St Stephen's Green

"Taking a Breather at St Stephen's Green St Stephen's Green is a welcome spot of calm and green set in a Georgian square in the centre of Dublin. At around 20 acres, it's large enough to feel you have escaped the bustle, but not so large that you can't easily return to the fray once you are ready. There are formal manicured lawns and gardens in the middle, a large lake to the north - good for swan-watching - a bandstand and play area, and plenty of benches and other picnic spots. St Stephen's is probably not the sort of place you'd deliberately set out to visit, but chances are good you'll end up there anyway: it's just off Grafton Street (one of the main shopping streets), and near other attractions dotted around what is known as Georgian Dublin, such as Merrion Square and Leinster House (the seat of Irish parliament). By AFAR Traveler , AFAR Contributor"

"Taking a Breather at St Stephen's Green St Stephen's Green is a welcome spot of calm and green set in a Georgian square in the centre of Dublin. At around 20 acres, it's large enough to feel you have escaped the bustle, but not so large that you can't easily return to the fray once you are ready. There are formal manicured lawns and gardens in the middle, a large lake to the north - good for swan-watching - a bandstand and play area, and plenty of benches and other picnic spots. St Stephen's is probably not the sort of place you'd deliberately set out to visit, but chances are good you'll end up there anyway: it's just off Grafton Street (one of the main shopping streets), and near other attractions dotted around what is known as Georgian Dublin, such as Merrion Square and Leinster House (the seat of Irish parliament). By AFAR Traveler , AFAR Contributor"

"St. Stephen's Green, an exquisitely manicured park in Dublin City Centre , dates back to a time when open space and fresh air were at a premium: Victorian Ireland, 1880. Today, the green lawns and ponds are surrounded by a thick wall of trees, creating a true respite from urban life inside a neat, perfectly ordered rectangular park. It's a fantastic spot to people watch and get a glimpse of daily life for Dublin locals." - Melissa Kravitz Hoeffner

"Let’s start big picture. What’s the vibe here? This exquisitely manicured park in Dublin City Centre hails back to a time when open space and fresh air were at a premium: Victorian Ireland, 1880. Today, the green lawns and ponds are surrounded by a thick wall of trees, creating a true respite from urban life inside a perfectly rectangular park. Any standout features or must-sees? Bookworms will want to read near the bust of James Joyce or near the statue of William Butler Yeats, while selfie stick–toting tourists should snag their best spots near the fountains and Fusiliers' Arch. Was it easy to get around? Organized in a neat rectangle with concentric walking paths, St. Stephen's Green is very much Victorian in its order. At 22 acres, the park is expansive but not overwhelming—you'd be hard-pressed to get lost in it. There are plenty of benches, especially near the center. All said and done, what—and who—is this best for? St. Stephen's Green is a fantastic spot to people-watch and soak in a glimpse of daily life for Dublin locals. The park is also free to enter, making it an appealing destination for budget-conscious travelers." - Melissa Kravitz Hoeffner