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Dublin Live
Entertainment
Brian Dillon

Underrated tourist attractions in Dublin you may not have considered visiting

Underrated tourist attractions in Dublin are spread across the city, often overlooked by the more hyped visitor destinations such as Temple Bar and The Guinness Storehouse.

While the popular attractions are well worth visiting when here, there are a slew of things to do in Dublin and places to visit that are far too overlooked.

If you are visiting Dublin any time soon, here are the most underrated tourist attractions you should visit while you're here.

Read more: The beautiful city centre Chinese restaurant you'd miss if you weren't looking

National Gallery of Ireland - Archaeology

Located beside Dáil Éireann on Kildare Street, The National Museum of Ireland - Archaeology houses Viking long boats, gold artefacts and even bog bodies. Admission is free but booking ahead is advised.

With its fascinating collection of items, you will experience the Ireland of yesterday, one that is totally unrecognisable compared to how it looks today.

14 Henrietta Street

14 Henrietta Street is an award winning museum and former tenement dwelling. A visit here allows you to connect with hundreds of years of history, struggle and personal experiences.

At one stage, over 100 people lived in this one house. Artefacts housed in the museum include photographs and documents in addition to stories from the expert guides.

The inside of one of the rooms in 14 Henrietta Street (Gareth Chaney)

Howth Sunset Cruise

A truly magical way to polish off a day out in Dublin is a sunset cruise around Howth, perhaps the most beautiful part of the city.

The regular sunset cruise costs €25 per adult and €15 per child and can be booked here.

Howth Sunset Cruise (Howth Cliff Cruises)

Meanwhile, Howth Cliff Cruises have introduced an attractive package which sees them team up with local foodie favourite Findlater's.

For €50, you can get the sunset cruise experience along with a main and dessert at Findlater's either before or after the trip.

Music Under The Bridges

Music Under The Bridges allows you to experience Dublin from a unique vantage point while being treated to some lovely music.

"The acoustics are unbelievable and the atmosphere on the water is magic," according to organisers.

The experience lasts two hours and begins at Custom House Quay. You can book it here.

Smithfield Tower

One of Dublin's best viewpoints is hidden in an old chimney in Smithfield. You can purchase the tickets from Generator Dublin, press the bell and you'll be let in.

What's even better is that it costs just €5 to enter.

Smithfield Chimney Viewing Tower (David Dear/Construction Photography/Avalon/Getty Images)

Botanic Gardens of Ireland

Completely free to visit and offering the opportunity for hours of roaming, the Botanic Gardens in Glasnevin is a wonderful tourist attraction in Dublin that is often overlooked.

It houses hundreds of colourful plants from climates around the world as well as the beautiful glass houses and a cafe.

It is also located beside Glasnevin Cemetary, which makes for an insightful historical journey as well as John Kavanagh The Gravediggers, one of the last remaining truly traditional Dublin pubs in the city.

Glasshouse at National Botanic Gardens in Dublin (Alberto Pezzali/NurPhoto via Getty Images)

Guinness Open Gate Brewery

Guinness Open Gate Brewery might be overshadowed by its large neighbour, The Guinness Storehouse.

But lovers of beers, great food and an overall fun atmosphere should have Guinness Open Gate Brewey on their list.

You will get to try some fantastic experimental beers that are like nothing you've tasted before and excellent food pairings. It can be booked here.

Guinness Open Gate Brewery (Naoise Culhane)

Iveagh Gardens

Most tourists will probably head straight to St Stephen's Green when in Dublin.

While it's a lovely park, the close-by Iveagh Gardens may well be more to your liking.

Featuring a gorgeous waterfall, lovely plant life and plenty of open green spaces, it is one of the few peaceful oases in Dublin city centre.

Iveagh Gardens (Google Maps)

Swimming at Vico Baths

If it's good enough for visitors like Harry Styles and Matt Damon, it's good enough for us.

While this is a hugely popular activity for Dubs, it is not one that is too often frequented by tourists.

It is easily accessible by the DART and on a sunny day, the atmosphere here will be alive as Dubs take the plunge.

Vico Baths in Dalkey. ((image: Flickr))

Visit one of the city's weekend markets

Dubs love a weekend market full of great food, locally made crafts and even the occasional spot of live entertainment.

Fantastic weekend markets to visit in Dublin include Howth, St Anne's Park, Herbert Park, Royal Canal Park and Tymon Park.

The beaches of north Dublin

Dublin's northside is arguably more attractive for visitors who enjoy being by the sea as there are a number of beautiful stretches of beach.

These include Dollymount Strand on Bull Island, Velvet Strand in Portmarnock, Malahide Beach and the various beaches of Howth.

Dollymount Strand in Dublin on a summer's day (Getty)

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