Season guide · Dublin · Ireland
Dublin in winter
December–February: weather, crowds, prices and the best things to do this time of year.
Updated By the AMZBooking editorial team
Photo: Unknown author, Public domain
Quick answer
Short, damp days, Christmas lights and markets, Six Nations rugby and cosy pubs at lower prices outside the holidays. Expect highs up to 9°C (48°F) and lows around 3°C (37°F), with about 37 rainy days across December–February.
Key facts
- Months
- December–February
- Temperatures
- 3°C (37°F) to 9°C (48°F)
- Rainy days in the season
- About 37
- Sea
- 8°C (46°F) to 10°C (50°F)
- Crowds
- Quiet
- Hotel prices
- Average
Weather in winter
| Month | High | Low | Rainy days | Daylight | Crowds |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| January | 8°C (46°F) | 3°C (37°F) | 13 | 8 h | 2/5 |
| February | 9°C (48°F) | 3°C (37°F) | 11 | 9.7 h | 2/5 |
| December | 8°C (46°F) | 3°C (37°F) | 13 | 7.5 h | 3/5 |
Compared with the rest of the year: average highs of 8°C (46°F) against a yearly 13°C (55°F), and 37 of the year's roughly 132 rainy days fall in these 3 months. Crowds rate 2/5 and hotel prices 3/5 on average.
What's on in winter
Recurring events; dates move from year to year, so confirm with the organiser.
- January: Temple Bar TradFest — traditional music festival (usually late January)
- February: Six Nations rugby at the Aviva Stadium (February–March)
- February: St Brigid's Day public holiday (early February)
- December: Christmas markets in the city centre (usually December)
- December: New Year's Festival Dublin (late December to 1 January)
Good choices for winter
Palace · Dublin Castle
Dublin Castle
Take the guided tour if you want to see the underground medieval and Viking remains; self-guided entry covers the State Apartments only.
- Time needed
- 1–1.5 hours
- Cost
- Low cost
- History
- Architecture
- Rainy day
Religious site · The Liberties
St Patrick's Cathedral
Ireland's largest cathedral was built in the 13th century beside a well where St Patrick is said to have baptised converts.
- Time needed
- 1 hour
- Cost
- Low cost
- History
- Architecture
- Rainy day
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Religious site · Temple Bar
Christ Church Cathedral
Cross the covered bridge to Dublinia, a hands-on Viking and medieval exhibition that children enjoy; combined tickets are usually available.
- Time needed
- 1 hour
- Cost
- Low cost
- History
- Architecture
- Kids
- Rainy day
Museum · Docklands
EPIC The Irish Emigration Museum
In the vaulted 1820s CHQ warehouse on the north quays, EPIC tells the stories of the millions who left Ireland and the influence of the Irish abroad through interactive galleries rather than display cases of objects.
- Time needed
- 1.5–2 hours
- Cost
- Mid-priced
- History
- Rainy day
- Kids
Museum · St Stephen's Green
Little Museum of Dublin
Book a tour time in advance; the guides' storytelling is the main attraction.
- Time needed
- 1 hour
- Cost
- Mid-priced
- History
- Rainy day
- Off the beaten path
Day trips in winter
- Malahide Castle (About 25 minutes by train) — A castle owned by the Talbot family for almost 800 years, with guided tours of its furnished rooms, walled botanical gardens and a large park running down to the seaside village of Malahide and its marina.
- Powerscourt Estate (About 40 minutes by car) — An 18th-century Palladian house in the foothills of the Wicklow Mountains with formal terraced gardens, Italian and Japanese gardens and views to the Sugar Loaf.
What to pack
- A warm coat, hat, gloves and thermal layers
- A compact umbrella and waterproof shoes — rain is frequent
- Comfortable walking shoes
Other times of year
Questions travellers ask
+Is winter a good time to visit Dublin?
It is a trade-off: Short, damp days, Christmas lights and markets, Six Nations rugby and cosy pubs at lower prices outside the holidays. The best months overall are May–September.
+What is the weather like in Dublin in winter?
Highs of up to 9°C (48°F) and lows around 3°C (37°F), with about 37 rainy days over the season.