45 Romantic and Fun Things to Do in Dublin for Couples (2024)

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There is no shortage of fun things to do in Dublin for couples. Dublin happens to be a surprisingly romantic city for any type of couple, be that the adventurous explorer couple or the stay in and splurge on exquisite luxuries couple.

I spent four months living in Dublin, exploring all this wonderful city has to offer. So, from me and my boyfriend, here are our top 45 surprisingly fun and romantic things to do in Dublin for couples.

❗️Short on time to read?
The #1 best thing to do as a couple in Dublin is:
👉🏽 Romantic Cruise Down River Liffey

Best Place for Couples to Stay: The Marker Dublin
Unique Thing to Do: Private Couple’s Photoshoot Around Dublin
Can’t Miss as Tourists: Tour the Guinness Factory
Free Thing to Do as a Couple: Stoll Down Love Lane

#18 – Take Your Partner to See a Rugby Game

My boyfriend and I had a great time at the rugby game, even though we had no clue what was going on! The Aviva Stadium is constantly hosting sporting events that are fun for couples to watch together.

A few other show venues in Dublin for an entertaining night out:

• 3Olympia Theatre
• Vicar Street
• The National Concert Hall
• The Gaiety Theater
• 3Arena Dublin
• Abbey Theatre
• Bord Gáis Energy Theatre

#20 – Get a Couple’s Massage and/or Spa Treatment

Head to The Marker or The Shelbourne for a relaxing thing to do in Dublin as a couple. You can book tailored treatments to suit your personal needs.

#21 – Visit One of Dublin’s Museums

There are quite a few museums and attractions to visit in Dublin. Picking a museum to tour is a great thing to do in Dublin for couples. Some of the best exhibits are the Irish Emigration Museum, the Book of Kells at Trinity College, or the Irish Museum of Modern Art.

More museum tours HERE.

#22 – Take a Romantic Stroll Through the Dublin Botanic Gardens

Take an afternoon to walk through the National Botanic Gardens of Ireland located in Dublin which is especially known for its glasshouses and artistic structures.

#23 – Go Mini-Golfing

Check out Rainforest Adventure Golf for two indoor mini-golf courses, a fun thing to do as a couple in Dublin.

#24 – Are You a Competitive Couple? Try Indoor Rock Climbing!

Another fun activity in Dublin is indoor rock climbing. Try out Awesome Walls, one of the largest indoor climbing centers in Europe with over 2,000 square meters of climbing surface and over 250 climbing routes to attempt.

#25 – See a Movie at Stella Cinema

Always a standard go-to thing to do in Dublin for couples. The Stella Cinema is a beautiful movie theater with an old-time charm.

#26 – Embrace Your Inner Child at Dublin’s Jump Zone

Indoor trampoline gyms are not just for kids or gymnasts, but can be a fun thing to do as a couple too! Jump Zone has trampolines, climbing frames, foam pits, and more.

#27 – Skip Straight to Dancing With Your Partner at the Nightclubs

Are you a couple that would rather just dance the night away? Either finish a Dublin pub crawl with a nightclub or skip straight to one. Dublin has some of the best nightlife in the world, so get your dance on at one of the popular clubs!

💃 Click here for my favorite Dublin nightclubs

(Psst! Want more things to do at night in Dublin? ↴ Click below!)

Dining Options in Dublin for Couples

#32 – Take Your Partner for a Romantic Dinner at a Michelin-Star Restaurant

Michelin-star restaurants are the best of the best, and Ireland currently has 21 Michelin-star restaurants across the country, a few of which are found in Dublin. Treat your partner to an exquisite dinner and check out Patrick Guilbaud (Modern French) or Variety Jones (Modern Cuisine).

#33 – Bottomless Brunch Is Always a Fun Thing to Do in Dublin for Couples!

One of my favorite things to do as a couple in Dublin is to go for a bottomless mimosa brunch on the weekend. Check out Platform 61 or Cleaver East.

#35 – Have a Nice Sushi Dinner With Your Partner

Our favorite date night usually consists of a sushi dinner. In Dublin, try out Ninja Sushi Japanese Restaurant or Honkaku Sushi and Thai Restaurant.

Free Things to Do in Dublin for Couples

#36 – Have a Picnic in Phoenix Park

The Phoenix Park in Dublin is one of the largest enclosed parks in any capital city across Europe. It is open 24 hours every day and also contains attractions from the Dublin Zoo and Victorian Flower Gardens to the Ashtown Castle or Phoenix Park Tea Rooms.

Phoenix Park is not too far from the city center and popular attractions such as the Guinness Factory. Take a stroll around the gardens and find somewhere (such as the Glen Pond) to settle in for a picnic to take in the beautiful scenery.

You might even be greeted by the pack of deer that still roam the park (just make sure to keep your distance)!

You could also check out St. Stephen’s Green (feeding the ducks is popular here!) or the Iveagh Gardens for more outdoor gardens and picnic spaces.

#37 – See a Comedy Show

One of my favorite things to do while living as an expat in Dublin is to see a comedy show. There are quite a few places to watch comedy across Dublin. The Craic Den Comedy Club or Laughter Lounge are consistently hosting ticketed comedy shows.

Or, there are a few pubs across Dublin that host open mic nights for comedians and musicians. The quality is often a bit more hit or miss, but you likely will not need to purchase a ticket for the show, though you might be required to buy a drink.

A few pubs to check out that host open mic nights are: The Ha’Penny Bridge Inn, The International Bar, and The Workman’s Club.

#38 – Take a Romantic Sunset Walk Along the River Liffey

Take your partner for a walk along the river to watch the sunset over Dublin.

🍦 Stop somewhere for ice cream along the way such as Cloud Nine Temple Bar or Gino’s Gelato by the Grand Canal Dock.

#39 – Go Geocaching

Geocaching is a fun, free thing to do in Dublin for couples. It’s a way to explore new areas around you by searching for hidden containers or “geocaches” at locations all over the world that are marked by coordinates. Each container can be a different size, contain unique items, and vary in difficulty to find.

Most of the Geocaches are free for users through the app. Sign up to play here: Geocaching.com.

When my boyfriend and I don’t have anything planned or want to save a bit of money but still get out of the house, geocaching is our go-to activity. Plus, this is a fun way to explore parts of Dublin that you wouldn’t necessarily think to visit.

#40 – Go For a Walk or Hike

The outskirts of Dublin city center have quite a few nice walks and things for couples to do. A few walks or quick hikes you can try are:

• Poolbeg Lighthouse
• Dodder Walk
• St. Anne’s Park Circular
• Portmarnock to Malahide Castle

#41 – Visit the Temple Bar and Listen to Irish Music

The Temple Bar is probably the most iconic pub in Dublin and a must-visit for couples visiting or living as expats in Ireland. The Temple Bar (or one of the nearby pubs) is almost always hosting a band that is playing Irish music. Grab a pint and settle in with your date to soak up the lively atmosphere.

#42 – Explore the Wicklow Mountains

Escape the city for a bit to explore the beautiful nature in the Wicklow Mountains. Take a scenic drive through the mountains or get out and do some hiking. The Wicklow Mountains contain ruins of an early Christian settlement known as the Monastic City, as well as plenty of wildlife habitats, and a valley lake.

Looking for resources to use for your next trip or move abroad?
CLICK HERE for my favorite travel and expat tools!

#43 – Go For a Swim on Bull Island

If the weather is warm, a great thing to do in Dublin for couples is to swim at Bull Island. Close to the city center, Bull Island features sandy beaches, multiple changing areas at the end of the wooden bridge, and steps leading down to the water for an easy summer swimming spot.

Another popular swimming spot is the Forty Foot in Dun Laoghaire. This historic bathing pool on the southern tip of Dublin Bay is just a short walk from the James Joyce Tower. 

#44 – Take Couple Photos on Ha’Penny Bridge

This beautiful, ornate white bridge is an icon of Dublin city and a great spot for couples to take some nice photos. Go at sunrise before the crowds roll in and finish with breakfast on either side of the river.

#45 – Stroll Down Love Lane – Quite the Romantic Thing to Do in Dublin for Couples!

It’s easy to argue that one of the more romantic things to do in Dublin for couples is to walk down the street called “Love Lane“. The city’s open-air art project is part of a beautification initiative in Dublin. Love Lane is covered in hearts and romantic symbols, the perfect place to stroll through with your sweetheart when looking for something to do as a couple in Dublin.

Address: Crampton Court, Temple Bar, Dublin 8

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Those are the 45 BEST ideas for things to do for couples in Dublin, Ireland. I hope you and your loved one find something incredible to do!

☘️FAQs About Ireland☘️

✈️ Where Can You Find the BEST Flight Deals to Ireland?
1. Scott’s Cheap Flights – FREE flight deals alert, works best if you can be flexible
2. Skyscanner – FREE search engine, great for budget flights + deal

❗Is Travel Insurance Required in Ireland?
No, it’s not.
However, it’s always recommended to have travel insurance any time you travel in case of injury, accident, lost luggage, missed flight, etc. The best and most affordable travel/expat insurance is Safety Wing.
>>>CLICK HERE FOR INFO

☔️ When Is the Best Time to Visit Ireland?
Summer (June-August) – is the warmest and rains the least but you will have the most crowds.
Spring (March-May) or Fall (September-November) – are cooler and have more rain but you will beat the crowds and see some incredible wildflowers (spring)/greenery (fall).

🏠 Where Should You Stay in Ireland?
Hotels, hostels, vacation rentals, and house sitting are all available in Ireland for accommodation. My top recommendations for each are:
• Booking.com
• Hostelworld
• Vrbo (usually better options than Airbnb in Ireland)
• Trusted Housesitters (watch a home/pets in return for a FREE place to stay)

☘️ Where Can You Find Tours?
I found incredible tours in Ireland >>>HERE for private and guided group tours of both the most popular attractions and ones that fit your specific interests.

🚘 Should You Rent a Car in Ireland?
I always tell my friends and family to rent a car in Ireland so that they don’t miss out on the gorgeous scenery and wonderful things to do in between the big cities! However, if you plan to stay only in the cities, then you should be fine getting by with buses and walking.
>>> What to know about driving in Ireland
>>> The best car rental in Ireland

🍻 Make sure to try out the pubs! Even if you don’t drink, the atmosphere, live music, and friendly people are very uniquely Irish.