Dublin is flooded with fancy hotels but go for one of the city’s apartments and you’ll have much more space to spread out after a day of exploring the Irish capital. They’re not just generic apartments either — we’ve found historic coach houses, architecturally interesting mews properties and charming townhouses, most of which are found in the tangle of Dublin’s small and quirky neighbourhoods. Here are our favourites.
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1. Contemporary living, Grand Canal Dock
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Things are a little quieter at this end of the city, but the Docklands is an underrated quarter of Dublin, with an increasing number of restaurants and bars popping up. It’s also where you’ll find the more modern architecture and what qualifies as high rises in the city, which means apartments like this one get all the light; here, you can enjoy that from the spacious living room, private balcony or the shared rooftop garden. You’ll find lots of coffee shops and hangout spots around Grand Canal, frequented by the tech workers from the local headquarters of Google and the like, which give the area the nickname the Silicon Docks.
2. A crash pad fit for pop royalty, Ranelagh
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Set on the edge of the bougie neighbourhood of Ranelagh, this coach house combines historic style with contemporary architecture — think plenty of black framed glass and a cool spiral staircase. It’s located at the back of a private property, which gives an air of seclusion, but the best neighbourhood bars and restaurants are a short walk away, with the city centre just beyond. If you want to eat at home, there’s a fully kitted-out modern kitchen along with two bedrooms that sleep four. But the real kudos comes from its apparent former guests — the owners say Taylor Swift stayed here.
3. Historic townhouse, Portobello
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Portobello is a great choice if you want a proper neighbourhood feel while staying close to the city centre. Lines of Georgian townhouses and cute little wine bars and cafés add a village feel — though guests are just a 20-minute walk from the middle of town. This house has a great location right by the canal, a popular hangout spot on sunny days, and the patio out the back is a rare treat too, particularly if you pick up a bottle of something nice from the nearby Lennox Street Grocer. There are two double bedrooms and a sofa bed in the living room if you need it.
4. Pared-back studio, city centre
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Smack dab in the middle of the city, this studio apartment is the perfect bolt hole for a solo traveller or couple looking to make the most of Dublin. While compact, there’s a full kitchen and living space, with a double bed somewhat hidden by a shelved screen. And, as it’s part of an aparthotel, there’s also a huge café and bar area downstairs with a buzzy co-working hotspot, along with a gym and yoga classes held in the courtyard.
5. Luxury mews, Ballsbridge
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It’s not often you see a house like this in Dublin and it’s rarer still that you can spend a night in one. This mews property has beautiful historic features and lots of natural light thanks to the huge arched windows overlooking a rather snazzy pond. There’s a great reading nook on the mezzanine level library, with plenty of books to peruse, and a squishy couch by the fireplace downstairs. You can sleep up to four guests between two bedrooms, and it’s in a handy spot for gigs or matches in the Aviva Stadium — otherwise, the train into the city centre takes less than 15 minutes.
6. Swish apartment with a hot tub, Baggot Street
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The houses on Lad Lane all have an air of mystery, hidden behind huge gates and stable doors. It’s an exclusive street and most houses are showstoppers — with this apartment being no exception. There’s plenty of space to hang out in the living room and kitchen area, as well as a hot tub and outdoor shower, with a great view of the back of the nearby Georgian townhouses. There’s a courtyard patio at the front, and access to the balcony or deck from the three well-sized bedrooms. It’s a ten-minute walk to Stephen’s Green.
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7. Slick designer pad, Ranelagh
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There may be plenty to see in the nearby Ranelagh and Ballsbridge neighbourhoods, but it’ll likely be tough to drag yourself away from this cleverly renovated townhouse. Expect cool art on the exposed brick walls, a huge garden out the back and a sunken bathtub at the top of the open-sided floating stairs (that probably aren’t the best for small kids or those of a clumsy disposition). There’s also a projector and surround sound for movie nights, three double bedrooms, and off-street parking if you’re coming with a car. Some of the city’s prettiest parks are a short walk away and you’ll find a farmer’s market every Sunday in nearby Herbert Park.
8. Super central flat, Temple Bar
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Want to be right in the middle of the action? This two-bed apartment is on the edge of Temple Bar, with buzzing pubs on one side and the River Liffey on the other. Two of Dublin’s best theatres — Smock Alley and the Olympia — are just a couple of minutes’ walk away, too. And when the buzz of the city gets too much, there’s a cosy living room where you can hide away for a little while. There’s also a snug little balcony to the rear, which gets the morning sun for your coffee, and views over the water from the living room and the kitchen.
9. Modern apartment, Docklands
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Over on the northside of the Docklands, this two-bed apartment has plenty of space to play with — there’s a generously-sized living area, a big dining table and a private terrace to boot. It’s another aparthotel, so there are several accommodation options within the building, as well as a free laundry room, co-working areas and a gym with everything you could need for a workout. It’s super handy for the airport, with the bus routes whisking you to the terminals in less than 20 minutes, and it’s right by Dublin Port, too. The main attractions of the city are a quick tram ride away.
10. Historic coach house, city centre
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Run by the Irish Landmark Trust, this 18th-century coachman’s cottage has been thoughtfully refurbished with plenty of heritage notes, like floral wallpaper, antique furniture and overstuffed armchairs in the living room. The accommodation is upstairs, above the working stables for the city’s police horses, so you may well see them as you come and go. Despite being right in the middle of town, it’s blissfully quiet on this side street, with a private courtyard garden to enjoy if you get lucky with the weather. There are three double bedrooms, a cottage-core kitchen and a cosy fireplace in the living room. Be warned — it books up far in advance, so plan ahead.
11. Seaside apartment, Dalkey
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Dublin’s coast is often overlooked, despite being about 30 minutes from the city centre by train. One of the best seaside spots is the upmarket borough of Dalkey, with cosy pubs, seafood restaurants and a picture-perfect coastline known as Ireland’s Bay of Naples. This garden apartment is within walking distance of the village and the coast, with a private, plant-filled patio and sea views from the bedroom. It sleeps two in one bedroom, but is of an ample size with a modern kitchen and a clawfoot tub in the bathroom.
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