Pedal Power on the Grand Canal
A scenic waterway that simply begs to be explored, following the Grand Canal by bike is an enjoyably active way to get to know the city. With its picturesque cycle paths parallel to the water, you'll zip from a museum-filled morning to a canal-front lunch spot in no time.
A super spin: Canal Way Cycle Route
Ideal for families and commuters, the Canal Way Cycle Route is a real treat to follow. At 3.6km long, this off-road passage connects the storied terraces of Portobello to the bustling business hubs at Spencer Dock and Grand Canal Dock.
From the saddle you'll be well-positioned to visit a number of fascinating museums and galleries; from the Irish Jewish Museum in Portobello to the National Gallery of Ireland by Merrion Square and the National Print Museum, a few streets from the canal in Beggars Bush.
As you cycle along, you'll pass a number of 200-year-old locks and pedal by many of the city's historic bridges before reaching Grand Canal Quay and Dock. The pristine, modern Samuel Beckett Bridge then takes you from lively Grand Canal Dock with its watersport activities, restaurants and renowned Bord Gáis Energy Theatre, across the Liffey to Spencer Dock's architectural gems. The route then ends in the shadow of the iconic Convention Centre, parallel to the Royal Canal at Sheriff Street Upper.
Escape the city: Grand Canal Way Green Route
Once you've cycled the city, you can then set off for the lush southern towpaths of the Grand Canal Way Green Route. This 8.5km cycle path follows the canal from the third lock at Inchicore and extends right out to the 12th lock in Lucan, County Dublin. Generous in width and with a gravelled surface giving good tyre traction, watch out for the route's playful otters as you spin by, not to mention its elusive evening bats. Taking this pictorial path is a lovely way to experience Dublin's stretch of the Grand Canal at its most rural.
Go your own way: Hire a bike
If you're rearing to hop in the saddle but don't have a bicycle of your own, there are plenty of bike hire options available.
With stations dotted all over the city, the Just Eat Dublin Bikes scheme conveniently allows you to rent a city bike for short journeys. If you're not an annual Dublin Bikes card holder, you can buy a three-day ticket at your nearest Dublin Bike station. Along the Grand Canal alone, there are six handy bike stations between Herbert Place and Portobello, making it a breeze to cycle to any of the area's foodie hotspots as well as the National Gallery of Ireland, the Natural History Museum and plenty more.
Further up the canal by Rialto and Inchicore/Kilmainham, you'll find two bike stations along the South Circular Road and another two near Kilmainham Gaol. Ideal for a visit to the historic gaol, the Irish Museum of Modern Art (IMMA), Richmond Barracks or the splendid Irish National War Memorial Gardens.
Just Eat Dublin Bikes, multiple city centre locations
Another eye-catching option are Lazy Bike Tours' zesty orange bicycles, which can be hired for full or half-day spins. With their pick-up point in Temple Bar, you can hop on your retro-looking rental and reach your desired stretch of the Grand Canal or its many nearby attractions, in mere minutes. Lazy Bikes also supply helmets, maps, locks and plenty of helpful hints too.
Lazy Bike Tours, 4 Scarlet Row, Essex Street West, Temple Bar, Dublin 8
Follow the leader: Take a bike tour
Why not leave the map-reading to the professionals and take a fun bike tour of the city? There are plenty of fascinating tours that tick off lots of the Grand Canal's sights en route.
With Dublin City Bike Tours, you cycle alongside local guides who give great insight and that trademark Dublin wit. As well as many of Dublin City's most famous attractions like The GPO and Christchurch, you'll pedal part of the Grand Canal, see nearby Merrion Square, the Docklands, Portobello and playwright George Bernard Shaw's canal-adjacent birthplace. Great for all cycling levels, this two to three-hour tour covers 7.5km of the city.
Dublin City Bike Tours, Isaac's Hostel, 2-5 Frenchman's Lane, Dublin 1
In addition to their Taste of Dublin and U2's Dublin bike tours, covering everything from The Spire to the band's Grand Canal Dock stomping ground, See Dublin by Bike also provide private and custom bike tours. Perfect for a tour tailored to your interests, why not enjoy a guided spin along the grassy-banked Grand Canal, with its many literary and cultural nooks? Private/custom tours can also include scheduled coffee breaks and lunchtime treats, something the canal's restaurants and cafes do very well indeed.
See Dublin by Bike, Drury Street multi-storey car park, Dublin 2
This is just a taste of how you can explore the tranquil Grand Canal waters, find more ways in our Highlights section.