Is Dublin Safe To Visit? An Honest Opinion From A Local
Ireland has always been seen as one of the safest countries in the world to visit. But we all know, like most countries, the capital usually gets a bad wrap in terms of safety. That’s no different in Ireland. Dublin is one of those capitals.
From news articles to chatter among past travellers, these are just some of the ways an opinion is formed about a place.
Lately, we’ve had a few people contact us with the question “is Dublin a safe place to visit?” So, we thought it would be a great idea to give you guys the rundown on safety in our great city.
In this post, we’re going to give you a complete rundown of safety in Dublin, so you can get through your stay free from any sort of danger.
Let’s go!
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How Safe Is Dublin?
When the question of safety comes up in Dublin, everybody has their own say on this.
Dublin is a capital city with over 1.25 million people living in it, so naturally, there’s going to be more crime than in other parts of the country. It’s like any other major capital in Europe; there’s always more crime there due to the fact that there are more people.
It’s very rare that a tourist is the victim of a serious crime in Dublin. Of course, anything can happen, but there’s no way it’s a common occurrence.
Tourists should be vigilant wherever they are but not frightened because the chances of anything happening to them are slim.
What’s Dublin’s Crime Rate Like?
According to the Numbeo database that collects data about cities and countries, the crime rate in Dublin as measured by their crime index is 57.53 which is considered moderate.
Here are some important figures to mention that should be of interest to you.
- The rate of somebody being attacked due to their skin colour, religion, gender or ethnic origin is 32.09, which is seen as low.
- The rate of crime is said to be increasing over the past three years and is rated at 71.80. You should be aware that more people are moving to Dublin and the population is increasing, so naturally, the rates will increase.
- The rate for safely walking alone in the daytime is 68.24, which is a positive high and means it’s rare to be a victim of crime during the day.
- The rate for worrying about being robbed or mugged is 47.68, which is seen as moderate. This would be the most common crime that tourists would experience due to the fact that they are vulnerable.
Is Dublin Dangerous For Tourists?
Although Dublin is a westernized city, there are some things you need to watch out for when visiting.
- Pickpockets: While it’s not rampant throughout the city, pickpocketing does happen, especially to tourists. Pickpockets normally operate in more tourist areas such as Temple Bar and are always seeking out the vulnerable. Their main method of snatching is the act of one person distracting another whilst the other swoops by and tries to nab something from you. Keep an eye out.
- Drugs: There’s been an increasing drug use problem in Dublin, throughout parts of the city. It can be quite evident sometimes, but it doesn’t really affect tourists. Be careful of any leftover paraphernalia that you come across. Touching it can be detrimental to your health.
- Tourist scams: Like every other major city, Dublin has its fair share of scams. The one we’d recommend keeping an eye out for is the skimming of credit or debit cards, which usually begins with somebody getting a little too close to you at an ATM. Always keep your wits about you wherever you are.
- Taxis: Since Dublin doesn’t have any ride-sharing apps such as Uber or Bolt, the alternative is taxis. Although the vast majority of taxi drivers are nice people, there are times when they will try to pull a fast one by asking for a fixed fare or failing to turn on the meter. If this happens, get out of the taxi and find a driver who will put on the meter so you don’t get ripped off.
Where Are The Rough Areas In Dublin?
Let’s be honest, every city has their own fair share of rough areas, and Dublin is no exception. Some places may make you feel a little unsafe and be a bit more dangerous than others, but the vast majority are fine. Let’s give you a list of places you should avoid if you can.
- Upper O’Connell Street
- The Quays
- Dublin West
Where Are The Safe Areas In Dublin?
Putting the unsafe areas to one side, let’s now list the safe areas where you won’t have to worry in Dublin.
- Portobello
- Merrion Square
- Castleknock (beside the Phoenix Park)
- Ballsbridge
Is Dublin Safe At Night?
Generally, Dublin is safe at night, but you should be aware of your surroundings at all times.
Night time is the most popular time of the day to head out for a drink. Some people who have consumed alcohol tend to get a little bit fiery sometimes, which results in arguments or even worse, physical fights, which do occur from time to time. If you happen to find yourself involved in any sort of confrontation, walk away.
The vast majority of muggings happen when it’s dark. While they’re rare, they’re not unheard of. Always walk in well-lit areas where you’ll be noticed by the general public in case something happens to you.
If you can, avoid walking alone, as that’s when you’ll be most at risk. The bigger the group, the safer you are.
Is Dublin Safe To Travel Alone?
Solo travel is on the rise, and Dublin is one of those cities which is perfect for you to test the waters.
Those who are looking to travel alone to Dublin will be perfectly safe. Thousands of solo travellers from all over the world fly into Dublin Airport each year, and they have the time of their lives.
Check out our tips on how to stay safe as a solo traveller in Dublin.
- Stay at a hostel: Hands down, the best places for solo travellers to stay are hostels. They’re forms of accommodation that are basically made for travellers to connect with each other when they’re on the road away from anybody they know. Dublin has tons of great hostels to book into, which are a lot more affordable than hotels or B&Bs.
- Join a free walking tour: You can find free walking tours of Dublin online or ask your hostel for more information. They’re a brilliant way of getting to know a city that you’ve never been to before. You’ll be in a group with other tourists taken around by a local expert, so you’ll be in safe hands.
- Bring a spare card: Sometimes credit or debit cards stop working abroad for a multitude of reasons. Bring a backup to be safe.
- Purchase a sim card: When travelling solo, sim cards are essential as they provide you with a way to contact somebody in case you fall into a bit of bother. They can be purchased either at Dublin airport or in selected stores in the city.
- Use a VPN: Using public WiFi networks puts you at risk of having your information stolen. To prevent this, invest in a VPN.
Where In Dublin has partnered with NordVPN to keep you safe on the internet while travelling.
- Carry copies: Always carry a copy of your personal identification documents, travel insurance, and anything else that you may need. You never know when you might need them.
- Enjoy a drink, but drink responsibly: Everybody wants to enjoy the local nightlife wherever they are, and you shouldn’t be stripped of that, but it’s important that you don’t overdo it in case you find yourself in a difficult situation.
- Know the emergency phone numbers: Make a list of every emergency phone number you think you’d need if you’re in trouble. This way, you have them at hand and don’t need data to go looking for them. Here are the main emergency numbers that everyone visiting Dublin should have – Garda (police) + Ambulance – (911) or (112)
Is Dublin Safe For Solo Female Travellers
Dublin is safe for solo female travellers. Women can live and travel to the city without feeling any sort of threat.
No matter what gender you are, everybody visiting Dublin should take the exact same precautions. 99% of the population are great people, and they’re more than willing to give you some help no matter who you are. All you have to do is just ask.
Frequently Asked Questions Regarding Safety In Dublin
Is It Safe To Drink The Tap Water In Dublin?
Tap water in Dublin is perfectly safe for you to drink in Dublin. Almost every local person drinks tap water without batting an eyelid, so there’s no need for you to be concerned.
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What’s The Health System Like in Dublin If Something Was To Happen To Me?
Since Ireland is a well developed western country, you’re in safe hands when it comes to healthcare. The only issue you may run into is waiting times, as the health system has become exhausted since COVID 19.
If you do happen to find yourself in a situation where you need to see a doctor, use Google to search for a local doctor in the area you’re staying in. There are tons of them around, and some even work out of hours.
Is Dublin A Safe City For Students?
With there already being four universities in Dublin, there’s no doubt that the city is safe for students.
Of course, you have to be vigilant; it’s a must, but there are barely any cases where a student’s safety has been at risk.
Are The Roads In Dublin Safe To Drive On?
The roads around Dublin are pretty safe to drive on. You might find the centre of the city a bit hectic, but other than that, once you’re comfortable driving in a foreign country, you’ll be grand.
Just remember, in Ireland, we drive on the left-hand side of the road, so be prepared.
Is Dublin LGBTQ Friendly?
Over the years, Dublin has become increasingly more progressive, with members of the LGBTQ community now receiving rights that they never had years ago. This makes Dublin super safe for gay travellers.
Dublin has plenty of places that cater to the LGBTQ community, including friendly nighttime entertainment venues like the George, Mother, and many more.
So, What’s The Final Verdict? Is Dublin Safe To Visit?
After taking multiple factors into account, we would say Dublin is a safe city to visit. With some in-depth planning and knowing what to do and what not to do, you’ll be perfectly fine on your visit.
There’s no need to be frightened by the negative parts of this post that we included. It’s just a reminder of the minor potential risks to keep you on your toes. Bad things happening to tourists in Dublin are very few and far between.
So, what are you waiting for? Now you know you’re going to be safe, so get booking that trip.