For 2026, Tripadvisor has named their top destination for solo travel: Dublin. Regardless of what I might think of the merits of these pronouncements in general, I happen to agree that Dublin is a great place to visit. I'd be hard-pressed to think of a friendlier, easier place for a solo trip.
Solo in Dublin, Ireland
I have visited Dublin both while traveling independently and while on a tour with Globus. Janice has also visited a few times so along with recommendations from members of the Solo Travel Society, here are some of our favorite experiences, attractions, and tips to consider if you are planning to solo travel in Dublin.
Touring the City
It's always great to get a feel for a new destination by taking a hop on-hop off bus tour. It's also, as I discovered when visiting once in December, a great way to get out of the rain while learning about Dublin and getting an overview of the city and places you might want to return to on a drier day.
Sasha recommends, “Check out the Dublin City Centre Underground Donut Tour. If you have a sweet tooth, you get a history lesson while eating donuts!”
And on the topic of food, a guided food tour is highly recommended. Not only is it an ideal way to have some social time with other travelers and solve the question of where to dine, I was amazed at how much I learned about the history of the city and the country from the fun and knowledgable guide from Fab Food Trails. My group even sat down for a drink at the end of the tour and I picked up recommendations that I put to excellent use in Galway later in the week.
Learning to Enjoy Irish Whiskey
Regular readers may recall that I traveled to Ireland a few years ago, with one of my goals being to become a whiskey drinker. When I returned, I said, “Rather than Discovering Irish Whiskey, this article might just as easily be called, How I Traveled to Ireland and Tried–and Failed–to Become a Whiskey Drinker.” In spite of doing guided tastings of whiskeys from three different distillers, I couldn't find the magic in it.
On my second trip, however, Roe & Co turned me into a whiskey drinker! A whiskey cocktail drinker, but still: I enjoyed several of them. Turns out, the secret for me is adding a little something to it, rather than drinking it straight. If you're in the same boat, I recommend taking the Cocktail Workshop. You'll learn about the Five Pillars of Flavour–sweet, sour, bitter, salty, and umami–then create a whiskey drink customized to your personal preferences under the expert guidance of Roe & Co staff.
On Accommodation when You Solo Travel in Dublin: Book Ahead
Word to the wise: this is one of those cities where you will want to book your accommodation well in advance. It’s a popular travel destination and hotels can fill up. I started looking about three months in advance and options were already limited at that time.
I stayed at two different hotels on my most recent trip to Dublin. They are just a stone's throw from one another, but my time in Dublin bookended a tour. At the beginning of my stay, I was at the Gibson Hotel and at the end, I was at the Samuel Hotel. They were both very comfortable, offered a great breakfast, and were situated in the Dublin Docklands, close to EPIC, The Irish Emigration Museum, on the banks of the River Liffey.
Solo Travel Society members have some additional suggestions.
- If you are traveling in the summer, check out Trinity College for accommodations. It's a quiet place to relax once the gates are locked. Recommended by Kate.
- Holly stayed at The Chancery Hotel and Wren Urban Nest. Both were great and centrally located.
- Wynn’s Hotel in Dublin is centrally located. You can walk to the bus station for trips to other parts of country. There are pubs nearby and you can walk to Trinity College. It has smallish rooms, but there's everything needed and they are charming. The staff are friendly and very helpful. They held our luggage for several days while we visited a friend in another town. Their complimentary breakfast is the best ever, with pancakes, eggs, bacon, etc. all included. A lovely dining room with silverware and china and linen napkins all provide a great start to the day. Recommended by Phyllis.
- Gerri recommends the HI hostel as a great place to meet fellow travelers.
Soaking Up Irish Literature in Dublin
The Museum of Literature Ireland (MoLI) must be on the itinerary of any book lover visiting Dublin, or even anyone who would like a quiet spot to read and have a cup of tea and a scone. Along with fascinating exhibits about Irish writers and the long history of storytelling, there are a variety of beautiful spots to sit and read. I also enjoyed multimedia exhibits, a documentary film, and an interactive exhibit. The building itself is lovely, plus there's a surprise waiting at the end: a lovely cafe that opens out onto a patio, with gardens beyond. I could have spent the entire day there.
They also host events ranging from author talks to festivals to film screenings to theatrical productions, so it's worth getting on their mailing list before a trip to see what you might be able to catch while you're there.
Janice loved the Dublin Literary Pub Crawl, and it always comes up when members of the Solo Travel Society make recommendations. She says, “A serious student of the classics may find fault with it but for most of us it’s a delightful romp through time and the city center while being entertained and educated over a pint or two.”
A Little Shopping, Of Course
When I asked readers for suggestions of places to visit in Dublin, one of the places that came up was Avoca. What a store! Visually stunning and full of a wide variety of different types of products, the store on Suffolk Street ranges over seven levels. The bottom level is devoted to food, and I put together a bit of a picnic to eat back at my hotel as well as finding lots of little gifts to take home to friends and family.
On the top floor sits a cafe, but I was too late to enjoy it as it only serves breakfast and lunch. Avoca is not just about food, however. They have their own mill where they weave the blankets, scarves and clothing that they sell in the shop. They also design and create the candles, soaps, and homewares in their own studio. You can access lots of recipes on their website, where they also sell their cookbook.
Cabaret, You Say?
I will be the first to admit that I did not have high expectations for this event. I thought it would be a pleasant enough way to spend an evening, but I assumed the food would be mediocre, given that they were serving so many people, and that the show would be on the cheesy side. Luckily, I also enjoy being proved wrong! The food at Taylor's Three Rock was great, with several options of different traditional Irish dishes (I had Irish stew), and the Irish Cabaret was wonderful. I had not seen Irish dancing live before, and it was amazing to see these particular dancers as they were award-winning champions who travel the world representing their country. Once you give in to the experience and join the fun, it's a great night. It was also fun chatting with other travelers seated nearby.
You Can't Solo Travel Dublin Without This
It's pretty well impossible to visit Ireland and not drink Guinness (though I've done it before). I've never been a fan of the beer, but I had previously only tried it at home in Canada. I had heard that it tastes very different in Ireland. I'm here to tell you that is true!
Even if you're not a beer drinker, I'd hazard to say that touring the Guinness Storehouse will be interesting to you nonetheless. Spread over seven floors (seven!) it's quite mindboggling. The Guinness Storehouse Experience includes an audio guide and, as a reward for educating yourself about Guinness, you get to enjoy a pint in the Gravity Bar at the top of the building while you take in the views of the city. If you're solo in Dublin, it also presents a great opportunity to chat with locals and travelers alike.
