Dublin has many outstanding tourist attractions and, just like any large city, an entire travel industry designed to be profitable. But, like in most large European cities, it is also possible to enjoy a great time in Dublin without spending even a single cent (with the exemption of your coffee or bus fare).
Below, we have listed indoor and outdoor activities that will never really cost you a single penny.
Take a Stroll
The perfect way to see any city – and Dublin makes no exception – is to walk through it. Don’t forget to scrutinize, though. Get a map, pack some water in your backpack, get your walking shoes on, and start exploring. You can create an itinerary before you leave the hotel (or hostel). And it’s also a good idea to ask around and see what other budget travelers have done.
Where should you go? You can proceed to the Temple Bar, Parnell Square, St Stephen’s Green, or the River.
Art Galleries
The public art galleries can all be visited for free. Dublin’s most important art gallery is The National Gallery, located at Merrion Square. This gallery contains the national collections of the arts of Ireland and other master paintings of Europe, ranging from Orpen to Caravaggio. You can also visit the Hugh Lane Art Gallery situated at Parnell Square. Contemporary art from the 19th and 20th centuries is housed in this gallery.
The Irish Museum of Moder Art is another place you can visit that focuses on art. It contains more contemporary art compared to Hugh Lane. The building in which the museum is housed is an old hospital dating from the 17th century. The gallery is worth your time because of its landscaped grounds and extensive views across the River Liffey.
Museums
Compared to other museums in most countries, the Dublin museums are free to visit. The National Museum has three towers- Decorative Arts at Collin Barracks, Natural History Museum in Merrion Square, and Archaeology and History at Kildare Street. The Dublin Corporation also manages the Dublin Civic Museum, mapping the history of Dublin since the time of the Vikings.
Gardens and Parks
Bring your children to the many gardens and parks around the city. Some of the most beautiful include St. Stephens Green, Iveagh Gardens, Phoenix Park, Merrion Square, and the war memorial of Island Bridge. You can also visit Marley Park in the south part of the city and St. Anne’s Park in the north.
Government Buildings
Not many travelers know that the wonderful Leinster House, the seat of the Parliament’s two houses, is accessible to visitors. But to visit these wonderful buildings, you need to organize things beforehand, and it would be easier to do it with the help of an elected representative.
When you can come in, you can walk around the building or sit in The Dáil, the gallery for visitors, and observe the politicians at work.