Dublin is full of brilliant backdrops for family photos, and you don’t need a fancy camera to capture them – just your phone and a bit of time to explore. From striking statues and grand old buildings to animal photobombs and colourful street art, this city has photo opportunities around every corner.
One of the best ways to discover Dublin is on foot. The city centre is small and easy to explore, while bus, DART and Luas options will take you further afield to uncover even more of what the county has to offer.
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Best Photo Spots and 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 rewards you with some of the most scenic views in the city.
2. Poolbeg Chimneys
Standing at just over 207m, the famous Poolbeg Towers are visible across the Dublin skyline from almost every direction, making them one of the city’s most recognisable landmarks.
3. St Stephen’s Green
St Stephen’s Green is an 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 significant 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 charged to cross it, the bridge is now used by thousands of people 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 stunning setting to visit 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 is 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 manuscript and the rich symbolism and artistry behind it.
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7. Howth Harbour
Howth is a working fishing village, with trawlers and fish shops lining the pier. Easily reached by DART, there are 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 in any capital city in Europe. It was originally formed as a royal hunting park in the 1660s and opened to the public in 1747.
Open daily, all year round, the 1,750-acre park offers 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-photographed residents are the thousands of fallow deer. The herd can be seen as you walk or drive through the park, though it’s important to keep your distance and never feed them – just let them photobomb your pictures.
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 while others are in ruins, 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 visit.
11. Georgian Doors
Georgian doors are synonymous with Dublin and can be seen prominently in areas like Merrion Square and Fitzwilliam Square. The vibrant colours are fun to spot – can you get photos with the whole rainbow?
12. Portmarnock Beach
Portmarnock Beach, known as the Velvet Strand, 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 Convention Centre in the Docklands is a real sight to see. Lit up in seasonal or themed colours for events, the light 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.
While the canal itself is a scenic path to walk or cycle, the traditional locks and barges along the water are a sight to behold.
15. Christ Church Cathedral
Christ Church Cathedral is one of Ireland’s most historic buildings, standing in the heart of Dublin for more than 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 unique footbridge joining 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 Cove, Flamingo Lagoon, and the elephants’ Kaziranga Forest Trail, there’s so much to discover, learn and see. Check the scheduled feeding times, a great way to learn more about the animals – who knows, you may get photobombed by some of the residents!
18. Killiney Hill
Killiney Hill is a popular spot for walkers and hikers taking in spectacular views over the surrounding areas: 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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19. Grand Canal Square
Grand Canal Square features a striking composition of a red “carpet” extending from the theatre out over the dock. Bright red angled light sticks are eye-catching during the day, but a real stand-out when glowing 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 in Dublin’s city centre, 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 is located on the grounds of the Honorable Society of King’s Inns, Ireland’s oldest school of law. This mature London Plane tree is in the process of “eating” a cast-iron bench.
As the tree has grown, it has gradually overtaken parts of the structure in its path. Its gnarled bark now spills over the back of the bench, making it look as though the seat is being pulled into the trunk.
The grounds are open and accessible to the public, so you can visit The Hungry Tree for yourself.
23. Jeanie Johnston
The original Jeanie Johnston made her maiden voyage from Blennerville in Tralee, Co. Kerry to Quebec, Canada, in 1848 with 193 passengers on board. She carried around 2,500 Irish emigrants on 16 transatlantic voyages to North America during the Famine years.
Today, you can climb aboard the authentic replica Jeanie Johnston in Dublin’s Docklands for a tour, or simply use the landmark ship as a fantastic 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 snapshots of iconic Irish historical and contemporary figures. These creative representations of cultural icons, past and present, are displayed on the walls of the streets leading up to the Icon Factory Gallery.
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25. Butterfly House at Malahide Castle
Step inside Ireland’s only butterfly house at Malahide Castle & Gardens. Watch butterflies fly among tropical plants and spot their individual traits and markings – a paradise 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 splendour of the Dublin Exhibition Palace in 1865. Many of the original landscape features are still in place, or have been restored, including the yew maze, the rosarium and the fountains.
27. EPIC Sign
EPIC The Irish Emigration Museum is located in the CHQ Building, a beautifully restored Georgian warehouse. Discover why millions of people left this island, where they went and what they brought with them, as you explore personal stories across a series of interactive galleries.
One particular photo hotspot 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 with. 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 the 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 popular place for walkers, joggers and pleasure-seekers. The pier boasts a Victorian shelter and bandstand first constructed in 1890, which has since undergone extensive renovation.
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Frequently Asked Questions
What’s the best free photo spot in Dublin?
Many of Dublin’s best photo spots cost nothing to visit, including St Stephen’s Green, the Ha’penny Bridge, the Georgian doors around Merrion Square, Grand Canal Square, the Icon Walk in Temple Bar and the deer in the Phoenix Park.
Are these photo spots suitable for kids?
Yes, most of the spots on this list are family-friendly and easy to reach on foot, by DART or by Luas. A few, like Killiney Hill and Howth Head, involve some walking, so they’re best suited to families comfortable with a bit of a hike.
Do I need to book to visit these locations?
Most outdoor spots, like parks, bridges and street art, can be visited freely at any time. Attractions such as Dublin Zoo, EPIC and the Book of Kells at Trinity College may require tickets or booking in advance, so it’s worth checking directly with the venue before you go.
What’s the best time of day for photos in Dublin?
Early morning and late afternoon tend to offer the softest light and smaller crowds, especially at popular spots like Grafton Street, Temple Bar and Trinity College.
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