Dublin is full of photo-worthy corners, from colourful Georgian doors to sweeping coastal views, historic landmarks and a few unexpected animal photobombs along the way. Whether you’re planning a family day out in the city or a coastal ramble further afield, these are the spots worth having your camera ready for.
The good news is that many of these are easy to reach without a car. Dublin’s city centre is compact and walkable, while the bus, DART and Luas networks make it simple to reach the coast, the hills and the outer suburbs too.
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Best Instagram Places in Dublin
1. Poolbeg Lighthouse
The vibrant red lighthouse at the mouth of the River Liffey sits at the end of the Great South Wall. A roughly 4km walk from the car park brings you out to some genuinely scenic views over Dublin Bay.
2. Poolbeg Chimneys
Standing at just over 207m, the well-known Poolbeg towers are visible across the Dublin skyline from most directions, making them one of the city’s most recognisable landmarks.
3. St Stephen’s Green
St Stephen’s Green is a green oasis right in the middle of the city, with links to important historical figures including Arthur Guinness, 1st Baron Ardilaun, and Countess Constance Markievicz. Look out for the sculptural monuments dotted through the park, and let younger visitors enjoy the playground and duck ponds.
4. Ha’penny Bridge
Built in 1816, the Ha’penny Bridge is a landmark pedestrian bridge crossing the River Liffey. It takes its name from the original halfpenny toll once charged to cross it, and today thousands of people walk across it every day.
5. Trinity College
Set on a beautiful campus in the heart of the city centre, Trinity College is Ireland’s highest-ranked university and a striking place to pass through as you explore Dublin on foot.
6. The Library at Trinity College
The Long Room at Trinity is one of the world’s most beautiful libraries and home to the Book of Kells, one of Ireland’s greatest cultural treasures. As you explore the exhibition, you’ll learn about the 1,200-year-old manuscript and the artistry behind it.
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7. Howth Harbour
Howth is a working fishing village, with trawlers and fish shops lining the pier. It’s easy to reach by DART, and once there you’ll find markets to browse, Howth Head to hike, and seals to spot in the harbour.
8. Deer in the Phoenix Park
The Phoenix Park is one of the largest enclosed public parks of any capital city in Europe, originally laid out as a royal hunting park in the 1660s and opened to the public in 1747. The 1,750-acre park is open daily, all year round, and offers Dublin Zoo, Áras an Uachtaráin, Victorian flower gardens, walking and cycling trails, playgrounds and the Papal Cross.
Its best-loved residents, though, are the herds of fallow deer that roam freely and can be seen as you walk or drive through the park. Keep a respectful distance and never feed them – just let them photobomb from afar.
9. Martello Towers
Twenty-nine Martello towers run the length of the county, built in the early 1800s as lookout posts. Some are privately owned or in disrepair, but a few are open to visit, including the Ye Olde Hurdy Gurdy Museum of Vintage Radio in Howth and the James Joyce Tower and Museum in Sandycove.
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10. Umbrellas on Anne Lane
For a truly unique backdrop, this canopy of colourful umbrellas on Anne Lane, off South Anne Street in the city centre, is well worth a detour.
11. Georgian Doors
Georgian doors are synonymous with Dublin and can be seen prominently around Merrion Square and Fitzwilliam Square. The vibrant colours are fun to spot with kids – see if you can collect photos across the whole rainbow.
12. Portmarnock Beach
Known as the Velvet Strand, Portmarnock Beach is a beautiful sandy Blue Flag beach in North County Dublin, stretching around five miles from Baldoyle towards Malahide. It’s a popular spot for swimming, walking and watersports.
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13. Dublin Convention Centre
The distinctive design and ever-changing light display of the Dublin Convention Centre in the Docklands is a real visual treat. It’s lit up in seasonal or themed colours for events, and the reflection on the Liffey at night makes for a great photo.
14. Grand Canal
The Grand Canal runs from Dublin’s Grand Canal Dock all the way to the River Shannon. Within the city, you can follow it through Ringsend, Ballsbridge, Ranelagh, Rathmines, Harold’s Cross and Crumlin. The traditional locks and barges along the water make for a scenic walk or cycle.
15. Christ Church Cathedral
Christ Church Cathedral has stood in the heart of Dublin for more than 1,000 years and is home to a famous 12th-century crypt, one of the oldest and largest in Britain and Ireland. Keep an eye out for the striking footbridge that joins the Cathedral to Synod Hall.
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16. Patrick Kavanagh Bench
Irish poet and novelist Patrick Kavanagh is commemorated with a unique seated statue along the Grand Canal, on the north bank between Baggot Street Bridge and the upstream Eustace Bridge.
17. Dublin Zoo
Dublin Zoo, set in the heart of the Phoenix Park, opened in 1831 and still operates as a charity today. Highlights include the Gorilla Rainforest, African Plains, Sea Lion Cave, Flamingo Lagoon and the elephants’ Kaziranga Forest Trail. Check the scheduled feeding times on the day to learn more about the animals – you might get photobombed by one of the residents.
18. Killiney Hill
Killiney Hill is a favourite for walkers and hikers thanks to its spectacular views: Dublin to the northwest, the Irish Sea and, on a clear day, the mountains of Wales to the east and southeast, and Bray Head and the Wicklow Mountains to the south.
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19. Grand Canal Square
Grand Canal Square features a striking red “carpet” extending from the theatre out over the dock, with bright angled light sticks that are eye-catching by day and even more so when lit up at night. Designed by American landscape architect Martha Schwartz, the 10,000 sq metre square is one of the largest paved public spaces in Dublin city.
20. Oscar Wilde Statue
The life-size, colourful statue of Irish poet and playwright Oscar Wilde can be found in Merrion Square, opposite his childhood home at 1 Merrion Square.
21. The Spire
The Spire of Dublin, also known as the Monument of Light, is a stainless steel monument standing 390ft tall in the centre of O’Connell Street.
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22. The Hungry Tree
The Hungry Tree stands in the grounds of the Honorable Society of King’s Inns, Ireland’s oldest school of law. This London Plane tree has grown around a cast-iron bench over the decades, its gnarled bark spilling over the seat as if it’s slowly swallowing it whole. The grounds are open to the public, so you can visit and see it for yourself.
23. Jeanie Johnston
The original Jeanie Johnston made her maiden voyage from Blennerville in Tralee, Co. Kerry, to Quebec in Canada in 1848, and went on to carry around 2,500 Irish emigrants across 16 transatlantic voyages during the Famine years. Today, you can climb aboard the authentic replica in Dublin’s Docklands for a tour, or simply use the ship as a striking photo backdrop.
24. The Icon Walk, Temple Bar
The Icon Walk in Temple Bar is a public art project made up of imaginative, inclusive portraits of iconic Irish figures, past and present. These creative artworks line the streets leading up to the Icon Factory Gallery, making for a fun and colourful wander.
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25. Butterfly House at Malahide Castle
Step inside Ireland’s only butterfly house at Malahide Castle & Gardens, where you can watch butterflies fly freely among tropical plants and spot their individual markings. With over 20 species housed here, it’s a treat for casual visitors and keen enthusiasts alike.
26. Iveagh Gardens
Known as Dublin’s “Secret Garden” thanks to its tucked-away location at the top of Harcourt Street, behind the National Concert Hall, Iveagh Gardens began life as an earl’s lawn before hosting the Dublin Exhibition Palace in 1865. Many original features remain or have been restored, including the yew maze, the rosarium and the fountains.
27. EPIC Sign
EPIC The Irish Emigration Museum is housed in The CHQ Building, a beautifully restored Georgian warehouse. Inside, you can discover why millions of people left Ireland over the centuries, where they went, and the stories they carried with them across 20 interactive galleries. Out front, the EPIC sign itself has become a popular photo spot.
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28. Buskers on Grafton Street
Buskers are woven into the fabric of Grafton Street, performing everything from traditional Irish music to pop and rock. Many well-known Irish musicians got their start here, including Damien Rice, Glen Hansard and Bono. You may still spot familiar faces from time to time, particularly on Christmas Eve, when some of Ireland’s biggest names host an impromptu busking session for charity.
29. Kilmainham Gaol
Kilmainham Gaol opened in 1796 as the new County Gaol for Dublin. While most prisoners were held for common crimes, it also housed key political prisoners in Ireland’s struggle for independence, including Robert Emmet, Anne Devlin, the Fenians, Charles Stewart Parnell, Countess Markievicz and the leaders of the 1916 Easter Rising. Today it’s a popular attraction, with guided tours and a museum to explore.
30. Dun Laoghaire Pier
The East Pier of Dun Laoghaire Harbour is a favourite with walkers, joggers and anyone after a bit of sea air. It’s home to a Victorian shelter and bandstand first built in 1890, which has since undergone extensive renovation.
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Frequently Asked Questions
What is the most Instagrammable spot in Dublin?
It really depends on what you’re after. For a classic city shot, the Ha’penny Bridge or the colourful Georgian doors around Merrion Square are hard to beat. For coastal views, Howth Harbour and Dun Laoghaire’s East Pier are firm favourites with families.
Are these photo spots suitable for kids and buggies?
Most of the spots on this list are outdoor, publicly accessible locations such as parks, piers, bridges and streets, so they’re generally buggy-friendly. A few, like Killiney Hill or the Martello towers, involve some walking or steps, so it’s worth checking conditions on the day if you’re travelling with young children.
Do I need to pay to visit these locations?
Many of the outdoor spots, such as parks, beaches, bridges and public art, are free to visit. Some, like Dublin Zoo, the Book of Kells exhibition, EPIC The Irish Emigration Museum, Kilmainham Gaol and Malahide Castle’s Butterfly House, are ticketed attractions, so check current pricing and opening hours directly with the venue before you go.
What’s the best time of day for photos in Dublin?
Early morning or early evening tends to work well for softer light and quieter streets, especially at busy spots like Temple Bar and Grafton Street. Coastal locations like Poolbeg Lighthouse or Killiney Hill are also lovely around sunrise or sunset.
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- Best Outdoor Places in Dublin for Families
- 30 Terrific Things to Do in Dublin for Teens and Older Kids
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Dublin has enough photo-worthy corners to fill several family day trips, so why not save this list and work through it a few spots at a time? Bookmark this page or share it with the family so everyone can vote on where to visit next.
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