Updated September 2026--If you want to get to know the real Dublin, one of the best things you can do is take a tour with a knowledgeable local guide.
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While you can certainly explore Dublin on your own, a good guide can add something you simply won’t get from a guidebook, including unique stories, with interesting characters, historical context and local knowledge that bring the city to life.
Whether you’re interested in Irish history, literature, medieval Dublin, pubs, revolutionary history or simply want an introduction to the city’s major sights, there’s a Dublin tour for you.
I’ve put together what I believe are Dublin’s Top 10 tours, including walking tours, private experiences, bike tours and sightseeing by bus. I’ve also included additional tours at the end of the article if you’re looking for something more specialized.
1. AB Tours
The best walking tours are often the ones that make you feel as if you’re experiencing the history rather than simply hearing a list of dates and facts.
That’s what you can expect from AB Tours, led by Dublin native Alan Byrne.
Byrne holds a master’s degree in history and has experience as an archive research assistant. His tours combine Dublin’s history with its culture and are customized to suit the interests of the travelers taking part.
If you want to understand Dublin beyond its most famous attractions, a personalized tour with Alan can be a particularly good choice.
2. Historical Walking Tours of Dublin
If you’re eager to hear the history of Dublin, there’s no better tour to take than the Historical Walking Tours of Dublin.
The company’s guides include graduates of Trinity College Dublin and the National University of Ireland, and the tours explore some of the major events that shaped the city and the country.
Depending on the tour, you can learn about the Great Famine and its impact on Dublin, the 1916 Easter Rising, the Irish Civil War, partition and the influence of the French and American revolutions on Irish society.
The company also offers themed and private tours.
Tours depart from the Trinity’s College Green entrance.
3. Pat Liddy’s Walking Tours of Dublin
This tour promises to help the visitor “experience Dublin in its own unique way, from the famous highlights to the hidden gems.”
Designed by Pat Liddy, a Dublin writer, illustrator, and historian, this is one of Dublin’s most popular tours.
Guides use a combination of humor and expertise to tell the story of Dublin, taking tourists to both the well-known and hidden treasures of the city.
Scheduled tours include “The Best of Dublin – Highlights & Hidden Corners.” Other tours offered by the company are available in French and German.
You can find several reviews of his tours on TripAdvisor.
4. Dublin Heritage Tours
If you’re looking for a more personal way to experience Dublin, take a look at Dublin Heritage Tours, founded by Courtney Fleming.
Rather than treating Dublin as a checklist of attractions, Courtney’s tours are designed around storytelling, conversation and cultural immersion. The company’s signature tours are private and led by licensed, nationally accredited guides.
Courtney is a trained historian and heritage and tourism professional with more than 15 years of experience in the heritage and museum sector in Ireland and the UK. She is also a member of the Ireland on a Budget Tour Guide Network.
She created Dublin Heritage Tours to provide a slower and more meaningful alternative to large group sightseeing tours.
Her tours cover a wide range of interests, including a general introduction to the city, an exploration of Dublin’s food and drink culture, its brewing heritage and its darker past.
For visitors interested in their Irish roots, a heritage-focused experience can be particularly appealing.
Dublin Heritage Tours also creates bespoke private experiences, so you can have a tour designed around your own interests rather than following a standard itinerary.
5. Dublin’s Literary Pub Crawl
Dublin has produced some of the world’s best-known writers, so it’s only fitting that the city has a tour devoted to its literary and pub culture.
The Dublin Literary Pub Crawl tour combines storytelling, literature and Dublin’s historic pubs.
Led by two actors, this 2 1/2-hour tour/performance is well worth the money and will bring you to the pubs associated with Dublin’s most celebrated writers.
This company is a 2018 TripAdvisor Traveler’s Choice Awardee and another popular tour for visitors to Ireland’s capital.
It’s an entertaining way to experience a different side of the city, particularly if you enjoy Irish literature and want to combine sightseeing with Dublin’s famous pub culture.
Because this is an evening experience involving pubs and alcohol, it may not be the best choice for families with young children.
The tour leaves from The Duke Pub located at 9 Duke Street at 7:30 p.m.
Discover Dublin’s Dark History on the Dark Dublin Guided Walking Tour
6. 1916 Rebellion Walking Tour
If you’re interested in the events that shaped modern Ireland, put the 1916 Rebellion Walking Tour on your Dublin itinerary.
Founded in 1996, the tour, is now celebrating 30 years and is led by historian, author and podcaster Lorcan Collins and his colleagues.
The tour, among Dublin’s Top 10 guided tours, focuses on the Easter Rising while also placing the events of 1916 within the broader story of Ireland’s struggle for independence.
You’ll visit sites associated with the Rising while learning about the people and events behind one of the most important periods in modern Irish history.
Public tours run from March through October, with private tours available throughout the year.
This is an especially worthwhile tour if you’re planning to visit places such as the GPO or Kilmainham Gaol and want more historical context.
It starts at The International Bar on Wicklow Street and runs for two hours.
The tour is available at 11:30 a.m. Monday through Saturday and at 1 p.m. on Sundays.
7. Taste of Dublin Bike Tour
Want to cover more ground while getting some exercise?
A guided bike tour gives you the chance to see many of Dublin’s major sights while traveling through the city with a local guide.
This Taste of Dublin Bike Tour includes sights such as Dublin Castle, St. Patrick’s Cathedral, Temple Bar and the Guinness Brewery.
There are no hills on this route, just a leisurely jaunt through the city’s streets where you’ll avoid tour buses and other heavy traffic.
A bike tour can be a fun alternative to walking, particularly if you’re spending only a short time in Dublin and want to see as much as possible.
There are also e-bike options if you’d prefer a little assistance on the city’s streets.
Tours last for close to three hours and are available only on weekends from March through October, and seven days a week after that.
Helmets and hi-visibility bibs must be worn by all participants.
The tour starts at the multi-story car park at Drury Street in the city center, a short walk from Stephen’s Green.
Tip: Always check the current schedule and meeting point before booking, as bike-tour availability can change seasonally.
8. James Joyce Walking Tours
Dublin and James Joyce are inseparable, so no surprise that The James Joyce Centre offers a number of walking tours based on Joyce’s life.
On their tours, you’ll encounter locations associated with Joyce’s life and writing, making this a particularly good choice for serious Joyce fans or anyone who wants to see Dublin through the eyes of one of its most famous writers.
One option is the Introducing Joyce’s Dublin tour, which explores locations in Dublin’s north inner city associated with Joyce and his writing.
The tour brings visitors to his alma mater, Belvedere College and the Gresham Hotel, the setting for the last scene in his short story, “The Dead.”
The tour is available on Thursdays and Saturdays at 11 a.m.
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You can also book the “The Footsteps of Leopold Bloom Walking Tour,” which follows a journey that Bloom takes in one of the chapters of Joyce’s famous novel, “Ulysses.”
That tour is available every Friday at 11 a.m.
9. DoDublin Sightseeing Tours
If you’d rather see Dublin without doing a lot of walking, the DoDublin Hop-on, Hop-off Tour is a practical option.
The open-top green buses stop at many of the city’s major attractions, including Trinity College, Dublin Castle, St. Patrick’s Cathedral, the Guinness Storehouse, Dublin Zoo and EPIC The Irish Emigration Museum.
Choose between 24-, 48- and 72-hour ticket options, with live commentary from local guides and recorded commentary available in multiple languages.
I particularly recommend a tour like this for first-time visitors, families or anyone who has limited time in Dublin.
It also provides a useful way to get your bearings before deciding which parts of the city you want to explore on foot.
The company’s most popular one is the Dublin Freedom Pass Tour, which allows you to hop on and off and see the city’s main attractions for up to 72 hours. All tour guides are Fáilte Ireland-trained.
There is no charge for children under 5 with a fare-paying adult on any of the DoDublin tours.
Ireland in View, a member of my Tour Guide Network, is a trusted partner of the DoDublin brand.
10. Mostly Medieval Walking Tour of Dublin
Have you ever wondered what Medieval Dublin might have looked and felt like?
Tour guide Ruth Kelly, who has been guiding since 2010, is an expert in Dublin history, particularly the period during the 1300s when Dublin residents, like others across Europe, were victims of the Black Death.
On her walking tours, Kelly delves into the nitty-gritty of the period, when children worked around the clock, when the living quarters were confined to one room and when life spans were a lot shorter than they are today.
Her 90-minute tours meet on Dublin’s Cows Lane in the Temple Bar area (you’ll find out more about that on the tour). Book her tour on the Airbnb Experiences website.
More Walking Tours to Consider in Dublin
Since first publishing this article, I’ve discovered several other Dublin walking tours that are worth considering. Here are a few more options to add to your list.
Free Walking Tours in Dublin
If you’re traveling on a tight budget, you don’t necessarily have to skip a guided tour.
Dublin has several companies offering free walking tours, although free doesn’t necessarily mean completely free. These tours generally operate on a tips-based model, so you’re encouraged to tip your guide at the end if you enjoyed the experience.
Options include the following:
- Dublin Free Walking Tour / Yellow Umbrella – Offers tours exploring both the north and south sides of the city.
- Dublin Walking Tours – Offers free tours uncovering the hidden stories behind some of Dublin’s iconic attractions.
- Generation Tours Dublin – Focuses on Dublin’s history, folklore, revolutions, literary figures and hidden stories.
- Original Dublin – Offers a free walking tour alongside its paid experiences.
- Unearthed Tours – Offers a free walking tour covering thousands of years of Dublin history.
Specialized Guided Walking Tours of Dublin
- In Our Shoes Walking Tours – Take an award-winning tour of the Liberties and Dublin 8, one of the oldest parts of Dublin. The tours offer an opportunity to explore beyond the city’s usual tourist sites and learn about the people and communities that shaped this part of the city.
- Dublin City Walks with Liam Greene – If you prefer something private and personalized, I’d suggest Liam Greene’s bespoke walking tours, allowing you to explore Dublin according to your interests rather than following a standard itinerary.
- Dublin Walkabout Tours – These private tours are designed for travelers who prefer a more personal experience. It’s a good option for couples, families and small groups looking for a tour tailored to their interests.
- Dublin Decoded Walking Tours – Explore Dublin through a combination of architecture, history and storytelling. These tours are particularly interesting if want to understand how Dublin’s buildings and streets have evolved over the centuries.
- Tailteann Irish Tours – Antóin Ó Lochraigh brings Dublin’s history and culture to life through tours that are offered in Irish, English and Dutch. It’s a great option if you’d like to experience Dublin from a local perspective while learning more about the city’s heritage.
- Haunted History Tour of Dublin – If you prefer a history tour with a darker twist, why not take the Dublin After Dark Haunted History tour and hear stories about characters such as Darkey Kelly, the mysterious Green Lady and how Dublin’s “hell” got its name.
Food Tours
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- Delicious Dublin Tours – This tour will give you a good introduction to the food scene in Ireland and Dublin. It includes tastings and samples at award-winning restaurants and cafés. The company also offers private tours.
- Fabulous Food Trails – This company’s food tour titled, “Meet and Eat Dublin: Dublin Food Walking Tour,” combines Irish food, local producers and Dublin’s history and culture. The small-group format makes this a good choice if you’d like a more intimate experience while discovering some of the city’s independent food businesses.
- Walking Food Tours Dublin – Their Food on Foot tour takes visitors to five stops to sample the kind of street food and everyday Irish food enjoyed by locals. You’ll also hear stories about Dublin along the way. Based around the Liberties, it’s a good option if you’d like to combine food with exploring one of Dublin’s most historic neighborhoods.
Read More: Food Tours in Ireland: 10 Places to Find Them
Dublin Walking Tours in Other Languages
- A Spasso A Dublino – Italian Tours in Dublin. Signature tours include Our Dublin/La Vostra Dublino and The Life of U2/La Vita Degli U2.
- Tours de Dublin en Français – Offers a two-hour walking tour of Dublin city center, beginning south of the River Liffey and finishing in Temple Bar.
Bike Tours
There are several other options if you’d prefer to explore Dublin on two wheels, including the following:
- Cycle Dublin – Bike and eBike Tours – See local landmarks ranging from the Samuel Beckett Bridge and the Oscar Wilde Memorial to Dublin Castle, and learn about Dublin’s history through the ages from your guide’s commentary.
- E-Bike & Bike Tour with a Local Guide in Dublin – Explore Dublin by bike with a small group and the help of a knowledgeable guide, who leads you to both major city sights and off-the-beaten-path locations.
- Private Dublin Historical and Heritage Tour by Bike – See Dublin’s highlights as well as lesser-known hidden gems, get local recommendations and a souvenir video with captioned photos from your adventure.
- Dublin Highlights 3-Hour Private Tour by Foot or Bike – Learn about the ancient and more contemporary history of Ireland’s capital, from its Viking settlements to Irish independence. Perfect for first-time visitors to the city.
- Dublin Panoramic e-Bike Tour with Howth Adventures – Get out of the city center and see some popular landmarks such as the Summit, the Howth Cliffs, the Baily Lighthouse, Martello Towers, and others. This tour goes on off-road trails, so you must have prior cycling experience. To get to Howth from the city center, take the DART.
Which Dublin Tour Should You Choose?
The best Dublin tour depends on what you want to get out of your visit.
For a first visit to the city, I’d choose a general walking tour such as AB Tours or Pat Liddy’s Walking Tours. If you want to get a feel for the history of Dublin, The Historical Walking Tours of Dublin or the 1916 Rebellion Walking Tour are excellent choices.
For a private experience, I’d recommend Dublin Heritage Tours, particularly if you’re traveling as a couple, family or small group and you want a tour that is tailored to your interests.
If you’re an Irish literature lover, I’d say try the Dublin Literary Pub Crawl or a James Joyce-focused tour. If you’re traveling to Dublin as a family, the Hop-on, Hop-off DoDublin tour can be an easy way to see many of the city’s highlights without exhausting everyone.
For medieval history buffs, The Mostly Medieval Walking Tour offers something very different from the standard Dublin sightseeing experience, and lastly, if you’re on a budget, a free walking tour is ideal and a great introduction to the city.
Dublin is a relatively compact city, but there’s a surprising amount of history hidden behind its streets, buildings and pubs.
A good guided tour can help you understand what you’re seeing rather than simply ticking attractions off your list. And if you’ve already visited Dublin before, choosing a specialist tour, whether it’s focused on literature, revolutionary history, food, pubs or medieval Dublin, can reveal an entirely different side of the city.
Have you taken any of Dublin’s Top 10 guided tours listed above? If so, let me know in the comments below.
