Best Parks in Dublin

Parks in Dublin: Our top picks

Phoenix Park

When conversations turn to the best parks in Dublin, Phoenix Park almost always comes first. And for good reason – this massive green space is one of the largest enclosed public parks in any European capital city, sprawling across more than 700 hectares.

The Wellington Monument towers 200 feet tall and is Europe's largest obelisk, but the real highlight is the herd of wild fallow deer that have roamed here since the 1660s. They can often be seen grazing quietly throughout the park. It’s important to keep a distance and never feed them.

Beyond the wildlife, Phoenix Park houses Dublin Zoo, several lakes, woodland trails, and the Papal Cross. The sheer size means you could visit dozens of times and still discover new corners. Located only a few kilometres west of the city centre, it is easily accessible on foot or by public transport. For those looking for things to do in Dublin with family, this park delivers on every front.

St Stephen's Green

Right in the heart of Dublin, just steps from Grafton Street's shopping bustle, St Stephen's Green offers an instant retreat into Victorian elegance. The park features tree-lined paths, floral displays and a lake populated by mallard ducks, swans, and moorhens.

Dating back to the 17th century, this verdant rectangular park is surrounded by some of Dublin's finest Georgian buildings. During lunch hours, you'll find office workers sprawled on the lawns, students studying under trees, and tourists photographing the ornate Victorian features. The park includes memorials to literary giants like James Joyce and a moving Famine Memorial that honours victims of the Great Hunger.

After a stroll around the park, you can explore nearby art galleries or enjoy the Dublin nightlife in the surrounding streets.

St. Anne's Park

On the northside between Raheny and Clontarf, St. Anne's Park is Dublin's second-largest park and has a fascinating link to the Guinness family. The estate was originally assembled by members of the Guinness family, descendants of Sir Arthur Guinness.

Covering vast grounds, St. Anne's features historic buildings, beautifully maintained walled gardens, extensive playing fields, and woodland walks. You could genuinely spend an entire day here exploring different sections – from the formal rose gardens to the wilder woodland areas. If you visit on a Saturday, the weekly farmers’ market is well worth a stop. 

Merrion Square Park

Merrion Square is more than a park. It’s an elegant Georgian square once home to notable figures, including Oscar Wilde, WB Yeats, and Daniel O'Connell.

Located next to the National Gallery of Ireland, the park features manicured lawns, colourful flowerbeds, and plenty of benches for people-watching. Don't miss the famously languid Oscar Wilde statue – he's sprawled on a rock exuding characteristic wit and flamboyance. 

Surrounded almost entirely by Georgian redbrick townhouses, Merrion Square offers a glimpse into Dublin's architectural golden age. It's perfect for a quick lunchtime escape or a leisurely afternoon reading session.

Iveagh Gardens

Often called Dublin's ‘Secret Garden’, the Iveagh Gardens are tucked away just south of St Stephen's Green, almost completely hidden by surrounding buildings. Designed in 1865 by Ninian Niven, the park's history dates back over three hundred years. 

Key features include the yew maze, the rosarium, and the fountains, with the cascade being a stunning spectacle in summer. There's also a sunken lawn that's perfect for picnics and quiet contemplation.

The fact that it's somewhat hidden means it rarely gets as crowded as St Stephen's Green, making it ideal when you want peace without leaving the city centre. The romantic atmosphere and Victorian design create a feeling of having stepped back in time.

Dublin Castle Gardens

Located in the historic heart of Dublin, the gardens at Dublin Castle lie just south of the Chapel Royal and the State Apartments. They are enclosed by a stone wall and accessed through wrought-iron gates decorated with Celtic patterns. It’s a perfect spot for a leisurely walk after you dabble in some Irish history with a Dublin Castle tour. 

The main highlight is the Dubh Linn Garden, which features serpentine patterns cut into the central lawn, marking the site of the original "black pool" where Vikings moored their ships – the very pool that gave Dublin its name. A popular spot for family outings and a key tourist attraction, the gardens become a hive of activity on sunny summer days.

National Botanic Gardens

Located in Glasnevin, just three kilometres from Dublin city centre, the National Botanic Gardens are a haven for plant lovers. The grounds contain more than 15,000 plant species from around the world.

The jewel in the Gardens' crown is a set of exquisitely restored and planted historic glasshouses, with the most notable being Richard Turner's Curvilinear Range and the Great Palm House, both winners of an award for excellence in conservation architecture.

These gardens in Glasnevin are home to over 300 endangered plant species, six of which are already extinct in the wild. Entry is completely free, and you could easily spend hours wandering through different plant habitats from around the globe.

Herbert Park

In the leafy Ballsbridge neighbourhood, Herbert Park offers 32 acres of beautifully maintained lush green space. It features football pitches, tennis courts, boules and croquet courts, a children's playground, and a charming duck pond. A full circuit of the park's perimeter is almost exactly one mile, making it popular with runners and walkers. 

Herbert Park also boasts the highest population of cherry blossoms in the capital. Each April, the pathways are transformed beneath a canopy of soft pink petals.

On Sundays, the weekly food market attracts locals and visitors with artisan breads, organic produce, and delicious street food. 

Where to Stay in Dublin

For convenient access to Dublin's parks and the city's historic quarter, Clayton hotels offer excellent positioning across multiple locations. Their properties in Burlington Road, Charlemont, Cardiff Lane, and Ballsbridge provide easy transport links to Phoenix Park, St Stephen's Green, and other green spaces, while maintaining high standards of service that complement your leisurely exploration.

Staying at any of these locations puts you within walking distance of Dublin's top restaurants and traditional pubs – perfect for rounding out your park visits with authentic Irish food, live music sessions, and a proper pint of Guinness. 

The central locations mean you can easily combine park strolls with cultural activities, shopping, and evening entertainment without lengthy commutes.