Dublin is a city enriched with history, culture and heritage and is jam packed with top attractions. With loads of shopping options and a pulsating and vibrant nightlife it’s one of the most popular city break destinations in Europe. A great way to experience Dublin’s sights and sounds, and to get to all the touristy spots, without getting tired feet, is on board one of the many tour buses. Read on for more…
Here’s a list of Dublin’s top bus tours.
Dublin Sightseeing Tour…
Organised by Dublin Bus, Dublin Sightseeing Tour operates tours throughout the city on open top double-decker buses. This is a hop-on/ hop-off service, with around 23 stops. Each stop is at one of Dublin’s most popular attractions and you get to spend as long as you like at each attraction. Your ticket is valid for 24 hours and the tour operates daily from 9.30am. The Dublin Sightseeing Tour ticket also allows you to avail of discounts at some of the attractions along the route. Stops on the tour include Trinity College (you’ll find the Book of Kells here), O’ Connell Street, The Guinness Store House, Phoenix Park and many more.
For more information check out the Dublin Bus website.
Viking Splash Tour…
Another hugely popular tour is the Viking Splash Tour and a great way to see Dublin by land and by water. The tour takes you through old Viking Dublin and it tells the story of the Vikings who settled in Dublin over 1,000 years ago and how Dublin became a city. Attractions visited along the way include Trinity College, Christ Church Cathedral, Georgian Dublin and the Government Buildings, while the costumed Viking tour guides will provide running commentary en route.
The highlight of the tour is when the Viking Duk splashes into the Grand Canal in the Docklands area of Dublin. This is possible because it’s not a real bus. It’s an old amphibious truck (over 50 years old) that can drive on both land and water. This kind of vehicle was first used during World War II.
For more information check out the Viking Splash Tours website.
Dublin Rock and Roll Writers Tour…
This is a bus tour especially for lovers of rock n’ roll. The 75 minute tour on the Tatoo’d Lady, an American style tour bus, stops off at places closely linked to some of Ireland’s best known musicians. Learn what shaped the lives and careers of U2, Phil Lynott, and Rory Gallagher, to name but a few.
Find out more about the Dublin Rock and Roll Writers Tour.
The Ghost Bus Tour…
For anyone who likes a scare before bedtime, the Dublin Ghost Bus Tour is a must. Operated by Dublin Bus, the tour allows you discover the dark side of Dublin city. The bus, dark blue and purple in colour, is kind of like a mobile theatre, decorated in Gothic style, with blacked out windows, creating a spooky atmosphere. On route you’ll hear about Bram Stoker and the origins of Dracula as well as tales of body snatching from graves, gruesome murders, hangings and apparitions of ghosts. There are also a number of stop offs, including one at an old graveyard and the Haunted Steps.
The tour leaves from O’Connell Street and lasts about 2 hours 15 minutes. It’s not suitable for anyone under 14 years.
For more information on times and prices etc check out the Dublin Bus website.
And if you need somewhere to stay in Dublin take a look at our Dublin city hotels page.
