As far as a tourist destination goes, Dublin ticks a lot of boxes. There’s a bustling nightlife courtesy of the Temple Bar area to attract stag and hen parties, lots of museums and history to attract culture vultures, and who could resist some good ol' Irish craic in the city's old fashioned pubs? All this is enough to encourage anyone to spend a few days in the Irish capital.

After visiting Dublin a couple of times, the main sites stop holding so much interest. The famous statue of Molly Malone, the Guinness Brewery, the Spire of Dublin - once you’ve seen them once, there’s no reason to get excited about them again.

Thankfully there’s much more to Dublin than these tourist attractions. Grab yourself a bag of Taytos, pour a cup of Barry’s Tea, and enjoy Dublin’s hidden gems.

Killiney Hill:
The hill itself isn’t exactly hidden (it’s a hill, after all) but the breathtaking view from the top is not one widely known by the majority of tourists. The hill is situated in the Killiney Hill public park, on the South Dublin Coast. The hill may be slightly more difficult to reach than the Bray, but the view is worth it. From the Wicklow Mountains on one side to the far end of Dublin City on the other, a hike up Killiney hill is a must-do activity for anyone wanting to take in Dublin's scenic landscape.

Poolbeg Lighthouse:
The South Wall at Dublin bay was once the longest sea wall in existence, and the Poolbeg lighthouse juts out from this wall into the bay. The lighthouse is particularly beautiful in sunny weather. It’s painted terracotta red to indicate that it’s on the port side to ships leaving Dublin bay. On a summer’s day it makes the perfect photo opportunity, and you can find directions to the lighthouse by asking receptionists at Dublin hotels or visiting the tourist information area in the city centre.

Iveagh Gardens:
Tucked around the corner from busy St Stephen’s Square is the tranquil Iveagh Gardens. Most tourists are oblivious, as the gardens cannot be seen from the street. Instead, you have to find the gate near the concert hall that grants access to the beautiful gardens. Office workers looking for somewhere peaceful and scenic to eat their sandwiches often visit the gardens, with their well tended lawns and glistening waterfall. The gardens were originally built for the exclusive use of the Earl of Clonmell, but are now visited by anyone in the know.

Ha’penny Flea Market at the Grand Social:
If you’re in Dublin on a Saturday, and not suffering from an almighty Guinness hangover, head to the indoor flea market at the Grand Social. You’ll find stalls with everything from bootleg electronics to vintage china. Local bands play, there’s street food, and it’s the perfect place to get to experience the underground scene of Dublin’s culture- much better than fighting the crowds on Grafton Street. The market is open from 11am to 5pm each Saturday.

Fiona Roy writes for a digital marketing agency. This article has been commissioned by a client of said agency. This article is not designed to promote, but should be considered professional content.