Top Rated Parks to Visit in Dublin

"The largest urban park of any European capital, Phoenix Park stretches over a staggering seven square kilometres (2.7 square miles). Within that space is the acclaimed Dublin Zoo. Established in 1831, it’s one of the oldest zoos in the world."

"Phoenix Park is a great place and it belongs to the Instagrammable places in Dublin. Furthermore, it is a great place for relaxation!. It is a very large park in the city of Dublin."

"Re-opened by Lord Ardilaun (Arthur Guinness) in 1880 for the citizens of Dublin. These 9 hectares / 22-acre park has been maintained in the original Victorian layout with extensive perimeter tree and shrub planting, spectacular spring and summer Victorian bedding. The park is adorned with statutes of Irelands politically and literary heroes like Countess Markiewitz, Robert Emmet, James Joyce, WB Yeats and off course Arthur Guinness/Lord Ardilaun."

"St Stephen’s Green is located about 10 minute walk (with children) from Maldron Hotel Pearse Street. Adults will be charmed by the stunning Victorian park in the city centre whilst kids will love the playground and duckpond. Look out for free outdoor lunchtime concerts in the summertime."

"St. Anne’s is the second-largest park in Dublin, sitting at 240 acres, and was formerly an estate owned by the Guinness family. On top of walking paths, rose gardens and ponds, the park boasts some great sporting facilities in the form of tennis courts and football pitches."

"Saint Anne’s Park is located on the Northside of Dublin and is one of the most beautiful parks in the county. The park is home to old ruins, Chinese Suzhou Gardens, Rose Gardens and some magical artwork. On the outskirts of the park lies Ireland’s very own tree of life."

"While it’s now largely famous for hosting the huge Longitude music festival every year since 2013, Marlay Park is actually a lovely spot to come for a ramble the other 362 days of the year!. The land was in the hands of various wealthy local luminaries from the mid-18th century onwards until Dublin County Council acquired the land in 1972 and developed it as a regional park. As well as a fine place for a stroll, there’s also a nine-hole golf course, tennis courts, six soccer pitches, five GAA pitches, a cricket pitch, a dog park, two children’s playgrounds and a miniature railway."

"This market, located in the 247-acre park in Rathfarnham, is well worth browsing through when you're spending the day at Marlay Park. And there are some fantastic vendors at this market. Try the delicious food at Taste of Morocco, get some beautiful hand-made crafts from Handmade For U, find your next read at the Village Bookshop, or enjoy some rolled ice-cream in the sun."

"Overlooking the villages of Dalkey and Killiney is a small public park, the Killiney Hill Park. Visitors can enjoy a variety of teas from their famous tea rooms, playgrounds for children and adult alike, and long green walking paths and woodland trails. Families and friends can enjoy their picnics here in the park as they enjoy the view of Dublin Bay and the Wicklow Mountain."

"A little park with a wonderful view of Dalkey and Killiney villages. It’s a steep walk up the hill, but it’s well worth it. Once you’re up, it’s one of Dublin’s most tranquil spots to relax in."

"If you or your family are planning on a cycling and orienteering trip, look no further, because the green places of Corkagh Park will suit your need. Children will surely enjoy the Pet Farm—with animals ranging from eagles, parakeets, pygmy goats, geese, sheep, zebra finches, and horses can be found. Or, enjoy the magical fairy wood attraction!"

"Corkagh park sits in south Dublin, with the River Camac, and features Ireland’s only purpose built cycle track. Elsewhere, the park has lakes perfect for fishing, flowerbeds to wonder among, and is overflowing with places to sit to enjoy a great book. What more could you ask for?"

"The beautiful grass and colourful flowerbeds are overlooked by the majestic St. Patrick’s Cathedral. It’s a great day out for all, and even sits by the River Liffey."

"Just south of Phoenix Park and drawing a largely local crowd, this smaller park is an equally pleasant alternative. Stroll past the hurling grounds for a riverside view of rowers in action on the Liffey, or continue to the memorial gardens, dedicated to the fallen Irish soldiers of the First World War. The elaborately-landscaped grounds are fittingly tranquil."

"Although the People’s Park in Dún Laoghaire is one of the smaller Dublin parks, it punches well above its weight!. An immaculately landscaped oasis of calm just moments from the harbour, the two-hectare park is well worth a visit, especially if you’re down here at the weekend when local vendors show off their colourful collections of arts, crafts and local produce. Opened in 1890 and designed in the formal Victorian style, check out the wrought iron railings, stone walls, large gates and bandstand typical of the time period."

"Where the famous drink is made, the Guinness Storehouse is on most visitor’s Dublin wish-list and is somewhere I have never visited myself, in all the years I was living in Dublin. Learn how the famous drink is made and even sample it yourself in the panoramic Gravity Bar. This is one of the fun places to go in Dublin and, although we don’t drink alcohol ourselves, I’m still interested in bringing our son when he is a little older."

"Tel: +3531 408 4800 Email: www.guinness-storehouse.com/en/contact-us Web: www.guinness-storehouse.com/en. Immerse yourself in 7 floors of fun and excitement as you explore the story of Ireland’s most iconic beer. Enjoy the panoramic views from the famous Gravity Bar, dive into the history of Guinness in Dublin and experience the unique taste of Guinness."

"This is one of the best of Dublin's new neighbourhood restaurants, and is worth the trip from the city centre to Harold's Cross. Philip Yeung's establishment offers smart, modern Irish/European cuisine: fresh seafood, excellent meats, luxurious desserts – and the best of local ingredients. Try the County Mayo pork belly, followed by a vivid rhubarb mousse with meringue."

"Price: €2.50Look: 4/5Texture: 3.5/5Taste: 5/5Value: 3.5/5Total: 16/20. Verdict: This French franchise sells what looks like a high-end croissant, almost too perfect and regular. The crust is extremely flaky and crispy, so much so that it makes it slightly tough to break down, but the flavours are fantastic - it’s a real moreish number."

"Another contender in the best hot chocolates in Dublin goes to Laduree, who make an elegant hot chocolate in addition to their rainbow of exquisite Macarons."

"The ethos of Bite caf� is that of 'Uptown Food, Downtown Vibe' and it's basically recreating your average fish and chip shop into a more upmarket fish experience with some interesting reinventions along the way. Gone is the greasy batter in a brown bag, replaced with hake in a vodka and beer batter accompanied with mushy peas and pancetta fries. The usual pre-theatre menu has been replaced with a 'Pre-Gig Menu', seeking to resonate with the modern diner."

"Whether tea or coffee is your caffeinated beverage of choice, Clement & Pekoe will serve you a cup of the proper stuff. For coffee fiends, there’s always a choice of two espresso and two filters, from a rotating selection of roasters from Ireland and further afield. A (coffee-snob-via-Australia) friend of mine won’t go anywhere in Dublin else to buy a bag of beans."

"There are lots of great coffee shops in the city, but this one is a must visit for tourists and locals alike. Clement and Pekoe is a bustling cafe with a brilliant brew bar menu and coffee beans from a variety of local roasters. They also cater for tea lovers with a huge selection of loose leaf teas."

"This bustling cafe with a neighbourhood vibe stocks coffee beans from a variety of local roasters, as well as creating a brew bar menu for their single-origin filter coffees. They also specialise in loose-leaf teas and matcha if espresso ain't your thing."

"Located on the Grand Canal Dock, this lovely cafe offers two types of pancakes- a short stack or a tall stack with a variety of delicious toppings including maple syrup, blueberries and orange honey butter, chocolate chips and whipped cream, and banana and hazelnut chocolate spread."

"This place in Grand Canal Dock just has so many pancake options – blueberry pancakes with orange and honey butter, banana and hazelnut chocolate spread or chocolate and whipped cream."

"Probably responsible for being *one of the first* places in the city to start serving brunch, Herbstreet has been as popular since the day it opened its doors."

"Meltdown on Crow Street in Temple Bar serves up melted cheese madness and artisan coffee. They take the wonderful Irish delicacy, that is the cheese toasty, to a whole new level with a range of drool-worthy flavours. There are five decadent sandwiches on offer with each one cheesier than the last."