Dublin in Winter: The Perfect Off-Season Itinerary
Visiting Dublin in winter might not be the first European destination that pops into mind for a cool-weather getaway, but the capital of Ireland has so much to offer in the off season.
With endless indoor activities (it is rainy Ireland after all!) and plenty of cozy pubs to hole up in, I’m always left scratching my head as to why Dublin isn’t a more popular European winter destination.
Having visited Dublin in both the winter and spring, I can say that the weather isn’t nearly as bad as some visitors make it out to be. All of the city’s best sights can also be experienced to their fullest in winter, which means you won’t be missing out on anything, either.
Imagine spending your days bouncing from pub to pub, enjoying the craic and live music, discovering hole-in-the-wall bookstores, and learning more about Ireland’s fascinating heritage at one of its many museums. Sounds like the perfect winter trip to me!
This guide is here to key you in on everything from weather to what to pack and what to do. Here’s everything you need to know about visiting Dublin in winter!
A shortcut guide to Dublin in winter
Weather: Rainy and chilly. Expect highs in the upper 40s and lows in the mid-30s. There is a slight chance of snow, although it’s fairly rare, especially in the city center.
What to Pack: You’ll want to pack warm clothes, including a winter coat, hat, gloves, and scarf. Don’t forget your rain gear (preferably something insulated), too!
Best Things to Do: Dublin has endless museums to visit, all perfect for escaping the cold and rainy weather. Otherwise, head to the Guinness Storehouse or the Jameson Distillery, although smaller-scale operations like Roe & Co. are well worth it, too.
Is winter a good time to visit Dublin?
Yes! Winter is a wonderful time to visit Dublin.
While you’ll likely run into a little rain (normal any time of year in Ireland!), there are plenty of cozy places to wait it out.
You also won’t have to fight the crowds in Temple Bar, and you’ll get great rates on everything from hotels to tours.
Winter weather in Dublin
Dublin (and most of the rest of Ireland) has a maritime climate, meaning that it stays fairly mild year-round. Still, winter can be downright chilly with a combination of rain and cool temperatures that can dip into the 30s. Keep in mind that the sun sets as early as 4:30 PM, depending on the month. Check sunset times before heading out for a day trip!
Fun Fact: It’s actually possible to see the Northern Lights in Ireland during the winter months. You’ll have the best chance from the northern and western coasts.
What’s the weather like in December in Dublin?
Dublin’s rainfall is fairly consistent throughout the year, but December is one of the rainiest months (tied with October). The average high temperature in Dublin in December is 48°F while the low is 38°. Daylight hours also drop to just 7.5.
What’s the weather like in January in Dublin?
Temperatures generally range from a high of 48°F during the day to a low of 36°F at night. Rainy days start to taper off a bit in January, but you can still expect about 2.5 inches of rain over the course of the month.
What’s the weather like in February in Dublin?
February in Dublin is very similar to January, although rainfall drops down to just 2.1 inches. Temperatures are starting to warm up just a hair with highs of around 49°F and lows of 37°F. Daylight hours increase dramatically, up to 10 hours on average!
What’s the weather like in March in Dublin?
March is one of the best months to visit Ireland! Temperatures range from a high of 52°F to a low of 38°F. Rainfall increases a tiny bit from 2.1 inches in February to 2.2 inches in March.
Ireland often gets a bad rap for poor weather, but my husband and I visited in March, and I actually got sunburnt on the Aran Islands! It just goes to show how unpredictable the weather can be, no matter the time of year.
Why Dublin is one of Europe’s best winter destinations
Plenty of Indoor Activities: Dublin is a wonderland for indoor activities, from incredible museums to cozy restaurants and listening to live music in pubs. You’re more likely to run out of time than things to do!
Less Crowds: While crowds do surge around the holidays and Saint Patrick’s Day, crowds all but disappear in the winter months in Dublin. You’ll explore the city delightfully free of other travelers, outside the holidays that is!
Fun Holidays: Exploring Ireland during Christmas and New Years Eve adds an extra layer of fun and festivity to your trip. Take part in fun traditions like Christmas Day swims and Christmas Eve Midnight Mass.
Quiet and More Authentic: Because the crowds dissipate, you’re likely to see a more authentic version of Ireland in the winter. The best sights, like the Cliffs of Moher, all but empty out. You’ll also have more chances to interact with the ever-friendly Irish locals.
Things to do in Dublin in Winter
1. Visit the National Museum of Archaeology
If there’s one thing I tell everyone they can’t skip in Dublin, it’s the National Museum of Archaeology. It also happens to be completely free to visit.
I think a lot of visitors focus on family heritage and forget that Ireland has a rich, fascinating history that began in 8,000 BC. You’ll find everything from Viking artifacts to immaculately decorated croziers to bog bodies and perfectly preserved medieval clothing.
The museum is also well laid out and tucked inside a gorgeous palladium building in the heart of the city. If you’re at all interested in Irish history, run to this museum!
2. See how the “black stuff” is made at the Guinness Storehouse
No visit to Dublin would be complete without learning about Ireland’s drink of choice, Guinness. Learn how to properly pour your own pint of plain and enjoy 360 views of Dublin from The Gravity Bar at the legendary Guinness Storehouse.
There are lots of different ticket options, but my husband and I loved the Guinness Academy. You’ll get the chance to learn how to pour your very own Guinness — it’s a true artform — while also going through the entire museum and having another drink at the Gravity Bar.
If you really want to go whole hog, book the Home of Guinness Experience, a completely guided tour where you’ll also get the chance to learn from the Guinness pouring experts.
I recommend you book directly through the official website, which has all of the ticket options. Sites like Get Your Guide and Viator only offer the bare bones ticket which includes a tour of the facility and the Gravity Bar.
But, if you’re planning to go to both the Guinness Storehouse and Jameson Distillery, combining the two on a guided tour is a great option.
For those who don’t drink, don’t fret! They also serve 0.0 Guinness.
3. Sip Irish whiskey at the Jameson Distillery
Warm up from the inside out on an Irish whiskey tasting at the Jameson Distillery. Learn some of the secrets and process of creating this famous tipple on a tour of the facilities. You’ll end the experience with a signature cocktail and can even purchase a personalized bottle to take home.
If you want to go a bit more off-the-beaten path, head for Roe & Co. instead of the Jameson Distillery. Housed in one the old Guinness powerhouse, Roe & Co. is a new take on the original whiskey distillery created by George Roe.
You can combine a visit to Guinness and Roe & Co. too! Take a tour of both facilities before sampling the good stuff on a Guinness and whiskey tasting.
4. Listen to live music in a pub
It wouldn’t be a trip to Ireland without holing up in a cozy pub, sipping a Guinness (whether it be an N/A or the real deal), and listening to some trad music.
There are endless pubs in Dublin that are great for live music! You could toast to your trip at the Brazen Head — Dublin’s oldest pub (opened in 1198!), follow the crowds in the Temple Bar neighborhood, or head somewhere out on the outskirts of downtown like The Celt.
5. Discover your Irish heritage at EPIC
A whopping 70-80 million people in the world can claim Irish descent. If you happen to be visiting Dublin on a trip dedicated to tracking down your ancestry, there’s no better place to start than at EPIC.
Also known as the Irish Emigration Museum, you’ll learn everything there is to know about Ireland’s mass immigration of 10 million people. See everything from immigrant letters to exhibits on how Ireland shaped dance, literature, sports, and more.
If you’re trying to track down your specific ancestry, book an appointment at the Irish Family History Center, who will help discover relatives and your personal heritage.
Book your tickets to EPIC here!
6. Learn more about Ireland’s literary legacy at Trinity Library and the Book of Kells
Hidden inside Trinity College Dublin, the Book of Kells and Trinity Library are the perfect duet on a visit to Dublin (at any time of year)!
Created by Celtic monks sometime around 800 AD, the Book of Kells illustrates the four gospels of the Christian New Testament. You’ll go through an interactive display, detailing the book in its entirety, before seeing the book itself. While there’s only one page open (it changes every few weeks!), it’s incredible to see the manuscript itself.
While I have to admit that I thought the Book of Kells was a little underwhelming, you’ll continue on to the Trinity Library which was worth the ticket price alone.
Enter the Long Room, home to over 200,000 books, dark oak bookshelves that line the either side of the hall, and busts of Ireland’s most important literary figures. You’ll also get a peek at Brian Boru’s harp, a medieval instrument and the emblem of Guinness.
Be sure to book the Book of Kells & Old Library Experience so you can see both!
7. See the stained glass at St. Patrick’s Cathedral
St. Patrick’s Cathedral is the most important church in all of Dublin and a must-do on any trip to Ireland. Affectionately referred to as “Old Saint Pat’s”, the cathedral itself was built from 1220 to 1260 AD, although the religious site dates to 451 AD.
The largest cathedral in Ireland, it’s said that Saint Patrick himself baptized parishioners on this site around 1,500 years ago. Seek refuge from the cold and blustery winds to admire this grand landmark and its beautiful stained glass, including a depiction of the life of Saint Patrick.
Once inside, you’ll also see the tomb of Jonathan Swift who wrote “Gulliver’s Travels” and was once the dean of the cathedral, and the Door of Reconciliation.
You can grab self-guided tickets ahead of time and hop on a free, guided tour Monday through Saturday at both 10:30 AM and 2:30 PM. Opening hours are from 6:45 AM to 8:45 PM, daily.
If you want a truly knock-your-socks-off experience, plan your visit during the choral evensong, held at 5:30 PM Monday through Wednesday and Sunday at 3:15 PM.
8. Eat a boxty in the heart of the city
After a long day of exploring the city in the cold, there’s nothing quite like a boxty to warm you from the inside out. So, what is this Irish foodie creation?
Boxty are traditional Irish potato pancakes. One of the best places to get them is none other than the Boxty House, located close to the Ha’Penny Bridge.
There are several different ways to make classic boxty, from pancakes to dumplings. The Boxty House serves them in pancake and fry form, both of which are worthy of ordering.
Traditional Irish cuisine has been having a bit of a revival in the last decade in Dublin and after hearing stories of my great grandmother’s delicious boxty, I knew I had to taste them for myself!
9. Stroll through the Christmas lights
Like many cities that celebrate Christmas around the world, Dublin has oodles of beautiful Christmas light displays.
Grafton Street is probably the most famous spot in the city for strolling under the strings of twinkling lights, but Merrion Square has interactive light displays, the Dublin Zoo puts on an impressive show, and simply taking a walk through downtown will definitely get you in the holiday spirit.
10. Uncover Dublin’s history at Kilmainham Gaol
If there’s one landmark that symbolizes Irish independence, it’s Kilmainham Gaol. A prison that held many of the country’s activists and leaders in the early 1900s, conditions here were abysmal which helped give this site its grisly reputation.
With up to five prisoners per cell and nothing but a singular candle to offer warmth, you can imagine why this is one of the most haunted places in Dublin. Adult prisoners were often shipped to Australia in the 19th and 20th centuries.
Every tour of Kilmainham Gaol is guided, which means you’ll learn all about this site’s history along the way. This is a great winter activity whether it’s raining and you’re looking for something to do or you’re a history buff.
Tickets are cheap at just €8 for adults, €4 for children ages 12-17, and free for kiddos under the age of 12. You can book them through the official site, but a word of caution. Snag these tickets ASAP as they sell out weeks in advance!
What to pack for Dublin in winter
Packing for Dublin in winter means rain gear and layers are your best friends! You’ll also need to bring a warm winter coat, preferably one that is water resistant. I also recommend having lots of winter accessories on hand, like a scarf, hat, and gloves.
Rain gear is important in Ireland, no matter the time of year. I love my Columbia rain jacket and have brought it on basically every European trip I’ve ever been on. It’s compact but keeps me nice and dry. Win, win!
I would highly recommend bringing along a sturdy pair of boots that are comfortable to walk in — even better if they are water resistant. My husband loves BOGS which are comfy and repel everything from rain to snow. I’ll 100% be purchasing these boots for my next trip to Ireland as my Hunter boots aren’t comfortable enough to walk all day.
Another brand I absolutely adore for winter in Europe is Sorel. These boots are ideal for walking around Dublin in the winter time and have a waterproof seam to help keep the damp out. They don’t have stellar Amazon reviews but trust me on this one!
Visiting Ireland in the winter months is also a great excuse to splurge on a traditional wool sweater or scarf. You can find traditional Irish woolen goods throughout the country, but the most famous come from the Aran Islands. Seek out an Aran Sweater Market or you can actually visit the Aran Islands like we did and pick one out for yourself!
Christmas in Dublin
As a once (and still in many ways) devoutly Catholic country, Ireland celebrates Christmas with the best of them! In fact, Ireland might be one of the most underrated European Christmas destinations, often overshadowed by London and Paris.
Some of the best things to do in Dublin at Christmas are to walk down Grafton Street to see the magical window and light displays, visit the Dublin Castle Christmas Market, and to attend Christmas Eve Midnight Mass at Saint Patrick’s Cathedral.
Many Dubliners also take part in a Christmas day swim in the sea, if you’re feeling up for a cold plunge!
New Year’s Eve in Dublin
Like cities across the world, Dublin rings in the New Year with fireworks, parades, and other fun events. The city’s main countdown is at Dublin Castle but you’ll also find the Procession of Light, a parade through the city center, and a firework display over the River Liffey.
Another important date to remember in Ireland is January 6th, also known as Epiphany or Women’s Little Christmas. This is typically a day for women to take a break from traditional roles and the often intense holiday preparations.
Final Thoughts
Visiting Dublin in winter is one of my favorite times to go. Escape the crowds, lean into the notoriously dreary Irish weather, and discover a side of the capital that you simply can’t during high season.
Whether you’re looking forward to discovering Irish history or headed to Europe for the holidays, you can’t go wrong with a winter trip to the “Fair City”!
Have you ever been to Dublin in winter? Let me know in the comments!
