for such a northern local—I’ve taken the plunge myself!

Pros of Dalkey-Dun Laoghaire

• Beautiful, peaceful surroundings
• Quieter than most neighborhoods

Cons of Dalkey- Dun Laoghaire

• High housing prices
• Farther from the city center and major attractions

FAQs About Dublin Neighborhoods 

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Dublin is an unforgettable place whether you’re planning to move or just planning to visit. I hope you’ve gotten some good insights into these Dublin neighborhoods and what they have to offer!