Tours & activities in Dublin

Free Tour of Dublin

Book the original Dublin free walking tour and visit many of the city's highlights with a local guide

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Important Update for the Holiday Season
Our Original Free Tour of Dublin will not run between December 23rd and December 29th. Instead, we’re excited to offer a Christmas Special Free Walking Tour of Dublin, operated by one of our trusted partners. Don’t miss out on this festive experience—reserve your spot here!

ABOUT THE Free Tour of Dublin

On this 2-hour Dublin free walking tour we wind down the quiet streets and bound through bustling boulevards, uncovering the hidden sites as well as the famous ones. You will see many of Dublin's main attractions, including Dublin Castle, Temple Bar and Trinity College as we explore 2,000 years of history.

 

Your Dublin Free Tour starts at Barnardo Square next to City Hall and usually ends by Trinity College. From some of the world’s greatest writers to dramatic and sometimes tragic events through the centuries, Dublin’s main export has always been stories. The expert local guides we work with are famous for bringing the past to life through their passionate delivery of the history of this vibrant city. We never cancel; tours run rain, hail or shine.

 

The fight for Independence

Years of resistance and rebellion would culminate in the tragedy of the Easter Rising. While the United Kingdom was heavily engaged in the First World War, Irish Republicans started a six-day rebellion on Easter Monday, 24 April 1916. The British suppressed the uprising, but 485 people were killed. This marked the beginning of a violent and deadly struggle between the British and the Irish Republican Army (IRA). After years of bloodshed, a ceasefire was called, and talks held afterwards led to the signing of the Anglo-Irish Treaty on 6 December 1921, which ended British rule in much of Ireland.

The great Irish writers

No history of Dublin would be complete without talking about the lives of some of the best Irish story-tellers and writers. You will learn about James Joyce, who is regarded as one of the most influential authors of the 20th century, and Jonathan Swift, best known for writing Gulliver's Travels. After this tour you might be inspired to tell your own story!

Free Tour concept

The tips-based model of the Free Tour allows guests to support and reward only the highest quality tours, and to ensure that the tour fits within their expectations, and within their budget.

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TOUR HIGHLIGHTS
Image for meeting point

The Dublin Free Tour starts at Barnardo Square next to City Hall, daily in English and Spanish

  • Marvel at the Dublin Castle, that has stood for over 800 years
  • Visit the tidal pool and city’s namesake Dubh Linn
  • Discover the Viking remains around Temple Bar
  • Explore Trinity College, the oldest university in the city
  • Listen to the lives of famous Irish writers such as James Joyce and Jonathan Swift
  • See Leinster House, home of the Irish parliament
  • Learn about the origins of the local rock legends U2
  • Enjoy the medieval Christ Church Cathedral
  • Discover the rare manuscripts and books at the Chester Beatty Library

TOUR SCHEDULES

Today
11:00 AM2:00 PM
11:00 AM2:00 PM
PHOTOS
Inclusions & exclusions
What’s included
  • Local English-speaking guide
What’s not included
  • Gratuities for the guide (optional)
Additional Information
  • Our business is connecting great guides and smart travelers, and we're proud that so many local guides employ us to welcome travelers like you on their journey through some of the world's best cities. No two tours are alike, and the sites, stories, and length of the tour will vary depending on what your freelance guide decides is best. That's why the tours we promote never get stale or feel scripted, and why both independent guides and savvy travelers prefer SANDEMANs
  • Wheelchair accessible
MAP
The Free Tour starts at Barnardo Square Open in Google Maps
Trinity College Dublin
Trinity College
Dublin Castle
Dublin Castle
Temple Bar
Temple Bar
Leinster House
Leinster House
Christ Church Cathedral
Christ Church Cathedral
Tour start Tour starts here
End start Tour usually ends here
Tour usually covers

Customer reviews

What is a Free Tour?

 

The Free Tour is the best introduction to Dublin! A general overview tour including many of the highlights of the city, the Free Tour usually lasts around 3 hours and is provided by a local freelance guide in partnership with SANDEMANs NEW Europe, so tour content can vary depending on your guide’s particular area of interest and expertise.

The Free Tour is a walking tour with no need for public transport and is designed for independent travellers, not groups. You can book your spot in advance online or simply show up at the start point on the day. There is no payment necessary at the start of the tour but you are welcome to tip your guide at the end!

We believe in supporting local communities and are committed to giving a voice to some of Dublin's best local freelance tour guides, who passionately share the city's history and culture with their own unique and always-entertaining style. They'll never pressure you to tip; we believe that, if money is given, it should be voluntary and in direct proportion to the quality of the tour and the budget of the traveller.

Why join the SANDEMANs FREE Tour?

  • The route covers many of Dublin's major landmarks
  • The meeting point is centrally located in Barnardo Square next to City Hall
  • The Free Tour is guaranteed to fit within your budget
  • The guides performing tips-based Free Tours are incentivized to perform every time

WALKING TOURS & ACTIVITIES IN DUBLIN

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Participation in tours promoted by SANDEMANs NEW Europe is strictly on a voluntary basis. Neither SANDEMANs NEW Europe, nor the self-employed freelance guides who are the providers of the tours promoted by SANDEMANs NEW Europe, will be held responsible in any way for injuries to body or property incurred during tours. The tour guides reserve the right to deny participation in any tour, to any person, for any reason. Thank you for your understanding.

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