Is Dublin Safe to Visit?
Dublin is generally a very safe place to visit. Read our guide on tips for staying safe in Dublin, Ireland.
Dublin, Ireland's capital city, is among the best places to visit on the island.
That's great to hear, but since you've landed on this post, you're probably asking one of the most burning questions: Is Dublin safe to visit?
Whenever we travel, one of our main concerns is whether the place we are about to visit is safe. And Dublin was no exception.
Having a stress-free trip is always nice, no matter if you're visiting Ireland for the first time or the hundredth.
Let's start with the positive things. Generally, Ireland is a very safe country to visit. And Dublin is generally a safe place to visit as well.
What about the negatives? Dublin is the largest city on Emerald Isle, and incidents like thefts, scams, phone snatching, harassment, and other minor offenses can occur.
Yes, there is an element of petty crime in Dublin, though the numbers remain relatively low.
Like in any city, being aware of your surroundings and staying alert is important.
Keep on reading to discover the specifics about Dublin's safety and what you should look out for when you're there.
How Safe is Dublin?
In principle, Dublin is a very safe place to visit, whether it's the city center or residential areas on the outskirts.
Of course, some places are not as safe as others. In most instances, you mostly just need to use your common sense to stay safe.
What is important to understand about Ireland is that about half of the entire population resides in the Greater Dublin Area.
At the same time, the rest of the country remains very rural and less crowded.
With that being said, it's pretty apparent that Dublin will be more dangerous than remote places along the Wild Atlantic Way, such as The Burren or Valentia Island.
Still, Dublin is one of the safest large cities in the world. Quite frankly, Dublin is no Bogota or Rio de Janeiro when it comes to safety.
Once again, use your city smarts, and you'll be just fine.
Safe and Dangerous Neighborhoods in Dublin
When it comes to safe places in Dublin, there's no shortage. In fact, the majority of neighborhoods in Dublin can be considered safe.
Crime rates in Dublin are obviously higher than in the rest of Ireland.
Some areas in Dublin can be considered dangerous, but they are mostly located outside of central Dublin.
To be precise, there are a few places along the M50 that you should avoid.
You won't probably have any reason to visit these areas as there is nothing to do there for tourists.
Obviously, it doesn't mean Dublin's city center is completely safe, so try not to let your guard down while there.
It's recommended to avoid Thomas Street and The Coombe after dark.
You should also be cautious when exploring popular places such as Grafton Street and O'Connell Street, which thousands of locals and tourists visit daily.
Pickpockets take advantage of crowded areas, so keep your belongings safe.
Is Dublin Safe at Night?
In principle, Dublin is safe at night, at least if you stay on the tourist trail and follow basic guidelines.
Frankly, walking along Dublin's streets at night didn't feel that much different from walking during midday.
Having said that, you should always be careful where you are at night in the city.
It's still recommended to avoid walking alone at night in poorly lit areas.
If you're in an area you're not familiar with and need to get back to your hotel, consider taking a taxi instead.
Again, you're still in Dublin, not in Lima or Mexico City.
Another huge topic is Temple Bar, one of the best areas in Dublin for nightlife.
The entire island of Ireland is known for one of the best pubs in the world.
No matter whether you're in Cork, Kinsale, or Kilkenny, there is most likely a great pub behind a corner.
One of the most popular places you can visit in Dublin is the iconic Temple Bar area. This area is home to many bars, restaurants, and clubs.
Some say Temple Bar has the best nightlife scene, while some say it's just an overrated tourist trap.
No matter what we think, Temple Bar and other popular pub streets require extra caution.
Again, Temple Bar is generally a safe place to visit if you follow basic guidelines.
Drink responsibly and stay within your limits. Watch for drink spiking, get your own drinks, look after your companions, and walk away from conflict situations.
Is Dublin Safe for a Solo Traveler
Exploring Dublin alone is a great idea if you're considering traveling to Europe as a solo traveler.
In fact, Dublin is a safe place to visit for any type of traveler.
It is a fantastic place to explore because there are so many things to do in Dublin, and it is safer than most large cities in the world.
Like in other big cities, there are always some individuals who may try to take advantage of you.
If you're an experienced solo female traveler, Dublin will not probably surprise you in any way.
Still, walking with a companion in isolated areas, rough-looking streets, or at night is always a good idea.
In fact, you should try to avoid these areas in the first place, but that's not always easy if you're not familiar with the city. Just don't forget to follow your instincts.
As long as you follow general safety tips, you should be fine.
Safety Tips
When it comes to safety, here are a few more things to remember once you arrive in Dublin.
Remember that most of these general safety tips can be used in nearly any other major city in the world.
Also, the less you look like a tourist, the better.
Walking Around Dublin
Unlike many huge cities such as New York or London, the best way to get around Dublin is on foot.
In fact, most major attractions in Dublin, such as the Book of Kells, Dublin Castle, or Jeanie Johnston, are within walking distance, and you don't really need to use public transport to get around.
Walking around Dublin is one of the best ways to explore the city, but you should keep in mind that you will spend a lot of time on the streets.
The general rule of thumb is always to be prepared and aware of the people and events surrounding you.
In crowded areas, stay alert and avoid distractions. If you feel uncomfortable, you can always wear your backpack on your chest.
If you're still unsure, you can always take a Dublin Walking Tour to get familiar with the most popular tourist areas.
For more information, check out our post on Dublin's most popular tours.
Public Transport
Like many European cities, Dublin has a great network of public transport consisting of buses, trams, and trains.
In case you want to visit areas further from downtown, using public transport is a great idea.
In most situations, Dublin's public transport is very safe. Plus, it's relatively easy to use and you can even use it to explore nearby attractions on a day trip from Dublin.
With that being said, crowded buses and trams are one of the main areas pickpockets target.
To avoid being pickpocketed, always be aware of your surroundings, keep your belongings close to you, don't flash your valuables, and never put your phone in your back pocket.
Simply put, don't make yourself an easy target. You can use this advice in every European city, whether it's Dublin, Vienna, or Prague.
Drink Responsibly
Dublin is known for its great pubs and bars. It's no wonder that one of the main attractions in the city center is the iconic Temple Bar.
As usual, you need to follow a few basic rules to stay safe.
Drink responsibly and know your limits.
Also, don't leave your drinks unattended, especially as a solo female traveler. In fact, it's better to go out with a friend you know and can trust.
By the way, Ireland is known for great beer and whiskey, and places such as Guinness Storehouse or Teeling Whiskey Distillery are fun to visit.
Travel Insurance
Before you visit Dublin and Ireland in general, getting the right and reliable travel insurance is always a good idea.
Things may happen when traveling, and arranging good insurance is undoubtedly one of the most important things you can do before you go.
While travel insurance won't prevent mishaps and accidents from occurring, it will give you some peace and help you recover faster.
We never leave home without travel insurance that was designed to cover our expenses if something goes wrong during the trip.
World Nomads provides travel insurance for travelers to cover their trip essentials, including sports and adventure activities.
SafetyWing is affordable travel insurance for backpackers, long-term travelers, and digital nomads.
Travel smarter and safer!
Taxis
Another common question we ask ourselves before heading out to a new destination is how safe local taxis are.
Taxis in Dublin are heavily regulated and should be as safe as taxis in big cities can be.
If you don't feel comfortable hailing a cab on the street, you can use an app to call a taxi or find an official taxi stand.
Whenever in doubt, most hotels can arrange a taxi for you.
Where to Stay
In our opinion, the city center is the best area to stay in Dublin.
Luckily, the vast majority of great hotels, such as Riu Plaza or Wren Urban Nest, are clustered in the central area of Dublin, which is very safe.
Some of the safest areas are Stephen's Green, Grafton Street, Merrion Square, Trinity College, and Docklands.
We stayed on Parnell Street near the corner of O'Connell Street and felt very safe there as well.
Ballsbridge or Portobello are popular neighborhoods if you don't want to stay outside the city center.
If you're visiting Ireland on a budget, it's good to know that the majority of hostels in Dublin are very safe.
If you're a solo traveler and want to feel extra secure, it might be worth spending a few extra euros to stay in a budget chain hotel.
Here is our guide on free things to do in Dublin for budget-minded travelers.
Parking
Like everywhere, there is always a risk of theft or damage when parking your rental car in a large city, and Dublin is no exception.
The best way you can minimize these risks is to use a secure parking garage or a parking lot.
Our favorite parking in Dublin is Q-Park, which is expensive but secure, and we parked there frequently during our Ireland road trip.
These parking facilities are conveniently located in the city center and easy to use, whether in Galway or Limerick.
By the way, they have parking garages even in Belfast, Northern Ireland.
No matter if you leave your car on the street or in the secure parking lot, avoid leaving valuables visible in your car, such as phones, bags, jackets, or laptops.
You should follow this advice even when exploring the Irish countryside.
No matter how safe places such as Dingle Peninsula, Connemara, or Slieve League are, your vehicle should be used for transportation, not storage.
By the way, exploring Ireland by car is an incredible experience.
Here, you will find our guide on renting a car in Ireland and tips for driving in Ireland.
What to Pack
First of all, the rule of thumb is to leave your valuables, electronics, large sums of cash, etc., at home.
Always keep this in mind when planning for your trip.
Keep your Ireland packing list plain and simple, and focus on rainproof gear rather than expensive jewelry.
If there is no way around it, make use of your hotel safe.
If you want to use public transport extensively, visit museums, etc., consider getting an anti-theft bag such as PacSafe Anti-Theft Backpack.
Or use something like Pacsafe Slingpack that stays close to your body.
A simple money belt or clothing with hidden pockets that are not easily accessible can work as a backup stash, just in case.
If you plan to get around Ireland by public transport, you may consider getting a small lock to secure your bags.
Travel Resources
Here you can find links to all the travel resources we use and which you might find helpful when planning your next holiday.
Accommodation: When looking for accommodation, we usually search hotels via Booking.com or Hostelworld.
Tours: Although we love to travel independently, some places are better to visit with a guided tour.
We prefer GetYourGuide for its easy-to-use interface and solid reputation. Another great alternative is Viator.
Rental Cars: When going on a road trip, we always use Rentalcars.com, a reliable site for booking a rental car in advance.
Flight Tickets: When looking for flight tickets, you can search Skyscanner to find the best price.
Travel Insurance: World Nomads and SafetyWing cover against risks of travel.
