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The summer months (June – August) are the most popular and best time to visit Dublin given the weather and abundance of festivals and activities. Other times of the year also have their merits, and every season has its pluses and minuses.
There’s no bad time to visit the capital city of Ireland.
Summer is the most popular time to visit Ireland, but that also means higher prices and bigger crowds. Winter has the lowest prices and smallest crowds, but also the least pleasant weather. Spring and fall each offer their own balance of these factors.
The otherwise quiet month of March, for instance, is punctuated by often boisterous St. Patrick’s Day celebrations. April, May, and September, the shoulder seasons, often have better prices, even if the weather and festivities aren’t in full swing yet. Either way, there are plenty of things to do in Dublin!
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When is the Best Time to Visit Dublin?
Overall, summer has the warmest weather and the most activities. At the same time, other months have advantages such as smaller crowds and cheaper prices on flights, tours, and places to stay.
Determining the best time for a trip to Dublin depends on several factors. Do you want to avoid crowds? Do you want to enjoy good weather? Do you want to experience the best Dublin events and festivals? Are you traveling as a family? We’ll take a look at these different determiners below.
When to Visit Dublin to Avoid Crowds
January is the a great time to visit Dublin if you don’t like crowds. It’s the middle of winter and seasonal attractions such as Christmas and New Year’s have come and gone. It’s the coldest time of year, so people–visitors and locals alike–don’t spend too much time outdoors.
When to Visit Dublin for the Best Weather
Summer is the best time to enjoy sunshine and warmer weather in Dublin. The average temperature during the day hovers in the mid-60s (Fahrenheit), so it’s comfortable for most visitors. The nights get cooler, though, hovering in the 40s and 50s.
🧳 Packing Tip: Summer is Dublin’s sunniest season, though it can (and does!) rain on any given day. Nate, the founder of Travel Lemming, has several Ireland travel tips. But his #1 suggestion is to “be prepared for every season… in the same day!”
When to Visit Dublin for Festivals
The summer months are the best bet for festivals. Summer is more accommodating to outdoor concerts and festivals given its weather. September continues to have many attractions, though it stretches into the buffer season.
When to Visit Dublin for Families with Children
The shoulder season of late spring (April – May) is best for family visits to Dublin. These months have the best combination of low prices, warm weather, and smaller crowds. Attractions such as Phoenix Park and the Dublin Zoo are also most enjoyable in the better summer weather.
📚 Related Reading: Family Vacation Packing List (20 Things to Bring in 2024)
When to Visit Dublin to Save Money
January and February are the cheapest months. Hotels are not expecting crowds and so they offer their rooms for lower prices. Airlines also offer cheap international flights at this time.
Dublin Travel Seasons
January
January is one of the quieter months in the capital city. Events like Temple Bar TradFest, a celebration of traditional music, do occur, though. Few things drive away the winter gloom like an Irish coffee in a cozy Dublin pub and a little warm banter. You’re never at a loss for live music in Dublin, even without festivals.
February
The winter season starts giving way to spring in late February. Days are longer, and the weather gets a little warmer, but it’s still far from most people’s ideal.
February is a sweet spot for visiting some of the most popular attractions in Dublin. The Book of Kells, for instance, sees the longest lines in summer, but significantly shorter wait times in February.
👉 Don’t Miss: Check out my Dublin trip itinerary for insights on popular attractions and hidden gems.
March
St. Patrick’s Day sees the Dublin city center spring to life, given that it’s the most famous Irish holiday. The St. Patrick’s Festival includes concerts, parades, and other events. Dublin remains fairly quiet aside from this national holiday in mid-March, waiting for winter to pass.
April
Good weather becomes more frequent in April, but it can still be soggy! Hotel and flight prices remain lower than in summer. Easter Sunday falls on different dates each year and some businesses may close for the holiday. However, there will also be events commemorating the 1916 Easter Uprising.
May
The average temperature rises into the 60s in May, making it one of the best overall times to visit the city. Summer crowds have not yet arrived either, so you can expect shorter lines and early bird specials on attractions. Take a walk in Phoenix Park on a sunny day and wrap it up with a pint in a pub.
June
Hotel prices and crowds start peaking in June. Trinity College opens its dorms to summer visitors, offering a cheaper alternative to most hotels.
June is one of the best times to visit outdoor attractions in and around Dublin. A walk by the seaside in Howth or Dun Laoghaire makes for a great escape from the crowded streets. Check out the Bloomsday Festival in mid-June if you like Irish literature, as it celebrates the life and works of James Joyce.
July
Dublin’s weather remains more warm than hot, even at the height of summer. The average high temperature hovers around 66°F. Most people won’t find Irish summers hot, but a dip in the sea near the James Joyce Tower makes for a great way to beat the “heat.”
Stroll through St. Stephen’s Green and check out the monuments and statues there. Shop for gifts on Grafton Street and pause to listen to live music from the city’s best street musicians. The Longitude Festival in Marlay Park is one of the best places to hear popular Irish bands.
August
August is the warmest month with the average temperature reaching towards the high 60s. But there can still be days of windy weather. Early August is an extremely popular time to visit the Emerald Isle, and most travelers include Dublin on their Ireland itinerary, so expect crowds.
People will be out on pub crawls, so expect crowds to remain well into the evening. Check out the Dublin Horse Show for a touch of class. The Big Grill Festival offers a great taste of Dublin’s best craft food and beer.
September
September may be the best month to visit Dublin for many travelers. School has resumed and peak tourist season has passed. However, many festivals in Dublin occur in September, so hotel prices remain high. The artsy Dublin Fringe Festival is one of the most popular attractions.
The weather gets cooler by mid-September. It’s still a great time to enjoy outdoor activities, such as a day trip to the Wicklow Mountains.
October
You’ll see fewer and fewer tourists visiting Dublin starting in October, and Ireland in general for that matter. The warm days have long since passed by mid-October. However, this remains a great time for visiting Dublin if you don’t mind the weather.
October is a great time to enjoy Dublin if you prefer indoor attractions. The most popular destinations, such as the Guinness Storehouse, have much shorter lines. Dublin Castle is another main attraction that will be less crowded.
November
With the trees turning, early November can be a great time to see the Emerald Isle enhanced with gold. It’s a great time for walks through charming Dublin neighborhoods like Phibsborough and Portobello.
The deepening winter is a great time to delve further into Dublin’s great indoors. Consider a classical music concert at the National Concert Hall. Or hit up a local pub and chat with the locals, if you prefer. Better yet, do both!
December
December differs from the other winter months. The cold and often wet weather is counterbalanced by festive Christmas markets and events leading up to Christmas Day. The Christmas season is one of the best times to visit Christ Church Cathedral if you like classical choral music.
Dublin Weather and Climate
Dublin, like all of Ireland, has a wetter, cooler climate, very similar to the Pacific Northwest in the United States. Ireland rarely goes too long without rain. Winter has the greater share of windy weather, with wind speeds averaging between 17 and 22 miles per hour.
The entire Emerald Isle has moderate temperatures (comparatively) year-round. Summers are mild (50s-60s on average) and winters are cold and wet, but rarely freezing (30s-40s on average).
Tips for Visiting Dublin
Tip 1 – Pack Appropriate Clothing
It’s always a good idea to bring waterproof clothing and/or an umbrella when visiting Ireland. Wind and rain can descend on the city in any given month, including summer and on sunny days.
Dublin sees cool nights, so a layer or two never hurts. The city is also highly walkable, so it’s also a good idea to bring some good walking shoes.
Tip 2 – Be Aware of Your Surroundings
Dublin remains an overall safe city, though local pickpockets often target tourists. Would-be thieves tend to prefer the more crowded parts of the city center.
The Temple Bar area can get rowdy in the summer months, too, especially later at night. Check out my article “Is Dublin Safe?”for more safety-related info.
Tip 3 – Get a Leap Card
Dublin is walkable, but the city also has an extensive public transportation system. This can be especially useful for reaching further neighborhoods such as Dun Laoghaire. The Leap Card acts as a pass for busses and rail services in the city.
The Leap Card works in other major Irish cities, too, so it is a great asset for visiting Ireland.
🚗 Renting a Car? See our Dublin car rental guide for essential info.
Tip 4 – Learn the Local Lingo
Ireland has its own set of slang that may be unfamiliar to tourists. For instance, the Irish word for fun, craic, (pronounced “crack”)may scandalize first-time visitors when they hear locals conversing so casually about having it!
Mental Floss has a handy guide to some of the most common terms you’ll hear bantered about. Some are ordinary English words with different meanings while some are uniquely Irish.
FAQs About When to Visit Dublin
What is the best month to visit Dublin, Ireland?
May is the best time to visit Dublin, Ireland. The weather is warm, the prices remain lower, and the streets are less crowded.
What is the cheapest time of year to visit Dublin?
The cheapest time of year to visit Dublin is winter. This is when flights and hotels offer their lowest prices and fewer festivals are held.
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I hope that you’ve gotten some good insights into the best time to visit Dublin. For more help planning your Europe trip, check out our guide to the best times to visit Europe.
