Dublin is packed with brilliant backdrops for family photos, and you don’t need to go far to find them. From colourful doors and painted laneways to historic bridges, beaches and a park full of deer, this city (and county) has some genuinely lovely spots to capture your day out.
We’ve rounded up the best photo spots and Instagram places in Dublin below — some are famous landmarks, others are quieter local gems. Most are free to visit, and many can be combined into one great family day out.
One of the best ways to discover Dublin is on foot — the city centre is compact and easy to explore, while the bus, DART and LUAS will take you further afield to see even more of what the county has to offer.
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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 walk out along the wall from the car park rewards you with some really scenic views.
2. Poolbeg Chimneys
Standing over 200m tall, the instantly recognisable Poolbeg Towers are visible across the Dublin skyline from almost every direction, making them one of the city’s most iconic landmarks.
3. St Stephen’s Green
St Stephen’s Green is a genuine oasis in the middle of the city. This historic park and garden has links to many important figures, including Arthur Guinness, 1st Baron Ardilaun, and Countess Constance Markievicz.
Keep an eye out for a number of important sculptural Irish monuments, while younger visitors will enjoy the playground and the duck ponds.
4. Ha’penny Bridge
Built in 1816, the Ha’penny Bridge is a landmark pedestrian bridge crossing the River Liffey. Named after the original toll paid for crossing, it’s now crossed by thousands of people every day — and photographed by just as many.
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 stunning setting to explore as you walk through Dublin.
6. The Library at Trinity College
The Long Room at Trinity is one of the world’s most beautiful libraries. It’s also 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 Book of Kells and the rich symbolism and artistry behind it.
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7. Howth Harbour
Howth is a working fishing village, with fishing trawlers and fish shops lining the pier. Easily reached by DART, there’s a market to explore, 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. It was originally a royal hunting park in the 1660s and opened to the public in 1747.
Open daily all year round, the 1,750-acre park has plenty to see and do, including Dublin Zoo, Áras an Uachtaráin, Victorian flower gardens, walking and cycling trails, playgrounds, the Papal Cross and more.
Although the park is home to the Irish President, its most-visited residents are the thousands of fallow deer. The herd can be seen as you walk or drive through the park — just remember to keep your distance and never feed them. Let them photobomb from afar!
9. Martello Towers
There are 29 Martello towers running the length of the county. Built in the early 1800s, they were originally designed as lookout posts. Today some are privately owned and others are run down, 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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> Looking for more family days out? Browse our monthly round-up of what’s on for families in Ireland for fresh ideas every month.
10. Umbrellas on Anne Lane
For a truly unique backdrop, the canopy of colourful umbrellas on Anne Lane, off South Anne Street in the city centre, is well worth a visit.
11. Georgian Doors
Georgian doors are synonymous with Dublin and can be spotted prominently around Merrion Square and Fitzwilliam Square. The vibrant colours are fun to hunt down — can you get photos with the whole rainbow?
12. Portmarnock Beach
Known as the Velvet Strand, Portmarnock Beach is a stunning, sandy Blue Flag beach in north County Dublin. Stretching five miles from Baldoyle towards Malahide, it’s popular for swimming, walking and watersports.
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13. Dublin Convention Centre
The unique design and ever-changing light display of the Dublin Convention Centre in the Docklands is a real vision. Lit up in seasonal or themed colours for events, its reflection on the Liffey at night makes for a fantastic photo spot.
14. Grand Canal
The Grand Canal stretches from Dublin’s Grand Canal Dock all the way to the River Shannon. In Dublin, you can follow it through areas like Ringsend, Ballsbridge, Ranelagh, Rathmines, Harold’s Cross and Crumlin.
The canal itself is a scenic path to walk and cycle, and the traditional locks and barges along the water are a lovely sight.
15. Christ Church Cathedral
Christ Church Cathedral is one of Ireland’s most historic buildings, standing in the heart of Dublin for over 1,000 years.
The cathedral is home to a famous 12th-century crypt, one of the oldest and largest in Britain and Ireland. While the cathedral itself is a showstopper, the striking footbridge linking it to Synod Hall is particularly eye-catching.
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16. Patrick Kavanagh Bench
Irish poet and novelist Patrick Kavanagh is commemorated with this 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, in the heart of the Phoenix Park, was opened by the Zoological Society of Ireland in 1831 and still operates as a charity today.
With areas like the Gorilla Rainforest, African Plains, Sea Lion Cave, Flamingo Lagoon and the elephants’ Kaziranga Forest Trail, there’s plenty to discover, learn and photograph. Check the day’s feeding schedule while you’re there — you might even get photobombed by one of the residents!
18. Killiney Hill
Killiney Hill is a popular spot for walkers and hikers, thanks to its spectacular views: Dublin to the northwest, the Irish Sea (and the mountains of Wales on a clear day) to the east and southeast, and Bray Head and the Wicklow Mountains to the south.
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> Planning a trip? Our Guide to Dublin for Families covers where to eat, stay, play and explore across the city.
19. Grand Canal Square
Grand Canal Square features a striking red “carpet” extending from the theatre out over the dock, with bright red angled light sticks that are eye-catching by day and even more striking 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 lifesize, 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 in Dublin stands on the grounds of the Honorable Society of King’s Inns, Ireland’s oldest school of law. This London Plane tree is slowly “eating” a cast-iron bench beside it.
As the tree has grown, it has overtaken parts of the bench, its gnarled bark spilling over the seat so it looks like it’s being pulled into the trunk. The grounds are open and accessible to the public, so you can visit 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, carrying 193 passengers. She went on to carry 2,500 Irish emigrants across 16 transatlantic voyages during the Famine years.
Today you can climb aboard the authentic replica Jeanie Johnston in Dublin’s Docklands for a tour — or simply use this landmark as a striking photo backdrop.
24. The Icon Walk, Temple Bar
Image © Fáilte Ireland/Tourism Ireland. Courtesy of Paola Floris
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 pieces are displayed on the walls of the streets leading up to the Icon Factory Gallery.
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> Planning family days out further afield? Our downloadable checklist of 99 fantastic places to visit around Ireland is a handy one to save.
25. Butterfly House at Malahide Castle
Step inside Ireland’s only butterfly house at Malahide Castle & Gardens. Watch the butterflies fly among tropical plants and spot their individual markings — with over 20 species housed here, it’s a treat for amateur enthusiasts and experienced lepidopterists alike.
26. Iveagh Gardens
Iveagh Gardens are popularly known as Dublin’s “Secret Garden,” thanks to their almost hidden location at the top of Harcourt Street, behind the National Concert Hall.
From modest beginnings as an earl’s lawn, the gardens went on to host the Dublin Exhibition Palace in 1865. Many original landscape features remain in place, or have been restored since the 1990s, 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. Discover why over 10 million people left Ireland, where they went, and what they brought with them, through personal stories across 20 interactive galleries.
One particular photo hotspot here is the EPIC sign out front.
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28. Buskers on Grafton Street
Buskers are an integral part of life on Grafton Street, from traditional Irish music to pop and rock you can sing along to. Many of Ireland’s best-known musicians started out here, including Damien Rice, Glen Hansard and Bono.
You can still spot familiar faces on occasion — most notably on Christmas Eve, when some of Ireland’s biggest stars host an impromptu busking session for charity.
29. Kilmainham Gaol
Kilmainham Gaol opened in 1796 as the new County Gaol for Dublin. While most of its prisoners were common criminals, it also held political prisoners involved 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 the gaol is a popular attraction with guided tours and a museum to explore.
30. Dun Laoghaire Pier
Image courtesy Fionn Mc Cann
The East Pier of Dun Laoghaire Harbour is a favourite for walkers, joggers and pleasure-seekers. It features 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 famous photo spot in Dublin?
Trinity College and the Book of Kells Long Room, the Ha’penny Bridge and the colourful Georgian doors around Merrion Square are among the most photographed spots in the city.
Are these photo spots free to visit?
Most of the outdoor spots on this list — bridges, parks, doors, beaches and street art — are free to view and photograph. A few attractions, such as Dublin Zoo, EPIC and Kilmainham Gaol, are paid visitor attractions, so check ahead if you’re planning to go inside.
Which Dublin photo spots are best for young kids?
St Stephen’s Green, the Phoenix Park (for the deer and playgrounds), Dublin Zoo and Portmarnock Beach are all great choices for families with younger children, combining space to run around with plenty of photo opportunities.
Can you get to these spots without a car?
Yes — many of the city-centre spots are within walking distance of each other, and the DART and LUAS make it easy to reach further-out locations like Howth, Killiney and Dun Laoghaire.
Related Articles
- Guide to Dublin for Families: Where to Eat, Stay, Play and Explore
- 40 Fun and FREE Things to Do in Dublin with Kids
- Best Outdoor Places in Dublin for Families
- Things to Do with Preschoolers in Dublin
- Ireland’s Blue Flag Beaches are Perfect for Family Seaside Fun!
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