What to do in Swords

Activities, attractions and tours

Photo taken of early morning sunrise along Malahide Estuary
Photo taken of early morning sunrise along Malahide Estuary
Swords castle- if you are in the mood of a quick morning trip

Swords Attractions

Let Expedia help you to experience the best that Swords has to offer! If you’re planning a trip to Swords, we can provide you with a list of the top sightseeing attractions, as well as helping you to find unmissable activities. Whether you’re travelling to Swords with your family, planning a romantic trip with your loved one, or visiting on business, we’ll make it easy to plan an unforgettable holiday that checks all the boxes.

Places of interest in Swords

Swords is crammed with must-see places to visit and things to do. We can help you decide where to stay in Swords, and make it a breeze to explore Swords and the surrounding areas with our guides on where to go, what to see and when to see it. No matter how long your stay, it’s easy to find places of interest in Swords to make sure that you enjoy your holiday to the fullest and don’t miss a thing. Leave the local knowledge to us and leave the hassle behind.

If you’re planning a visit to Swords, why not check out our handy guides to places of interest in the area? You can browse lists of things to do, learn about the most popular attractions, and get help with planning the details of your trip. Expedia makes it easy for you to check out all the top sights in Swords.

Swords attractions

Swords has something for everyone, so whether you’re planning to get active on a summer holiday, put a spring in your step with a romantic rendezvous, or pamper yourself with a leisurely winter trip, you’ll find plenty of attractions in Swords to keep you entertained. Expedia makes it easy to book your flight, hotel and rental car in advance, making for hassle-free travel and freeing you up to explore the sights of Swords.

Looking for things to do in Swords can be time-consuming, but we can take the hassle out of planning your holiday. Whether you’re looking to get active in the great outdoors, sample the cuisine of Swords or catch up with the vibrant local culture, our guides to Swords attractions ensure that you’ll have a successful trip, whatever the season. Happy trails!

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Top places to visit

1. Trinity College

Ireland's most prestigious university was founded by Elizabeth I in 1592 in the hope of offering Dublin’s sons a reason to pursue their studies at home, away from the infectious threat of popery on the continent.
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Trinity College showing heritage architecture and a park

2. Guinness Storehouse

St. James’s Gate Brewery has been home to Guinness since 1759. The impressive building, formerly the Guinness fermentation plant, has been remodelled into the shape of a giant pint of the “black stuff”.
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Guinness Storehouse featuring modern architecture and interior views as well as a small group of people

3. St. Stephen's Green

Follow the signs to “Faiche Stiabhna”, as the Irish call St. Stephen’s Green, for an inner-city oasis. Admire the Victorian buildings, play soccer, throw a frisbee, watch people, jog, feed the ducks, doze or have a picnic in this popular Dublin park. You could also bring a novel written by one of Dublin’s great authors and read it at the very spot where they found their inspiration!
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St. Stephen\'s Green featuring heritage architecture, street scenes and a city

4. O'Connell Street

O’Connell Street is among Dublin’s busiest and recognizable parts. It consists of a wide boulevard divided by spaces for trees and works of art. Admire the many historic buildings and peruse the upscale boutiques that line this busy street.
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View From O'Connell Bridge in Dublin, Ireland

5. Aviva Stadium

Opened in 2010, the stadium was built on the site of the old Lansdowne Road Stadium, which was dismantled in 2007. When you arrive, you’ll see from its dauntless but delicate curves just what a modern architectural marvel this is – the Aviva Stadium has even won a prestigious British Construction Industry Award. With a capacity for a whopping 50,000 spectators, the stadium’s sheer size alone is a sight to behold.
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Dublin_AvivaStadium_6165854 03

Recommended things to do in Swords

Number of things to do
308
Cheapest thing to do on Expedia
eSIM: Airalo Europe Package: £4
Top 5 things to do
Half-day tours
With kids

What to do in Swords

Popular places to visit

Trinity College showing heritage architecture and a park

Trinity College

Trinity College offers a welcome haven from the hustle and bustle of Dublin and it is one ivory tower you’d be happy to be trapped in for a long time.

Trinity College
Guinness Storehouse showing signage and interior views as well as a small group of people

Guinness Storehouse

The Guinness Storehouse is situated at St. James’s Gate Brewery in Dublin. The giant storehouse covers seven floors and is a popular point of interest for tourists - since it opened in 2000, it has received over four million visitors.

Guinness Storehouse
St. Stephen\'s Green which includes a garden as well as a small group of people

St. Stephen's Green

Take a break in Dublin’s most popular public park with green lawns and flower beds, a stone bridge and statues, a swan-filled lake and a playground.

St. Stephen's Green
Dublin Port seen in the morning light

Dublin Port

Explore the waterfront in Dublin with a trip to Dublin Port. You can enjoy the bars while in the area.

Dublin Port
O\'Connell Street featuring heritage architecture, a city and a square or plaza

O'Connell Street

Marvel at one of the world’s tallest public works of art as you stroll down this boulevard of shops and historic buildings.

O'Connell Street
Aviva Stadium which includes modern architecture and a park

Aviva Stadium

If you’re heading to Dublin for a rugby or football match at the Aviva Stadium, then you’re in for a real treat. Situated just south of Dublin’s bustling city centre, the Aviva Stadium is a state-of-the-art, four-tiered sports stadium and concert venue, located on the rushing River Dodder not far from Ireland’s east coast.

Aviva Stadium
Grafton Street featuring music, street scenes and a city

Grafton Street

Watch the talented street performers as you search the boutiques in this shopping haven for something special to take home.

Grafton Street
Croke Park

Croke Park

Croke Park in Dublin is so much more than an impressive sports stadium. “Croker”, as it is locally known, is in many ways is a bastion of Irish identity that protects the spirit of Gaelic games from forces seeking to dislodge it. If this all sounds a bit dramatic you should take the fantastic Croke Park Experience tour to get a very real sense of just how important and deeply ingrained the GAA and Gaelic games are to Ireland’s sense of itself.

Croke Park
EyeEm Custom Shoots Q4 2018

3Arena

Once you’ve attended a concert at Dublin’s superb O2, there’s no going back to theatre-style venues where the seating is arranged in regular rows. The audience and artist friendly design of the O2 amphitheatre is often likened to that of Rome’s Coliseum, with blocks of seats emanating out like a great fan from the impressive stage.

3Arena

 

Looking for fun things to do nearby? Check things to do near me to find and book the best things to do, fun activities, and top attractions wherever you happen to be.

 

 

Day trip destinations from Swords

Malahide featuring a bay or harbor

Malahide

Dublin showing a city and street scenes

Dublin

Landscape aerial view of Donabate region in Dublin, Ireland.

Donabate

Flying from London to Dublin you take a small plane across many fields and farms. It's a beautiful flight as you look out your small portal to see the Irish countryside.

Cloghran

Frequently asked questions

Is Swords worth visiting?
Renowned for its shopping and nightlife, discovering fun things to do in Swords is simple. Remember to add Guinness Storehouse to your itinerary when here.
How do I spend a day in Swords?
Dublin Castle and Malahide Castle are two great places to start your holiday adventures. Remember to explore the shopping and dining options in Swords while you're there too.
What is the top tourist attraction in Swords?
Guinness Storehouse is one of the top tourist attractions in Swords and deserves a spot on every must-do list of the area.
Is three days enough to stay in Swords?
Three days will be plenty of time to check out some popular city highlights, like Malahide Castle, Malahide Beach and Portmarnock Beach. The average stay in Swords is two days. If you feel the urge to extend your adventure, Dublin isn't far away.
Is Swords a walkable city?
Some top attractions in Swords, like Malahide Castle and Balcarrick Golf Club, are within walking distance. You can also explore several of the city's popular neighbourhoods on foot. Just 5 kms (3 miles) from the city centre of Swords is Clonshaugh and Dardistown is 5 kms (3 miles) away.
What are some activities to do in Swords with kids?
Planning what to do in Swords with kids has never been easier. Whether you have teenagers or little ones, there's a range of family-friendly sights and activities to keep them entertained here.

What to do in Swords for adults?
Guinness Storehouse and Jameson Distillery Bow St. Are just a couple of the things to do in Swords. With plenty of activities available, there's something here for everyone.
Are there free things to do in Swords?
In Swords, Malahide Beach is a must-see spot for anyone planning to enjoy the city without reaching for their wallet. Also, wander around the parks and other neighbourhoods, and ask for ideas from a local tour guide. It's a good way to discover the best free things to do in Swords.

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