There’s a particular enchantment about Dublin that’s inexplicable. Incredibly picturesque, lively, and packed with culture, history, and Irish charm, this city will capture your heart in no time.
If you’ve been wondering how to choose a date for your upcoming trip to Dublin, look no further.
That said, please carefully plan your visit to Dublin around the season you wish to visit. Dublin boasts a vast variety of day tours, attractions, and excursions. However, weather and other factors such as crowds, national events, and price surges can affect your trip. So it’s best to do some thorough seasonal research before you head.
Don’t worry if that sounds overwhelming. We’re here to help! Below, we’ve provided a general breakdown and explanation of the best months to visit Dublin to get the most out of your holiday.
When to Visit Dublin | Seasons, Temperatures, and Things to Do
Dublin is quaint and charming yet bold and modern. Its historic theater and live music scene are world-class. The city is well known for its warm and welcoming people. Famous for its Guinness and pub culture, visiting Dublin is nothing short of a unique experience.
The best time to visit Dublin, Ireland, remains entirely up to the visitor. If you’re keen to make the most of Dublin’s outdoor activities, summer may be the best time for you to go. If you don’t mind cuddling up to a warm fire with an Irish coffee, you certainly won’t mind visiting Ireland in the winter months. Every season in Dublin has something different to offer, and each is beautiful in its own right.
Read on to discover more about the magic of Dublin and to find out what time of year would best suit your upcoming vacation.
Spring in Dublin
Spring in Dublin is generally lovely—the days get longer, flowers bloom, and a certain post-winter energy is in the air. March can still be chilly and wet, but the weather is crisp, pleasant, and moderate overall. Spending spring in the city means you’ll experience fewer crowds and lower prices.
March sees average highs of 50°F (10°C) and lows of about 37°F (3°C). Temperatures gradually increase, with May experiencing highs of about 59°F (15°C) and lows of 43°F (6°C).
A national holiday and Ireland’s biggest event of the year, St. Patrick’s Day falls on the 17th of March. This festival sees hundreds of thousands of people flock to Dublin’s streets to join in the celebrations.
If you’re planning a trip to Dublin over this period, remember that St. Patrick’s Day festivities usually happen from the 15th to the 19th of March. Due to the large crowds, accommodation during this time becomes expensive and fills up quickly.
Apart from St. Patrick’s Day, March through May tend to be quieter shoulder-season months. You’re more likely to get deals on airfare and hotels during this time. The bonus of visiting in the spring is that April and May see primarily clear weather, with April being the sunniest month with the least rain.
Spring Travel Tip: The Easter Holidays also tend to be a busy time in Dublin. Keep this in mind when booking your trip.
Summer in Dublin
Summer is the perfect time to explore Dublin’s outdoor activities, such as music festivals, city tours, river cruises, and drinking ice-cold Guinness in the sun. Dublin summers are generally crisp and mild, although that’s not to say that Dublin can experience sudden heat waves or heavy rainfalls during this time.
June temperatures in Dublin can range from highs of 64°F (18°C) to lows of 48°F (9°C). In addition, July and August are the warmest months, with temperatures in the day averaging around 68°F (20°C) and at night about a cool 52°F (11°C). You can enjoy around 16−17 hours of daylight in the summertime, making it ideal for outdoor activities like going on a sightseeing cruise.
That said, Dublin gets so busy in summer, so consider trying less-touristy activities that will be manageable with crowds; spend the afternoon in Iveagh Gardens, discover the city’s hidden speakeasy bars such as the Blind Pig, or walk the coastal Great South Wall to get an alternative view of Dublin.
Summer is also a perfect time to try one of the city’s hop-on-hop-off open-top bus tours, a flexible way to cover more ground in less time. You can also try a Dublin boat tour if you are up for a maritime adventure.
Summer Travel Tip: Summer is the peak tourist season in Ireland. If you plan on visiting Dublin during this time, book your flights, accommodation, and tours well in advance (at least six months). This can help you save quite a bit of cash.
Fall in Dublin
The city is arguably at its prettiest in the fall—when green summer hues change to shades of red, brown, and golden orange. This time of year is the low season for tourists. You can enjoy the city more freely without the masses of people and look forward to less competitive prices when it comes to accommodation and going out.
When it comes to Dublin in September, temperatures are pleasantly moderate, with average highs of 63°F (17°C) and lows of 48°F (9°C). Dublin in October experiences slightly colder temperatures of around 57°F (14°C) and 44°F (7°C). Following this is November, with temperatures averaging highs of 50°F (10°C) and lows of 39°F (4°C).
Dublin City is full of medieval history and stories, so get into the swing of Halloween and sign up for a haunted city tour. You’ll learn a lot about the eerie spooks of the city, and many people report having experienced chilling sensations as if they were in the presence of ghosts.
Prefer something a bit less spooky? Visit the National Botanic Garden to witness the fall colors in full force. If you’re in Dublin in November, visit Ice Skating Blanchardstown—the country’s largest ice skating rink.
Although there won’t be as much dining and merrymaking outside as in the summer, fall in Dublin provides an excellent opportunity for a cozy, intimate, and budget-friendly getaway.
Fall Travel Tip: Even though temperatures can be cold in the fall, Ireland is a place where you can experience all four seasons in one day. Make sure to bring a rain jacket or umbrella. Wearing layers is particularly useful, so you can remove some clothes if it gets a bit warmer in the day.
Winter in Dublin
Winter in Dublin, Ireland, is something straight out of a fairytale. Cozy and romantic. There’s a unique festive energy in the air. If you love all things Christmas, December is a perfect time for you to visit.
However, remember that Dublin winters see the most rainfall out of any other season, and days are at their shortest with temperatures at their lowest. So it helps to be fully prepared—umbrellas, raincoats, and all.
Dublin in December, January, and February can get very cold. December has average highs of 48°F (9°C) and lows of 37°C (3°C). The coldest months of the year are January and February, where average temperatures fall between 39.2°F and 44.6 °F. Temperatures during this time can quickly drop below freezing, and yes, it can most certainly snow in Dublin.
Winter is a great time to book the Dublin Castle tour, as there’ll be fewer crowds. There’s also a certain magic about exploring medieval castles under gloomy, gray skies.
During this time, you can take shelter from the cold in peaceful galleries and museums. Enjoy a pint by the fire in one of Dublin’s many cozy Irish pubs. Explore the Christmas markets and witness the city illuminated by light shows and lantern sculptures. Guaranteed to warm you up quickly, go on the Teeling Whiskey Distillery tour.
Winter is also the perfect time to see some gigs—Dublin is renowned for its world-class live music scene. Check what shows are on at the National Concert Music Hall—otherwise known as the ‘home of music in Ireland’.
January and February are quiet tourist months, where you can stroll around freely and not have to plan your days in Dublin so far in advance. Around Christmas and New Year, there will be an increase in crowds, prices, and accommodation. However, the rest of winter is quiet and relaxed.
Winter Travel Tip: These cold and frosty months are the perfect time to try Dublin’s traditional Irish stew—a delicious, filling, and hearty mix of lamb, potatoes, carrots, and onions.
Wrapping Up: The Best Time of Year to Visit Dublin
With each season offering unique experiences, the best time to go to Dublin remains subjective. And as cliché as it sounds, it’s truly up to your preferences.
If you struggle with cold temperatures and love being in the sunshine, July and August are great times to visit Dublin.
If you’re planning a holiday on a tight budget, look at visiting Dublin in the fall or spring.
Visiting in these shoulder seasons means you will avoid crowds and save money while having all the fun as a tourist in Dublin.
Overall, many view April and May as the best months to visit Dublin, as it isn’t as crowded as it is in summer or as cold as it is in winter. Whichever time you plan to visit, you’re sure to have some fun with these Dublin foodie activities.
Last updated on October 2nd, 2023 at 02:29 pm
