The Best Parks and Green Spaces in Dublin

“Though Dublin has many exciting landmarks and attractions, sometimes it’s nice to take a break from the energy of the city and relax in a quiet outdoor space. Fortunately, Dublin has an array of beautiful parks for afternoon strolls, romantic couple’s time and time with the kids or dog. Take a look at the best parks and green spaces in Dublin and plan your trip.

St Stephen’s Green
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Located in the city centre, St Stephen’s Green is a historic park that’s popular for dog walking and jogging. Throughout the park, you can find statues and memorials to historical figures and events, such as a bronze sculpture of the revolutionary heroine Countess Markievicz, the first woman in the British House of Commons, and memorials to those lost in the Second Boer War.

St Anne’s Park
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St Anne’s Park is one of the largest parks in the city and one of the best places for a quiet afternoon outdoors. Located between Raheny and Clontarf, the park was inherited from the Guinness family in 1868 and provides a space for sports and recreational outdoor activities for residents of the city. The park has 35 playing pitches, 18 tennis courts and a golf course, as well as a tranquil walled garden. Other highlights include the Herculanean Temple and clock tower, a rose garden and farmers’ markets on weekends.

Phoenix Park
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Phoenix Park is a massive park that offers plenty of space for outdoor fun and wildlife viewing. The park often sees wild deer herds wandering around, and you can visit the Dublin Zoo onsite to see more animals. The visitor centre provides information about the park’s history and a place for you to have lunch and take in the views of the scenery. You’ll also find monuments of significance, such as the Wellington Monument, the Ashtown Castle and the Papal Castle.

Iveagh Gardens
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If you’re looking for a space even quieter than a park, the Iveagh Gardens is the perfect spot. The gorgeous Victorian gardens offer a tranquil retreat from the city with colourful flowers, trees and a waterfall created from stones of Ireland’s 32 counties. You could spend hours strolling through the gardens or enjoying a quiet picnic. On occasion, Iveagh Gardens hosts public events with music or other entertainment and food festivals.

Irish National War Memorial Park
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Located near Phoenix Park, the Irish National War Memorial Park is a charming and quiet park with riverside views and plenty of space for relaxing or outdoor activities. The memorial gardens are the highlight, however, and feature memorials to the fallen Irish soldiers of World War I. Whether you want to honour the fallen or just take a quiet stroll on a sunny day, the Irish National War Memorial Park has the ideal atmosphere for a relaxing time.

National Botanic Gardens
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The National Botanic Gardens are one of Ireland’s most-visited attractions. The gardens feature charming greenhouses with thousands of native and exotic plant species as well as a sensory garden. You can take a guided tour to learn all about the gardens and the plants they have there, or you could venture into the open spaces for outdoor activities and picnics.

Marlay Park
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Marlay Park is wilder than other parks in Dublin. The sprawling park is filled with rough trails and wild wilderness to explore, though there’s also a well-manicured walled garden and an immaculate golf course. There’s really something for everyone, including outdoor concerts in the summer and a farmers’ market on weekends. During your visit, take some time to find the ‘fairy tree’, a good-luck token that’s hidden somewhere in the woods.

Merrion Square
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Located near the Dali and the National Museum of Ireland, Merrion Square is a city-centre park with intimate pathways and wide-open spaces to explore. In the centre of the park, you’ll find a large, well-manicured garden and a statue of Oscar Wilde. Though the park is a great place to relax and unwind any day of the week, Sundays bring local artists to showcase their paintings on the park’s fencing, turning the park into a pop-up gallery.

Blackrock Park
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Blackrock Park is a small and charming park, and it’s an ideal spot to see stunning views of the Irish Sea. Cycling paths throughout the park allow you to enjoy a little exercise, and there’s an outdoor gym. The highlight of the park is the Peace Fountain, a tribute to the International Year of Peace in 1986, which has resident populations of ducks and swans.

Ready for your trip?
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Dublin’s parks and green spaces are among its best attractions. If you’re planning a trip to Dublin, be sure to visit a few of the city’s parks during your holiday. When you’re ready, visit Expedia to browse Dublin hotels and discover great deals to help you save on your trip!”