Looking for things to do in Dublin on a Sunday?
Ah, Sundays. You either love them or you hate them. On one hand, it’s a whole day you have to do things, on the other hand, it might be your last day before going back to work, or the end of your trip.
Sundays are often a bit quieter, and some places will be closed or have reduced hours. If you’re stumped for ideas, here are a few things to do in Dublin on a Sunday.
Visit the National Art Gallery of Ireland
Sunday Hours: 11:00am to 5:30pm
This is Ireland’s much loved National Art Gallery. I’d pick an art gallery over a museum any day, so this one is a particular favourite. They offer free highlights tours to the public 6 times a week, 3 of which are on Sundays! Hop in for the 11:30, 12:30, or 13:30 tours and enjoy the beautiful collection.
Have Coffee at Bewley’s Cafe
Sunday Hours: 9:00am to 8:00pm
Bewley’s Cafe has been around since 1840, and recently reopened after a substantial renovation (that felt like it took forever!). The marble tables, stained glass, high ceilings, and red velvet booths make for a gorgeous place to pause during your busy day. Try their signature Coffee Opera Cake.
Wander Through the National Botanic Gardens
Sunday Hours: 10:00am to 6:00pm
This one doesn’t get enough love, because it’s a little further out of the city centre. Home to many types of plants and flowers, it is as much a beautiful garden to visit as it is a scientific institution. While you can wander alone in awe, you can also join a free guided tour at 12:00 or 14:30 on Sundays.
Take a Guided Tour of Glasnevin Cemetery
Sunday Hours: 10:00am to 6:00pm
This cemetery sits next to the Botanic Gardens, and can be accessed on foot via the Prospect Square gate. Tickets to see the museum are €6.50, but you’ll want to make sure you join one of their guided history tours of the grounds.
Go to Kilmainham Gaol
Photo by Velvet
Sunday Hours: 9:30am to 6:00pm
Welcome to jail! A lot of Irish history played out on this site, and every visitor takes a guided tour through the building. You’ll learn about the Easter Rising and the rebels that spent their last days there. Make sure you book ahead online, as this one will fill up quickly.
Take a Walk on Bull Island
Sunday Hours: Public area
Bull Island, and Dollymount Beach in particular, is a well known strand along the bay. Cross the Wooden Bridge from Clontarf and wander down the 5kms of sandy beach right in the city.
Visit Malahide Castle
Photo by William Murphy
Sunday Hours: 9:30am to 5:30pm
An Irish castle right in Dublin! What’s not to love? Just outside the town of Malahide in North Dublin, this castle sits on some 260 acres of land. Purchase your tickets for the guided tour ahead of time for €12.50. When you’ve finished your tour you can stop off at the Avoca Cafe for tea and scones. A lovely day out!
Do the Bray to Greystones Walk
Sunday Hours: Public area
The Bray to Greystones cliff walk is great when the sun is out. If it’s raining, not so much. This is a well-marked path around Bray Head, and will take you anywhere from an hour to a few hours. Wear good shoes and layers in case it rains, and when you get to Greystones stop for lunch at the famous Happy Pear cafe.
Mini Golfing at Rainforest Adventure Golf
Sunday Hours: 10:00am to 11:00pm
I love minigolf! This place is good fun. There are Aztec and Mayan themed courses, and you can play both of them for €14.90. They don’t take forever to complete, so this may give you around 90 minutes of fun. It’s located at Dundrum Town Centre though, so you can do some shopping at the same time or grab dinner to round off your evening.
Shopping at Dundrum Town Centre
Photo by William Murphy
Sunday Hours: 10:00am to 7:00pm
Is there a better time to hit the shops than a lazy Sunday? Grab a coffee on your way in early to beat the rush. Dundrum is South Dublin’s biggest indoor shopping mall so if it’s not here, I’m not sure what to tell you..
Visit the Powerscourt Waterfall
Sunday Hours: 9:30am to 7:00pm
You’ll need a car for this one. But, if you’ve got access to one for the day, Powerscourt Waterfall is a gorgeous place to take a picnic or go for a few hours in the afternoon.
What other things would you get up to on a Sunday?
Pin these ideas for next Sunday!
The Botanic Gardens look so cool, and that’s something I wouldn’t have thought to do! Your trip looks so fun!
Dublin looks like an amazing place to visit! I love the Botanic Gardens.
XOXO
Elizabeth Keene
http://www.akeenesenseofstyle.com
Dublin is one of the places that I wanted visit always, and it’s not so far from Me:) Pictures looks great!
Wow! Dublin looks so beautiful!
Kasey Ma
thestylewright.com
Wow, there’s so many things to do there on a sunday! I’d love to visit one day. It looks beautiful!
Dublin is so beautiful! I love the things to do in there, amazing! So good to try the coffee and visit the botanical garden
As if I didn’t want to go to Dublin bad enough already! Will have to save this for when we visit.
These sound like great sights in Dublin! I’ve only ever been to the Western coast of Ireland, but would love to visit Dublin someday!
Ireland is one of those someday-someday soon places for me.. and love this photo tour..
Ireland is on our long-term travel list; as in, we plan to stay for an extended time. (I want to take a horseback tour across Ireland, but my husband isn’t so much on board with it.) But whatever we do, Dublin will definitely be on our list.
A horseback tour across Ireland? That sounds fantastic! You’d just need to watch the weather. I hope you can make that happen!
I have always wanted to visit Dublin, it is beyond gorgeous.
It is! You should definitely add it to your list 🙂
Wow! Quite a few great ways to spend the day! I wish I had know about a few of these spots when I was there. Thanks for sharing!
Your ideas are amazing! I planning my trip to Dublin and this post inspired me so much! Thanks!
P.S. amazing blog! keep up the good work!
Thanks so much Moni!
Great list! I especially love the nature-y places and how it seems like there’s a lot of accessible ones around there. Thanks for sharing with us! ♡♡
http://helloannajo.blogspot.com
Thanks! I was trying to find places that didn’t all revolve around Dublin’s favourite pass-time.. drinking! (But that’s fun here too)