A guide to the most Instagrammable places in Dublin – and how to get to each one

If you are on the hunt for the best Dublin Instagram spots then we have you covered. The Irish capital is filled with enviable photo opportunities. If you are a fan of magical libraries, brightly coloured pubs, ancient castles, and picture perfect parks, then Dublin is the place for you. In this guide we help you find the best photo spots in Dublin, as well as a map to help you find each one.

But first why visit Dublin?

If you are wondering whether or not you should visit Dublin, we will say that it is such a beautiful city. And apart from trying to find the most Instagrammable places in Dublin, there is so much to see and do. A lot of the charm of Dublin has to do with the friendly people, the laid back atmosphere and this complete mix of the traditional and the modern coming together.

The city is a cultural hotspot, and has inspired so many incredible writers, new and old. There are so many back streets, and nooks to get lost in, and some really quirky shops to explore. It truly is a city you have to see for yourself.

Instagram worthy places in Dublin

Here is our full list of Instagram worthy places in Dublin. These are all places we have been too, so these suggestions are tried and tested. At the end of this article we look at some of the Dublin Instagram spots that people rave about but we haven’t yet visited, so that you don’t miss out on seeing them!

Old Library, Trinity College – the most Instagrammable place in Dublin for book lovers

When looking for Instagrammable places in Dublin, the Old Library at Trinity College is the best place to start. Not only is it home to the Book of Kells, a 9th Century manuscript that contains the four gospels, but it is also home to one of the most incredible libraries we have ever seen.

The Long Room, is probably one of the most photographed though with its dark oak walls, and two levels of floor to ceiling bookcases. As with all beautiful tourist attractions it is fair to say that it gets incredibly busy here. If you want to get those Instagram worthy shots with as few people as possible then you do need to get in early.

Prices to visit the library vary, but if you book online and arrive early you are looking at paying around €11 per person. Or you can buy a combination ticket for 2 of Dublin’s most Instagrammable attrations the Book of Kells and the Dublin castle.

How to get here

Trinity College is located in the centre of Dublin near all the main attractions like the Irish Whiskey Museum and Temple Bar. For more detailed directions we recommend having a look at the Trinity College website.

Trinity College – A Dublin Instagram spot for academia fans

Whilst you are making your way to the Old Library, you will of course pass through the grounds of Trinity College. This is another great photo spot in Dublin. Trinity is the oldest college in Ireland and was founded in 1592. The architecture is pretty amazing here, and you can get some great pictures with the college green in the foreground . It gets pretty overwhelmed with tourists, so visiting early in the morning is best particularly if you want to take some cool photos.

Also TV lovers may recognise some of the college from the recent adaptation of Normal People. With its old school academia style buildings it is the perfect Instagram Spot in Dublin.

How to get here

As mentioned above Trinity College is centrally located. You can check the link above for more information on how to get here.

Temple Bar – A top Dublin Instagram spot

One of our favourite parts of Dublin has to be Temple Bar. Ok so it is really touristy, but it is also filled with cobbled streets, and brightly coloured pubs. One of the most famous and most photogenic pubs has to be the iconic Temple Bar. Its bright red exterior is hard to miss, making it one of the best spots in Dublin for photographs. A top tip for that perfect shot is to visit in the morning before the area gets rammed with tourists.

How to get here

The Temple Bar is located centrally and not far from the River Liffey and Ha’penny Bridge.

The pubs of Dublin – For some Instagrammable places in Dublin while you enjoy a night out

Whilst we are on the subject of pubs, Dublin has so many that are photogenic, particularly in spring/summer when they are decorated in colourful flower arrangements.

How to get here

Just walk! If you walk around the city centre you will come across so many pubs just waiting to be photographed (and drunk in!).

Molly Malone Statue – Best Instagram Spot in Dublin for a selfie

The Molly Malone statue is a favourite with tourists in Dublin. Located on Suffolk Street the statue is one of the best Dublin Instagram spots for a quick selfie. Who is Molly Malone you might be wondering? She is a fictional fishmonger and subject of a popular Irish song.

How to get here

Located on Suffolk Street the statue is right in front of St Andrews Church.

46 Fitzwilliam Square – Best place to snap a picture of the famous doors of Dublin

So apparently this is Dublin’s most photographed door, and you will notice its image in postcard shops around the city. The best time of year to photograph the door has to be Autumn and you can get a great shot of the amber leaves on the vines that climb the walls around the doorway.

If you have the chance, take a wander around Fitzwilliam Square as this is a Georgian Garden Square and definitely worth a visit for those famous Dublin door photos. The Georgian doors of Dublin are really cool, and you will find pictures of them plastered all over Instagram.

How to get here

So we ended up walking from St Stephen’s Green and it is about a 10 minute walk from here. It is actually a nice walk and you get to enjoy the less touristy parts of Dublin too.

St Patrick’s Cathedral – Best Instagram spot in the Spring time

Another Instagram favourite in Dublin has to be St Patrick’s Cathedral. Built in 1220 it is by far one of the best places to take photos in Dublin. For starters the architecture is impressive, and there are some beautiful gardens surrounding the cathedral which are worth exploring and a photographing.

The best time to visit is in Spring when the flowers are blooming, but if you are visiting at other times of the year don’t let that put you off. It is still beautiful.

How to get here

The nearest attractions to St Patrick’s Cathedral are Dublin Castle, and St Stephen’s Green. So we do recommend walking here. There are also several buses that stop near the Cathedral which you can see in the map below.

Marsh’s Library – Best secret Dublin Instagram spot

We have visited Dublin so many times, and it is only recently that we discovered Marsh’s Library. Opened in 1707 it was the first public library in Ireland. It’s very well preserved and you can get some cool photos of the books.

How to get here

Marsh’s Library is just next to St Patrick’s Cathedral, which is an easy walk from the city centre.

Christ Church Cathedral – Most Instagrammable Cathedral in Dublin

Another one of our favourite Dublin Instagram spots is Christ Church Cathedral. There are a lot of great angles where you can get some pretty great pictures, but I love the footbridge that joins the cathedral with Synod Hall.

How to get here

Christ Church Cathedral is a very short walk from Dublin Castle, and St Patrick’s Cathedral.

The Ha’penny Bridge – Most Instagrammable bridge in Dublin

This cast iron bridge, has been helping pedestrians cross the Liffey since its construction in 1816. It is at its best in the evening when it is lit up and you can take a romantic stroll across it. Alternatively, if you time it right and visit the bridge at sunset you will get to experience the magical glow of golden hour reflecting on the River Liffey.  

How to get here

The Ha’penny Bridge crosses the River Liffey and connects you to Temple Bar from O’Connell Street.

St. Stephen’s Green – Most Instagrammable place in Dublin for greenery

St Stephen’s Green is the largest green space in Dublin’s Georgian Quarter. It is filled with fountains, duck ponds, and beautiful gardens, making it one of the best photo spots in Dublin.

How to get here

St Stephen’s Green has its very own Luis stop if you are coming from out of the City Centre. If you are in town you are best off walking here, and you can have a look at the map below for full directions.

Zozimus Bar Umbrellas – Accidental Instagram find

We stumbled upon this place by complete accident. We were wandering around some of the back lanes of Dublin, when I spotted the colourful umbrellas. This is part of the back entrance to Zozimus Bar.

How to get here

The Umbrellas are part of Zozimus Bar so your best bet is to pop that into Google Maps. It is only a 5 minute walk from St Stephen’s Green and St Stephen’s Green Shopping Centre.

37 Dawson Street – One of the most Instagrammable bar interiors in Dublin

So we found this place by Googling ‘cool bars in Dublin’. We were not disappointed. Not only do they make some delicious cocktails, but the bar interior is incredibly Instagram-worthy.

How to get here

It is only a 5 minute walk from St Stephen’s Green and St Stephen’s Green Shopping Centre. It is also right near the Zozimus Bar.

St. Stephen’s Green Shopping Centre – A Dublin Instagram spot for shopping lovers

So usually shopping centres don’t make our list of Instagrammable places, but this one is different. Make sure you head upstairs to get some shots of the quirky interior.

How to get here

Unsurprisingly this is just across from St Stephen’s Green, on the South end of Grafton Street.

Dublin Castle – One of the more traditional Instagrammable places in Dublin

So truth be told this isn’t the most spectacular castle we have seen in Ireland, but that being said it is still worth a visit. You do have to pay to go inside, but you can still get some great photos from the outside for free. It is a historical place in the city and was the seat of the British Government’s administration in Ireland until 1922. Don’t forget to book tickets in advance.

One of the most Instagrammable spots is in the Dubh Linn Garden just across from the castle. There are some great spots where you can nab a picture of flowers and plants with the castle in the background.

How to get here

We recommend walking to the Castle after exploring St Stephen’s Green and before visiting St Patrick’s Cathedral. It’s also very easy to walk here from the city centre.

Iveagh Gardens – A Dublin instagram spot and relaxing garden

Another of Dublin’s green spaces is Iveagh Gardens. And don’t ask me how to pronounce it! There is a beautiful rose garden here, as well as a hedge maze making it the perfect spot for Instagram photos.

How to get here

It is a bit out of the way if you are exploring the city centre, but getting here is only a short walk from St Stephen’s Green.

St James Gate – one of the best Dublin Instagram spots if you like Guinness

St James Gate is one of the most Instagrammable places in Dublin especially if you want that classic tourist shot. St James’s gate is the name of the Guinness brewery that was founded in 1759 by Arthur Guinness.

Outside the storehouse you will find a gate that is usually closed with the Guinness logo on it. It’s one of the best Dublin Instagram spots if you want to get a classic photo of the Guinness sign in it.

Unfortunately when we visited the gates were open so we couldn’t get a great picture. When they are closed you can get some really moody shots, particularly in the rain. Either way though it’s fun to find and photograph.

The good news here is that you don’t need to pay for entry into the Guinness storehouse to get the shot.

How to get here

This is another Instagram spot in Dublin that it a little bit out of the way particularly if you are trying to stick to the city centre. It’s around a 30 minute walk from Trinity College, and it is a nice walk as long as the weather holds up. If not you may want to consider public transport.

From Trinity you can get the bus – there are a number of different buses you can get depending on your exact location, so your best bet is to pop it into GoggleMaps. You can also get the Luas (tram) which will take you to James’ Luas stop.

Inside the Guinness storehouse – the best Dublin Instagram spot for great views

The Guinness storehouse, particularly the bar that you visit right at the end, is one of the best Dublin Instagram spots by far. You get some pretty awesome views over Dublin whilst sipping a pint of Guinness.

Not only is a visit to the storehouse educational but you get rewarded with some panoramic views over Dublin. What could be better?

There are different packages you can purchase but your standard tour with a pint at the end is €20. We do recommend purchasing your tickets online in advance as the queues can be quite long.

How to get here

As per the above instructions for St James Gate.

For more Dublin bucket list ideas you can checkout this post.

Sweny’s Pharmacy – the quirkiest Dublin Instagram spot

One of the quirkier Dublin Instagram spot has to be Sweny’s Pharmacy. It’s actuall featured in Ulysses by James Joyce, and has kept some of the original features. These days it’s a second hand book store, and craft shop. And it’s also where you can buy some lemon soap just like Leopold Bloom.

How to get here

Sweny’s Pharmacy is in the centre of Dublin, right by Trinity College.

Icon Walk – the best Dublin Instagram spot for street art

The Dublin Icon Walk is a place that not many people know about. It’s a free open air art and cultural installation that contains many famous Irish writers, poets, musicians and more. It’s supposed to celebrate Irish culture, and is such a fun an colourful place in the city.

How to get here

The Icon Walk is located close to Temple Bar and Trinity College.

Dublin Instagram spots that we haven’t been to but are supposed to be amazing

Phoenix Park

This is another popular Dublin Instagram spot that unfortunately we haven’t been too. The park is supposed to be incredible, and one of the largest green spaces in the middle of a capital city in Europe. You can walk through the park and get some fabulous shots, and if you get lucky you might be joined by some very chilled out deer.

Kilmainham Gaol

We keep seeing this one on Instagram a lot. So, we absolutely wanted to add this to our list of Dublin Instagram spots. It’s actually a very important piece of Irish history so please do be respectful when you visit. What makes it so photo worthy is its unique interior and symmetrical design. Again though just to stress this used to be a very cruel and harsh prison, and a lot of people were held here such as Irish revolutionaries at the order of the British government at the time. PLEASE BE RESPECTFUL!

Poolberg Lighthouse

Located in Dublin bay the Poolberg Lighthouse is a great photo spot especially if you want to get away from the city centre. The lighthouse is bright red so you can’t miss it.

Tips for finding the best Dublin Instagram spots

• Temple Bar is a great place to go for photos especially with the cobbled streets and cool bars – go for a wander
• Dublin is very touristy so if you want photos without the swarms of people you do need to get up early
• The weather in Dublin is unpredictable – so pack a colourful Instagrammable umbrella for your trip
• And keep an eye on your phone – pickpockets do frequent touristy areas.

Best places to stay near the Dublin Instagram spots

Looking for accommodation in Dublin can be a bit overwhelming. Here are some of our recommended areas based on the best Dublin Instagram spots we have mentioned above.

St. Stephen’s Green

If you want to be close to all the action and a lot of the best Dublin Instagram spots we have included in this list then we recommend staying around St Stephen’s Green. You will be close to a number of museums, but also the very Instagrammable St Stephen’s Green.

This is a popular area to stay in so make sure you book your accommodation well in advance.

Merrion Square

Merrion Square while technically not the city centre is close enough to it that you kind of get the best of both worlds. You are close to a number of museums and galleries but far enough away from the lively nightlife of say Temple Bar. It’s a good area to stay for families.

It’s also has your classic Georgian Dublin vibe, with cobbled streets and beautiful green squares. Accommodation around here does tend to be a bit fancier and more expensive.

Temple Bar

Another great place to stay to be close to a lot of our top Dublin Instagram spots is Temple Bar. Again accommodation can be expensive, but you are smack bang in the middle of the hustle and bustle. It’s also the perfect place to stay for nightlife.

Docklands

The Docklands area is another good option if you want to be close to the centre but not smack bang in the middle of all the chaos. It’s also a little less touristy so the food and drink options around here are not going to be your classic tourist traps.

Best photo spots in Dublin – a recap

As you can see from the above post there are so many Instagrammable places in Dublin. We barely even scratched the surface as we stayed quite close to the city centre. If you found this useful don’t forget to Pin this so that you can find the best Dublin Instagram spots later.

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