Dublin Castle

Dublin Castle is a popular stop on hop-on hop-off bus tours, Dublin bike tours, and combo Book of Kells experiences. Guided Dublin Castle tours take visitors through many parts of the castle and the castle gardens.  Tour guides can tell you about the castle's role in the history of Dublin and the purpose of each part of the complex.

Other highlights include the entertaining halls of the State Apartments, the Record Tower, and St. Patrick's Hall. Don't miss the State Drawing Room, the Chapel Royal, the Medieval Undercroft, and the Throne Room. If you don't want to go on a guided tour, you can buy Dublin Castle tickets and visit independently.

• Plan to spend about two hours at the castle learning about Irish history and exploring the highlights.

• City Hall and Trinity College are about a five-minute walk from Dublin Castle and both are well worth a visit.

• Wheelchair users can access most of Dublin Castle. However, the Viking Excavation and parts of the Chapel Royal are inaccessible.

Dublin Castle is located on Dame Street in the Dublin city center, south of the River Liffey. There's no parking at the castle, but it's easy to get to on foot, by taxi, or via public transportation.

The castle is a year-round attraction, but expect crowds and lines during the summer. It's typically open from morning until early evening. It closes for some holidays and special events, such as state functions.

Ireland is a country of castles, plenty of which you can visit from Dublin and beyond. Don't miss Blarney Castle, famous for the Blarney Stone—according to legend, it gives the "gift of the gab" to those who kiss it. Other castles include the Cahir Castle in Tipperary and Kilkenny Castle, with its ornamental gardens. Trim Castle, which you may have seen in Braveheart, is another popular spot.

It takes about an hour to tour Dublin Castle. Visitors can choose between a self-guided tour that includes the state apartments and exhibitions only or a one-hour guided tour that includes the state apartments, medieval undercroft, Chapel Royal, and exhibitions. Admission tickets for both options can be booked online.

Yes, it is worth going inside Dublin Castle. While some visitors only explore the castle's exterior, they are missing out on discovering a landmark with impressive art, architecture, and history. Set out on a one-hour guided tour to see the state apartments, chapel, medieval undercroft, and more.

Yes, visitors can take photos inside Dublin Castle during self-guided or guided tours. However, visitors to this historic landmark are requested not to use a flash while taking photographs, as the collection in the state apartments is light-sensitive. Dublin Castle encourages the sharing of photographs on social media.

Yes, there are restrooms available at Dublin Castle. The bathrooms are located near the ticket desk. The facilities at Dublin Castle include a wheelchair-accessible toilet. However, there are no toilet facilities available within the state apartments. Dublin Castle also offers an on-site café that serves breakfast, lunch, snacks, and refreshments.

Yes, sometimes tickets for Dublin Castle sell out, especially during the busy summer season. To secure a time of your preference, book tickets online in advance. However, some tickets are usually available for walk-ins. To ensure availability, call Dublin Castle ahead of time on the day of your visit.

Dublin Castle is a popular landmark to visit all year long, with peak tourist season in the summer months. For this reason, many visitors prefer spring or fall as the best time to explore Dublin and visit Dublin Castle, as temperatures are typically mild and the summer crowds aren’t present.