A fan map of places tied to the band's story. Check the sources before you go.
36 places
Dublin · IE
In September 1976, 14-year-old Larry Mullen Jr. put up a note on the school noticeboard looking for musicians, which led to U2; all four studied here. On 25 Sep 2026 the band marked 50 years with a 35-minute surprise show in the schoolyard. It's a working school: view it from outside only.
128 Malahide Road, Clontarf, Dublin 3
Dublin · IE
Studio opened in 1978, where U2 recorded Boy, October and War and worked on The Unforgettable Fire and The Joshua Tree. Its walls were covered in fan graffiti. The building was demolished in April 2015 and sections of the wall were removed (one of them is in the Teeling Distillery museum). Today the pavement has the 'Vinyl Walkway', with covers of albums recorded there, six of them by U2.
Windmill Lane, Dublin 2 (off Sir John Rogerson's Quay)
≈ Approximate location (~200 m)
Dublin · IE
In 1990 Windmill Lane moved to this address, keeping the name and history of the studio behind U2's first albums. Guided tours tell that story (book ahead). As it's a working studio, access depends on the day's recording sessions.
20 Ringsend Road, Dublin 4, D04 CF66
Dublin · IE
The band's studio in the docklands since the early 1990s, with walls covered in fan graffiti; U2 bought the site back in 2014. Planning permission to demolish it and build a U2 visitor centre was granted in 2019 and expired in 2024 with no work done. It's private property, so view it from outside only. I couldn't confirm whether the band still uses the studio. The 'Gloria' video (1981) was filmed on a boat in the same Grand Canal Dock.
15–18 Hanover Quay, Grand Canal Dock, Dublin 2
≈ Approximate location (~200 m)
Dublin · IE
In 1985 U2 became the first Irish act to headline a show at this stadium. They returned in 1987, 2005, 2009 and 2017. The stadium has a museum and the Skyline rooftop tour.
Jones' Road, Drumcondra, Dublin 3
Dublin · IE
At the Point Depot U2 closed the Lovetown Tour with four shows between 26 and 31 Dec 1989. On 30 Dec Bono gave his 'dream it all up again' speech, which heralded the Achtung Baby era (the story is widely quoted but thinly sourced). The 31 Dec show was released as 'Live from the Point Depot'. The theatre closed in 2007 and the 3Arena stands on the same site.
North Wall Quay, Dublin 1
Dublin · IE
Temple Bar hotel owned by Bono and The Edge from 1992 until its sale to the Dean Hotel Group in October 2023. On 27 Sep 2000 U2 played on the roof for Top of the Pops and stopped the traffic. The roof terrace is not open to the public. An extension has been approved, with works planned from 2025, so check whether the hotel is open.
6–8 Wellington Quay, Temple Bar, Dublin 2
≈ Approximate location (~200 m)
Slane · IE
In 1981 U2 opened for Thin Lizzy at the castle's first concert. In 1984 the band lived there and recorded The Unforgettable Fire. The 1 Sep 2001 show became the DVD 'U2 Go Home'. The castle is still a family home and is open to the public; check opening times.
Slane, Co. Meath
Dublin · IE
Boxing arena where U2 played on 26 Feb 1980. Island Records executives were in the audience and offered a deal right after the show; the band signed soon after. The arena is still in use and hosts events.
145 South Circular Road, Dublin 8, D08 HY40
Dublin · IE
U2 played about 11 shows here between 1978 and 1980. On 25 May 1978 Paul McGuinness, who would later become the band's manager, saw U2 for the first time on this stage. The old building was demolished in 1998 and the current one, at the same address, opened in 2000.
39 East Essex Street, Temple Bar, Dublin 2
Dublin · IE
The weekend market hosted eight U2 shows in 1979. They were afternoon shows open to under-18s, and they built the band's first fan base. The shopping centre now stands on the site and a plaque remembers the market. Most of the 'Rock 'N' Stroll' plaque trail has been removed, so the plaque may no longer be there.
St Stephen's Green West (top of Grafton Street), Dublin 2
≈ Approximate location (~200 m)
Dublin · IE
The fan-assembled exhibition 'U2: Made in Dublin' shows signed records, the original sign from the McGonagles club, a painted Trabant and a MacPhisto sculpture. The museum reopened in June 2025 after a refurbishment. Entry is by guided tour only, and booking is required.
15 St Stephen's Green, Dublin 2, D02 Y066
Dublin · IE
Interactive museum with a U2 room: tickets from the 'Bono, The Edge and Friends' days and a jacket Adam Clayton gave to a drenched fan. The same complex has the 'Wall of Fame' mural, honouring Irish artists such as U2.
Curved Street, Temple Bar, Dublin 2
≈ Approximate location (~200 m)
Dublin · IE
Hearing-aid shop whose name is cited as the origin of the nickname 'Bono'. It's still a working shop: photograph the shopfront without getting in customers' way.
9 North Earl Street, Dublin 1
≈ Approximate location (~200 m)
Belfast · GB
On 19 May 1998, ahead of the Good Friday Agreement referendum, U2 and Ash played a show for the 'Yes' vote to about 2,000 young people. Bono brought rivals David Trimble and John Hume together on stage, where they shook hands. The venue is still active.
Lanyon Place, Belfast
Berlin · DE
In the Meistersaal, 'Studio 2', U2 recorded parts of Achtung Baby in October and December 1990. In 2011 the band returned to film the documentary 'From the Sky Down'. Guided tours run on selected dates, starting in front of the building.
Köthener Straße 38, 10963 Berlin
Berlin · DE
The station inspired 'Zoo Station', written during the Achtung Baby sessions. The song in turn inspired the Zoo TV tour and the album Zooropa. It's a working station.
Hardenbergplatz, 10623 Berlin
Berlin · DE
The golden statue appears in the video for 'Stay (Faraway, So Close!)' (1993), directed by Wim Wenders, which pays tribute to 'Wings of Desire'. The viewing platform below the statue is open to the public, with a ticket.
Großer Stern, 10557 Berlin
Berlin · DE
On 5 Nov 2009 U2 played a free show in front of the Gate, broadcast on the MTV EMA, on the eve of the 20th anniversary of the fall of the Wall. The Gate also appears in the 'Stay' video. It's a public space.
Pariser Platz, 10117 Berlin
Inyo County (near Darwin/Olancha, CA) · US
The tree Anton Corbijn photographed in December 1986 for the album is by CA-190, west of Death Valley, not in Joshua Tree National Park. It died and fell around 2000 (approximate date). What remains is the trunk, a bronze plaque left by a fan (c. 2003) and a visitors' book. There's no trail: bring water and leave no litter.
CA-190, ~23 mi east of Olancha, CA, then a few minutes' walk south (no street address)
Death Valley National Park, CA · US
The band photo on the cover of The Joshua Tree (1987) was taken at this viewpoint. It's inside the national park and open to visitors; beware of the extreme heat.
Death Valley National Park, California
Los Angeles · US
On 27 Mar 1987 U2 played on the roof of this liquor store for the 'Where the Streets Have No Name' video and drew about 1,000 people into the street until the police stepped in. Reports from 2013 to 2017 say the building became the Margarita's Place restaurant; I couldn't confirm its current use. The roof is not accessible and the area is on the edge of Skid Row.
E 7th St & S Main St, Downtown Los Angeles, CA
≈ Approximate location (~200 m)
Las Vegas · US
U2 opened the venue on 29 Sep 2023 with the 'U2:UV Achtung Baby Live at Sphere' residency, which ran for 40 shows until 2 Mar 2024. The run became the film 'V-U2' (2024). The venue still hosts other shows and its LED exterior is visible from the Strip.
255 Sands Avenue, Paradise, NV
Las Vegas · US
On 12 Apr 1987 U2 filmed the video for 'I Still Haven't Found What I'm Looking For' here, directed by Barry Devlin. At the time the street had no LED canopy (it dates from 1995), and some of the casinos in the video have since closed. Today it's a public pedestrian mall.
Fremont Street (between Main St and Las Vegas Blvd), Las Vegas, NV
≈ Approximate location (~200 m)
Memphis · US
Elvis's studio, where U2 recorded tracks for Rattle and Hum, such as 'Angel of Harlem' (30 Nov 1987) and 'When Love Comes to Town' with B.B. King. Today it works as both a studio and a tourist attraction, with guided tours.
706 Union Avenue, Memphis, TN
Morrison, CO · US
On 5 Jun 1983, in rain and fog and in front of about 4,400 people, U2 recorded 'Live at Red Rocks: Under a Blood Red Sky'. The 'Sunday Bloody Sunday' video came from it. The band was inducted into the Red Rocks Hall of Fame in 2003. Check the official site for visiting hours on non-show days.
17598 W. Alameda Parkway, Morrison, CO
San Francisco · US
On 11 Nov 1987 U2 played the free 'Save the Yuppies' show here, filmed for Rattle and Hum. Bono spray-painted 'Rock N Roll Stops The Traffic' on the Vaillancourt Fountain, was cited and later apologised. Dismantling of the fountain began on 27 Apr 2026 and the pieces will be kept in storage; the plaza remains public.
Market St & The Embarcadero, San Francisco, CA
Tempe, AZ · US
The colour concert scenes in the Rattle and Hum film were shot here on 19 and 20 Dec 1987. Arizona State University's stadium was renamed in 2023 and you can only get in during events.
500 East Veterans Way, Tempe, AZ
New Orleans · US
At the Super Bowl XXXVI halftime show, on 3 Feb 2002, U2 played while the names of the 9/11 victims were projected behind the stage. The stadium is in use and you can only get in during events.
1500 Sugar Bowl Drive, New Orleans, LA
New York · US
The Ritz club operated in this building from 1980 to 1989, and it was here that U2 played their first US show, on 6 Dec 1980. Today the building is once again the Webster Hall venue, open during events.
125 East 11th Street, New York, NY
≈ Approximate location (~200 m)
New York (Brooklyn) · US
On 22 Nov 2004 U2 filmed the 'All Because of You' video playing on a truck through Manhattan and ended the day with a surprise show under the Brooklyn Bridge. The area became part of Brooklyn Bridge Park in 2010, near Jane's Carousel, and is public.
Main Street, DUMBO, Brooklyn, NY
≈ Approximate location (~200 m)
London · GB
U2's first London show, on 4 Dec 1979, billed as 'The U2s' and seen by nine paying customers. The Edge broke a string and the band walked off stage. It's still a pub and live music venue.
207 Upper Street, Islington, London N1
London · GB
At Live Aid (13 Jul 1985) U2 played a 12-minute version of 'Bad' and Bono went down into the crowd to dance with a fan. The performance is cited as the one that made U2 stars. The old stadium was demolished from 2002; the new Wembley, on the same site, hosted U2 in 2009.
South Way, Wembley, London HA9 0WS
≈ Approximate location (~200 m)
Roissy-en-France · FR
The 'Beautiful Day' video was shot in Terminal 2F in August 2000, directed by Jonas Åkerlund. The band was also photographed there for the All That You Can't Leave Behind artwork. The terminal's public areas are accessible.
Terminal 2F, Aéroport Paris-Charles-de-Gaulle
≈ Approximate location (~200 m)
Sarajevo · BA
On 23 Sep 1997 U2 became the first major act to play Sarajevo after the war, to about 45,000 people. 'Miss Sarajevo' was in the encore, and The Edge and the crowd helped out Bono, who had lost his voice. The stadium is still in use.
Koševo, Sarajevo
São Paulo · BR
The Brazilian stadium that has hosted U2 the most: 11 shows across four tours (PopMart 1998, Vertigo 2006, 360° 2011 and Joshua Tree 2017), with about 850,000 people in total. You can only get in during matches and events.
Praça Roberto Gomes Pedrosa, 1 – Morumbi, São Paulo – SP