Are you planning a trip and wondering “Is Dublin safe for solo female travel?” Well, in that case, I’m happy to provide some clarity. I’ve traveled solo to Dublin, Ireland three times and two other times with just me and another female friend.
So, let’s dive into this Dublin solo travel guide to help you make the most out of your trip.
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Is Dublin safe for solo female travel?
Dublin is largely a very safe city. That’s not to say crime doesn’t exist there, but overall women should have no problem traveling solo in Dublin.
Just remember to stay vigilant, don’t wander down dark alleys in the middle of the night, don’t accept drinks from strangers – things you would normally do in any city as a woman.
Dublin is actually the first city I ever solo traveled in! I think it’s an AMAZING destination for a first solo trip in Europe.
I will give you some of my personal experience in Dublin. I met two local guys when I was out having dinner by myself. They invited me out for a drink and I happily accepted, eager to meet people and have someone to hang out with.
Later, we ended up in some funky upstairs nightclub and they offered me MDMA while we were all dancing. All I did was decline and carry on having fun! They didn’t care, but probably thought I was a little bit lame. No worries, and I still had a good time.
Why Solo Travel in Dublin is a Great Idea
The great thing about Dublin is that it’s a very solo travel friendly destination. There are plenty of hostels that make it easy to meet other solo travelers, it’s normal to go to the pub by yourself (and people will totally chat with you if you’re into it!), and there’s a lot of different things to do that can easily be enjoyed solo.
If you’re looking for a fun, laidback city with parks, cool pubs, yummy cafes, and history to soak up – Dublin is a lovely solo travel destination in Europe.
Main perks for solo travel in Dublin:
- Small, compact city for easy exploring
- Friendly locals
- Pub culture
- Solo-friendly attractions
- Safe city and country
- Hostels ideal for solo travelers
For all these reasons, I continue to emphasize “Is Dublin safe for solo female travel?” Yes, yes it is.
But don’t forget to snag some quality travel insurance before you go! I always recommend SafetyWing, as you can go to any doctor, cancel anytime, and it’s affordable.
How to get to central Dublin from the airport
Getting from the Dublin Airport to the city centre is pretty straight forward and affordable for solo travelers.
Personally, I have always opted for the bus and it’s the most efficient and budget-friendly option to get from Dublin airport to the city centre.
I recommend the DublinExpress. It takes 25 minutes to get from the airport to downtown and stops at numerous locations, making it ideal no matter where you’re staying in the city. It also runs every 15 minutes, with longer stints in the wee hours.
You can easily book your ticket online or buy it at the airport directly from the driver (card payment only).
Where to Stay in Dublin Solo
Dublin is a very walkable city, so I recommend staying somewhere central so you can take advantage of that aspect of the city. Here are some options suitable for any traveler as well as solo female travelers in Dublin.
When considering “Is Dublin safe for solo female travel”, these hotels and hostels are in safe and appealing neighborhoods. So no worries there!
Wren Urban Nest – Hip hotel with good prices and bright & compact-style rooms, which are really popular these days. The whole hotel is beautifully designed and cozy for a solo traveler.
The Clarence Hotel (4-star) – Upscale, super central hotel with nicely designed rooms, beautiful eateries, and red-toned cocktail lounge. Lovely if you aren’t too worried about meeting other solo travelers.
Jacobs Inn Dublin (2-star) – Budget-friendly hostel with shared and private rooms with pod beds with privacy curtains. It’s actually really lovely and has a cool bar with free drink tickets. It’s also one of the best cheap places to stay in Dublin.
Clink i Lár (2-star) – Another great hostel for solo travel in Dublin, as it has a very lively and social atmosphere. Fun bar area, female only dorm rooms, as well as mixed rooms available.
Things to Do in Dublin as a Solo Traveler
Here are some of the best ways to enjoy a couple of days of solo female travel in Dublin. And if you want to plan out an itinerary, check out my 2 days in Dublin itinerary guide.
Travel tip! You can save money by getting a Dublin City Pass, allowing you to visit as many attractions as you like. You can choose anything from a one day pass up to 5 days.
The pass will give you access to the Dublin Hop On/Hop Off Bus, Guinness Storehouse, Jameson Distillery Bow St. Tour, various cathedrals, the Dublin Castle, museums, and so much more.
Ha’Penny Bridge
This is a cute pedestrian bridge in the city centre of Dublin. It’s arches like a white rainbow – and I simply love it. Walk across it to explore more of Dublin and to enjoy views over the city over River Liffey.
It’s also a historic site, built in 1816, and it’s a must-see for the curious solo traveler.
You can learn more about the Ha’Penny Bridge and many of the other best places to see when you book this Dublin walking tour. Besides, walking tours are another AMAZING way to meet other travelers (oftentimes other solo travelers).
Ha’Penny Bridge Inn
I always recommend to anyone visiting Dublin for the first, stop at the Ha’Penny Bridge Inn for an Irish coffee.
Even if you don’t want to enjoy the delicious concoction of whisky, coffee, and cream, it’s still a great spot to visit to see a traditional pub with coffee offerings and breakfast bites.
It’s a place I always go back to when I’m in Dublin. It’s nostalgic, dating back to my first time traveling in Europe.
Dublin Bike Tour
For a fun way to spend a few hours and see a lot of Dublin in a day, I suggest either renting a bike or hopping on a Dublin bike tour for a cool experience.
The guides will tell you quirky stories, take you to iconic sites, and give you a mini history lesson on all things Dublin.
You can either rent bikes here or use a Dublin city bike, which has pick up locations around the city.
Trinity College and Book of Kells
Visiting Ireland’s most prominent university is one of the best things to do in Dublin as a solo traveler. The university back to the 16th century is a lovely place to experience the academic side of life in Dublin.
Head to the campus and wander around as you like. There are grassy areas to sit, old buildings to admire, and places to explore within the walls.
One of the main highlights to see here is the Long Room – a 200-ft tall room filled with 200,000 of the library’s oldest books.
When you visit, you’ll walk through to the Treasury where the Book of Kells is held. Then, you can head upstairs to the magnificent Long Room – which is very picturesque.
The Book of Kells is a historic biblical text considered the world’s most famous medieval manuscript – it’s really famous in Ireland. Overall, it’s an illuminated manuscript Gospel book written in Latin, containing the four Gospels of the New Testament, created sometime around the early 9th century in either Scotland or Ireland.
You will need guided tour tickets to see the Book of Kells and the Long Room, which costs €25. However, if you just want to explore the campus on a self-guided tour, tickets are only €5.
For a book lovers experience, check out this skip-the-line tour to the Book of Kells and Old Town walk OR the combined tour with Dublin Castle.
National Library of Ireland
If your solo trip to Dublin is on a budget and you don’t want to spend €25 to see the Long Room and Book of Kells. Visit the National Library of Ireland instead.
It has beautiful stained glass windows, plenty of reading spots, and a gorgeous dome-shaped ceiling with thousands of books lined along the walls.
It’s very close to the National Museum of Ireland – Natural History as well as the Archaeology Museum. Both are very interesting for a history or natural science lover enjoying a Dublin solo travel experience.
Winding Stair Bookshop
Located opposite Ha’Penny Bridge Inn, just over the iconic bridge, is a lovely local book store in Dublin called The Winding Stair Bookshop.It’s a quaint, locally owned store full of works by Irish and international authors.
If you’re a fellow book lover, then this a great chance to discover more Irish authors like Sally Rooney and Naoise Dolan. I bought my first copy of Conversations With Friends here – which is set primarily in Dublin with a spell in France.
If you want a unique souvenir or just love bookstores, stop here while enjoying Dublin solo travel.
St. Stephen’s Garden Park
With a new book in hand, I absolutely recommend sitting in the grass at St. Stephen’s Garden Park. You can grab a takeaway coffee – I got mine from Beanhive Coffee just beside the park – and read a couple of chapters from the book you bought at The Winding Stair.
This is definitely one of the best things to do in Dublin solo that also lets you enjoy a more authentic, slow travel experience.
Either way, the park is lovely to see. It’s a Victorian-era green park with tree-lined walking paths, numerous plants and seasonal flowers, a small lake, ducks, and plenty of places to sit and have a picnic in Dublin.
Dublin Castle
The Dublin Castle is a 13th century motte-and-bailey castle at the center of the city. It’s not a very storybook castle, but it is a great thing to see when traveling solo in Dublin.
Plus, it’s significant to Irish history and was built upon a Viking settlement. For the longest time it belonged to the English – then the British as a whole – until finally in 1922 it was handed over to the Irish government. Yay!
The castle is open daily from 9:45 a.m. – 5:45 p.m. Last admission is at 5:15 p.m. You can buy tickets directly from their website or schedule a guided tour.
To make the most of your time, you can also book a combined guided tour of the Dublin Castle AND the Book of Kells Experience at Trinity College (mentioned below). It’s a popular tour and lasts 2.5 hours.
Visit a comedy club
The Irish are known for their witty senses of humor, so you’re in for a cultural treat! Going to a comedy show is one of the best ways to soak up the local culture while traveling solo in Dublin.
There are plenty of places to see a paid and free show nearly any night of the week. Plus, they’re located right along the water in the center of the city.
Some recommendations include Craic Den Comedy Club, Laughter Lounge (often hosts big-name comics), and Hysteria Comedy Club for something more localized.
Check their websites or social media to see what’s on.
Guinness Storehouse Experience
No matter if you are doing a Dublin solo travel trip or visiting with friends, you definitely need to add the Guinness Storehouse to your itinerary.
The Storehouse is such a cool experience. You’ll learn about the history of Guinness, its various quirky advertising campaigns (as ad Advertising student, I loved this), and even how to pour a pint of the black stuff yourself.
The tour concludes with a complimentary pint (that you poured yourself) that you will be able to enjoy from the rooftop with its long windows overlooking Dublin.
You can buy your tickets online and the Storehouse is open from 9:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. on weekdays (including Sunday) and until 6 p.m. on Fridays and Saturdays.
Christ Church Cathedral
While you’re cycling around or exploring Dublin on foot, stop by the historic Christ Church Cathedral that has stood for nearly 1,000 years.
Its Gothic and Romanesque architecture is so mysteriously wonderful and the cathedral is massive.
The cathedral also has a picturesque skyway bridge that crosses above Winetavern Street linking two parts of the cathedral.
It’s open to the public daily, unless otherwise stated, from 9:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. Except on Sundays when it closes at 3 o’clock.
Bonus option! Right behind the cathedral is a cool viking and medieval history museum. Some of my friends have been and they had a blast. It’s called Dublinia and you can find tickets linked.
Temple Bar District
When it starts getting late, the Temple Bar district is a lively place to experience – whether doing a Dublin solo travel trip or not.
It’s also a very cute area with bright buildings with brick exteriors and flower-covered window sills.
My favorite bar here is Quay’s. They have live music every night and if you want to arrive earlier you have a traditional Irish dinner here too.
But if you just come for drinks and live music, Quay’s is SO much fun. Dance, sing, mingle, and enjoy the Dublin nightlife. You’re bound to meet other travelers and even other solo female travelers here.
Besides, there is no shame in going out for drinks solo in Dublin.
Dublin Solo Travel Tips
Follow these steps when considering “Is Dublin safe for solo female travel?”.
- Stay Connected: Ensure you have a reliable mobile phone with internet access. This will be helpful for navigation, communication, and accessing emergency services if needed.
- Be Street Smart: Familiarize yourself with the layout of Dublin and its neighborhoods. Stick to well-lit and populated areas at night. Trust your instincts and avoid any situations or people that make you feel uncomfortable.
- Walking Alone at Night: While Dublin is considered safe, it’s wise to avoid walking alone late at night in unfamiliar or dimly lit areas. Take licensed taxis or use ride-sharing services like Uber or Lyft instead.
- Monitor Your Alcohol Consumption: Enjoy Dublin’s vibrant nightlife, but be mindful of your alcohol consumption. Stay aware of your surroundings and avoid accepting drinks from strangers. Always keep an eye on your drink to prevent tampering.
- Stay Informed: Stay updated on local news and events, as well as any safety advisories or travel warnings for Dublin. Register with your embassy or consulate before your trip for additional support in case of emergencies.
- Trust Your Instincts: If something doesn’t feel right, don’t hesitate to remove yourself from the situation or seek help from authorities or trusted locals.
