Dublin is home to dozens of creepy legends, real-life horror stories, and true crime tales. Myths are interwoven with reality to create a spooky but intriguing fabric—one that many visitors remember for years to come.
Videos by TravelAwaits
From Kilmainham Gaol to Malahide Castle t o Glasnevin Cemetery, you’ll encounter spine-tingling history around many corners.
But you might want to let an expert take the lead. Like many other historic European hubs, you’ll get more out of your visit if you look for tours and experiences that are led by qualified locals who are passionate, knowledgeable, and—in this case—dedicated to preserving Dublin’s dark history.
Between practicing splitting the G, here are a few spooky and intriguing tours in Dublin for anyone who likes to flirt with the dark side.
Short list: top spooky tours in Dublin
- The tour that might actually spook you: Haunted Dublin walking tour (check price)
- The true crime tour that will upset you: Dark Dublin walking tour: torture, murder, and mystery (check price)
- The spooky tour that will make you scream: Gravedigger Pub show & bus tour (check price)
- The fun-for-the-whole-family pick: Dublinia show (check price)
The full list: top intriguing & Spooky tours in Dublin
Haunted Dublin walking tour
This is one of the first haunted tours in Dublin, meaning you’ll benefit from the operators’ experience. Expect a comprehensive tour around historic Dublin, from Temple Bar to Christ Church Cathedral. Along the way, you’ll see a few spots that many tourists miss—and hear about some of the area’s best ghost stories. Remember: this tour is all about supernatural lore, not true crime.
Dark Dublin walking tour: torture, murder, and mystery
I went on this tour three years ago during a visit to Dublin… and it was pretty upsetting, even as someone who enjoys true crime. This tour dives deep into the city’s most macabre chapters, including both paranormal and real-life tales. From St. Patrick’s Cathedral to the 40 steps, you’ll wander to some of the city’s most spine-tingling spots. Just get ready to hear about torture.
Macabre, ghostly, and bloody walking tour
If you aren’t able to book the torture-filled tour above, consider this alternative. It’s a newer variation of the previous tour, focusing heavily on Dublin’s true crime history. You hear about torture, execution, and serial killers. There’s also a short introduction into Dublin’s history with the Vikings.
Dublin ghost bus tour with actors
The ghost bus tour is a larger group tour that takes you to Dublin’s spookiest spots—no walking involved. The actors come into play as you start to learn about the history’s dark past. They liven up the experience, subjecting the audience to jokes, interactive skits, ghastly props, and more. Think: a typical ghost tour goes Broadway.
Gravedigger Pub show & bus tour
This bus show is similar to the last in that it involves a ghostly bus ride in which professional actors will liven up the storytelling. In this case, you can expect more jump scares and dark surprises as you board the bus. And it doesn’t end there. This tour concludes with a stop at the Gravediggers Pub, where you’ll be treated to a ‘ghoulish shot’.
Dublinia show
This theatre show covers a millennium of Viking and medieval history in Dublin. There are immersive exhibitions, skits, and interactive storytelling that begin with a climb aboard a Viking warship. It even includes items and artefacts from the National Museum of Ireland. This experience is fun for the whole family, including young children. Just know that it’s big on history, and won’t dip too deep into the darker topics.
Interactive walking tour of Dublin’s medieval quarter
Speaking of Viking topics, this interactive tour takes you through Dublin’s medieval history—with a Viking in the lead. That’s right, your guides don period-appropriate costumes and take on the veil of Viking invaders. You’ll learn about Dublin’s history as it intersects with its Viking invaders, and even have the chance to learn about the past from actors who appeared in shows like Vikings and Valhalla.
1-day fully customized and private tour
I’m a huge proponent of customized private tours because they let you focus on the topics that interest you the most. If you want to dig into a period of Dublin’s history, a single event, or another focused topic, you can do so with this professional guide. Just make sure you clarify the topics that you want to explore and how deep into the darkness you want to delve. For example, you might want to learn about ghosts and supernatural tales without dipping a toe into the torture and true crime history of the city.
[Just a heads-up: We may earn an affiliate commission when you make a purchase from a link in our articles.]
