Top-Rated Guinness Tours in Dublin (Storehouse & Tastings!)

Is a Guinness tour in Dublin worth doing? How long does it take to do the Guinness Tour in Dublin?

Having traveled extensively across Ireland with upcoming trips to Dublin in the works, I know exactly how important it is to plan your travels well in advance for this highly popular tourist city, especially when we’re talking about the Guinness Storehouse!

With dozens of tour groups and local companies to consider, picking the right tour for your group can turn into a hassle really fast. Fortunately, while spending hours planning my own visit the Guinness Factory, I decided to curate this simple list of the top-rated tours for the Guinness Storehouse and Experience!

With this handy list, you can find the right tour for you and book it all within a matter of minutes (with free cancellation, might I add) so, research and planning don’t have to eat up your entire day.

Check Rates & Availability for the Skip the Line Guinness and Jameson Irish Whiskey Experience Tour in Dublin! ☘️

Don’t have time to read the whole post? No worries!

This Dublin Jameson Distillery and Guinness Storehouse Guided Tour is the #1 Guinness tour you’ll find. With quick access to two major attractions as well as multiple free pints of the good stuff, this is the one Guinness tour Dublin you won’t want to miss!

The iconic Irish stout has been brewed in Dublin, Ireland since the 18th century and is now one of the most popular beers in the world. On these popular tours, not only will you get to explore the history and culture of Guinness, but you’ll also get a chance to sample some delicious beer straight from the source.

From learning about how it’s made to discovering its unique flavor profile, these tours have become an integral part of visiting the Irish capital!

6 Top-Rated Guinness Tours in Dublin

☘️1. Dublin Jameson Distillery and Guinness Storehouse Guided Tour

What’s Included? ⤵

• Led by an expert, local English speaking guide
• Dedicated time entry specifically for you and your group
• No waiting in line!
• 4 hours in duration
• 2 free drinks (1 pint of Guinness and 1 Jameson Whiskey beverage)
• Samples of Jameson Whiskey
• A pitstop at the oldest pub in Ireland

I typically don’t rank tours since many of them have pros and cons relative to each individual person, but in this case, this Dublin Guinness tour 100% deserves the #1 spot on this list!

Offering two free drinks plus Jameson samples, as well as VIP treatment when it comes to skipping the line and getting ahead of thousands of other tourists, well – there really isn’t a better tour on this list.

Not to mention, it’s affordable and offers free cancellation until 24 hours prior to your tour. Just be sure to book it soon because it fills up fast! Owing to its Badge of Excellence award on Viator, this tour alone gets a lot of recognition.

☘️2. Dublin Private Guinness and Jameson Tour and Taste with Transfers

What’s Included? ⤵

• Private guided tour to the Guinness Storehouse Dublin
• Additional shared tour at the Jameson Whiskey Distillery on Bow St.
• Travel in executive transport including bottled water
• 4.5 hours in duration
• A whiskey and beer specialist accompanies you throughout both tours
• Enjoy a free pint of Guinness in the Gravity Bar Dublin
• A free Jameson cocktail along with 3 Jameson whiskey samples
• Self-guided Guinness Storehouse tour (host available for all inquiries and questions)

I lied – there really should be two #1 spots on this Guinness tour Dublin list.

If you’re looking for a (practically) all-inclusive half-day tour of the Guinness academy and don’t want to have to worry about transportation or keeping your group together, then this is the tour for you!

They accept up to 15 people in your group, so no matter how big your family or friends group is, it’s likely that you’ll be able to do this tour together.

And don’t fret if you only have 10 people in your group, no strangers will join you – only your group participates in the tour! (Introverts rejoice.)

☘️3. Guinness Storehouse Ticket and Big Bus Dublin Hop-on Hop-off Tour

What’s Included? ⤵

• Fast track entry to the Guinness Storehouse & Experience
• Free pint of Guinness at the Gravity Bar in the brewery
• 90 minutes in duration
• UNLIMITED Hop-On Hop-Off Bus Ticket (good for 1 or 2 days)
• Fully guided commentary while on board the bus
• Multi-lingual recordings for non-English-speaking passengers
• Flexible embarkation and disembarkation points

Did you know that most travelers heading to Dublin rarely spend more than 1-2 days in this iconic city?

Well, if you’re like one of those travelers who are short on time (check out this post on The BEST 2 Days in Dublin Itinerary), this Guinness tour Dublin is by far the best way to combine your city sightseeing with a visit to the Guinness Storehouse!

In just a short hour and a half, you’ll combine some of the city’s most iconic sites such as St. Patrick’s Cathedral and Temple Bar with one of the best breweries in town (and even the world for that matter!)

Plus, with skip-the-line perks and the flexibility to get on and off the bus whenever you please, this is by far the most efficient (and affordable) method of sightseeing in Dublin!

☘️4. The Guinness Storehouse & Perfect Pint Tour Experience

What’s Included? ⤵

• Self-guided tour of the Guinness Storehouse Dublin (all tours inside the Storehouse are self-guided)
• One pint at the iconic Gravity Bar Dublin
• THREE free pints of Guinness
• 3.5 hours in duration
• Traditional Irish music throughout the journey
• Visits to three additional local Irish pubs
• All transportation

All of the tours on this list are great choices, but if you’re trying to really get your drink on, then this tour is definitely the right pick for you.

Inclusive of four pints of the good stuff along with visits to three additional Irish pubs following the Storehouse, you’ll be grateful you have a DD for the ride home.

Especially if you plan on hitting the city streets with your friends and don’t want to have to worry about safety (though you should still read about safety in Dublin before you go) or where to go next, this is the ultimate drinking Guinness tour Dublin has to offer.

☘️5. Guinness Pint Tour in Dublin with Tasting

What’s Included? ⤵

• Special visits to four local pubs with knowledgeable Irish guides
• 3.5 hours in duration
• Four pints of Guinness
• Traditional Irish Music
• Luxury bus transportation for the entire group

The Irish know how to drink, it’s as simple as that. If you’ve ever been to Ireland or plan on visiting (here’s a great 10-day Irish itinerary) and you want to really get to drinking, then these expert guides are the perfect addition to your trip!

Get ready to socialize and make some new friends because this Guinness tour in Dublin is all about getting you out to the best local bars in town (that none of the tourists know about) with some friendly Irish locals.

If you want to truly experience Irish culture with a drink in your hand, then don’t pass up this once-in-a-lifetime European experience!

☘️6. Dublin Private Whiskey Tour with Three Unique Distillery Visits

What’s Included? ⤵

• 4.5 hours in duration
• Private half-day whiskey and beer route
• Travel in style with executive transport between beverage stops
• A whiskey & beer specialist will accompany you all day
• Private city tour of Dublin with guided commentary
• Visit Teeling Whiskey Distillery & a private sampling
• Guided tour of Guinness Storehouse with one pint of Guinness
• Visit Pearse Lyons Distillery with a private tasting of three whiskeys and a gin

Based on the above list of exceptional inclusions, it’s easy to see why this tour is one of the most popular on the list!

Fully private, meaning only your group will participate, guests will enjoy numerous tastings of Guinness and a variety of whiskeys as well as get to visit the Guinness Storehouse in addition to two other whiskey distilleries.

If you’re hoping to get the most bang for your buck, the Private: Guinness Storehouse & The Working Distilleries of Dublin is the perfect tour for you!

How to Order a Guinness in Dublin

To order a Guinness in Dublin, you can simply say “I’ll have a pint” or something similar. It’s the most ordered beverage country-wide, so the bartender will likely know to what you are referring.

↪️ Pro Tip: Just be sure to order all of your stouts first so they have time to settle. Otherwise, the bartender may give you an earful if you order 6 Bulmers and a Guinness at the end.

Guinness Storehouse Dublin Ticket Prices

If you decide to skip the Guinness tour altogether and just pay for entry to the Storehouse on your own, here is the ticket cost breakdown:

Guinness Storehouse Experience – €22

Guinness Academy Experience – €34

STOUTie Experience – €30

Connoisseur Experience – €95

Each of these different “experiences” offers unique tastings and inclusions (like your selfie printed on the head – also known as the foam on top of the Guinness – during the STOUTie Experience), but none rival the adventures that accompany the tour groups guided by the local Irishmen.

If you’re looking to immerse yourself in Irish culture, be surrounded by traditional Irish music, and share the experience with some friendly locals, then don’t consider skipping one of the tours I mentioned above.

FAQ

When it comes to Ireland, a Guinness Brewery tour in Dublin is a must – especially if you’re hitting the capital city of Dublin. Cold pints of Guinness (with the perfect head, of course) have been quenching people’s thirst from around the world for over 250 years.

Needless to say, there is endless history to explore and plenty of opportunities to get your hands on a pint or two in Dublin.

Whether you’re looking for an in-depth look at the brewing process or a spot of traditional Irish music and dancing, finding the right Guinness tour Dublin can offer you requires having all of the information.

Is the Dublin Guinness Tour Worth It?

It is absolutely worth taking a Guinness tour while you’re in Dublin! Taking a Guinness tour in Dublin is as much a rite of passage as it is an education in beer brewing and Irish history.

The tour not only provides you with a fascinating insight into the making of the delicious “black stuff” that has the world smitten, but you also get a birds-eye view of Dublin city from the Gravity Bar, with a complimentary pint in hand.

The journey from barley to beer is beautifully narrated and presented, making it an immersive cultural experience that shouldn’t be missed. It’s not just about the beer at the Guinness Storehouse, it’s about the stories, the history, the people, and the pride that’s poured into every pint!

What Does the Guinness Storehouse Tour Include?

During The Guinness Storehouse Tour, visitors will be treated to an interactive journey across seven floors, surrounding the central glass atrium shaped like a pint of Guinness.

The tour includes an introduction to the ingredients used in brewing and the process itself, a guided tasting session, and the opportunity to learn and practice pouring the perfect pint.

Your ticket also grants you access to the Gravity Bar, where you can enjoy panoramic views of Dublin while savoring a complimentary pint of Guinness.

Filled with interactive exhibits and enriched by the company of experienced guides, the tour encapsulates the essence of the Guinness brand and its storied history.

How Long Does It Take to Do the Guinness Tour in Dublin?

The self-guided Guinness tour at the Dublin Storehouse is 2 hours long, however, brew masters recommend spending a minimum of 90 minutes drinking in the historic past of this iconic beer, while sipping away on a cold pint yourself throughout the tour.

Of the tours I mentioned above that include visits to the Storehouse itself, all of them include guided portions as well as self-guided portions as you make your way through the Gravity Bar.

You can spend as little or as long as you want, but the self-guided tour typically lasts between 1-2 hours.

Is There a Dress Code for Guinness Storehouse?

Long pants, long-sleeved shirts, and closed-toed shoes are the required dress code for the Guinness Factory tour.

Regardless of which Guinness tour Dublin piques your interest, tourists who fail to properly dress for the occasion may be denied entry into certain areas of the tour.

Can You Go to the Guinness Gravity Bar without a Tour?

Unfortunately, anyone not on the premises for a Guinness Storehouse tour will not be allowed to enter the Gravity Bar.

Owing to the nature of the storefront and the operations that take place to keep guests moving efficiently while enjoying all there is to see, allowing anyone not on a tour to hang out at the bar for hours on end would disrupt the flow of guests and take away from the overall in-house experience.

Fortunately, if you simply want to sit back and enjoy a few rounds of Guinness, there are literally hundreds of nearby pubs that will allow you to do just that!

But, if you want to enter the Gravity Bar at the Guinness Storehouse, you’ll be required to enter via a guided tour.

When is the Guinness Storehouse Open?

Monday through Friday the Guinness Storehouse opening hours are from 10AM to 5PM and Saturdays and Sundays the Storehouse is open from 9:30AM to 5PM.

It’s also important to note that the last entry to the Storehouse occurs at 5PM on the dot.

What is the History Behind the Guinness Factory?

While you’re certainly going to learn a lot more about the history behind the Guinness Factory during your guided tour, here’s an exceptional video you can check out that will give you a really impressive rundown in just a few short minutes before you depart.

Is Guinness Good in Dublin?

Yes, Guinness is delicious in Dublin! You don’t have to go on a Guinness tour to prove that either. Simply stop into any local pub and order a few rounds to give it a go and you’ll know what I’m talking about.

Is Guinness in Dublin Different from Elsewhere in the World?

Coming from someone who drank a lot of Guinness in Ireland as well as other parts of the world, Guinness is definitely different in the country as a whole when compared globally.

It’s lighter, more refreshing, and it simply tastes better. Makes sense, right? I mean, anything that’s brewed right in front of you is likely going to have a cleaner, and overall better taste!

Where is the Best Pint of Guinness in Ireland?

While Guinness across the country as a whole is unrivaled throughout the world, most locals will tell you that the best pint of Guinness in Ireland can be found at Gravediggers Pub (John Kavanagh’s) in Glasnevin!

How Much Does a Pint of Guinness Cost in Dublin?

The average pint of Guinness will run you about €5.50 – €6.50 across most Dublin pubs and bars, while the price for a pint in the Guinness Storehouse is slightly more expensive at around €7.

However, when you compare this to other cities such as London or Paris where you’d pay upwards of €8-€9 for the same pint, it’s still a great deal. Sláinte!

How Do I Pour the Perfect Pint of Guinness?

While no one can deny my skills at drinking the perfect pint of Guinness, I am absolutely no master at pouring one.

Therefore, here’s a great video from Alan who works at the Gravity Bar in Dublin who is going to explain exactly how to pour your very own perfect pint of Guinness when you arrive!

Where is the Guinness Factory in Ireland?

Fortunately for travelers, the Guinness Factory is located in Dublin, Ireland just a mere 30-minute car ride from the country’s main international airport!

How Far is the Guinness Storehouse from Dublin?

Depending on which route you take, the Guinness Storehouse is between 10-15 miles from the airport which takes about 25-40 minutes to get to during high traffic times.

If you’re coming from the Dublin Airport (DUB), then there are actually a few different routes you can take to get to the Guinness Storehouse.

Assuming you have a rental vehicle, you can stay on the main freeways (M50, R148, and R810) and go around the city which is actually usually about 10-15 minutes faster than following the most direct path through Dublin’s city center.

Thanks to the one million pedestrians and heavy car traffic you’ll find in the city, you’ll want to avoid that route if possible.

The journey around the city is a bit farther in distance (about 15 miles/24km compared to 10 miles/16km) than the route that cuts right through the city, but you’ll be avoiding lots of one-way streets, heavy pedestrian and car traffic, and all of the lights and stop signs.

Can You Buy Guinness Storehouse Tickets at the Door?

You can buy Guinness Storehouse tickets at the door, but they cost 2 euros more than if you were to purchase them online in advance.

If you’re not bothered by the low cost difference, keep in mind that if you were hoping to show up at a particular time, then it’s definitely best to schedule a tour start time so you don’t have to wait in long lines at the door.

Is the Guinness Storehouse the Same as the Brewery?

No, the Guinness Storehouse is not the same as the brewery.

The Storehouse contains the glass atrium which is in the shape of a pint glass of Guinness, the popular Gravity Bar, and numerous exhibits showcasing the origins of Guinness.

The Storehouse is also where you’ll find numerous tasting rooms, a coffee shop on the first floor, and a variety of restaurants on the fifth floor.

On the other hand, the Guinness brewery holds all of the equipment required for the brewing process including the ingredients for the beer itself as well as the materials necessary for brewing.